Shadow Link

A chain link fence casts a sharp shadow on this concrete column. Canon G11, 1/25sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400. Converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro.

EarPods

EarPods, Apple's redesigned in earphones were released with the iPhone 5. The often maligned original Apple ear buds finally got a facelift along with the iPhone. These new buds offer a better fit and much improved acoustic quality not to mention the distinctive "Apple Style." I'm still sticking with my tried and true Shure sound isolating earphones. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/80 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 1600 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 with Lightroom 4.

Pentakis Dodecahedron

Geometrically, Spaceship Earth at Epcot is a derivative of a pentakis dodecahedron. It is a Class 2 Frequency 16 Icosahedron, with each of the 60 isosceles triangle faces divided into 16 smaller equilateral triangles. Each of the 960 flat panels is sub-divided into four triangles, each of which is divided into three isosceles triangles to form each point. In theory, there are 11,520 total isosceles triangles forming 3840 points. In reality, some of those triangles are partially or fully nonexistent due to supports and doors of the iconic symbol of Epcot. Source - Wikipedia.

Canon G1X, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, converted to black and white with Silver Efex Pro 2.

Commercial Park

The flowing fountains at Commercial Park in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Canon G11, 1/3 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 80, Neutral Density filter, camera sitting on the edge of the fountain and shutter released with the 2 second delay timer to blur the water falls.

Blue Moon

According to the font of all knowledge, Wikipedia, a blue moon is the appearance of the third full moon in a season with four full moons. The term has also been used to refer to the second full moon in a month. Tonight's blue moon is the first since December 31, 2009 and the next one won't be until July 2015.

Today was Neil Armstrong's memorial service and his family said one way we could remember him was to "Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink." So step outside and behold the rare blue moon and give Neil a wink.

Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f8.0, ISO 400, 560mm focal length. Converted to black and white in Lightroom 4 using the Silver Efex Pro 2 plugin and added a little blue tint using Google's Picasa. The real blue moon is not actually blue at all.

The Moon Is Quite Nice Tonight

Thanks to seeing Courtney Boyd's Facebook post "The moon is quite nice tonight :)", I was able to capture a nice photo for the last day of July, day 212 of 366. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, zoom at 400mm with 1.4X teleconverter equaling a total focal length of 560mm. Converted to black in white using Lightroom 4 with the Silver Efex Pro 2 plug-in.

Deco Mechcanical

Up close to some of the art deco mechanical details of the bellows arms from a Kodak Jiffy Six-16 Series 1 camera vintage 1933-37. Canon 7D, 1/40 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro coverted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 4.

Grate

- Close-up of the grate over an underground electric utility vault in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/3200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, converted to black and white in Lightroom 4 with Silver Efex Pro 2.

A Beneficial Weed

- Is there such thing as a beneficial weed? Well think of the dandelion. According to Wikipedia it has a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen not to mention they are just great to photograph. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, back lighting provided by the sun.

The Tide Comes In

The Tide comes in to the Norfolk State Station. The Hampton Roads Transit light rail carried its one millionth passenger yesterday reaching that milestone five months ahead of projections. Canon G1X, 1/1250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200, converted to black and white using the Silver Efex Pro 2 plug-in in Lightroom 4.

Little Earth Stars

- To some the dandelion is a weed; but not to me, unless it takes more than its share of space, for I always miss these little earth stars when they are absent. They intensify the sunshine shimmering on the lawn, making one smile involuntarily when seeing them. Moreover, they awaken pleasant memories, for a childhood in which dandelions had no part is a defective experience.
Source: "The Home Acre," by E. P. Roe

Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, converted to black and white in Lightroom 3 using Silver Efex Pro 2.

Manhole

- I've been noticing the manhole covers as I walk the brick sidewalks in downtown Norfolk Virginia recently. Almost all are branded with the type of utility to be found underneath and the name of the foundry that cast the cover. This one struck me because of its lack of markings. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, converted to black and white using Silver Efex 2.

Warming Lamps

- The warming lamps at Terrapin's restaurant in Virginia Beach awaiting the next masterpiece from Chef Rodney Einhorn. One of the top fine dining restaurants in Virginia was jammed tonight as we enjoyed dinner with our friends Susan and Duane. This is Virginia Beach "Restaurant Week" with special deals, next week begins Downtown Norfolk's "Restaurant Week", so much great food, so little time. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2. verted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2.

Whole Beans

- A key to a good cup of coffee, start with whole beans, grind with a burr grinder and then drip brew. These beans are called 454 Horsepower by Kicking Horse Coffee, dark and rich and so good. Be forewarned: don't tangle with this horse unless you're prepared to get bucked... Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 200, lots of LED lighting and converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 3.

Man

- Man - an eight and half foot tall bronze sculpture by Gaston Lachaise an American sculptor is part of the permanent collection at the Chysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia. It was originally commissioned but never realized in 1935 by the City of Philadelphia for Fairmount Park. Walter P. Chysler, Jr. independently commission the casting of Man in 1938. Canon G11, 1/20 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800, converted to black and white in Lightroom 3 using Silver Efex Pro 2.

10:10

- Have you ever noticed when looking at marketing and promotional pictures of clocks that the hands are often positioned at 10:10? It's not just by accident. The hands are positioned that way because just it looks better, aesthetically and practically. Some say the clock has a 'smile' on its face much better than a pouty face at 8:20. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

Point & Shoot

- There's no shortage of cameras in the Sullivan house. This Canon SD870 IS has been Cindy's camera since 2008. It's a great little point & shoot camera. It has contributed six pictures to my photo of the day blog over the past three years. Check out what the SD870 can do. Canon 40D, 1/25 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens, converted to black & white in Lightroom 3 using Silver Efex Pro 2..

Shore Shadow

- The late afternoon photographer casts a long shadow at the shore. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 100, converted to Black & White using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 3.

Knock - Knock

Who's There? Canon 40D, 1/200 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 in Lightroom 3.

Shredded

Yep, its the paper shredder bin. Canon 40D, 1/50 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 plug-in from Lightroom.