Inspiration

Wow, I think this is the first time I've posted mid-week. But after being in a bit of a photography slump, I felt INSPIRED. After a long day at work and an after work dinner party, I was laying on the lawn. When I looked over and saw how cute my cat, Ani, was with the setting sun backlighting her, I had to get my camera.

22mm, F4, 1/250 sec, 400 ISO (I forgot to reset it). Also, my computer crashed so I have no Photoshop. :(

I tried so hard to get firework shots for our Patriotism challenge, but they all ended up looking like this

8 mm, F 6.9, 4 seconds, ISO 100 Does anyone have any tips? I want to know how Teryn got such a clear black sky without all the smoke in her fireworks picture! CC

Winners: Patriotic

Thought I would just do the count so Janelle can concentrate on her family! It was a great job by everyone. Congrats to all. Here are the voted winners.

Most Insipring: Katy with Sweet Land of Liberty...
Best Overall: Mindy with Young Troops

Voting: Patriotic

I had great plans for this challenge. I was going to take a picture of my great-grandfather's navy medals (he fought in WWII and was a career sailor). Unfortunately, it didn't happen, due to a number of which, not the least of which was that my mom fell down the stairs Sunday afternoon (5 weeks after shoulder surgery, while she's still in a sling). My great plans will have to wait for another challenge. I loved everyone else's photos though!

So here's the voting rundown for this challenge. I want you to vote first for the most inspiring photo, and also for the best overall. Don't forget any and all shoutouts!

(And if I don't get the votes up early Tuesday morning, I'll do it later in the afternoon/evening. I fly home Tuesday, and finally get to see my husband after nearly two weeks!!)

Patriotic

I'm thankful for this beautiful world we have...made possible by those who fight for our freedom.

Patriotic Duty

I love the Fourth of July - a holiday on which it is your patriotic duty to stuff your face at a barbecue!

Young Troops

I couldn't resist taking a picture of these adorable boys in uniform! I'm so grateful for those who have fought for my freedom, now and in the past.

For the Troops!

I did a little bit of research because I was curious about why fireworks are a part of our fourth of July celebrations. What makes bright colored explosions patriotic? Apparently, they became a part of American culture when they were used to boost the morale of the troops during the Revolutionary war. Ever since then they have been considered a symbol of patiotism across the nation.

I took this challenge as another opportunity to practice the things I've been learning. I pulled out the tripod and went all Manual. Hear that? ME MANUAL! Again! (I'm so proud) I loved this picture because I left the shutter open for 2 seconds as the orange one went off and just as the shutter closed the sparkley one snuck in- creating the contrast of speckles with streaks.

For more of my experiments check out http://www.gundersenphotos.blogspot.com/

p.s. I'm turning over my pictures from my wedding this week so PLEASE leave any comments you can for them (same place) so I can do any touch ups necessary before I hand them over. THANKS!

CC ALWAYS WELCOME!

Celebrate like the Simpson's

Celebrate the birth of your country by blowing up a piece of it.
f/20, 10 sec, iso 100. Cropped. cc

grass and fireworks

My husband had to work tonight but I still wanted to do something fun for my son so we went and got a small pack of fireworks. My sister is staying with us for the weekend and while we were doing fireworks they were teasing eachother and sticking small blades of grass in eachothers ears and nose.

And this counts and patriotic because we were outside having 4th of july fun!

Community Carnivals

Face painting and watermelon-eating contests at a community Independence Day carnival. (please excuse her hat hair:))

CC

Sky High

Sky High thoughts of armed forces, founders, brave women and men who fought and thought to make our country free! Sky High thank you from me! CC welcomed

Hometown American Pride

This is my brother, we were all down at the parade today and they were passing out flags and he stuck his in his hat, thought it was to good to pass up for a mission twenty four picture.

Patriotic Barn

Patriotic Barn in Sanger, TX

Tall Patriot

There were lots of things patriotic at todays parade- but for some reason this guy stood out to me. Hmmmmm.... wonder why. ;)

Sweet Land of Liberty...

The Veterans of our Country.
God Bless.

CHALLENGE: Patriotic

I know this is a regular challenge day, but I just couldn't pass up the chance to see all of your patriotic pictures!

So let's see it! Challenge: PATRIOTIC