Christmas - What's new

The new lens arrived from Santa! I'm really pretty excited to finally have a longer focal lenth lens.

This is the first official picture I took with the new lens. A still life of some nummy Christmas treats.

Unfortunately, we have many Christmas celebrations, so it might be a day or two before I get to spend some quality time with my new treasure!
Santa was also generous and got me two new books!

This first book, "The Digital Photography Handbook", by Doug Harman - Photography bt David Jones. It's a simple guide to digital photography. At first glance, I'd say this book is much more of a reference than a page turner.

It has some neat checklists for different types of shoots. Things that you need to remember to bring or think about while shooting.

Some of the stuff seems more than simple and directed at the completely inexperienced.

I don't think it will take me long to get through this one, but some parts I can see coming back to in the future as a reference.

The next book, "Photo Idea Index", by Jim Krause, is a book that I'm really excited about. I first discovered this book while waiting to get started on the Cityscapes Photo Safari.

This book is gonna get read a lot. Its full of idea and techniques for creating great pictures. I also find it very inspiring.

The book is also bound in vinyl. This will come in handy when I'm taking it places. Just thumbing through this book is very motivating.

There are many examples of simple things you can do and ideas for subjects that really make the mind wonder.

Yipppee!

Now that Christmas is over...who's up for another photo adventure??? Is there anyone out there?

Merry Christmas From Our Home To Yours

Hoar Frost - Thanks Mark!

Hoar frost is formed when the air is moist and the wind is low, or stale.

This morning we woke up to this most beautiful sight. This is one of those things that we here in the north country love about winter. It makes for some beautiful scenes.

This picture is take from Bob's road very near the barn picture. I would have loved to spent more time this morning shooting, but it's Wednesday. It's a work day. DANG! Why doesn't this happen on a day I'm not working and the Mrs. can stay home with the kids!

I did alter this picture in Photoshop. I turned it to B&W and then fixed the levels to improve the contrast. It was extremely foggy today.

Let me know what you think!

I got a great call last night

I got a great phone call last night from a good photographer friend of mine. Doug Ohman, (this link isn't working for me, I'm sure he'll be fixing it), he's got several published books for sale, and is doing what a lot of strive to do...he's making a living taking picture and he's not doing portraits and weddings! He's also one heck of a great guy.

Every year, I get to see Doug at the Red Wing Arts and Crafts show run by my parents. At this show, when he's not busy selling out his photos, we chat about the business and the art.

This past year, he offered to put a couple of my shots in his collection and see what happens. Well, last night he called to tell me he was going to be in Rochester and wanted to deliver to me the money from the sale of one of my pictures! The barn picture sold!

Can't quite the day job, but it's actually pretty exciting to think that someone was willing to pony up actual cash to put one of my pictures in their home!

YEAH!

Shh...I couldn't wait til Christmas

As you probably have already figured, I'm getting a new lens for Christmas. It's the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens. I couldn't wait for Christmas to "Make sure it works."

Here's the first frame taken by this lens!



OK...it works! Now to put it back in the box and wait...how many days? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

Oh me, oh my - I'm dancing like Homer!

LOOK! LOOK! IT'S IN MINNESOTA! I think it's safe to say that I'm getting nothing done at work today. My new lens should be delivered to the office sometime today...I think I feel the flu coming on...anyone else?

December 11, 2007
11:06:00 PM
EAGAN MN US
Departure Scan

Lens update

December 7, 2007
04:38:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY OK US
Shipment picked up from seller's facility

May I have your attention please!

Sorry, no picture today. Just a very important announcement.

MY NEW LENS HAS SHIPPED THE WAREHOUSE!

That is all. Please return to your regularly scheduled blog reading.

More from the archives - Winter arrives!

Winter finally hit Minnesota this weekend. Normally, the fresh snow provides many of us with a little added desire to take some pictures. Unfortunately, this snow got topped off with a layer of ice and a wind that still whipping. So it looks like I'll be waiting for the next snow fall for some fresh snow adventures.

Congrats to Mark I! He finally got his new camera. I can't wait to see and it and get see what it inspires you to do.

This week, and I do hope to get back to more regular shooting, I found this picture in the archives. It was take at Quarry Hill Nature Center, here in Rochester. A wonderful facility that provides hands on learning about nature to local school children.

This picture of a lone turtles just gets my brain in storytelling mode. And pictures that tell stories keep us coming back for more.

This picture has been modified in Photoshop. I did a little color correction and a rare cropping. This particular crop was done to fit in a 4 X 6 frame, but also ended up being my favorite crop. I'll try to get it right in the camera next time.