Dijea's Photo Blog

2012 Photo Challenge: Week 4

2012-01-29T12:02:00.001-06:00

Week 4, Photo 1: Challenge: Black & White. This is the last week of the photo black & white photo challenge. I chose one of my favorite subjects - staircases. This is smoke stack has actually shown up in many a photo on my blog and I've always wanted to get the staircase that goes around it, I finally snuck around the building and got it.

Week 4, Photo 2: Challenge black & white. When I converted this to black and white I upped the black percentage and found a very dark center of the page. I liked it and the eeriness of the photo but thought it might be a bit dark so I toned it down a little - the reflections are better and the middle details are still good, but I'm kind of partial to the scary version.

2012 Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 3

2012-01-21T17:46:00.000-06:00

Week 3 Photo 1: Challenge: Black & White. If you know me, you know I rarely take pictures of people. Last weekend I went to a reunion of people I went to Elementary and Middle School with. These wonderful, smart, talented and unique people had more influence on me than I would probably admit. Here's 5 of them perusing an old photo album. It was a truly fun evening.

Week 3 Photo 2: Challenge: Black & White. For my second photo, I'm taking an instagram polaroid. I picked up my parents from DFW returning from New Zealand and couldn't resist taking this photo. It was perfect in black & white.

2012 Photo Challenge: Upcoming Themes

2012-01-17T10:23:00.004-06:00

Our black & white challenge will only last another 2 weeks. Here are the themes for February and March.

01/29 through 02/04: Food

02/05 through 02/11: Silhouettes

02/12 through 02/18: Romance

02/19 through 02/25: Experimentation

02/26 through 03/03: Reflections

03/04 through 03/10:Windows

03/11 through 03/17: Macros

03/18 through 03/24:Spring Flowers

03/25 through 03/31: Portraits

I can't wait to see everyone's creativity!

2012 Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 2, Photo 2

2012-01-15T19:21:00.000-06:00

Week 2, Photo 2. Current Challenge: Black & White. I went looking for my Uncle Gus this weekend. His death certificate says he's buried in the Marlin Cemetery, Marlin only has Cavalry Cemetery but I went and looked anyway. I've never found a more neglected cemetery. Most of the tombstones were just squares of concrete, the names have since worn off. There were lots of open spaces and while the inside was neatly manicured, the outer edges were just grown up brambles and muck. This kind of stood out to me and I loved the light.

Photo Challenge: Week 2, Photo 1. Black & White

2012-01-14T08:54:00.001-06:00

Week 2, Photo 1: Challenge, Black & White. We had a few days of nasty grey rainy weather, this picture reflects the way I felt. Grey and looking for a little light no matter where it came from.

2010 Photo Challenge: E in B&W

2012-01-07T19:06:00.000-06:00

Challenge: Black & White Week 1, Photo 2. I personally have a hard time with portraits, it seems that no one is ever happy with a picture of themselves. And I hate to disappoint people so you might find a lot of people in my challenges this year - that's the whole point of a challenge right? To try to accomplish something. So I forced my oldest into letting me take a few photos. I feel like I got a good natural smile and I love it because it's my baby.

2012 Photo Challenge: Black & White Leaf

2012-01-03T21:39:00.000-06:00

Challenge: Black & White. Week 1, Photo 1. I found this leaf on a beautiful bed of green winter rye so green - the leaf dead as a doornail and dry as kindling, but for some reason it is WAY more appealing in black and white over the original color alternative. It really makes the veins in the leaf pop.

2012 Photo Challenge

2011-12-28T10:36:00.003-06:00

I wanted so badly to complete another 365 project in 2011, but it just didn't work out between life & school it was too much for me. Well, I've finished school - YEA!!!! -and I'm ready for my next challenge. I've also started a new job, so my time is somewhat limited. But between me and my friend Ingrid we came up with a great idea.

We are going to complete a photo challenge for the year 2012. We post 2 photos a week, any day of the week and post the link to your photos on Twitter with the has tag #POTW52. Each month will have a different theme so that we can work on some of the things that we feel can always be improved on. There is also a flickr group - "Friends Photo a day challenge" If you don't have a twitter account leave us a message with your flickr name & we will add you to the group.

The Challenge starts January 1, 2012 and will go through the whole year. January's theme is Black & White images.

Hope you can join us!

Glory & Friendship

2011-12-12T14:09:00.001-06:00

It's a misty grey day at the corner of Glory and Friendship.

Foliage

2011-11-18T08:48:00.000-06:00

I love a good walk in nature, it's even better on a beautiful fall day. These were at eye level and I couldn't help but snap a quick pick.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

The Fog.

2011-10-25T17:24:00.000-05:00

INTO THE MIST

2011-10-24T16:11:00.003-05:00

Fun shot to take. The fog was so thick this morning I could barely get the kids to school - this was taken at 11 AM and the fog still hadn't cleared off the lake. Made for a nice stark shot.

Weekly Photo Challenge - Transportation

2011-10-15T16:27:00.000-05:00

I really couldn't make up my mind which one to post - ultimately, I let the office choose and we went with the top photo. Although I was partial to the single wheel at times.

Enjoy!

2011-10-10T22:27:00.000-05:00

Awesome Weather We Are Having....

2011-09-29T21:26:00.002-05:00

Weekly Photo Challenge Long Exposure

2011-09-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

This was not the photo I wanted to take this was actually a test shot, but my week got so busy, that I never got back out with my camera.

6 seconds

Somewhere between Sunset & Civil Twilight

2011-09-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

Beautiful end to a beautiful day.

Weekly Photo Challenge - Architecture

2011-09-17T14:22:00.000-05:00

Architecture. I'm sure most people will tell you that it really should be a building. Eh, you know me, I live to buck the system. I drive by this most fabulous house quite regularly and have watched it being built. Inside isn't completely finished, but I talked the builder into letting me sneak in and take a peak. While there are some incredibly beautiful spaces, I found the starkness in this picture appealing. Plus, you know my affinity for staircases.

I have this lens....

2011-09-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

You guys who know me, know about "the lens". My dad "lent" it to me a while back and I don't think he's ever getting it back. Anyway, I went out to see if I could get the supernova - but look what I got instead. The craters for some reason were so pronounced in the moon's current rotation. I absolutely love this shot.

Reflections.....

2011-09-01T20:37:00.000-05:00

This week's photo challenge was reflections. Thinking again outside the box, because I just couldn't do a body of water or a mirror, I saw this tombstone and remembered the excellent reflection I got on a previous shoot with my son. So, I got a friend of mine to do a little modeling for me. Turned out pretty good.

Lonely soldiers

2011-08-30T22:54:00.000-05:00

Totally opposite of the last entry. Greenwood Cemetery is absolutely my favorite cemetery. It's monuments show up all over my blog. It has a the most amazing street signs. You can stand on the corner of Peace and Love or Truth and Justice (which is my favorite) or Glory and Freedom. There are good people, bad people, people you really don't want to talk about. There is a section honoring Union Soldiers and one for Confederates. There is even a veteran of the war of 1812. I particularly am struck by the line of soldiers right behind the caretaker's building. One row of white marble all with Confederate markers next to it just one row then a section completely unfilled. They seem so lonely. I never could figure out why they were separated from everyone else.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Slice of Life

2011-08-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

After a hard day at school and 107 degree Texas heat there's only one way to cool off. The sprinkler.

Cloud Shadow

2011-08-25T21:18:00.000-05:00

A little storm popped up yesterday and I saw the strangest thing - a cloud, with a shadow.

In memoriam

2011-07-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

Bikers

2011-07-13T19:20:00.000-05:00

It was 103 today - really too hot to exercises.

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-04T23:00:00.003-05:00

The whole family went out and watched the fireworks this evening. Happy Birthday America!

Sherman Train Station

2011-06-04T23:48:00.000-05:00

Day 144 - I'm back!!

2011-05-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've been gone awhile, but I had school and it was crazy and then my mom visited and we were hunting dead people. I have some pics of that too, but I'll sort them out later. This was from the incredible storms we had tonight - crazy closet entering, tornado producing, lightening maker and OMG the rain.

I got this out the French doors while it golf ball size hail was raining down and the kids were in the closet. Not bad for an accident.

Year 2 - Days 85 through 94

2011-04-05T22:19:00.000-05:00

I've been busy. School is really kicking-my-butt this semester, but I have been taking my pictures, just not always posting them so you get them in a bunch again... Day 85 is the Union Soldiers on down to Day 94 which is my baby, H2.

Union Soldiers at Greenwood Cemetery

Yes, she's been here before

I've been here a few times.

Don't you love the ones that stand out in a crowd?

Looks more like fall than spring.

Big Grandma's 90th birthday party. She really deserves her own post, but I'm in a time crunch.

The adults got one up on the kids with a little water balloon action.

My baby! H2!

Year 2 - Day 84

2011-03-26T20:41:00.002-05:00

ANOTHER SUNSET

This is the perfect spot for sunsets, and sometimes what comes straight out of the camera is something better than can be created during post-processing.

Year 2 - Day 83

2011-03-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

DINNER TIME

Year 2 - Day 82

2011-03-24T20:37:00.000-05:00

IN THE WATER

Year 2 - Day 81

2011-03-23T20:20:00.000-05:00

IN THE ALLEY

Year 2 - Day 80

2011-03-22T20:18:00.001-05:00

SUNRISE

Year 2 - Day 79

2011-03-21T20:31:00.000-05:00

Moon & Wires

I think the moon's time clock is messed up with Daylight Savings Time

Year 2 - Day 78

2011-03-20T20:29:00.000-05:00

FLARE

Year 2 - Day 77

2011-03-19T21:10:00.000-05:00

Super Moon

I'm not sure if it is really more super than the night before - please compare - that's why I took a before picture. Used the same lens - no cropping on either. I just love me that 1000mm lens on days like this.

Year 2 - Day 76

2011-03-18T20:43:00.000-05:00

I day prior to Super Moon.

Year 2 - Day 75

2011-03-17T20:40:00.001-05:00

Horizontal

Year 2 - Day 74

2011-03-16T20:39:00.001-05:00

Vertical

Year 2 - Day 73

2011-03-15T20:37:00.000-05:00

Wires

Year 2 - Day 72

2011-03-14T20:36:00.000-05:00

PURPLE with a bug

Year 2 - Day 71

2011-03-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

RED

Year 2 - Day 70

2011-03-12T20:33:00.000-06:00

Dallas Blooms.

Year 2 - Day 69

2011-03-11T20:29:00.001-06:00

Shadow

Year 2 - Day 68

2011-03-10T11:07:00.002-06:00

ALGAE

Year 2 - Day 56 through 67.

2011-03-08T19:25:00.001-06:00

Day 56

I've been a little busy lately, with spring comes my allergies (oh my!) and the lure of the Dallas Arboretum and Dallas Blooms. What a gorgeous place to be in spring. This starts out my last week & a half.

Day 57

The tulips are just starting to bloom.

Day 58

The Starlight Magnolia is in full bloom (and at eye level).

Day 59

Tulips are starting to show up in more places.

Day 60

I'm going to call him Bob - let me snap a picture.

Day 61

Ohhh! Squeee! I love this.

Day 62

The Magnolias are really showing off.

Day 63

Blooms are every where!

Day 64

In all colors.

Day 65

Not as pretty a day as before, but what a week makes!

Day 66

Magnolias petals are starting to fall, but what a view.

Day 67

The tulips have finally come in and are beautiful!

Year 2 - Day 55

2011-02-24T21:54:00.002-06:00

PREVIEW

Look what opened in my front yard this morning. Spring is coming, this is my preview.

Year 2 - Day 54

2011-02-23T21:51:00.000-06:00

ROOTS

Year 2 - Day 53

2011-02-22T22:45:00.000-06:00

SUNSET SILHOUETTE

I have to be honest, this is from yesterday. The shots I took today, just didn't make the cut.

Year 2 - Day 52

2011-02-21T20:29:00.003-06:00

B&W SUNSET

Much more dramatic than the original photo. Why I'm leaning toward B&W these days I really don't know, but I just can't escape it. This particular photo was my husband's favorite of the day

YEAR 2 - Day 51

2011-02-20T22:05:00.000-06:00

TREE SKELETON

I love to look up in winter and see the bare branches against a blue sky

Year 2 - Day 50

2011-02-19T20:12:00.000-06:00

HORSE

Year 2 - Day 49

2011-02-18T22:52:00.000-06:00

THE BIRDS

I've taken this picture every time I have stepped by this spot. It freaks me out every time I walk by.

Year 2 -Day 48

2011-02-17T23:03:00.002-06:00

MOUNT VERNON

If you live in my town, you know the house.

Year 2 - Day 47

2011-02-16T19:38:00.000-06:00

BASKETBALL STAR

My little man shooting hoops

Year 2 - Day 46

2011-02-15T21:40:00.000-06:00

OBSTACLES

I want you to pronounce it ob-STACK-les. Like in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou...? I don't know why, but I do. I'm in that mood tonight and I've been fighting many obstacles lately. Almost like trying to find a path through these tree roots. Finding the right balance of time between, school, work, kids and self is not always easy. I've got a lot on my plate as usual and am looking forward to spending a quiet summer with my family without school commitments. I know I'll get there, just not sure if I'll still be sane.

Year 2 - Day 45

2011-02-14T19:24:00.000-06:00

NATURE TRAIL

Year 2 - Day 44

2011-02-13T20:54:00.000-06:00

NEW TRAIL

Year 2 - Day 43

2011-02-12T21:35:00.000-06:00

RUSTY

I'm obsessed with with picture. I don't really know why this off all photos keeps me coming back for more, but there is this rusty nasty frame holding up a nice new pretty picture. And there is the pretty crisp blue sky. and if you zoom in the billboards are being held together by those little stretchy things we put on our bikes or in our trunks. Seriously. Oh and its completely unedited.

Year 2 - Day 42

2011-02-11T21:58:00.001-06:00

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Year 2 - Day 41

2011-02-10T18:56:00.002-06:00

LOW CLEARANCE

Year 2 - Day 40

2011-02-09T20:49:00.002-06:00

WHAT YOU LOOKING AT?

E got front and center a while back time for H2 to show up.

Year 2 - Day 39

2011-02-08T20:47:00.000-06:00

WEDDING PORTRAIT

Not I wasn't taking this woman's wedding portrait. Somebody else was, but when I saw her framed in the doorway, I couldn't resist taking a shot.

Year 2 - Day 38

2011-02-07T20:43:00.004-06:00

LOBSTER?

I took this it looked like a lobster to me. What do you see?

Year 2 - Day 37

2011-02-06T20:01:00.000-06:00

COPPERS!

Bad boys, watch out....they are coming for you.

Year 2 - Day 36

2011-02-05T20:23:00.002-06:00

TRAMPOLINE SAFETY NET

Well, its mostly gone now, woke up in the 20's but it was above freezing by noon. But another front comes in tomorrow and more is expected.

Year 2 - Day 35

2011-02-04T13:24:00.000-06:00

WHITE ROCK CREEK

After 5 inches of snow overnight and it's still coming down, we took off for a little sledding down Flag Pole Hill. On the way way back we stopped and took a pictures of frozen White Rock Creek. A sight not often found in Dallas.

Year 2 - Day 34

2011-02-03T19:25:00.000-06:00

CAGEY

Silly name for a cat, but he sat in a cage all day before he could be brought home to his mommy, so it kind of stuck. He's totally an outdoor cat, but he doesn't like the cold, so he's been inside for like 4 days straight. I feel sorrier for him, than I do for the kids.

Also, straight out of the camera and I'm not venturing out in these temps - I already fell on the ice yesterday, so its inside pics until the ice melts.

Year 2 - Day 33

2011-02-02T19:18:00.001-06:00

UNDER ICE

I've shown my sea glass from New Zealand before, it just usually isn't buried in a bunch of sleet & ice.

Year 2 - Day 32

2011-02-01T22:27:00.000-06:00

THE ONE WHERE HE DIDN'T LIKE WHAT I SAID.

He didn't follow the rules today, so he got stuck at home. When you don't follow the rules, you have to stay under momma's watchful eye.

Year 2 - Day 31

2011-01-31T21:30:00.000-06:00

Maybe it will be architecture week. I specifically made this darker because with the clouds it a more ominous feel.

Year 2 - Day 30

2011-01-30T22:20:00.000-06:00

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Couldn't walk by this house without taking a shot.

Year 2 - Day 29

2011-01-29T22:31:00.000-06:00

THE CRAZIES

Sleepovers....horror movies. Tonight we had both, and both were called THE CRAZIES.

Year 2 - Day 28

2011-01-28T16:38:00.000-06:00

BIKE RIDE Via Instagram

It was a wonderful day for a bike ride. They boys & I did 8 miles in gorgeous almost 80 degree weather not a cloud in the sky. It was awesome.

Year 2 - Day 27

2011-01-27T21:48:00.002-06:00

THE CLOUDS ARE ROLLING IN.

Year 2 - Day 26

2011-01-26T21:59:00.001-06:00

INTERSECTING LINES

Year 2 - Day 25

2011-01-25T22:37:00.000-06:00

A MOMENT IN TIME

I again went to what seems to be my entire 365 project this year (with the exception of my instagrams) the lake right around the corner from the house. I did venture out to a different spot. I kept coming back the framing of the couple on the bench. The photo is far from perfect, but I just loved the moment it spoke of.

Year 2 - Day 24

2011-01-24T21:49:00.000-06:00

HE SAID/SHE SAID

Again I was having issues, but leaning one way. My husband preferred one and I preferred the other. You decide.

Year 2 - Day 23

2011-01-24T07:17:00.002-06:00

CAGEY

You'd think being that it was my child's birthday I would have a shot of him, but alas, I worked all day, left work and immediately went out in the dark for dinner.

~sigh~ this will have to do.

Year 2 - Day 22

2011-01-22T20:13:00.001-06:00

GUITAR

Year 2 - Day 21

2011-01-21T20:18:00.000-06:00

LIT TREE

Year 2 - Day 20

2011-01-20T18:57:00.002-06:00

IN-FLIGHT

H2 & I went to the lake in almost freezing temperatures. A gentleman & his dog were feeding the ducks (and gulls) and I took advantage of an opportunity to shoot some birds in flight. This is STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA. Yes, I yelled it because I think it's awesome. Not bad for no editing. Not even a crop.

Year 2: Day 19

2011-01-20T11:26:00.001-06:00

FAILURE.

Well, kind of. I didn't get my big camera out, I should have I found lots of opportunities for pictures, but it was the first day of school, I was distracted and I wasn't really wanting to carry around my camera. But I did get a phone shot.

Year 2 - Day 18

2011-01-18T22:56:00.003-06:00

SCIENCE PROJECT

Today was a teacher inservice day so we took the day and did our science project. H2 is all done, board complete. Nice to have it done early. He was so excited to do it.

Year 2 - Day 17

2011-01-17T22:26:00.000-06:00

DEW

I played with the TeleMacro today. It's an old 35mm lens. I mostly shoot on manual, but with this I have to adjust shutter & F stops all in my mind. I can't use A/S/P at all only Manual. But with the exception of a few shots - the foggy shots I did really well with my relationships in that respect. I loved the color here and I really loved the change in the veins on the leaf underneath the water drops. Lots of fun experimenting today - and I met a friend. Isn't he cute?

2011-01-16T18:11:00.000-06:00

GREY

It is the best word to describe today. I woke up to rain dripping off the roof, went to work in fog and came home in fog. Dreary, dreary, dreary.

Year 2 - Day 15

2011-01-15T22:38:00.000-06:00

OBSESSION

Yes, I'm one of those obsessed Words with Friends players, I'm spending my Saturday night watching American Pickers & playing games. This one with one of my favorite photographer friends and she's beating the heck out of me.

Year 2 - Day 14

2011-01-14T22:56:00.000-06:00

RED LIGHT

Somedays are just like that. All you do is stop on your way to something else.

Year 2 - Day 13

2011-01-13T09:26:00.000-06:00

MISTAKE

This was a complete mistake on my part. Totally clicked the shutter before I set my shot, but I'm completely taken by this shot. It is straight out of the camera and I personally find it quite appealing. Don't really know why, but I do.

Year 2 - Day 12

2011-01-13T09:23:00.004-06:00

SUNRISE

I'm gong to be honest, this is this morning's sunrise and not yesterday's photo. I went to the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with a double ear infection and the heavy antibiotics basically put me to bed. I didn't let it get the best of me today though. Love the heron down in the corner.

Year 2 - Day 11

2011-01-11T20:16:00.000-06:00

Today was 1-11-11. It really didn't hit me until now that I should have done something with the calendar or a clock or something. I guess it goes to show you its just a number and not some cataclysmic or mystic thing. Or maybe I'm missing something BIG, who knows. All I know is I was outside in below freezing temps with single digit wind chills (or really close) when I took this. My toes and fingers are still not warm.

Year 2 - Day 10

2011-01-10T10:04:00.001-06:00

COLD MORNING

It was 28 degrees when I dropped off the kids at school this morning. Snow covered the grass and the rooftops, but the roads that I drove were mostly clear. I stopped by the lake and a huge group of birds were on the lake and the closer I got to the water the faster they cleared out. I love the old filter building and with the snow on the ground & rooftop next to it, it was the day to take this shot. Its one I've taken before, but I truly love the view around the lake.

Year 2-Day9

2011-01-09T21:04:00.000-06:00

STALKERS

The Husband put all the stuffed animals on the fan & turned it on sending them flying everywhere. I am personally afraid of what the bunny is planning.

Year 2-Day 8

2011-01-08T19:27:00.000-06:00

Straight out of the camera. I love, love, love to post pictures straight from the camera. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes, it happens right. The vision of what you see and what you take are one. I was going to take the sunset, but the sunset well didn't pan out. But my favorite unbalanced tree was waiting for me as always. I could watch the sunset from this view every day.

Year 2 - Day 7

2011-01-07T20:34:00.000-06:00

CHAOS.

Today's dailyshoot was take a photograph using strong converging lines. So I took things that converged. Feeling very black & white as well I converted almost everything I took to B&W. This one spoke to me, it might have said something like "Why are you standing under me a broken down railroad bridge covered in graffiti?" or something along those lines. I wasn't listening, I had my iPod going.

Year 2 - Day 6

2011-01-07T09:13:00.000-06:00

There were so many pictures I could have posted, but this one made me laugh, and I'm all about a good laugh.

Year 2 - Day 5

2011-01-05T18:42:00.000-06:00

Straight out of the camera. I mean, no one should mess with fire right? Steak will be here later....

Year 2 - Day 4

2011-01-04T22:05:00.000-06:00

Think what you will but my answer is 1) I'm exhausted & 2) The remote is really really dirty. Seriously, I had an long and trying evening with E who's middle name is now PROCRASTINATOR after waiting until the absolute last minute to do his book report. So this is what I took. No apologies, motherhood sometimes get in the way, I will promise to do better tomorrow.