266 - Shaking Like a Leaf

From 365 Project

I often hear the expression "shaking like a leaf" to describe when someone was nervous or frightened. I was taking a macro photo of this fern tip tonight and put a lot of effort into capturing a tack sharp image. I used my tripod, focusing rail and carefully waited for all of the movement to stop before using a cable release to fire the camera. I got some nice sharp macro images but they just weren't satisfying. So I took another photo just after slightly taping the fern stem to put it in motion and I really liked the effect. I hope you find it pleasing as well. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/3 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 400, 65mm macro lens at 1X magnification. Back lighting from a Micropanel LED.

265 - Gone

From 365 Project

This is all that remains of the old Kempsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue building that was demolished this week. The big yellow excavator made quick work of turning the 53 year old Kempsville landmark into a pile of rubble. This and other buildings are being cleared for the new Princess Anne Road/Kempsville Road intersection improvements. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 400, 28mm focal length.

264 - Double Nickel

From 365 Project

Today is my birthday so I thought I'd try to pay tribute to the occasion. This macro close-up of two nickels, one of the old series and one of the new series, shows the toll that the years take on coins as they bang together in pockets, cash drawers and vending machines. I hope nobody takes a 1X macro photo of me, I suspect I've fared worse than the nickels. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/60 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 200, 65mm macro lens. Lighting provided by two manual strobes on either side fired through the white sides of a Light Shed. I used slightly different power levels, one at 1/4 and one at 1/8 to help contrast the coins. Converted to black and white in Photoshop Elements using Silver Efex Pro.

263 - Back Bay Sunset

From 365 Project

Sunset over Back Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We spent the afternoon and evening with a drive in the country ending up at Sandbridge. Along the way we visited two wineries in Knotts Island North Carolina. All in all, a very nice day and evening. Canon 40D, 1/20 sec @ F/5.0, ISO 200.

262 - Mirrored Marquee

From 365 Project

While waiting in line to buy tickets to see (500) Days of Summer tonight, I noticed this mirror like reflection of the Naro's marquee reflected in a parked car's side windows. Canon G10, 1/30 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400. BTW, the movie was great!

261 - Reel Time

From 365 Project

I am sucker for neon, it makes for pictures that pop. This is on the top of the roadside sign for the Columbus Theaters in Virginia Beach Virginia. We still associate movies with reels of motion picture film even though many theaters are shifting to digital cinema projectors. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400, 115mm focal length. The photo is under exposed by a full 2 stops from the meter reading which helps isolate the sign against a the black night. Thanks to my wife Cindy who spotted the sign and suggested the pithy title for today's blog post.

260 - Step Up

From 365 Project

There's nothing like a dark, cinder block walled, metal staircase, illuminated by a single bare bulb florescent fixture, with a card security door awaiting to give that step up to the challenge feeling. This is the back stairway at my office that greets me every day as I arrive to make a difference. Canon G10, 1/10 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.