Last, Last, Last Post of 2009

A fitting end to 2009 - a Blue Moon. I took this photo at about 6:00 PM and nearly froze to death... Blue Moon, not in reference to the color, but to the fact that when there are 2 full moons in 1 month, the 2nd full moon is called "Blue Moon". A Blue Moon is also when in a season there are 4 full moons and then the 3rd moon is called a "Blue Moon."

You can perhaps tell from the masthead of the blog that I intend to continue my Photo A Day for the next 365 days. I plan to do more with film in 2010, study a bit more about composition, lenses, lighting, and print making and will share daily via this blog. This IS my last post of 2009 and I plan to get up early tomorrow and go in search of photographs just waiting to be made.

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Last, Last Post of 2009 - 365.5

I posted my last entry - went out to clear the driveway and what to my eyes did appear? But, a sunrise. God must have sensed my disappointment in not having a sunrise to post for the last day and said, "Here...how's that?" I'd have to say perfect in every way!!!

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Last Post of 2009 - 365 of 365

A snowy night last night. I love how the snow flakes show up when a flash is used. I would have loved to have shot a sunrise this morning and end the year as I started it by posting a sunrise - however, I know the sun came up 'cause there's daylight - but, no orange or yellow cast in the sky - just grey...

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I plan on doing a year 2 of my Project 365 - so, please, join me tomorrow as I venture into 2010.

Why The World Needs Proofreaders

Ok - not the best photograph I've ever taken, but take a look at the top line. Now, imagine you are a buyer for a large retail chain who just received thousands of these plates for your Christmas Season... I assume the manufacturer missed the typo (it was made in China - really!!). I don't know if the buyer had a chance to review the product or not, if he did he's probably not a buyer any longer.

In another life I taught freelance writing classes and tried to impress on the students how important it is to pay attention to the details. Imagine for a moment you are writing, or editing, or proof reading a document which discusses medications and you miss the fact that the document refers to a dosage of 10 grams - instead of 10 mg. A typo that can kill...

Ok - got sidetracked there - the plate's a hoot - with a matching "Chritmas" cup. The retailer (who shall remain nameless) destroyed all of the the product. I just happened to acquire my set before they caught it...

Tomorrow is the last photo of the day for 2009 - my thought was to photograph the last sunset in 2009 since I started my Project 365 with the first sunrise. It sounds like the weather will not be cooperating so I will have to find another photograph to put my 2009 Project 365 to bed.

Chime Players

Concentrating on playing the chimes - it takes skill, musical ability, coordination, vision, and a sense if rhythm. These ladies have what it takes.

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One Last Look

One last look at our 2009 Christmas Tree.

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3 days left on my Project 365 - to continue?

Snowy Sunrise

A snowy sunrise this morning - a couple of inches on top of a couple of inches on top of ice. The streets are pretty clear, but walking is at times difficult.

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Merry Christmas Aftermath

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Filled With Love

Stocking were hung (OK - laid) by the chimney with care. And, Santa filled them with love...

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Nanook of the North

Yesterday we had family traveling from Minnesota, land of ice and snow, and everyone arrived with no travel incidents. The photo is Ania, my oldest granddaughter in her winter hat - I affectionately refer to her as Nanook of the North......

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Waiting Room

Taken with my iPhone and manipulated with the iPhone application PhotoShop Mobile - all while I was waiting in the Exam Room for my turn to be seen by the physician.

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Different Seasons

George Wyth Park in September,,,

Same bench in December...

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Ice

An extremely large chunk of ice hanging off the roof at our church. It was knocked down after I took the picture.

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Chilly Picnic

It would be a bit chilly for a picnic....

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Hope Martin Park

Hope Martin Park in Waterloo.

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Snowy Tunnel Different Look

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Snowy Tunnel

I was driving around yesterday and came across this view - a gorgeous winter tunnel. Winter may be cold - but it does provide some beautiful opportunities for photographs.

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I also caught a glimpse of an eagle - I was driving the wrong type of vehicle to get any closer, so using my 400 mm lens I took this photo of what appears to be a female eagle. I'm still looking for that perfect eagle photo, but this is a start (at least I saw one).

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HDR

I've been experimenting with HDR (High Density Resolution) techniques and I worked on a photograph I took last Memorial Day. After transforming it to HDR I added some color effects - an interesting look.

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Aunt Andrea

Aunt Andrea holding Daniel... I do understand that he doesn't sleep all the time...and exercises his lungs in the middle of the night.

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Baptism

Daniel Mason Cummings was baptized yesterday. Here James is holding Daniel while Katharine anxiously awaits her turn...

17 Days to decide if I am going to do a second year of a daily photo... It's kinda become part of my daily routine. I'm undecided at this point, but I am leaning towards doing a second year.

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POPS Concert

Yesterday afternoon and evening Helen and I sang in a community chorus which performed with the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony. I took this photo with my iPhone of the Harp Players providing background music before the concert started.
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Snow Covered Pine Trees

The view out my back door.
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After the Storm

Our concrete frog was buried during the blizzard... Still smiling though...


I believe he's much happier now that he can see...
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Red

A touch of red...
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Angel In The Snow

Part of our neighbors Christmas display.
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Reflection

If you look closely you can see my reeflection in the ornament.
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Red Ornament

The Christmas Tree is a handy place to take photographs. I don't have to go outside and be cold, plus - I have dozens of choices.
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An Old Film Camera Brought Back to Life

Photo Taken with a crisscross filter

I have recently resurrected an old film camera (Minolta SRT SC-II) that I used in the 70's and 80s. I must say there are differences between then and now... (1) After I shoot a picture I automatically look to the back of the camera for an LCD Screen to see what the picture looks like - oops - not there. (2) I forget, almost every time to advance the film - so, after I frame my picture and set the aperture and shutter speed and I go to release the shutter - I have to stop and advance the film... argh.

The above picture is from the first roll of black and white film shot through that camera in about 20 years. With today's film cameras you can have the camera automatically choose the right settings and the film is advanced (no picture on the back though). Kinda spoils the fun.

When I took the film to be developed I was asked if I wanted them put on a CD - I said yes. The question seemed odd to me - however, it did enable me to cross the divide between film and digital. Now I've got a digital copy I can manipulate - I didn't, but I could have. However, it kinda spoils the creative process and the fun of shooting the film where what you shoot is what you get with no chance to fix the photograph. It seems I took a long way (and a more expensive way) to get a photograph that I could have gotten if I had just taken a photo with my digital camera - I would have had my photograph - quicker and cheaper.

Quicker and cheaper doesn't always trump an activity - it can't replace the enjoyment I got from hearing the "sound" of the shutter going off, the feel of the camera in my hand, figuring out the correct aperture and shutter speed and even the anticipation of waiting for the film to be developed. I won't be doing a lot of shooting with the camera, but I've got to say I think I'll continue to experiment with the it. It's a good way to improve my skills and I get to travel back in time - even if it is just for a few minutes. A roll of color is next... so stay tuned...
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Brown - Another Popular Winter Color

In addition to white - brown is another popular color.
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It's That Time of Year

I guess we've had it good - Dec 3rd and so far no snow - temperatures close to 60 on Wednesday and now snow on Thursday - the unpredictability of weather. I need to find my scrapers, snow brush and see if I can get the snow blower started. Now white will be the color to photograph....
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Railroad Bridge

This is a railroad bridge which runs across the Cedar River in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It's one of my favorite places to take pictures.
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Somebody Had A Bad Day

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Stained Glass Gallery

Our son and daughter-in-law own and operate the Stained Glass Gallery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is a piece they did for us and the light was hitting it just right yesterday...so...well you know - I had to take a photograph.


Here is another one of their pieces...
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