Can You Smell This?

- Can a photograph trigger the memory of scent? Some research says it can. These hyacinths located near my front porch provide an amazing and welcoming aroma to visitors. They've been blooming for over a week now and the scent has been imprinted in my brain. Can you smell them? Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, two LED litepanels.

Newtown Blackbirds

- Thousands of black birds come to roast each night near the intersection of Newtown Road and I-264 on the Norfolk/Virginia Beach border. They line all of the power lines and utility poles including this street light at Newtown and Princess Anne Roads in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They have become such a regular feature that they are even the subject the public art at the Networn Road station of The Tide light rail. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 160.

Oreo Turns 100

- Today marks the 100 anniversary of the Oreo cookie and Nabisco which was founded on March 6, 1912 in the Chelsea section of New York City. Today the old Nabisco factory is part of the Chelsea Market complex and a stop on the popular Highline Park. According to Wikipedia over 491 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since they were first introduced making the Oreo America's most popular cookie. The best part of making today's picture - why eating the cookies and drinking the milk of course! Canon 7D 1/200 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, two LED light panels.  Check the Black & White version of this photo at The World in Black & White blog.

Dominion Fisheye

- Got to take a trip up to the 20th floor of Dominion Enterprises in Downtown Norfolk Virginia today. It was cold and windy out on the deck. The 20th floor says a lot about the company who reserved the best space in its office tower for employee training and education. While you are up there learning you can enjoy some of the best views of the Elizabeth River waterfront. iPhone 4, 1.469 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Olloclip fisheye lens adapter.

Thread Rainbow

- This rack of sewing thread at Joann's Fabric's in Virginia Beach, Virginia reminded me of a rainbow. Canon G11, 1/100 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800, in macro mode.

Death of a Salesman

- The very cool set of the Virginia Stage Company's production of Arthur Miller's 1949 Pulitzer Prize winning play Death of a Salesmen. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8,ISO 1000.

Mike and Ike

Mike and Ike candies in one of the 50 cent globe dispensers at the mall. Mike and Ike is a brand of fruit-flavored candies first introduced in 1940 by Just Born, Inc. These fruit-flavored, chewy candies come in several colors and varieties including: cherry, orange, lime, lemon and strawberry. Each candy has 7 calories, 0 grams of fat and approximately 1 gram of sugar. The candy is kosher and gluten-free. According to Wikipedia, celebrity fans include Will Smith, Paul Rudd, and Steven Spielberg. Just Born, Inc. also makes Hot Tamales candies. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800.

The Humble Moth

Moths are closely related to the butterflies, both being of the order Lepidoptera. There are over 160,000 species of moths, more than ten times the number of butterfly species. Butterflies get all of the glory with their bright colors and beautiful wings. Moths on the other hand tend to be more brown and unpretentious. They are not perceived in the same manner as their well loved cousins. But like much of mother nature, you just need to look close enough to see the beauty and glory. This humble little moth is hanging in close to our front porch light. The macro lens captures some of the fine detail of nature. This photo is also a good example of how shallow the depth of field can be on a macro lens when focused on a very close subject. As you can see the depth of field is less than 1/4 inch. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

Dimples

- Dimples have been a part of golf ball design for over a 100 years. The dimples help a golf ball fly longer and with more back spin. Most golf balls have a symmetrical dimple pattern consisting of 200 to 300 dimples. Golf balls with asymmetrical dimple patterns and varied dimple depths were designed in the 1970's significantly improving the straight flight of a golf ball but were quickly banned by the USGA. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, 100mm macro, 3 - LED litepanels.

Reflected Sunset

- The mirrored glass on the Gateway Credit Union building in Virginia Beach catches the setting sun. I seem to always catch this stop light red on the exit ramp from I264 East on my commute home each evening but at least it gave me a chance to capture this interesting reflection. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Wicked Green

- It's Wicked-mania in Norfolk Virginia in preparation for the Broadway hit's 3 week run beginning next week. There's lots of "Wicked Green" everywhere downtown including these water fountains at MacArthur Mall.
On another note, my blog just topped 40,000 page views for the past 12 months. Thanks everyone for coming back time after time. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 160,

Maximum Flare

- Lens flare often results when shooting into the sun or another bright light source. The goal is to eliminate or reduce the amount of lens flare as it represents refracted light that isn't true to the image being captured. This iPhone photo captured the most lens flare I'd ever experienced in one of my photographs and I liked the effect. When I showed the picture to Cindy her comment was "that's interesting." And yes it was with "that" tone so I wondered if I should use it as today's blog photo. As you can tell I decided to share the picture and for those that like it, great and for those that don't, think of it as an example of what no to do. iPhone 4, 1/400 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ app.

Ma Bell

- Although the Bell System has been gone for almost 30 years the name and logo can still be found. This is one of several manhole covers bearing the logo located along Monticello Avenue in Norfolk Virginia. Owned by AT&T, the Bell System had held a monopoly on telephone service across much of the U.S for almost 100 years until it was broken up in 1984 following a suit by the Justice Department. In Virginia, Bell System service was provided by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, a.k.a C&P. Following divestiture C&P became part of Bell Atlantic which today is part of Verizon. Canon G11 1/230 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Vintage Word Processor

- A vintage word processor, a.k.a the typewriter. This L.C. Smith 8 10, vintage 1920's, was the first typewriter with a tab system. The Smith Corona company built high quality typewriters for many decades. This one is in Jerry Burkhalter's collection. iPhone 4, 1/17 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100, converted to B&W in the Camera+ app.

Station Art

- Station art located at The Tide's Ft. Norfolk/EVMC station in Norfolk Virginia. This station is the west end of the line. My two favorite art stations are this one and Newtown Road at the east end of the line. iPhone 4, 1/172 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ app.

Panties in a Twist???

- The NORVA in Norfolk Virginia presents Hampton Roads fist ever all women's sketch comedy review, Panties in a Twist. I must admit, the marquee caught my eye today. Canon G11, 1/80 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Double Trouble

- Double the trouble, double the fun; two Tonkinese are better than one. Princess Sasha on the left and Lord Sherlock on the right. Canon 7D, 1/25 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 85mm focal length.

Power On

- The power symbol is a symbol indicating that a control activates or deactivates a particular device. It incorporates line and circle figures, with the arrangement informed by the function of the control. It is a popular icon among technology enthusiasts. Canon 7D, 1/30 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Cold & Wet

- It's a cold and wet night for this early daffodil. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro, LED Litepanel.

Pollard's

- Pollard's Chicken restaurant is a South Hampton Roads Virginia institution. This is the Kempsville location on S. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. This building was originally a First and Merchants Bank branch. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, Camera+ App.

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.

Wet Tide

- It was a wet night for The Tide light rail arriving at the Civic Plaza station in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Canon G11, 0.6 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, camera sitting on the station handrail and fired using the 2 second delay timer to avoid camera shake.

Taillight

- Classic taillight from a 1962 Ford Thunderbird. I post processed this image using Google Picasa and new feature in version 3.9 called "Neon." With the Neon effect I used a brown color choice, faded the effect back to about 50% intensity. Then bumped the saturation a wee bit to pop the red on the taillight and applied a slight vignette to finish off the image. Canon G11, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400,

Still Shiny

- The Tide light rail has been running for six months now and I get to ride just about every weekday. I am proud of what a great job my old colleagues at HRT have done in operating and maintaining the trains. It is right on schedule and the railcars still gleam like they are new. Canon G11, 1/160 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200.

For My Valentine

- Nothing says "Be My Valentine" like a red rose. Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance. In Greek and Roman mythology the red rose was closely tied to the goddess of love. The red rose says you have my love and fidelity. Happy Valentine Day to my love.
Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro, tungsten hand held video light for illumination.

Snow Camellia

- Went out early this morning to catch last night's dusting of snow before it disappeared. There wasn't much snow but the dusting on this camellia bloom caught my eye. Canon G11, 1/60 sec, f/8.0, ISO 400, macro mode and on-camera flash.

First Snow

- Staring snowing for the first time this season around 5:45. The flakes were big and wet as the temperature was about 36 degrees. Here some land on the azalea while other flakes streak by through the light field created by my LED Litepanel. Canon 7D, 1/10 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 199mm macro lens.

Soup

- It has been said one of the reasons Andy Warhol painted soup cans was that he liked soup. Well, I like soup too and I can't paint but I can light and photograph my favorite Campbell's soup. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 100, 50mm prime lens, 4 flashes, 1 LED Litepanel for a little fill at the bottom edge and a white light shed.

Ink Drop

- I got this photo idea today while I was cleaning up from a leaky fountain pen. The ink makes interesting shapes as it mixes with the water. So tonight I just placed a drop of ink in a clear glass of water and took some pictures. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Winter Sunset

- While it has a mild winter so far in Southeast Virginia, the bare trees set the season for last evening's beautiful sunset. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400

From Above

- This is kind of an odd view from above of a tulip bloom. The back lighting from underneath is illuminating the inside of the bloom. At first I wasn't sure that I liked this photo but there was something about it that caused me to come back to it. I think it was just the vantage point. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

A View From The Top

- A fisheye view from the top floor of Norfolk City Hall. Main Street in the center, the Elizabeth River waterfront to the left and the Wells Fargo Center and Scope to the right. In the foreground you can see the Circuit Court Building and the long shadow of City Hall looming over it. iPhone 4, 1/769 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Olloclip fisheye lens.

Somewhere

- On Super Bowl Sunday it's 5:00 everywhere. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Tulips

- They grace my table sweetly as they stand so straight and tall
And then with time they curtsey and they take a humble fall
- From Tulips by Linda Hogeland.
Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Cathedral of Commerce

- Built in 1907 the three-story, Beaux-Arts style Monticello Arcade forms a protected pedestrian passageway between City Hall Avenua and Plume Street in downtown Norfolk Virginia. Basically it's a 105 year old shopping mall. The recent economic conditions have reduced the tenants somewhat but the architecture alone is worth a walk through. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, "HDR-ish" effect applied in Picasa version 3.9.

Perfect

- As a photographer you develop a technique to "see in frames", images freeze in your mind and your try to capture them with the camera. You apply your skills and execute trying to capture the image in your mind. Occasionally after you upload it to the computer and really look it and realize there's so much more than what you envisioned. Tonight was one of those times for me. I have often photographed these blooms from my camellia bush. The water droplets from a light rain falling tonight helped this perfect shaped blossom jump off the screen when I looked at it. There is so much texture and detail in these flowers, truly a miracle of beauty. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, 1 LED Litepanel.

Catch The Tide

- Not the sight you want to see from the third floor landing when you are trying to catch The Tide. So I missed my train. I have got to get that slow wall clock in my office adjusted. No worries, another showed up in exactly 10 minutes, right on schedule. iPhone 4, 1/238 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80.

Sunrise Departure

- An early morning departure by a Southwest 737 from Norfolk International Airport. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200.

Early Hyacinth

- Yep, this hyacinth is in full bloom in my backyard at least 4 weeks early. Sure smelled like Spring while getting close to take this picture. It has been an amazingly (fingers crossed - knock on wood) mild winter here in the southeast corner of Virginia. I still have oregano and basil going strong in the planters on the deck. Hopefully we can go another 4 to 6 weeks without a major cold snap. I bet I just jinxed that by staying it - stay tuned for the coming snow pictures. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro with two LED litepanels.

Yet Another CVS

Yet another CVS Pharmacy appears in Virginia Beach. They're popping up like wild flowers in Spring. iPhone 4, 1/3750 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ App, FX - So Elmo.

Night at The Wells

The Wells Theatre in Norfolk Virginia, opened on August 27, 1913. The poured-in-place, steel-reinforced concrete structure was technologically advanced for the period. The Wells' ornate decoration made the theatre the flagship of Wells Amusement Enterprises, and continues today as a well preserved example of Beaux-Arts Classicism, a National Historic Landmark and home to the Virginia Stage Company. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

T-Bird

- Parked next to a cool 1962 Ford Thunderbird this afternoon. Dad always liked and wanted a "T-Bird". This one wasn't restored but in very good original condition for a 50 year old car. Dad never got his T-Bird but we did have a more practical family car, a 1966 Ford Fairlane 4 door sedan with the same 390 cubic inch engine that was standard in the T-Bird. This was the car I learned to drive in and as a teenager driving that 335 horsepower "family" sedan was nothing but trouble waiting to happen. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400.

TC Bubble

- Virginia Beach's Town Center in a bubble. iPhone 4, 1/340 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Olloclip fisheye lens.

"Oh bliss, bliss and heaven...

- Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh..." - Alex from A Clockwork Orange. After 1,119 daily photos and blog posts, I finally get to use a quote from a A Clockwork Orange. I know it's lame, but what the heck, it's my blog. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro, three light sources.

Winter Twilight

- Well it didn't feel like winter today but the sky was really cool at sunset tonight. This is looking south on Colonial Avenue at Onley Road in Norfolk, Virginia. It's great to be driving with the top down in January. iPhone 4, 1/50 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

Concentric

- Concentric circles from a chrome flag stand form an interesting art like image. Canon G10, 1/40 sec # f/4.5, ISO 400.

The Sasha Look

- Last week I posted a new photo of Sherlock and promised a new one of Sasha. Well, here she is posing with that "vamp" look. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.

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.

Tetraphobia

- Tetraphobia is an aversion to or fear of the number 4. It is a superstition most common in East Asia. In these countries, these floor numbers containing the number 4 are often skipped in buildings. In Hong Kong, some apartments such as Vision City and The Arch skipped all the floors from 40 to 49. Immediately above 39 is 50, leading many who are not aware of tetraphobia to believe that some floors are missing. - from Wikipedia. Canon G11, 1/8 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800 converted to black and white in Picasa using "highlight" color.

Tunnel Vision

- Robert peering down his make believe tunnel. Getting a 5 year old male child to hold still for a full half second exposure is just plain luck. It was pretty much the max of his attention span today. Well come to think of it, that's pretty the max of my attention span everyday. Canon G11, 0.6 seconds @ f/3.2, ISO 800.