3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Photography

Day 214/365: Happy 4th of July

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Happy 4th of Julty
Happty 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! Here in Elmwood Nebraska we celebrate just like everyone else, with fireworks, picnics, parades (coming later), softball games, and watermelon. The holiday starts off with a bang ten days before Independence day when the fireworks go on sale.

This year I had an extra challenge. I was going to learn how to photograph fireworks with my point and shoot Fujica camera. This photo was actually taken two houses down from me as I braced the camera steady on the mailboxes. Tonight I’ll take the tripod for the big show in Ashland.

Photography Notes:

Photoshop composite of three shots. Two small bursts I selected the color black, chose the inverse selection so only the colored fireworks was selected, and pasted into main image in different layers.

Main blue fireworks: Aperture priority, f/2.8, Exposure 8 seconds, ISO 400

Gold Burst in top left:  Shutter priority, f/2.8, 1/50 sec ISO 400,

182/365: Pink Peonies

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Pink Peony
Pink Peony

I’ve decided to take pictures of as many different types and colors of peonies I can this season. I did it with tulips and daffodils, so why not. There are so many colors and it peony season, although pink is the most prevalent.  Only last a few short weeks so I think I’ll go out today and see what I can find.

Post Production Photoshop Notes: Used an artistic dry brush with a pink layer at low opacity. Gave it a softer yet detailed look I liked. Below is the straight out of camera.

Pink Peonies (SOOC)
Pink Peonies (SOOC)

Day 179/365: Colorful Rose in Macro

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Rose Garden
Rose Garden

The Henry Doorly Zoo is more than about animals, it’s a horticultural dream. Especially at the Garden of the Senses. My goal was to capture the dew drop still hanging on this rose. Roses have been over done as a photography subject, but because they are I had to include it in my collection.  You know me and flowers.

The Flag Still Stands For Freedom

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The Flag Still Stands For Freedom
The Flag Still Stands For Freedom

During last years trip to Washington DC I had a chance to visit all of the war memorials. The Vietnam Wall affected me the most. To see all those names stretching out into the horizon gave this new Marine Mom a new perspective. Some day it could be my son’t name etched in the granite of a memorial.

It is through tears that I write this, just a little under two months before my youngest son leaves for Marine boot camp. The risk has doubled, the sacrifices of families, and loved ones that served and gave their all still proves that the Flag Still Stands for Freedom.

Thanks to MCPActions for having a Memorial Day contest to submit images of patriotism, freedom, and peace. Deadline is May 27th, so if you would like to submit yours head over there, a free 16 x 20 print will be awarded to ten winners.