Lauderdale Sunrise

From 2010 Blog

Got up early to catch the sunrise on my last day in Ft. Lauderdale and was not disappointed. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, 70mm focal length, mounted on a tripod.

Pool Colors

From 2010 Blog

The South Florida sun and wind combined to create some interesting light patterns in the swimming pool. Of course this meant taking the risk of carrying the camera into the pool to get the picture. Picture captured, camera made it out high and dry. Canon G10, 1/1250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Butterfly World

From 2010 Blog

We visited "Butterfly World" in Coconut Creek, Florida today. It was pretty amazing to walk among so many beautiful butterflies, birds and plants. I took a lot of pictures including this one when I first entered the butterfly zone. I've posted a few more shots to this Picasa Web Album. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 200mm focal length.

Beau Geste?

From 2010 Blog

This sandcastle on the beach reminded me of those old French Foreign Legion films. The story Beau Geste has been made into five films staring the likes of Gary Cooper and Guy Stockwell. Ironically the 1977 parody The Last Remake of Beau Geste staring Marty Feldman was not the last remake as it was followed by the BBC's mini series in 1982. According to Wikipedia, the undisputed authority on all things trivial, the French Foreign Legion has been featured in at least 55 different films. Canon 7D, 1/1600 sec @ f/7.0, ISO 100.

Jellies

From 2010 Blog

Tonight we had dinner at Steak 954 in the W hotel. They have a long aquarium wall with nothing but jelly fish swimming in it separating the dining area from the lobby. Watching the jellies during dinner was mesmerizing and relaxing. I'm afraid I let my followers down by not having a decent camera with me to capture this interesting scene. So out comes the camera phone because any picture is better than no picture, right? Blackberry 9530 (Storm 1) with no flash. The image needed a little help in post production from Noise Ninja 2 and Picasa.

Breaking Rules

From 2010 Blog

This photo breaks a number of photography composition rules. It is a portrait oriented landscape photo and the horizon line is almost in the direct center of the image. But I like the image and the constraints of the scene and where it was taken from required "breaking" some rules. This is the morning sun after burning through the fog on a cloudy day. Canon Powershot SD870 IS, 1/125 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 80, 48mm equivalent focal length.

Double Knock-Out

From Austin

The red double Knock-Out rose is indeed a knock-out. Great color, lots of blooms and easy care have made this a popular home and commercial landscape item. Every time I see one, I catch myself photographing them. I must have hundreds of pictures of knock-out roses. I hope you enjoy as much as I do. Canon G10, 1/60 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 125 in macro mode.

737 Luv

From 2010 Blog

Southwest Airlines only flies one type of aircraft, the Boeing 737. These are lights illuminating the recessed troffer ceiling panels looking towards the front of the plane. Southwest achieves great cost efficiencies by flying on one type of aircraft, one of many reasons they have been a consistently profitable airline. Canon G10, 1/640 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, 2 stops under exposed..

Ouch?

From 2010 Blog

At first glance these appear to be sharp prick-lies. Actually it is an extreme close-up of the fine soft surface of an African violet leaf. I took this photo last night after the bloom picture that was featured on yesterday's post. Canon 7D, 1/50 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800, 65mm MP-E macro lens.

Close Up

From 2010 Blog

Flowers have amazing details when you look really close. This African violet bloom was photographed with a super macro lens at about 2X magnification. African violets get their common name from the place of origin, Tanzania in east Africa and their resemblance to true violets. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 65mm MP-E macro lens and light from a micro LED Litepanel.

"The Mean Stuff"

From 2010 Blog

"The Mean Stuf" is the tag line for a security product called Razor Ribbon Helical. Often used with old fashion concertina wire, the tight loops of razor wire make for a nasty barrier. However, I have often noticed how the sun plays off the shiny surfaces, changing with each helical turn. So late this afternoon I took the opportunity to make this picture. Canon 7D, 1/800 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 55mm focal length.

Beaux Arts

From 2010 Blog

Keeping with yesterday's architectural theme, today's photo is another one of my favorite Norfolk Buildings. The former Norfolk Public Library on West Freemason Street is a good example of Beaux Arts Classicism. It was designed by Herbert D. Hale of Boston. The interior retains many of its original features including a central white marble staircase. Funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie and completed in 1904, the building today has been restored for use as offices. Canon 40D, 1/40 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

Angle Volutes

From Monticello Arcade

One of the four iconic columns flanking each interior entrance with angle volutes and female masks at the Monticello Arcade in Norfolk, Virginia. An arcade is the more stylized, ornamented antecedent to the modern shopping mall. Most arcades are covered by a series of arches supported on columns or piers. The Monticello Arcade is one of only two of its kind in the state of Virginia. Canon G10, 1/60 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200 converted to black and white.

Skylight

From 2010 Blog

Reflections of the blue sky and skylights in one of the chrome mushroom shaped lamps on the first level at the MacArthur Center Mall in Norfolk Virginia. Canon 40D, 1/640 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200.

Color of Love

From 2010 Blog

Red is the color of romantic love. My sweetheart prefers tulips to roses, so tulips it is. Our 39th Valentine's Day together. Canon G10, 1/13 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, in macro mode.

Snowy Day

From 2010 Blog

Virginia Beach had snow for the third Saturday in row. Three Canada Geese forage on the site of the 5th Courthouse of Princess Anne County, now part of the City of Virginia Beach. The 1778 Courthouse was torn down 40 years ago but the 1769 Georgian style Pleasant Hall in the background has been restored and is now owned by Kempsville Baptist Church. Canon G10, 1/500 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, on camera flash fill

Chapel

From 2010 Blog

The Marquand Memorial Chapel is a Romanesque Revival red brick chapel with a 150-foot tall tower located on the historic campus of Hampton University. A 15-acre portion of the campus along the Hampton River, including many of the older buildings, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark District. The Hampton University Museum is one of the oldest museums in Virginia with an amazing collection of African American and Native American art. It's well worth a visit. Canon 40D, 1/40 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 8mm fish eye lens.

The Lesson Bench

From 2010 Blog

Took this photo of the "lesson bench" at Boston Common in 2006. This bench was the site of one of the more memorable scenes from the movie "Good Will Hunting" when Robin William's character deals out a dose of life's realities to young Will Hunting played by Matt Damon. Canon Digital Rebel, 1/60 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200, zoom at 29mm.

Forbidden Fruit

From 2010 Blog

The grapefruit was once known as the "forbidden fruit" of Barbados. It was developed in Jamaica in the 18th century. The Ruby Red version was the first variety patented in 1929. This grapefruit from Texas is the newer Rio Star variety. The best part of today's photo project, eating the subject after shooting. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200, 50mm macro. Back lighting provided by Cindy's stenciling light table.

Green Thumb?

From 2010 Blog

I love orchids and have purchased many over the years. I never had any luck keeping one and having it re-bloom, until now. This is a photo of an orchid I got last spring and one of its beautiful new blooms. So how'd I do it? It's simple, I didn't do anything. It spent most of the summer and early fall outside on the deck. I brought it inside and Cindy watered it. So I seriously doubt my so called "Green Thumb" had anything to do with this wonderful blooming but it sure is brightening up a cold and gray February. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 50mm macro and Litepanel Micro LED.

Belfry

From 2010 Blog

The bell tower of the Central Baptist Church against a clear blue winter sky. The church was founded in 1885 and this building completed in 1904. Originally part of Atlantic City, the church today is surrounded by the Eastern Virginia Medical School and the Sentara Norfolk General medical complex. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100, 70mm focal length.

Snow Swing

From 2010 Blog

Yesterday's snow was wet and wind driven. We didn't get much accumulation but it did stick to everything. The plants, trees and our backyard swing all got a nice white coating, at least on the parts facing into the wind. Today's sun melted away most of it but provided some nice light this morning. Canon 7D, 1/800 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200, 50mm prime lens.

Kitty Nap

From 2010 Blog

It was a snowy afternoon, good for curling up and taking a nap. Sasha took advantage of Cindy's lap while she was reading to do just that. Make's you sleepy just looking at her, doesn't it? Canon 7D, 1/15 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 800, 50mm prime lens.

Emerald Eye

From 2010 Blog

This eye shaped opening is at the Gershwin Theatre in NYC home of the Broadway musical Wicked. During our visit to the city last fall we took a Saturday morning tour as part of the Behind The Emerald Curtain program after seeing the play the night before. Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, 1/20 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.

Stoplight

From 2010 Blog

Stoplight peppers from our local Food Lion produce department. Canon G10, 1/125 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

Ripples

From 2010 Blog

Ripples radiate out from the corner of this man made pond at the entrance of the Nauticus National Maritime Center in Norfolk Virginia. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100.

400!

From Snow Day

Today's blog post is my 400th since starting on January 1, 2009. I can't believe how this has become part of my daily routine. Thanks to all of my faithful followers and commentators for helping me achieve another milestone. This photo comes from the recent snow fall. A lone gumball sits in the snow at the edge of the street. Hundreds more hang 20 feet overhead. The gumball tree is native to the American south and is officially called the American Sweetgum. Canon 40D, 1/400 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 100.

Split Rail

From Snow Day

This split rail fence casts a clear shadow in yesterday's white snow. Every time I see a split rail fence I think about Abraham Lincoln the world's most famous "rail-splitter". Canon 40D, 1/1600 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 100, 70mm focal length, converted to black and white.