151/365: It's All About Fun

Guess who is playing in the sun and the shade? ME and the kids! I'm also playing around with the processing. I'm having fun.

The first two were taken in the backyard during golden hour. My son's photo was in the shade in the front of the house earlier in the day.

150/365: It's Back, Yay!

I am thrilled that the hot weather is back and so is my camera! Now if only I could tell which one of my screens is giving me the accurate color!

149/365: Budding

This is from a plant in my front yard that is sprouting new buds. I'm looking forward to its return. This is not as sharp as I would've wanted it--oh well!

148/365: A Little Bit of Yellow

Wish this were out in some nice field but it's just a bush on the other side of my backyard fence.

147/365: Looking Out, Looking In

When I took on this 365 project, I knew I had to include the dreaded self-portraits. It's so much easier to stay behind the camera. Getting in front of it, composing a portrait and editing yourself is just not as much fun as doing the same for others. But alas, it's part of this process. So here's me, again.

(PSE edit with a Pioneer Woman action. Taken with the Rebel XT and the 50mm.)

146/365: The Purple Cape

I got her a purple cape to wear to her school's Super Hero day (a Juvenile Diabetes fund-raiser). So we had a little fun in the backyard! She said she wanted to be a flower super hero! LOL

145/365: Super Cooperative Models

My old Rebel and I have been getting re-acquainted. Since this now six-year-old camera does not have high ISO capabilities, I tested it with the Speedlite so I can use it indoors. These "models", otherwise known as my kids' toys, were already sitting in waiting, and I did not have to pose them. They're such happy models!

 Poor Buzz--he looks uncomfortable bearing the weight of my daughter's ukulele!

144/365: Weekday Brunch

Hubby was off work today so we both attended a special assembly at my daughter's school. Her preschool class "led" the assembly today. Afterward, with son at daycare, we had a rare opportunity to go eat sans kids. So we hit up Cora's, a breakfast/lunch place that specializes in ornate breakfast platters with lots of fruit. They make several different types of Eggs Benedict--one of our favorite breakfast splurges. Today, I had the asparagus and swiss cheese Eggs Benedict. Yum! Right after brunch, we took my camera to the local Canon repair center expecting to have a quick fix to a cosmetic problem with my 7D. Alas, I had to leave it! So, until it's back in my hands, I'll be using my old Rebel XT.

143/365: More Blooms

I am really enjoying getting up close and personal to the things we take for granted! These are captures I took on the way home from the playground!

This one is my entry for Favorite Photo of the Week:

142/365: Golden Hour Practice

My neighbor J. was a willing model for me today. It was so cool to have a model that was calm and followed directions (unlike my little assistant--yes, my daughter! LOL).

 

141/365: Blooms and Birds

Went walking around the neighborhood for a family stroll again. So glad to be able to enjoy the warm weather and all the lovely blooms of this time of the year. I lived in South Florida for so many years (with practically one season year-round) that I think I have a new appreciation for all the seasons!

Tulips are everywhere--in every color--they are a favorite here!

I must have walked by this plant once a week for the last month and never noticed it was the "bleeding heart"! Their blooms are small so they are easy to miss if you're not paying attention. To me they look like jewelry!

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but it seems to have a colored bloom that wraps itself at the base. Any ideas?

This white flower is the trillium -- the official flower of Ontario. We came upon them in a wooded trail near our house, and to our surprise we found lots of them! They take on a pinkish hue once the bloom is older.

Finally captured this bird--the American robin. We get a lot of these hanging around the neighborhood.

I could not leave these two out! These Canadian geese are practically residents of the neighborhood. This one is clearly feasting among the weeds.

140/365: Backyard Fun

Finally, a hot day here! So we spent some time in the backyard and these were my favorite captures. In the middle one, my daughter extended her hand to her brother!

139/365: Feathered Visitor

It was a lovely afternoon complete with some much needed sun and warmth! I was actually aiming to capture some birds on my neighbor's roof when this little one decided to stop at our house.

Any guesses to what type of bird it is? Shot with my EF 70-300mm  SS 1/200  f/5.6  ISO 320

138/365: Abstract Reeds

Isn't variety the spice of life?! I'm mixing it up here and having some fun in the process. This is what happens when rainy days linger on for what seems like a full week! I am so ready for some sunshine and outdoor fun again!

137/365: Boyish Charm

I have a serious case of mommy goggles with my son today. He is my reserved one and doesn't offer up a smile easily. So when he hams it up for me--swoon! By the way, these are pretty much straight out of the camera--so those are the color of his lips (I did not dial up the color!).

On a separate note: my computer monitor is now calibrated. Alas, I still think my eyes are playing tricks on me!

136/365: iPhone at the Supermarket

Just another busy day full of shopping and running errands. The big camera stayed home so I'm posting my first iPhone photo. The horned melons caught my eye.

135/365: No Stickers and Tattoos for You

We've never said that phrase to her. Yet lately, she's been sassing us with "no stickers and tattoos for you" whenever she doesn't get her way. She wasn't actually saying that to me when I took this picture but she was a reluctant participant--and it shows!

 

134/365: Saturday Night Cuddles

When the forecast calls for five days of rain, I think only the folks in Texas might look forward to the days ahead! We stayed in and looked forward to a movie. Doggies cuddling on laps--that's a bonus!

133/365: Sneak Peek for a Friend

I had a great time photographing my friend Karen today. She was very patient! This is her sneak peek as I have a lot more to edit!

132/365: Inspired Silhouette

I have wanted to try capturing a silhouette for a while but had not felt like I had the opportunity. But thanks to my fellow 365 blogger, Karen, and her post here, I was inspired to give it a try. I like the result!

I can't wait to capture some real horses on our Texas vacation (we'll also be stopping in horse country--Kentucky!). This horsey was shot on top of our backyard fence. Settings: SS 1/200 f/20 ISO 100 with the 50mm lens.

131/365: Keeping it Real at ISO 6400

You know you've done it:  Leaving your picture of the day for the absolute last minute.  I actually took an iPhone photo earlier in the day (mostly because I spotted some geese and wished I had brought my camera when I dropped off my son at daycare).  So, I still have the camera on B&W captures. The first one here is my son. Talk about keeping it real. It's near impossible for me to focus manually in the dark. And, yes, you get foot chops with the 50mm lens. His foot is dangling from the bed. But I dare not move him, because if I do I will wake him up and that's another problem!

So here's my last photo of the day. And, yes, it was past my bedtime!

130/365: Black and White Real

First, I want to say how grateful I am to share my photos and my journey in such a public format and to get such encouraging comments. We're all learning, and it's not always smooth-going. Things in our lives also can take a toll. So today, when I was feeling a little discouraged with this photography journey, I came across a suggestion to put the camera on monochrome setting. So, with a new perspective I shot the following photos. These are SOOC. It's a bit liberating not to have to adjust anything. What you see is what you get. I may keep this up!

129/365: Flower in Her Hair

Taken with the 85mm. This is a PSE edit. I struggle with skintones. I swear I might be slightly color-impaired! If you notice too much of any color on her face, please let me know.

128/365: Mother's Day Flowers

The first one is the arrangement shot with the 85mm. The second two were shot with the 85mm and the Raynox DCR-250, a macro conversion snap-on lens (which can also be used with a dedicated macro lens). The second photo is baby's breath.

 

127/365: Bubbles

Just another afternoon with the kiddos!

126/365: Macro - Texture

I have this little stone votive candle holder that I love. I can't seem to part with it, and I don't even remember how I came to have it. Here's the close up of it followed by a regular shot of it so you see the detail that I was trying to capture. One of these days, I'll have a real macro lens. In the meantime, I'm fiddling!

125/365: Doggone Happy

I think I made my dog's day by giving him a bone! He is licking his chops and loving every minute of it.

124/365: Wild and Wind-swept

My daughter and I went to a nearby park on Wednesday. She was moving around nonstop--and so was the wind! 

123/365: Self-portrait Noir*

It's been a while since I attempted a selfie. So, here it is with a nod to the detective look!  *Okay, hubby pressed the shutter as he served as my human tripod! You know the deal: just make sure the red square is over my eye, honey. I hope I don't look like I'm scowling--cause I wasn't! LOL

Taken with the 50mm and Speedlite.  Settings SS 1/250, f/2.8 ISO 400 +1 FEC. Processed only in LR (if I had PS, you know I would've liquified my chin! LOL)

122/365: Weeds in the Backyard

I had already decided to snap a picture of the pesky weeds that have once again overtaken our backyard. Then my daughter runs out and decides she must pick all the "flowers" -- yes, those very same pesky weeds!  Our lawn guy is supposed to help us get rid of the weeds. It's stressing me out seeing them all over the backyard. I miss the weed-killers we used back in Miami; chemical pesticides are illegal in Canada. I know I should be concerned for the environment but the weeds are sooooo annoying.

This is Daisy, our neighbor's dog. You may see her again in the near future since we are planning a session with her and her family.

On another note, I'm very glad to have completed a third of this Project 365 journey. It's been pretty neat so far!