Day 104 - Ice Cold

I drink a lot of water and I like my water COLD. The above picture is the top of a pitcher filled with water and ice. Yep, you guessed it - really cold water. I snapped a picture before pouring myself a drink. While Peg and I were looking through today's pics this one caught her eye. To her the ice kind of looked like rocks. I played with it a bit in Lightroom to make the ice cubes look more like rocks. Although the water was not moving the water does seem to be running down stream.
Well, all this talking of water has made me thirsty so I'm off to get a nice cold class of water before bed. It also makes me very grateful that I have the luxury of having such a valuable resource so readily available.

Day 103 - Pussy Willows

While Peg was on bus duty after school she noticed some pussy willows just outside the gate. When she came in she told me she had found a possible photo for the day. When we were ready to go home I took out the camera and snapped a few pictures. It was pretty tricky as the wind was blowing making it difficult to get a picture that wasn't blurry. Since it was Peg's idea I had her help me choose today's photo. The one above was her favourite because it revealed the softness of pussy willows. I played with it a bit in Lightroom and Photoshop and the result is above.

Day 99 - Time

Today's assignment of the Daily shoot was to illustrate time in a photograph. I decided to capture the spinning pendulum of the clock Peg bought me for my birthday a few years ago. I've always loved this type of clock. My parents and aunt and uncle bought one for my grandparents' anniversary. I remember admiring it when I was young. I was mesmerized by the spinning pendulum and found watching it quite calming. This type of clock not only represents time for but family, memories and comfort.

Day 81 - Rule of Thirds

Today's assignment was to illustrate the rule of thirds in a photograph today. I decided to go back into my archive and retrieve the dinosaur picture I snapped at learning buddies earlier this month. It seemed a bit bright so I used a preset to make it look more 'dramatic'. Well, that's the word Peg used. I then decided it was too dark so I went back to the brighter version.

Now that I'm caught on my posting my next goal is to go visit all of you and see the great pics you've been taking.

Day 70 - P.S.

Today was a Pretty Slothy day here at home. It was a gray, rainy day and both Peg and I were feeling Pretty Sleepy. Feeling Partly Sick we didn't really feel like venturing out for a Photo Shoot. I decided to Post Some home decor. These letters are hanging on the wall in our basement bathroom or otherwise known here as "The Pooh Room".
P.S. All this laziness is exhausting. I'm off to Peruse Shows from the couch.

Day 58 - And the winner is . . .

The theme is to make a photograph of something that is glowing today. Use any meaning of the word you like. I thought with the Oscars on this evening I would take out my own and snap some shots. I felt a little like a paparazzi :-). One of my students gave me this statuette last year. She told me it was a teacher Oscar. It's not made of real gold but the sentiment behind it is priceless.

Once I took the picture I did some processing in Lightroom. I used the Dark Horse preset and did some playing with exposure. In Photoshop I copied it and put a smaller version up in the right corner but I didn't like it so I took it out. I have to remind myself that sometimes less is more.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 2.8
Exposure: 1/500
ISO: 200

Day 57 - Connections

Six years ago, Peg and I went to Scotland for 3 weeks. We saw beautiful landscape, met kind and interesting people, visited enchanting castles and made memories that will last a lifetime. Peg decided she absolutely wanted a genuine wool sweater as a souvenir from the trip. Getting that sweater was quite an adventure. I'll share that story with you another time. The Celtic ring above was my chosen souvenir. I often tease Peg that I have the better souvenir because I can wear my all year round AND it doesn't make my skin itch.
Today's assignment was to take a photo of something that shows connection. The knots are connected or interlacing. They symbolize the Celtic belief in long eternal love and life. This ring is one of my cherished possessions and definitely connects me to Scotland and the many memories that were made there.

Day 51 - Scale

Today's assignment is: work with scale today and make a photograph that features a subject either larger or smaller than expected. Technically I didn't really use the camera to play with scale. Instead I put two Crocs together. The large one is one of my slippers and the other is a keychain. I used the red dress (can't remember exact name) preset in Lightroom. It brings out the red in the photo and makes everything else black and white.

Day 40 - Follow the Line

I'll begin this post by letting you know the next few pictures are going to be cheats. It's been a VERY busy week and one of those days our school went sliding for the day. I took MANY pictures that day so I've decided to follow The Daily Shoot themes using photos from the outing for Days 40 - 43.
Today's assignment is to make a photograph that features a leading line through it today. Draw the viewers eye through the image. This is picture of the bottom of the hill. You can see the winding path curve and then disappear behind the tree. I used the snow scape preset in Lightroom.

Day 28 - Rounded Vision

Was wandering around the house looking for photo possibilities. Of course I found one in the least likely place, the bathroom. We have two little glass bottles on the windowsill in the bathroom and the lid is a glass ball. When I looked at one closely I realized I could see the backyard in it. The image in the ball was upside down so I flipped it while processing it in Lightroom. Always fun finding the unexpected.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 2.8
Exposure: 1/500
ISO: 200

Day 27 - Curvy Cure

Well, after coughing for two weeks I finally got my fanny to the doctor. Turns out I have pneumonia. I'll be off work for a few days and as the pictures shows, I'm also taking some significant sized antibiotics. I didn't picture them here but I also have some pills to help out with the coughing. So, hopefully with some rest and medicinal help I'll be back on my feet and running soon. By the way, today's daily shoot theme was to make a photograph that features a very distinct curved line or surface. I figured this pic would fit.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 2.8
Exposure: 1/250
ISO: 200

Day 25 - Attraction

Today's assignment was to make a photograph today that illustrates attraction. Pick whatever definition of the word you'd like. My students were very helpful, suggesting all kinds of possibilities for this one. This one demonstrates the attraction between friends and their willingness to stick together no matter what.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 4.5
Exposure: 1/40
ISO: 200

Day 18 - It's Snowing!

For awhile now this is the only kind of snowman in Quebec. We've only had about 2 cm of snow since December. However, they're announcing 20+ over the next few days. I took this little guy outside and put the bench legs in the eaves. Initially I wanted him there to get the snow in the background but in the end I think I like the effect of the fallen snowflakes all over him. I processed the photo in Lightroom. I used the Color Isolate Red effect.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 4.5
Exposure: 1 (Bulb)
ISO: 400

Day 17 - I only have eyes for you

Had robotics club tonight so I pulled out the camera and took some pics. I chose this close up and then did some processing in Lightroom. I used the Alien Hangover effect. It looked kind of funky and the name seemed appropriate.
Sorry, haven't posted camera settings the last few days. I'm on the mend so I figured I should get back to it.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 4.5
Exposure: 1/10
ISO: 400

Day 10 - Brush it off

Yes, another macro shot. I guess I'm getting a little carried away with using this lens but I just LOVE it so much. I will take the other lenses out soon though; wouldn't want them to get jealous.
I thought this picture was fitting as it was a busy day with a lot going on. When I got home I just needed to brush it all off and change gears. Picking up my camera and taking some pics definitely helped. I guess sometimes we just need to look at things a little differently in order to change our attitude.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal Length: 100
F/stop: 4
Exposure: 1
ISO: 400
Lightroom Preset - Focus Colour Ring (BL Sample)

Day 4 - Reflections

Most of the pond surface is frozen but there's one section that is not. While out walking I caught Dexter 'looking' for the other dog in the pond. Specialists have told us that Dexter is definitely blind. His retinas were never attached and he has cataracts in both eyes. Fortunately, I don't think Dexter realizes this. He runs around and plays like any other dog would do. We've noticed that he reacts to shadows and reflections so perhaps his sight is limited to that. He continues to amaze us and show us what's possible when you don't let your limitations get in the way. An important lesson, especially on more challenging days.

Canon XSi
Lens: 100 mm
Focal length: 100
Fstop: 2.8
Shutter Speed: 1/80

Day 230 - Flat!

When I went outside today I noticed our neighbour's truck had a flat tire. I took the picture and then put it in black and white. I used Lightroom to add colour. Not the most creative shot but a chance to do some experimenting. Hopefully, inspiration will hit again tomorrow and I won't need to worry about any more 'flat' pictures.

Day 221 - Brushing up

Was playing with my macro lens again. Peg brought me a few kitchen items to photograph. This is the silicone BBQ basting brush. It is a bright red but I didn't like how the red turned out so I did some editing with Lightroom. I put it in black and white and then 'coloured' one bristle red. While a bit hesitant to edit photos in the beginning, Lightroom has got me experimenting with all kinds of processing possibilities.

Day 206 - Moon Rise

Out at the farm again this evening. Just as we were getting ready to leave we noticed the moon rising in the sky above the trees. The sky was much lighter than in this photo but I didn't have my tripod with me so I had to use a faster shutter speed so less light. I played with it a bit in Lightroom and voila.