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Duck, Duck…
By Silver Blue
Goose. It seems that the warmer weather is causing confusion all over the area. Not only are roses still in bloom, the waterfowl (including these foul fowl, known as Canadian Honkers or better yet, “Flying Poop Factories”) aren’t migrating. Of course, part of that is due to the proliferation of people who feed them, People! They’re supposed to migrate for a reason!
What? You think they’re going to grow old and stay here? Looks like we’ll need to enlarge:
Maybe we’ll have to add another… wing. Well, someone once told me that you can’t take yourself too seriously. You don’t get out of life alive.
Another sign that the weather has been beyond the bizarre is evidenced here.
These normally don’t start sprouting until March, let alone blooming. Dinky Daffodils, in full bloom on January 14, 2012. Mother Nature, did you forget to take your Hormone Replacement Therapy? Methinks yes.
Finally, we just have to realize that life truly is just blowing in the wind, and we are mere dust in the wind. The goal is to not be chopped to shreds on the windmill, yes?
I told you I had a penchant for finding yard art!
Silver Blue, who says Honey, isn’t it funny, being punny? (Laughing so hard your nose gets runny? At least the weather was sunny, though I saw no bunny. Not quitting my day job. I need the money.)
Marching to the beat of my own drum.
By Silver Blue
Of course, it doesn’t hurt if you’ve got someone counting the beat for you too!
One of the things that I love about photography, and attempting to capture memories, is the ability to see things through a lens in a way that perhaps you wouldn’t in just the hustle and bustle of the day. We all seem to be in such a hurry that we pass by, without even noticing, some really amazing sights.
Take for example the building my Chiropractor is in. I’ve been going there since October, but I’ve never really stopped to look at it, to really SEE it, until this morning. There, in the rising sun… well, Stevie Wonder may have had an album called “In Square Circle” (the song Part-Time Lover is from it), but this is the true epitome of the name:
The interesting thing to me is that it looks like it’s just a wall with a hole in it — after all, you can see the sky on the right, and perhaps the tree has been trimmed back and you’d not see it through the opening. In fact, you’re seeing the reflection of the sky behind ME as I take this picture. The fact that the window next to it isn’t reflecting anything at all struck me as odd, and unique at the same time.
As I’d mentioned prior, however, good photographs require you to learn you to “see” your environs, not just look at them. The next time you’re out shopping — be it in a supermarket, department store, or shopping centre/mall, do yourself a favour. Look UP. I’d mentioned this back when the blog was relatively new with the post: There Is Beauty All Around Us.
When I was doing errands today, I made a stop at a local mall… one I don’t normally frequent, Chesapeake Square. I happened to have my camera with me, and on my way out, I looked up. I’m glad the mall wasn’t crowded today because what I saw stopped me in my tracks. I saw angles. I saw light. I saw colour. I was “seeing” my environs. A moment later, I had my “memory” shot.
There’s something almost Nautical about this shot. Crisp, clean, and the light and shadows make the photo something that makes me smile.
The nautical bit is only appropriate, as the mall’s “logo” (now mostly deprecated), was four anchors set at angles.
Silver Blue, who reminds you to not only take time to stop and smell the roses, but to not just pass through life, but look, SEE, and enjoy the world around you!
You’re no bunny…
By Silver Blue
…til some bunny loves you.
While out on walkies, this little cottontail decided to hop and say hello, before hopping away. It’s always amazing to me how skiddish these creatures are…until you start snapping photos. Then, they seem to relax, as they realize that you’re not going to do them any harm. I’m thankful for a zoom lens, to be certain!
There are days that I go out intent on photographing birds, squirrels, and nature… I have better luck finding houses, or the occasional yard ornament:
Silver Blue, who can NOT twitch his nose. Roxette Bunny™ has repeatedly attempted to teach me, and has given me up as a lost cause. 🙂
Who’s watching over me?
By Silver Blue
I have a corner in my den that I affectionately refer to as “Meditation Corner.” I say that because it has my tapestries that I purchased from the Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery, a photo of me with the Geshe-la (lead Monk) and the translator, a photo of the completed Sand Mandala of Peace, and two dried roses that were on the altar while they were constructing the mandala.
I’ve also a quote from the Dalai Lama, a bronze bell, a silver plated incense stick cannister, and a copper and chrome thurible (which is what holds incense cones and loose burning incense to defuse it).
So, as you can tell, I take my meditation corner (and my meditations) seriously.
But, if I look up and to the left, I can see a special candle I burn (“Storm Watch” by Yankee Candle), a candle holder that is much like a goblet (in cobalt), and a harlequin that I’ve referred to as “Mama Quinn” (a play on Harlequin) since she waltzed into my life 7 years ago.
Behind her are peacock feathers. Why peacock feathers? I only consider positives, not negatives, ergo…
Peacock feathers represent pride, and by extension, nobility and glory. Peacocks are also known to eat poisonous plants with no ill effects, making their feathers a symbol of incorruptibility and immortality.
Buddhists associate peacock feathers with openness, since the birds display everything when they spread their tails. Buddhists also ascribe great meaning to the bird’s diet of poisonous plants–the ability to thrive in the face of suffering.
In ancient Greece, the peacock was the patron bird of the goddess Hera. According to myth, she placed “eyes” on its feathers, symbolizing all-seeing knowledge and the wisdom of the heavens.
Hindu mythology associates peacocks with the god Lakshmi. The feathers thus represent his qualities: kindness, patience and good fortune.
(Definitions courtesty of http://www.ehow.com/facts_4925293_peacock-feather-symbolize_.html )
Silver Blue, who wonders if the world couldn’t be made a better place if we all would just take the time to be quiet, turn our thoughts inward, and listen instead of always jabbering…
One last nibble…
By Silver Blue
….of holiday cheer. The holiday deserts with mom and dad.
I dare not think of how many calories these contained, or how bad for the waistline. All I can say is they were very delish, and home made. From the front: Blueberry pie, Banana Pudding, and Chocolate Pudding Pie.
I’m glad the holidays don’t come around more often. I’d be as big as a house.
Silver Blue, who says that NOBODY makes banana pudding like my MAMA does. 🙂
Make it one for my baby…
By Silver Blue
…and one more for the road…
Two completely non-related photographs, but ones that I’m completely in love with.
First, the front “garden” decorations of the Dynamic Beth, who keeps my hair looking spiky and fresh.
As you can tell, Beth is very much into the nautical theme. Tasteful decorations of King Neptune and his two mermaid “nymphs”. (The only thing missing his is trident, though the sculpture doesn’t appear to have place for one.)
Secondly, from the holiday party from work, a simple display of wine bottles:
A Merlot, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. I don’t know much about wines (other than I can’t drink red, with the exception of one Merlot by Penfold’s, due to allergies which spawn massive migraines), but I find it strange that the Chardonnay is the only wine that is in a different shaped bottle. Oh wait. I can’t tell about the “punt” (the dip in the bottom of the bottle) of the merlot, but it appears to be nearly non-existent in the Pinot Grigio, though I guess maybe the condensation on the bottle might be hiding it?
Silver Blue, raising a glass to 2012. Regardless if the Mayans are correct, I’m going to make this a year to beat all years!
Holiday Roundup
By Silver Blue
Before we pack away the holiday season (and being that January 7 was “Old Christmas” (the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars) it’s time to have all the decorations down and put away!), let’s take a gander at the season that was. This edition is going to be photo heavy… 19 of them, brought to you in True Silver Blue Colour!
We’ll start off with an old wives’ tale. If the red berry bushes are laden with berries, it will be a hard, cold winter. (With or without snow.) I’d say we’re screwed. LOL. I’ve NEVER seen the berry bushes this heavy with berries, and I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a long time.
It’s a… a… okay, it’s a Imbibe to Survive the In-laws holiday bottle tree. I recognize Vermouth, Grey Goose Vodka, 1800 Tequila, Di Serrano, Jagermeister, Wild Vines, Arbor Mist, Alize, Riesling, Cointreau, and Our Dog Blue.
Santa Hats for everyone! After all, if you’re going to be in the holiday spirit, share that spirit, right? (I have no idea how many hats were involved, or how they were attached…)
While technically not a holiday photo, I loved the lighting and texture this picture provided, and felt the need to share. 🙂
Anyone for kissing under the mistletoe? Being that it was in short supply (the mistletoe, not the kissing, from all accounts), these people merely needed a shotgun and they were sitting on a fortune!
The neighbours do it up with live greenery every year. More patience than I have:
Each window has its own fresh swag (which, I’ll admit, smells wonderful).
Some people go all out (in the right way):
…and decorate (and light, I might add) a blue spruce.
While others go all out…
…in the WRONG way. People! Inflatable holiday decorations might be cute…if you have one. Two at the maximum. But when you no longer have a yard due to all the forced air? You’ve taken it from Classy to Trashy.
Panning to the other side of the street, I see… tasteful decorations again. The red and green (and simple white lights) add elegance to this brick house (though for the life of me, I’ve never understood what possesses people to make them PAINT brick. The entire purpose of brick is that it doesn’t need painting in the first place! Oh well… moving on.
Welcome Santa! I’m sure that the stockings (and candy canes) looked quite festive in their glittery reflection of Rudolph’s nose. 🙂
Speaking of noses…
The poor Santa Snow… uh… “head” on the left is missing his nose. Perhaps a neighbourhood bunny became confused and made off with it.
A lot of fresh evergreen/pine roping and wreaths were used in the neighbourhood this year. I think, since this is a composite fence, that they used 3M command strips to celebrate without ruining the fence.
When space is tight, make the most of minimal decorations. While we didn’t have snow, Frosty here doesn’t seem to mind.
I remember the house years ago before it looked like this. Spoda Inc. did a wonderful job renovating and improving the house.
Almost a “Painted Lady” style Victorian house with broad, wrap around Veranda, the wreaths and swags are a nice accent.
I didn’t see if there was a chimney on this house. Perhaps Santa had to hitch his reindeer here! Then he…
…went across the the street for a little Holiday Luau. (The crane is concrete, but the palms are real.)
Keeping with the beach feel…
This house, with this window swags, and pampas grass in the front yard…. gives one a “Christmas with a Tan” sort of warm glowing feeling. 🙂
Ending our tour…
Sometimes less can be more. The tree lights up, the reindeer do not. Still, it’s tastefully done, and a pleasure to photograph.
Silver Blue…. who hopes that everyone had a great season, that that the joy stays with you the whole year through!
The Circle of Life
By Silver Blue
I have a nice selection of photographs showing the holidays in my neighbourhood (before they were all taken down and packed away for the season); those will appear in a post tomorrow. Today, I thought I’d go back to nature for just a moment.
I’d asked, back in November, however, if I thought I’d have roses blooming in December. I did, and indeed, I have them blooming now:
While “Bud” may have gone to sleep for the winter (he did bloom, by the way, before Yuletide), “Pinky” is still giving it the ol’ one-two punch.
Okay, also the three-four-five. The rose seems to not realize that it’s wintertime and it’s time to rest. Still, I’m not going to complain.
While out on a walk to get photographs, I came across a neighbour’s rose bush…(okay, not a neighbour, as they live about half a mile from me, so that would make them in my neighbourhood, but not a neighbour, yes?) and as I looked at it (the plant is massive, with many blooms), I came upon this composition which I am most in love with. It is simplistic in its nature, but also speaks volumes.
I call it: “Life, Death, and Rebirth.”
(Life is looking to be a bit tattered at the moment, but I think we can all relate.)
Finally… a moment of peace.
You may blend in, Sweet Dove, but you caught my eye, and are forever in my photograph.
[audio:https://www.eyesofsilverblue.com/mop.mp3]Silver Blue, who realizes that the circle of life is a wheel in constant motion, always rolling us along…
More Fun with HDR
By Silver Blue
High dynamic range, that is. Since I’m new at all this, there are times that I forget I need to have “bracketed” sets (under, normal, and over exposed), and so… I want to play around with the technique, but I simply don’t have the correct media for it.
BUT… there is still some fun to be had.
I snapped a shot of what I call “the Mesa house” near where I live. I love the juxtaposition of the verticals and horizontals in this shot and, barring the utility lines, find it to be quite good IMHO.
If I had bracketed my shot, I might have been able to regain some detail from the blown out sky, and some in the shadows, as well. Thing is, I’m still learning to “see” an image, not just “look” at it when I’m composing a photo. Does this make sense? Photography is indeed an art form, and unless one is a prodigy, it takes time to hone.
So, there were other shots before this, with the power pole (just barely visible on the right border) more prominent in the scene.
What happens if I attempt an HDR conversion with THIS shot, and one of those, telling it to “align”? (Knowing the limitations means that even though it will do the best it can, there will be “ghosting” and other anomalies that will cause it to be a “de”-composed, or rather, mis-composed shot.)
In this case, instead of getting something to be deleted, I was surprised at the effect. Eerie, spooky, like something you’d expect to see in an suspense film/horror film poster, etc.
Mind you, I’d not print this for the house, but delete it? Actually, the offset is not something I would have considered through lens manipulation, so… it’s a keeper.
Silver Blue, who reminds you — great photos almost NEVER happen…they’re made.
Beyond what the camera can see.
By Silver Blue
So, you’ve got a new camera (well, I do), and you think… oh, what a great shot!
You frame your photo, click your shutter and…are disappointed. Sure the photo looks good, but it’s not as rich and vibrant as what your eye could see.
That’s because the human eye can see about 18 “stops” of light. Even the best camera can only see 10-12. Which means that your eyes have a much broader “dynamic range” when viewing the world. Now, don’t get me wrong, The house in this photo, the wintering trees, the blue of the sky… all makes for a pleasing photograph. But it’s not as my eyes saw it.
There is a stopgap measure, however. Something called “High Dynamic Range”. You fire off 3 shots. One underexposed (for the highlight tones), one properly exposed (for the mid-tones), and one overexposed (for the shadow tones) [Now, that may sound opposite what it should be, but follow me here.] Then, using a program such as Photoshop, you merge the three pictures. It pulls the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights for something that appears to be able to display more than the 10-12 “stops” of light.
The key is to keep it from looking cartoonish. I went a touch OVER with the settings, but I think this is a much more accurate photo to what I was seeing with my own eyes:
I’ve so much to learn about photography, and the new camera… stay tuned… my eyes are open in 2012, and I’m ready to show you the world as I see it!
Silver Blue… who says “these are the moments that we make into memories.”
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