shiny surface

shiny surface, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Yesterday's assignment was to take a picture of something shiny.   I have been feeling kind of crummy lately and haven't had much interest in taking or posting pictures.  But when the sun reflected off the surface of this orange I thought it looked rather shiny.   I have been trying to make my yard more bird friendly as I don't have any unusual birds- just the same old Wrens, Robins, Cardinals and Finches.  I would love to see an Oriole or even a Woodpecker.   I know that Orioles like fruit so I set out this fruit holder.  Unfortunately, the ants are having a picnic and no Oriole or Woodpecker in sight.  I did read that a ring of petroleum jelly around the rod would deter ants.  So far no luck.  Wonder how big that ring has to be?  Guess it's time to do some more research on this idea.  Even my hummingbird feeders are birdless but I must remember to be patient.

timeless beauty

timeless beauty, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Actually stole this idea from some other photographer on the dailyshoot.com site.  Today's assignment was to take a picture of something having to do with time.  The photographer went on to describe the peony as it begins to bloom- the peaks and valleys of each nook and cranny as each section opens according to it's own time schedule.  This flower is pink but only a black and white could show the ins and the outs.  My peony bush has never been anything to rave about.  The original one was in my front yard and it would bloom two days before Memorial Day and then the rains would drown the blooms into a soggy mess.  I decided to separate the plant into 3 or 4 sections and planted them in the back.  So far only two of the four plants have survived and only one has bloomed- after Memorial Day thank you very much.  They really are a beautiful plant.  Just frustrating how the flowers just don't last long enough.

Mark and Madelyn

Mark and Madelyn, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Went out to the other side of the world to baby-sit yesterday.  In reality it only took me an hour and a half.  I am not too patient when it comes to slow traffic and I was trying to find a bypass for a bypass.  When I arrived at their house, Mark decided to go out for a run and I introduced myself to Madelyn again.  I think she knows who I am but I'm not totally sure. Got out my camera, of course, knowing that I would have lots of opportunities to practice during the evening.  When Mark returned from his run she immediately cried to be picked up. I guess that's the routine- see daddy, cry, get picked up.   Madelyn is daddy's little girl for sure.  Even though he was hot and sweaty I wanted to get this shot of the two of them.  Too bad she thought my camera was more interesting than daddy at the moment.  And he's going to think this shot of him is none too flattering.  Sorry Mark.

Thursday's Assignment

Illustrate symmetry in a photograph.

Been busy this week so have fallen behind in the assignments.  Have a few of these irises in my yard.  Thought they showed some symmetry but the wind kept blowing the pedals around and it was difficult to get a good shot.  But now that I look at it I realized that the background should have been darker.  Maybe I could have propped one of my black boards behind it.  One of the difficulties that I am having is that I am always in a hurry.  This one I could have planned out.  But I was so tired after a long day that I didn't seem to want to spend much time planning anything.  I did drag my tripod out which at least gave me a still shot.

And here are a couple of other assignments that I didn't get around to posting....

Assignment: Make a photograph of a symbol today.

The year is finally coming to a close.  Graduation is over and the 8th graders are gone.  I do hope some of these kids grow up over the summer.  They were a challenge to many of our teachers.  I will miss some of the avid readers that would come into the library asking for a recommendation.

Assignment: Make a photograph dominated by the color orange.  

Again, too busy to spend too much time on this one and there were loads of photos that I could have taken.  So glad this week is almost over!