Biker

This biker followed me on Virginia Beach Boulevard. I looked in my rear view mirror at a stoplight and he looked pretty cool illuminated by brake lights. Lucky for me the camera was sitting right there in passenger seat so I took this image looking into the rear view mirror. The low light image has lots of digital noise which is normally not desirable. However, I think it kind of adds to this surreal image. Canon G11, 1/5 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800.

Twilight Tree

- The bare tree says winter but today's temperature in Norfolk Virginia reached 68 degrees. Took this twilight photo from the car with the top down. Back to reality tomorrow, afternoon high around 42. Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

MLK Day

- The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial early this morning in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. King visited Norfolk and southeastern Virginia many time and was scheduled to come back to Norfolk in early April 1968 but postponed the visit to go to Memphis to support the sanitation workers strike. He was assassinated there on April 4, 1968. Check out the audio version of The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1998), ed. Clayborne Carson. I highly recommend this version read by LeVar Burton in a Grammy Award winning performance which also contains recordings of many speeches and famous oratory of Dr. King. A must listen for anyone who is a student of leadership. Canon G11, 1/800 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 200.

Boy Tonk

- It's been over month since the last cat picture on my blog so Sherlock accommodated me today by being still long enough to take his picture. Handsome devil isn't he? Tomorrow sister Sasha will get into the act. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm focal length.

Warehouse Club

- The Warehouse Club, this one is BJ's Wholesale Club in Norfolk Virginia. Even though we've been shopping at them for 30 years it still seems kind of surreal. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100, Camera+ App.

Public Art

This public art is at Civic Plaza in Norfolk Virginia. It sits in front of the General District Court building. I was unable to find any information about it. Norfolk has a lot of great public art throughout the City. During the course of my 2012 365 project, I will try to document much of it. iPhone 4, 1/1000 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ app.

Bank Street

- I parked my car in the Bank Street garage in Norfolk Virginia and this view was straight in front of me. I saw this image in my mind and fortunately the capture delivered what I saw. I haven't thought of anything interesting or witty to say about the photo but there's something in it that I'm drawn to. I hope you like it. Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 400, converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 in Lightroom 3.

Down to the Last "s"

- The sign on the old location of Harry's BBQ on Norfolk Virginia's Granby Street. is down to just one "s". They moved around the corner on Tazewell Street in 2007 but their old sign has remained lit for almost 5 years. iPhone 4, 1/120 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 125, Camera+ app.

Maui Readers

- Bifocal sunglasses, you bet. These are my Maui Readers and the reason why I will be a Maui Jim customer for life. I bought a pair of these sunglasses on Ocracoke Island in 2008. About a year later I dropped them when loading some stuff into my trunk and didn't realize it. I then backed over them with the car, leaving half the glasses pretty mangled. I had read about Maui Jim's legendary customer service so I thought I'd see if they could repair the sunglasses and replace the lens. I mailed them away with a service form and check for $10.00. A few weeks latter I received a package and letter from Maui Jim saying they weren't able to fix my old sunglasses but this one time they would provide me a replacement pair. How cool is that? I now own three pairs of Maui's, customer for life. Canon G11, 1/2000 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200.

Drops on the Edge

- A fine mist has been falling all day and these tiny droplets cling to edge of a Camellia blossom. Canon 40D, 1/160 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro, LED Litepanel.

Down the Drain

- A view of Princess Anne Road looking through one of the hundreds of storm drain pipes waiting to be installed near the Kempsville intersection in Virginia Beach, Virginia . Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, 1/500 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 80.

Aliens Have Landed!

- The aliens have landed!
It’s distressing, but they’re here.
They piloted their flying saucer
through our atmosphere.
They landed like a meteor
engulfed in smoke and flame.
- from The Aliens Have Landed at Our School! by Kenn Nesbitt
The Norfolk Scope, iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 500.

Press Flowers

- Real flowers on the table make lunch special. These were side lit by a great mid-day winter sun at 626 Press in Norfolk, Virginia. iPhone 4, 1/536 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80.

Almost Famous

- My grandson Robert looks like a celebrity behind these sunglasses. Given how much he ends up in pictures taken by Grandpa, I guess he qualifies. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200.

Shadow Can

- Clear skies and strong afternoon sun helps to create a well defined shadow of this street trash can. A little playing around with a new effect called "neon" in Picasa 3.9 results in a unique image. It kind of follows the "Paint the Town Red" concept Norfolk had going this past October. This trash can is at the northwest corner of Granby and Freemason Streets in Norfolk, Virginia. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Contre-jour

- French for 'against daylight', refers to photographs taken when the camera is pointing directly toward a source of light. Contre-jour produces backlighting of the subject. This effect usually hides details, causes a stronger contrast between light and dark, creates silhouettes and emphasizes lines and shapes. The sun, or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong glare behind the subject. Source - Wikipedia. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400.

Lynnhaven Sunset

- The sun sets over the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, Virginia tonight. We had an early dinner at one of our favorite places in Virginia Beach, Bubba's. As you can tell the view is second to none, the seafood is fresh and everyone is friendly. It was a little too cold and windy for dining on the outside deck tonight. I recommend Bubba's to everyone visiting Virginia Beach.
The general composition rule is to avoid the horizon line being right in the middle of the picture. The preferred placement is one third from the top or bottom but I wanted to frame this picture with the outside deck. So rule are made to be broken, hope you like the image. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

Contrails

- 2012 started out with a beautiful day here in Virginia Beach, VA. This afternoon we went to Sandbridge Beach to take some photos. My wife Cindy is starting her own 365 scrapbook project for 2012 so I guess I'm starting project 365 number 4. Well here's a photo of contrails crisscrossing the clear blue sky for picture 1 of 365. I am making no promises to keep this up all year but right now it's kind of in my blood. iPhone 4, 1/200 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ app, fisheye lens.

Pleasant Hall

- Pleasant Hall has been a constant in my neighborhood since 1769. Witness to the Revolutionary War and everything since, it now overlooks yet another rebuilding of the Kempsville - Princess Anne intersection. While everything around it has changed, and changed and is still changing this beautiful example of Georgian architecture remains the only constant. Another 365 project done. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, converted to B&W using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 3.

Here Comes My Train.

- Rode The Tide to and from a meeting at Norfolk City Hall this afternoon. This is my westbound return trip train pulling into the Civic Plaza station. When I got on board there was a little boy riding with his grandparents who was so excited. I asked him if he was having fun and he nodded yes. His grandfather said he loved trains and then he said, well heck I love trains too. Every time I ride I see people truly enjoying themselves and almost everyone comments that The Tide needs to go to Virginia Beach. I couldn't agree more. This is photo 364 of 365, just one more to finish out my third year of daily photos. iPhone 4, 1/625 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera + app.

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.

Extreme Project 365 x 3

- The downtown Norfolk Virginia skyline rimmed in holiday lights at twilight. Notice the ice skaters at the MacArthur Mall rink in the right foreground. Photo 362 of this year's 365 project. For me it's 365 x 3 so that makes 1092 straight daily photos and blog posts - extreme project 365x3. Canon G11, 0.8 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400 camera stabilized on the ledge of the Bank Street parking garage.

Guilty

- Yes we are guilty of having holiday salt and pepper shakers. Not one set mind you, but two. So here's the dilemma of the day, which one to hold salt and which to hold pepper. In each set one shaker has two holes and one has three. So I did what any right-minded web surfer would do, I asked Google. Well the jury is still out on this question. Seems there are strong camps on both sides, more holes for salt and more hole holes for pepper. I like lots of pepper so the three hole shaker got the ground pepper while the two hole shaker ended up with salt. Now there's one more opinion out on the web but mine has the cutest photograph. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400, in macro mode, two LED litpanels and nine overhead ceiling spot lights.

Rockettes

- The Rockettes are a Christmas mainstay as part of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show. We saw them in 2009 and this ornament hanging on our tree is a reminder of that great show and the Christmas season in New York. Canon 40D, 1/125 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Mr. Fix-it

- Robert received his "Li'l Helper" tool kit including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) from Grammy and Grandpa for Christmas. He immediately decided that something needed fixing so he went to work on the faucet in the shower. He looks just like Handy Manny. Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, 1/60 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 250 with flash.

Happy Holidays

- The sign says it all. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Canon 7D, 1/20 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 50mm prime lens.

Snow Flakes

Down the Slinky

- I can't resist an old fashion metal Slinky.

The best present yet to give or get
The kids will all want to try.
The hit of the day when you're ready to play.
Everyone knows it's Slinky.

iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 1000, olloclip fisheye lens, Camera+ app.

Walmart Dawn

- Started my day early with a trip to Walmart. Walmart trips are always special. iPhone 4, 1/170 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ App, Sunset Scene.

Fisheye Santa

- Bringing the olloclip fisheye lens on my iPhone 4 to Santa and the Christmas tree. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 640, Camera+, Clarity Scene, Square Crop, Thin White Border.

Indirect Light

- This picture features indirect lighting. The sun is coming up in the east behind the Norfolk Southern Building, the tall one in green glass and hitting directly on the Bank of America Building which is brightly reflected in the green glass. It also produces nice silhouettes of a tree on the right and the Norfolk Confederate monument with "Johnny Reb" standing on top to the left side of the frame. The scene is located in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. iPhone 4, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ App, Clarity Scene, Freeform Crop, and Vibrant EX Effect.

Beach Cruisers

- Beach cruiser bikes for Christmas? Best Value Hardware 4801 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia has all colors and several styles. iPhone 4, 1/161 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ App, Vibrant FX Effect and Vignette Border applied.

Say Ahh

- From a visit to the doctor's office earlier this week. Not sick, just a check up. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 250

Flyer

Petrie says "Nothing can escape the looker in the sky! Me see everything; me KNOW everything!" Canon 40D, 1/15 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, 100mm.

I Believe You Have My Stapler

- Yes I do. This is a Swingline Limited Edition Series 747 Rio Red Business Stapler a much appreciated going away gift from Philip Shucet. If you don't understand the significance of the Red Swingline Stapler, just watch the movie Office Space or if you need instant gratification turn to the Net at www.redswinglinestapler.com. Canon 40D, 1/100 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 800, two LED Litepanels with a little fill flash.

Tree of Light

- The tree of light at the Garden of Lights display at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. This section of lights was sycn'd to the holiday sound track broadcast on a low power FM radio station. The light show is worth the trip and the $10 buck a car admission. Canon 7D, 1/20 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Star of Bethlehem

- The star-shaped flowers of the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum arabicum) are a delight of the holiday season. Canon 40D, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 800, 100mm macro, LED Litepanel.

Zildjian

- Drummer Sandy Gennaro of the Pat Travers Band and his Zildjian cymbals. The first Zildjian cymbals were created in 1623 by Avedis Zildjian, an alchemist who was looking for a way to turn base metal into gold; he created an alloy combining tin, copper, and silver into a sheet of metal that could make musical sounds without shattering. Still manufactured by the Avedis Zildjian Company for nearly 400 years, Zildjian is one of the oldest companies in the world. Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 70-200 f/2.8 IS II zoom at 200mm focal length.

Baubles

- It's the time of year to break out the Christmas ornaments. A bauble is a spherical decoration that is commonly used to adorn Christmas trees. The bauble is one of the most popular Christmas ornament designs, and they have been in production since 1847. Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner. Canon 40D, 1/13 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro with image stablization.

Holiday Sasha

- Miss Sasha is enjoying the holiday decorations. Canon 40D, 1/40 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Pool Deck

- Whiskey Myers rocking the pool deck stage on the Liberty of the Seas. iPhone 4, 1/1667 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, using the fisheye lens from the Olloclip 3-in-1 lens.

Hammerheads

- The loyal fans of rock guitarist Pat Travers, "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)", refer to themselves as "Hammerheads." Here Pat and his band rock the Liberty of the Seas as part of the 2011 Rock Legends Cruise. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, zoom at 70mm focal length.

Caribbean Sunrise

There's nothing quite like a Caribbean Sunrise. Canon G11, 1/160 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100.

Transformers

- Robert's Transformer robots prepare for a big lunch time battle. On the left is Starscream a Decepticon disguised as an F15 fighter jet versus Optimus Prime leader of the Autobots. iPhone 4, using the Camera+ app, Freeform crop, Pinhole FX, and Thin White frame.

Frankenstein

Edgar Winter is amazing!!! He invented the keyboard body strap early in his career, an innovation that allows him the freedom to move around on stage during his multi-instrument high-energy performances. He was also the first artist to feature a synthesizer as the main instrument in a song. "Frankenstein" revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound - from Wikipedia. Canon 7D, 1/800 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Sharp Dressed Men

- ZZ Top was the headliner band for the Rock Legends Cruise. They not only dressed for success but rocked the ship big time for three straight nights. Also got to meet FM99's Rock Girl Lindsey who won a trip on the legends cruise. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

Polly Wanna Cracker?

- This cool parrot greeted us as we arrived at the Ardastra Gardens. Located just outside of downtown Nassau, Bahamas. There is no place quite like the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center. The 5½ acre park is part jungle, part gardens and part zoo. Canon G11, 1/60sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Silver Palm

The Silver Palm tree is what the locals take to weave their baskets, placemats, hats, fans, artwork, portfolios, handbags, and other straw work designs. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 200.

B-B-B-B-Bad to the bone

- George Thorogood and the Destroyers rocking "Bad to the Bone" on the Rock n Roll Legends cruise. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

LUV

- LUV is the New York Stock Exchange symbol for Southwest Airlines. The airline once used the tag line "The Somebody Else Up There Who Loves You." I love flying Southwest and apparently many others do Southwest is the largest airline in the United States based on passengers carried in 2010. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, converted to Black & White in Lightroom 3 using Silver Efex Pro 2.