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  2. Daily Photos

My Best Daily Shots

Thanks for stopping by to view my daily photo! I will post a new photo each day to this gallery. Typically, I will post early morning, and the photo will have been taken the day before. Sometimes the photo may be from sometime earlier in the week, but all the pictures posted will be relatively new. I hope you see something that makes you smile. Feel free to leave professionally appropriate comments. Here's a link to the SmugMug Daily Community.
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01/28/12 - Rainbows My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/rainbows.html Today's daily is both inspired, pretty, and scientific. What you're looking at is a macro of a CD (really a DVD) that was put in the microwave for 7 seconds. A special thanks to <a href="http://www.vandanaphotography.com/Photography/Photo-a-day/Daily-Photos-2008/4093660_Bh3TR8#!i=263528069&amp;k=itNdz">Vandana</a> and <a href="http://www.dmwardphotography.com/POTD-Gallery/365-Project/20845197_bPLCHk#!i=1688053125&amp;k=VM9HXNR&amp;lb=1&amp;s=A">Dianne Ward</a> for their inspiration. I saw their beautiful photos yesterday and was motivated to give it a try myself. If you're wondering more about why CDs reflect rainbows, <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question52.htm">here's a geeky explanation</a> that I understood. I took about 250 pics, and the hardest part was holding everything still so as to not blur the images and actually taking images with the rainbow color that did not also contain a SP. Hi! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688901541&amp;k=Lk6qmXX">SmugMug Link</a> This is the CD after 7 seconds in the microwave on high (my microwave is pretty powerful). &nbsp;Don't let the chemicals quickly igniting and burning out around 5 seconds cause you to jump too bad! &nbsp;It's just a small flash. &nbsp;Turning the fan hood on the stove on is a good idea too as there is a bit of a chemical smell for a few minutes. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688901801&amp;k=2HBVdgr">SmugMug Link</a> A couple other pics that I liked: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688902170&amp;k=KJZPLBT">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1689241351&amp;k=gkfhhVZ">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1689241368&amp;k=W8fTWrs">SmugMug Link</a> If you want to give this a try, experiment a lot with the angle you hold the CD relative to the lens. &nbsp;You can make it look like lightning or veins in the body or cracks in ice or wherever your imagination takes you. Most of all if you try it, have fun! &nbsp;Even Donnie was getting in on the act! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688902038&amp;k=MpQNC9G">SmugMug Link</a> My shots were mostly taken under a compact fluorescent light. &nbsp;It might be worthwhile to go out in the sun or try halogen or some other light source. &nbsp;Water or maybe oil on top might produce nice results too! The comments you guys left on my B&W tree yesterday made my day. Thanks! HAGD, Maryann
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01/28/12 - Rainbows My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/rainbows.html Today's daily is both inspired, pretty, and scientific. What you're looking at is a macro of a CD (really a DVD) that was put in the microwave for 7 seconds. A special thanks to Vandana and Dianne Ward for their inspiration. I saw their beautiful photos yesterday and was motivated to give it a try myself. If you're wondering more about why CDs reflect rainbows, here's a geeky explanation that I understood. I took about 250 pics, and the hardest part was holding everything still so as to not blur the images and actually taking images with the rainbow color that did not also contain a SP. Hi! SmugMug Link This is the CD after 7 seconds in the microwave on high (my microwave is pretty powerful).  Don't let the chemicals quickly igniting and burning out around 5 seconds cause you to jump too bad!  It's just a small flash.  Turning the fan hood on the stove on is a good idea too as there is a bit of a chemical smell for a few minutes. SmugMug Link A couple other pics that I liked: SmugMug Link SmugMug Link SmugMug Link If you want to give this a try, experiment a lot with the angle you hold the CD relative to the lens.  You can make it look like lightning or veins in the body or cracks in ice or wherever your imagination takes you. Most of all if you try it, have fun!  Even Donnie was getting in on the act! SmugMug Link My shots were mostly taken under a compact fluorescent light.  It might be worthwhile to go out in the sun or try halogen or some other light source.  Water or maybe oil on top might produce nice results too! The comments you guys left on my B&W tree yesterday made my day. Thanks! HAGD, Maryann

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  • 02/13/12 - Superman and Superwoman Battling Cancer My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/superman-and-superwoman-battling-cancer.html You guys have seen quite a few pictures of Donnie, and you know that he wears his hair pretty short. &nbsp;When my hair was coming out after chemo, we started joking about taking a picture of us as twins. &nbsp;I try to be a good sport. &nbsp;Yesterday was the day. &nbsp;I know some people would never allow themselves to be seen without their wig, but I'm not some people. &nbsp;I am what I am. &nbsp;I appreciate that the wig helps me look more like my usual self, though! &nbsp;Maybe someone else going through a similar situation will see this picture and be a little stronger to deal with their cancer hair loss after seeing my picture. &nbsp;There are awesome super men out there like my Donnie who love you no matter what and don't focus on what you look like on any given day but just remember the pretty girl they fell in love with no matter what. &nbsp;I'm a lucky girl, and Donnie is a good sport. Off to my third chemo today. Then hopefully only one more to go! HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/12/12 - Yates Mill Winter Spillway My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/smugmug-daily-link-yesterday-was-mill.html Note: I redid this image to work on reducing he foliage ghosting. Here's the updated one which is better but still not perfect: http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1708438389&k=tKZV2hc Yesterday was the <a href="http://www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/mill_as_muse2012.htm">Mill as Muse</a> photo reception at Yates Mill. &nbsp;I'm proud to say that Madi won 1st place for her Pink Beauty coneflower shot in the Youth Park and Nature category. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1707613255&amp;k=8v666wL">SmugMug Link</a> Daily Photo Community member, <a href="http://jeffreygraham.smugmug.com/">Jeff Graham</a>, won a well deserved 1st place in the Adult Mill category for this snowy mill shot: <a href="http://jeffreygraham.smugmug.com/popular/#!i=1138002663&amp;k=vSGGE">SmugMug Link</a> In the picture below, Jeff is standing behind Madi (front 3rd from left): <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1708226583&amp;k=F3ccJZR">SmugMug Link</a> Donnie and I were also impressed with an infrared simulated historically pp'ed shot of a wagon which placed in the Adult Park and Nature category as well as a shot of the moon over the mill taken in June near 8PM which placed in the Adult Mill category. Time to start taking photos for next year's contest:-) ! Well, actually, despite the increasing wind and falling temps, Donnie and Madi did walk the Mill Pond Trail with me yesterday, and I pp'ed all the pics with HDR because it was such a cloudy low light day. &nbsp;Donnie says to tell you, "I was there, and it did not look that nice!" &nbsp;The HDR is an improvement. Besides my daily which shows the spill wall, I took a couple of other hdr shots. &nbsp;This is a shot from the boardwalk: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1707611239&amp;k=bcgSzhk">SmugMug Link</a> This is a shot of the mill across the pond: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1707611590&amp;k=cSDX3gx">SmugMug Link</a> And another view across the pond: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1707612472&amp;k=RrCfT7Q">SmugMug Link</a> Not contest entries for next year but not too bad for February:-) I enjoyed spending some time with Madi and Donnie at the mill yesterday and enjoying a nice dinner with Donnie last night. &nbsp;That's a big pork chop in BBQ sauce:-) <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1708251884&amp;k=dX3cX7F">SmugMug Link</a> Thanks for your comments on my Valentine's Day flower card shot... HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/11/12 - Valentine Romance My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-romance.html With all the beautiful flower captures that Susan at <a href="http://wildelifephotography.smugmug.com/">Wilde Life Photography</a> has been posting lately, I just had to go out and buy a bouquet. &nbsp;I have been eyeing flowers for a week and finally saw a bunch that I really liked. &nbsp;I had a heart-shaped vase in mind to put them in and a red felt background to set them in front of. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1706983429&amp;k=xLqgfBH">SmugMug Link</a> I didn't have a lot of time to work on pp'ing, so I went with the tight crop and using an out of focus shot for the background/framing. With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, and thinking of the&nbsp;<a href="http://sisterhoodofthebras.smugmug.com/">sisterhoodofthebras</a>, I also took this image: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1706572222&amp;k=hcHzDzq">SmugMug Link</a> I may play with the flowers some more if I get a chance. &nbsp;Meanwhile, they sure look nice on my kitchen table. Donnie and I went to a stump burning at the Kidd's house (Madi) last night. &nbsp;Danny has been working to get rid of this <a href="http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?id=129">sweetgum tree</a> stump for 3 months now and finally decided to light it on fire last night. &nbsp;The tree died a few years ago and then they had it cut down. &nbsp;The stump remained and was taking up valuable garden space. &nbsp;Danny started digging out around it, tried to have it pulled out with a chain/vehicle, and used various other techniques, and it just would not budge. &nbsp;Kindof reminded me of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-That-Stump-Must/dp/0679889639/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1328978175&amp;sr=8-5">That Stump Must Go!</a> A great book by the way. &nbsp;We have a copy. &nbsp; Here are some pictures of the stump on fire. &nbsp;It was huge, and the fire was hot underneath it when we left for the night. &nbsp;I hear this AM that the stump is tipped over. &nbsp;Woo hoo! &nbsp;I'll have to get a daytime picture! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1706991652&amp;k=WBjB6vr">SmugMug Link</a> Thanks for your warm response to my tractor shot from yesterday... HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/10/12 - Gotta be a Deere! My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/gotta-be-deere.html As I've cut across town this week from Donnie's house on my way to the boys' school in the afternoon, I've passed this barn and been studying the light and angle that I thought would make for a good shot. &nbsp;This location just happens to be less than a quarter mile from yesterday's green barn. &nbsp;I guess this is the week to make stops on that stretch of road. &nbsp;Anyway, I had a few minutes yesterday afternoon when the light was late and warm, and I stopped to grab these images. &nbsp;I was a good girl and got out my tripod so my HDR shots would be more sharp. &nbsp;The green barn HDR was hand held and not as sharp as I wanted. &nbsp;I'm sure some folks thought I was nuts out there along the fence line with my camera but oh well. &nbsp;I took shots from the side and rotated around to the front taking more and then zoomed in on the John Deere tractor to take even more. &nbsp;I ended up liking the tractor shot better than any of the barn shots. Oh well. &nbsp;Gotta love a John Deere, right?!? <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1705607816&amp;k=4h5CGXL">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1705462809&amp;k=QMw8nFj">SmugMug Link</a> We're supposed to actually feel like winter here this weekend. &nbsp;I'll be staying warm and looking for cozy photo ops! Thanks for the comments on my green barn and what colors barns are in other places. HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/09/12 - Little Green Barn My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-green-barn.html I was telling&nbsp;<a href="http://photofreak.smugmug.com/">Photofreak</a> the other day that NC has a lot more green barns than red barns. &nbsp;I always admire the <a href="http://photofreak.smugmug.com/popular/#!i=1170810641&amp;k=QBLiR">red barn</a> shots she posts in her daily gallery. &nbsp;My daily today is one of the green barns I see locally so often. &nbsp;Many of these are used to dry tobacco. &nbsp;I'm not sure what the purpose of this one is. &nbsp;I just liked the trees around it and the dirt road going past it. &nbsp;As I took the shots, I noticed my shadow getting into them. &nbsp;I was able to take some without it yet I liked the ones that contained it too. &nbsp;I thought my daily capture might be a good addition to <a href="http://cbeehner.smugmug.com/">Paula's</a> shadow challenge. &nbsp;This is an HDR image where I tried not to overdo it. &nbsp;There was a tiny white building off in the distance, and I cloned it out because I felt it was distracting. &nbsp;I was parked at the end of a driveway to take this shot. &nbsp;It was one of those times where the dogs on all the adjoining properties went nuts. &nbsp;One owner came out, studied that odd girl taking pictures of what I surmise was his barn, and then went back in. &nbsp;Whew... &nbsp;And, yes, the background image is a close-up of the barn itself. Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1703032522&amp;k=BwZBRkq">SmugMug Link</a> Here's one of the shots without the shadow: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1704269794&amp;k=FRLqFmH">SmugMug Link</a> I stopped at a swampy area yesterday that I pass on the to/from school run each day. &nbsp;I was pleased to see a hawk and get the opportunity to photograph not only him but his mate. &nbsp;I think these are <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1704270133&amp;k=j3DCMdj">red-shouldered hawks</a> vs. the red-tailed hawks that I so often see. &nbsp;All of these images were done on with my <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822123-REG/Canon_PowerShot_SX40_IS_Digital.html">Canon SX40 HS</a> with a digital zoom of approx. an 840mm equivalent. &nbsp;Although the images are not really print quality, I sure did enjoy watching these beautiful birds! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1704270133&amp;k=j3DCMdj">SmugMug Link</a> Here's the &nbsp;swamp area in HDR: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1704076699&amp;k=95ScpjZ">SmugMug Link</a> At another location, I spotted this old homestead that never would be visible in the summer when the leaves are on the trees. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1703666309&amp;k=bskwmWk">SmugMug Link</a> I want to go closer and explore really bad, but there's a no trespassing sign. &nbsp;However, there's a name and number on the sign, so maybe I'll call and ask permission. &nbsp;Better do it quick before the trees leaf out! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1703670305&amp;k=fzFs2RZ">SmugMug Link</a> HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/08/11 - Hermit Thrush My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/hermit-thrush.html My daily post is a picture of a <a href="http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/hermthrush.htm">Hermit Thrush</a>. &nbsp;I've seen this type of &nbsp;bird in my yard before during other winters, but in particular, I noticed that this bird showed up 3-4 days ago. &nbsp;I got lucky tonight, and he/she sat in the food dish for a solid 10 minutes while I prepared dinner. &nbsp;It was pretty easy to capture some shots although the light was low. &nbsp;My favorite is the one I posted which unfortunately has good detail but I cropped off the tail. &nbsp;I'll share this one as my second favorite. The detail is less sharp, but the pose and the whole bird being in the frame are a plus. That whitish line is a fence post way at the back of the yard &nbsp;that I wish was missing from the shot too! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1703034126&amp;k=b7rx3rT">SmugMug Link</a> I took a really neat shot with a shadow today, and it's all I can do to wait to post it tomorrow for Paula's challenge! Thanks for your comments on my blue and red glass shot from yesterday. HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/07/12 - The Cylinder My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/cylinder.html Today's daily is a desperation shot. &nbsp;It was cloudy all day yesterday and Donnie and I watched the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646980/">The Double</a> which we liked and then I was busy doing bills and other paperwork as well as helping the kids with their homework. &nbsp;I just never saw a photo op until it was late in the evening and I noticed that 3 stackable tealight holders that I bought a few weeks ago at the thrift store looked pretty and decided to take some pics of them lit up by my 'mood' lights. &nbsp;I rarely have a real light on at night...just various Christmas and party lights. &nbsp;I didn't even have to move the holders to take the shots:-) &nbsp;The holders are pink, green, and orange, but you can't really see those colors in the shots. &nbsp;I did shots from the side as well as looking down into them: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1702085201&amp;k=sT6ktXd">SmugMug Link</a> You know how I like glass and color. &nbsp;I just couldn't resist. In regular light: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1702246770&amp;k=kc3PFbB">SmugMug Link</a> Maybe they will appear again as a daily next time actually used as tealight holders:-) Not sure if I really like the original image on the background image or not. &nbsp;I really do like the background image, though: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1702085460&amp;k=czvc3nC">SmugMug Link</a> I decided to go with the Robot/Space Valentine's Day card templates from <a href="http://www.wal-mart.com/">Wal-Mart</a> for the boys' cards this year. &nbsp;I printed a test copy and then told them to print more when I saw how cute they were. &nbsp;Joey said he really liked that Johnny got the robot and he got the spaceship. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1702241210&amp;k=MSZh3WB">SmugMug Link</a> Trying to come up with good daily shots as best as I can during the colder winter months when outside flower and bug shots are hard to come up with and landscape scenes are often lack luster. Thanks for all your comments on my pink camellia bloom... HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/06/12 - Delicate Pink Waterdrops My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/delicate-pink-waterdrops.html We had a very cloudy and rainy weekend. &nbsp;Yesterday morning, I decided to take the tripod outside to take some pics. &nbsp;I've posted a pink camellia for my daily. &nbsp;My<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellebore"> helleborus</a> is blooming very nicely: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1699816546&amp;k=mjDwdCw">SmugMug Link</a> My helpers prepared lasagna for our Super Bowl meal. &nbsp;There is sausage and hamburger in it browned with onions and mushrooms. &nbsp;I used Hunts Tomato Sauce (2-15oz.) and Diced Tomatoes (1-15oz.) along with seasonings for the sauce (sugar, chicken broth, oregano, basil, garlic salt, Nature's Own Seasoning). &nbsp;There's shredded cheese as well as ricotta cheese mixed with egg and parsley. &nbsp;I steer away from Parmesan, but you could add that too. &nbsp;Oh, and yes, the stealth health spinach leaves which the boys will actually eat. &nbsp;They wilt nicely as the lasagna cooks. &nbsp;I use the noodles you have to cook as much of an annoyance as that is. &nbsp;It gives me a good excuse to use my pasta pot. &nbsp;My only problem is that I can't seem to prepare a pan any smaller than 16X20. &nbsp;Leftovers anyo <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1700324722&amp;k=2gRV7MT">SmugMug Link</a> I'm working on Valentine's Day cards for the boys to give out at school too. &nbsp;This is one possible one that I made for Johnny: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1700587734&amp;k=JGNDfjx">SmugMug Link</a> The original was taken at Wal-Mart: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1699817805&amp;k=9f9PK9J">SmugMug Link</a> And the background is an out of focus shot near the Hellborus that I tinted pink. &nbsp;I used a heart <a href="http://tatsuyasaverem.deviantart.com/art/Photoshop-Brushes-Hearts-39503043">brush</a> set too. &nbsp;I'm not sure if this card will be the one or not. &nbsp;I've got a few days before I have to print them. At home last night we did a photo shoot with our Valentine's Day teddy bears which also yielded some possible card images: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1700603496&amp;k=QDNKcwx">SmugMug Link</a> Wal-Mart has some card templates that have rocket ships and robots on them. &nbsp;I might just go with those and the pics above. &nbsp;We'll see. Thank you all so much for all the birthday wishes for Donnie... HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/05/12 - Happy Birthday Donnie! My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-birthday-donnie.html We celebrated Donnie's birthday a day early with a special birthday dinner last night. &nbsp;The kids decorated the driveway with very sweet messages done in chalk to welcome his arrival. &nbsp;I fixed NY Strip Steaks, asparagus, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/roasted-potato-wedges/">PW's Roasted Potato Wedges</a>, salad, sauteed onions and squash, and of course for the finale his favorite...a carrot cake from <a href="http://www.stickboyfuquay.com/">Stick Boy Bread Company</a>. I gave him 4X6 <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Children/Shots-to-Print-2011-and-2012/21137657_mWkkLR#!i=1681617469&amp;k=Z5RdGhj">prints</a> taken over the past 3 months of all the fun things we'd done and some Alabama Crimson Tide logo items. There was a special card too: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Inspirations/Inspirations/10386893_GcQ4rP/1691957885_7SCrvS7#!i=1699354589&amp;k=q6S2g6C">SmugMug Link</a> He was such a good sport about the homemade paper Birthday Boy hat:-) Here's a cute video with the boys singing Happy Birthday: <a href="http://youtu.be/2mEXNrjYZf0">Video</a> The cake had special star candles and other candles that had colored flames. &nbsp;It was pretty and everyone was patient while I got the picture and angle I wanted. For someone that means so much to me and who has been there for me during all my struggles in the past year, I definitely wanted to let Donnie know how much he's appreciated and loved. &nbsp;I think if you ask him if he had a good birthday he'll give a resounding yes. &nbsp;Here's to &nbsp;many more wonderful celebrations in our future birthday and otherwise. Thanks for your supportive comments on my Valentine's Day Card series... HAGD and enjoy the Superbowl! Maryann
  • 02/04/12 - Love Makes The World Go Round My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/smugmug-daily-link-i-am-enjoying-making.html I am enjoying making Valentine's Day cards and hope you are enjoying the series. &nbsp;While Donnie was playing with the kids this morning, I designed and created this one using 3 layers (shots) on top of the heart gel cling original shot. All the images were taken this week although not at the same time or even on the same day. &nbsp;One of the top layers is rust, and the other two top layers are just abstract bokeh color shots. &nbsp;I find that these window gel cling shots need texture like rust to get rid of the glass water marks otherwise I &nbsp;might not add so much texture. &nbsp;After I got the image like I wanted it in 8X10 I created a blank white 4X6 (really 12X8) image and then resized my image onto it without maintaining the abstract ratio. &nbsp;The abstract ratio just doesn't matter here. &nbsp; 4X6 is a better card size to print. &nbsp;I try to produce all my cards in 8X10 and 4X6 just in case. Anyway, here's a screen shot showing the layers: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1698177732&amp;k=cfCWpzK">SmugMug Link</a> On another subject, the boys received 2 awards each at an awards ceremony at their school yesterday. &nbsp;I am very proud of them! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1698169931&amp;k=8HGw4Vj">SmugMug Link</a> If you ever meet Johnny in person, and just ask Ms. Lavanya or Ms. Chika, he will give you a hug and start talking up a storm with you. &nbsp;We call him the goodwill ambassador. &nbsp;His award for Kindness is meant to convey that. Working on very important Donnie birthday preparations today. &nbsp;More on that tomorrow! &nbsp;Someone just happens to have their birthday on the Superbowl this year:-) Thanks for your comments on my Google Street View photo. Think chocolate:-) HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/03/12 - Godiva My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/godiva.html This image is NOT mine ~ *the original image above is copyrighted by Google Maps from Street View and is being used for the sole purpose of artistic merit and will not be sold or profited from by the posted individual. Today's POTD was suggested by fellow Daily Photo Community member <a href="http://www.scianghettiphotography.com/Photography/Kim-Scianghetti-Photography/17854723_5gCZXM#!i=1689069553&amp;k=kNTfq8k">Kim</a>. &nbsp;The challenge was to do a screen capture of any place in NYC on Google maps street view, post process it any way you want, and then post it today with the disclaimer as noted above. Since it's February, I couldn't resist posting this <a href="http://www.godiva.com">Godiva</a> chocolate ad on&nbsp;646 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016. I have romance and chocolate on the brain these days. Donnie is always surprising me with a tiny Reese's Peanut Butter Cup or a butterscotch:-) I intentionally tinted the image to Valentine's Day colors in Color Efex Pro. &nbsp;Here are the filters: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1696651558&amp;k=b97J9tq">SmugMug Link</a> Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1696637137&amp;k=pRbwD9N">SmugMug Link</a> The light was very pretty in my yard yesterday morning, and the flowers are popping out. &nbsp;I just wish this bloom didn't have the brown spots. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695942766&amp;k=TrtpSN9">SmugMug Link</a><br /> I was able to create some cool new textures/backgrounds too. &nbsp;This is the sky filtered through some tree branches: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695942860&amp;k=N6c7HvQ">SmugMug Link</a> This one is light on brown oak leaves: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695942007&amp;k=NMrDb3n">SmugMug Link</a> Look at this spring beauty! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1696610932&amp;k=NFBZVLp">SmugMug Link</a> Thanks for your comments on my B&W trail shot... HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/02/12 - A Stroll in the Park My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/stroll-in-park.html I'm feeling much better today...thanks. &nbsp;The antibiotic seems to be doing what it was supposed to. I know we hit at least 71 here yesterday. &nbsp;Wow, right?!? &nbsp;Shoot, the low at 6AM this morning was only 55. &nbsp;This is definitely the winter that wasn't. &nbsp;February is usually our most miserable month of the year with lots of clouds, wind, and precipitation mixed in with chilly for us temps. &nbsp;So far...not! Donnie helped me get my <a href="http://events.fayobserver.com/raleigh-nc/events/show/240327904-the-mill-as-muse-art-photography-exhibition">Mill as Muse</a> photo submissions in over at Yates Mill yesterday, and we had another of our wonderful picnic lunches and did the 1 mile mill pond loop walk. &nbsp;I did take it easy...promise. &nbsp;Sun and warm temps mixed with Donnie is great medicine. &nbsp;I took some shots, but we ran out of time to take more. &nbsp; Although it was such a cheery day and the light on the path so pretty, somehow I thought my daily shot looked better moody, so I Tinted it in Picasa and applied a Vignette using a CoffeeShop action. &nbsp;I also cropped to 8X10. Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695720613&amp;k=sXqcg2N">SmugMug Link</a> I really liked this stump which looked like a heart: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695720995&amp;k=QNdVcxL">SmugMug Link</a> Here's a collage showing more shots from our day: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695722907&amp;k=dPv7q5D">SmugMug Link</a> The folks out on the canoe are most likely NC State University students. &nbsp; If you visit this <a href="http://www.ncsu.edu/project/yates-mill/home.htm">link</a>, you'll read that NC State University actually owns the land and that Wake County and Yates Mill Associates work with NCSU to keep the mill in good condition and allow the public to enjoy the park. &nbsp;Two of &nbsp;the miller's were actually on the water flume yesterday doing some repair work. &nbsp;See the photo on the second row far right of the collage. &nbsp;They do a great job of keeping the mill repaired and in running operation. Here are the shots I submitted for the Mill as Muse photo contest: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695720214&amp;k=dLNX7x7">SmugMug Link</a>&nbsp;- Mill Category - Titled Yates Mill Christmas Card <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695720243&amp;k=VBj8shR">SmugMug Link</a>&nbsp;- Park Nature Category - Titled Future Photographer I entered this shot for Madi: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695720256&amp;k=9Q44PFX">SmugMug Link</a>&nbsp;- Park Nature Category - Titled Pink Beauty Donnie and I will attend the reception on February 11th to see how we did. Look what I saw this AM when I did a Google search on Yates Mill: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/February-2012/21295967_jprxmk#!i=1695823055&amp;k=8Gq6KnB">SmugMug Link</a> Notice the photos with the gray bar that say 'You'. &nbsp;Yes, those are mine. &nbsp;Best as I could tell, those images are uploaded to Picasa in one of my Public galleries and have YatesMill in the .jpg name somewhere. &nbsp;There was one image that seemed to show up just because it was in a gallery with YatesMill in the album title. &nbsp;None of these images was tagged. &nbsp;I might try to get a few more images that would be ones I'd really want to see to show up...in my free time:-) HAGD, Maryann
  • 02/01/12 - Mirror, Mirror on the Tree My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/02/mirror-mirror-on-tree.html Donnie said you all had him blushing with the comments on his portrait yesterday. &nbsp;Thank you. Unfortunately I came down with a fever high enough yesterday to give us both a scare. &nbsp;Fever when you're having chemo is not a good thing. &nbsp;Thank goodness for 24-hour pharmacies. &nbsp;They put me on an antibiotic and told me I could take Tylenol and I'm doing better this morning. I didn't get to take any new pics yesterday:-( &nbsp;I did rework this tree picture while Donnie was going to the pharmacy. &nbsp;I needed something to soothe how I was feeling. &nbsp;I took this shot of the tree at the Eno River on Monday and had in mind Mirror Mirror on the Tree or something like that. &nbsp;I wanted to put a picture in the hole were the branch had been but wasn't sure what picture. &nbsp;Me? &nbsp;An oasis? &nbsp;What? &nbsp;Last night I quickly picked the West Point Mill shot. I used <a href="http://johnloguk.smugmug.com/">John Bennett's</a> pp technique on the tree shot to give it a pseudo hdr look. &nbsp;I wanted to emphasize the lines in the tree. &nbsp;The highlights, contrast, and shadow sliders are all pushed all the way to the right. &nbsp;I simply did a select and cut of the hole and then slid in the layer of the mill shot which I then reduced in size and converted to a sepia sortof color. I don't really think what I did has the&nbsp;pizzazz&nbsp;I was hoping for, but it's what you get for today considering how yesterday went. &nbsp;Here's a reverse version where the tree is B&amp;W and the mill shot is in full hdr color. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1694223955&amp;k=4VC4nkp">SmugMug Link</a> HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/31/12 - Donnie At West Point Mill on the Eno My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/donnie-at-west-point-mill.html Between two doctor's appointments yesterday, Donnie and I had a picnic lunch and a short walk at West Point Mill on the Eno River. It was a glorious January day...57 degrees, calm winds, and bright and sunny. Although there were pretty landscapes, mill shots, daffodils, and textures everywhere, Donnie looked too handsome in this portrait not to use this picture as my POTD. Our view during the picnic was the mill itself: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1693106723&amp;k=dwB9XCG">SmugMug Link</a> And our view on our walk was the river: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1693315358&amp;k=SW5Znd6">SmugMug Link</a> I studied some of the gears and other mill equipment laying outside the mill: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1693318049&amp;k=3pLgqjs">SmugMug Link</a> And we enjoyed comparing the bridge in this park to the ones we had seen in Smithfield on Saturday. &nbsp;We expected this bridge to be made by the same compaby, Contech, but it was made by <a href="http://www.excelbridge.com/">Excel</a>. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1693315205&amp;k=Wk3c38w">SmugMug Link</a> I am really enjoying collecting texture and background shots right now. &nbsp;I realize there is a fine line between having a good assortment to choose from and having so many you can't find the one you want or make up your mind, yet I'm generating quite the <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=1693313139&amp;k=HDRPzfw">gallery</a> now. <a href="http://papamugger.smugmug.com/">Papamugger</a>&nbsp;will enjoy this water spider and his shadow: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Yates-Mill-Pond/West-Point-Mill-Eno-013012/21265982_8TgVZp#!i=1693111637&amp;k=7nTkFRK">SmugMug Link</a> We enjoyed a very nice dinner after Donnie spent some time bike riding with Joey, Johnny, and Madi. &nbsp;How did we survive out on our own with kids and with no helmets I don't know. &nbsp;The kids had fun. &nbsp;We're working on safety skills:-) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKO0V7gugl4">Video</a> Thanks for your comments on my heart gel cling shots. HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/30/12 - Love Is Always Give and Take... My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/love-is-always-give-and-take.html I didn't have a chance to take many new pics yesterday, so I decided to process another of the heart gel cling shots from my window. Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690419454&amp;k=m3XfnsR">SmugMug Link</a> Here's the texture which I took in Smithfield on Saturday: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=1690431883&amp;k=HPwKDm7">SmugMug Link</a> I didn't have to desaturate it; it didn't have much color to begin with. Here are the filters I used in <a href="http://www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro/usa/index.php?view=intro%2Fmain.shtml">Color Efex Pro</a>: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1691280071&amp;k=vZsKVfv">SmugMug Link</a> I tried the text along the bottom as a straight line again, but BORING. &nbsp;I experimented and came up with the arches. &nbsp;It's different:-) &nbsp;The text is two layers...one for each arch. &nbsp;I rotated the arches to fit the curve as well as fidgeting with the bend of the arch. &nbsp;I didn't get too many new gray hairs, but I did have to finesse them for a while to get them right or at least as good as they are. &nbsp;I had issues with the text being readable, so I also had to try several fonts to get one that showed up the way I wanted it to. &nbsp;This is Melanie BT. &nbsp;Loriah BT didn't work very well. When I saw the big heart and the little heart, it reminded me of how love is never quite fifty-fifty. &nbsp;How sometimes one person carries more of the load than the other but that hopefully it's a back and forth give and take where each can carry the relationship when needed. There's one more card I created last night which I'll share: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1691661728&amp;k=8Vgkv9v">SmugMug Link</a> Maybe I like it better than the one I've posted. &nbsp;Oh well. I created this texture overlay from a<a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=1690431591&amp;k=6LXsqGz"> bokeh shot</a> and a<a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=1690431807&amp;k=BDt327G"> rust shot</a>&nbsp;both taken in Smithfield on Saturday: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1691661636&amp;k=xJDpSVK">SmugMug Link</a> I thought it looked like a mossy tree. &nbsp;Textures are addicting! Original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690419461&amp;k=JKVDqWB">SmugMug Link</a> I had to work to get rid of the whitish spot in the lower right corner on the original as well as repair the top of the larger heart. &nbsp;Color Efex Pro Polarization and one other filter were also applied. Hopefully you're getting in the romantic Valentine's Day spirit now:-) HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/29/12 - Two Hearts Beat as One My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-hearts-beat-as-one.html I'm never one to leave my holiday posts until the last minute:-) &nbsp;We have our Valentine's Day decorations up, not that there are that many, and Johnny and I have been enjoying these gel clings on our family room window. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690419355&amp;k=pfs3smq">SmugMug Link</a> I used those clings in combination with this rusty texture to create today's card. &nbsp;The window was dirty and had water spots on the original, so really, I just about had to add a texture. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=795267519&amp;k=wfcXK">SmugMug Link</a> With Donnie in my life, it's easy to be motivated to create images like this... Original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690419121&amp;k=vNtVvmn">SmugMug Link</a> Donnie and I went to Smithfield yesterday and walked about 3 miles along where the Neuse River flows through town on the <a href="http://www.visitsmithfield.org/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/89-buffalo-creek-greenway.html">Buffalo Creek Greenway</a>. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690428293&amp;k=LGHWFLm">SmugMug Link</a> We saw some very interesting things on the walk including a historic bridge crossing. &nbsp;The Neuse River is a major waterway in North Carolina, and getting across 100 or more years ago would not have been trivial. &nbsp;Donnie enjoyed wondering about the engineering of a crossing that large over the years and how it went from a covered bridge to the modern day bridge that now stands just a few yards away. &nbsp;I liked the waterfall noise of the runoff coming down off the road and flowing into the river over the rocky terrain. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690432230&amp;k=kpDQjDs">SmugMug Link</a> We also saw the <a href="http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=14654">Hastings House</a> which was General Johnston's headquarters during the Civil War as well as the town's time capsule to be opened on the tricentennial in 2077. &nbsp;Yep, this town, Smithfield, was founded in 1777. &nbsp;Not obvious to those who don't live in central NC is that Smithfield is in Johnston &nbsp;Country:-) &nbsp;Everything has a history... &nbsp;Now I know. &nbsp;Of course Donnie already new that. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690433050&amp;k=ctxbN2p">SmugMug Link</a> Donnie pointed out this vanishing point under the new bridge and we saw that when it floods water can get up to 30' under the bridge before hitting the new bridge trusses. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690438866&amp;k=xXMgFLM">SmugMug Link</a> And views along the Neuse River... <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690440594&amp;k=h34hLQK">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://www.contech-cpi.com/Products/Bridges-and-Structures.aspx">Contech</a> makes these really nice bridges that are installed throughout the greenway, and we enjoyed studying them too. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690444343&amp;k=QHG3bvz">SmugMug Link</a> There was a cemetery, pigeons, and cool spider webs along the walk too. &nbsp;A real treat to enjoy on a 60+ degree January day. &nbsp;We heard frogs and crickets and saw many families out enjoying the day too. &nbsp;Informative, calm, peaceful, and relaxing... <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1690447506&amp;k=9wcZW86">SmugMug Link</a> Thanks for all your comments on my rainbow shot from yesterday... HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/28/12 - Rainbows My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/rainbows.html Today's daily is both inspired, pretty, and scientific. What you're looking at is a macro of a CD (really a DVD) that was put in the microwave for 7 seconds. A special thanks to <a href="http://www.vandanaphotography.com/Photography/Photo-a-day/Daily-Photos-2008/4093660_Bh3TR8#!i=263528069&amp;k=itNdz">Vandana</a> and <a href="http://www.dmwardphotography.com/POTD-Gallery/365-Project/20845197_bPLCHk#!i=1688053125&amp;k=VM9HXNR&amp;lb=1&amp;s=A">Dianne Ward</a> for their inspiration. I saw their beautiful photos yesterday and was motivated to give it a try myself. If you're wondering more about why CDs reflect rainbows, <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question52.htm">here's a geeky explanation</a> that I understood. I took about 250 pics, and the hardest part was holding everything still so as to not blur the images and actually taking images with the rainbow color that did not also contain a SP. Hi! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688901541&amp;k=Lk6qmXX">SmugMug Link</a> This is the CD after 7 seconds in the microwave on high (my microwave is pretty powerful). &nbsp;Don't let the chemicals quickly igniting and burning out around 5 seconds cause you to jump too bad! &nbsp;It's just a small flash. &nbsp;Turning the fan hood on the stove on is a good idea too as there is a bit of a chemical smell for a few minutes. <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688901801&amp;k=2HBVdgr">SmugMug Link</a> A couple other pics that I liked: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688902170&amp;k=KJZPLBT">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1689241351&amp;k=gkfhhVZ">SmugMug Link</a> <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1689241368&amp;k=W8fTWrs">SmugMug Link</a> If you want to give this a try, experiment a lot with the angle you hold the CD relative to the lens. &nbsp;You can make it look like lightning or veins in the body or cracks in ice or wherever your imagination takes you. Most of all if you try it, have fun! &nbsp;Even Donnie was getting in on the act! <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1688902038&amp;k=MpQNC9G">SmugMug Link</a> My shots were mostly taken under a compact fluorescent light. &nbsp;It might be worthwhile to go out in the sun or try halogen or some other light source. &nbsp;Water or maybe oil on top might produce nice results too! The comments you guys left on my B&W tree yesterday made my day. Thanks! HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/27/12 - Moody Tree My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/moody-tree.html It was foggy here yesterday morning, and I stopped to take a picture of a bare tree that always catches my eye on the trip to/from the kids' school. &nbsp;I got out the tripod because the light was low and I knew I wanted to take some bracketed images. &nbsp;I thought I might try to process the shot to look like my foggy tree daily from November 2010: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Daily-Photos/My-Best-Daily-Shots/8520201_2XhdHz#!i=1101819941&amp;k=qvkMb">SmugMug Link</a> but I never saw the same potential in &nbsp;yesterday's tree and shots, so I started experimenting with other processing styles. Here's the original correctly exposed shot: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1687918106&amp;k=2NN345N">SmugMug Link</a> I knew when I took the shot that I was going to want to get rid of the partial tree in the upper left. &nbsp;Bothers me. &nbsp;Might not bother you. Here's the HDR version straightened up a bit and with the left branch removed: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1687918324&amp;k=6XnwNDX">SmugMug Link</a> It's OK, but it doesn't make me feel any emotion. &nbsp;It looks about like any other outdoor scene I would shoot around here in the winter and pump through <a href="http://www.hdrsoft.com/">Photomatix</a>. &nbsp;So, I kept going. This is the tree with a Plaster filter on it: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1687918702&amp;k=G84ZJ4F">SmugMug Link</a> I happen to really like that version, but I wasn't sure how the daily community would receive it. &nbsp;I really struggled on what text, what font, and what location and shape for the text. &nbsp;I was about to get really frustrated. I decided to see if I liked what any of the filters in Color Efex Pro would do. &nbsp;Here's what I call the 'blue' version: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1687918420&amp;k=QSPVSXf">SmugMug Link</a> I love blue (and red), and the colors here really work for me. &nbsp;There were about 5 filters on this in Color Efex Pro and I didn't keep track of which ones. I wanted to try a texture, and I kept going. Here's the blue version with a texture: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1687918691&amp;k=Vz8Zh3k">SmugMug Link</a> This shot didn't have a lot of negative space, but I think I like the texture with it anyway. But then I thought I'd see what B&amp;W looked like, and then I felt like that was the one. &nbsp;It's rare for me to do a B&amp;W conversion and feel like there's any depth to the tones of my shot. &nbsp;I guess all those fancy filters and colors before the B&amp;W conversion helped. You can tell me which one you like best or how you think you would have set about pp'ing the photo. &nbsp;I'd be interested to hear. Thanks for all your comments on my I LOVE YOU card. You know how I love to experiment and make cards... HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/26/12 - I LOVE YOU My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-love-you.html Every once in a while I like to pull out my LED color changing base and one of the glass cubes that goes on it and create a picture. &nbsp;I was at the <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/home.jsp">Dollar Tree</a> store earlier in the week, and bought the glass cube that I used for today's daily. &nbsp;Two years ago, I created this image from one of the cubes: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Daily-Photos/My-Best-Daily-Shots/8520201_2XhdHz#786586392_HyXFH">SmugMug Link</a> Here's the background of today's shot before I altered the color: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=788921672&amp;k=6m8fX">SmugMug Link</a> I rotated it, cropped it to 8X10, and used Color Efex Pro and Color Variations in Elements to adjust the color to my liking. Here's the original text picture: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1686889548&amp;k=LmZmhws">SmugMug Link</a> As you can tell, I straightened, cropped, cleaned up the dust, and altered the color. &nbsp;I had taken about 30 pics &nbsp;of the cube catching various colors from the LED color changing base, and then I set about picking the most sharp one to work with. I was going to stick with a dark/black image again, but when I Inverted the image, I really liked the colors and decided to use that version this time around. There's a simple border and drop shadow around the center image to give it some depth. Of course there are many other ways I could have packaged the original image up keeping it mostly black or inverting it. &nbsp;Tons of different color tints or frames. &nbsp;After trying a few combinations, it was time to pick one. Thanks for your comments on my 'weed' shot from yesterday:-) HAGD, Maryann
  • 01/25/12 - Winter Hues My Blog: http://maryanng.blogspot.com/2012/01/winter-hues.html I really didn't want to post a picture of ragweed as my daily today, but I thought this was the best shot of the ones I quickly took on a photo drive down my favorite dirt road yesterday. Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1685185588&amp;k=HbN77Vt">SmugMug Link</a> Here's the texture I overlayed over it: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Backgrounds/Miscellaneous/4845090_8MPtJf#!i=761430224&amp;k=t9KYb">SmugMug Link</a> I did not desat the colors this time. I also took and worked on this barn shot which I spent some time processing last night: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1685703383&amp;k=77fCVqt">SmugMug Link</a> It's a 3 shot HDR processed with <a href="http://www.hdrsoft.com/">Photomatix</a>, and then I applied the Orton Action which I downloaded from T<a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/">he CoffeeShop Blog</a>. Here's the original: <a href="http://fotomom.smugmug.com/Nature/January-2012/20844772_Mzb9HP#!i=1685184539&amp;k=h2Sm2cM">SmugMug Link</a> Like the last winter barn scene I shot, it's just too full of branches and clutter:-( &nbsp;I'll keep trying. Thanks for your comments on my hand shot from yesterday:-) HAGD, Maryann

  • Rick Willis

    on June 8, 2013

    This is a WOW!
    Incredible Color and Great PP...

  • Katherine Witrick

    on March 16, 2012

    This is really cool. Great pics

  • accidental pro

    on March 16, 2012

    Beautiful!

  • nelli

    on February 24, 2012

    WOW! This seems like quite the trick!! How interesting but the end results are beautiful!

  • Laura Roberts

    on February 24, 2012

    Your photography is awesome...so creative and so skillfully executed! Your "stories" add a lot, too. Thanks for sharing them.

  • 100987laurajohnson

    on January 30, 2012

    Very interesting! This seems to be the challenge of the day! Love the colors here.

  • photofreak

    on January 30, 2012

    Very, very cool and interesting shot Maryann... really creative! I thought I had commented on this on the 28th but when I checked I saw that I had not, I must have fallen asleep. I'm glad it's still around and that I got the chance to comment on it!

  • dakotacowboy

    on January 29, 2012

    beautifully creative

  • Janet McQueen

    on January 29, 2012

    WOW! What an amazing image....!!!

  • Tom Reichert

    on January 29, 2012

    incredible shot mom. real nice work

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