Photo assignment: Fiction

I generally take photos of real places and events I visit, people I meet, and beautiful objects I find along the way.  So I was challenged by my class assignment where we had to pose things for photos.  I'm not sure I grasped it as well as I should have, but here is my attempt at telling a story through posed photos. 

Beware, it does not have a happy ending...

This is a story of love and life and how sometimes we let life get in the way of what we have in love.

Details: 

I was able to create the photos to match the idea in my head for the stages of the relationship, which was done using things around my house.  (The ring is actually something I inherited.)

I took each shot at the kitchen table, to add to the consistency of the tale.

I used a tripod and the same settings to be consistent with exposure, reflection and color.

I focused on the ring in each scenario, to make it the subject throughout the series of shots.

I actually shot the photos in the portrait layout, but when I cropped them for size (for the assignment requirements) I realized the landscape layout made them far more interesting!

This is still not my thing, but I hope the instructor gets what I was trying to do.

M.E.

Melting Hearts - Guest heart Thursday

When the piles of snow and ice finally started melting, 

I wandered around my yard, soaking up the sun and catching hearts along the way!

First, one in the grass...

then one in the snow pile by the bushes...

and then a little one in the melting ice by the mulch. 

Heck, I'm just so happy to see grass and mulch again, I'll take anything I can find!

I hope you have a heart or two in your day too.

M.E.

Hearts Thursday

This week there were many hearts to be found.  This is a century home I pass most days on my way home from work.  It is all brick and is quite large in the back.  The house has 7 fireplaces to keep them warm (or to try and keep the inside air from escaping up the chimney, depending on how you look at it.)

They do a great job of decorating for all occasions, so I wasn't surprised to see hearts and red lights hanging from all the trees, the door frame and the mailbox.  It was really too cute.  Good for them celebrating everyday!

For more hearts:

M.E.

Tuesday Barn Charm

A couple really big barns on a working farm.  I'm about 1/4 mile from these buildings and they still look huge.
I love how these prompts from other blogs and photographers have gotten me out and about and seeing things I may have otherwise just passed by.  What a neat gift it has been for me.

For more lovely barns:

M.E.

SkyWatch Friday

(A priority)  F25  1/1600  1600

I caught this very brief winter sun on a Sunday afternoon.  

I think it was the gift of the day...well, maybe of the week,

considering how seldom it appears these days!

Happy Weekend!

M.E.

Macro Monday - Happy Monday

These are some mini candles I pulled out the other day during the last storm.  Luckily, my power only blinked off briefly, unlike some other folks around town.  I pulled out all my candles and put on the fireplace, just in case.  I have to tell you, the house did smell good with the scented candles going!

Also wanted to join with Allie Photography today.  Her prompt this week is Black and White.  I thought I would use a favorite from my archives - one that was from a mostly white day!

M.E.

SkyWatch Friday

My friend Joanna is the guest photographer for this Friday (she doesn't have a blog, so I thought I'd share).  She took this on top of a hospital with her iPhone.  Luckily, she was just visiting the area, not traveling in the MedFlight!

For other great skies around the world:

Happy Friday!

M.E.

Barn Charm

A deep red barn in contrast to the pastel sunset.

For more lovely Barn Charm

M.E.

Cabin Fever

 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

A little cabin fever setting in here.  

Snow and frigid temps started before fall ended this year.  We are only half way through the winter months and it's getting more challenging to remember the warmth and light.  As the snow continues to fall, I'll enjoy the beauty, remember that cold is but temporary, and listen for the voice of the inner glory.

M.E.

Peaceful moment

I've been wanting to join in with Barn Charm, so I kept looking for a good barn.

When I was out in a rural area one morning, I came upon this barn, 

holding on for dear life.  I feel like the tree next to it is protecting it and keeping it company.

Can't we all use a friend like that some days?

It was a beautiful serene morning that made me want to stay out in the country a little longer.

Here's hoping for some peaceful moments in your week.

M.E.

Delicate Macro Monday

I knew when I saw the fuzzy buds on this bush that it would look lovely with snow.

When the storm hit full force the other day, I walked out back with my camera to try and catch some delicate snowflakes.  

I have been so jealous of people's perfect flakes and had to try.

I was happy to get a few very distinct flakes!

Happy Monday; to those of you in the deep freeze, stay warm.  

To those of you in warm climates -send sun!

M.E.

Over the river and through the woods...

No, not to Grandmother's house, just trying to get to my house.

The other day we did get the snow that was promised, and the traffic tie-ups that followed.

I grew up in part of the U.S. affectionately referred to as the "snow belt" because when the storms come through, they get far more snow than any where else.  Sometimes also called the "rust belt" for the damage done to cars (before the technology kept this from happening) due to months of snow, salt and other things on the roads.  This means I learned very young how to drive in snowy conditions.  The key being, slower (but not dangerously so) speed, lower gear, more space between me and the next car, and take my foot off the gas to slow down, don't slam on the brakes and all-wheel drive is great, but not everything.  I no longer live in that area and the folks where I live drive as though they have never seen snow - every time it snows.  And let me tell ya, it's winter a solid 4 months here.  We've had bad weather before.  Here is an example of problems with people who fail to acknowledge winter - and don't brush the snow off their cars before heading into bumper to bumper traffic.  Hmm, I'll never understand this at all.

It is 10 miles from where I work to my house.  That's all, 10 miles that took more than 2 hours of drive time to accomplish.  After about half way home I decided if I was going to be that late, I might as well peel off near the park and take some pictures.  So I drove into the parking area, which had zero tire tracks at this point (but I do own an all-wheel drive car, so I'm good), gathered my camera, hat, gloves, and zipped up the ski jacket to tromp through the woods.  It was snowing pretty well, but I loved the quiet after all that stress on the roads.  My destination was a path that I have been using for a 4 season project.  Here are the first 2 seasons:

And here is the winter version, which had a little surprise:

There's a bridge in there!!  I have never seen that before.  I usually take the photos down that direction, but walk the other way through the park because the river is the other way.  I did not venture down to see where the bridge went on this day.  It was really cold and I was starting to shiver already.  I will go back soon and see where the bridge takes me.  I'm sure it would have been hilarious to see me standing there, completely shocked by the presence of a mere bridge.  It was like a fun reward for pushing through the traffic to get the snow pictures that day.

Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, 

unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness

Although I posted a sky photo Friday, with very little of anything atmospheric, 

later in the day I saw small rainbows on either side of the FINALLY visible sun.  It was a very unique event.  

I was only able to get a clear shot of one of them at a time.

(Cell phone photo, not fabulous)  The rainbow is on the left on this shot and look - Sun!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  It's a balmy 3 degrees here today, I'm thinking indoor activities and crafts. 

I'll venture out tomorrow to the vacation expo, time to look for travel ideas!

 M.E.

SkyWatch Friday - Sun?

I looked and looked this week for a beautiful sky.

This chopper is what I found.

Oh well, more sun next week - I hope!

For lovely skies around the world:

 

A few more winter and snow photos coming soon...

 M.E.

Macro Monday

This is Molly's ear.  She spends a lot of time laying on my blanket this time of year!
She is a lap cat, when she wants to be. Don't even think you are going to go pick her up.

She held still for a bit, so I snap a few close ups.

More Macro Monday:

M.E.

Watery Wednesday - Summer memory

For today's photo I'm ignoring the raging wind and cold while diving into late summer archives.  I went to practice with my manual settings at a nearby park.  There is a fountain there that you can run through, as the water comes up from under the pavement in different patters.  I suppose it is like ones you would see in Las Vegas or a really large indoor mall.  It is heaps of fun for the kids during the summer.  This was a hot day, later afternoon, but when school was in session...which is the only way I could get photos without kids all over!

I love how some of the water seems suspended in the air, while the waterfall in the background keeps flowing.  It was great fun to test all kinds of shots out there.  For more water photos:

Now back to you regularly scheduled snowstorm...



M.E.

Macro Monday -Is it spring yet?

My tree out front is without snow - for the moment. 

It has itty bitty buds, as if to say "I'm getting ready for spring!"

Yes, I know it's months off, I'm optimistic.

For more macro fun, join Lisa's Chaos for Macro Monday

M.E.

American Hero

When I started this blog it was to share the things I do, the pictures I take and the places I go.  

Most of the time I get to go to fun places and do entertaining things.

This week, however, I had to take a difficult trip and thought it was important to share it with you.

On January first, late in the morning, Deputy Suzanne Hopper became the first police officer in the US killed in the line of duty for 2011.  January first, not even past the first day of the year, not even lunch time and we lost a peace officer to violence.  The trip on Friday was with thousands of others to celebrate her life and show her family how important their daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend was to everyone.  (News story here.)

There were almost 1000 police vehicles from across the country, Maryland to California 

and all points in between.  The procession of cars was 4 miles long.

The cars met early, but due to the large number, it took extra time to get into the church and cemetery. 

They used the largest church in the county, 2 overflow rooms (gym, school) and 

could not fit in everyone who showed up to celebrate her life.

Along the route were signs, lowered flags, and many community members 

who stood in the cold for hours to show their support and thanks.

(These are SOOC and from a moving vehicle, sorry for the blur).

It was very cold and at one point snowing, bless them for staying out there.

Outside the church, no matter where you looked there was a cruiser, fire truck, or medic parked there.  I did not take photos during the portions of the service itself, out of respect for the family.  Just picture people standing elbow to elbow in every space available, using every chair they could find, and crowding around the doors to hear what was being said.

"Suzanne heard another call...our Angel with a Badge."

Scripture and a Snapshot - Katie Lloyd Photography








Straight out of the Camera - Murrieta 365






M.E.