2009 in review

I decided to go through my archives and pick one photo from each month of this year to show as a round-up/review kind of thing. I tried my best to pick images that I haven't shown before, but a few here and there were part of collages over on my other blog.

One thing I learned while going through folders of images is that there were some months where I really didn't do much with the camera. May, July, October, November - all months where I struggled to find a good image to share.


January '09 - empty peanut feeder



February '09 - porch swing detail



March '09 - shepherd's hook in dew and fog (detail)



April '09 - Tools



May '09 - Too hot and tired to move



June '09 - box turtle shell remnant



July '09 - extreme close-up of hummingbird identification bands



August '09 - Sycamore leaf


September '09 - Lift off! (Great Blue Heron)


October '09 - early autumn woodland sunset


November '09 - Oak leaves in the lightbox.


December '09 - Aspen tree trunk fragment (detail)

Here's to 2010 - a new year, full of new photographic opportunities and explorations!

Frozen

From the photo archives, February 2007

Rainy day

Suspended

In anticipation

snow and ice storm, January 2009

We have finally had our first taste of snow in southeast Ohio. We had some light accumulation on Saturday, most of which has since melted, and we had some very light flurries today. The snow and ice accumulation which produced the above image kept us stuck at home for several days, as our driveway and the rural roads were impassable for some time. That's okay, though, because when the weather gets that bad, I just want to stay home and play in the snow anyway!

Backlit

At odd angles

At the foot of Marblehead Lighthouse, Lake Erie, Ohio

After the rain

Happy Thanksgiving. See you in a few days!

Shadow and shape

I would like to say a big "Thank You" to Tricia at Bluff Area Daily for passing the Best Blog Award along to me. Please be sure to check out her blog of daily photos from "southeast Missourahh." Thanks again, Tricia!

Lightbox, part III

More seed head photos from my first day playing with the lightbox. These images were actually taken quite early in the day (before noon), and the light was bright and direct. I played with many variables here: shutter speed, white balance, aperture settings, etc. Here are some results based on those variables:






Personally, I like the degree of shadow that appears in these images. What do you think?

Also, I messed around in the GIMP a lot to come up with a triptych. I crashed and burned several times on this, but I finally ended up with something I like. All a part of the learning process!


P.S. These are garlic seed heads, in case you are wondering.

P.S.S. I didn't bother with giving camera settings for any of these images for fear of boring and/or overwhelming my dear readers, neither of which I want to do. BUT, if you are interested in that kind of information, let me know and I can provide it.

Lightbox, part II

My lightbox experiment continues. I had a theme going during my first day with the box: seed heads. The top 2 photos are of a plant that I am unable to identify at present Wingstem (thanks to Jim McCormac for help on the ID!).

The bottom 3 images are of one of my favorite autumn-blooming wildflowers : Tall Ironweed. All that remains of the vibrant purple flowers are these wild, tufty seeds.

More to come...

Experimenting with a lightbox

Today I FINALLY got around to making a piece of photo gear that I've been planning on making for months: a homemade lightbox. As soon as I finished making it I immediately set to work giving it a test run. I will share some images of my first tries with the box over the next few days. It's super-easy (and cheap) to make, and you can find out how to make your own at the Strobist blog.

Here's mine in action:


And a "finished" image.


So far I have only taken images using available, natural light (i.e. no flash, no lightbulbs). I look forward to playing with this lots more and seeing what new possibilities will open up as a result. Wish me luck!

Upon reflection

Reflections of the sky in the rear window of my vehicle...




... and in a puddle.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Of air and water

The Ring-billed Gull, a beautiful bird, whether in the air...




... or on the water




Photos taken in Lakeside, OH, during the Midwest Birding Symposium, September, 2009.

Lotus

A photo with endless possibilities, here are two variations of this American Lotus seed head. May your weekend be peaceful.

Burst

In remembrance of summer, my dear friend...


And in honor of a new year dawning for me.