Chain Line

In an effort to try and practice framing with the lines so ellogantly drawn by our very own Katy I thought I would try a few out. Here is my son on the tire swing using the chain framing his face. Didnt quite work out but he sure looks happy! Dont you love how his hair nearly flares in the sun! I sure do! CC

What is that Abstract?

In an effort to work on sun flare I was laying on the ground with the camera taking a picture up while my daughter layed on the swing on her belly! It was fun for us to laugh at each other. Anyway this is her wind swept hair and the sun. It turned out more washed out than flare but It makes to me an interesting abstract piece.

CYC: Vintage checkers

Another shot from the Whitney store in Kirtland. There is an old-fashioned checkers board set up on a table there, with two sets of checkers, these reddish ones, and yellow ones on the other side you can see here. Both are made out of corn.

About the photo: I desaturated the colors a little, warmified, and added a film grain. I tried to make the vintage era stuff look a little more like a vintage era photo.

CC

You can see all my runners-up here.

(By the way, last night I was leaving the grocery store, and I saw a great opportunity for a "shadow" photo. There were thin wisps of clouds crossing in front of a nearly full moon. I dutifully pulled out my camera, and began snapping away. They came out miserably. Does anyone know how to do night photography, especially without fancy lenses? Is that even possible? That would be a really great tutorial subject.)

CYC: Abstract basket

I have a hard time with this word, because whenever I think of "abstract" I think that you're not supposed to be able to tell what it is you're looking at. However, I took this photo with the word "abstract" in mind. It's an old-fashioned (probably hand-woven) basket hanging from the ceiling in the Newel K. Whitney store in Kirtland, OH.

CC

CYC: Inspiration...I'm BAAAAAAACK!

Hey everyone! Wow, I've missed you guys! We're finally settled into our new home in McMinnville and my new job as a 911 dispatcher for the county. Whew! And now my first photo in a couple of months.


My husband and I took our twins on a hike to Silver Creek Falls, a place I've never been but have always wanted to visit. As we were walking along the creek at the bottom of the falls, I saw this leaf and it inspired the photographic side of my brain as nothing has for the past few months. As soon as I threw the "Super Fun Happy" action (from Totally Rad Actions) on it, I was in love.

Sorry, no photo specs included tonight, the hubby is "patiently" waiting for me to post this so we can watch a movie now that the twins are down for the night.

Summer Fun

Taken with my NEW NIKON D700!!!! AHhhhh!!! LOVE IT! Iso 200, 280, F5.6

This was a day at the beach, and I have terrible "OCD" about dirty things, so sand is a big yuck for me...but I have worked hard since having a child to overcome this...so this is my tribute to "giving a hand to sand" ha ha.

ABSTRACT animal

This is a picture of one of the Cleveland Zoo's elephants who is currently being a guest at the Columbus Zoo as the Cleveland Zoo's elephant exhibit is being overhauled for a couple of years. I've visited this elephant so many times in my life -- I'm old, but he's OLDER!!! Elephants have always been my favorite at the zoo. I love the way their skin looks...so dry, but cool shapes and lines. They have so much character to their bodies. Funny how shapes and lines are character on their bodies and just plain old ugly wrinkles on us humans.

Seeing RED!!!!

You guys are quickly going to get tired of my flower pictures. I just love to take them though.

Where are you at?

This sign tells you all. You are now in Ohio. Thanks for coming. :)

Vintage Machine

A Ferris Wheel is one of those classic fair rides. One of those 'good ol' day' moments.

Sweet Corn

Last night my family went to the fair. My daughter, Maggie was totally into the Sweet roasted corn. (She ate two cobs!) I just thought she looked sweet.

Just a reminder!

Just a reminder that if you want to submit a picture for this week, you should get it in by WEDNESDAY at midnight.

I am curious to hear what you guys thought of this past week. Was it manageable? Did you feel inspired? Should we try it again for another week? If so, I was contemplating using 3 NEW words at the beginning of the week, and letting you choose when YOU decide to do your 24 hour challenge and post.

I have to say, I LOVE all the pictures submitted thus far! WOW! It was a breath of fresh air and I am SO glad so many of you have posted. I hope to have mine up this evening. :)

Please leave some feedback on how you would like to see the next few weeks go. I know school is starting soon, and most people said their life would be back on a schedule then--so until we get to that point, I am hoping to find a happy medium. :)

What do ya think??

I don't really know what word these would go with but it has been a long time since I have posted. We are in the middle of adopting a baby so I have been super busy. We were at my parents the other day and my mom was nice enough to let me use her studio to take some pictures of my son.

the one above is my favorite

Summer

I didn't see this challenge till today and I really wanted to do it! So here is some summer time fun! This is a new sport that I'm picking up and I love it! I'm totally posing here because it was hard to set the 10 sec timer, and get the position that I wanted. Hope you like it!

CC

Extra! Extra!

I took this portrait of my daughter on the way to dinner with her grandparents (my in-laws).

I also wanted to say thank you for giving us this week to take pictures we like for challenges that speak to us.

Organization

Many edges on these crystals.

f/7.1, 1/500 sec, iso 100. cc

Inspiration

The Temple in Kirtland, OH

CYC: Fresh after rain

This photo could work for a few different challenge words, but I chose "fresh." I was at an outdoor shopping center with my mom on Wednesday, and it had been raining a little off and on that day, but never enough that you couldn't comfortably walk through it. I saw these flowers in a huge pot along the walkway, and I heard them call my name and beg me to take their picture. I loved the colors and the freshly fallen raindrops, both in the center of the flowers and on the petals.

CC

Colors of the Rainbow

I just love lazy summer afternoons playing outside with my kids. *sigh*

-cc-

Livin' on the Edge

So close, but so far away... this is actually really really happened to me.

**growl**

Why, oh why?

Can you tell I picked words I thought would work great for my first golfing trip in 5 years? : ) It was so great to get out and take pictures of something fresh and new! I also wanted it to have a different look and feel to it than my other submitted photo, so I'm really diggin' the black and white!

-cc-

Under Pressure

Just one straight line divides victory from defeat...

-cc-

Different view on an EVERYDAY sight

I drive past the Salt Lake, LDS temple everyday on my way to work. Today, however, I was helping Britt shoot a wedding and while waiting for the couple to come out of the temple I was reacquainting myself with the camera and testing lighting. This picture just came out of nowhere and I fell in love with it. It has a majestic and sacred feel to it!

Blue Storm Coming In.!.

I've been under the weather these past few days.

Last night we had a nice storm coming in.

Rain in Texas is a welcomed event.

Vision of Love

In my quest to become a better photographer, I am trying very hard to look at my subjects in a different way to find the best angle. I have found that thus far I enjoy taking pictures of natural things best -- flowers and architecturally interesting things don't blink like people. These are roses in my mother's yard and I was looking closely for the best roses and lo' and behold I found this naturally shaped HEART.

Vision

Vision, hmmm

I don't know what else to say but

HEE HEE AND some HA HA Ha's

55mm, Nikon D60, f4.8, iso19

Sweet-ness???

Strawberries are always so sweet from a garden, but ours not so much.

We have had such a bumper crop this year.

They are all weird looking and small.

Oh well, better luck next year???

CC always welcome

55mm, Nikon D60, f4.8

no LIMIT

The curly-Q's from lemon cucumbers knows no limits.

It is now flowing into the onion patch and beyond!

The good thing from this is TONS of cucumbers.

55mm, Nikon D60, f4.8

if you click on it you can see all the detail, thats why i fell in love with it.

Three Favorites...

The Three challenge words I chose were New, Red and Comfort.
I just had some work done on my violin , I got New Strings and New pegs so it's just like New

I went to Grangeville Idaho this weekend to do some Senior pictures for a friend and as we were coming down the mountain we saw this lovely red sunset. So breathtaking!

And last I chose this Wheat as comfort because when our children were smaller we lived in a very small farming community in Eastern Washington and my husband worked at a grain eleveator, storing and shipping wheat on barges... during harvest he worked long hours and as a result got big checks , it was a comfort to us that we knew we could go school shopping for all six of our kids! . Sorry...I posted all my words at one time. I missread the instructions!

Colorful, Fresh Bouquet

I also chose to do some color, so here is a fruit 'bouquet' from my sister in law's shower this after noon. The bouquet was made by one of her cousins.

Bridal Bliss

In three weeks, my sister in law is getting married and I took the chance after her bridal shower today to take some portraits for my 'choose your own challenge'.

Fresh Decorations

I really tried to get three different ones but the pictures of these flowers are all the ones that turned out. Out at the store I saw these Hibiscus and just had to get the plant to enjoy. Its one of my top 5 flowers and it brings fresh decorations and were freshly in bloom! CC welcomed! more here if you like to see!

Camera strap

I just wanted to pass this on to all of you here. I came across this website today that offers really cute camera strap covers for DSLRs, and they even include a little pocket for the lens cap.

Designs by Jessie

Trying something new...CHALLENGE: 3 FAVS

This is going to be an untraditional week.

Why?

Well...it's summer. And people are busy. And people are stressed. And people aren't feeling so inspired. And for whatever other reason, this blog is just dwindling in participation department.

I have really debated just calling it quits with the blog. I wonder how many of you are really enjoying it anymore...how many of you really look forward to it and feel INSPIRED and CREATIVE.

Lately, I haven't.

And I think that part of that is because we created such a structure with assignments, etc. It's interesting that something so good, can also turn around and be just the opposite. I have found that I take a REALLY great shot and WANT to post it...but it's the day BEFORE a challenge. Or things are stressful and I can't get it posted on time. And somehow that gets me feeling down about my creative abilities.

Does anyone else hear me on this one??

So, the challenge this week...CHOOSE 3 words from the list at the sidebar from previous challenges. Maybe you want to pick a week you missed, or one you didn't feel like you really did your best on.

--Pick a MAXIMUM of 3.

--Keep those words in mind when you are out and about...

--and post up to 3 of them at some point during the next week. Any time. Any day. Whatever accomodates you the most. Take the chance to really FEEL your photographs and make works of art...lets get those creative juices rolling again.

No voting this week. No deadlines. No stress. Just like summer should feel like. :) Though, when the week is over, we might just vote for our favorite 5 shots or something. :)

Let's get some REALLY GREAT SHOTS IN! This is your chance!!!

Hoping everyone is having a really great summer!

--Rachel

Winners: Luck/lucky

Good morning everyone, and welcome to this edition of your voting results!

Tied for first place were Shelby and Susan, with Black cat and Lucky shot, respectively. Coming in second was Jane, with Luck of the dandelion.

Congrats ladies!

Voting: Luck/Lucky

Good morning. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Let's for for two favorites this time, and don't forget shoutouts!

Remember, even if you didn't participate, it doesn't mean you can't vote.

(Also, if you haven't had a chance to comment on the photos yet, please do. I'm as guilty as anyone about it.)

Lucky: Rabbit foot

When I was 14, my family moved from Southern California to the Portland, Oregon area. I had a good friend who, until then, I never realized was my best friend. I was always the kid at school who got teased, and I really didn't have friends. She and I knew each other from church (even kids there made fun of me), and our moms were good friends. We met when she was six and I was seven, and we lived a five minute walk away from each other for seven years. It finally occurred to us right before I moved (only days before) that we were actually best friends -- not just that we hung out because of church and our moms. So we wanted to give each other mementos to remember each other by, and we vowed to keep in touch. We wrote letters, and called each other once a year on the other's birthday (long distance was expensive then). Over the years (it's been 14 more years since then), we fell in and out of touch. Thanks to the wonder of the Internet and the addiction called Facebook, we are still actively in touch with each other to this day. This lucky rabbit foot is the token she gave me when I moved. She was really into good luck charms at the time, so this was meaningful to her. It's become meaningful to me. I still have it, and I think of her when I see it.

CC

Break a Leg

I got to see my brother's band play last night for the first time, and the last time... He leaves for his mission on Wednesday. He asked me to get some shots of his band so I got real nervy and pushed all the groupies out of the way, and let me tell you there were TONS of groupies! It was definately a challenge with the lighting but I still got some great shots. Go to www.gundersenphotos.blogspot.com for more.

SOOC
1/60sec
f 5.6
ISO200 (oooops! I think that's part of my problem with the other shots)

CC ALWAYS WELCOME!

Lucky comes with a Price

Though I do live in cali with the Lucky grocery store I didnt get a picture of that. But I do live in right near Ebay headquarters. It is lucky to find something really good at a good price and it is even lucky if you actually win that bid at the last second without getting over bid! This if you cant tell by the logo inside the building is actually PayPal headquarters which is owned by Ebay.

“So Lucky”

I love those Texas Longhorn Cattle but boy.!.
I feel “So Lucky”
to look at them from the other side of the fence.