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Friday, September 29, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
You Never Know What You Will See Between The Lines
This week was ripe for photography. Maybe I was inspired by my recent membership in the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS) and their upcoming year focusing on “Visual Design.”
Sometimes photography is about being in the right place at the right time. On Tuesday there were protesters outside my building. They brought a big inflatable rat with them. These pictures weren’t so great from a design standpoint but they were fun from a subject standpoint. After all, how often do you see a giant inflatable rat?
I finally found a “volunteer” to help me with my idea to take a reflective portrait in the boulders at the National Geographic building. On Thursday my friend and co-worker, Dale, came out and we took a few shots mid-day. I have a feeling that I will be playing with this much more in future.
On Sunday I had to be at the NVPS Self-Improvement field trip location, Green Spring Gardens, by 8 am. As I’ve mentioned (at least above), NVPS is spending the year focusing on “Visual Design.” The Self-Improvement field trips are following the Freeman Patterson book, “Photographing the World Around You (A Visual Design Workshop).” I already owned the book before starting this self-improvement project. Here are some of my lines pictures. I will be working on this focus until the next field trip in October. So be prepared to see more LINES.
I am finding it exceedingly difficult to include just a few images every week. Hope you don’t mind.
It’s fall. Time for pumpkins.
Northern Virginia Photographic Society: http://www.nvps.org
Sometimes photography is about being in the right place at the right time. On Tuesday there were protesters outside my building. They brought a big inflatable rat with them. These pictures weren’t so great from a design standpoint but they were fun from a subject standpoint. After all, how often do you see a giant inflatable rat?
I finally found a “volunteer” to help me with my idea to take a reflective portrait in the boulders at the National Geographic building. On Thursday my friend and co-worker, Dale, came out and we took a few shots mid-day. I have a feeling that I will be playing with this much more in future.
On Sunday I had to be at the NVPS Self-Improvement field trip location, Green Spring Gardens, by 8 am. As I’ve mentioned (at least above), NVPS is spending the year focusing on “Visual Design.” The Self-Improvement field trips are following the Freeman Patterson book, “Photographing the World Around You (A Visual Design Workshop).” I already owned the book before starting this self-improvement project. Here are some of my lines pictures. I will be working on this focus until the next field trip in October. So be prepared to see more LINES.
I am finding it exceedingly difficult to include just a few images every week. Hope you don’t mind.
It’s fall. Time for pumpkins.
Links:
Northern Virginia Photographic Society: http://www.nvps.org
National Geographic: http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/
Green Spring Gardens: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/
Freeman Patterson: http://www.freemanpatterson.com/
Sunday, September 17, 2006
No Sleeping In For Me
This weekend there was no sleeping in for me. Not sure WHAT I was thinking but I planned early morning photography activities for BOTH Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday morning, I left the house at 5:30 am so that I could meet my fellow photographers from the Northern Virginia Photographic Society at Wakefield Park so that we could caravan down to Herrington Harbour marina for September’s photography field trip. The theme of the field trip was REFLECTIONS. Here are some of my shots from Saturday.
OK, this one is not a reflection. But this night heron was just sitting there posing for me. I HAD to take his/her picture.
On Sunday I didn’t get up quite as early. I left the house at 7:45 (I could have left later) to make it down to the National Museum of the American Indian by 9:30 for a Washington Photo Safari. The Safari theme was the Nikon D200, my newish camera. The idea of the safari was learning about the camera rather than creative photography but I got a few shots that I liked. Here is one.
Who knows what next week will bring!!!
Links:
Northern Virginia Photographic Society: http://www.nvps.org
Herrington Harbour: http://www.herringtonharbour.com/
Washington Photo Safari: http://www.washingtonphotosafari.com
National Museum of the American Indian: http://www.nmai.si.edu/
On Saturday morning, I left the house at 5:30 am so that I could meet my fellow photographers from the Northern Virginia Photographic Society at Wakefield Park so that we could caravan down to Herrington Harbour marina for September’s photography field trip. The theme of the field trip was REFLECTIONS. Here are some of my shots from Saturday.
OK, this one is not a reflection. But this night heron was just sitting there posing for me. I HAD to take his/her picture.
On Sunday I didn’t get up quite as early. I left the house at 7:45 (I could have left later) to make it down to the National Museum of the American Indian by 9:30 for a Washington Photo Safari. The Safari theme was the Nikon D200, my newish camera. The idea of the safari was learning about the camera rather than creative photography but I got a few shots that I liked. Here is one.
Who knows what next week will bring!!!
Links:
Northern Virginia Photographic Society: http://www.nvps.org
Herrington Harbour: http://www.herringtonharbour.com/
Washington Photo Safari: http://www.washingtonphotosafari.com
National Museum of the American Indian: http://www.nmai.si.edu/
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Anticipation . . .
I had a very productive photography week. The week began with Labor Day. We still had house guests so we all went on a picnic to Burke Lake Park. This was a treat for Ivan even though he had to be on his leash while we were there. This summer I got him some dollar Frisbees in the dollar section at Target. Ivan loves to play Frisbee. Unfortunately the dollar disks only last about one session. We also brought a regular Frisbee for us to play with. While Charles and Jeff were playing, Ivan really wanted to go play. He managed to slip out of his collar for a bit – until Jeff tackled him.
Our picnic spot was right near the park train tracks. There was a little mock station with an American flag flying. I though that it was very quaint.
On Saturday we went to see Sandi Croan’s show over at the Broadway Gallery in Fair Lakes Promenade. As I’ve said before, I love her work. Now Charles knows what I have been going on about. Check out the link to Sandi's website below - and to Broadway Galleries' website as well.
On Sunday I got to do my first (of hopefully many more) maternity photo session. A friend of mine came over and we shot for about 2 hours. I’m pretty impressed with my efforts – if I do say so myself. Here are afew of the shots … there are more on my website viewing gallery … and even more will be coming as soon as I finish processing them.
While photos were downloading, I worked on some high key lighting skills and did some self-portraits. Always an interesting experience. I am getting much better at working the remote.
I’ve got lots of plans for artistic inspiration this week. On Tuesday I’ll be going to a Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS) workshop on reflections and shadow. And on Wednesday I’ll be going to the monthly Northern Virginia Artists League (NOVAL) meeting.
Links:
Beyond Mere Words Photography Viewing Galleries: http://beyondmerewords.photosite.com
Burke Lake Park: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/
Sandi Croan Photography: http://www.sandicroanphotography.com/
Broadway Galleries: http://www.broadwaygalleries.net/index.shtml
NVPS: http://nvps.org/main/
NOVAL: http://nvps.org/main/
Our picnic spot was right near the park train tracks. There was a little mock station with an American flag flying. I though that it was very quaint.
On Saturday we went to see Sandi Croan’s show over at the Broadway Gallery in Fair Lakes Promenade. As I’ve said before, I love her work. Now Charles knows what I have been going on about. Check out the link to Sandi's website below - and to Broadway Galleries' website as well.
On Sunday I got to do my first (of hopefully many more) maternity photo session. A friend of mine came over and we shot for about 2 hours. I’m pretty impressed with my efforts – if I do say so myself. Here are afew of the shots … there are more on my website viewing gallery … and even more will be coming as soon as I finish processing them.
While photos were downloading, I worked on some high key lighting skills and did some self-portraits. Always an interesting experience. I am getting much better at working the remote.
I’ve got lots of plans for artistic inspiration this week. On Tuesday I’ll be going to a Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS) workshop on reflections and shadow. And on Wednesday I’ll be going to the monthly Northern Virginia Artists League (NOVAL) meeting.
Links:
Beyond Mere Words Photography Viewing Galleries: http://beyondmerewords.photosite.com
Burke Lake Park: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/
Sandi Croan Photography: http://www.sandicroanphotography.com/
Broadway Galleries: http://www.broadwaygalleries.net/index.shtml
NVPS: http://nvps.org/main/
NOVAL: http://nvps.org/main/
Monday, September 04, 2006
Labor Day Weekend – Lots of Images This Week
Charles went to the first Virginia Tech football game of the season and I stayed home. While he was cheering the Hokies on to victory over Northeastern (38 to nothing), I took a drive around Northern Virginia with my camera. The weather was a little damp as the remnants of not-Hurricane Ernesto were passing through.
I stopped by the Colvin Run Mill Historic site – a photo worthy place. On my way down the hill to the mill, I came across another photographer. He was shooting with a Nikon D70. We had a short conversation about our Nikons and then we both continued with the task at hand, photography.
Here the other photographer setting up a shot of the some discarded mill grinding wheels.
Here is my own interpretation of the same scene. I did a little selective coloring in Photoshop on this one.
On Sunday we went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (part of the National Air & Space Museum near Dulles airport). So many planes. The shapes were interesting. I shot with both my D70 and my D200.
No, this is not a B&W image. This was the color of the sky on Sunday afternoon.
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The museum has an SR71 Blackbird on display. It flew from California to Washington in a little over one hour. Amazing. Yes, I adjusted some settings in Photoshop on this one.
The museum also has a space shuttle on display. It is a BIG flying vehicle.
Charles has not made the PHOG yet. So here he is. I imagine he is saying. “My wife the photographer. I wish that she’d stop taking pictures of me.”
LINKS:
Virginia Tech Football: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/
Colvin Run Mill Historic Site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/crm/
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/
Until Next Week!!!
I stopped by the Colvin Run Mill Historic site – a photo worthy place. On my way down the hill to the mill, I came across another photographer. He was shooting with a Nikon D70. We had a short conversation about our Nikons and then we both continued with the task at hand, photography.
Here the other photographer setting up a shot of the some discarded mill grinding wheels.
Here is my own interpretation of the same scene. I did a little selective coloring in Photoshop on this one.
On Sunday we went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (part of the National Air & Space Museum near Dulles airport). So many planes. The shapes were interesting. I shot with both my D70 and my D200.
No, this is not a B&W image. This was the color of the sky on Sunday afternoon.
The museum has an SR71 Blackbird on display. It flew from California to Washington in a little over one hour. Amazing. Yes, I adjusted some settings in Photoshop on this one.
The museum also has a space shuttle on display. It is a BIG flying vehicle.
Charles has not made the PHOG yet. So here he is. I imagine he is saying. “My wife the photographer. I wish that she’d stop taking pictures of me.”
LINKS:
Virginia Tech Football: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/
Colvin Run Mill Historic Site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/crm/
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/
Until Next Week!!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Joe's Family ... MY Family
I collect family members and then keep them even when they are not "technically" part of my family anymore. This week, some of my family came for a visit. My son Joe's uncle Ben, Aunt Lonni and their girls came to stay with us. Ben is the brother of my ex-husband but we are still friends and it seemed perfectly natural that they would come and stay with us while they were in town. Thursday night we had an evening of guitar playing and other merriment with the "family" and a few friends. I got some great facial shots of the guitar players. I was shooting with my Nikon D200.
I wonder if I should explore "band" photography.
Thursday was a busy night. After dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant we stopped for "frozen custard." I had forgotten how much Lonni loves the frozen stuff. I took this picture with her first digital camera, a Canon point and shoot - very nice camera for a point and shoot.
On Saturday Charles and I drove out to the Virginia Arboretum in Boyce, Virginia to check out the gardens and the picture taking possibilities. It was very hot but we saw a few things and decided that we will have to go back in the fall and winter and spring. Here is a shot that I took while we took the driving tour around the arboretum.
Links:
Virginia Arboretum: http://www.virginia.edu/blandy/
Thai Basil: http://www.thaibasilchantilly.com/
Milwaukee Frozen Custard: http://www.milwaukeecustard.com/
I wonder if I should explore "band" photography.
Thursday was a busy night. After dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant we stopped for "frozen custard." I had forgotten how much Lonni loves the frozen stuff. I took this picture with her first digital camera, a Canon point and shoot - very nice camera for a point and shoot.
On Saturday Charles and I drove out to the Virginia Arboretum in Boyce, Virginia to check out the gardens and the picture taking possibilities. It was very hot but we saw a few things and decided that we will have to go back in the fall and winter and spring. Here is a shot that I took while we took the driving tour around the arboretum.
Links:
Virginia Arboretum: http://www.virginia.edu/blandy/
Thai Basil: http://www.thaibasilchantilly.com/
Milwaukee Frozen Custard: http://www.milwaukeecustard.com/
Sunday, August 20, 2006
What I see everyday
I work across the street from the National Geographic Society buildings in Washington, D.C. In the area between the buildings, there is a nice pool area with several large boulders. One day I had this idea that it would be cool to take a portrait of someone reflected in one of the boulders. I haven’t found a victim yet so this week I practiced the technique on myself and did a few self portraits. I really like how they came out.
The National Geographic buildings are quite interesting but so is the building that I work in, Sumner Square. It is actually comprised of three buildings, the historic landmark the Sumner School, the former Magruder School and a building connecting them all (with no name).
Links:
The National Geographic buildings are quite interesting but so is the building that I work in, Sumner Square. It is actually comprised of three buildings, the historic landmark the Sumner School, the former Magruder School and a building connecting them all (with no name).
Links:
Next weekend I'm going to shoot my first maternity photos. I've seen so many great shots of pregant women. I hope that I will do a good job.
See you next week.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
New Camera Adventures
I got a new camera a few weeks ago, the Nikon D200. It is a digital SLR. I haven’t shot film since December 2004 when I got my first DSLR, the Nikon D70. I take lots more pictures and try more things with my digital cameras. I look forward to exploring all the features of the D200.
I had two photography outings planned for this weekend:
Winery Outing:
The first outing was a paint/shoot out yesterday with the Northern Virginia Artists League, NOVAL (see below). We went to a local Loudoun County, Virginia vineyard, Windham Winery. The lighting wasn’t so great for photography but I got a few interesting shots - that I played with in Photoshop. We found a baby bird in a nest among the vines but none of us could get a good shot of it. The owners and staff at the winery were so welcoming to our group. I hope to get back there in the fall to catch some shots of the changing leaves (and for the wine).
I've been playing with logos for my photography business. What do you think of this one?
Visting Grandma:
The second outing was a visit to my 101 year old grandmother today with the hope of taking some pictures of her. Unfortunately she was not in a picture taking mood. I got one interesting shot but I will have to visit her another day.
After visiting my grandma, my parents, niece and nephew came over for lunch. My son and one of his friends also joined us. It was my mom’s birthday yesterday and my parents’ anniversary on Tuesday so we had to CELEBRATE. While my son and his friend moved a desk into my studio, I took some shots of my parents and niece and nephew in the studio. No one is safe from my camera.
NOVAL:
I have joined NOVAL, a group of local artists. They are an eclectic group of painters, photographers and graphic artists – including both accomplished artists and newcomers like me. They have been very warm and welcoming. I look forward to a long association with them. I am very excited because Sandi Croan, one of the photographers in the group (now there are 3 – I’m one!!!), has been so helpful and supportive. Her work is incredible. She shoots with the same camera that I do and has shown me a few things. I hope to help Sandi and the other NOVAL artists at their booths at the Virginia Wine Festival at the end of September.
Links:
NOVAL: http://www.novalart.com/
Windham Winery: http://www.windhamwinery.com/
Sandi Croan Photography: http://www.sandicroanphotography.com/
Virginia Wine festival: http://www.virginiawinefestival.org
Thanks for visiting. Come back next week.
I had two photography outings planned for this weekend:
Winery Outing:
The first outing was a paint/shoot out yesterday with the Northern Virginia Artists League, NOVAL (see below). We went to a local Loudoun County, Virginia vineyard, Windham Winery. The lighting wasn’t so great for photography but I got a few interesting shots - that I played with in Photoshop. We found a baby bird in a nest among the vines but none of us could get a good shot of it. The owners and staff at the winery were so welcoming to our group. I hope to get back there in the fall to catch some shots of the changing leaves (and for the wine).
I've been playing with logos for my photography business. What do you think of this one?
Visting Grandma:
The second outing was a visit to my 101 year old grandmother today with the hope of taking some pictures of her. Unfortunately she was not in a picture taking mood. I got one interesting shot but I will have to visit her another day.
After visiting my grandma, my parents, niece and nephew came over for lunch. My son and one of his friends also joined us. It was my mom’s birthday yesterday and my parents’ anniversary on Tuesday so we had to CELEBRATE. While my son and his friend moved a desk into my studio, I took some shots of my parents and niece and nephew in the studio. No one is safe from my camera.
NOVAL:
I have joined NOVAL, a group of local artists. They are an eclectic group of painters, photographers and graphic artists – including both accomplished artists and newcomers like me. They have been very warm and welcoming. I look forward to a long association with them. I am very excited because Sandi Croan, one of the photographers in the group (now there are 3 – I’m one!!!), has been so helpful and supportive. Her work is incredible. She shoots with the same camera that I do and has shown me a few things. I hope to help Sandi and the other NOVAL artists at their booths at the Virginia Wine Festival at the end of September.
Links:
NOVAL: http://www.novalart.com/
Windham Winery: http://www.windhamwinery.com/
Sandi Croan Photography: http://www.sandicroanphotography.com/
Virginia Wine festival: http://www.virginiawinefestival.org
Thanks for visiting. Come back next week.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Sharing My Passion For Photography
I am starting this blog, PHOG, to share my passion for photography.
Starting today I will be posting a weekly PHOG sharing my latest photography adventures.
This week I was practicing with my new macro lens.
Next week I will be visiting family in New York. I love to take candid photos capturing the diversity in human expressions. My family is an interesting group and will make a fine addition to the PHOG.
After that, who knows. I have been thinking of taking a series of pictures of American flags in downtown Washington, D.C. Maybe those will make the PHOG.
This weekend we went to visit my in-laws down in Bristol, VA. My father-in-law, Mac, showed me an antique match holder that he had received from his father. I didn't know that such things existed. His "raven" grabbing matches out of a "coffin" had been featured on the cover of a book on match holders (yes, there are books on "everything"). Kinda cool, eh? I had to take a picture - after all I did have a new camera with a new macro lens.
My in-laws live on a nice big lot with lots of trees and interesting objects. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this rustic bird house.
When I told Charles (my husband) about my new macro lens, he made a comment that I would be taking more "flower" pictures. I guess I do take a lot of them. The following images are not "flower" pictures although these "chicks and hens" plants do look very floral, don't they. I played with them in photoshop too.
Please come visit my PHOG next week. Oh, and don't forget to leave me some comments.
- Nadia
Starting today I will be posting a weekly PHOG sharing my latest photography adventures.
This week I was practicing with my new macro lens.
Next week I will be visiting family in New York. I love to take candid photos capturing the diversity in human expressions. My family is an interesting group and will make a fine addition to the PHOG.
After that, who knows. I have been thinking of taking a series of pictures of American flags in downtown Washington, D.C. Maybe those will make the PHOG.
This weekend we went to visit my in-laws down in Bristol, VA. My father-in-law, Mac, showed me an antique match holder that he had received from his father. I didn't know that such things existed. His "raven" grabbing matches out of a "coffin" had been featured on the cover of a book on match holders (yes, there are books on "everything"). Kinda cool, eh? I had to take a picture - after all I did have a new camera with a new macro lens.
My in-laws live on a nice big lot with lots of trees and interesting objects. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this rustic bird house.
When I told Charles (my husband) about my new macro lens, he made a comment that I would be taking more "flower" pictures. I guess I do take a lot of them. The following images are not "flower" pictures although these "chicks and hens" plants do look very floral, don't they. I played with them in photoshop too.
Please come visit my PHOG next week. Oh, and don't forget to leave me some comments.
- Nadia
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