Basket of Pine Cones

My camera club had its second quarter competition and the winning photos were stunning. To try to improve my technique, I decided to get my manual out today and learn some more about my camera. I figured out a couple of features that I have never used but might come in handy. I plan to make a serious effort to learn more about settings and getting more "right in the camera" instead of relying on processing. There will still be many days with average shots posted, but I also hope to have more higher quality images. This shot was an experiment with settings and lighting.

Outside Seating at MSU

Vinca Bud

Taken this morning on my deck.

Trivet

Not much time today, so this is it.

Macaroni

Bucket

Gardening

I had this in the Where's Waldo challenge on DPC for a few days, but put something else in instead.

Pinecone

Stages

MSU Library

Yesterday I was actually using the library, but I hope to go back soon just to spend some time there and to wander around the campus. Lots of good photo ops just waiting to be taken advantage of!

Ductwork

Taken in the MSU library.

Determined

These plants are determined to grow, even through the rock wall.

Lake Osage

This is the small lake at Camp Arrowhead.

Summer Camp

Our Troop's tents at summer camp. Taken last night during "family night".

Tenacious

The last geranium petal won't let go.

Flag Day

Today is flag day in the US. I would have a photo here, but it is on my computer which won't boot. I went to my new laptop, and Vista won't let me sign in to my blog because Billy (Gates) is out to protect me. I then went to my old laptop and tried to use the copy of my photo that is on DPChallenge, but that is not working either. This is a BAD computer day. I am FRUSTRATED and NOT HAPPY! Anyway, hope your day is going better than mine is at this moment. Sorry for the carrying on!

My computer got rebooted!

Scion

I looked through some of my recent shots for something to use today, and got tired of looking at them one more time. Feeling totally uninspired, I grabbed my camera and went into the garage. This is the logo on the front of my son's Scion xB.

Weeds and Fence

My brain won't come up with a title tonight! This is the fence behind my office.

Boardwalk

At the Nature Center.

Gaden Weed

Photo Blind

The Nature Center has a photo blind at the end of one of the trails. The top shot was taken standing back a little, and the bottom shot was taken with the camera resting on the blind.

Clamped

This was taken on a bridge at the Conservation Nature Center.

Fallen

I went to the Conservation Nature Center today, and this leaf caught my eye.

Daisy

They are blooming everywhere right now, and are just hard for me to resist!

Adventures in Processing

This is a board on my deck, heavily processed. I kind of like the effect, and it is was fun experimenting! (The "normal" version was part of the DPC Ordinary side challenge.)

Let There be Light

Reflecting

I have talked about my CS3 not working in my previous posts. It turned out that installing a laser printer on my computer caused the problem. I removed the printer and now I can edit, but I can't print (on the laser, anyway.)

Barbed

I was not going to use this wire shot, but it matches my mood--at least when it comes to processing. For some as yet unknown reason, I cannot open photos with my Photoshop CS3. I have uninstalled and re-installed it at least 4 times and it still doesn't work. Of course, their tech support isn't open on Saturdays, so I will have to wait until Monday. Now, I am not necessarily blaming the program. It could very well be a problem with my system, but it did work for about a week and I definitely miss it. Very frustrating!

Train

My computer is working, but my CS3 is not, so I had to process yesterday's and today's on my laptop. I have no idea what they really look like, and I might re-process once I get my computer straightened out.