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.

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.