365 Project - Day 68

I promise, this is my last Christmas photo ... I think. Normally, we would take down our Christmas tree by today, the day of Epiphany. However, we've been a little too busy. Since we were so delinquent in decorating, I have no qualms with leaving it up.

In a rush to get my daily 365 photo done, I stood staring at our delightful tree trying to decide which ornaments I NEEDED to photograph. This turned out to be a much tougher decision than I expected. In the end, I chose 3. The one below, a tiny santa sitting on an enormous goose and a special hand painted glass ornament from Venice, Italy. All three were covered by either branches or tinsel and I didn't want to disturb the decorations, nor take the time to move the ornaments around. So they were photographed "as is." No perfect photos today!

I chose this photograph because of the light dancing off the ornament and the bokeh framing the photo. This piece is also one of the more delicate ornaments we have, therefore, it is not likely to last long. We bought this ornament at Jones Family Farms during one of our annual trips to cut down our Christmas Tree. This particular trip was special in that the tree in their shop was decorated with musical ornaments and ribbons with scales. The boys were thrilled to find such a treasure and we bought several ornaments, including doves, violins, music stands and pianos, in addition to the hummingbirds. We even tried negotiating to purchase the ribbon off the tree! I cannot imagine a family more thrilled to such a tree.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: "Light Aflight"

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16



EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f/4
1/250 (on camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 67

First snowfall of 2015! Is it safe to say that I hope it's the last? The weather has been crazy - 50 degrees one day and then a few days later, it's in the 20s. I can't complain too much because I spend very little time outside. I am so very grateful for that. I am still, now 15 years after moving from Texas, adjusting to these northeastern winters!

Saturday afternoon, the forecast was for 1-3" of snow. The snow came down on time and quickly, "heavy at times". It was brutal and untimely because my younger brother and his family were planning on driving up from their brief visit to NYC to spend a few hours with us. We were all excited about seeing them, if only for a short while, but the snow got in the way.

While we were debating whether it was safe for them to drive up, I stepped outside by myself to take a few photos. I did not go far and I did not take the time to put on a shoe or a jacket. So I was not out for long. This photograph was shot from my front porch toward the right side of our garden. It is my favorite photo of the day and one of my all time favorites. To process this photo, I used Matt Kloskowski's Black and White Tonal Presets. I apologize that I cannot recall which setting I used because I edited from there, but I believe I started with "low contrast". I have looked at this photo many times since I finished processing it. To me, it has depth of character, despite not having a central focal point. I'm especially pleased, given I took this while standing on crutches on my front porch! As a note, I used my SB700 speed light to aid in my attempt to capture the huge snowflakes falling from the sky.

I hope you enjoy it.

Blessed wishes!

Today's Photo: "40% chance of snow; 100% chance of blessings"

"Above the clouds with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself." Pythagoras

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn." Psalm 89:15-17



EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f5.6
1/250 (on camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 66

The anticipation of a new year is exciting. Aren't we both ready to write a fresh chapter and anxious about the unknown at the same time? That certainly makes for a bubbly start, with or without champagne and noise makers!

There were lots of changes in 2014, I expect many more in 2015 and I welcome the new. I have learned during this time with my broken leg to be more present in each moment, to be more understanding, to be more patient (I wish I could delete the word "more" and just "be"). When I say, I have learned to 'be more present', I mean that in the past, I was always, always doing multiple things at once, thereby minimizing everything and barely remembering anything. I often misplaced things, simply because I was not paying attention. I worked while I played and rarely played full on or rested completely, though I did immerse myself in work. When I say 'be more understanding', I heard recently that Philo said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." I love that. We are all struggling with something. I want to ensure that I instill that understanding in my children. When I say, be more patient', I cannot get much done without assistance and everything I do takes at least twice as long as it did when I was walking on two healthy legs. I believe all 3 of these go hand in hand. And, I am grateful for these broken leg lessons.

So in 2015, I will have new opportunities to apply my knowledge, skills and talents in ways I have not imagined and that's truly invigorating. I embrace the blessings God has stored up for me with open arms, ready to serve.

I wish you and yours a 2015 filled with abundant blessings, joy and peace!

Today's Photo: "Cheers! Prost! Salute!

"You will know that God's power is very great for us who believe." Ephesians 1:19




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f2.4
1/250 (on cameras speed light - bounced off ceiling)

365 Project - Day 65

On New Year's Day, I was up at 4AM ready for my turn watching after the teenagers we had staying over New Year's Eve. While the girls talked and slept in the family room, I worked in the music/art room on photos for a few hours, then prepared breakfast. We had agreed to eat at 10AM, however at that time, only 1 person was awake. So we were a bit delayed.

Starting the new year with a breakfast table filled with the joy, chatter and laughter of teens was a blessing. We took a quick photo, immediately after breakfast, of the remaining teens in all their morning glory! While there was a little angst over why we didn't take the group photo the night before when everyone looked their best, they still gave me their best smiles and energy for our first real photo of 2015!

Today's Photo: "We're Ready World!"

"The world belongs to the energetic." Ralph Waldo Emerson





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
35mm
f/11
1/90 (on camera speed light with diffused filter, bounced on ceiling)

365 Project - Day 64

I will break the rules ... I need to put a New Year's photo in before the week is out, but I also need to complete my gel sampling. Day 64 is another 2-fer!

This first photo is the final trial of my new gels. I admit, I'm not fond of the yellow gel. I need to find the proper use for this one - right subject, right atmosphere. I asked my son, Brooks, to serve as my subject this time. He enjoys playing the piano, but his form is off. I say this with a bit of trepidation because I took far fewer years of piano lessons than he. I do believe that his wrists should be higher and his posture is wrong, but that is for another time and place. Yes, as I was attempting to perfect this photograph, I noticed so many things wrong. For one, he could use a manicure! I am grateful, nevertheless, that he sat still long enough for me to capture this photograph.

Today's #1 Photo: Peaceful Solitude

For the second photo ... This was essentially the calm before the storm. We had a house filled with the laughter of teenagers for New Year's Eve. The coffee table was set for the count down. Sparkling cider, hats and glitter on the kitchen table, noise makers and more glitter in the family room. We enjoy this event each year. We don't sleep because we have boys and girls over all night long and we must be responsible parents ensuring nothing "untoward" is happening and that they do split up into their separate male and female spaces for the night (and stay APART). It is much fun and, there's always time for sleeping the next day.

Today's #2 Photo: Ready for 2015!

The juxtaposition of these two photos in the same post is interesting, right? One emanating a sense of peace and the other is quite the opposite but, perhaps, there is a sermon in here somehow. It could be that when inner peace is real and true, it creates the ability for a more bold tomorrow filled with friendship, laughter and confident openness to all things anew!?

I wish you a 2015 just like that!


"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons." Desiderata



EXIF #1: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
50mm
f1.8
1/90 (on camera speed light)


EXIF #2: Nikon D7100
ISO 800
35mm
f/8
1/45 (no flash)

365 Project - Day 63

This is now my favorite gel! I like the blue gel effect a lot, but this was a sad shoot for me. I am constantly on my kids when we are hanging ornaments on the tree, "Be careful, please. Some of these are special ornaments from France and Italy that can NOT be replaced!" Well, while I was messing around with this very well structured and organized session for today, I was moving the snowman for one final series of photographs and I dropped him. I could have said, "he slipped out of my hand," or "I had trouble handling him and my crutches at the same time." But, frankly, I was careless and I dropped him. I can still recall purchasing these ornaments from a Restoration Hardware type of store in Paris roughly 10 years ago. We bought 3 boxes, that are dwindling all too quickly. These French ornaments are packed in crates that cushion each individual ornament. Ugh - I am so frustrated with myself. So, here is the last photo of this cute little guy :(

I am enamored with 3 photos of these ornaments on the piano. I truly had to study these, the originals, the post processing and the final product to determine which I believed to be the best of the 3. Each captures the snowman facing a different direction. Each shows a different portion of the piano. And, each is illuminated slightly differently. The reasons for selecting this particular one are that I like that it incorporates more of the piano, includes the hook on the ornament, and has a clear blue cast.

Happy New Year!

Today's Photo: "Jolly, happy soul"

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." Paulo Coelho




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
50mm
f1.8
1/90 (on camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 62

Happy New Year !

So, today's photo should have been published on the 30th of December. That's actually not too bad. Over the next 3 posts, you will see my experimentation with new gels on my SB700 speed light. These are simple photographs as I test out the color gels. I have already used the amber gel for the cast headshots I took a week ago, but this is a more personal and intimate set of practice exercises and review of this gel package.

I began with red, for obvious reasons. It is the Christmas season, after all. I enjoyed this exercise, but post processing has not been easy. I also found that I was challenged in focusing on fine print when shooting with the gel. I am 100% sure this is operator error, but I am not certain of the exact problem.

I saw several Christmas music photos like this one online recently. They did not, however, have the red gel effect. I admit that I coveted those photos and hence, needed one of my own. My angst over this is I wish "Oh little town of Bethlehem" was sharp. Of course, you can see my continued fascination with bokeh, though minimal in this photograph!

Best wishes for a peaceful, blessed and fantastic 2015!

Today's Photo: "And peace to men on earth ..."

"See, I am ding a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f/2.4
1/90 (off camera speed light)