365 Project 2011 - Week 44 in Review

November 06, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 10/30 through 11/5.

Sunday, 10/30 - I took this at a pumpkin patch located at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church.

Monday, 10/31 - I spent the evening watching my Brother, Nephew and their friends scare the kids passing by for candy. Fun times. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.

Tuesday, 11/1 - Just a shot up the stairs to my Brother's loft.

Wednesday, 11/2 - This is my way of experimenting with depth of field.

Thursday, 11/3 - Taken during sunrise at Bay Area Park. Post processed in PhotoShop/Color Efex Pro - added the Burnt Sienna filter.

Friday, 11/4 - One of the booths at the 5th Annual Bay Area Arts & Crafts Festival was Stormware Creations. The owner, Matt Adams, started off creating these really cool spoons and bowls using the wood from trees damaged during Hurricane Ike.

Saturday, 11/5 - I was at a Photoshop class all day, so I decided to take Jake out to relax in the back yard for a bit. He is such a good model. :-)

Happy Shooting!

"Life is like a good black and white photograph, there’s black, there’s white, and lots of shades in between." -Karl Heiner

365 Project 2011 - Week 43 in Review

November 01, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 10/23 through 10/29.

Sunday, 10/23 - I think this is called purple fountain grass. I thought the sunlight shining through it was pretty. I find it interesting that you can find beauty in the middle of a Best Buy parking lot.

Monday, 10/24 - The mosquitoes are so bad that it is difficult to get outside to do much. They seem almost immune to the repellent and it is too hot to wear clothes covering every inch of skin, so I ran down the street as fast as I could and gathered a couple of the abundant wildflowers and brought them into my studio and experimented with lighting a bit. I was only bitten 8 times in the making of this photo. ;-)

Tuesday, 10/25 - I always think she is plotting to kill me while I'm sleeping when she looks at me this way.

Wednesday, 10/26 - This guy let me get pretty close, but I eventually invaded his space. Taken at Champion Springs Park.

Thursday, 10/27 - Took this today in front of the grocery store. I loved the color. Processed with the Snapseed app.

Friday, 10/28 - While I was out and about today, I noticed some new-ish flowers around Stevenson Park in Friendswood, so I pulled over to get a few shots.

Saturday, 10/29 - My husband and I thought we would give cutting our own mats a go. It is easier than I thought. I used a viewfinder effect from OnOne's Perfect Photo Suite for post processing.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 - Week 42 in Review

October 24, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 10/16 through 10/22.

Sunday, 10/16 - Taken at Bay Area Park. We went there this morning to try out a used 70-200mm lens that I picked up last week. Makes a cool wallpaper.

Monday, 10/17 - I drove to Bay Area Park to see what sunrise looks like from that location. It was beautiful. :-)

Tuesday, 10/18 - I drove to Bay Area Park to see what sunrise looks like from that location. It was beautiful. :-) Yes, I know defacing property is not a good thing, but it did make for an interesting shot. ;-)

Wednesday, 10/19 - Taken at Bay Area Park. We went there this morning to try out a used 70-200mm lens that I picked up last week.

Thursday, 10/20 - Taken at League City Park. We went there this morning to try out a used 70-200mm lens that I picked up last week. I loved this turtle. He has an 'old man' look on his face.

Friday, 10/21 - Took this while I waited in my car for a tech user group meeting to begin.

Saturday, 10/22 - I learned a lot about my Uncle Sonny (who I had only seen a handful of times in my 43 years). He was in the Army and fought in WWII as a part of Company K. There is even a book written about Company K and he is mentioned. It is titled "The Men of Company K". He was also an accomplished Mandolin player. RIP Uncle Sonny.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 - Week 41 in Review

October 16, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 10/9 through 10/15.

Sunday, 10/9 - I went by my brother's auto shop yesterday. I always like photographing the property around it. My dad was cleaning the property and decided to stack all the blocks he found in one spot. At least that's what he told me when I asked why there was a stack of cinder blocks in the middle of the property.

Monday, 10/10 - This is my brother's dog Ditto. She says Hello.

Tuesday, 10/11 - Took this on my daily walk. The field was just covered in them. Used the Snapseed app for post work.

Wednesday, 10/12 - This is an edit of a photo I took some time ago. Playing around with Silver Efex Pro, I applied a Sepia filter and gave it a vignette.

Thursday, 10/13 - Took this right down the street from my house. I love taking photos of barbed wire...I do not know why.

Friday, 10/14 - Took this at our local Pumpkin Patch (Saint Andrews Episcopal Church). Halloween is getting close!

Saturday, 10/15 - I went driving around this morning and ended up at the Farmers Market at Imperial in Sugarland, TX. I roamed through the market and all around the abandoned factory. I noticed there was a part of the old building you could walk up to. There was a window that had a break in it just above my head. I was able to focus on what was inside and use HDR to bring out the detail. This is my personal favorite shot of the day. :-)

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

PhotoQuest => Brenham, McDade & Austin

October 08, 2011 in Day-Trips, Photos, Photowalk

A couple of weeks ago, I took a drive from Houston to Austin and stopped in a couple of towns along the way.

Brenham is known to be the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream. While I did not stop a Blue Bell, I took a walk through the downtown district.

McDade is another town I decided to sidetrack to. It is a small town with a neat historic feel to it.

Austin is always a very cool place to visit. So many attractions that I find something different each time I visit.

My Austin & Brenham Flickr Sets

My Houston to Austin Google+ Album

Additional Information

“All life is of a past nature, photography enhances this fact.” – Patrick Summerfield

365 Project 2011 - Week 40 in Review

October 08, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 10/2 through 10/8.

Sunday, 10/2 - I attended the Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk earlier today in Kemah. I had to leave a little early, but came up with some pretty decent shots. :)

Monday, 10/3 - This is a wide shot of my hometown high school stadium. When I went to school there our stadium was not near this fancy, but that was a long time ago.

Tuesday, 10/4 - Took this on my walk this morning. I was able to capture this yellow flower with a deep blue sky in the background which converted to black and white rather well.

Wednesday, 10/5 - I attended the Light It Shoot It Retouch It event today, I learned so much that my brain is suffering an overload right now :)

Thursday, 10/6 - My best friend's pup, Ryder, looks as if he is curious as to what is in my hand. ;-)

Friday, 10/7 - Macro shot of a leaf that has seen better days. Taken around Austin Town Lake.

Saturday, 10/8 - Today is my Nephew's 16th Birthday. My how time flies!

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 - Week 39 in Review

October 03, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 9/25 through 10/1.

Sunday, 9/25 - We decided to take a drive to High Island early this morning. It was beautiful and very windy (guess that's expected). I was able to do a long (6-7 seconds) exposure to get this. I've been wanting to find a way to get that wispy look to water without having to buy a $$$ ND filter. With that said, I know I will eventually invest in an ND filter. ;-)

Monday, 9/26 - When we went to High Island we decided to take Jake with us. It has been a while since the old guy got out and enjoyed exploring a different place. He pretty much just laid in the sand ;-)

Tuesday, 9/27 - This is an edit of a photo I took in Fredricksburg, Texas some time back. I wanted to see what I could do with Color Efex Pro.

Wednesday, 9/28 - Busy day and no time to go out or setup a photo, so I find the cat. Princess Ariel is not amused that her human has that thing in front of her face again. :-)

Thursday, 9/29 - I was walking along the beach at High Island and ran across this shell with an interesting looking pattern. It is not truly as blue as the processing made it, but it did have a blue color to it.

Friday, 9/30 - There is a Memorial Fence in Angleton. I went there back in 2007 and was amazed at how many more crosses there were when I visited today. Very sad.

Saturday, 10/1 - I was just walking around my house trying to find things to photograph and saw this group of little bitty yellow flowers. Felt it was a good exercise for the 100mm macro lens.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 - Week 38 in Review

September 26, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 9/18 through 9/24.

Sunday, 9/18 - This is a tree that I was actually standing behind to take a lot of my Austin sunrise shots, then I realized the interesting bark. So to bring out the bark and the background, I shot 3 exposures and processed with PhotoMatix (HDR). My husband says it reminds him of Treebeard from Lord of the Rings. I have to say I agree.

Monday, 9/19 - Taken at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory during the Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza. Some of the flowers that were blooming pretty that day.

Tuesday, 9/20 - Found these baby mushrooms in my front yard this morning. They are the result of the recent rains.

Wednesday, 9/21 - I was wanting to work with my make-shift light table, so I picked some clear red thumb tacks up while I was in Office Depot yesterday. I need to find more objects for my light table.

Thursday, 9/22 - I got down pretty low to get this. Hoping to get the white flowers in the distance too. Taken at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory during the Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza.

Friday, 9/23 - This is my nephew JR. I was able to watch him on the cheer squad last night at my hometown's JV football game. He is very talented at gymnastics, so he gets to put that talent to use. I am a very proud aunt :-)

Saturday, 9/24 - A bridge over Austin Town Lake. I thought the reflections looked cool.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

Photowalk => Bolivar Peninsula

September 22, 2011 in Day-Trips, Photos, Photowalk

A few weeks ago I drove Highway 87 from High Island to the Bolivar Ferry, spanning the length of Bolivar Peninsula. I actually did this two Saturdays in a row because there is so much to see on this stretch of road. I am sure I could take about one or two more drives and still find something new to photograph. There were several places to stop and explore, hence me calling it a photo walk.

It is really great to see the Bolivar Peninsula coming back to normalcy after being devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

The rest of my Bolivar Peninsula photos can be found in my Flickr Set and Goggle+ Album.

Additional Information

"The more you understand what inspires you, the more readily you can put yourself in it’s path." - David duChemin

Photowalk => Historic Rosenberg

September 21, 2011 in Day-Trips, Photos, Photowalk

A couple of weeks ago I took a walk through the historic part of Rosenberg, Texas. I love historic districts because the antique stores, brick roads and old town city halls make you feel like you are truly walking in the past.

More of my Rosenberg photos can be found in my Flickr Set and Goggle+ Album.

Additional Information

“All life is of a past nature, photography enhances this fact.” – Patrick Summerfield

365 Project 2011 - Week 37 in Review

September 19, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 9/11 through 9/17.

Sunday, 9/11 - This is an edit to a shot I took on the Bolivar Ferry a couple of weeks ago. Thought it fitting for the 10th Anniversary of 9-11.

Monday, 9/12 - I stopped in old town Brenham while on the way to Austin and talked to a nice man who makes these cool metal items to put in your yard.

Tuesday, 9/13 - My sleepy cat and her big paws. Taken with my new 40mm Macro lens.

Wednesday, 9/14 - I took this on my walk this morning. They were watering the grounds at the church I pass through and I noticed this reflection in one of the puddles.

Thursday, 9/15 - My husband's family has ranch property outside Brekenridge, Texas. These are a couple of the brands that were used a long long time ago. The ranch has been in his family for over 100 years.

Friday, 9/16 - I made a make-shift light table and put a blue gel over my light source. Just experimenting with some DIY stuff. :-)

Saturday, 9/17 - I went to the 2011 Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza today in Lake Jackson, Texas. It is really interesting to watch the banding and freeing of the hummingbirds.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 – Week 36 in Review

September 11, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 9/4 through 9/10.

Sunday, 9/4 - We took a drive to the Rosenberg area today. In addition to a nice Historical Downtown area, we ran across some fields of cotton. I don't see cotton often, so it was a pretty cool site.

Monday, 9/5 - Saw this sign in a Rosenberg antique shop and could not resist the urge to grab a shot of it. The ultimate message is to chill out and not be a jerk ;)

Tuesday, 9/6 - Tonight I attended a Studio Lighting Photo Shoot with the NW Houston Photography group. We were shown what settings to use and how to use a Pocket Wizard. Fun stuff! For this, I just walked around and got a few shots of the action with my iPhone and put them together with the Photoshake app.

Wednesday, 9/7 - I just received my new Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 lens, so I roamed around my yard finding things to photograph. Other than being the heaviest lens I own, I am really liking it.

Thursday, 9/8 - Jake posed for a nominal fee of a treat.

Friday, 9/9 - Cool car that was parked outside the Soda Fountain in Rosenberg, TX.

Saturday, 9/10 - I saw this sign on my way back to Houston from Austin. It was just outside Brenham on 290. I found it so true to the issues we are having with the drought, I just could not pass it up.

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 – Week 35 in Review

September 03, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 8/28 through 9/3.

Sunday, 8/28 - My boy Jake wanting a chip, LOL! Told him he would have to pose for me first ;-)

Monday, 8/29 - A coworker saved this little girl from being run over this morning. She spent the day in my boss' cubicle, so I went to visit her every chance I had. The best news is that she went to a good home at the end of the day. :)

Tuesday, 8/30 - I'm a little under the weather today. These caught my eye while I was in the grocery store picking up some meds for myself. :)

Wednesday, 8/31 - I've been sick today, so I did not feel like getting out and taking any photos. The only decision I have made today is whether to take the green pill or the orange pill.

Thursday, 9/1 - Taken at Bear Creek Park. I have always loved signs like this - especially the little duck tripping. :)

Friday, 9/2 - I ordered a SIMA led light an it came in today. Thought I'd try it out on my guitar. I put it behind it and slanted it up. Looking forward to experimenting with it more. Pretty good price at $28. Used Photomatix, Silver Efex Pro and HDR Efex Pro to obtain the effect.

Saturday, 9/3 - Trying out my new light on a live model, LOL!

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 – Week 34 in Review

August 29, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 8/21 through 8/27.

Sunday, 8/21 - Took this on a walk through my neighborhood this morning. :) Not sure what they are, but they sure are pretty.

Monday, 8/22 - Stopped and shot this sunrise on my way into the office this morning. Applied a polarizer filter to it and the colors went wild.

Tuesday, 8/23 - This is Ariel. Like most cats, she is the center of her Universe.

Wednesday, 8/24 - Taken at Hermann Park in the early morning. Thought it was a cool juxtaposition.

Thursday, 8/25 - The Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland, TX. I pulled into the parking lot, took a few photos and left. I would love to go back and get more, but I'm not sure of their rules for photography.

Friday, 8/26 - I decided to make a run to Bear Creek Park during my lunch hour today. They have a Bird Sanctuary as part of the park. I think this guy was winking at me ;-)

Saturday, 8/27 - My (2nd) Cousin Caitlin's 12th birthday. Took these at her family birthday party. :)

Happy Shooting!

"A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

365 Project 2011 – Week 33 in Review

August 21, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 8/14 through 8/20.

Sunday, 8/14 - A lot of the beach houses along the Texas cost are very brightly colored and I just love looking at them. Sometimes I wish I had a house on the beach, but as much as I like the coast, I love the countryside even more. I see myself having a house in hills or mountains.

Monday, 8/15 - Slow and relaxing morning at Starbucks.

Tuesday, 8/16 - How anything can grow in this drought we are having is beyond me. Took this along Highway 3.

Wednesday, 8/17 - Taken on the Bolivar Ferry. They kinda looked like they were preserving the preservers...hence the caption. :)

Thursday, 8/18 - Shopping for a gift at Barnes and Noble. Not sure what it is about journals that I like so much.

Friday, 8/19 - A co-worker bought a new Mini Cooper recently. I love the form factor of the Mini Coopers, so I asked him if it would be okay if I photograph it. I shot 3 exposures, merged using PhotoMatix Pro and then ran it through Color Efex Pro. I may have gone a little over the top, but hey, it's Friday. :)

Saturday, 8/20 - Ran across this cool mural on the campus of a Webster Area school.

Happy Shooting!

“There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.” -Ernst Haas

365 Project 2011 – Week 32 in Review

August 14, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 8/7 through 8/13.

Sunday, 8/7 - Decided to work in my studio to come up with today's picture for my 365. Pulled out my light box and cut up a tomato. Need think of some better angles on subjects like this.

Monday, 8/8 - Took this on my drive of Highway 87 from High Island to Bolivar Peninsula. Took three exposures and processed in Photomatix.

Tuesday, 8/9 – Took this in the old town area of Smithville. There were many old shops and buildings in this cool little town.

Wednesday, 8/10 - My Brother has a few scrap race cars on his property. One of them has this cool spider on the hood/fender. Thought I would take a shot with my iPhone and process in the Percolator app and the WordFoto app (both are very fun to play with). Then I put both versions together with the original in a collage.

Thursday, 8/11 - Had dinner at Floyd's Cajun Seafood with friends this evening. There were a few cool little things to photograph. My favorite was this stained glass.

Friday, 8/12 – Taken on a beautifully calm morning at Sheldon Lake State Park.

Saturday, 8/13 - Went back to Bolivar Peninsula today and drug my husband along. While on the ferry I spotted how the clouds were reflecting in the mirror of a parked motorcycle. :)

Happy Shooting!

"A good snapshot stops a moment from running away." ~Eudora Welty

365 Project 2011 – Week 31 in Review

August 07, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 7/31 through 8/6.

Sunday, 7/31 - There is a set of sculptures, named Tolerance, that sit at the corner of Allen Parkway and Montrose. I had heard about them from several different people, so I went to see them in the early hours of this morning. They are indeed a sight to see.

They were created by Barcelona-based artist Jaume Plensa. Below is a link to an article about them.

houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/02-20-11-jaume-plensas-...

Monday, 8/1 - Worm's eye view of some mushrooms in my yard.

Tuesday, 8/2 – Old fire truck taken at Lake Buchanan and processed with HDR Efex Pro. I was playing around with the old-time effects and thought this old fire truck would be a good subject.

Wednesday, 8/3 - I went to visit my cousin and see their new puppy, Sophie. While I did get some shots of Sophie, I thought this shot of their older dog Abby turned out nice. I think I like that there is a lot of reds and browns that just goes well with her. She is a really cool doggie too.

Thursday, 8/4 - I received a Lensbaby Scout with the 16mm Fisheye optic for my birthday, so I did nothing but shot with it today. One of the places I went was Ellington Field because I know they have this huge plane out on display at the entrance. The Lensbaby is definitely fun to play with.

Friday, 8/5 – Taken off of Highway 87 around the Rollover Pass area. I thought it was cool that I was actually able to catch a seagull on the sign that says “Gulls on the Horizon”. :)

Saturday, 8/6 - I laid on my tummy to get this where the flowers meet the sky. If it were a few inches higher you would see the Gulf of Mexico in the background. Taken in the High Island area.

Happy Shooting!

"A good snapshot stops a moment from running away." ~Eudora Welty

365 Project 2011 – Week 30 in Review

July 31, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 7/24 through 7/30.

Sunday - Taken at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. I am actually standing in the middle of what should be a slough. The isolated rain we have been getting in the coastal region is just not enough.

Monday - Taken in the moments after sunrise. I Love morning/evening sunlight!

Tuesday - Taken on an area bayou underneath a bridge just after sunrise. Made it black and white because I liked the contrast between the rocks and water.

Wednesday - Took this on my walk this evening. I am surprised there are still flowers blooming in this 100+ degree weather.

Thursday - Interesting graffiti on the side of a tattoo studio in South Houston.

Friday - There is a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico. When that happens we see the coolest cloud formations.

Saturday - I was out in the yard with Jake and decided to pick up this pine cone. Thought the reflection worked out well.

Happy Shooting!

Smile

“A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into." -Ansel Adams

A National Wildlife Refuge Weekend

July 24, 2011 in Day-Trips, Parks, Photos

On Saturday morning I left before sunrise and headed toward the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. There were a couple of cool photo ops along the way. On FM 2004, there is a large bridge that goes over Chocolate Bayou. I stopped at a public boat ramp located underneath the bridge and was able to get a couple of nice photos.

Once I arrived at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, I was astounded at how low the water was. I guess I should not be surprised with the drought and all.

But even with the lack of water, there was such beauty. I can’t wait to go back when the water level is up and there is an abundance of wildlife to see.

On Sunday morning, both my husband and I went back to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge for a short time and then began making our way to the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, like the Brazoria refuge, was very very dry. We did find some water and there was a family there taking advantage of the water and doing some fishing. This is another area that we will definitely be going back to when we make it through this drought.

Additional Information & Links

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Texas - Texas Explorer
My National Wildlife Refuge Flickr Set

“To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

365 Project 2011 – Week 29 in Review

July 23, 2011 in Photos, Project365

This is a summary of the photos I posted for my 2011 365 Project from 7/17 through 7/23.

Sunday – Where It All Began

I went to see the last Harry Potter movie today and enjoyed it tremendously. So much, I decided to dig out a Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone lunch box I received as a gift back in 2002. It will be kind of sad to see it go...it's like we've watched the actors grow up over the last 10 years :)

Monday – My Better Side

My boy Jake being his normal precious self. :-) I was actually shooting some still life in my studio when I looked over and saw how the side light coming through my front door was hitting him.

Tuesday – Rain Drops