2. Daily shots for the dailies forum on Dgrin

Dailies

These images are ones shot to post in the daily community on smugmug. I've been participating in this community for about twelve years. For the first few years, I tried to always post a shot taken either that day or the day before. Now, although I try to shoot everyday, I don't necessarily post the images on the same day they are shot.
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In the past few weeks as we have been driving to Denver on a regular basis to help our daughter get her pilates studio ready to open, we always drove past this corner lot, fenced, behind which stood a bunch of old, partially dismantled gasoline pumps. After commenting that I thought there was a photograph opportunity there for several days, we finally stopped one morning and I took some shots. I've processed them a number of different ways and I'm not sure if I really like any of them or, if so, which one I prefer, but here is one for your critique. Generally, I don't like shooting anything through a fence, but I think that the fence may actually enhance this image. It seems kind of odd to bother to fence off these old, rusting and decaying gas pumps, along with a plastic trash can and other detritus. Anyway, what do you all think? If you'd care to look at any of the others, they can be found here: <a href="http://fotoeffects.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Ends/7032233_9SbQx#636419082_EjsfK">http://fotoeffects.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Ends/7032233_9SbQx#636419082_EjsfK</a>. They are on two pages, so you have to look at the next page, as well, to see them all.<br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the nice comments on my hollyhocks pic. And have a great day! I'm especially thinking about Miguel as he learns more about his cancer and the treatment options.
1566 / 1959

In the past few weeks as we have been driving to Denver on a regular basis to help our daughter get her pilates studio ready to open, we always drove past this corner lot, fenced, behind which stood a bunch of old, partially dismantled gasoline pumps. After commenting that I thought there was a photograph opportunity there for several days, we finally stopped one morning and I took some shots. I've processed them a number of different ways and I'm not sure if I really like any of them or, if so, which one I prefer, but here is one for your critique. Generally, I don't like shooting anything through a fence, but I think that the fence may actually enhance this image. It seems kind of odd to bother to fence off these old, rusting and decaying gas pumps, along with a plastic trash can and other detritus. Anyway, what do you all think? If you'd care to look at any of the others, they can be found here: http://fotoeffects.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Ends/7032233_9SbQx#636419082_EjsfK. They are on two pages, so you have to look at the next page, as well, to see them all.

Thanks so much for the nice comments on my hollyhocks pic. And have a great day! I'm especially thinking about Miguel as he learns more about his cancer and the treatment options.

  • This was shot near Cripple Creek, Colorado, in an area of huge rocky outcrops and gigantic boulders, which are scattered around the mountains. The somewhat odd perspective is due to the fact that I shot it with my 10.5mm/f2.8 fisheye Nikkor lens. I did straighten the lady on the right a bit to make the perspective more realistic. It has also been processed with Color EFEX Pro and some Photoshop filters and blending modes, although nothing too major. The young woman on the left is my younger daughter. <br /> <br /> Hope your day goes well.
  • This is for Angela - I decided when I went to the grocery store a couple of days ago that I was going to take my camera in with me and try to get some shots of produce. I know the grocery store does not want you take shots inside the store, so I was a bit nervous. You need to know that I am normally not someone who breaks the rules. So, I am casually carrying my camera over my shoulder. I see that there are about three people stocking in the produce area...way more than usual. Nonetheless, I surreptitiously raise my camera to waist height and snap a shot. There is a stocking lady right behind me. I turn back to my cart and this man is glaring at me and standing right behind my cart. I start to go and he moves and blocks me. He gestures at me with his eyes and I think he is indicating my camera and I think he must be from the store. I try to get around him. He says something and I finally realize that I am trying to take HIS cart. The stocking lady turns around and jokingly asks me if I'm coming on to this guy. I turn to find my own cart and say "ApparentLY!" (a la "Coupling", for those of you who know this BBC comedy show) The upshot is I did get a couple of shots but, after this, I gave up trying to take any more. No one from the store said anything at all to me about my camera! So, Angie, this one is for you!<br /> <br /> Thanks so much to all of you who made such thoughtful comments about the old gas pump shots. I really appreciate the feedback. It was very helpful. So often, I am not sure whether I like shots or not or whether I pick the right ones. I'm mind-numbingly indecisive about which pictures I should pick for things like the Dgrin Challenges and I think I generally end up picking the wrong ones to enter. So, thanks for the help. You folks are great!<br /> <br /> Oh, and I wanted to take a shot of a train today, so went to Monument where I knew the trains came frequently. My hubby and I sat in the hot car for over two hours and not a single train came by. We're going to try again tomorrow or Thursday. I could not believe our luck, or, rather, lack of luck!<br /> <br /> Have a nice day!
  • Do Ya Really Wanna Get Any Closer?<br /> <br /> Just before the supermarket escapade I recounted a couple of days ago, as I got out of my car in the parking lot, a car pulled in beside me and this guy was poking his head out the window. I had my fisheye lens on the camera and asked his owner if I could take his picture. She actually had another great dane in the car and it was poking its head out the driver side window. The woman had almost no room for herself. Both dogs were barking but they were very sweet when you held out your hand to be sniffed. Really gorgeous dogs! Anyway, this was MY "close encounter of the third kind."<br /> <br /> I'm posting this early and going to bed, as I have a wedding to shoot tomorrow morning and I must get an early start. Have a great Saturday!
  • Turning a pen - This is my son-in-law, Kyle, who got this lathe for his birthday and who has become really expert at turning beautiful writing pens and pencils. This is another shot with the fisheye lens.<br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the comments on the "back of Pike's Peak" shot. I spent much of the day scrubbing my tile floor with oxyclean on my hands and knees and then resealing the tile. Fun! However, it does look better.
  • Sunflowers in my garden.<br /> <br /> Thanks for all the comments on the drive-by shooting shot of the shacks and tractors. It is nice to know that something that seemed pretty interesting to me also made a lot of you wonder about the same things I was wondering about. There were a LOT of fantastic shots on smugmug today, and I just took another quick look around and found lots more terrific shots that I hope to comment on tomorrow. So many pictures, so little time....I've said it before and will likely say it again! Have a great day!
  • In the past few weeks as we have been driving to Denver on a regular basis to help our daughter get her pilates studio ready to open, we always drove past this corner lot, fenced, behind which stood a bunch of old, partially dismantled gasoline pumps. After commenting that I thought there was a photograph opportunity there for several days, we finally stopped one morning and I took some shots. I've processed them a number of different ways and I'm not sure if I really like any of them or, if so, which one I prefer, but here is one for your critique. Generally, I don't like shooting anything through a fence, but I think that the fence may actually enhance this image. It seems kind of odd to bother to fence off these old, rusting and decaying gas pumps, along with a plastic trash can and other detritus. Anyway, what do you all think? If you'd care to look at any of the others, they can be found here: <a href="http://fotoeffects.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Ends/7032233_9SbQx#636419082_EjsfK">http://fotoeffects.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Ends/7032233_9SbQx#636419082_EjsfK</a>. They are on two pages, so you have to look at the next page, as well, to see them all.<br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the nice comments on my hollyhocks pic. And have a great day! I'm especially thinking about Miguel as he learns more about his cancer and the treatment options.
  • Hollyhocks in my garden - View the detail in the largest sizes. Hollyhocks are one of my favorite flowers, although I have to admit to having a lot of favorite flowers. This year, because of the frequent rains we've had, the colors of the hollyhocks seem to be more varied and vibrant. I liked this shot mainly because of the way the light is coming through the petals. <br /> <br /> Thanks so much for your nice comments on my shot of the bride and groom with the elephant. It was fun to do and I plan to make a few minor adjustments to it based upon a suggestion from Angela Davis. Thanks, Angie! Viewing all the wonderful images in the dailies each day reminds me constantly of what a beautiful world we live in and the fact that there is beauty around us everywhere, if we are only able to see it. Seeing the unique and varied ways you smugmug photographers view the world provides a rich source of inspiration to me. Even if no one saw or commented on my photos, I have become addicted to looking at all of yours. You have really made me challenge myself to see if I can be more creative and do a better job of capturing the myriad interesting things in the little part of the world that I inhabit. So, thanks to you all!<br /> <br /> Oh, yes, I think Paul asked how I make my selections in Photoshop, whether I used a special plugin or channels. Actually, I don't do either of those. I'm probably a lot less sophisticated than many of you. I've tried some plugins, such as OnOne Software's, but just haven't had that good a luck with it. I use the CS3 Quick Selection tool (with the magic wand) and laboriously work around the edges of the selection until I have it the way I want. Then I refine the edge and that's it. It is probably not the best way to do it, but I've found I can make it work for me.
  • Chris and Tracy's Wedding - This lovely couple got married at the Cheyenne Mountain Will Roger's Shrine and had their reception at the Moose Lodge at the zoo. It was a lovely night. The location is high up looking over the city of Colorado Springs. And, to boot, they had a full moon. I took several shots of them with long exposures, but due to some movement on their part (breathing, etc.), I was not satisfied with the images. So, I took a shot of the moon and city lights and then added them into it. I know some of you don't think is fair, but I wanted to give them the shot they desired and this seemed the best way to do it.<br /> <br /> Thanks for the nice comments again on my ballon festival shot. I've spent a long day processing images from another wedding. Hope everyone has a great day on Saturday! I'm posting this and then hitting the sack.
  • Tracy and Chris were the lovely couple whose wedding I was privileged to photograph. Because Tracy is the curator of animals at the zoo, she wanted to be photographed with the elephants, but did not want to mess up her dress in the muddy elephant enclosure. So, I photographed the elephants separately and then inserted Chris and Tracy into the image via Photoshop. I did a number of different versions with various elephants. I think they turned out pretty well. Hope your weekend is going great. I'm relaxing a bit and also trying to come up with an entry for the next Dgrin challenge.
  • Zack - a quick snap at a birthday party for my son-in-law. Thanks for the comments on my portrait of Pete. I finally finished processing the wedding shots and will probably feature one of them as my daily tomorrow. Hope you have a terrific weekend!
  • Rainbow - This shot was captured after a storm at my home in the Black Forest area of Colorado Springs. The shot was taken from my front porch. We've had quite a few nice rainbows this year, but I think this one was the most distinct and sharp.<br /> <br /> Thanks for all the comments on my bee shot. Couldn't believe all the fantastic photos on smugmug today. I get so addicted to looking at them that I have trouble getting anything else done. I won't be able to post for the next few days, as we're going camping at the Great Sand Dunes, one of our favorite spots in Colorado. Hopefully, I'll get some nice pics. It has been raining a lot and I'm hoping it clears up while we are there. I'm planning to try to take some shots of the stars, which I've never really attempted. I'll catch up on your shots when I return on Sunday. Have a great few days!
  • Ganzania, African Daisies - Please view the detail of the water drops and daisies in the largest sizes. Thanks to those who commented on my hollyhocks, as well as those who commented on one of my older shots that found its way back into the "Most Popular" shots yesterday --- the water droplets on the pine needles. Today is the last day we're going up to work on our daughter's studio. Their grand opening is tomorrow. So, I won't have a chance to comment on your pics until tonight. I'm sure there will be lots of great shots waiting for me to see, as always! Have a bit of fun today!
  • Please view the detail of these hollyhock flowers in the largest sizes. These are from my garden. The hollyhocks in my garden are mostly volunteer seedlings and, because of all the rain we've had this year, the colors are especially varied and vibrant. We were helping our daughter with the construction on her studio in Denver all day yesterday and I did not even get a chance to look at anything on smugmug. Hope everyone had a good day and enjoys the day today!
  • Statue of St. Francis of Assissi at the new Penrose St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. This statue is huge, probably 20 feet tall. I shot it with my fisheye lens, which I am finding more and more uses for.
  • Cripple Creek Area Landscape - This is a view from a high point not too far from Cripple Creek, Colorado. I initially said that this was shot with my fisheye lens, but I had failed to look at my exif data. I actually shot it with my 24 - 70mm at 24mm. I had been using my fisheye and my memory was faulty --- not that unusual an occurrence. I sure enjoyed looking and commenting on all the great shots on smugmug today. We had a busy day working on our daughter's studio in Denver. Some of us laid floor. I did sponge texturing of walls and then painted the studio walls with primer. Have to admit I am pooped. Hope your day was great!
  • Enjoying a summer evening - We ate at a Mexican restaurant in Monument, CO, the other night and I grabbed this shot of a couple enjoying the evening next to an outdoor fire pit. Hope everyone has a good day. The orange on the far right is a piece of flame. I thought about removing it...what do you think I should do about it?
  • Parade of Homes - looking down from the balcony in one of the Parade of Homes featured houses. The distortion is caused by the fisheye lens, which also provides a much broader perspective on the view. This was a $3.5M spec house, where the builder seemed to have made a real effort to find things on which to spend money.
  • Parade of Homes - Bar in basement of one of the houses. Best viewed in the largest sizes. Once again, this was taken with the fisheye lens and the distortion is more pronounced in this shot. I rather liked the colors and textures in this one.
  • Curious Giraffe - Photographed at the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo in Colorado Springs. In my opinion, the giraffe enclosure at the zoo is one of the most interesting to visitors, as you can purchase crackers from a vending machine and feed them to the giraffes. You are right at the level of their heads, so it is a neat perspective. It is a large area and the zoo has a lot of giraffes, young and old. This fella was hoping for a cracker and wanted to check out my camera. It it 11:00 p.m. and I just got home from shooting the wedding. I'm anxious to look at all the hundreds of shots I took, but not tonight...just too tired. Hope everyone has a good day...we're going to the annual Parade of Homes. It is always lots of fun to look at the houses and furnishings. Taken with a fisheye 10mm lens.
  • Caught in Mid-Poop! There's Just No Privacy In the World Anymore! - Photographed at the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo in Colorado Springs, this elephant is pooping. I got several shots of this activity, but thought this one with the poop in midair was, perhaps, the funniest...if there is, indeed, anything funny about being a voyeur of this action. This elephant was also eating and was in the act of stepping on the branch in order to break and tear it apart ot make it easier to consume. Elephants are just so smart. Thanks for all the comments on the fire pit pic. Seems that you are roughly evenly divided about whether to clean it up or keep it. I'll mull on it a bit more before deciding. About the spot on her cheek. I think that was just her rouge, which was not too even.

  • Ed Spadoni

    on September 12, 2009

    I would have broken my neck trying to get a shot without the fence - but you saw the picture and made it, and it works. Well done.

  • 211043BakerToBayPhotograp

    on September 7, 2009

    Yes the fence and the old padlock really add to the scene. Great composition and processing. As to the fencing them in scrap metal thieves and insurance would be my thoughts.

  • MAU

    on September 3, 2009

    I think you chose the (at least for me) best one. And the fence doesn't bother at all, much the contrary

  • Andrea Kaus (ChaosGraphics)

    on September 2, 2009

    Neat! the fence and border really work.

  • 310343normvz

    on September 2, 2009

    If your interested, I posted "Pond Apple....part 2" for todays daily....Thank you for your regular viewing.

  • 310343normvz

    on September 2, 2009

    The fence is definitely a plus...... and good DOF through out. And an extra star for stopping. 6 stars.

  • fotomom

    on September 2, 2009

    I took a look at the gallery. I like the processing on the very first one that the link goes to. The colors in it appeal to me. I also like the pics that show the rust. All are neat, and i can see why you stopped to see what you could capture.

  • MichaelSullivan

    on September 1, 2009

    Nice capture!

  • Sam (tylwydd)

    on September 1, 2009

    Nice picture and place. The fence really fits to the place.

  • John Bennett

    on September 1, 2009

    I agree, the fence really adds to this Judy

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