Project 50 - Week 3 - Leeloo, Fremen Baby

Project 50 - Week 3
Subject: Leeloo, Fremen Baby


It was a close call, but I finished this weeks project!  A bit of a early-week cold and an upcoming move certainly occupied a lot of my time, but in the end I completed the project!  For my week 3 project, I wanted to use some portrait photographs that I recently took of our friend's baby's first birthday party.  I tried to use a few different techniques in these photos, both during the shoot and post-production to give them an interesting look. 


All-in-all, for my first attempt at any sort of portrait shooting, I'm very pleased with the outcome.  Two of the post-production techniques I used for some of the photos include: duo-toning (with a "Warm Gray" filter effect) and tri-toning (as a sepia effect).  Two of the photos I left unaltered, because of how well they show off the blue of her eyes. 


In regards to her amazing blue eyes, the name of this project "Leeloo, Fremen Baby" is a tweak on a "geek joke"; Fremen are the group of characters from the Dune book series (by Frank Herbert) who live on the planet Arrakis and due to their constant consumption of "Spice", all of their eye's have turned "blue-in-blue".  Leeloo clearly has a lot of Spice with her Cheerios.

Enjoy!

Note: a larger version of these photos will be viewable on the www.anttree.org website within the next few days. 

Photo 365 - Day 337 (Green and Blue)

Day 337 (June 5th, 2011)
Title: Green and Blue

While walking around Colorado, I was certainly missing my Pacific Ocean and all of the water, but I do have to say, I love looking at all of the green hills and blue sky! (Yeah, I know San Francisco has blue sky too, but you can't always see it because of the fog!)

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 313 (Fisherman's Wharf)

Day 313 (May 12th, 2011)
Title: Fisherman's Wharf

By law, if you have a camera anywhere near you, you are required to take a picture of the sign at Fisherman's Wharf.  It doesn't even matter if it's your camera, just grab some random tourist's camera and shoot a picture.  Trust me, they'll thank you for it later.

Subject: An unknown, rarely visited sign in San Francisco. 

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 276 (Blue Tie)

Day 276 (April 5th, 2011)
Title: Blue Tie

Still in catch-up mode.  A fun little selective-color photo. 

Subject: San Pedro Marina, San Pedro, CA

Techie: 300mm, f/10 at 1/800th.  Selective coloring (rope).

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 268 (Tree Frogs)

Day 268 (March 28th, 2011)
Title: Tree Frogs

In catch-up mode, so no story today.

Subject: Tree Frogs, California Academy of Science

Techie: 50mm, f/3.5 at 1/160th

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 267 (Science Band)

Day 267 (March 27th, 2011)
Title: Science Band

In catch-up mode, so no story today.

Subject: Stein of Science

Techie: 100mm Macro Lens, f/3.2 at 1/60 with on-board flash

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 220 (Yarn Tunnel)

Day 220 (February 8th, 2011)
Title: Yarn Tunnel

A friend of ours came over last week and while we were all sitting around chatting, she decided that she needed to scrap (that happens a lot when folks come over to our house - its basically a scrapbook store, but with more alcohol and better snacks).  She decided to just make some cool flowers out of yarn and scrap fabric.  I was thoroughly impressed, because a) they looked really neat and b) I end up in the emergency room requiring 230 stitches and needing 6 quarts of blood after just trying to thread the needle. 

I've taken a few shots of the flowers, and this one is the first.  Of course, being that I'm taking these pictures, the first one has to be an abstract that looks nothing like a flower, nor anything else really.  I called it "Yarn Tunnel", because when I saw it, I joked:  "Hey, this is the 'Tunnel of Light' that scrappers see when they die!"

And as it says in the Book of Tim (Holtz, that is), Psalm 11:24, "And lo, when thy scrap has end, thou shall see a great scrapping light, and a tunnel of perfectly spun yarn, and thou shalt KNOW thy is in a good place.  A place of everlasting glue-pens and correctly shaped punches." 

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 215 (Thorns)

Day 215 (February 3rd, 2011)
Title: Thorns

When I saw this photo, I thought to myself: "Ooo, this will make a great shot to go with a neat poem about thorns!  Woot!"  Took the shot, came home, used the Internets to try and find a amusing little poem about thorns.  Wrong.  Spent nearly two hours searching the 'net for thorn related poems that a) were not religious in tone, b) not tragically sad things about roses and crying, c) actually just involved a thorn!  Not a "metaphysical" thorn, or an "emotional" thorn.  Just a thorn.  No such luck.  So, I've had to put on my Haiku hat and here is my entirely not-at-all "deep and emotional" haiku about thorns!

Sharp, pointy; shark fin
To touch, ouch! Not so fluffy
Thorn. Oh! Just a thorn.

Enjoy (well, at least the photo at least)

Photo 365 - Day 204 (Ribbon)

Day 204 (January 23rd, 2011)
Title: Ribbon

Secrets of Scrapbooking: Ribbon!

For today's secret of scrapbooking, we are looking at ribbon!  Ribbon is a very inexpensive embellishment (you can get a whole roll for around $1-3) that can be easily added to most projects with just a little glue.  It is very versatile, in that is can perform a lot of roles.  First, it adds a great slash of color and you can get ribbon in just about any color known.  Second, it adds texture to the project, you can get ribbon with many different textures, like silk, satin, cotton and more.  Third, ribbon can add more depth to the project, depending on how it is used (see tomorrow for an example ribbon used for depth).  Lastly, ribbon can add sparkle (or shine) to your project.  Many ribbons include metallic threads and other "ingredients" that add more sparkle and almost a "glitter-y" look. 

In this example, we see two ribbons stacked to add color, texture and a nice shine (there is a little depth added, but not too much) to this project.  Paper could have been used in a similar manner, but much of the unique texture and shine that the ribbon brings would have been lost. 

Enjoy

 Card by: Theresa A. of Our Results My Vary

Photo 365 - Day 197 (Cutie Pie)

Day 197 (January 16th, 2011)
Title: Cutie Pie


I wonder if anyone has noticed that I really enjoy macro (close-up) photography?  I think its because that's how I see naturally.  I can't see anything past about 6-8 inches without glasses, but up close, I can see remarkably well.  I can always read the super tiny fine print on thing (like inside watches and on computer parts), as well as see scratches/marks on coins (which is probably another reason I like coins so much). 


This is another heart candy shot, only even more close-up than before!  And before you think "Dang, that's pretty close-up!", just wait till tomorrow!  Mu-hahaha!  Someday I'll actually have a microscope with a camera adapter, then we'll get crazy!


Enjoy

Photo 365 - Day 196 (Heart Trail)

Day 196 (January 15th, 2011)
Title: Heart Trail

Who knew that the meaning of life and happiness could be found in a little box of candies?!  As I was sorting through the candies to take some shots, I realized there was a path or "trail" and that if you put them in the right order, happiness could be found!  And all this time listening to Oprah and Dr. Phil, buying tons of 'Self Help' books, and all I needed was a small box of candies...


Enjoy

Photo 365 - Day 155 - Birthday Stars

Day 155 (December 5th, 2010)
Title: Birthday Stars

Happy birthday SZ!

Yes, I know this is late.
Yes, I know we already had a party.
Yes, I know I should have posted this picture back when you actually had your birthday.
Yes, I know I'm behind with my photos. 

You know what, I'm taking that "Happy" back! ...

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 146 (Streets of San Francisco - Divisadero Street)

Day 146 (November 25th, 2010)
Title: Streets of San Francisco - Divisadero Street

During the holiday break, we visited the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.  After being stunned by the Japanese woodblock prints, we decided that a crazy-expensive pizza was the best way to follow it up.  We decided to head to the Marina District and to get there, you've got to go, up, up, up!  At the top of the hill I quickly scrambled to get my camera and snap this shot of us about to plunge down Divisadero!  Okay, it was more of a "relaxing zoom" rather than a plunge, but either way it was fun!

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 143 (Bird Lift)

Day 143 (November 22nd, 2010)
Title: Bird Lift

Alt title: Worlds Strongest Bird Competition.

We recently went to the Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco, and outside in the parking lot there is this strange red/orange sculpture made of I-Beams.  I saw some birds sitting on top of the structure, just relaxing, enjoying the view of the city, and suddenly one of them flew off.  I just happened to catch the little guy right when he took off and was lucky enough to get a shot where one of his claws is still on the bar.  With a little creative cropping and a bit of imagination it looks like, to me, that the bird is carrying that beam away.  I can't imagine what kind of nest he is going to make, but I feel darn sorry for that tree!

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 133 (Geek #2)

Day 133 (November 12th, 2010)
Title: Geek #2

Welcome to Day 2 of Name That Thing 2!  First, the important information; the answer to yesterdays photo!  Yesterday's photo was... wait for it... a PS2 Plug!  (Also acceptable answers: Mouse and/or Keyboard Plug).  I'm proud to say, nearly everyone got that one (although: "Alien Probing Device" was certainly an interesting answer).  For today, we are going to make it a little harder and dial it up to Geek Level 2!

Here is today's photo!  And I'll even give you a clue!  It's not a probing device (alien or otherwise).  Good luck!

Photo 365 - Day 131 (Thankfulness)

Day 131 (November 10th, 2010)
Title: Thankfulness


Its that time of the year again, the time we remember what to be thankful for.  I'm not a big politico, but I decided to do a quick list of things to be thankful for and one of them is for where I live.  I'm not going crazy about "US is better than everywhere!" or "Bow down to our Capitalism Might!", but its a more 'general' feeling of thankfulness.  I'm thankful that I live in a place that has cool techie toys, abundance of food (even if most of it is crazy-unhealthy), a general access to a wealth of information and truly wide variety of people that I get to be friends with.  I'm also thankful for all of my family, both close and far.  I hope everyone has something to be thankful for this year, and remember, even if you don't think you have anything to be thankful for always remember this one thing:  And the most important thing that I'm thankful for, is that I'm not a turkey. 


(Note: to any turkeys reading this... sorry.  Please take this "Apologetic Stick of Rosemary-Infused Butter".  If you'd like to rub it all over, I'm sure you'd feel better.) 


Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to all of us non-turkeys! 

Photo 365 - Day 130 (Glass Web)

Day 130 (November 9th, 2010)
Title: Glass Web

This is my own "comment" of yesterday's post (Shattered).  While I was generally upset about seeing the vandalism that was done to the Mint building, when I saw the photos I realized they looked really interesting and cool.  I know I can totally hear certain folks (you know who you are!) saying: "See!  Sometimes beauty can come from random destruction and violence!".  Yeah well, that might be true and I'm sure many works of art came from some sort of conflict (be it an external effect like the vandalism I saw, or an internal one, such as a moral or ethical conflict), but regardless I'm still not happy about it! (/4yearold_IdontCareAttitude=on) 

I do aknoledge that the 'ends' resulted in an artisistic work for me (and I'm sure many others) to see and enjoy, but I think the 'means' that got us there was seriously misguided. 

Oh well... Silver lining and all that I suppose. 

Enjoy.

Photo 365 - Day 127 (Circus Mirror)

Day 127 (November 7th, 2010)
Title: Circus Mirror

When I look at this picture, I'm reminded of strange, dark tales, like Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury) and The Thief of Always (Clive Barker).  Sinister events that occur with children and the act of growing up and what might be even worse than getting older.  I've always enjoyed stories where the "monster" is more ethereal and you have to use your imagination to create what the evil really is.  As descriptive as great authors can be, I think ones own personal imagination can be even more frightening and scary. 

Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 113 (San Francisco Park)

Day 113 (October 24th, 2010)
Title: San Francisco Park


I was lucky enough to be a part of the Hanger One multi-birthday celebration event that happened a few days ago.  Basically, there are six of us who have birthdays within days of each other.  It was decided to have one big party to celebrate everyone getting older, and what better place to do so than Hanger One!  We had cake, fireworks, crazy amounts of food, and of course, great booze! 


While the party was rocking, I looked out and saw the San Francisco skyline and knew that I HAD to get a shot of it.  I setup my stuff, and started shooting.  I got about 15-20 shots that were all "okay", but nothing that was spectacular (I think I needed to modify my settings a bit - a smaller aperture would have been a good idea).  When I got home, I realized that since none of the shots were great that I would try to do a HDR with them.  This is the final output.  I like the colors and there is enough detail to really identify specific San Fran landmarks (not just the bridge).  What I didn't really notice the entire time was the fence that matched up almost perfectly with the skyline.  Had I thought about it, or had I been able to see the little screen better on the camera, I would have moved closer to the fence so it would have not been in the shot.  But, after looking at it, I kind of like it.  It gives the feel that the city is fenced in and isolated from the rest of the world.  It also gave me the idea of the "San Francisco Park", only the entire city is the park. 


Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 107 (Stained Window)

Day 107 (October 18th, 2010)
Title: Stained Window

We stayed in this little, run down, hotel for one night and the room was basically as bland as you could get it.  Beige walls, white sheets and blankets, gray counters, white shower-curtain, etc.  Drab.  Blech.  But, I thought for one night, its no big deal.  Cheap rooms don't need art or any sort of expression.  I was pleasantly surprised when I went to take a shower - upon moving the curtain, there was this amazing stained-glass window staring at me.  The sun was shining through it, giving it a great "glowing" effect.  That one little thing changed the whole room, quashing the drabness!  (That's right, it was so neat that I actually used the word "quashed" to describe it!)

I hope the next time you are in a situation that seems, bland or gray, you take a moment to search for that one tiny thing that adds a spark of beauty and light.  And if you can't find one, perhaps you can add your own!

Enjoy!