Follow > this Link < to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning August 6, 2010 is:

“Local Events”
suggested by:    CrunchyMountainMomma

 

I have always loved “events”, holidays patriotic or otherwise and sports related.  I love the colors, the noisy fun and the foods you can’t get anywhere but at an event.  It isn’t as easy as it used to be.  Bodies don’t work as well for some of us when we get older.  Mine is attempting total desertion but so far I’ve beaten the odds back through shear will power and a better half who plays the part of cattle prod.  Here in the United States, during the month of July, we celebrate Independence Day / the 4th of July.  The weather was perfect for a parade and a night time event that includes tons of fun food and rides and games and fireworks.  It happens every year across the country, rain, sleet or snow.  Loveland is smaller but we used to boast the best ever event with the look of a Williamsburg.  Period dress and fires going under cast iron kettles that could feed an army, and did, as armies of people came to celebrate with the citizens of Loveland during the local shindig. 

 

There is always a parade so some photos from 4th of July 2010.

 

1-  People come early for the parade so they can find seating spots with the best viewing advantage or shade or close to food like the ice cream parlor which sits across the street hidden from view.  The United Dairy Farmer Ice Cream is one of Cincinnati’s oldest business establishments and very popular all year, not just during the hot summer months.  Read a short history HERE.

 

2-  Our parades always open with someone from the local law enforcement.  They may be in police cars, on motorcycles, bicycles, horseback or in this case a small road or field worthy jeep.

 

3-  You can’t have a parade without the colors waving and here they are carried by veterans from the Marine corp.

 

4-  Here a young peoples group shows some of what they enjoy doing.  There was a time I could do what you see here and I was fairly good at it, a hand stand and other acrobatics. 

 

5-  Always a favorite of mine, the wonderful big horses that helped in the building of farms to the planting and harvesting plus other duties like hay rides or pulling the early fire trucks. 

 

6-  It’s always great to see families participating and the young people wearing the red, white and blue.

 

7-  Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty, I’ve always wanted to do what these two are doing.  This couple was a great addition to the parade and to my photo taking.

 

Guessing that covers a local event fairly well even if the food is missing.  That same evening we took photos of the fireworks set off at King’s Island.  I am getting better and better taking night photos.  It may well be my favorite part of photo taking.  You can see one of my fireworks photos HERE.  Hoping the color and the patriotism has shone through in my photos.  The 4th of July is a day that makes my heart swell a little when watching the participants waving Old Glory, the Red, White, and Blue.

 

A couple more late entries done today along with this one.  All late but late is always better than never.  See “Through the Looking Glass” HERE and “Self Portrait” HERE

Have a super week everyone and thanks for your visit and comments.

 

 

Follow > this Link < to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning July 30, 2010 is:

“Self Portrait”
suggested by:    MattBarber

 

I don’t take a good photo and never have.  As much as I love my camera, having my own photo taken petrifies me but I do have a graphic that represents who and what I am more than a photo can.  There are so many invisible pieces that make up the sum of a whole of each person.  A small peek for you of who it is I am.

I am a dreamer, a wanderer of pages and the silver screen, I am a cook, a realist, a would be politician, a conservative voter, a Christian, a mother, a wife, a romantic, a lover, a sister, a friend, an environmentalist, a gardener, a photographer, an artist, an animal lover, a senior, an educator, a sympathizer, a medic, a warrior and more and the proper order per action is not necessarily how I have it written.  I am supposing all of us are most of these things.  So, what is it a photo can show us of the soul of a person?  Only our exterior is what we see in photos, never the true value of the person so the short monologue of who it is that I think I am.     

 

I am playing catch up for the challenge.  I have a late entry for “Through the looking Glass” up also.  You can find it HERE.

Have a super week everyone and thanks always for comments and viewpoints.

 

 

Follow > this Link < to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning July 23, 2010 is:

“Through the Looking Glass”
suggested by:    Styx_Site

 

I am a really big kid,  and as I get older my mental disposition becomes younger.  Proof of it is in many of the books I read or movies I enjoy watching.  I love fantasy from Disney movies to Jurassic Park and Harry Potter and more.  I began collecting just a year or so ago copies of Alice in Wonderland on DVD and book form.  Each movie version has something unusual to offer as well as the many different talents of the actors. 

My Photos
See larger images, click on the photos.

1-  

I like seeing what different stage or screen companies do with subjects.  I have quite a few movies, duplicated because of versions.  Another fun one to collect is the Wizard of Oz for example, the Wiz and TinMan.  As for Alice, I really like Disney’s version, the colors, the animation and the music.  The new version with Johnny Depp is outstanding and another favorite is with Caterina Scorsone and the play on words in Alice takes you to a completely different way of thinking.  If you have the opportunity to see it, do.

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As for reality in the looking glass, only my cat seems to see into the world of Through.  For myself I have to read or watch.

I have high hopes of seeing some of my favorite movies stories finished.  I look forward to both Harry Potters and the Deathly Hallows, the second installment of Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr., another in the works Indiana Jones and I’m pretty sure there is more I’m not recalling.  The books and movies take me through the looking glass in the most special of ways each and every time I read or watch.  It all makes me feel very young and I like that.

Have a super week and thanks always for any comments.

 

 

Follow > this Link < to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning July 16, 2010 is:

“Time”
suggested by:    Zimbo

 

Thinking of “time” as exposure,  and it’s importance, in photographing a subject because it’s shutter time that determines how much light gets into the camera to expose the subject properly or improperly. 

My photos

I am always impressed with night photos, taken without flash, especially those of city lights.  I take a lot of night photos to practice for the opportunity to take city scapes of my own, in the darker hours.  To take any good night photo a basic understanding of the camera shutter and how it works is what is important.  Anyway, this is a tutorial of sorts regarding “Time” / exposure.

 

1-  I decided to work with a single candle and a bit of decorative backdrop.  I did a small arrangement in my livingroom, lit the candle and turned off all lights.  To simplify, I tried to keep all settings the same except for the length of the “time” exposure.  For the photos, I opened the aperture dial all the way, the +2 set my iso at 800 but could have gone one more stop to 1600 which I avoid if possible because of pixelation.  The only thing left is to play with dialing up the length of time for the shutter to remain open.  The longer it’s open the more light is gathered for a photo.  Also I like to use Tv or Time Exposure rather than Av Aperture value because it makes more sense to me.  So, the info on this photo read like this:
f3/5. Exposure time 1/1000 of a second, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm

 

 

2-  f3/5. Exposure time 1/500 of a second, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm – Everything the same on this photo except for increasing the time the shutter is open, for more light.

 

 

3-  f3/5. Exposure time 1/90 of a second, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm
 

 

 

4-  f3/5. Exposure time 1/30 of a second, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm
 

 

5-  f3/5. Exposure time 1/10 of a second, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm

 

 

6-  f4/5, Exposure time 20 seconds, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 28mm 
I must have changed the focus on this one as the fstop is different.  Anywy, to take photos like these, unless you are as steady as a rock, you need a tripod or table when you get to multiple seconds.  I used a table for all of the above.  As the time is increased, you get more precise color and definition.  At the point where you have what you prefer in your photo it’s ready to use for ??  I like the color and definition but have lost the flame seen in the first image.

 

 

7-  When you have Time exposure figured out for your use, you can go from an image like this one.
f4/5, Exposure time 1/500 sec, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 75mm  (1/500 is much too fast if you want to get the bloom of the fireworks)

 

 

8-  and this
f4/5, Exposure time 1/500 sec, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 75mm  (what 1/500 does is stop the motion of the fireworks.  This one had a lot of promise but the bloom was lost because of the speed)

 

 

9-   To images like this.  
f5/6, Exposure time 1/8 sec, iso-800, Exposure Bias +2, Focal Length 100mm  (Here you get the bloom and blossom because the speed is slowed to catch the rise and fall of the fireworks)
This was taken on the 4th of July, 2010 (this year) at King’s Island Amusement Park.  We went especially to take photos of the fireworks.  Earlier in the day we took parade photos and enjoyed the near perfect day.  I had a good day, a great “time”.

Thanks for your visits to my page and taking your “time” to comment.

 

 

 

 

Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning July 9, 2010 is:

“The Color / Colour of Business”
suggested by me:    PhotoGraphics

 

I have several business I enjoy taking photos of but I went with the colors of a business that has nostalgic overtones of color, for me. 

My photos

 

1- 

I imagine a lot of you are familiar with Sonic Drive In Restaurants with curb service.  They are an American company with 3500 locations and are nearing 60 years old.  As a teen ager, my favorite drive in was Carter’s Drive In and my standard order was a freshly made fish sandwich, strawberry pie and a glass of white milk.  Frishes or Big Boy restaurants were the major competition and both had curb service with carhops.  I was not aware of Sonic at the time and their site says they have changed names a couple of times.  

 

2- 

To my knowledge, in our area, Carhop service is available now, only at Sonic restaurants.    The menu is about the same but larger.  Sonic is always colorful, has a weekly / monthly special and this week it is footlong hot dogs with chili, cheese and onions which is a favorite of mine, I even fix them at home.  Sonic does have a drive through but sitting in the car, placing an order and getting carhop service is much more fun and the only time to be there in my estimation is at night.  If any of you are aware of the movie American Graffiti, the movie was made in 1973 and nearly covers my life in it’s single night of events.  I grew up with every instance of what the movie is about so it’s a great reminder of my teen years.  Sonic does not play movies but they have a radio station with disk jockey and this past evening we heard a lot of Elvis songs.  You can request with an email.

 

3- 

I think drive in restaurants took over from the old steel diners which I loved and miss.  There is one in Cincinnati but it opens and closes under new management a lot which is a shame.  It’s one of the nicest I know of and has served up some really fun foods including Roadkill Chili.  The thing I liked most about steel diners was they were cozy, nearly always had neon lighting and evening hours plus fast food.  Sonic has the feel of the steel diners in their use of lots of neon.  Sonic’s colors are boisterous so they can’t be missed when driving and if you stop they have friendly car hops and food can be carried home, eaten in your car or sit at outside tables on nice days.  I imagine the food will not be rated the best for you when it comes to calories etc but if you need a mental lift of nostalgia, Sonic is the place to go.

 

4- 

Here you see the average pull in for an order, the scene isn’t quite as I remember it, the fifties cars would be in the drive in, not a van like this one.

 

5- 

A carhop making her food delivery.  Curb service is pretty fast and easy going.  No rush to get your order in so the guy behind you can get to the speaker to place his order.  Everyone in the pull ins has their own speaker, just push a button.

 

6- 

Actually, this is an incomplete picture but this is as close as I could create it.  The Chevy is lifted from another photo I took at Eastcoast Subs.  Though the car is to die for, decked out with fuzzy dice in its window, it lacks white wall tires and has four doors.  Young people preferred two doors.  Glass packs, fender skirts, four barrel carburetors and a big V8 engine were a must.  If the car didn’t have it any self respecting teen owner would work on the car until it did.  I’ll have to discover whether Sonic has the drive arounds like kids used to do, circling the drive in with their roadsters and souped up cars with girlfriend in the passenger seat.  You get the general idea as my mind furnishes me with the memories.  I suggest if you want to see how it really was, get the movie.  It covers a single evening, pre graduation night and all the fun and trouble kids in cars can get into within the time span.  The particular movie has a lot of young actors in the making you will recognize. 

 

This pretty much covers the Color’s of Business at Sonic and any drive in eatery with car hops, a fun time.

Have a great week and thanks to everyone who played with the challenge and stopped by to comment.

 

 

 

 

 Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning June 27, 2010 is:

“Summer Heat”
suggested by   Reed44

 

A good 4th of July to everyone.

We have a lot of Summer going on here.    It’s been very hot a lot but luckily we have had breaks from it too.

 

So far, Summer has been supplying some varied ways to forget about the Summer Heat.

Some Photos

1-  Impatiens don’t like the heat so to prevent wilting you turn on the spray and let the breeze carry a little of the mist to cool you off.

 

 

2-  Husbands play in bigger sprays of water when the Summer heat nears unbearable.

 

 

3-  The Summer heat has not stopped these beach ball players.  The facility is brand new and only a couple of blocks away.  You can see by the activity it’s being enjoyed.

 

 

4-  This little princess was dressed for the Summer heat.  She was at Isabella this weekend for the friday night cook out and a candid photo.

 

 

5-  Other children and parents played in the shade on some new gym equipment the park put up this Spring.

 

 

6-  There is a BarBQ on Friday nights in the Summer.  We go to eat and to listen to entertainment.  This is Katie Pritchard and she has a lovely voice and a nice list of vocals you can choose from to hear.  We enjoyed her singing and playing and it was a wonderful way to beat the Summer Heat, sitting under the new red awning I forgot to photograph. It’s reflecting off Katie in the photo even so, she was a photogenic view.  You can get more information about her at http://katiepritchard.com  

 

Have a great week and I hope you are staying cool and beating the Summer Heat.

 Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning June 27, 2010 is:

“Something Round”
suggested by   Styx_Site

 

Everybody knows, a summer sault goes Round.  

Some Photos

1-  You have to get on your knees first.

 

 

2-  Tuck your head under.

 

 

3-  Lift yourself up.

 

 

4-  Push yourself over (Into a waiting daddy’s hands).

 

 

5-  Onto your back you go and its a circle.  Circles are round, Everybody knows that!

 

 

6-  Yeah!

 

I used to do that.

Have a super week and thanks for visits and comments.

 

 Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning June 18, 2010 is:

  “Animals” 
suggested by   Zimbo

 

My sister has two very large dogs they live with.  I spent a month with Jeanne and husband and dogs from May 22 until June 14 so had plenty of time to take some new photos of her pony sized Animals.

1-  Both of the dogs are good sized (small ponies).  Cappy the blond is a mixed breed that was supposed to stay small, but didn’t.  He is the instigator of all rough housing which goes on a lot with the other dog, an Akita name of Ronin.  If you happen to be in the way, which I was more times than I wanted to be, they are able to knock you over with not much trouble and leave you with bruising and toe nails landing on your feet leave a really good gouge.  A firm voice can settle them down, thank goodness.

 

 

2-  This is Ronin who seems to be not all there at times as he has to get to know you every time you visit.  My glasses gouge into my face unless I put cushions on them.  The cushions make me look like a giant insect, so that little fact made him dislike me more than usual.  I baby sat both dogs and cat, twice, while Jeanne and hubby made some short trips of 5 days the first time and 3 the next.  That took care of any problems the dog and I had.  He made up with me and we did just fine which made me happier than it made the dog.

 

 

3-  As I did all the food and watering and putting them on an outside chain a few times a day in between walks that grown kids took care of morning and evening, the dogs had to depend on me for all else including entertainment

 

 

4-  This is Cappy (Captain) and he is also a sort of nut case but totally opposite of Ronin.  He didn’t mind my glasses and managed to slobber all over me at every turn as he thinks I’m wonderful and should love on him and play catch and hand him treats whenever he thought I should.  Where Ronin is a very picky eater, Cappy will eat anything not nailed down including a basket of grapes I had fixed for a snack for myself to eat while reading.  I left my chair to get some hot coffee and he took advantage of my absense to take the grapes, every single one, and eat them himself.  I didn’t find anything he would not eat where Ronin turns up his nose at nearly everything.

 

 

5-  Both dogs are sweet when they settle in with you but this one is not satisfied unless he thinks you love him best of all over and above husbands, sisters or other dogs.

Both Ronin and Capppy turned into hams for my camera which kept me entertained while pet sitting.  Between reading my book, taking photos, working on a document for my sister, I managed to keep busy during my stay.  So that’s it for my animal photos and these dog photos are the newest thing I have to offer.  You might say hot off the press.  

 

I did catch up on all the challenges I missed while gone.  If you are interested in seeing my entries, Click on the entry name to get there. 

• GREEN,
• WHAT’S UP THERE,
• LIQUID IN A GLASS,
• GEOMETRIC LINES and ANGLES.

Until the next challenge, thanks for your visit and comments.  
Have a great week,

 

 Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning June 11, 2010 is:

Geometric Lines and Angles
suggested by me,   PhotoGraphics

 

A totally different direction for this entry because of my late play.  These photos try to give a variety of thought in line and angle inside a photo.  I think about how a photo is going to turn out in my sleep.  I do enjoy digital photography because it’s so easy and I can snap like crazy but a lot of my photos do have method in their madness.  A few of my favorites.

 

1-  This is one of the variety of bridges on the Ohio River in Cincinnati and the construction is interesting lines and angles.  For a change, I really like the soft yellow they painted it.

 

 

2-  This line and angle art structure is in Rockford, Illinois at a local park on a river in town.

 

 

3-  Taken at Lake Isabella our local county park.  I can’t help but look for the fish nets and poles forming lines and angles, in range of my camera. 

 

 

4-  Hills and roof tops always grab me.  I love all the colors that show up in the lines and angles of the communities that sit on the hill sides.

 

 

5-  This was an overcast day in Loveland and we were just driving around.  The yellow school bus takes my fancy a lot and the scene thru the fencing to the play area and beyond to the bus park gave a lot of lines and angles for this photo. 

 

 

There are so many things that catch my eye, bridges, fences, sky lines, playgrounds and the list goes on.  Most of them have lines and angles due to their structural design.  I think the world goes round on the dollar and geometric lines and angles.  I’ve noticed it so much more than I ever did before taking photos.

Have a great week.

Thanks much for any visit and comment.  Have a great week,

 

 

 

 Follow this Link to Visit and PLAY with 
the Weekly Photo Challenge
It runs for one full week from Friday mornings to late Thursday nights. 

The challenge beginning June 04, 2010 is:

  “Liquid In A Glass” 
suggested by  BigToePeople

 

I’m playing catch up and have one more to go before another challenge begins Friday morning.  This photo I took today (Wednesday the 16th ) and it’s titled “Druthers” which means I had druther have milk or 7Up or White Tea or ???.  So a single photo for this challenge.

Druthers, Liquids in a glass.  The Tea is waiting for ice cubes and wishing I had put them in but the photos were done and I was getting lazy.

 

Thanks for the fun, always.  And thanks for visits and comments which are very much appreciated.