Let Your Backbone Slide

Symmetry can be calm and soothing. Today's challenge was to make a photo featuring symmetry, either in subject or composition.

Today I enjoyed my bi-monthly 45 minute massage therapy session and after working many long hours of late, my back, neck and shoulders really needed it. My massage therapist, Leslie, is awesome! What she may lack in stature, she sure makes up for with magical hands! I took this photo of a model human vertebrae while in the therapists office. I love the way the desk lamp (the only light source available in the room) was shining on the model and how it cast some interesting shadows really adding to the depth and dimension of the piece. 

For some strange reason, whenever I see vertebrae such as this or hear the word "backbone"...I always think of this old school hip hop song by Maestro Fresh Wes:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzull7scV2Y

Mags.

Mirror Mirror On The Wall.....

Today's assignment was to use a mirror as part of a composition in a photograph today. Show yourself in the image if you'd like!

Over the past few weeks, I've been living, eating, breathing and, pretty soon, will be sleeping in the "beige cage" as I've been pulling some ridiculous 11, 12 and sometimes even 14 hour work days. I've lost touch with the outside world. I'm exhausted, and don't have the time when I get home to pull out the DSLR and shoot wonderful pictures. Thank darwin I always have my point and shoot with me at all times. I was able to capture a shot of my little "spy mirror" I've got hooked up on the top corner of my computer at work. As you can see, my desk was in total disarray at the time this shot was taken.....

Mags.

What's In Your Wallet?

Some carry a talisman, amulet, "lucky charm", or just a comforting thing in our pocket. What do you carry?

This little silver metal starfish was given to me by a friend a few years back. It's not something I carry in my pocket but rather in the change compartment of my wallet. While I don't believe it brings luck or good fortune my way, it is something that I do bring out from time to time when I am feeling anxious or at odds with things in life. I'll play with it in my fingertips while I work out some nervous tension or stress. Sometimes, I'll sit with it clasped in the palm of my hands while I sit quietly contemplating the solution to what's on my mind. It's message inscribed on the front is simple: Wishes. Sometimes when I've lost sight of my goal, or taken a slight turn off the path I've set for myself, I think of this and realize that with hard work, a plan and lots of dedication, I can obtain any of my wishes that I've put out there.

To quote that ubiquitous credit card commercial: What's in your wallet?

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.

O(bsessive) S(ink) D(isorder)

Today's challenge was to make a monochromatic photo.

Those who know me well know that I am plagued with a form of OCD...I've labeled it as "Obsessive Sink Disorder". Nothing drives me around the bend more than a dirty kitchen sink. It started off as a 21 day challenge to see if I could ensure my sink was clean and empty every night before I went to bed. That was over 6 years ago and I'm still going strong except now it's gone a little overboard. I've successfully trained the other half to put dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher--do not leave them in the sink. Anytime water is run in the sink, a dishcloth is used afterwards to mop up any water drops...immediately. My nightly cleaning kitchen sink cleaning routine consists of rinsing the sink, cleaning the sink with a non-abrasive scouring pad and cleaner (like Vim), rinse thoroughly, dry with a dishtowel until completely dried followed by a spritz of windex wiped dry with clean paper towel. I follow this routine religiously. So you can imagine my horror when I came home tonight and found this in my sink............

Mags.

Putting the "Grrrrrrr" in Cougar.......

Triangles keep the viewer’s eyes on a photo. Follow a triangle, and you see other elements.  Today's challenge was to make a photo with triangles.

Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm pushing this or not but....I thought that the overall shape of the car reminded me of a wedge of cheese (which is triangular) and the leopard print has some triangular shapes in it's print and the open areas on the spokes of the wheels are shaped like triangles......truth be told...I was in love with this tiny little Smart car and it's unusual paint job and was desperately trying to figure out a way to use it as my picture today.  The upholstery is done in the exact same pattern as the exterior.  And since I am now an official "Cougar", I think I'd look great in one of these zipping around town perhaps even wearing that damned leopard print Snuggie that my friends bought me as a gag gift.....ok, drop the Snuggie idea and let's stick with my short skirts and stiletto heels....... :-)

Mags.

Danger In The Park............

Today's theme was to visit a park--- national, amusement, playground --- and make a photo of something that catches your eye.

As a kid, my elders always told me to exercise caution while playing in the park..."Don't walk away with strangers", "Don't take candy or talk to strangers" "Don't take your shoes off....there could be hidden needles, glass, razors or other sharp objects that could hurt you". Bet they never figured an alligator would be buried in the sand waiting to attack unsuspecting children and chomp their little toes off.......

Mags.

Ewwwwww...You Stink!

Today's daily challenge was to make a photograph of an insect. Unfortunately, I didn't have an opportunity to photograph anything today so I am using a photo I took last week while on vacation.

This photo is of a plant that grows gourds. If you look carefully, you can see several stinkbugs in and around the plant. Like all true bugs, stinkbugs have no chewing mouthparts. Instead, they have tubelike beaks called rostrums attached to their heads. The rostrum has four thin, sharp needles in it.

Many stinkbugs sink their needles into plants. They use their needles to suck up the sap or juice that the plants use to transport and store food. Some stinkbugs stick their beaks into other insects and suck their body fluids. When not feeding, stinkbugs hold their beaks underneath their bodies between their front legs.

Like most bugs, a stinkbug has two pairs of wings. The back wings are so thin you can almost see through them. The front wings are thick and tough at the base and very thin at the tips. When a stinkbug rests, the tips of its front wings cross, forming what looks like an “X.”

Mags.

Circles and Squares

Today's inspiration came from The Daily Shoot .....the object was to photograph a circle and crop it to fit inside a square frame. I loved the texture on the back of my yoga towel and thought that the little nubby thing that prevents it from slipping on my mat would make a cool circle. I then framed it with a floral frog (an item that holds floral stems in place in a vase) to add some demension to the shot. Finally I edited the picture by cropping it into a square frame. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Mags.

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Dead Like Fred

This is Fred. He is dead. Fred is a pesky fly . This uninvited house guest was flying around the house for a few days now just generally being a nusance driving us all insane with his incessant buzzing (similar to the annoying vuvuzelas heard in the World Cup soccer games). Ha Ha Fred. You're so dead. Look who has the last laugh now..........

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.