CIOPhoto

From 365 Project Hampton Roads Transit's MAX Express buses await the afternoon pullout in the service lanes at the bus garage in Norfolk Virginia. The silver and blue express buses are the newest in the HRT fleet and sport cool mobile WiFi Internet hot spots, one of CIOPhoto's projects from his real job . Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 125, 70mm focal length.

From 365 Project I was experimenting with my Lens Baby Composer tonight. This African Violet bloom was a nice subject to work with the creative selective focus offered by this great tool. Hampton Roads photographers should take advantage of the Lens Baby event at Norfolk's Richmond Camera store at 222 W. 21st Street this Saturday, August 1st from 10-3. Bring your SLR and try one out. Canon 40D, 1/124 sec @f/2.8, ISO 200, +4 closeup lens.

From 365 Project These two gulls stand watch at the Phoebus Section of the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton Virginia. The gulls can often be seen perched on the perfectly aligned rows of grave markers and even though they can be spread out across the tens of thousands of markers, every perched gull is facing in the same direction. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 200, 400mm focal length.

From 365 Project Back in May I saw a blog post and video on Strobist.com about taking water droplet photos using a single flash. Well I finally got around to setting it up tonight. There were so many amazing images I had a hard time choosing one for the picture of the day. This image's psychedelic lighting comes from bouncing the flash off a holographic patterned gift bag. I rather liked the effect, I hope you enjoy it as well. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100, 50mm compact macro lens, off camera strobe at 1/16 power - creating a 1/11,000th of second light burst.

From 365 Project Caught this dolphin leaping out of the water off Sandbridge Beach, Virginia. You can often see them surface close to shore, but they were jumping out of the water causing many oohs and ahs from beach goers. Canon 40D, 1/1000 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200, 200mm focal length.

From 365 Project There are two things Labrador Retrievers love to do, retrieve and be in the water. I caught these two playing hard at Sandbridge Beach today. Dallas returns with the prized tennis ball while Rocky waits to try and take it away. Dallas is an 8 month old American Labrador and Rocky is an 11 month old Chocolate Lab. Their human companions, Kate and Dan, brought them to the beach to burn off that puppy energy. Any Lab owner can appreciate that. Canon 40D, 1/4000 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 200mm focal length. More pictures of the fun here .

From 365 Project Since I have been taking macro photos for this project I have discovered many marvelous details about plants and flowers that previously went unnoticed. This bloom, which I assume is a variety of zinnia , has a tiny ring of smaller blossoms in the center. Canon 40D, 1/500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 50mm macro lens.

From 365 Project The Do-Nut Dinette has been a fixture on Norfolk's Colley Avenue since 1952 and has always been strictly counter service. They make their own donuts and feature a pale green 1960's vintage Formica interior. The bright yellow umbrellas and sidewalk dining are recent additions but it still has the retro diner feel. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ F/22.0, ISO 800 (I forgot to set the ISO back to 200), 17mm focal length.

From 365 Project This is a closeup of a leaf from a large old American Elm that dominates the side of my yard. Between too frequent power line trimmings and the Dutch Elm disease that killed my other elms 15 to 20 years ago, it is amazing that it has survived to be so grand. The leaf was backlit while on the branch with an off camera strobe set at 1/32 power. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/18.0, ISO 400, 70mm macro and converted to back and white using Silver Efex Pro plug-in in Photoshop Elements.

From 365 Project This is a big (3-1/8") double-hexagonal socket . It weighs about 5 pounds. Certainly it's made to tackle a big nut. Thanks to Rickey at the HRT gas shop for letting me take some photos of his tools. Professional mechanics provide their own tools. They have large mobile tool boxes with thousands of dollars of their own money invested to get their work done - kind of like photographers. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 50mm lens.

From 365 Project Went over to the Virginia Zoo at lunch today. It's a great place walk and get some exercise, especially when carrying about 15 pounds of camera gear. The West African Crowned cranes are just so photogenic. They are beautiful and great posers. Canon 40D, 1/325 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens fully extended at 400mm on a monopod. This lens has a nice bokeh effect (soft background) when opened all the up.

From 365 Project As I was leaving home this morning, this refection of the early morning sky caught my eye. With my travel mug of coffee planted on the roof of the car, I took out my trusty G10 and captured the scene for today's post. Canon G10, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 54mm equivalent focal length.

From 365 Project A few years back the City of Norfolk Virginia adopted the mermaid as a symbol and the slogan "Life Celebrated Daily." A number of interesting mermaids were created by local artists and displayed at public places and businesses throughout the city. The mermaids have moved beyond the artists' work and onto street flags, construction signs and anything else that can hold a logo. These street banners line the recently rebuilt Smith Creek Bridge on Brambleton Avenue. Canon 40D, 1/400 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 220mm focal length.

From 365 Project The Crape-myrtle is sometimes referred to as the tree with 100 days of color. They start blooming in late June and can bloom through the month of September. I had never closely examined the blooms until recently. This bloom comes from a tree that was an Arbor Day sprig I planted in my yard many years ago. The macro photo shows the bloom is a ring of independent petals. Because the blooms are massed so close together we rarely notice nature's grand design for this ever popular tree. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/18, ISO 400, 70mm macro with off-camera flash.

From 365 Project The once grand mansion and home of Amedeo Obici , founder of Planters Peanuts, rots away from neglect. Amedeo and his wife Louise built the Art Nouveau-style mansion in 1924 using many Italian craftsman. Now painted white, it was originally "Planters Peanut Yellow". The red tile roof, architectural details and inlaid parquet tile floors are some of its many treasures. But most amazing is the sweeping view of the Nansmond River from the back porch. While listed on National Register of Historic Places, the home's restoration is pending current efforts by the City of Suffolk, owner since 2002, to find a funding partner. Canon G10, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 100.

From 365 Project 7-5-7 is our area code here in Southeastern Virginia. As area codes go, it's a pretty good one. Much better than our old area code of 804 which Central Virginia (the "old" money) got to keep and even better than the less original 703 which once covered all of Virginia and is now relegated to Northern Virginia (the "new" money). The picture was taken at Fire & Vine in Virginia Beach. The wine is a 2007 Tait "The Ball Buster" Shiraz-Cabernet-Merlot from the Barossa Valley . Of course with a name like "The Ball Buster" you know the wine is Aussie. BTW - It was excellent! Canon G10, 1/4 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, in macro mode.

From 365 Project While driving home from work today I was sitting at a stoplight when I happened to glance up through the sunroof. The low afternoon sun was breaking through this tree and casting an interesting color aura. Lucky for me, the camera was right there on the passenger seat, got off three frames before the light turned green. The picture I planned for today will have to wait for another day. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 100, 55mm focal length.

From 365 Project Funkia is the rejected generic name for the plant we call Hosta today. I like Funkia better or even the Japanese name Giboshi, but alas we have Hosta to honor Austrian botanist and personal physician of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, Nicholas Thomas Host . Whatever you call them, they are popular shade garden plants. This leaf was back lit with an off-camera flash which highlights the elegant curving vein structure. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, 50mm macro lens.

From 365 Project This Katydid nymph was caught in the act of munching on one of my last Jersey Spider daylily blooms. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/22.0, ISO 400, 70mm macro, off-camera flash at 1/32 power.

From 365 Project We always loved the Stargazer lilies that came in the cut flower arrangements. So last year I ordered four plants, and now we have 16 beautiful blooms in our backyard garden. This photo was taken in the evening after a rain with back-lighting provided my Micro Litepanel. Canon G10, 1/30 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, in macro mode.

From 365 Project Got a new pinstripe suit today. The pinstripe suit is always appropriate executive attire. This suit is for my trusty sharpie marker. Sherpa is making stylish skins for the ever popular sharpie permanent markers. Now your sharpie can head to the boardroom or just be super cool. Today I visited one of my favorite local stores and Internet pen retailer A Pen Lovers Paradise . Check them out and get a cool skin for your sharpie. Canon 40D, 6 secs @ f/8.0, 85mm with Canon macro life-size adapter and a tripod.

From 365 Project This glass chess set is lit by three tea light candles. I am reading "Macro Photography Photo Workshop" by Haje Jan Kamps and he suggested practicing macro photography with candlelight. He features a similar photo in the book. I took numerous shots, moving the candles around, changing the aperture slightly, and adjusting the exposure compensation to remove blown highlights. I liked this shot the best. Canon 40D, 1/8 sec @f/2.8, ISO 100, 85mm prime lens with Canon life size adapter. I used a tripod and shutter release cord.

From 365 Project This ALMETL fire door was manufactured by the Merchant & Evans Company of Philadelphia. The manufacturer's metal name plate is still legible and is stamped with a manufacture date of December 21, 1917. These were interior fire doors used to close openings between warehouse or factory sections. They are mounted on an iron bar which is sloped downward toward the closed end. In case of fire, the door was released and gravity pulled it closed. This old door was exposed earlier this year when part of this old warehouse was demolished for a parking lot. Canon 40D, 1/125sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, 17mm focal length.

From 365 Project This is part of the elevated railroad crossing for new Tide light rail line under construction in Norfolk Virginia. Located near the City's Harbor Park baseball stadium, this section soon takes a sharp downward turn to enter the ballpark at grade. The train is scheduled to begin service in late 2010. Canon 40D, 1/100sec @f/22.0, ISO 200, 28mm focal length with a polarizer.

From 365 Project said the Spider to the Fly, 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy; This pretty little parlor caught my eye. What to do, but take a picture or two. OK, poetry is not my thing but the unusual spider web is pretty and cool. Read the real poetry, The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt. Canon 40D, 1.3 seconds @ f/16.0, 65mm Canon MP-E Macro on a tripod.

From 365 Project This is a Yellow-crowned Night Heron . Apparently they are fairly common in our coastal area but I don't remember ever seeing one close enough to identify it. He was concentrating on the water looking for fish. Here's what the full bird looks like. Canon 40D, 1/500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, zoom at 320mm focal length.

From 365 Project The American Lotus is an aquatic plant native to North and Central America. It's large blossoms can be be over ten inches in diameter. This picture was taken at the Lotus Garden Park in Virginia Beach Virginia. The park is located near the intersection of Sandbridge and Colchester Roads. In the 1980's upstream pollution wiped out the native Lotus plants here. Twenty years later with more attention paid to water quality, the plants are returning to their former glory. Canon 40D, 1/600 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 180mm focal length.

From 365 Project This Great Egret has just caught his dinner. He was fishing in a body of water in Norfolk Virginia known as the Hague near Mobray Arch and Olney Road. The Hague and Mobray Arch are part of Norfolk's historic Ghent neighborhood . Canon 40D, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400. 400mm focal length.

From 365 Project Feeling a little artsy today. These are my Jersey Spider and Alabama Jubilee daylilies on a long exposure with the camera twirled during the shot. I used a Vari-ND (neutral density) filter to achieve the extra long exposure necessary to have the blurred motion effect in bright sunlight. Canon 40D, 6/10 sec @ f/20.0, ISO 200, 24mm focal length.

From 365 Project The Boathouse , once a rockin' place for concerts is rapidly rotting away. It was a popular Norfolk Virginia concert venue in the 80's and 90's. With its low ceiling and packed crowds it was a favorite venue for bands and concert goers alike. Converted from an old riverfront warehouse, the building is now condemned and appears to be sinking into the river. While it is missed by many it has been adequately replaced by the NorVa . Canon 40D, 1/160 sec @ f/20.0, ISO 200 with a polarizer.

From 365 Project It was a spectacular summer day so I stopped to take this photo of the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk Virginia on the way back from lunch. Usually mid-day photos are kind of washed out but this building was radiant in the bright sun. Originally a WWII era theater known as the Center Theater, it was renovated in 1993 and is home to the Virginia Opera . Canon 40D, 1/100 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 200, 70mm focal length with a two-stop polarizer.