I love it when the topic fits right in with what I’m doing- in this case, having breakfast. So here it is- sliced!
Day 172- Mystery!
The topic today is MYSTERY! I had a great idea, which I couldn’t quite execute. We’ve had a group of crows hanging out in our backyard, and they leave whenever we go outside. I almost got a shot today, but they are smarter than I am. So this is all I can offer- not quite a MURDER of CROWS, as I had planned.
OK, bird rescuers (and you know who you are!), I wasn’t planning to MURDER the crows! A group of crows is called a MURDER, but if you are a bird rescuer, you probably know that. . .
So here’s the real mystery. What are these plants/things (Carol, you can’t guess the last one)???
Day 171- Critter
I sat outside and waited for some critters to show up (today’s theme). The birds seemed to be avoiding the yard today, so I went in search of spiders, which were not hard to find. I first tried using my zoom lens, but had to go back and get the macro in order to get a more detailed shot. This is MUCH bigger than life size- it was a very tiny spider.
f/8, 1/100, ISO 720, 85mm (using Aperture Priority with Auto ISO- still feels like cheating!) -1 2/3 EV
I had a chance to use Lightroom’s famous noise reduction, and I think it worked fine.
Day 170- Saturated
Today’s topic, saturated, made me think of saturated fats, soggy soil, and saturated color. I went with COLOR!
Here are some flowers with beautifully saturated colors, specifically reds and purples:
BTW, I cropped one of my images (I think it was the third one) and discovered that I could choose from different kinds of crop overlays- rule of thirds, golden triangle, golden ratio- I think there were five- very cool!
Day 169- Macro Mood
Macro shooting was what I was in the mood for today. This is my little hen and chicks plant through the macro lens.
Day 168- Sprinkler
I know- kind of boring! I need to get out more. . .
I’m using this for the Flickr group topic across the water, because I’m not sure I’m getting down to the waterfront today.
This was edited in Lightroom 4, which I finally bought last night- so Good-bye, Aperture 3!
Day 167- Coasting. . .
I’m still babying the knee today, which is much better- so I am b a r e l y working, kind of coasting, with my photography today. . .
I just used Kelvin WB today, which works well in my kitchen- aperture priority, AUTO ISO. In Lightroom, I had to straighten (oops) and adjust exposure a bit. Thanks to the free Jared Platt video I’m watching on creativelive.com, I think I understand the LR sliders better. At least half of what he has taught is over my head, but some of the basics are sinking in- finally!
Day 166- Delicious
I’m taking it easy today, because of a sore knee- so I didn’t go with Lonnie to the Farmers’ Market. He came home with some delicious berries, which made choosing a photo subject very easy. This was edited for a slight increase in contrast, clarity, and vibrance- and some noise reduction since it was shot at ISO 1100. I used the Expodisc, and no white balance adjustment was needed!
Day 165- My day
My photos today are not in response to ANY assignment or theme and are more in line with just recording my day. Some of the Rapunzels met for lunch today, and here is a shot of Jan and Darlene chatting with Nevin, who moved to SoCal.
After they left, an amazon.com package arrived- my new Expodisc bought with amazon gift cards from my daughter (who wanted to get me something for photography but couldn’t figure out what!). Thank you, Caitlin!
The Expodisc is for taking custom white balance, reading incident rather than reflective light. You attach or hold it over your lens while doing a custom white balance setting with the camera. It works beautifully so far! The hardest part was attaching the strap (I look like Flavor Flav wearing it around my neck).
So between my newly calibrated monitor and the Expodisc, I should be getting perfect white balance every time!
Day 164- Macro Cat
My dollhouse china kitty (made in Japan) has survived all these years. I remember my other dollhouse figures being plastic; I’m not sure why the kitty wasn’t. He sits in a wooden coke bottle crate that hangs on the wall in the kitchen and is the subject for today’s photo of the day (in response to the topic, macro).
Day 163- Brave, lazy, and crazy
My photo class is over- the last assignments were due yesterday. Today I am taking it easy, photography-wise (truth be told, yesterday I was too). I got some flowers at Trader Joe’s yesterday, knowing that it would be Macro Monday today.
So here are some macro shots of a sunflower, lazily shot in Aperture Priority and bravely edited in Lightroom. Because I used Auto ISO, one of these shots had a crazy high ISO- so noise reduction had to be employed!
Day 162- Dubya
Theme: Starts with W
WINE!
Day 161- Kids of 1968
Today we picnicked with friends from our HeartMath group, and the topic of the 1968 Exhibit at the Oakland Museum came up. Carl mentioned that he and Carolyn fell in love and got married amidst all the tumult of that unforgettable year. Since the topic of my Flickr group today is Young at Heart, I thought it appropriate to post this photo I took today of the Kids of 1968 (as Carl referred to the two of them).
Progress was made today by this often timid photographer- I asked to take people’s photos and then had them move into open shade! And they did!
Day 160- Leaving Boulder
After breakfast, we took a drive over to the Chautauqua Historic Landmark, a big park with hiking trails into the Flatirons, for a short walk.
View of Boulder from the trail
A BIG dandelion (for you, Carol!)- I wanted to crop it vertically but couldn’t figure out how to in Lightroom!
Here’s my favorite shot- a pro photographer came in with a young couple for a session under the trees. She brought lighting! WOnder if she’s a Clickin Mom. ..
All photos were taken with my 18-200 zoom and edited somewhat clumsily and hurriedly in Lightroom. I’m currently learning the adjustment brush (just discovered there are presets in a drop down menu!) and the gradient thingie.
Day 159- Pearl Street
While my husband was at his meeting today, I spent time walking around Pearl Street again. It quickly started to rain, so I only got a couple shots before heading into Starbucks to sit and read. It was not good weather for walking around with a camera. Afterward, I browsed in a few shops before heading back to the hotel.
melinda anderson photography 