Larger Than Life

Today's challenge was to make a bright, cheery photo outdoors.

This was a challenge since it was a craptacular overcast and drizzly day. I headed to the local community park to take photos of the bright, over-sized flowers and butterflies found in the water park area. Thankfully, the park was deserted and I was able to snap away without having parents think I'm some creeper takin' photos of their kids (sidenote: Does anyone else encounter this? How do you get around this? It seems to be a touchy subject and I'm not sure how to deal with it other than avoiding these areas.......but I digress). I loved how the bright orange colour in the flower and butterfly really stand out against the dull grey sky......I had a hard time choosing a photo and I decided to post some of the other contenders on my blog: http://magneticmags365.tumblr.com/ .

Mags.

Healthy Hand Washing

A person's hands can tell a story. Today's challenge was to take a picture of someone's hands.

I am a self-proclaimed germaphobe. When out and about, I sanitize my shopping cart prior to touching the handle, I don't touch railings, or god forbid...door knobs and handles. And I always carry hand sanitizer in my purse. While I don't think I have OCD, I do wash my hands frequently throughout the day. I am appalled at the number of people who don't wash their hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom. I thought that perhaps people don't know how it's properly done so I put together the 11 simple steps to healthy (and hygienic) hand washing:

1) Remove jewellery and wet hand and wrists with warm water.

2) Use 1 or 2 squirts of liquid or foam soap

3) Lather soap and scrub hand well, palm to palm.

4) Scrub in between and around fingers.

5) Scrub back of each hand with palm of other hand.

6) Scrub fingertips of each hand in opposite palm.

7) Scrub each thumb clasped in opposite hand.

8) Scrub each wrist clasped in opposite hand.

9) Rinse throughly under running water.

10) Pat hands dry with a clean towel.

11) Turn off water using the same towel.

It is recommended to wash your hands for at least 15 seconds (or, the length of time it takes you to sing the alphabet or the Happy Birthday song at a normal, NOT fast, pace). Regular and proper hand washing is perhaps one of the best ways to preventing illnesses such as colds and flu. :-)

Mags.

Colourful Indoor Water Fun....

Water sustains life. Colour enhances life. Today's challenge was to make a photo combining colour and water.

With the weather being cold and yucky today, I needed to figure out a creative way to combine colour and water together in an indoor environment. Rooting through my kitchen cabinets, I came across some bottles of food colouring and began to experiment by adding a drop or two into a container of water. I realized I needed to move fast as the food colouring sank quickly to the bottom. I played around with different shots stirring the food colour until the water became solid colours of blue, yellow and red. I even took it one step further by combing the primary colours into solid secondary colours ( orange, purple and green). I eventually settled for this shot. I liked the way the movement of the food colouring in the water took on a ribbon-like appearance.

Mags.

"Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive."

Today's challenge was to make a photograph of a plant. I found this weed growing on the side of my neighbour's house and noticed the large webs that the spiders had recently spun. Upon closer observation, I thought it interesting to see how the weeds had been intricately woven into the web. I loved how the water drops reflected the light appearing as glittering crystal in the flower bed.

Mags.

Pura Vida!

August 1, 2010

From the minute we were picked up at the airport, until the minute we were dropped off, "Pura Vida" was an expression we were taught and used on a daily basis several times a day. 

Pura vida literally means "pure life", but the meaning is closer to "full of life", "purified life", "this is living!", "going great", or "cool!" It can be used both as a greeting and a farewell, to express satisfaction, or to politely express indifference when describing something. The phrase has become widely known; this highly flexible statement has been used by many Costa Ricans since 1956. Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time, and of wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike. 

As our plane took off from the tiny airport, I looked down with sadness as I left the beauty behind. I thought of this expression and what it meant. As I prepare myself for reality, I know the daily stresses of life will soon rear it's ugly little head again. With perseverance, a positive attitude and learning to relax and enjoy life more, I hope to adopt this phrase and incorporate it into my daily life......

PURA VIDA!

Mags.

Turquoise Jewel

July 31, 2010

On our final night in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to shoot a photo of the pool at night. I loved the way the lights shine in the pool making the pool water seem jewel-like and magical in the dark.

Mags.

Posted Signs

Today's daily assignment was to find a sign in front of a vista that tells a story.

It was a pretty hot day today so I didn't feel like venturing too far from home. I took a walk in the neighbourhood and came across this pond. In order to get this shot, I had to venture through an obstacle course of animal poo, wild weeds and angry wasps. I often wonder what other photographers have to go through in order to get "THE SHOT" they are looking for?

Mags.

Hidden In Suburbia

After not having a lot of photo opportunities yesterday, I was dying to get out today and shoot pics with some new toys I recently picked up. I wasn't motivated by anything around me so I took a trip to Loafers Lake for a walk around. It's sad that I've never experienced this little gem of a park hidden in the suburban city I live in. Although the weather was hot, hazy and humid, we spent a good hour and a half walking the trails and I managed to capture some great shots. It was hard to decide which one to use. This conservation area was quite green in colour and I've vowed to return in the fall when the leaves are changing colour. This shot was captured in a marshy section of the lake. I was getting eaten by mosquitos (which I'm sure I'll pay for dearly later); however, thought it was a good shot with the reflection of the trees from the other side of the lake.

Mags.

50 Million Bubbles

JUNE 3, 2010

"Hello. My name is "Mags" and I'm a Perrier-oholic. "

I'm not really a huge flat water drinker; however, I became addicted to the sparkling water in the signature green, tear drop-shaped bottle a few weeks ago on a hot and sunny afternoon. The cold, refreshing water really quenched my thirst and the carbonation danced on my tongue and tickled my throat as it took away the blandness of regular boring flat water. While I do enjoy the Lemon Perrier, I've developed a fondness for the Regular, Lime and Pink Grapefruit flavours as well. Add a little vodka to it and you've got a refreshing, low-calorie drink...........

P.S.:  Did you know that carbonated water is not only equally hydrating as flat water, but that it can also keep calcium locked in the bones?

Mags.

Exoskeleton

JUNE 2, 2010

While still quite warm today, the weather didn't really cooperate for an outdoor photo shoot so I decided to take some pics of my seahell collection. I love the colours, textures and often imperfections that can be found on the shells. Most of my collection has come from my travels to the Caribbean Islands over the years and it's not uncommon to still find grains of sand in a few of them.......

Mags.

Distorted Dan

MAY 30, 2010

This weekend was super busy and I spent most of it outside gardening. Planted the pots yesterday and today was up super early as we had a yard of topsoil delivered this morning and we wanted to get it spread before the killer sun overtook the backyard. Earlier this evening, Dan cut the lawn and as I sat on the porch drinking some refreshing water, I noticed that his image became backwards and distorted (in the glass, it appears that he's stick thin and looks like he's pushing a kids toy) but on either side of the glass you can see the reality. Weird.........

Mags.