Photoblog Challenges: B&W with Toning

Here I am again with another angel shot. I have decided at some point I would like to do a series of angel photos to help with my fear fascination of them and their watch. Maybe frame them and put them on them on display? It's a project I have given myself, one that may take or last years but I am looking forward to it.

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges: B&W with Toning.

Photoblog Challenges:Many

Good morning everyone! Are you recovered from Thanksgiving and Black Friday? It might take me a few more days to do so. 

Simple post from me today. I am even feeling too lazy to add a quote. 

Have a great Monday. :)

I entered Photoblog Challenges: Many

Photoblog Challenges: Yellow

I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.

Conor Oberst

I joined Photoblog Challenges Theme: Begins with X, Y or Z.

Photoblog Challenge: Pink Flowers

pink aster

“The earth laughs in flowers.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good morning friends! Hope your day is a good one.

I entered Photoblog Challenges: Pink Flowers

Photoblog Challenges:Theme 39 - On the Road

The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.

~Maya Angelou~

I entered Photoblog Challenges: Theme 39 - On the Road

Photoblog Challenges Theme 38: Three

“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened." John M. Richardson, Jr. I entered Photoblog Challenges Theme 38: Three A lot of amazing photographers over there; you should stop by and see!

Photoblog Challenges: Creative Project 19: White

Good morning! 

I realize I have quite a bit of pixelization and artifacts in this photo. Hell, my focus is even a little off. I still love it though. Due to me being across the lake from this beauty (go zoom!) and using my point and click, I am still impressed with what clarity I did capture. 

I entered Photoblog Challenges, Creative Project 19: White

Photoblog Challenges: Theme 36: Insects

I believe this to be a Variegated Fritillary caterpillar. 

Until this morning, I hadn't thought of caterpillars as baby insects. I think this little fella is quite pretty, as far as caterpillars go. 

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges theme: Insects

Photoblog Challenge: Black & White of Nature

I don't think my obsession with flower shots is going to end any time soon. I want to photograph every flower I see!

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges: Black & White of Nature

Photoblog Challenge ~ Grass

Who takes photos of grass? Hey, that would be me. I am not the only one...as Photoblog Challenges theme this week is: Grass

I took this shot next to a marsh a few miles from house. I didn't alter it as I like the slight play of water in the background with the grass stalks being the focal point. I suppose I could have pulled out some of the shadows on the water but sometimes nature knows what it's doing. ;-)

Photoblog Challenge ~ Begins with "P"

We are definitely taking advantage of the warm, sunny days here with trips to the park and drives in the countryside. I continue to take shots of every flower I see. I don't think I will ever tire of  it. I took this slightly out of focus, hoping to bring a softness to the tiny flowers instead of clarity. I am really liking the result.


I linked up with Photoblog Challenges theme: Begins with "P". 

Photoblog Challenge ~ Black & White with Grain

Am I the only person that finds angel statues unnerving rather than comforting? They are beautiful, some even falling into the fascinating category but I can't say I find them comforting. The worst to me are the cherubs. They actually creep me out a bit! I mean no disrespect to the dead, whom they are meant to keep watch over.


Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Constantine is one of my very favorite movies. The amount of times I have watched it is shameful. Tilda Swinton as Gabriel was genius. Not sure what it says about me that horror flicks are my favorite, yet angels make me uneasy? I try not to think on it too much...but I digress. 


I linked up with Photoblog Challenges: B&W with Grain. 

Photoblog Challenge ~ Orton Effect

One of the reasons I enter Photo Challenges is they can force me out of me norm. I tend to take macro, completely in focus, straight on photos. I have gained so much experience by going out and around the box of this type of photography.


Take the Orton Effect, created by Michael Orton. The original technique involves sandwiching two or three transparencies of the same composition together. One slide contains the detail component, in focus and overexposed, the second and /or the third is the color component, and is out of focus and overexposed. Gives the photo an ethereal quality that I am completely in love with!


There are many tutorials out there for the Orton Effect, using photoshop. If you want to go to that next step with your photography, I recommend at least trying it. It is most often used with landscape and scenery shots and while I have also seen it used on portraits, the scenery shots are by far my favorite.


I linked up with Photoblog Challenges.

Signs of Spring ~ Dandelions: Photoblog Challenge

Here in Wisconsin, one of the first signs of spring may be your yard filled with Dandelion flowers. Most people find them a nuisance, but I find them kind of pretty. They do muddle up that perfect green lawn and are considered weeds. Hey, if  you can't beat 'em, join 'em. John often calls me a "tree hugger" and as I was snapping off photos of this little beauty, I couldn't help thinking he might be right. Just a little. I will find any excuse to play outside, big people style.


I am excited today to plant some flowers Spencer and John got me for Mother's Day. Hoping to show you some pics as they grow. Also baking my first homemade rhubarb pie later today. Wish me luck!


I linked up with Photoblog Challenges Theme: Spring.

Panoramic Crop ~ Photoblog Challenge

It has been a while since I entered a photoblog challenge. I have missed my photography! I couldn't pass up today's challenge though.  Panoramic crop. Cropping in the right/wrong areas can really make or break a shot, don't you think?


Check out the other entries at Photoblog Challenges.

Photoblog Challenge ~ Movement

When you put your hand in a flowing stream, you touch the last that has gone 
before and the first of what is still to come."
Leonardo da Vinci

I linked up with Photoblog Challenge and their theme: Movement

Negative Space

As always, I had a difficult time straying away from color here. I go to great depths when capturing a photo to grab the vibrancy the subject portrays. In this case, I absolutely love how it turned out, void of primary colors yet full of contrast and character. A new favorite for me. 


I do really plan to go outside my comfort zone this spring in my photography. I can't wait actually. As soon as this gray Wisconsin winter is gone, it's on! One of my many goals...


What goals are you working on? How are you challenging yourself? Love to hear your ideas too.


I linked up with Photoblog Challenges: Negative Space

Photoblog Challenge: Vignetting

Prairie Coreopsis

Good morning! I love this shot. See the little guy trying to be inconspicuous back there? 

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges and their theme: Vignetting

Have a great day, my friends!

Photo Challenge, Starts with "L"

Good morning, friends! 


Not feeling very "wordy" today. So I will leave you with this darkly edited (which for some reason I am loving) photo I entered in the Photoblog Challenge, Starts with "L". Make sure and stop by their blog. Some amazingly talented photographers!


Have a great day!

Photoblog Challenge ~ Romantic

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges. Make sure and stop by to see all the entries in their Romantic Challenge. Some very talented photographers!