July 29

Joe Pyeweed, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Today's assignment is to take a photo of something I enjoy doing or a hobby.

I have many things that I enjoy doing- one of them is being on the lookout for new and exciting blooms in my yard.  This being a rather dreadful summer weather-wise, I haven't been too lucky with my flowers.  My hydrangeas, for example, have yet to bloom and I think they are called "ever blooming" hydrangeas.  But Mr. Joe Pyeweed is putting on a fine show right now.  I don't know what I actually saw in this plant- not too exciting when it comes to flowering.  Teeny tiny little buds but they are a plenty and the butterflies like them, although I haven't seen too many butterflies this year either.  Hmmmm...and to think it's almost August when my garden really goes to pot.  But there's always next year when I can once again focus on my gardening skills.

July 21

purple coneflower, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Make a photograph featuring nature in some fashion.

So many things that I could have taken pictures of in my backyard it wasn't so darn hot out, and if those darn biting flies would have left me alone.  Every time I saw something that I wanted to take a picture of I would try to sneak out of the house to get a close up.  But the birds would take off before I took one step out of the door.  So I thought I'd try another attack- sit outside on a chair and non-chalantly wait for them to appear.  Unfortunately, that's when those nasty flies would begin their feast on my legs.  I wonder if its the heat that brings out the worst in them or if they are just a biting species?  I wanted to take a picture of a goldfinch that was perched on the coneflower but I just couldn't get close enough to it. There were other great shots of birds in my birdbaths but they too did not want their picture taken today.  This is about the only flower in my garden that is not wilted or bug devoured. I'm sure tomorrow will be another tale of woe.

July 20

Hot enough for you?, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Make a photograph today that features the use of low contrast to create a mood or feeling.

Took this photo of the little guy yesterday after he dunked his face in the little water table.  I think he could do that all day, although he wanted to go between the water table and the sandbox.  It's not like he could dunk his entire body in the water table- they really are only good for playing in- not swimming.  But he could submerse himself in the sandbox so he was loaded from top to bottom with sand.  Thank goodness he was a good sport about running through the sprinkler a couple of times.  Took most of the sand off the surface of his body.  Unfortunately, his pull-ups secretly held a bucket or two of sand.  It was only after I brought him in did I notice the pile on the floor.

I wasn't quite sure what the assignment meant when it said to use low contrast.  It's sunny and hot and horrible out today so it was difficult to find anything with low contrast.  I took this picture yesterday while we were on the back patio.  Using the histogram it appeared to me that it was showing low contrast- but that's my opinion only after researching what low contrast meant.  This picture certainly shows mood as it was a great day for swimming and sweating.

July 17

shiny, a photo by scookster on Flickr.

Yesterday's assignment- take a photo of something shiny.

While watching son #1 wash his car, I thought to myself "here's a photo of something shiny".  Hot black car, sun reflecting off of the water that was sprayed onto it, shiny chrome.  Didn't post it on the dailyshoot page as I was kind of lazy last night.  Today's assignment seems kind of difficult, but when I looked at this photo I discovered son #2 with baby reflected in the chrome.  I obviously didn't realize it when I was taking the picture, but sure am pleasantly surprised.  I guess it's another one of those happy accidents.  As usual, I didn't have my camera with me so resorted to my iphone.  I find I am using that more and more lately.  I definitely need to get back to my 35 mm.