Metal Fist

Today's project (3/30): Make a photograph that features metal or a metallic surface today.

I had a couple of ideas for this assignment. There were particularly three ideas that I wanted to use, but I really couldn't decide between them which I wanted to use.

One of the ideas was calling to go in an entirely different direction. It wasn't anything physical that was or contained metal. I used a CD and it's case from an album I bought a long time ago. It was the Pantera Greatest Hits album, Pantera being a Heavy Metal band. I then started thinking people probably wouldn't know who Pantera was, and wouldn't make the connection to metal.



I decided to use this photo. I found an old rusty chain, and simply wrapped it around my fist. I tried giving an angry look, though I probably couldn't pass as being intimidating, right?

Inside Cat

Today's project (3/29): Make a photograph that illustrates being inside today.

Easy enough. Right?

Right. Well I wanted to use the pool table again, with some balls inside the pocket. I wasn't too thrilled about the results.

I then looked up and saw this...



Once again, I used Betty. I hate her, but she makes for some good photos, I suppose. Here she is, chilling at the window. As you can see outside, it's a gorgeous day out.

Los Angeles California Temple

Today's project (3/28): Make a black and white photograph and go monochrome today.

This was a rather easy one. My last black and white photo was for a project with an old setting. I used St. Vincent's Catholic church in Los Angeles.



This time around, I decided to continue the black and white theme with another church. The picture above is The Los Angeles California Temple. It's the tenth operating and the second-largest temple operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's on Santa Monica Blvd, right across the street from my work place. Very convenient.

The Ninja in Motion

Today's project (Friday 3/25): Make a photograph of something in motion. Use blur to help convey the motion you are capturing.

I must say, I don't think I've ever had an idea jump in my mind so quick like it did today. As soon as I read "something in motion", I instantly know what, or rather, who, I wanted to use as my subject.



Meet The Ninja. He's a UPS Service Provider. He's one of my drivers from my home building that delivers to Santa Monica. I asked him if I can use him for an assignment, and he agreed to volunteered.

The first picture I took, I was standing on the sidewalk as he drove by in his UPS Package Car. Although he was driving (fast) down a major street, I wasn't complete sure I wanted to use that particular photo. For one, I didn't like the color of the sky. Second, there were other cars around it that I didn't like in the shot either.

I then met up with The Ninja at the Brentwood Country Mart on 26th St. in Santa Monica. He was interested in my assignment and was excited to have pictures taken.

I decided to use this particular photo because not only does it show him with his deliveries, but I also like the many colors around him, including the sky. Although he's not walking very fast... actually, nevermind, I lied. He's VERY fast.

Many thanks to The Ninja for his services.

A Path in Time

Today's project (Thursday 3/24): Make a photograph featuring a path, road, or trail that leads the eye through the photograph.

Come to think about it, as I am typing this and re-reading the assignment, I don't think I should have used this one. Although it does feature a path, I don't feel it really leads you anywhere.



This path is in the local neighborhood park. It leads to a sun dial placed in the edge of the park.

Layered in Zoom

Today's project (3/23): Make a photograph today that uses layers as a compositional tool.

I had to think about this one for a bit. It wasn't terribly difficult, though I was able to come up with an idea.

I went outside to find something to shoot, when I happened to come upon a lone bee floating around.

It was windy, so the bee wouldn't sit still for too long. I tried to keep my camera as it floated from flower to flower, hoping it'd be still enough to shoot it. As soon as it stopped, I took several shots. This one ended up my favorite.

I then went to photoshop to give it a feeling of zooming in on the bee. I used a blur filter. It was tricky, but I think it came out decent.

A Third Sunset

Today's project (Tuesday 3/22): Illustrate the rule of thirds in a photograph today.

This assignment was a tough one. I almost had forgotten what this meant, but it came back to me.



I had to use a grid setting in the camera to align the shot that I wanted. I had gone with a different view of the horizon, but the peak of the house caught my eye, and I readjusted the angle.

In this photo, I aligned the bottom horizontal line along the edge of the horizon where the housing meets the skyline. As far as the vertical guides, the two trees on the left align with the left guide, while the peak of the roof o the house aligns with the right vertical line.

Triangle Circle X Square

Today's project (Sunday 3/20): Make a photograph that incorporates a circle.



How many circles can you find in this photo?

Holding the Cue

Today's project (3/17): Show your own hand in a photograph today doing something. Reaching, holding, touching, or making a sign.

Initially I had an idea of typing on the laptop, but I really didn't like how those photos came out. I then thought of holding... let's just say a weapon. That didn't out turn out so well, either.

I then turned to the pool table. I tried taking a photo with my right hand, but It wasn't terribly easy to do what I wanted, so I decided to use my tripod.



I tried tinkering with the photo, but then I realized the colors in the shot came out good enough as it is. I used a vivid color setting in my camera. I also liked how the shadows appear from the balls, and my hand.

Green Eyes

Today's project (Tuesday 3/15): Today's color is green. Make a photograph dominated by green today.

I didn't know where to go with this entry. I was thinking of going outside to take a photo of a plant, tree, or something similar. I then thought that it would be too easy.

I then came up with another idea, and I started working on that idea, actually, when I then realized I could do better.



That is when I came up with Betty. She has green eyes. Normally they are a pale green, but sometimes, they can be a bit brighter. I just used the natural sunlight towards her face and took several shots.

I desaturated the image, removing all color, except for her eyes, in order for them to stand out in the photo.

I really do hate taking pictures of Betty though. She's too big of a puff ball.

A Simple King

Today's project (Thursday 3/10): Make a photograph of a beautiful simple shape, such as an egg, today. Utilize lighting and focus to make it sing.

A simple subject, yet I didn't find it so simple. For some reason, this just felt like it would be hard to do. I didn't know what to use, I didn't know what kind of lighting I'd need. Not so simple...



I felt I had to use something small. I got my King from my chess set and decided to use that in the natural sunlight. I didn't have a particular background that would compliment the King, so I placed it on the floor. I also wanted to incorporate it's shadow in the shot.

The King was not so simple.

A Flowing Stream

Today's project (Wednesday 3/9): Make a photograph that features water in one way or another today.

Initially I wanted to use a particular photo for today's entry. I thought it would be perfect for it. Upon working on it through Photoshop, I realized it really wasn't working out. I just wasn't happy too happy with it. Perhaps I may use it for something else.



This photo is from a camping trip. It's one of my favorite photos I took that weekend. I found it early morning as I was taking a walk, so I started shooting.

After I was done with the picture taking, I just hung out there for a while, listening to the relaxing sounds of the flowing stream.

The Great Outdoors

Today's project (Tuesday 3/8): Make a feeling that conveys a sense of being outdoors today.

I have many pictures of the outdoors. I was going to say I have too many, but you can never have enough of photos of anything, especially when you take trips, right?



This photo was taken at a rest stop. We went on a road trip up the I-5 to Salem, Or. It was a very nice drive, as the scenery up north was awesome.

In this rest stop, there was a river that flowed along side it. There were a couple of boats that flowed through there, but I didn't want to use a photo with them in it.

I didn't do much with the actual shot. I adjusted the contrast a bit, and simply added a black border around it.

Red Angels

Today's project (Monday 3/7): Today's theme is red. Red hot? Red paint? Or something else? You decide. Make your photo and then reply with a link!

Another red theme entry? Didn't we do this not too long ago? Anyway, I'm using another baseball themed entry for today.



This was a picture I took of the main entrance to Angel Stadium, behind homeplate, in between the two giant hats. :D

I so can not wait until the baseball season begins.

A Child's Smile

Today's project (Sunday 3/6): Make a photograph of a smile today.

I could have taken a picture of myself, my sister, or someone close by smiling. I had a different idea though. I wanted to display a child's smile.



This is my nephew. He was much younger than he is now. His smile no-a-days isn't the same anymore. As people age, and leave childhood behind, they change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

A child's smile can be so innocent.

Low Contrast

Today's project (Saturday 3/5): Make a low contrast photo today. Concentrate on other cues—such as line and texture—to create your photograph.

I went snorkeling...



Ok, no, I didn't.

Scared in the Tunnels

Today's project (Friday 3/4): Make a photograph of something that you find amusing today.

I once took my nephew to the Los Angeles Zoo. He had never gone prior to the day I took him. We decided to go through the tunnels there. Actually, *I* decided to go through the tunnels there.



As you can see in the photo, he was scared. I know he's a tiny lad, but I just found it amusing that he was a little scared going through the darkness.

Am I mean for that? :D

It'll all worked out, though. I led him through the tunnels, assuring him there is nothing to be afraid of. He was all smiles after that. He even went through by himself.

Trophy's Shadow

Today's project (Thursday 3/3): Make a photograph that features a shadow as your subject today.

In a way, this was easy, but also difficult at the same time. I really couldn't take a picture of anything with a shadow today because it's been overcast almost all day. I was almost worried I wouldn't be able to come up with anything until the sun started peeking through the clouds. At this point, sunlight started coming through my south-facing window. I looked around and noticed my little brother's trophy.



This trophy was given to him during his little league days. It was in 2005 Winter Ball, where he won his team's MVP award for that season. Unfortunately, his Brooklyn Dodgers team ended up in 2nd place.

Art of Music

Today's project (Wednesday 3/2): What kind of other art do you appreciate? Make a photograph that celebrates it today.

Art. What is art? Art is expression. Art is emotion.

One of the forms of art I really appreciate is music. Singers and songwriters can put so much feeling into their music, that it reaches out and touches you.

One of my favorite all time bands is Seether. I was lucky enough to attended this particular concert in Anaheim. I must say it was one of the best shows I've ever been to, simply because I enjoy almost every track in their discography. I feel I can relate to most of their songs.




In this particular photo, the bassist of the band, Dale Stewart, is shown with an acoustic guitar. Notice I said bassist. In one particular song, Broken, Dale picks up guitar duty while the lead singer, Shaun Morgan, sings.

To hear the song "Broken", I included the music video for it.

Day After Day

Today's Project (Tuesday 3/1): Find a repeating pattern today and make a photograph of it.

A repeating patter can be any number of things. It could have meant a design, a structure, or anything else.



I decided to go with this picture. A calendar with my company's logo on it. Everyday, it's the same deal. Everyday, I had to adjust my driver's work. Everyday... day after day.