Day 396

ISO 400, 85mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec

Day 396 - Spring fever

I went out to shoot a couple of portraits today for one of the student groups. They are such a great group of kids. They wanted to end the session with a jump.

Day 395

ISO 200, 85mm, f/7.1, 1/640 sec

Day 395 - Flight

During a break from work today, we went down to the park. It was a beautiful day and I thought the kids might be down there strutting their stuff.

I watched in awe as they skateboarded and road their bikes around the curves. They took a lot of chances, even if they weren't in complete control. They tried different things and they constantly pushed themselves. I watched a few wipe out, but they got right back on their feet and went again.

This guy actually pulled off a complete back flip with his bike.

I think there is probably a lesson to be learned from these guys.

Day 394

ISO 100, 33mm, f/4.0, 1/160 sec

Day 394 - The finishers

My third assignment for my portrait class is to shoot a portrait of two people that communicates something about the relationship of these two individuals.

Since both of my daughters have finished in the Portland Marathon, I thought it would be really fun to have them running in the foreground of the skyline at sunset.

Believe me, this was nothing short of ambitious. I discovered quickly that the fading light is a pain in the butt to work with when you have moving targets.

The girls rocked it though. Karen had flash patrol while I made the girls run the same mini-course over and over again.

Day 393

ISO 100, 32mm, f/16, 25.0 sec

Day 393 - Watercolor

This is from Tuesday night. I never realized how beautiful leafless trees are. They are so dramatic in the reflection.

Day 392

ISO 100, 105mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec

Day 392 - Sunset ride

This was taken from the parking lot at Mt. Hood on Saturday. It was pleasant while sun was out, but once the sun was gone it was mighty cold.

I was putting everything away and looked up to see this. Suddenly it wasn't so cold. I unpacked my gear and remained in the parking lot standing on a solid sheet of ice watching the sun go down.

Day 391

ISO 100, 55mm, f/22, 1/100 sec

Day 391 - Spring is coming

Yesterday I was completely surprised by a delivery sent by my youngest daughter for my birthday. I received a beautiful bouquet of spring pink flowers.

I pulled one of the stems out to play tonight.

Thanks Holly and Joe.

Day 390

ISO 100, 45mm, f/22, 1.6 sec

Day 390 - Silhouettes and sunsets

An unusual sunset down at the riverfront tonight. I really didn't think we were going to get anything. This was a pleasant surprise.

Day 389

ISO 500, 32mm, f/4.0, 1/640 sec

Day 389 - Puddle jumping

The college is preparing for spring term.

Yup, some days my job is a playground for me. I turned my co-workers loose on setting the stage. They found the models, found the boots, we scouted a location that would hold a puddle and recruited a couple of the fire fighter students to provide the water.

The quest to pull this off began at 9 am this morning and I shot this at 3:37 pm this afternoon.

Day 388

ISO 100, 60mm, f/20, 30.0 sec

Day 388 - Timberline twilight

Yesterday was picture perfect. Nearly 20 years I have lived in this state and I have been to Mt. Hood once, not to appreciate it at all.

Yesterday, I gave it my full attention. We got up there at 4 pm and from above timberline, we watched the sunset. Just as we were ready to head home I took one more look at the mountain.

This was my last image of the day.

Day 387

ISO 100, 102mm, f/8.0, 1/200 sec

Day 387 - Meet Tommylyn

Don Giannetti of Lighting Essentials is doing this fabulous 52 week photo project that I have joined (anyone is welcome to join at anytime). The assignment this week is a portrait of a stranger and here are the rules:

• - The person should be unknown to you.
• - It can be a street portrait, studio portrait or environmental portrait.
• - The portrait should be simply lit.
• - Tell us a little bit about the person – through the image and the caption.
• - Tell us how you approached and worked with the subject(s) for the project.

I was a little apprehensive at first, but this project really rocked.

Tommylyn is one of Salem's street advertisers and I have watched her stand on the corner waving and smiling at the traffic as they drove by. I love her enthusiasm, she really is a ray of sunshine. I have seen her so many times, she almost didn't feel like a stranger.

I was lucky to have the winter sun work it's magic for the lighting. When I walked up to her and ask to take her portrait, she was more than happy to do it. I stepped back and told her to work the crowd like she always does, because that is how I see her.

I stepped back, she put her headphones back in place and began singing gospel music to her mp3 player strumming her sign as if it were a guitar.

After several images, I went back to ask a few questions. Five years ago she sobered up and got clean. She is a former crystal meth addict shooting up everyday, several times a day and was in and out of jail. She gives all of the credit to getting sober to God. She says he gives her the strength and the energy to sing and dance as a street advertiser every day.

She loves being a testament to "yes there is life after meth." She never believed that she would have a relationship with her family, especially her sister, that she would have a job and even a beautiful apartment.

Tommylyn is a delightful lady.

Day 386

ISO 100, 58mm, f/13, 30.0 sec

Day 386 - A better angle

One of my goals for this year was to re-work some of my photos and find a better angle. When I was down by the water front Monday night, I paid close attention to the bridge pylons.

I took the original image taken Day 375

Day 385

ISO 100, 105mm, f/22, 10.0 sec

Day 385 - Winter skies

What a show we've had lately.

Day 384

ISO 160, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec

Day 384 - Rosa

My assignment for this weeks portrait class was to create three images of a single person using available light.

Rosa is a student ambassador that works in our office.

For every ounce of beauty that she possesses, she also has personality. I really enjoy working with Rosa.

ISO 160, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec

Student ambassadors are hired to help recruit new students to the college. Rosa is brilliant and received one of the coveted scholarships that pays all of her tuition.

ISO 200, 135mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec

Day 383

ISO 100, 105mm, f/22, 30.0 sec

Day 383 - Shadows

This is from last night because today, wait for it, it's raining. I loved the shadow created by the platform on bridge pylon.

Day 382

ISO 100, 105mm, f/4.0, 1/30 sec

Day 382 - Stolen moments

Yesterday I picked up a link to a story about an unknown street photographer, Vivian Maier. I am sure I was drawn to this older couple watching the sunset tonight because I was so inspired by her. The clip is definitely worth watching.

Day 381

ISO 400, 105mm, f/5.0, 1/400 sec

Day 381 - Splash

We are experiencing what is fondly referred to as a pineapple express. Better known as a whole lot rain at balmy temperatures. In our case, about 50°.

Since the backyard backs up to a wetlands, we are currently running the dogs in a swamp.

Not that they mind.

Day 380

ISO 800, 82mm, f/4.0, 1/30 sec

Day 380 - Stir crazy

This rain has got to stop. This is what cabin fever looks like.

Day 379

ISO 100, 58mm, f/4.0, 1/100 sec

Day 379 - Oops, can you tell

I had garlic for lunch

Day 378

ISO 100, 24mm, f/22, 1/15 sec

Day 378 - Sunrise in the city

Or at least Salem. I have spent many an evening shooting from this location. Being there when the sun came up was a whole new look.

Day 377

ISO 100, 24mm, f/8.0, 30.0 sec

Day 377 - Into the twilight

This is from Monday night. I took photos all along the way as I walked over to the other side and then on my way back. The sunset was amazing that evening.

What a way to unwind after a day at work.

I continue to long for the longer, warmer days of spring, summer and fall.

Day 376

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/8.0, 1/8 sec.

Day 376 - Last daze of the daisy

One more time with the daisies. Tonight I wanted to do the daisies completely differently. I wanted to open of the aperture as much as possible and just isolate one daisy.

It was so easy. My subjects are failing at break neck speed now.

My friend Melaney asked me the other night how I got these images.

Here's the quick and dirty Melaney.

Tonight I had three vases going, the back vase was about 18 inches from the camera and it provided the blue and pink bokeh.

The orange daisies were in the front, they were just inside the minimum focus range. I used a very fine mist on the spray bottle and very gently sprayed the underside of the petals. Just a warning, every thing gets wet.

The blue flower that I wanted to isolate in the drops was about two inches behind the orange flower and about 1/2 inch higher.

The tricky part is trying to line multiple drops up on the same focal plane as the lens. Much easier said than done.

Tonight I also used an off camera flash, to camera right to give me just a little extra light.

Hope that helps.

Day 375

ISO 200, 58mm, f/20, 30.0 sec

Day 375 - Framed

I got down to the Riverfront Park just as the sun was setting and I walked from one side of the river to the other over the pedestrian bridge and worked it both ways.

I had nearly run out of my twilight and was on my way back to car when I walked underneath the westbound bridge. How on earth have I missed these windows before? Note to self: I'll be back.

Day 374

ISO 100, 24mm, f/13, 25.0 sec

Day 374 - Blue on blue

What can I say? It's my favorite time of day. This is the Willamette River looking west about one hour after sunset. I'm so glad I hung around and worked the area just a little more.

Day 373

ISO 500, 28mm, f/20, 15.0 sec

Day 373 - Me and my Apple

So, I'm taking this portrait photography class, you know... take pictures of other people.

First assignment (and last assignment): Self portrait. WTF? How on earth do you make a 50 year old, slightly more than slightly over weight woman look good?

It is a well known, proven fact that wrinkled, over weight men do very well in front of the camera. If they sport a double chin, they just grow a beard. I can only think of five pictures that I have been a part of in the last 10 years.

I have read over and over ad nauseum that if you want to take great pictures of other people, you, yourself and I all have to be comfortable in front of the camera. Just one of those rules meant to be broken, I'm pretty sure. Besides, I hate rules.

This great guy from down under threw out a challenge. My Mad 52 is Allan's idea of a good time, 52 self portraits.

I love a good challenge. Allan, if you are listening, I accept. This weeks theme, yet another rule to be broken, is music.

Just pretend I'm humming Me and my Apple.

If you would like to know the story behind this one, I was sitting on this very bank before sunrise trying to freeze a little extra heinie off. Professor Photography teacher says "This image will become a testament to who you are as a person and a photographer at this moment."

Whoa, sunrise just ain't gonna cut it. If you've been following my 365 project, you know that I am rather fond of twinkly lights, reflections and running water.

As we are heading across the bridge, the always ready Oregon skies open up. I wanted to this picture tonight. So we waited and watched. Sure enough, the rain stopped. The ground was soaking wet as my butt will testify.

This photo is for a grade. I welcome any suggestions to improve it, I still have time to retake.

My best photos of 2010

I took a lot of pictures in 2010. I was motivated by doing the photo a day project. It wasn't so hard to narrow my ten best images however.

I learned so much through the year and I got pickier and pickier. I'm doing it again this year, I sincerely hope my photography grows with the same intensity this year. I still love picking up my camera and finding a photo of the day just as much as I did when I started the project the beginning of 2010.

ISO 100, 200mm, f/25, 2.5 sec • 11.21.10

When the moon hits your eye...

I remember this morning so well, I was standing on the roof of my favorite parking garage and it was so cold. We went out for a potential sunrise. I completely forgot about the full moon. There was a thick fog bank over the Willamette River, but up were I was standing it was beautifully clear.

ISO 100, 16mm, f/16, 5.0 sec • 12/02.10

Dear pixel gods

I decided that I wanted to document Salem in the twilight hour. On this evening I was heading a totally different direction when I was de-railed by horrible traffic.

Amtrack wasn't due for quite a while and my plan was to shoot the historic station. As I was setting up, I heard the freight train whistle behind me. I calmly picked up the tripod and moved to the other side of the platform.

I barely sat tripod down and hit the shutter. This was just one lucky shot.

ISO 100, 200mm, f/7.1, 1/320 sec • 05.08.10

Here's looking at you kid

We have a wetlands less than a mile from our home. We had our morning coffee with the baby ducks on several mornings.

One morning a pair of geese flew in and were quite annoyed that I was sitting on the bank of their pond. This one wandered in quite close to check me out.

ISO 100, 102mm, f/4.0, 1/125 sec • 01.21.10

Fire in the sky

On my home from work one night I watched as the color in the sky continued to get more vivid. I pulled into the driveway, grabbed my camera and ran for the back of the acre. There wasn't much time left, but oh how I loved the rich colors of the sunset that night.

ISO 200, 28mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec • 10.06.10

Brush strokes

Early in the fall, we ventured over to the wetlands. Even though the water in the pond was quite low, the reflection of the unique clouds was wonderful.

ISO 100, 24mm, f/11, 20.0 sec • 12.18.10

The Hawthorne Bridge

Portland is well known for it's skyline and the bridges that cross the Willamette River.

I have always admired the skyline images and wanted to take a few of my own. In November, my friend Jeff took me to the location to do just that. One month later, I made my way back up to Portland to view the bridge from a different angle.

I don't think I will ever grow tired of Portland's twilight as it reflects up and down the banks of the Willamette River.

ISO 800, 45mm, f/11, 0.8 sec • 12.21.10

Passing through

Once again, I set out to shoot some of Salem's historic buildings and was side-tracked by the train.

This image really surprised me. I hadn't changed my settings from the day before and at this point there wasn't time, the train was going by.

ISO 100, 24mm, f/11, 30.0 sec • 12.08.10

A view from the middle

In 2010 I decided that I wanted to do the photo a day project. Without a doubt, it was the best thing I ever did for my photography. I learned so much.

I read about photographers having a style. I read about those sweet times of the day when the light was just right. In the beginning, I just didn't get it.

By the middle of November, I became hooked on the twilight hour, just after the sun went down. Actually, for about three weeks I really became a snob about it, if I couldn't take my picture at that time... well, I still took a daily photo and posted it, but I was never as happy with it.

I took this from the middle of the pedestrian bridge over the Willamette River.

ISO 400, 28mm, f/22, 30.0 sec • 12.23.10

Row, row, row your boat

This one quickly became one of my favorite photos of the year. I originally went down to the riverfront to shoot Salem's sternwheeler, the Willamette Queen. The crew boats are tied up just on the other side of the dock and were lit by the lights of the sternwheeler.

Normally, there isn't access to them because of a gate, but that night the sternwheeler was preparing for a river cruise, not only did it have all of it's lights on, but the gates were open.

ISO 100, 28mm, f/10, 20.0 sec • 11.27.10

The historic railroad bridge was converted to a pedestrian bridge in 2009. It is a wonderful place just to hang out.

Day 372

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/32, 15.0 sec

Day 372 - Nothing in moderation

One more time around the sale daisies. Anyone that knows me, knows that I can't do just one, of anything.

So, if one drop is good, surely eight is better. Yes?

Day 371

ISO 400, 28mm, f/22, 30.0 sec • 12/23/2010

Day 371 - Places to go

This one is from the archives. I'm taking a portrait photography class at the college and tonight is the first class. To say the least, I'm looking forward to it. This will push me right out of my comfort zone.

Just before Christmas, we had some really nice days. Balmy, no rain, no wind. On one of the nights we went down to the river, it was beautiful.

The Willamette River was like glass.

The Willamette Queen was doing a river trip that evening and was lit up for the occasion.

Day 370

ISO 400, 100mm, f/29, 5.0 sec

Day 370 - Pushing up daisies

My sale daisies were still looking good tonight, so I worked them a little more.

I am going to drive myself crazy trying to perfect those darn drops. A white straight jacket may be in my future.

Day 369

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/5 sec

Day 369 - Desperately seeking spring

Requesting 40° or warmer, daylight until at least 6:30 pm.

Day 368

ISO 200, 105mm, f/16, 1/30 sec.

Day 368 - Trapped

Three weeks of vacation and today, I am back behind my desk at work. How on earth did the time go so quickly?

I got up to take a quick walk-about just as the sun was setting. I don't think I have ever seen it glow on the streets.

Day 367

ISO 100, 60mm, f/22, 1/30 sec

Day 367 - Iced coffee

It is no secret, I drink too much, way too much coffee. If it weren't for lattés, I probably could have retired five years ago.

When we are out and about, Dutch Bros. coffee is at least a daily stop.

The rain in Salem stopped and we now have below freezing temperatures. I found the fountain in front of the Dutch Bros. coffee stand quite amusing this afternoon.

Day 366

ISO 100, 55mm, f/14, 1/40 sec.

Day 366 - It promises to be a very good year

If I have said once, I've said it a million times, I really love doing the 365 project.

What I didn't love was posting a picture that I wasn't proud of at the moment. (My attitude towards some of the pictures I really liked changed as I progressed through the year.) I also had a great many photos that I took that I should have posted, but I wanted the exercise of being picky, posting just the one that I thought was the best.

I know I will pick up my camera every day. I enjoy it too much not too. I also reserve the right to post a few out takes when the day just didn't come together.

Happy New Year. 1-1-11

This is taken from the old railroad bridge over the Willamette.