Let Us Out!
2011 - Day 77. Mar. 18, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Convey warmth in a photograph today ( http://www.dailyshoot.com/assignments/488 ) .
The bright sunshine we've had the last few days has turned my hibiscus tree into a monster. Drawn by the light and warmth, it's grown right up to the window, doing its best to break through. Although we've had temperatures above freezing during the day, it'll still be a couple of months before I can safely let this beast out.
I used my macro lens for this shot. I was pleased that I could pick up the detail and texture of the both the leaves and the window screen.LetOut55369806713652011CollingwoodMarchdailyshootleavesmacroscreenwindowassignment52112011
Green Thumb? Hand?
2011 - Day 76. Mar. 17, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Show your own hand in a photograph today doing something. Reaching, holding, touching, or making a sign ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/487 ) .
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I bought a potted shamrock the other day for the Daily Shoot 'green' challenge. If you look really carefully you'll see a reflection of my hand in the water droplet. Sorry, for some reason I just couldn't get into today's challenge :-(GreenThumbhand55361874343652011CollingwoodMarchdailyshootds487macroreflectionshamrockwater dropletassignment52112011
Nice Day for a Picnic!
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph outdoors without an obvious horizon line ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/486 ) .
People were taking advantage of the sunshine this afternoon. This is the same park that looked like this ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5462147787/ ) just barely a month ago. The ground is reappearing and the ice is breaking up - it's all good!NiceDayforPicnic5533622180CollingwoodMarchMillennium Parkdailyshootfoodgirlspicnic tableds486
Budding Bottle
Excited to see that the snow had disappeared from sections of the banks of Black Ash Creek, I scanned the dead grasses, straining my eyes to find any little hint of green poking through. Then I saw it, a budding plastic bottle, the promise of more to come.
This week's contribution to the Trash Talk Tuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/ ) group.BuddingBottle5529649111Black Ash Creek TrailCollingwoodMarchTrashTalkTuesdaygrassplastic bottle
Becoming Green
2011 - Day 74. March 15, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Today's color is green. Make a photograph dominated by green today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/485 ) .
I bought a little potted shamrock this morning to explore with my macro lens. Nothing extraordinary jumped out at me until I started to look inside the plant. A droplet of water, clinging inside the arch of a tiny new shoot, yielded a beautiful reflection of the plant!BecomingGreen5530257482CollingwoodMarchmacroshamrock3653652011dailyshootds485
Cold, Clear, Fresh
2011 - Day 73. Mar. 14, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph today that illustrates the idea of freshness to you ( ) .
Temperatures hovering just above freezing have set the area rivers, streams and creeks running. Exposure was a tough call here. There was bright sunshine, (yeah), so I opted for a fast shutter speed to freeze the flowing water, rather than try to blur it. I used a circular polarizing filter to protect as many of the water highlights as I could. I'll go back with a tripod on a cloudy day to see if I can capture a softer, silky flow.ColdClearFresh55268360333652011Black Ash CreekCollingwoodMarchcreekdailyshootwater
For Rent - Spring Occupancy
2011 - Day 72. Mar. 13, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photo of two complementary objects arranged in a pleasing composition, one large and one small ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/483 ) .
I had lined up a few objects around the house for this challenge, but decided I really needed some fresh air, (even though both the weather and the light were crappy). I like the way the bird house appears to be a natural extension of the tree.ForRentSpringOccupancy55240206543652011CollingwoodGeorgian TrailMarchbird housedailyshootds483snowtreeswinter
Settling In
2011 - Day 71. Mar. 12, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that illustrates a role of technology in your life ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/482 ) .
I'm fighting something and since there's no place I have to go today, I'm planning on a full afternoon on the couch. I've got a warm throw, the TV remote, my netbook, and my Kindle. I think this photo shows the role of technology in our lives. It's not just for working. It's integrated seamlessly and comfortably into our home life, just part of how we live.Settling55202995223652011CollingwoodMarchcouchcushionsds482dailyshootfamily roomtechnologythow
Looking Out or Looking In?
2011 - Day 70. Mar. 11, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that illustrates randomness in some way today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/481 ) .
The view out my window through my macro lens - every slight turn of the lens yields an entirely different vista! The optics of these rain drops make it appear as though they're looking in at me. Not that there's much colour, I converted the image to black and white for an extra bit of pop.LookingOut55179143483652011CollingwoodMarchdailyshootds481macrorainraindropsscreenwindow
Hyacinths
2011 - Day 69. Mar. 10, 2011.
Since it was too wet and miserable to go for a walk today I decided to play in the digital darkroom. I used my macro lens to shoot my potted hyacinths which are now in full bloom. I layered a couple of different sketch plugins in Photoshop and then judiciously added back some detail in a layer mask. I like the way the image 'fades' from realistic details to painterly strokes.hyacinths55162917263652011365CollingwoodMarchabstractflowersmacro
Wine Bottle
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of a beautiful simple shape, such as an egg, today. Utilize lighting and focus to make it sing ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/480 ) .
I used my macro lens for this shot with the aperture wide open at f/2.8. I focused on the very top edge trying to create as strong a line as I could on the curved surface. It has a nice abstract quality that I like.WineBottle5515689495CollingwoodMarchdailyshootds480macrowine bottle
And Now Things Get Ugly
2011 - Day 68. Mar. 9, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features water in one way or another today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/479 ) .
We'll see rain, freezing rain, wet snow and snow today and tomorrow - pretty sloppy stuff! I liked the strong reflection in this puddle. The black and white treatment makes it much more appealing than the original mud puddle brown.AndNowThingsGetUgly55126533073652011CollingwoodMarchcardailyshootpuddlesrainroadds479
Did you enjoy your snack
...before you tossed your litter for someone else to pick up?
My contribution for this week's Trash Talk Tuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/ ) .Didyouenjoyyoursnack5510466431CollingwoodMarchTim HortonsTrashTalkTuesdaybagtrashTTT
Read with Red
Daily Shoot - Today's theme is red. Red hot? Red paint? Or something else? You decide ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/477 ) .
I dug out my red frames for this challenge. (One of the advantages to being married to an optometrist is that I have lots of choices in eyewear!)
BTW, until last week I had resisted getting an e-reader. I like books - the way they look and feel. I decided however to get a Kindle for portability and lower cost of books. I have to say I like it!ReadwithRed5506911461CollingwoodKindleMarchdailyshootglassesds477
Get Your Own!
2011 - Day 65. Mar. 6, 2011.
I have a healthy respect for swans. They are massive, very powerful birds. This one thought I was getting a little too close to the food and came to have a word with me. He didn't hiss, but he does look like he's sticking his tongue out at me ;-)GetYourOwn55026046033652011CollingwoodMarchducksfoodgeeseswanwinter
'Smiling' Duck
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of a smile today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/476 ) .
I went to shoot the ducks this morning and didn't even have to ask this guy to smile. One of the volunteers who feed the over-wintering water fowl was there with a pail of grain. I'm not crazy about the shot on a technical level but I think I got my 'story'.'Smiling'Duck5503176246CollingwoodMarchdailyshootducksgeesewinter
Winter Rain - Abstract
2011 - Day 64. Mar. 5, 2011.
It poured rain this morning (which has since turned to snow). I took this shot with my macro lens, hand held, and wide open. I wanted to capture the mood created by the moist air - heavy with rain, on the verge of freezing. It's not quite what I saw in my mind's eye, but there's something intriguing about it just the same.
Winter Rain
Daily Shoot - Make a low contrast photo today. Concentrate on other cues—such as line and texture—to create your photograph ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/475 ) .
This is a pine tree in my yard in this morning's rain, (which has since turned to snow). Still exploring split toning, I desaturated the image, added a blue tone to the shadows, and a soft warm green to the highlights.
Moving Up
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something that you find amusing today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/474 ) .
The ducks generally provide me with some amusing antics and today was no exception. It seems a weird way to tell a story, but you need to 'read' it from the bottom up.
Have a look at today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5497115789/ ) for my alternate for this challenge.
The Girls Do Lunch
2011 - Day 63. Mar. 4, 2011.
One of the volunteers who feed our over-wintering water fowl came along this morning when I was shooting the ducks. I liked the way these three girls ate together and chatted back and forth.
This is my alternate for today's Daily Shoot challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5497098653/ ) .TheGirlsLunch5497115789365 photos365CollingwoodMarchduckswinter
Bamboo
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features a shadow as your subject today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/473 ) .
My intent was to apply a black and white treatment to make this shadow pop, but I opted for split toning instead. I like the unexpected colour layered on the shadow. It suits the subject.bamboo5496228448CollingwoodMarchdailyshootds473split toningshadows
Winter Receding
2011 - Day 62. Mar. 3, 2011.
The beach is starting to reappear as the snow melts, a sign that maybe winter won't really last forever!winterReceding54962410243652011MarchNottawasaga Baybeachicesnow
Artists Among Us
Daily Shoot - What kind of other art do you appreciate? Make a photograph that celebrates it today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/472 ) .
We are blessed with many talented artists in our flickr community! This beautiful pen, turned from wood, was crafted by our very own windsordi ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsordi/ ) ! Di very generously gave it to me when we met last Fall. I love its sculptural quality, warm tones, graphic lines and beautiful feel! Di, I'm in awe of your talent and skill!ArtistsAmong5492255978Collingwooddailyshootds472penwindsordiwood
Peeking Out
2011 - Day 61. Mar. 2, 2011.
I purchased three little potted hyacinths to sit on my kitchen counter. You'll be 'treated' to views of them as they bloom ;-).
I'm really taken with split toning at the moment and have lots more exploring to do. I started with one of the Lightroom 3 presets and went from there. I chose a spring-like green for the highlights and a moody purple for the shadows. (We're being pounded by snow squalls at the moment, so the moodiness fits the day. I don't think Spring will ever come!).PeekingOut54922791083652011CollingwoodMarchhyacinthmacroplant
Draped
2011 - Day 60. Mar. 1, 2011.
The TrashTalkTuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/ ) flickr group is pushing me to move beyond the subjects I usually prefer to shoot. I noticed a pile of discarded guard rails and drainage pipes in an area near my home that's about to be developed as a new roundabout intersection. I like the contrast of the soft shapes of 'draping' folds and the metal that is normally rigid. In post-processing I used the Spicify preset in the Topaz Adjust 4 plugin for Photoshop on its own layer and then lowered the opacity so it didn't look so over-the-top.
This is my favourite of the three shots I posted from this shoot today! Have a look at the others:
TrashTalkTuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5489768053/ )
Daily Shoot.Draped54904234823652011CollingwoodMarchconstructionpipesrust
'Sleeve'
Daily Shoot - Find a repeating pattern today and make a photograph of it ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/471 ) .
The TrashTalkTuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/ ) flickr group is pushing me to move beyond the subjects I usually prefer to shoot. I noticed a pile of discarded guard rails and drainage pipes in an area near my home that's about to be developed as a new roundabout intersection. This pipe reminded me of a robot's sleeve. I like the repeating folds in material that normally isn't folded.
I used the Spicify preset in the Topaz Adjust 4 plugin for Photoshop on its own layer and then lowered the opacity so it didn't look so over-the-top.
Have a look at the other pics from this shoot:
TrashTalkTuesday ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5489768053/ )
Today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5490423482/ )'Sleeve'5489799025CollingwoodMarchconstructionds471dailyshootpipesrust
No Longer in Service
This pile of metal once served as guard rails and drainage pipes adjacent to an intersection near my home. They're all torn up, awaiting disposal, as the intersection is now to become a new roundabout.
I like the Spicify preset in the Topaz Adjust 4 plugin for Photoshop, but it never suits any of the subjects I normally shoot. I used it here on its own layer and then lowered the opacity so it didn't look so over-the-top.
Have a look at the other pics from this shoot:
Daily Shoot ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5489799025/ )
Today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5490423482/ )LongerService5489768053CollingwoodMarchTrashTalkTuesdaysTTTconstructionpipesrust
Qua..aaa..ck! It's C...C...Cold!
2011 - Day 59. Feb. 28, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph illustrating a sound that catches your ear today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/470 ) .QuaaaackIt'sCCCold54870744673652011365CollingwoodFebruaryNottawasaga Baydailyshootduckwinterds470
It's Oscar Night - Bring on the Glitter!
2011 - Day 58. Feb. 27, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something that is glowing today. Use any meaning of the word you like ( http://www.dailyshoot.com/assignments/469 ) .
This is a glittering LED candle I brought out for Oscar night. I'm into it this year because I've actually seen three of the nominated movies ;-). Not that I've been asked, but my vote for best pic goes to The King's Speech!It'sOscarNightBringtheGlitter54835206713652011CollingwoodFebruarycandleglowds469dailyshoot
Walking
2011 - Day 57. Feb. 26, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that illustrates the idea of connection ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/468 ) .
Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.
~Henry David Thoreau
I'm re-reading Thoreau. I too find that my daily walks clear the clutter and allow me to connect with both myself and the immediate world around me.walking54787933813652011CollingwoodFebruarybootsdailyshootwinter
Layers
2011 - Day 56. Feb. 25, 2011
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph featuring strong horizontal lines today ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/467 ) .
More than any other season, I think of winter as being in layers. Each snowfall, freeze, and thaw adds another layer to the landscape.Layers54767983683652011CollingwoodFebruaryMillennium ParkNottawasaga Baydailyshooticewinter
Morning Extends an Invitation
2011 - Day 55. Feb. 25, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Illustrate your idea of peace and harmony--or maybe just peace and quiet--today with a photograph ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/466 ) .
I took this shot just after sunrise yesterday morning. Conditions are not such that I can re-shoot it for today's challenge, so I'm just using the one I have. It was bitterly cold, but absolutely quiet and peaceful. It's not often the bay is this gentle and subdued. It is easiest for me to clear away everyday clutter and find a welcome spot of peace and quiet when I'm out in the natural world. I found that spot yesterday morning!
I must re-read Thoreau:
Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.
~Henry David ThoreauMorningExtendsInvitation54739064793652011CollingwoodFebruaryNottawasaga Baydailyshootdawnicesunrise
Cold Dawn
Daily Shoot - Beauty is all around us. Make a photo of some naturally occurring beauty in your area today. ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/465 ) (@DeForestRanger)
Although we're supposed to reach zero (Celsius) today, it was -19 when I took this shot this morning! Georgian Bay is a moody body of water. On a whim, she takes her ice flows and throws them at the shore, creating frozen hills and valleys. It was far too dangerous to climb down to water level, so I had to be content with a shot from the top of breakwall. See my 365 pic for today ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5471092541/ ) for a zoomed in look.Colddawn5471056795CollingwoodFebruaryNottawasaga Baydailyshooticesunriseds465
Morning Comes to the Beach
2011 - Day 54. Feb. 23, 2011.
Georgian Bay is a moody body of water. On a whim, she takes her ice flows and throws them at the shore, creating frozen hills and valleys. It was far too dangerous to climb down to water level, so I had to be content with a shot from the top of breakwall. Unfortunately there was nothing in the scene that I could use to give you a sense of scale. This an alternate for today's Daily Shoot challenge ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5471056795/ ) .MorningComestheBeach54710925413652011CollingwoodFebruaryNottawasaga Baydawnicesunrise
Solar Kitty is Recharging - Please Wait!
2011 - Day 53. Feb. 22, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph today that illustrates of the act of waiting ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/464 ) .
Clyde has been under the weather for the past week, but is finally starting to come around. He's kept his food down for two days now and is acting more like his normal self. Whenever he's not recharging in whatever pool of sunlight he can find, he's demanding to be fed. Hopefully we're getting back to normal around here!SolarKittyRechargingPleaseWait54693057743652011ClydeFebruarycatdailyshootsunshineds464
Iced Coffee
We Canadians love Tim Horton's coffee! Unfortunately the evidence of this passion can be found everywhere. This discarded cup is frozen into my Mom's memorial garden in Millennium Park on Collingwood's waterfront. I'll remove it the next time it thaws.
IcedCoffee5468174885CollingwoodFebruaryMillennium ParkTim HortonsTrashTalkTuesdaycoffee cupicelittertrashwinter
Survivor
2011 - Day 52. Feb. 21, 2011.
In an environment cold and windy enough to spray water from the bay, and freeze it this thick over everything in the way, how does a lone berry survive all these months since summer? Taken in Collingwood's Millenium Park in my Dad's memorial garden.Survivor54661768463652011CollingwoodFebruaryMillennium Parkberrybushicewinter
The Tulip Lady
Daily Shoot - Who are you? Make a self portrait today and show the rest of us what you look like ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/463 ) .
You didn't think I was finished with my tulips, did you?
I'm afraid this challenge was way more trouble than it was worth. After many attempts at trying to focus on the spot just beyond the tulips, setting the timer (I don't have a remote shutter release), and running to get into place, I finally got one shot with reasonable focus. I applied a high key black and white treatment and then added a purple-hued vignette. The cluttered reflection in the catch light in my eye drives me insane, but I don't have enough patience to start over in another location. I probably should have removed my glasses too.
Dear Daily Shoot guys! Please take this challenge out of the rotation ;-)TheTulipLady5466205402CollingwoodFebruarydailyshootself portraittulipsds463
No Loitering
Daily Shoot - Work with scale today and make a photograph that features a subject either larger or smaller than expected ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/462 ) .
While I do understand the nature of the challenge is to trick the eye in terms of scale, when I came across this unusual 'natural' scale I couldn't resist posting it! Believe it or not we didn't have an ice storm this weekend. What we did have was wind, and lots of it, gusting in the 60-100 km/hr range! That whipped the waves in the bay into a frenzy! Everything in Millennium Park, (where my parents' memorial benches are), was sprayed with water that froze in layer upon layer. Signs, posts, benches, bushes, plants are today surreal ice sculptures. I can't remember when I last saw ice buildup on this scale. My 365 pic for today ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5462112535/ ) shows a view of another section of the park.Loitering5462147787CollingwoodFebruaryMillennium ParkNottawasaga Baydailyshooticewinterds462
Ice Sculptures in the Park
2011 - Day 51. Jan. 20, 2011.
Yesterday's very high winds created beautiful ice sculptures along the waterfront! We did not have an ice storm, but the spray from very high waves coated everything - walkways, benches, plants, signs etc., and froze them into sculptures. For comparison purposes have a look at this same bench ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5137684673/in/set-72157624951908667/ ) taken last October. My Daily Shoot entry for today ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5462147787/ ) shows an even more frozen section of the park!iceSculpturesthePark54621125353652011CollingwoodFebruaryMillennium ParkNottawasaga Bayharbourwinter
Tulips
2011- Day 50. Feb. 19, 2011.
After yesterday's experiment with split toning ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5457167142/ ) , I decided to have another go at this processing technique today. These are white tulips shot against a taupe wall. I chose a green hue for the shadows and an ever-so-slight-yellow for the highlights. What I really like about the result is how seamlessly the flowers now blend with the background.
It's About Lifestyle
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something that captures a small bit the flavor of where you live or your culture ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/461 ) .
Except for when we were away at school, my husband and I have lived in Collingwood, Ontario our whole lives. We've seen it change from a ship-building industrial town to a tourism-based lifetstyle community. We have all four seasons covered with skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, golfing, boating, biking, fishing and much more available. For the not-so-active we have great restaurants, spas, boutique stores and art galleries. Especially for people in our age group, it's a great place to live!It'sAboutLifestyle5459863808CollingwoodCranberry Golf CourseFebruaryGeorgian Traildailyshootsnowwinterds461
Moody Daffodils
2011 - Day 49. Feb. 18, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph that features the color yellow in some way or another ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/460 ) .
This is a case of one thing leads to another... Nowhere near the mood I initially thought I was going for, but interesting just the same. I kind of like it.Moodydaffodils54571671423652011CollingwoodFebruarydailyshootds460
Energized
Daily Shoot - Happy, sad, frazzled, or joyous? Make an abstract or literal photo that expresses how you feel today ( ) .
Creatively energized...that's how I feel today. I finished hanging my photo display in my husband's office, ( see today's 365 pic ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5455009762/ ) for a sampling), and my photos have been accepted to two upcoming juried art shows in the area. I tried to use the tulip to show how I feel - energized from within, yet enfolded in the support and encouragement of family and friends. It's a wonderful feeling ;-)Energized5454439887CollingwoodFebruarydailyshootmacrotulipds459
Dream of Spring
2011 - Day 47. Feb. 16, 2011.
Daily Shoot - Make a high key photograph today dominated by bright tones ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/458 ) .
Look out folks - I bought more tulips ;-). No matter where I went today, there was but one topic of conversation - Spring! The mild temperature teased the senses. You could almost smell the promise of Spring.
And winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeDreamSpring54523801893652011CollingwoodFebruarydailyshoothigh keymacrotulips
Vintage Plate
Daily Shoot - Make a photograph of something old. Be sure to show us the character that age can give a subject ( http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/457 ) .
I have a 'thing' for china. I have several sets of my own, as well as bits and pieces from my grandmother and mother. This lone plate of my grandmother's survived my pre-renovation kitchen purge. It doesn't match anything; I don't use it; but I can't let it go. It makes me feel connected to the other women in my family who also loved it.
