A1275's 2006 Photo-A-Day Project

I've moved!

2007-01-07T23:47:00.000-05:00

This blog has moved here. Come give me some love! :)

Dreamy

2006-09-30T21:40:00.000-04:00

Dreamy
(c) 2006 by A1275

What?

2006-09-29T21:39:00.000-04:00

What?
(c) 2006 by A1275

Untitled

2006-09-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

Untitled
(c) 2006 by A1275

Toes

2006-09-27T21:38:00.000-04:00

Toes
(c) 2006 by A1275

Sweetness

2006-09-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Sweetness
(c) 2006 by A1275

Untitled

2006-09-25T21:38:00.000-04:00

Untitled
(c) 2006 by A1275

Motherhood

2006-09-24T21:30:00.000-04:00

Motherhood
(c) 2006 by A1275

Fatherhood

2006-09-23T21:28:00.000-04:00

Fatherhood
(c) 2006 by A1275

Masked

2006-09-21T21:40:00.000-04:00

Masked
(c) 2006 by A1275

FQ

2006-09-20T21:26:00.000-04:00

FQ
(c) 2006 by A1275

Still Life

2006-09-19T21:17:00.000-04:00

Still Life
(c) 2006 by A1275

Me Again

2006-09-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Me Again
(c) 2006 by A1275

Just Me

2006-09-17T21:26:00.000-04:00

Just Me
(c) 2006 by A1275

Mmmm

2006-09-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

Mmm
(c) 2006 by A1275

Bubbling II

2006-09-15T21:43:00.000-04:00

Bubbling II
(c) 2006 by A1275

Almost Ready

2006-08-25T10:47:00.000-04:00

Almost Ready
(c) 2006 by A1275

Reflection

2006-08-24T10:45:00.000-04:00

I love this one, because it turned out exactly like I had it in my head.
(c) 2006 by A1275

With Each Step

2006-08-23T10:39:00.000-04:00

With Each Step
(c) 2006 by A1275

Taking a Break

2006-08-22T10:36:00.000-04:00

One of the employees at Slater Mill. Added some grain to make it look oooooooooold. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Slater Mill, II

2006-08-21T19:24:00.000-04:00

This is the outside of the building where yesterday's shot was taken.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Slater Mill

2006-08-20T19:21:00.000-04:00

Someday I'm going to re-process this a little better. The figure in the right side of the frame is really a statue, and the figure on the left side of the frame is an employee in costume who just happened to be walking through the shot.

I highly recommend a tour of this historic museum and property. The staff is just as nice as they can be, and highly knowledgeable about all the items you see. Oh yeah, and photography is allowed!
(c) 2006 by A1275

Flax, Again

2006-08-19T19:20:00.000-04:00

This is what flax looks like when it's growing in the field. The little brown buds contain seeds, used for making flaxseed oil. You need a ton of them to crush to make oil, probably why it's so expensive.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Flax

2006-08-18T19:15:00.000-04:00

This is real, honest to God flax. Flax is the plant that, after being beaten and combed, have fibers that are used to make linen clothing. This is after harvest, but pre-spinning. Shot at Slater Mill in RI.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Jamaican Man

2006-08-17T19:14:00.000-04:00

Unknown polo player.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Jenny, from the Block

2006-08-16T19:01:00.000-04:00

That's Blockbuster. Except she doesn't work there anymore. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Beckie's Belly

2006-08-15T18:58:00.000-04:00

Beckie's Belly
(c) 2006 by A1275

Ready to Eat

2006-08-14T18:55:00.000-04:00

Ready to Eat
(c) 2006 by A1275

Ready for Use

2006-08-13T18:49:00.000-04:00

Ready for Use
(c) 2006 by A1275

New Best Friend

2006-08-12T18:46:00.000-04:00

New Best Friend
(c) 2006 by A1275

Belfast, Maine at Night

2006-08-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

Belfast, Maine at Night
(c) 2006 by A1275

How to Dress Up a Stone Wall

2006-08-10T10:19:00.000-04:00

For Derek

2006-08-09T10:18:00.000-04:00

We shot this one for Michelle's fiance, Derek. He's just shipped out to Iraq to serve our protect our country.

Thank you for your service, Derek.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Transportation II

2006-08-08T10:20:00.000-04:00

Here I used the Simply Vintage action (from Aly) from atn.central. I'm not sure which version I like better, so you get both today.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Transportation

2006-08-08T10:19:00.000-04:00

Shot for the Transportation challenge - didn't wind up entering as I used an action that was illegal under basic editing.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Looking at You

2006-08-07T10:18:00.000-04:00

Michelle again. There'll be lots more of her this month, as I get through the editing process.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Bubbling

2006-08-06T23:56:00.000-04:00

Never really tried a white on white shot before. Tested out my new paper backdrop as opposed to the muslin - what a great deal to not have to clone out wrinkles!

Just milk in a little white bowl, blow some bubbles like when you were 5, and pull back and shoot like mad before they pop. Actually took a few tries to get a properly rounded bubble mound - believe it or not there is actually a bubble blowing technique to this. A fine balance between suck and blow.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Touch

2006-08-05T18:08:00.000-04:00

She's baaaaaaack! :) Thanks 'Shell!

What fun to have a model who poses for hours and hours and never gets tired and loves almost everything you shoot.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Meditation II

2006-08-04T07:58:00.000-04:00

This is, by far, my fave of the smoke shots. I can't believe I overlooked it in favor of the one I actually entered, but since it scored highly (for me at least) I'm not going to cry over spilled milk.

Glad I went back in the folder to edit again. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Meditation

2006-07-31T09:45:00.000-04:00

Entered into the Zen challenge. I fudged the date a little because I didn't want to upload it and break anonymity. :)

This actually wound up placing in the top 10% of the challenge, meaning I've attained a personal goal for challenge entries in 2006! Yay!
(c) 2006 by A1275

Whirls and Swirls

2006-07-30T07:58:00.000-04:00

Incense smoke against a black background. I think this is a little too blue, but whatever.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Under the Influence of Zen II

2006-07-29T07:57:00.000-04:00

Same plastic bag as yesterday. I think I like the other one better, though. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Under the Influence of Zen

2006-07-28T07:55:00.000-04:00

Shot for the Zen challenge at DPC, but I wound up submitting something else.

This, friends, is an ordinary plastic bag from the local grocery store - the kind you rip off the roll and put fruits and veggies in. Put the camera inside the bag, and desk lamp outside the bag shining through it. Move the folds around a bit, and voila! - instant abstract macro.

I dunno, I thought it was kind of cool.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Intent

2006-07-24T22:13:00.000-04:00

Untitled

2006-07-23T18:05:00.000-04:00

Dreaming of You

2006-07-22T23:22:00.000-04:00

Dangling

2006-07-22T22:39:00.001-04:00

Dangling
(c) 2006 by A1275

Just Playing

2006-07-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

Little Man

2006-07-22T22:38:00.000-04:00

Repose

2006-07-22T22:37:00.000-04:00

Tug

2006-07-18T15:33:00.000-04:00

Tern, from Tequesta

2006-07-17T15:32:00.000-04:00

Russ

2006-07-16T15:30:00.000-04:00

Volley

2006-07-07T19:22:00.000-04:00

The Celebrity

2006-07-04T11:11:00.000-04:00

This is my brother, who finally agreed to a few poses after I plied him with liquor. In my family, we tease him and call him The Celebrity because he's in the radio business, both as a Production Director for 8 stations and also as an on-air personality. Whenever you go 'round town with him he's known everywhere, which can make for some interesting times depending on what you want to accomplish in the frolic department.

This last weekend, he's discovered the joys of IM. He learned the most important thing about IM, which is that "Ben is not a TOY," and also, the power of the LOL.

J/K

XO, Brother!

(c) 2006 by A1275

Joey

2006-06-29T22:39:00.000-04:00

Joey.

I think I nailed this one. It's my absolute fave in the series. If you knew him, you'd know why.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Finest in Machias

2006-06-25T22:52:00.000-04:00

The Chief

2006-06-24T22:59:00.000-04:00

Show Me Your....

2006-06-23T23:09:00.000-04:00

Yes, there is a story behind this, but I'm not telling it! :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

I picked this one for today!

2006-06-22T08:33:00.000-04:00

2006-06-21T08:10:00.000-04:00

Brother Dan
(c) 2006 by A1275

2006-06-21T08:06:00.000-04:00

#6
(c) 2006 by A1275

2006-06-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

Me, too.
(c) 2006 by A1275

2006-06-11T13:54:00.000-04:00

Steve, too
(c) 2006 by A1275

2006-06-11T13:51:00.000-04:00

Steve
(c) 2006 by A1275

2006-06-11T13:47:00.000-04:00

Me
(c) 2006 by A1275

Not Yellow Anymore

2006-05-29T21:00:00.000-04:00

Not Yellow Anymore
(c) 2006 by A1275

Little Something

2006-05-29T02:39:00.000-04:00

Little something I found in my backyard.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Road to Nowhere

2006-05-18T02:37:00.000-04:00

This is the farm just down the road apiece from where I live. The white fence just gleams in the afternoon sunlight.

One of those shots that you drive by every single day and think, "Oh, someday I need to take a picture of that..." but you never find the time. Today, I stopped and savored the sight a bit more.

Having seen it now, I wish I had a focal point here. A good excuse to go back!
(c) 2006 by A1275

Abstract Macro

2006-05-17T00:21:00.000-04:00

My very first abstract macro! I had no idea I had it in me....
(c) 2006 by A1275

Just Beginning

2006-05-16T00:20:00.000-04:00

I used to know what the name of this was. It looks like spit, but it's really some kind of egg sac for some stupid bug I'll probably wind up killing in my basement later this summer.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Cow Path

2006-05-15T00:18:00.000-04:00

This is the remnants of the old cow path on the (now non-working) farm where I live. The stone walls naturally herded them from the barn to the pasture. Now it marks the yard/hayfield.
(c) 2006 by A1275

A Walk in the Park

2006-05-14T00:06:00.000-04:00

It's pretty easy to find old men in Providence.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Lift Me Up

2006-05-13T20:07:00.000-04:00

I love love love this one; that's why I gave it a very special border.

Someday I will work out a way to not have wrinkles on the floor of the backdrop, but this one was at the end of the shoot and it was already covered in Goldfish crackers and other detritus so I just left them there.

When I grow up, I want to take more shots like these - the kind that show relationships between people and don't need further explanation.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Bubble Fun II

2006-05-12T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hmm, I think this is the first time that Kate's made an appearance; other than her foot, that is.

Without Kate, this little Photo-A-Day project would never have come to fruition. That's because my photography career would never have gotten off the ground.

You see, in my family I'm kind of known for Picking Up New Hobbies, but not so much for Sticking With It. (OK, so my commitment issues aren't limited to my romantic relationships....) There's a story about a stove-pipe and a figure skating demonstration that will have to live in infamy at the holiday dinner table, but for the most part let's just say I believe in being well-rounded and having lots of things to talk about at cocktail parties

So when I gleefully announced during Thanksgiving festivities a few years ago that I was taking up photography, I got lots of groans, a few chuckles, and one smart comment that went along the lines of "Too bad you couldn't take a picture of that stove pipe you busted up...."

It was dear, sweet Kate who (although she might secretly have believed this was just another passing phase) pretended to take me seriously and cheerfully agreed to be my first model and let me do a few belly shots for her when she was pregnant. She's still a bit camera shy when it comes to a full portrait session, but she's pretty good with the "Ooohs" and "Aaaahs" which (as you know) is very important from an audience. :)

Anyway, without her support, I might never have gotten started.

Thanks, Katie-bird. I love you, too.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Peek-A-Boo

2006-05-11T19:07:00.000-04:00

Derek, playing peek-a-boo.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Handsome Fellows

2006-05-10T16:57:00.000-04:00

A1275 discovers the power of adjustment layers. At this point, no old picture is safe from a re-edit. I expect to be digging in the archives over the next few days to play with my new skill. Specifically, let me know about edges where I've used the transparency brush to bring an underlying layer through the the front.

Surprisingly, this one has turned into a new favorite of mine, rescued from the trash heap of "shots with too many wrinkles in the backdrop to save."

It's been raining here for several days in a row now. Not just the wimpy sprinkles you sometimes get, but large fat water droplets that have secret radar for the back of your neck and gloomy gray skies just one solid dull mass of icky.

Glad to pick up some new tricks, as the weather was starting to make me cranky.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Just Gillian

2006-05-09T15:13:00.000-04:00

My cousin Gillian, who has only just recently joined the ranks of People With Cell Phones and is now the Text Messaging Queen of the World.

Seriously. We sometimes waste entire days on lyrical nonsense, which makes the unlimited text messaging phone plan a necessity. For example:

Gillian: Tiger, Tiger, burning bright, in the forest of the night. What immortal hand or eye dare shaped thy fearful symmetry?
Me: And Little Black Sambo watched the tiger's race 'round in a circle until they turned into a giant pile of butter for pancakes.
(Sometimes we play little games like this with nouns...I've lost her response now but it had something to do with pancakes.)

Me: What's the word, little bird?
Gillian: What's the scoop, little poop?
(Sometimes our games revolve around adjectives and rhyming. Notice, there is no actual exchange of information here - that's what I mean by utter nonsense....)

I tell you, it's good sometimes to have fun with English. So when I receive a silly text message, I know it's just...Gillian.

Kate's Left Foot

2006-05-08T14:23:00.000-04:00

My cousin Kate's left foot this time. Hey - it can't always be about my body parts, right? And no smart comments about a dearth of T & A, please.

I have no idea what point I'm trying to prove here, but for some reason I do like this.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Naturally Framed

2006-05-07T14:17:00.000-04:00

Another test with the new Wacom graphics tablet. I think I'm getting the hang of using a pen to edit rather than the touchpad mouse.

In my head, this was going to be a way cooler picture. This is another from the covered bridge debacle...from inside the bridge looking out to the little stream that runs under the bridge. I gave the landscape a painting treatment, well, because I could.

I think I give up on covered bridges. I'll have to abandon Little Rhody and head to Vermont for a decent shot of a covered bridge....
(c) 2006 by A1275

Bridge to the Past

2006-05-06T14:03:00.000-04:00

Rhode Island's very own covered bridge. The first one was built about 10 years ago, and then some local kids burned it down so the town re-built it. Little Rhody is not about to let Vermont have all the covered bridges in New England.

Was out shooting stock for a calendar request. Note to self: next time read the request -- when it says "only landscape orientation" it's a good idea to shoot in landscape. This is my try to save a completely boring image that was shot at the complete and total wrong time of the day, but it took me awhile to find it so this is what we get.

I do kind of like how the dirt road goes up and through the frame, though.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Way Up There

2006-05-05T13:48:00.000-04:00

This folks, is a shot of a real live tree logger. I never knew people still did this for a living....

I have a book called "Rhode Island - Off the Beaten Path" and every now and then Kiki and I get bored and try to find some of the unusual landmarks and out-of-the-way touristy-type things mentioned in the book. (Once we spent a whole day looking for a landmark called Devil's Footprints and mistakenly wound up in a trailer park where Satanist's lived due to horrible directions in the book and a misguided police officer, but that's a whole other story for another day.)

So, as usual when we play tourist in our own state using the directions from this book, we were lost and driving aimlessly around hoping to stumble on a place to have lunch. Lo and behold, in the short distance we see a tree fall gracefully to the ground. We decide to stop and see if more trees fall, sensing there could be photographic opportunity or at the least, relief from boredom.

Come to find out, some homeowner had hired this tree logger to cut down a bunch of trees on the property. A tree logger is like a forest cowboy, for the uninitiated. They attach ropes to themselves and climb trees with running chainsaws hanging from their body, and "limb" the trees on the way up. Once they get near the top, they "top off" the tree by cutting it down while they are still attached to it. We got to watch the whole thing and shoot to our heart's content - tree limbs and sawdust flying all about - it was fantastic.

This guy was a real hoot to shoot.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Mossy Post

2006-05-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

So today, Kiki and I went out looking for photo ops. It was super sunny and warm, but not warm enough to take the top off the Jeep. Per Kiki, "It's cold when the wind blows...."

Another image from this shoot will likely be a challenge entry, so while this isn't my favorite one from the day, it's the one that made PAD. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Good Gas Price

2006-05-03T08:33:00.000-04:00

On the original, if you zoom in, it says $0.00 for the gas price - I'm not sure if you guys can see it in this re-sized baby version.

This was outside an antique store, just next to a sign that said "We buy junk, and sell antiques." There certainly was a lotta junk hanging about.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Got Milk?

2006-05-02T08:32:00.000-04:00

This is just one of those random objects I just had to photograph. Ben said it screamed for black and white, so here ya go.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Sprung a Leak

2006-05-01T00:10:00.000-04:00

This was just about the only in-focus picture I took the night of the fire. For some reason, I like it.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Woonsocket Fire

2006-04-30T00:06:00.000-04:00

Local Heroes "

Huge fire here in RI - remembering that one of the current challenges at DPC is "Photojournalism" I set off to go shoot a winner.

What a disappointment. By the time Kiki and I got there, the scene was completely under control - we had to park a freaking half-mile away and hike in, and we could only get as far as the news reporters area. Still, it was rather exciting. Unfortunately, firefighters don't stand still for pictures even when they are taking a quick break, and so this is a bit OOF. By this time, the fire was under control. Firefighters from 46 stations took part; more details are here.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Bonus shot:

"Little Girl Lost "

I was kind of hoping that it wasn't her house that she was watching burn. OOF again, I know, but I like the facial expression.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Things You See on a Back Road

2006-04-29T23:49:00.000-04:00

2006-04-28T08:36:00.000-04:00

Sunrise this morning -- for some reason I was up at the crack of dawn and since that never ever happens in real life I had to document the occasion. :)
(c) 2006 by A1275

Later

2006-04-27T08:36:00.000-04:00

Later
(c) 2006 by A1275

Meghan and Brian

2006-04-24T08:38:00.000-04:00

The Wonder of it All

2006-04-23T21:10:00.000-04:00

Laughing and clapping, that's what today is all about.

Today was a very good day.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Through You

2006-04-22T21:09:00.000-04:00

Today has been kind of a rough day. I'm kind of glad that by tomorrow, today will be over. That's the great thing about time, it heals all wounds and will just pass all by itself, without any effort on my part.

Lately, things that take effort have been on my low priority list.

Today I attended the funeral of my next-door neighbor, George. It was very sad, not so much because I had a close relationship with him but rather because I didn't. In many ways, I felt bad because I didn't feel worse. (I suppose that this is the kind of statement that makes people think I'm cold-hearted.) The truth is that I have a very open heart, and tend to feel things very deeply.

Upon reflection, the main thing that I remember about the funeral is the cloying smell of funeral flowers. Immediately on entering the area where the service was held, the stench of death infused my nose. For me, death smells like yellow flowers. I hereby declare a frigging ban on yellow flowers. I don't know why they ever picked yellow to be the traditional color of funeral flowers. In fact, I actually Googled that today to try to figure it out with no results. In any event, no more daffodils or freaking lilies for me on this PAD project. For awhile, I had forgotten how much I abhor and detest the sight or smell of a yellow flower. Today. the fact that I hate yellow flowers with a passion beyond reason has been freshly re-instilled in my psyche.

Kiki says the only reason I hate yellow flowers again is because they remind me of my Dad's funeral. She's right.

After the whole flower debacle, the other thing I remember is that there was a young girl in a very short black mini-skirt. with a slit up her right thigh so high that I was sure she couldn't have been wearing underwear. In front of the casket they had the Catholic bench thingy where you could kneel and pray, and I recall that when she went to pay her final respects I was sooooo afraid she would bend over and give a right show of her buttocks. All the old men in the place leaned forward in anticipation, and all I could think of was "Please, God, don't let her bend over or else all these old fogeys will surely have a stroke and we'll be right back here again next week."

Wouldn't you know she stood straight and tall, and next weekend I'll probably be playing tennis...which is a good thing.

Anyhow, I titled this picture "Through You" because at the time I took it, I had asked Troy to give me his best "death stare." This was the closest he could come. He doesn't look particularly mean, I know, but the facial expression closely captures my mood today.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Thinking

2006-04-21T22:53:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what goes on in a kid's head, before they know how to talk and can tell you?

Many thanks to Ben, who gave some suggested editing techniques on this one. This one took a lot of work...but I think it's one of my favorites and will likely get posted on my fridge.

Taking my comments to heart and sharpening up the eyes a bit. Many thanks to everyone who's made some suggestions! Today is going to be devoted to returning the favor....

(c) 2006 by A1275

Toy Man

2006-04-20T07:48:00.000-04:00

This is Troy, aka "Toy." He got that nickname because his family has a local toy company, and because he's so much fun to play with.

I'm so glad he married my cousin. It's hard to remember a time now when he wasn't part of our family...we all think quite a bit of him.

There's a house in my hometown that has only ever been owned by two families; the first family to own it could claim a Civil War general who carried the casket at President Lincoln's funeral. The other family is mine; Troy and Meghan live there now. Come to find out, all those hundreds of years ago it was an ancestor of Troy's that actually built the house. When they moved in, it hadn't been lived in for a little while and needed some work. I always thought it was cool that Troy fixed up the house that his ancestor built, and that somehow things had come full-circle again.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Senior Portrait

2006-04-19T01:20:00.000-04:00

My cousin Meghan. She's not a senior, but she said that's what the pose reminded her of, and it's late and I'm too tired to think of a better title.
(c) 2006 by A1275

Brian

2006-04-18T00:59:00.000-04:00

This is my nephew Brian. Here I was playing with some softer focus... Over these next few days I'm going to be trying out some new editing techniques so let me know how it's going.

Over this holiday I actually got to babysit this little fella. OK, OK, it was only while Meghan took a quick trip to the grocery store, and we almost had a bad moment there when the Baby Einstein movie ended and I couldn't figure out how to get back to regular TV and all the toys had already been flung across the room for pure sport. All in all, though, we got to play with toys and dance to happy songs so it was all good.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Derek

2006-04-17T00:46:00.000-04:00

My nephew, IMHO looking all precious.

I really thought that as he grew older he'd be easier to photograph. You know, he'd be able to sit up by himself and play with toys. What I realized is that it's harder instead of easier. He won't sit still! He absolutely refused to sit, stand, or play on the backdrop...he insisted on tottering over to where I was and playing with the tripod or giving hugs to Auntie instead of being quiet and angelic.

Ahh, I'll take hugs any day over a good shot. Wouldn't you?
(c) 2006 by A1275

My Favorite Fire Chief

2006-04-16T00:28:00.000-04:00

A smoldering look from the Fire Chief. He's a bit camera shy, but with a little persuasion we managed to capture this image for posterity.

Many thanks to the Fire Chief for not only going into the station on his day off, but going in on a holiday just to help me make my nephew's Easter extra-special. Not only did we get a ride in a fire truck, but also a personal tour of the station and a super awesome demonstration of a thermal camera.

Fast fact #1: You can lose a structure to fire in as little as 7 minutes.
Fast fact #2: Firemen can get into their gear in 90 seconds.
Fast fact #3: Fire trucks get about 5mpg.

There's more, but that will have to wait until later.

(c) 2006 by A1275

Just Looking

2006-04-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

Another friend of my cousin Gillian's.

The next time I set up my makeshift studio in Meghan's dining room, I'm inviting this dude over for some tough guy shots. He's a super sweetheart in real life, but he's got that rebel look that should go over well at our favorite photography website.

(c) 2006 by A1275