Light Effects - Double Exposure

Double Exposure Halloween Fun

Double Exposure Photography

This is my first time playing with the "double exposure" setting on my NIKON D80.  The camera allows you to take 2 or 3 shots together and will adjust the lighting accordingly.  You have to be aware of what is in the background and depth of field.  This is going to be my homework this week, oh what fun!

Stampede Photography Fun Shots

Photo's of Sculpture in San Diego

B&W Photo's New York City

In 2007 (although the post on the photo says 2004) I had the joy and feeling of being overwhelmed of travelling to New York City.  14 days with my husband and two teens.  It truly is the "City that NEVER sleeps!"  We had a blast, great restaurants, museums, shopping and walking everywhere.  These are 3 of my favourite photo's.  Top: famous taxi's
Below:  The best hot dogs Coney Island
Right:  Brooklyn Bridge

Favourite Photo's of San Francisco

Photo's Self Portraits Collage with Picasa

Playing With PICASA

Playing With Photo Editing "PICASA"

Thanksgiving....Good Food-Good Wine-Great Friends!

Thanksgiving!
Each and every day I know I am blessed, I have far more than I ever thought I would.  This past Thanksgiving I was able to share a wonderful meal with family and friends.  My dear husband is such a great cook, he baked two pumpkin pies the night before then prepared dinner the following day.  The 27 pound turkey had been brined then BBQ, delicious.
A very good friend of my 21 year old son, baked us 2 fabulous apple pies. Lots of food a few bottles of wine, lots of laughs and memories made.
That is a great life!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving.......Take the time to step back and reflect.  What are you thankful for?  What have you been blessed with?  What challenges have you overcome?  Do you have more than you ever thought you would?  I know I certainly do!  So many times we take things for granted or complain when life does not go our way.  What are you truly thankful for?
Have a wonderful weekend everyone........

Annie and Alaska

My two dogs or should I say "children". When my children were young (now adults) my hubby and I decided we might like to have a family dog.  I had never had a pet before but loved the idea of something cute and cuddly but no idea of the work involved.
Alaska sitting tall in the above photo is the older male and Miss Annie with her chubby face and pink bow is the "princess".  It is interesting how just like people dogs each have their distinct personality.
Alaska is quiet, gentle, even tempered and always willing to cuddle.  Annie on the other hand is moody, forever wanting "treats" and would rather be outside playing in the mud.
The photo above is my favourite.  They had returned from the groomers and were quite exhausted.  Relaxing in one of their favourite spots I was able to capture their attention (probably promising a walk or a treat).  The top photo I included as "Annie from Alaska's perspective", as she tends to be bossy and push him around.
Oh my babies!

Autumn Walk Photo's

First of all, this is AMAZING weather!  I absolutely love autumn and not just because the fall colours go with my hair.
Once again I headed out for my morning walk in hopes of finding some wonderful subject to photograph.  I was feeling quite uninspired and felt more like just walking and listening to the birds.  As luck or "karma" would have it 2 interesting subjects sparked my attention. 
 A gorgeous motorcycle and NO I do not know anything about motorbikes?????  It was clean, shiny and the owner was not close by.  I was a little nervous as I thought he (she) might think I was scoping it out to steal it. 
Right now I am inspired by "reflections" in my amateur photo's.  I took a few snaps capturing the design of the bike but also my reflection.  I like to call it my self-portrait, as I do not like having my own photograph taken.

 

Quickly moving on as not to be discovered by the owners I found my second subject.  An old Dodge truck sitting abandoned in a driveway.  I felt kind of sad for this vehicle , covered in dust ridden with rust spots neglected, alone.   The morning sun reflecting in the chrome work caught my eye.  I loved how the colour of the blue sky and the autumn leaves mirrored in the bumper and headlights.  I also wondered "what's this trucks story?"  Who owned it, how many miles had it travelled?

Morning Light Photo's

 This morning I arose early to adventure out on an 8a.m. discovery walk.  To discover what????  Light, warm glowing golden light, something that would catch my "good-eye".
My first discovery was a shredded plastic bag caught in a tree.  A gentle morning breeze was making the shreds move like an eerie ghost and the warm light reminded me of fire.  Okay so I had a little to much coffee!
I took quite a few photo's of this, varying the angles, apertures, speed and ISO.  Very pleased with the results I set off for my next discovery.

My last "good-eye" photo was a copper coloured tree.  I loved the roughness of the bark combined with the warm copper tones.  This time I set the camera to aperture mode (4.5 or 5.6) with an ISO of 100.
You never know what you will discover in your neighbourhood.  That's why.......carry your camera and keep your "good-eye" open!

Robins Nest

This past spring a daring Mother Robin built her nest atop a light on my back deck.  I watched her periodically throughout the day, never tiring flying back and forth to complete her task.  I strategically placed little strands of yarn and Kleenex to help her add some warmth and comfort to her home.  Between the packed mud, coloured yarn, grass and Kleenex at the end of the day it was complete. 
Viewing the nest but not touching I was amazed at the intricate work, the nest was completely round and hard packed, beautiful.
The following morning I expected to see Momma Robin bedding down preparing for the birth of her babies.  She never returned!  All that work and left behind.  I never saw her again and eventually the nest fell. 
I gingerly brought it in my home and filled it with pretty "soap" eggs.  The display is a "Homage" to all the beautiful Mother Robins, the work they do and gorgeous blue eggs.

Autumn Discoveries

Cleaning up my backyard this past weekend, I wandered upon this little guy sunning himself.

Just Me And My Shadow.........

 I cannot believe this amazing weather, October feels like July!  I want to spend my entire day outside enjoying the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. 
Yesterday was "prepare the yard for winter" so my hubby and I raked leaves, composted, put furniture away then had a fire in the evening.  A perfect day although a bit too much wine?!?
I was playing around with my camera and really liked the light/exaggerated perspective effect.

Do these shadows make my thighs look BIG?????
Sunday (today) is the Digital Camera/Photography Show, cannot wait to see and be inspired.

Autumn Colours

Yesterday I had the pleasure of "playing" in my backyard or shall I say raking up the leaves. 

365 Days of Photo's

I was recently inspired by another amateur photographer........365 days of photo's or one photo a day to practice my skills, creativity and to keep my eyes open.  I am taking a 3 photography courses this coming fall and looking forward to applying all that I learn.
Autumn is my favourite time of year.  I especially love the colours of the falling leaves, golds and reds also the sound of crisp leaves crunching under my feet.
The photo above was taken in my backyard when I was actually photographing the last of my summer flowers, when I noticed the lonely bee atop the thistle.  I do not have a macro lens so I did my best to zoom in and focus F4.5 ISO 100 sunlight.