3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

country

#3/52: My Commute, Sunset in Nebraska

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Week 3: Project 52 Nebraska Sunset
Week 3: Project 52 Nebraska Sunset

I think I’ve found a theme for my Project 52. My commute to work. Some people hate the commute into work, it’s stressful fighting traffic and dealing with road rage. I love my commute, it’s relaxing and inspirational.  The vista of the open sky throw colors and clouds that can just take your breath away.

The first fifteen minutes of my drive takes me on rural roads and highways where I might see a dozen cars in a twelve mile span of road. When I can see four tail lights in a three mile stretch of road ahead it’s considered rush hour in the country.

In my mental preparation for work I think of the day ahead and at the end of the day the images I’ve seen from various photographers inspire me to look for my next great image. I’m hoping to develop a better eye, and learn more about my new camera.

So, be prepared for lots of Nebraska scenery, wildlife (deer, turkeys), livestock (mainly cows), fences, barns, and some trees (yes Nebraska has trees). Throughout the year I will deviate from my theme, as family activities and events take place. But my goal this year is to improve my photography to the point where I can create framed art and canvases for my new house. 

#2/52: Early Morning Commute, Country Style

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Early morning commute
Week 2: Early Morning Commute

I pass this barn between Elmwood and Murdock every morning as I  drive to work. My commute is about twenty eight miles and takes about 35 minutes to arrive in the parking lot at Hamilton Color Lab. My first fifteen minutes looks about like this before I get to the I-80 interstate.

The full moon behind the barn was just too good to pass by, maybe next time I’ll remember to put my camera setting on RAW.

This is Week 2 of my Project 52, here’s hoping to better and better pictures with my new camera my son gave me for Christmas.

Veterans Day from a Military Mom

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On this Veterans Day, I wish to salute my sons who have chosen to serve their country in the United States Marine Corps.

I know the Marines seem to be the proudest, and the Mom’s are just as bad. But there is a reason why they are called The Few, the Proud, The Marines.

Mother of two Marines, boot camp photos from MCRD San Diego

They are the only branch of the service that once you go through Marine boot camp you can transfer to any other branch without going through boot, or basic again.

But every other service man wanting to transfer into the Marines must go through Marine boot camp. They train the hardest and the longest of any other branch. Thirteen weeks, followed by four weeks of Marine Combat Training (MCT)

From boot camp, to their uniforms, Marines are disciplined to pay attention to detail. Everything has a purpose, not that you are supposed to understand that purpose, but there is a trust in every command, every directive, that there is a greater purpose in mind. Here are a few pictures from my youngest son’s leave from boot camp in October.

He received the Expert Rifleman award, the highest marksmanship award given in boot camp. It is pined exactly an 1/8 of an inch above the left pocket. If you don’t have a ruler in your kit the width of two nickels will do.

Attention to Dress Blue Details
Attention to Dress Blue Details
Marine Rifle Expert Pin
Marine Rifle Expert Pin
US Marine Dress Cover
US Marine Dress Cover

Learn More about the Marine Corps

Day, “Who Knows What”, of My 365 Project???

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Ok, I’m officially lost. I took pictures throughout my absence from this project, but for the life of me I’m sure I can’t figure out what number is which. All I know is I should be on Day 329 and I left off on Day 243 with a few in between thrown in for good measure.  That means I’m 86 days behind. Which in reality I’m not going to be able to make up. So I’m going to post my photos in groups and maybe number them.

Enjoy catching up with my life the past few months.

Here are a few snapshots of August.

Welcome Home sign greeted me on my return from Connecticut
Welcome Home!
Cass County Fair, Nebraska
Cattle in all the Colors of the rainbow at the Cass County Fair, Weeping Water Nebraska.
Pig Dog at the Fair, Super Friendly pig, loved him
Super friendly pig at the Cass County Fair, Nebraska. He acted just like a dog and loved the attention, even rolled onto his back and woofed like a dog.
Cass County Fair, Nebraska
Midway at night, Cass County Fair, Weeping Water, Nebraska

Now I’m four less behind, how many more left to go? I’m trying…but might not make it.

Day 122/365: Windpower, Past and Present

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OnOne Effects: Graduated Blue and Magic Hour
Wind power today and yesterday
Photo REDO with Lightroom 4 (more realistic to what I really saw)
Windmills and Wind Farm SOOC
Windmills and Wind Farm SOOC

The world has come full circle in it’s use of energy. Harnessing wind power was used for hundreds of years as evidenced by this windmill in the foreground used to pump water into a livestock tank.  In the back are modern wind turbines in Western Iowa.

Iowa leads the United States in wind energy, more than 15% of the electrical power is generated by 47 wind farms across the state. This particular farm is part of the Adair Wind Farm. Don’t let the distance fool you, these modern wind turbines are huge. The base at the bottom is fifty feet in diameter and they stand 263 feet tall with each turbine being 126 feet in length.

Massive and impressive. Many people think they are eyesores to the landscape. Personally I find them graceful, serene, and peaceful from a distance, the rotating blades create a hypnotizing effect with their consistent rhythm. But then I don’t live right next to them either.

UPDATE:

7/2012: Second image was processed using Lightroom 4. As I’m going through my old photos I now have the tools to improve them and thought I would repost a few blog articles. 

Thanks for the suggestion Victoria, I had forgotten about the graduated blue action on the OnOne software.