Thursday, April 30, 2009

Day 272


At Sunset, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Note to self: Do not look directly at the sun, even through the camera. I'm still seeing spots. Could not see a damn thing trying to line up focus but luckily the first one turned out the best. Probably because my retinas were only partially damaged at that point.

On another note I would like to shamelessly self promote my new Etsy site. Some of my better works are now there for purchase as prints. More coming soon! Shutterbugcel.etsy.com

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

PIF Winner

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in paying it forward on your own blogs. My husband drew a name for me this evening and the winner is Charlene Woods. Congratulations! I will be in touch to arrange sending you your cards!

Thanks again to everyone for playing.

Day 271


Fading blooms, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

The last of the flowers on my front shrub are blowing away and falling off the bush. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to shoot them one more day.

Last Day for Pay It Forward

Don't forget! Today is the last day to leave comments to be entered in the Pay it Forward giveaway.

To see details please check the post below.




Cards

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Day 270


Jump!, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

My daughters very quick stint outside jumping in the rain. She high-tailed it right back inside at the first crack of thunder. I only got one shot so this had to be the one. I cropped out her foot because I thought it took away from the shadow.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Day 269


Looking out, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Today was not such a great day so I was feeling a little less than motivated to set up anything.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Day 268


Zen Cooking, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Too bad I spend way more time working on setting up shots and photography than I do actually cooking.

Strobist: SB600 camera left bounced off white shelf above. SB900 camera right bounced off shelf above.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Day 267


Reaching, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

These little buggers are probably going to get mowed over tomorrow so I decided to bring out the camera to pay tribute. The late evening sun was casting a beautiful light on them. I waited all week for them to get their fluff so I could do some macro shots but they didn't make it that far. I figured I should at least get some sort of photo out of them before they are gone.

Reader Giveaway!

Time to Pay it Forward! Jo over at Smile Monsters had a fabulous idea on how to Pay it Forward with her readers. She sent out some of her beautiful handmade jewelry to a few very lucky readers and I was very excited to be one of them. My heart ring arrived in the mail yesterday. I am currently hiding it from my daughter because I think it could potentially disappear. If you like what you see I am sure she would appreciate you visiting her Etsy shop here: www.smilemonsters.com.

So now comes my turn to PIF. I am giving away a set of handmade photo cards by yours truely. You can use them for yourself or give them as a gift to someone else. If you would love to have these cards then please leave a comment below.

Cards


RULES: Always has to be some, right? In order to participate you must be willing to Pay it Forward on your blog as well and have something to PIF with. It must be something that you can give away on your blog. It can be anything: a product, a free service or something that you handmade. That's it!

If there is not a link to your contact information in your comments please make sure you leave an email as well. I will pick one name at random on Wednesday May 29 to be sent the cards.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Day 266

This is what happens when I suddenly find myself child-free for the next 24 hours. I have time to play. When I saw today's FGR group was Grimm's Fairy Tales I knew I had to give it a go. I had the perfect old Halloween costume sitting in the garage that hadn't been worn since my pre-mommy years.

I did not take a set up shot because you all would have laughed me right out of here they way I had to rig it all up. Ultimately I ended up using the Ray Flash Ring on camera attached to the SB900 and had the SB600 camera right bounced off the ceiling.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Day 265


Simplicity, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I will grow out of this nature/Spring/flower phase soon. Or maybe then again I won't. Definitely the most relaxing and rewarding subject for me to shoot. This is a branch off the shrub in my front yard that is starting to bloom. I wanted to get a shot before it the flowers disappeared in the wind today so I clipped it and took it inside.

Oh and officially 100 days left of my Project365!

Strobist:
SB900 camera right iTTL -0.3. Fired with pop-up commander mode

You can visit my Flickr site for the setup on this shot. A first for me in actually documenting how I do something.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Day 264 - Happy Earth Day


Budding, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Today for Earth Day I took my daughter to the MK Nature Center here in town. They have lots of little habitats for birds and fish as well as educational information for the public. It was a beautiful day to get out too!

This shot is not entirely sharp but loved the way the light was hitting this leaf. When I got home and saw it on the computer I realize there was a teeny tiny bug resting on top of it.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Day 263


Refresh, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

It is a hot one out there today! Well not Idaho summer scorching hot yet but very warm for a Spring day. A trip to Jamba Juice was definitely in order as my daughter and I were out running errands. Since today is Happy Pretty Pink Tuesday and the theme is pink food and drinks I had the idea to shoot my very yummy berry smoothie. I frosted the edge with sugar to make it look more like a margarita and popped it on a table outside. I was kind of in a hurry so I just used a reflector to bounce back some of the light since it was back lit. I didn't' realize I reflected the house window and my arm on the glass till I was already inside and drinking it.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Day 262


Sunburst, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I will call this a very happy accident. I forgot to take my camera with me when I left the house this afternoon. I was on my way over to my Dad's for dinner and hoped to shoot the plum tree in his back yard. So instead I snapped 5 quick ones on my iPhone in hopes one would turn out OK enough for my daily shot. When I opened it in Lightroom to play I ended up with this almost drawn effect. I liked it so I'm sticking with it. Enjoy!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Day 261


Greasing the chain, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

We have been making slow but steady progress in getting our daughter outside. I think the warm weather minus the wind is helping tremendously. So today we all went out for a bike ride together. The little one rides along for now in a trailer until she is big enough to keep up on her own. This was my first ride of the year so my bike was just a tad bit dusty after sitting all winter.

I am going to have to start looking for some cycling shoes as mine are cutting off all circulation to my toes which doesn't make for a fun ride. Thinking about that reminded me about the first time I tried out my new shoes years ago. They have metal clips on the bottom which snap into the petals to keep your foot securely on the bike at all times. I was trying to adjust to riding this way and to the lack of big plastic petals like I was used to on a bicycle. My husband (fiance at the time) and I were out in the neighborhood and came to a stop at an intersection. I went to lift my foot off and step down to brace myself after stopping and sure enough my foot wouldn't come up. I toppled right over in the street with an audience watching the entire thing. Probably wondering how I could possibly wreck my bike standing still. Since then of course I have had my share of wipe outs but the past few years haven't been out on my bike nearly as much. Motherhood kind of does that to you. Now that I my daughter is getting older I hope to start venturing out more.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Day 260


Meridian Clock, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Today I ventured out with the Boise Photowalkers in Meridian. I had a great time getting out with everyone, especially since this was our first outing this year. This is a clock (tower?) that sits on the grounds of the new Meridian City Hall. Oddly enough I think this one turned out better than the HDR I tried.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Day 259


Grungy Metal, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I went out shooting for the afternoon with my dad today. As we were snaking our way through some back alleys in a somewhat scary neighborhood, I had to have him stop for this building. It was literally falling apart, condemned. As I was shooting away I guess I got a little carried away and ventured onto the property and an old man drove up to question me as to why I was taking photos. Oops! This is why I am usually so shy about public photos. Luckily he was forgiving when he found out I was a hobbyist and not from the City. Apparently they don't like the looks of his property.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Day 258


Beauty in death, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

The last day of my tulips from earlier. They are all dried up and even in death, they are beautiful. I decided to try something a little different today. I chose this one for my shot today because it matches my mood.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Day 257

Let me preface this to say I am not a morning person of any sort and so today I am exhausted. My daughter has been hearing daddy leave in the mornings and crying. This morning he left even earlier than usual and so once again we were all up at 5:00am. That does NOT make me or her a happy camper!

While fixing myself a cup of tea later on today I had the urge to shove my face full of chocolate. A quick zap in the microwave softened the mini bar enough to add sprinkles. Who doesn't love sprinkles?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Day 256


Cherry Blossoms, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I am so envious of our neighbors tree. So much so I snuck over today to shoot it quickly. It is super windy outside today and as much as I would have loved to spend more time I just took some quick shots with the Nifty Fifty lens. I love this shot because it looks almost dream like to me. I love the cool tones too.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Day 255


Forsythia, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

It's officially Spring when you see the yellow flowers of the Forsythia bushes blooming. I got one this weekend for our backyard. They really are bright and cheery in the Springtime.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Day 254 - Happy Easter!


Flying a kite, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Sheer determination is what I would call the look on her face. We were all very happy to coax our daughter outside today after her recent troubles and fears of the wind. She did very well. We didn't really have enough wind to fly a kit but she had a great time trying.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Day 253


Softness, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

My tulips from earlier this week opened up today. Just in time for some more shots. I desaturated in Lightroom and used the Aged Photo filter for the soft tones.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Day 252


Peep Kabob, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Just a quick shot today. This didn't quite turn out how I envisioned on my head. I didn't anticipate the white showing so much when I pulled apart the peeps but after I gouged them with a stick I was kind of stuck with it so I just went with it. I apologize for all the Easter candy abuse lately!


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Day 251


Too bad I had to eat him, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Tragedy struck shortly after this photo was taken. The poor bunny lost his ears then head. A shame really.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Day 250


The Essence of Spring, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I spent a lot of time trying to get this right today. Did you know water drops have a mind of their own? They do not go where you want them to. In the end I just sprayed down the whole flower until I got a few decent drops to gather where I wanted them on the stem. I'm very pleased with the end result as this was my first time trying water drop refraction on a stem.

I used both of my trusty speedlights again today for this shot.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Day 249


Step outside, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I didn't like how my previous photo came out for today so I tried something else. Also fits in nicely with the Flickr groups: Pretty Pink Tuesday's Spring Theme. I just got these shoes for my daughter. They have yet to be worn since she is pretty partial to her crocs. I attempted to get her in the backyard for a bit today but she panicked as usual and started screaming bloody murder. What the neighbors must think of me.

I have been trying to experiement a lot more with my speedlights and using flash in my photography. I found a great article today on high speed sync flash which is exactly what I needed for this shot. I used fill flash to fill in some of the harsh shadows from the sunlight. Here is a link to the article.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Day 248


Make a Splash!, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I spent a good amount of time today playing around with water drops to catch the perfect ripple effect. Just when I was about to quit my background paper slumped over to reveal the yellow back side and I noticed how it was reflecting. I'm very happy with how this turned out color wise. I wish I could have gotten it a bit sharper.

I set up this shot under my kitchen sink with the faucet at a very slow drip into a glass pan. A SB600 was placed to the left at a 90 degree angle and I hand held the SB900 behind the faucet.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Day 247


Shoshone Falls, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Not a great HDR because it was too windy and all the bushes were waving their little branches at me.

For those of you not familiar with the area this is Shoshone Falls. Also referred to as the Niagara of the West. Shoshone Falls is 212 feet high and flows over a rim 900 feet wide.They are best seen in the spring when the water level is high. I hope to go back in a few months when everything is a bit greener.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Day 246


Lake Lowell, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

My very first attempt at HDR.

We took a road trip around the valley and stopped at two places today. The second stop was Lake Lowell. I had never been there and was a little disappointed because I forgot the time of year and that the trees had not bloomed yet but then I found this set of stairs and was happy again.

Today was also a big day for our daughter. She has been having trouble going outside due to a very traumatic phobia of wind so we have been taking baby steps. I wasn't even sure we would get her out of the car but the water proved to be too much of a draw for her and after one crying session and a retreat to the car we made it out. Soon she was distracted by throwing rocks and finding sticks. A great success and huge relief for everyone.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Day 245


Barefoot, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Another day stuck inside. The weather could turn warm now, anytime...seriously...I'm waiting...

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Day 244


Dinner!, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

Mmmm! I have been craving my mother's Hamburger beans all week and finally got around to making them tonight. My belly is so full now!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Day 243


Look into my Eye, originally uploaded by Shutterbug Cel.

I have been searching for a ring flash unit for my camera and came across this contraption online. It is the Ray Flash Ring. Not really a ring flash but an adapter that is made for Nikon and Canon speedlights to direct the light around the lens. I ordered one for my SB900 and it came today. After taking a few test shots I am very happy with the results. It is kind of a beast to handle, the size is pretty impressive so I don't know how much I will be packing it around in my camera bag, unless I upgrade bags.....again.