Preparing for Launch

The big blue sky is just waiting for this young man to fire up his model rocket and see how far it can go.

Balloon Challenge

The challenge was to modify a balloon to make it more aerodynamic and stable when it is launched by letting the air out of it. Lots of interesting designs...

Robotics Camp

I got called in to work for a couple of weeks at US's summer camp. This guy is in the robotics course. I'll probably have more pictures from camp in the next couple of weeks.

Living Room at Night

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Bulbous Birdhouse

Monday, June 25, 2007

Suburbia

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Alyssa

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Technical Difficulties

Mark and I were visiting family this weekend and I wasn't able to get a post up yesterday, although I did take pictures both yesterday and today. When we got home today I realized that I left the USB cable that transfers pictures from the camera to the computer at Mark's parents house over on the west side. Aaarrgghh. I won't be able to post pictures until I either get the cable back or go out and buy a card reader (which I'd really like to get anyway but don't have the budget for it at the moment). I will continue to take pictures each day, though. I will just have to catch up on the posts when I can get the pictures off the camera.

Blue and White

Day Lily

Thirsty

Special Request

I will be posting a picture later today, but I wanted to post a request separate from today's photograph. I've really been enjoying this project and I think I'm starting to learn more about taking good pictures. I've been reading a book by an author my dad recommended (Photography and the Art of Seeing by Freeman Patterson), and it is very helpful. But what would be helpful from all of you who check out my pictures from time to time is if you would leave comments, especially if there are pictures that you really like. And I'd like you to be as specific as you can--let me know what is your first response to the picture, what emotions does it evoke, what do you like or not like about the composition, what would have made it a better picture, etc. I want my skills as a photographer to improve, so give me any feedback you can!

Thanks, I appreciate it!

After the Rain

As I was sitting on my porch this afternoon between thunderstorms these trees kept catching my eye. The bark had been darkened by the rain, and the green of the grass and bushes seemed especially vibrant. The first several times I noticed this I just walked past it, and even went around other parts of the yard and house taking other pictures before shooting this scene. Finally I realized that if my eyes kept being drawn to this, then maybe it would make a good picture. I took several shots from about the same spot on my porch, changing the focus and exposure, trying to get it just right. I still don't think I did it justice, even with a little help from the "auto correct" button in M.O. Picture Manager.

Driving Home

On our way home from dinner with family tonight I was thinking that I'd have to come up with something to take pictures of when we got home. But I was inspired by a photography book I just bought to think outside the box when it comes to taking pictures, and I decided to take out my camera in the car. I set the shutter speed to four seconds and pointed it out the window. This shot was taken on 90 East coming into downtown Cleveland--Key Tower is the triangle thing on the left.

Parsley

This weekend Mark dug up the flower bed behind our dining room and turned it into an herb garden. We have oregano, sage, mint, basil, parsley, thyme, cilantro, chives, dill...I think that's it. Can't wait to start cooking with all that!

Loaves

A shot from the West Side Market.

Mmmm, Gelato

Unfurling

I thought the new growth on this hibiscus in our backyard was very interesting. It looks a bit like an alien life form.

Self-Portrait

Our Street at Night

The tripod that I bought at a thrift store in Hilton Head broke a week or two after we got back, so I haven't been able to take many low-light shots. For this one I set the camera on our front porch railing and set the shutter speed to 4 seconds. I've been looking around for other interesting night shots, but most of them will have to wait until I have another tripod, or Mark fixes mine.

Cumberland Park

Water Plants

Parade the Circle

Today I went to Parade the Circle, a festival in University Circle that has tons of potential for great pictures. I have discovered, however, that my best pictures are not of the exciting and especially photogenic events, but usually are of the more mundane. I ended up being rather disappointed in my pictures today.

But, it was still tough picking one to post. I took a really cute one of a little girl, but I wanted to post one that was more unique to the actual event. At first I didn't think this was a good one, but after looking at it again and again I decided I really like it. I like the color and the movement, and I like that you can see the woman's eye and smile, though it is somewhat obstructed. That was why I thought at first that this wasn't a good picture, but now I think it's what makes it good.

Like I said, it was hard to pick one, so I decided to post the other potentially post-worthy pictures on Flickr. Click here to see them.

'Monet's Garden'

Well, not quite. Another shot of the yard sale. We made $71 yesterday! Woohoo! I was so busy, though that I forgot to post. But at least I took pictures this time.

Yard Sale

Some friends were having a yard sale so Mark and I brought some of our stuff over. We made $24 today! Of course, we promptly spent half of that on our dinner from Chipotle, but we still have two days left, and we're going through our house again to see what other junk we can find to sell.

Clock Tower

Mark's Closet

Here's another room to cross off my list. (Mark's closet is in the yellow room that used to be our bedroom, then was the TV room and now is just Mark's dressing room...) I guess that leaves the entryway, downstairs hall, upstairs hall, front porch, sunroom...and that may be it.

Pewter Cup

Daisies

Stone Flowers

My dad told me that what makes a good picture is the background--it's something you may not pay much attention to when you are taking the picture because you are so focused on the subject, but when you go back and look at the picture later you're looking at the whole thing. The background in this picture was another "happy accident". I was focused on the flowers, but when I was looking through my pictures later I was struck by how great the background is.

Perch