CIOPhoto

Today's challenge was "A Horse". Not having ready access to a real horse I went to the next best thing - Gumby's best pal - Pokey. This is one still-frame picture but it takes 1,440 still frame pictures to make one minute of Gumby and Pokey animation. That's almost four years at the picture a day pace of the 365 project. Canon 7D, 1/500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 1600.

Our late blooming Christmas Cactus is the subject of my "Focusing" photo for today. Using a macro lens for an extreme close-up results in a very shallow depth of field allowing the photographer to to draw the viewer into a certain part the photo which is in sharpest focus. In this case the purple stigma and the pollen covered stamen are the focal point. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/125 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 1600, one LED Litepanel held below the flower and just barely out of the frame.

Day 29 - Looking down an old fashion metal slinky at my tiny keychain camera. Canon G15, 1/800 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

A super close-up of the lifeblood RJ-45 network connector for most of our computers. Without the wired ethernet network there would be no Internet, no WiFi and probably no Google, Amazon, Facebook, . . . you get the picture. Technically RJ-45 is short for Registered Jack-45, an eight-wire connector used commonly to connect computers onto a local-area network. I personally think it an object of beautiful functionality. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 1600, 100mm macro lens captured at 1:1 or life size on the camera's image sensor.

I walk by this cypher lock everyday but have no idea was the cypher is, so I guess it's pretty secure. iPhone 5 1/20 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 125, Camera + App converted to black and using Silver Efex Pro II.

Vivid - In thinking of today's challenge I was looking for something that was both vivid - very bright in color and producing distinct mental images. I chose this empty bill container because of not only the bright colors but the memories it represents. This was one of two such containers that my father-in-law Carlton Garrett relied on each day towards the end of his life. Suffering from renal failure diagnosed in 2006 he spent 6 years in hemodialysis, 3 visits a week - 4 to 5 hours a visit, and then home based peritoneal dialysis for the last year and half of his life. There were a variety of pills to take four times a day and the brightly colored containers brought some order to the chaos of it all. We miss you Dad but always know your memory will be vivid. iPhone 5, 1/300 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 50, Camera+ App, clarity enhancement, Diana filter and Film frame.

Caring - “There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.” - Jane Austen from Emma . "There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the clearness of head in the world . . . " Canon 5D Mark II, 1/3200 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 1600, 100mm macro lens, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro II.

Seagulls enjoying a little fresh air. Canon G15, 1/800 sec @ f/8, ISO 200 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 plugin in Lightroom 5.

Umbrellas - Day 23 of 365. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/1000 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens, backlit with LED litepanel.

Today's challenge was "Eight" so we have eight - eights from old computer keyboards. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/320 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens and 3 LED litepnaels, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2.

One of the scrap iron birds caged in at the Chenman Scrap Metal yard in Norfolk Virginia. Each of the gates along the 24th Street side of the scrap yard are adorned with dozens of these amazing recycled birds. Canon 5D Mark II 1/400 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 100.

Upset - Canon 5D Mark II, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 24mm focal length.

"Abandoned" - a line up of abandoned sea mark buoys at L. Chenman, Inc. Scrap Metals in Norfolk, Virginia. The green buoys are know to mariners as "green cans" which is also the name of a local microbrew from O'Connor Brewing Co. located just a few blocks from the Chenman buoys. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/100 sec @ f/16, ISO 100.

Miss Piggy strikes a pose and says "Moi has always possessed a charm that is lethal to men." Canon 5D Mark II, 1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

Today's challenge was "Knobby" so I spotted this tactile mat at the light rail pedestrian crossing on Monticello Avenue in Norfolk Virginia on my way to the office. The early morning sunlight provided nice shadows. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 100 zoom at 95mm focal length.

The reserved parking spaces for Norfolk's City Council members just off of Union Street under the Berkley Bridge approach ramp. Canon G15, 1/15 sec @ f/4, ISO 800, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro plugin in Lightroom 5.

It was a very foggy morning and historic Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk Virginia seemed the perfect place to capture today's theme "In the Air". Canon G15, 1/320sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro plugin in Lightroom 5.

Today challenge: "Yummy". This is ginger pear white iced tea at the Chartreuse Bistro . Chartreuse is a locally owned organic farm to table European bistro located in the historic district in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. The menu is different every day based on what's fresh and available. They make these wonderful and different iced teas and flavored sodas every day. All I can say is Yummy! iPhone 5, 1/20 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 320, Camera+ App.

Today's Theme - "An Encouraging Word". Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400.

Most of the footprints left on the beach today were from the seagulls. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/2000 sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

Canon 5D Mark II, 1/80 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens, two LED Litepanels.

Revolving door - "a door consisting of four orthogonal partitions that rotate about a central pivot; a door designed to equalize the air pressure in tall buildings; or an organization or institution with a high rate of turnover of personnel." This one is at Norfolk City Hall - the most appropriate definition is your call. iPhone 5, 1/24 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 50, Camera+ App with Olloclip fisheye lens.

Today I stood at the edge of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk Virginia reading letters cast in bronze at the Armed Forces Memorial in Town Point Park. Each letter to a loved one from a American serving their country, who died at war is heart wrenching. This a letter 2nd Lt. Francis M. Tracy sent to his wife from the front in World War I. He was killed in action a week later. September 20, 1918 Dearest Woman, . . . . My girl, my girl, how I do miss you. I didn't think it possible for one to be possessed of the longing I have for you. At night I lie awake and think and think of you, the roar of the big guns giving way before the press of mental pictures of you . . . if I had to go over the same road with you again, I am quite sure the way would be easier for you. The mistakes I have made, the heartaches I have caused you stand out like the shell holes that deface so much of this country, that was once so beautiful. I am learning my lesson, honey, and this experienc

Took today's picture on the way into the office this morning. This is Norfolk Virginia's Scope Plaza with the 2013 All American City banners backlit by the rising sun. I got some photo advice many years ago - "if the light is good, fine something and take a picture". That was the case this morning as I was driving in I noticed the early morning glow from the rising sun. When I saw this view, I whipped into a parking place, got out and took a picture. Canon G15, 1/2000 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

I've taken hundreds of sunset photos over the years but I can never seem to pass one by. Today's theme was natural treasure and the winter sunset seemed to fit the bill perfectly. We have had a number of really nice sunsets recently and this mother nature's intent. During the winter months the sun is at a much lower angle in the sky and farther away from the earth so it's light travels through more atmosphere. This tends to filter the higher frequency blue spectrum light leaving more of the lower frequency red spectrum light to light up the evening sky. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/5 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Winter left a few dried blossoms clinging to the leafless hydrangeas. Backlight from the low angle winter sun brings out the unique details of each blossom. Canon G15, 1/640 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200 in macro mode.

Canon 5D Mark II, 1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800 with three LED Litpanels for illumination.

Today's theme was "A little bit", so Cindy suggested a little drill bit. This is a 1/16" drill bit photographed with a macro lens at 4X magnification. It illustrates the smallness of the drill bit with small specks of dust along the edges and the extremely shallow depth of field a macro lens creates. At this 4X magnification and f/5.6 aperture the depth of field (area in focus) is about the width of drill bit itself. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/80 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 65mm MP-E macro lens with lighting provided by two LED Litepanels positioned on either side about two inches away.

Winter arrived today with our first temperatures down in the mid 20's. I know that doesn't seem cold to many but for temperate southeastern Virginia, it's cold. This abandoned Mockingbird's nest in a bare tree pretty much captures the feeling of a gray, cold and windy day for me. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/320 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

Starting another year with an early morning at Fitness Together Norfolk. Set a new goal for myself to get my weight down to 165 pounds. Six pounds to lose in January and got off to a good start today. Can't wait to see this Detecto scale level up at 165. iPhone 5, 1/17 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 400, captured and converted to Black & white with the Camera+ App.

So I'm starting off 2014 with the goal of completing another 365 Project - one photo per day for the entire year. I did this beginning in 2009 and continued each year through 2012, 1,461 straight days of photos and blog posts. I slowed down a bit in 2013, posting occasionally to CIOPhoto.com but getting back into the swing of things in December by posting daily pictures of Norfolk at night. So come along for the ride through 2014. I love getting comments and please free free to offer photo suggestions, especially challenging ones. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/25 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 1600.