Thematic Photographic #168 - Metallica

Remember when our sidewalk toys were made of metal? We had tricycles, fire engines, red wagons, cars, and even airplanes like the relic (a very well preserved relic) in the photo above. I lived at the bottom of a long hill and we could spend all day pumping the petals or pushing the mini-vehicles up the hill, then race down the sidewalk, legs stretched to keep from dragging our feet (and ruining shoes we weren't supposed to be wearing outdoors! -- but that is another story!) There was always one big bump in the sidewalk caused by trees roots pushing up the concrete and this would just add to the thrill of the race -- and a bruise on the bum.  Those hot wheels of the 60's were just that --- hot to touch in the summer and stored away in the garage in the winter (well, in snowy climes, that is.).  As they aged their colors, which were usually red and white, dulled and their fenders developed a rust spot or two due to being left out in the rain a few times. (enter the EPA)

Carmi's Thematic Photographic at Written, Inc. this week is all about metal. Metal is still all around us though plastics have taken the shapes of our favorite  playground toys and even parts of our grown-up cars and bikes and planes. I suppose a plastic mini-Corvette can be raced on a downhill sidewalk, but surely without the same thrill as our little red metal Nash Rambler.  The mini-Corvette has a motor, after all.  We didn't even have brakes, not that we used anyway! :-)

We are having fun this week with Metallica.  Come join us with your photos of things metal and post them so we all can check them out.  The more the merrier! 

Photo was taken May 2009 at the General Store, Amanas, Iowa.

Thematic Photographic 167 --- Edible

This week's Thematic Photographic is Edible -- photos about edibles, that is!  This is an easy one, right?  Sure it is -- if we take a lot of pictures of food.  My bet is that the participants of this challenge will come up with some delectable delights as well as creative cuisine, no doubt having us all craving goodies all week!

I actually have some "phood photos" so I might be sharing more than once this week.  But to start with I like to show off my son's groom's cake at his wedding in July.

Scott is an admirer of Olde World maps as well as a collector.  His lovely new wife is a classical pianist, so combined, they went with an Old World theme.  This classic world map was transferred to the fondant, however they do that, and placed on the top of the cake.  Completely edible it was not only attractive, but surrounded by chocolate!

Like I said, Carmi and the participants of Thematic Photographic will no doubt have us salivating, drooling, and maybe a few eeewwwwsss along the way.  Check it out and join in!

Thematic Photographic #166 - Triangular

I missed last week's Thematic Photographic -- Welcome Autumn because I was on the road in Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa where the fall colors were just beginning to emerge.  Here in southern Missouri the colors are just beginning.

But on to this week's Thematic Photographic which is Triangular.  Carmi has already given us so many fantastic examples, some subtle, some obvious.  As always he prompted me to look around for all things triangular.  I actually found these examples when I wasn't looking for anything specific.  I recently acquired a new computer (yea!) which requires re-installing software, such as Photoshop Elements, and then moving files back in.  Much like moving into a new house and emptying boxes.  At any rate, I decided to move a few more files into PSE under a revised cataloging system.  In looking through photos from a 2007 San Diego trip I found these:

 I can never get enough of the beach! This one taken at sunset caught my eye because of the sea gull and his reflection.  Then I looked at the clouds in the sky ... and their reflection.  Triangular!  

 The beach in the morning is bathed in much softer colors.  Who can resist taking photos of the pier --- which all those triangle shapes?

Exploring the San Diego Zoo reveals more than the incredible animals.  Though called a Bird of Paradise this isn't one of the featured animals, but adds bright beauty to the grounds around the enclosures.  This is one of my favorite flowers, and loaded with triangles!

So, a closer look at what we take for granted shows TRIANGLES also make the world go ROUND.  (ugh! sorry, had to say it!)  Hop on over to Written, Inc. to see Carmi's angles in life --- and check out the comments, too.  The participants from around the world have amazing examples.  

Thematic Photographic #164 --- It's In the Details

Carmi over at Written, Inc. has given us another fun theme this week.  It's "In the Details".  That can take us on all sorts of photographic adventures.  As always, Carmi has a challenge inside the challenge.  Besides the sharing of photographs, he challenges us to look within the big picture, at the details.  That could mean putting the macros lens on the camera, or fine tuning our perceptions of life around us.  He's quite philosophical that way!

So, let me start with the details.........

This is a macro shot of a section of a much larger project that I am working on.  It is counted cross stitch which is making thousands of "X" stitches on a piece of fabric.  Nothing is printed on the fabric.  I follow a very detailed chart and count threads for stitch placement.  In this case the fabric is linen with 32 threads per inch and I place the Xs over 2 threads, so 16 stitches per inch, 256 Xs per square inch.

Panning back a bit, another hint of the big picture is revealed.  

And this crinkly piece of fabric shows my progress so far.  I had hoped to have it finished by July 29, the day my son Scott married Paula.  I've done several of these projects over the years and one this complex usually takes nearly a year of pretty regular work to get finished.  I started this one in February.  Even spending entire weekends stitching till my eyes crossed I didn't quite make it.

No, this is not my piece finished, but is the photo that came with the pattern.  It's what I will have when I do finish it.  As you can see, I have quite a way to go.  There are approximately 100,000 stitches in this project.

Now for the philosophical piece.  If with every stitch I wish Scott and Paula a day of happiness they will be married for 274 years!  I think they are off to a pretty good start since I have about 130 years worth already stitched. 

Looking at the rarely seen details of something is always fascinating.  Looking through the microscope during my high school science classes opened up worlds I never imagined.  But looking at the details doesn't require a microscope.  Visit Carmi's Thematic Photographic to see what he zeroed in on, then visit other participants' blogs.  This group never disappoints with their variety of interpretations.  Then, join in the fun and add your own!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope your week is a pleasant one.

Written, Inc. Thematic Photographic 162 -- Playing With Light

Thematic Photographic this week is "Playing with Light".  Tricky, Carmi admits, because what is photography if not playing with light? Well, Carmi, I'm going to take you down memory lane for a look at light itself playing with our imaginations.  Remember this?  It was my first entry in your very first Thematic Photographic....

 This mirror image on our driveway was unlike any reflection I had ever seen.  It was created by the sun shining on the tailgate of my Chevrolet Avalanche and throwing off this image into the shadow of the garage. Amazing!

 It lasted only a few minutes and I haven't seen anything like it since.

 Now here is a photo of how we play with artificial light for artistic effect, not just illumination.  This is from a stage production here in Branson.  As close as we were sitting, and as fast as the burst is on my camera, the dancers are a blur.  A trick to freezing action is to be as much in the light as the subjects --- but then I wouldn't have captured the arrangement of spotlights -- and the dancers were spinning very quickly :-).

And here is one more piece that I really like.  The depths of water carry light just so far, but the distance the light penetrates allows for magical illumination of creatures we might never get a chance to see.  This photo was taken at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska.  The aquarium there has a walk-thru tunnel putting us in the midst of sharks, manta rays, and hundreds of other sea life.  I nearly expected this school of fish to spell out "Nemo" with their synchronized swimming!

Now, this is just a sampling of my favorite "playing with light" photos. Like many photographers I have hundreds if not thousands of shots of light.  Gotta love this pasttime-hobby-career-addiction!

Thanks for stopping by for another fun Thematic Photographic.  Hop on over to Written, Inc. to see Carmi's inspiration and the participants' take on the theme.  You won't be disappointed!

Thematic Photographic #161 --- White

Just hours ago Carmi posted the Thematic Photographic for this week --- white.  I'm not usually quite so quick to respond, but I recently took some photos at the zoo and just happen to have.....

A White Tiger

This beautiful animal is at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska.  In addition to his unusual coat, his ice blue eyes are so captivating.  This fellow was enjoying a cat nap (sorry, just had to say it) as were most of the other lions and tigers and bears while we were there.  Just a bit of a plug -- there are more photos in my facebook album.

As Carmi pointed out, white is often a difficult "color" to capture.  I've done many weddings and whether they are indoors or outdoors, the white gowns throw the light which makes it tricky to capture the details of the dress  That's another reason why I chose to post the white tiger instead!  In any case, you will enjoy this challenge.  White after Labor Day??  You betcha!

Thematic Photographic 160 --- Shopping

For 160 weeks Carmi at Written, Inc. has challenged us with very interesting themes to stimulate our photographic creative juices.  But I think this week's Thematic Photographic -- Shopping -- is one of the most challenging for me. I mean, shopping, really! It is something I love to do in photography and craft stores, but dislike in grocery and clothing stores. Realistically, most of my shopping is done online because much of what I need for my crafts I can't get locally, or the stores I really love to browse in (Barnes & Noble) are too far away to frequent very often. Also, I don't carry the Canon 40D everywhere -- people get a little nervous about that in the local Walmart. So my take on the theme this week is a collage of common links in the internet shopping mall.

If people think taking photos in a big box store with a high caliber camera is weird, I'm sure anyone watching me take photos of my laptop screen with said camera would think I was weird!  Oh, well. Probably not the first time!  Thanks, Carmi, for another fun week! Be sure to check out what the other participants have posted here.  They are much more creative!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, everyone!