Thistles, Snow

A little something from today's excursion to the green space behind Schon Park.  I rather like this one, but my son voted This One for 365project.   And this one is over at Happenstance...


Here's a larger version (Click):

Engineers Week 2015

At lunch today, I discovered that this week has been Engineers Week.  Typical that I didn't know it, nor any of the other engineers I work with.  i suppose if it were Marking-Folks Week, we'd've heard no end of it.... 

Throwback Thursday #42061 - BP Revisited

From sometime in 2002 through the early 2008, I was pretty active at BetterPhoto.com.   It was a fun site, it inspired my "rejuvination" in photography, and I met a lot of cool people.  But, for me at least, it kind of ran its course.  Now, in the spirit of throwback, I figured to post some of my favorite (or at least notable) images from those days.

Once upon a time (2007), on  a business trip to Seattle.  Three days away from home for a four hour meeting.  Waking up in a hotel just across the main drag from SeaTac airport (walking distance).  Kind of grumpy... Drag yourself out of bed, open the curtains, and BANG.  A really special sunrise. 

Great way to banish "grumpy".

Although it didn't get any recognition at BP, this has been a favorite image for a long time.  I even used it for some business cards I had printed up back then.

Reeds Through The Ice...

My 2nd choice for today's 365project....  I like them both though.  Honest!

Random Thought For The Day #42,061

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."   Douglas Adams (from "Mostly Harmless")

Closer Every Day

Regular readers know that I don't do a lot of Macro, and often I'm less that thrilled with my results.  BUT....   As I've been participating in the 365project (49 days in), I've been shooting more.  And (I like to think) improving.

What do you think?  (click through for larger version)

 

01/11/15 - January Rain

 

01/19/15 - Ain't Never Been Nobody's Pride And Joy

01/23/2015 - Sound Chaser

 

01/29/15 - Untitled

 

01/31/15 - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

 

02/02/15 - Oldies

02/02/15 - Tuners

 

 

02/11/15 - I Got The Music In Me

02/13/15 - Thumper

 

02/18/15 - The Weight

02/22/15 - Hold Out Your Hand

02/23/15 - Hangman Hang My Shell

That's 12 of my first 49 posts, a whopping  24.5%.  And I actually like most of these...  But the prevalence of music themes probably helps...

Of course, it all comes back to how you define macro...  For my purposes, I'm including anything that is "life size" or larger when displayed.  And, in the concept of 365project, I'm displaying images at 900x600 pixels (or equivalent) on my 22" diagonal monitor.  Using my handy-dandy tape measure, that's right at 10" on the 900 pixel length...   Yes it's arbitrary, but deal with it. 

Beer, Wine, Spirits, Art, Music, Film...

Beer, Wine, Spirits, Art, Music, Film...  What more could you want?  Perhaps a Spatula?

I found this interesting storefront in downtown Belleville, today.    I'm presuming the Spatula City sign is an inside joke.

This was supposed to be my 365project for the day, but I decided to play around this evening with some macro, which I'm rather happy with.  Check it out.

365project - Week 7

I'm still plugging on my challenge:  One picture a day for 365 days.  Over 10% of the way through...

I haven't been posting all my images here, so I thought I'd do a weekly rundown.  So here's last week, click on the titles to see the post.

41/365 - Snowy Night

42/365 - Clear As The Driven Snow

43/365 - Snowy Woods

44/365 - The Weight

45/365 - Cold Farm

46/365 - WWYD125

47/365 - Shadows Branching

As always, If you want to see more, click through on the title.

As with last week, 5 of these 7 fit the Black And White February theme,  I'll continue to keep B and W at the forefront this month, but won't be constrained...  Friday's "WWYD" is a theme challenge, putting your own spin on somebody else's photo.  Click through for more info.

Throwback Thursday #42054 - BP Revisited

From sometime in 2002 through the early 2008, I was pretty active at BetterPhoto.com.   It was a fun site, it inspired my "rejuvination" in photography, and I met a lot of cool people.  But, for me at least, it kind of ran its course.  Now, in the spirit of throwback, I figured to post some of my favorite (or at least notable) images from those days.

During my days at BetterPhoto, I often felt that my work was underapreciated by the judges, that my photos I REALLY liked received rather limited recognition.  Anyway, (to make a long story short), I decided to prove a point:  that some level of success could be acheived by photographing an isolated object placed at a "rule of thirds power point", against a blue background.  Like a small boat on water.  I made two different images, and BOTH won "finalist".  Just goes to show...

The first image (above) was posted March 2005.  the one below in June 2005.  This one features a forced blue background (changed from green in PSE).  I had posted the "real" version (with green background), and it recieved no notice.  So I decided to test my point by reposting w/ a blue background.

Both images received Finalist status at BP.  Which I took as proof of my point back then.  But there's not a good "so what?", so I guess it was just an exercise in sour grapes.  And at least I'm not bitter...

Bleak

Just a little something from earlier this week, didn't quite make the cut for my 365 project.  My teenage son actually helped me pick, he's got good instincts...  This was 2nd choice, yesterday's post was a close third.  Do you agree?  Or did we blow it?

larger version:

Shelter From The Storm?

Not sure this place would provide much help on a day like today...  It's pretty derelict, and decaying bit by bit...

Large version:

February 1965 In Music

Regular readers know that, for the past year or so, I've been posting about music happenings from 40 years previous (for the math challenged, last year focused on 1974, by month).

Well, I've decided to expand the effort, see how it goes.  So, looking at 50 years ago, we'll look at 1965 in music.  Now, I was in nursery school / kindergarden in 1965, so my personal memories are a bit vague.  BUT, my music interest (and collection) does reach that far back.

Starting with notable albums released in January 1965:

• A Love Supreme - John Coltrane.  As Allmusic puts it:  "Easily one of the most important records ever made"... This Jazz album is ranked #47 on the Rolling Stone Magazine list of Top 500 Albums of All Time.
• The Rolling Stones Now! - The 3rd US release from the Stones, ranked 181 of all time by Rolling Stone
• Orange Blosson Special - Johnny Cash.  Allmusic says:  "rates as one of Cash's finer non-greatest-hits releases"

 And topping the singles charts in February 1965:

• The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (2 weeks)
• Gary Lewis And The Playboys - The Diamond Ring (2 weeks)

I own A Love Supreme, but not the other albums.....  And I have "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'", but not "Diamond Ring".

Winter Skies

Yesterday afternoon (Saturday), a couple minutes after 5pm.  A half hour or so before sunset.


Click image for large size:

365project - Week 6

Well, as of yesterday, I'm 40 days into my challenge:  One picture a day for 365 days.  Over 10% of the way through...

I haven't been posting all my images here, so I thought I'd do a weekly rundown.  So here's last week, click on the titles to see the post.

34/365 - The Blackest Crow

35/365 - Good Fences

36/365 - Waiting For Spring

37/365 - I Got The Music In Me

38/365 Restocking

39/365 - Thumper

40/365 - I'll Be Watching You...

If you want to see more, click through on the title.

Five of these 7 fit the Black And White February theme,  I'll continue to keep B and W at the forefront this month, but I gotta shoot what moves me....

Throwback Thursday #42047 - BP Revisited

From sometime in 2002 through the early 2008, I was pretty active at BetterPhoto.com.   It was a fun site, it inspired my "rejuvination" in photography, and I met a lot of cool people.  But, for me at least, it kind of ran its course.  Now, in the spirit of throwback, I figured to post some of my favorite images from those days.

Taken in late fall 2005, durning a lunchtime walk at Highland, IL's Silver Lake Park. I actually de-saturated the background a bit, to make the leaf "pop" a little more.  IIRC, I wasn't thrilled with this one, but it did received a "Finalist" badge, so it can't be too bad.  I tried resubmitting it in 2007, and only got "Editor's Choice"...

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365project - 10% Through

Today is day 37 of my photo-a-day project over at 365project.org.  10% though, and still on pace.  It was a little close today, I was struggling a bit as the evening arrived.  Here's today's image, which probably should've been dropped over Happenstance.

Slice of Life #42,042 - Drugstore

Just a random little moment from last weekend's excursion to Staunton, IL.  I don't nknow, I like this kind of thing...

February 1975 In Music

Continuing the "tradition" started last year, here's what was happening in music in February 1975.  At least some of what was happening, from my perspective.

 Notable Albums:

• Welcome To My Nightmare - .  the debut from America's best Prog-Rock band.Cooper.  The first album after Alice Cooper the band became Alice Cooper the person.  Still a solid release
• On Your Feet Or On Your Knees - Blue Oyster Cult.  Allmusic may not love it, but any BOC fan does...
• Song For America - Kansas  The most prog album from America's first-best Prog Rock band...  IMHO
• Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin   Ranking #70 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of Top 500 Albums, this iconic album was huge from it's release.

Notable Singles:

Only three songs topped the charts in January, 1975:

•   Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Elton John.  Elton's remake of the Beatles song (from 1967) topped the charts for the 1st 2 weeks of 1975 (1/4/75 and 1/11/75).  Personally, I've never been a fan of this "cover band" version, which Richie Unterberger called "far less exotic and more ordinary".  But, as always, YMMV.
• Mandy - Barry Manilow (1/18/75).  Manilow's first chart hit, and first #1.  And my favorite  Barry Manilow song (one of only 2 on my iPod, extra credit if you can guess the other).  Oh, and it is NOT written about a dog.
• Please Mr. Postman - The Carpenters.  Another remake, from the Marvelettes' #1 hit from 1961.  Also covered by the Beatles.  This would be the last #1 for the Carpenters (excluding the Easy Listening charts where they continued strong until after Karen's death in 1983).

Trouble In These Fields

Another old barn, from yesterday's excursion to Staunton, IL.  Somewhere between here and there,, I don't remember exact location.

Post Title is from the Nanci Griffith song.

Winded #2

Nice day today.  First weekend in February, bright sunny and almost 70 degrees.  I took a ride w/ the wife up to Staunton, IL.  We found this beat up barn on the drive home...

There's another version over at 365project, I had a little struggle picking my favorite.  What do you think?

33/365

aside:  notice that the images are mirror-imaged.  Perhaps over thinking, I decided it looked better with the front barn on the right...