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banjon  > 2008 > Daily Photo Challenge > Daily Photo Challenge - 2008
My attempt at a photo a day. :) Will giver my best.
Gallery pages:  <<  <  7  8  9  10  11  12  >  >>
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banjon > Day 228 (2/2) - Reflections of Autumn

Green leaves are becoming more and more scarce as Autumn nears.  

I really liked how the shallow dof created this dappling effect for the blue sky reflecting off the sparkling water and the leaves that have already turned orange and yellow.  Plus a touch of sunlight never hurts. :)

Oct 04 2008
banjon > Day 227 - Harvest

Autumn is upon us as the air takes on a chill and the trees are about to blossom into full fall foliage. It's our favorite time of year.  Nova Scotia is widely known as apple country.The Annapolis Valley has hundreds of apple orchards. The story goes that the first apple seeds in the new world were planted by French (Acadian) farmers in the valley more than 500 years ago.        

The setup includes a $2.00 basket Barb purchased at a market in the valley, fresh apples, and a checked pattern table napkin. I used 2 white boards on left and on the right and a black board in the back. I bounced the flash on the left at different heights to simulate a window.  The image required no processing other than cropping and dead pixel removal (does this happen with all digital cameras?).

The image reminds me of a country kitchen scene :).

Oct 03 2008
banjon > Day 226 - Grapes

We had picked up some grapes the other day, so I thought might take a few shots before they were all gone.  You know you can't just eat one.  Sad to say, none of the grapes survived after this shoot.  However, they were mighty tasty. :)

I found the grapes to be difficult at times to get a good composition.  Lighting is much more difficult with the angle, and dew causing blowouts.  I ended up using a tent-like setup with the white boards, bouncing the flash upward. This seemed to illuminate the grapes much better.

Definitely will revisit grapes as a subject.  Very challenging. 
 
Oct 02 2008
banjon > Day 225 - Autumn Approaches

Today was mostly cloudy, until the sun decided to peek through for a few minutes during the day.  In doing so, I noticed this group of trees shining so brightly against the dull cloudy sky.  My eye was drawn to the bold oranges and reds.  

When I woke up today, I sat at my desk to notice..  one of the Blue Jay's (not sure if the same ones from yesterday), landed about 2 feet in front of our window, and started to sing for a bit. . So I grabbed the camera, only to remember the battery was charging.  Seconds later, the battery was in, when the Blue Jay jumped up on the rock under our window, even closer!  As I tried to focus the camera, I was able to get one shot off and he flew away.  :(  If only I had a few more seconds to setup the camera, I would have had an awesome shot...sniff.. sniff..  I sound like a fisherman talking about the one that got away.  hehe  Oh well next time. :)

Oct 01 2008
banjon > Day 224 - A Pair of Jay's

Usually the Blue Jay's fly through here quite often, but never take time to smell the yellow flowers.  Today was one of those days where both decided to check out the area.  I love the colors on the Blue Jay's tail.  

Growing up, the most I ever saw were Robins and Sparrows.  I remember one time seeing a Cardinal.  Now I see all kinds of birds on a daily basis.  The other day, about 12 Mourning Doves just showed up for a brief lay over and then they were back to the air.    

I'm glad to see the Chick-a-dee's return!  I was missing their calls, almost like children playing in a field.  I told Barb, I think that song "Chim Chim-er-ee" should be called "Chick chick a Dee".  

Sept 30 2008
banjon > Day 223 - Halifax Skatepark

Today I met a few fellow photographers (from the local photography club) at the Halifax skate park.  The skaters were great. There was definitely some great talent there.  We had a blast.  

I really learned a lot, because I got to use my hot shoe flash again.  I was impressed at how far it threw the light.  :)  The flash really worked great and allowed me to capture some great shots.  

Although the park was lit by halogens, they weren't super bright.  Autofocus was dead meat. I think we came up with a new meaning for the AF acronym, but I don't think I'll repeat it here. hehe.  Switching to manual focus worked.  The practice I got from tracking birds really helped.  I look forward to doing this again.

Update:  Here are some of the others from the park (Halifax Skatepark)

Sept 29 2008
banjon > Day 222 - Time to make the Coffee...

A closeup of a coffee press plunger.  Some call it a French press, others plunger coffee.

Since we started making coffee using the press, the old 12-cup drip is collecting dust.  If you've never tried it, and you love the taste of Coffee House coffee, then pick one up.  You will not believe the taste.  MUCH better coffee.

The most important step is the grinding of the beans.  You want a semi-course grind.  It takes a bit to learn how to use one of those quick grinders, because they are fine for drip, but can make you press coffee like espresso. :)

To make, grind about 1 scoop per cup. Most presses are 4 cups (4 oz).  
Boil the water, then fill the press till about 1 inch from top.
The beans should group and form a nice froth at top.
Important step, use a chop stick, or spoon to push the coffee to the bottom.
Place the lid on and let steep for about 3-5min.
Then hold the lid with one hand and slowly push down the plunger.
  (take caution, you can spill the coffee and scald yourself if you don't pay attention)
All Done.  

Pour while holding the plunger in place.  No floaters in the coffee. :)

Barb likes adding some honey to hers.  I try it from time to time with honey.
Good stuff.  Sure gives you a buzz.  hehe

Sept 28 2008
banjon > Day 221 - My Guitar

I picked it up second hand at a local music store.  The pickups died about a year later.  So I replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, and a Blues Humbucker.  It was the first time I ever replaced my pickups, so I configured them to use a 3 way switch that turned each one off, play in parallel, or serial.  All which produce different tones.

I began playing guitar when I was 16 (amazing where 25 years goes) on my Uncle's Martin acoustic guitar.  Playing late at night was no easy task.  I used to put pillows at the bottom of my door and strum very very softly. :)  Eventually, after some late night discussions, I asked my mom to help me pick out an electric guitar, which I could play with headphones at night, and power up the amp by day...  >:)

A few years earlier when I was 12, I was teaching myself to play my Mom's little Baldwin Fun Machine organ.  I found myself playing songs, and eventually writing small melodies.  One of my first songs I learned to play was Auld Lang Syne, which I played for my 3rd grade music class.  I always liked that melody.

This eventually led to me playing the electric pianos at stores while my mom shopped.  She'd plop me by the keyboards and I'd play and play.  When I was older, I was at a Target in LA (missing my keyboard at home) and stopped by to maybe play a bit.  After a bit, there was a group of people looking at the pianos.  The salesclerk smiled.  I guess I must of been good for business. :)

When I wasn't programming, I was writing music and learning and playing the keyboard.  I eventually took the plunge and bought a Yamaha V50 with a built in drum machine and sequencer.  It had 16 bit sound sampling and was amazing.   The drum machine, although not advanced, did help me improve my timing, so much I picked up my guitar and started playing and never stopped.

Today I still love to play guitar.  Just about every night, I find the time to play an hour or more.  Its amazing how I can get lost in playing.  When I look up at the clock and notice 2, 3 even sometimes 5 hours just disappear.  

I find the same happening with photography.  I just lose myself in it, because I love doing it so much. 

Sept 27 2008
banjon > Day 220 - Yellow and Orange

Two of my favorite colors.  Actually, I pretty much like all colors.  :)  Hard to choose just one.


Sept 26 2008
Day 227 - Harvest

Autumn is upon us as the air takes on a chill and the trees are about to blossom into full fall foliage. It's our favorite time of year. Nova Scotia is widely known as apple country.The Annapolis Valley has hundreds of apple orchards. The story goes that the first apple seeds in the new world were planted by French (Acadian) farmers in the valley more than 500 years ago.

The setup includes a $2.00 basket Barb purchased at a market in the valley, fresh apples, and a checked pattern table napkin. I used 2 white boards on left and on the right and a black board in the back. I bounced the flash on the left at different heights to simulate a window. The image required no processing other than cropping and dead pixel removal (does this happen with all digital cameras?).

The image reminds me of a country kitchen scene :).

Oct 03 2008
 > Day 227 - Harvest

Autumn is upon us as the air takes on a chill and the trees are about to blossom into full fall foliage. It's our favorite time of year.  Nova Scotia is widely known as apple country.The Annapolis Valley has hundreds of apple orchards. The story goes that the first apple seeds in the new world were planted by French (Acadian) farmers in the valley more than 500 years ago.        

The setup includes a $2.00 basket Barb purchased at a market in the valley, fresh apples, and a checked pattern table napkin. I used 2 white boards on left and on the right and a black board in the back. I bounced the flash on the left at different heights to simulate a window.  The image required no processing other than cropping and dead pixel removal (does this happen with all digital cameras?).

The image reminds me of a country kitchen scene :).

Oct 03 2008
Day 227 - Harvest

Autumn is upon us as the air takes on a chill and the trees are about to blossom into full fall foliage. It's our favorite time of year. Nova Scotia is widely known as apple country.The Annapolis Valley has hundreds of apple orchards. The story goes that the first apple seeds in the new world were planted by French (Acadian) farmers in the valley more than 500 years ago.

The setup includes a $2.00 basket Barb purchased at a market in the valley, fresh apples, and a checked pattern table napkin. I used 2 white boards on left and on the right and a black board in the back. I bounced the flash on the left at different heights to simulate a window. The image required no processing other than cropping and dead pixel removal (does this happen with all digital cameras?).

The image reminds me of a country kitchen scene :).

Oct 03 2008
Camera: Nikon Corporation (Nikon D80) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 3700px x 2588px |
Current: 400px x 280px |
Other sizes: Small • M • L |
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