Goodbye, DPC Floral Challenge

The DPC floral side challenge ends today. This shot also helped me with one of my photography goals of 2007--learning to use masks. My camera club has had a couple of sessions on CS3 that covered masks and selections. I'm still not great at selections, but I am finally able to do some basics with masking. (Thanks, Tim!)

The End is Near

It is almost the end of the 30ish days of anything floral side challenge, and so my shot for today is a flower nearing its end.

This is also fitting in my life. My oldest son is buying a house today in a suburb of Minneapolis. While he has been living there most of the time since he graduated high school, this really makes it permanent. My second son is turning 18 tomorrow. He will be starting college this fall, though he will still live at home. My youngest son will be starting his sophomore year of high school. My life of raising kids is almost over. It is sad on some levels, but it will also be a new beginning, as I am going back to college to take courses in graphic design. My first class starts in August, and I am hoping my rusty old brain will remember how to learn!

Sunrise at Wilson's Creek Battlefield

My camera club is providing photographs for a calendar about Wilson's Creek Battlefield. We got permission to have two days to capture sunrise shots, and yesterday was the first date. About 12 club members arrived there at 5:15 AM and stayed until 7:30 AM. (The reason yesterday's entry was not inspired is because I was half asleep when I posted!) I am not that thrilled with the shots I got, but it was fun being there anyway. This shot was taken at 7:09.

Forgotten Window

A window in an empty building downtown.

Downtown Lights

Taken from the third level of a parking garage in downtown Springfield. For the context of where these lights are, see my Photo a Week Blog.

Floral Abstract

I was playing with curves, and the original below became an abstract.

-----> Signs <-----

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign

Blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind

Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign"

I can't remember who sang this, and the internet listed Five Man Accoustical Jam, Five Man Electric Band, and Tesla. Anyway, all the arrows and signs downtown reminded me of this song.

Sunset at Nathaneal Greene Park

Taken last night as I was exploring all the different flower beds at the park.

Heer's Building

This is the Heer's Building in downtown Springfield. It's history can be found here.

It is now sitting empty, waiting for someone to once again make it into a vital part of downtown.

Among the Rocks

This was taken in the Hosta garden at Close Memorial Park. One end is all Hostas and the other end has an eleveated water feature with paths going up and over. These rocks and flowers are on the back side. It is a lovely, shaded area.

Phelps Grove Park

This is actually the garden area adjacent to the park. It is not as secluded or shady as Nathaneal Greene Park, but would still be a nice spot to sit and read.

Bud

Saw this bud this morning at Phelps Grove Park. It opens up to the flowers below, either white or blue. It looks like something from a sci fi movie to me.

Petal

Bicycles

Same bikes as last night.

Walnut Street at Night

My camera club had a field trip downtown Sunday evening. Clouds started getting closer, and most people left after an hour or so. A couple of us decided to explore a little more. This was one of the last shots I got before lightning and thunder started, and yes, Mike, we got a little wet going back to our cars. Fortunately the heavy rain didn't start until I was on my way home.

This shot was taken at 9:05 PM outside the Mud House, a coffee shop, looking down Walnut Street.

From Below

Another shot taken by holding my camera under a bunch of flowers. It's always fun to see what the camera captures.

Perspective

I held my camera in the middle of these flowers and shot.

Pink

Or for anyone familiar with the movie Short Circuit, "Reassembled". These are the flowers that were providing yesterday's petals shot. They are growing on a trellis at Close Memorial Park.

Disassembled

Yesterday there was discussion in the DPC Floral side challenge about not just having macro flower shots. I went to the park this morning, and when I saw these petals on the ground I just had to use it for my flower shot today. It is meant more to bring a smile than to be a great photo!

Geranium Bud

Downtown

Took this downtown (near Founders Park for those familiar with Springfield). I was using my son's girlfriend's Sony p&s. I think p&s cameras have come a long way since I bought my last one 6 or 7 years ago! This really did a good job, even taking into the sun. Not that I would ever give up my DSLR, but it's always nice to have a back up.

Morning Flower

Taken around 7AM at Nathaneal Greene Park.

The rest of my Wilson's Creek shots have been posted to http://elainesfstop.blogspot.com/

Evening

Taken at Wilson's Creek Battlefield last night. See more shots here.

Zinnia

Cows on a Rainy Day

This was taken across the street from the shot in my banner. There were many cows, and they were all interested in what I was doing. This was just a quick shot from my car since it was sprinkling. I hope to go back when I can spend a little more time.

Poised for Flight

Well, I'm ending up posting my flower challenge shot from DPC again. I've been busy working on the newsletter for my camera club and might not get anything posted later so I'm going with what I've got! Hope you're not too tired of flowers!

One More Flower

I was going to post something different today, but I don't have time so I am using my DPC flower shot. I will have something different tomorrow (I hope!)

On a Sunny Morning in July

Happy 4th to all who are celebrating today!

Bud

As I have mentioned before, I am NOT a morning person, but I got up at 5:45 this morning to go to the park and get some flower shots. (Tim, if you read this--I not only got up early, I took my tripod, and even checked histograms!) I did less processing on this shot than normal, so I think some of my experimenting with camera settings is starting to pay off. I will probably try this again with my macro lens. I had to do a severe crop and lost a little in the details.

Reaching the Sky

I am doing a 30 day flower challenge on DPC, so there will probably be a lot of flower shots this month. Went to the park a little late today for good light, so I took a black umbrella to see if it would help. Probably looked silly, but it will give people something to tell their friends. I liked that the stages of life were represented on this one stalk.

Raindrops on Vinca

I am still going through my manual and learning new things. It has gotten me excited about shooting. Of course, it has been raining off and on all weekend making it hard to get out. This was my second favorite shot today, but I entered the other one in a DPC challenge so I will post it another time. Found the flower on my deck between showers--had to use an umbrella while shooting since it started to sprinkle!