POTD: Water

This morning during a non-snowing hour, Pat kidnapped me to "get out" and visit the woods of a mutual friend. We were invited to photograph her waterfall; yes, a private waterfall! So, the 2 of us experimented with shutter speeds, metering, etc. I am sure Pat will post her pics from the same place - but what fun we had! These are sooc.


Now, I could retreat to this vantage point any time!
I have a new, serious committment from now until the middle of June which is taking me away from having time to go on photo outings. My postings may be very infrequent.

POTD CHALLENGE: CHILDREN

Pat and I spent a wonderful day at the Skagit Valley tulip fields today. On the way through farm country, we stopped so Pat could capture that funny sign she posted. It was at a fresh foods stand, and I thought the crab to be picturesque. I know I am off subject, but they were little crablettes once!

POTD CHALLENGE: CHILDREN

Just like Pat, I do NOT do people-pics; I have much to learn about doing that. The one here is of our youngest dgrd (in those fashion-statement yellow goggles) and her friend at swim class. They both love the water and yet my dgrd always shakes uncontrolably from the cold. Here, she shakes and the atmosphere was also very steamy.

POTD: What is it?

Now I know how many of you not only enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, but who also over-heat it too much in the microwave so it ends up like this! Kudos to many of you for guessing this right off!
I can't post a new one because we are leaving town for a long weekend and I wouldn't be here to solve the puzzle. Thanks for being there! ML

POTD Challenge: WHAT'S THIS?

Kudos to a few of you who thought this had something to do with a mountainside! Indeed, it is a series of ridges with a dusting of fresh snow. I was on my way home (this hill is behind our house) when I saw what the combination of snow and sky color (none!) had done to outline the ridges and present an almost abstract view. I didn't have my camera! I hurried to get it and returned to the vantage point before anything had changed. This is SOOC.
And here is the new one for today. It is also sooc; without effects and just exactly as it looked.

POTD Challenge: GUESS THIS

This is not an abstract; it is what it is.

POTD Challenge: Natural light

I know we are at the end of this particular challenge subject, but since our trip, I am running behind in everything! Here are 2 photos taken at different times, showing how the walkways of Cal State U, Longbeach are protected from the direct sun. I thought these canvas "kites" looked abstract, and I loved the sun 'n shadow-play. This time I tried really hard to keep from using a botanical shot - always my favorite!

The light in the eyes of my 5-yr-old grand nephew's expression
Okay. I couldn't help it. I had to go botanical in the end. This is in the rose garden at dawn's early light.

POTD Challenge: Light

Well, the laugh's on me! We just got back from 11 days in So. Calif (had a wonderful time!). Stayed with my S-in-law, who has a fabulous garden. One AM I got up early to get into the garden at sunrise with my camera. I forgot my glasses in the house, but I didn't want to go back in and disturb anyone, so I carried on. BUT, what I thought I was setting at f4.0, sans glasses, was actually 40.0! That's right; it IS possible. When 1/3rd of my pics downloaded totally black, I did one thing: clicked the "exposure auto focus" in my editing program. In changing a verrrry dark photo to lighter, the effect is what is seen in the pink rose pic. I sent my black pics to a professional who ran an analysis and told me that in fact the setting was f40.0! My question is: does it look just plain noisy, or does it look like special effects? I usually keep my pics sooc, and don't know much about dooding up a photo. Personally, I think like this effect.
Settings: f40.0; ISO 320; focal length 105 mm
After not being able to see anything in the LCD while shooting, I took a closer look and changed my settings to what I really wanted. Below, a rose backlit by the very first light of the day:
f 9.0 ISO 200; 105mm spot metering
And just a few minutes later, I buried my camera in a patch of sweet peas - still getting the morning sun, high enough now to make shadows: