Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Windmills


I think windmills are neat looking. We have journeyed down to the MN/IA border many times to photograph them. It was a peaceful day last October when I took this photo. Standing on a back road in northern Iowa, all I could hear was the swoosh swoosh of the windmill blades.

Techie Corner
I wasn't able to get in a photo shoot today, so I decided to dig into the archives for an image.
Shot at 1/30 Sec @ F22, ISO 200

Monday, April 14, 2008

Bonnie

I was really in the mood to do portraits today, but finding a willing subject is always a trick. So, for lack of a human subject, meet Bonnie, my mom's childhood doll. She spent a lot of years in my mom's attic, braving the elements as best she could. Bonnie's backdrop is a patchwork quilt that my grandmother made.

Techie Corner
Just used window light in this image. Made a few minor post-production adjustments, including vignetting and softening.
Shot at 1/45 Sec @ F2.8, ISO 200

Friday, April 11, 2008

Middle of the Night Madness

Most people are asleep at 2:30am. I, on the other hand, am out on the front steps taking pictures of YET ANOTHER snowfall. I could have waited until Friday afternoon, but everything looks different during the day and the street will be plowed by then. At least it was peaceful and quiet now.

Have a great weekend and hopefully this snow business will be over soon. I want spring!

Techie Corner
It's late, or early, depending on how you look at it. Here's the short version:
Shot at 4.0 Sec @ F11, ISO 200

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Schmidt Brewery

I went on a little excursion today and wound up near this old brewery a few miles from our house. Years ago, I used to get free spring water from this brewery and one on the East Side of St. Paul. That was some good stuff! Now they are both defunct.

Techie Corner
I went with a very stylized look on this image. I'll list camera settings, but there was so much post-production work that the original settings are moot. It looked like they were in the process of cutting down the trees in the foreground. I may have to revisit this spot sometime.
Shot at 1/15 Sec @ F32, ISO 200

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Nostalgia

Most of the antiques I own sat around in my mom's basement and attic, out of the public eye. I like to have them on display instead of hidden away. And on a dark, gloomy day, they are something to photograph.

I doubt young people even know what liquid bluing is anymore. This bottle has been around as long as I can remember. Liquid bluing had several uses. It's primary marketing was for laundry to make dingy, yellowing whites bright white again. But have you ever heard the term "blue hair" used to refer to seniors? (No offense, seniors.) Well, liquid bluing was also supposed to turn yellowing hair bright white again. The bottle says you're supposed to add "a few drops to rinse water." Well, I guess most people didn't read that part, because there were a lot of ladies with blue hair! My grandma was a blue hair. I grew up thinking it was normal for grandmas to have blue hair. Now kids color their hair blue on purpose. Go figure, grandma would be a trend-setter now.

Techie Corner
I took this in dim light, so needed lots of post-production.
Shot at 1/3 Sec @ F2.8, ISO 200