Surprise!

Last night was the first night of my photography classes. I've only been shooting with a DSLR since I started this project back on May 1st of this year. I've really taken an interest in photography and have decided to see where this Photography program will lead me to.

Throughout the day, I was receiving random texts from my husband checking up to make sure that the camera was stored properly in the bag, making sure that I got to school ok with the camera, making sure that if I took the camera out of the bag to ensure that the neck strap was secure around my neck, have I taken a photo in class yet....etc. His "nagging" was really driving me around the bend! What was his deal? It's not like I've never left the house before with the camera! Half way during class, the teacher was explaining a symbol that was found on digital SLR's and being curious, I decided to check out my camera to see where it was located on mine. I opened up my bag to pull out my 'ole trusty Nikon D50 (please don't laugh....yes...it's dated but it's been a great beginner camera), when suddenly I noticed something weird. There were two camera's in the bag........the second being a Nikon D200!!!!! What the....??!!?? Turns out, he bought me a new camera as a back to school present! Sneaky guy had snuck the camera in my bag after I had gone to bed the night before. I was totally floored.

Sadly, I didn't get to use it in class last night, however, started goofing around with it as soon as I got home. This self portrait is of me with my new toy!

Mags.

The Road Not Taken...

Today's challenge was to make a photograph of a path, sidewalk , trail or road and post it. Lead our eye through the scene......

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Just Forking Around......

Today's challenge: Play with scale. Make a photo of something small that looks huge.

Not feeling really energetic today, I decided to look around the house to see what I could photograph. I was intrigued by the utensils (I know.....get a life) and decided to play around with the angles and shadows that they cast. I ended up taking just over 120 shots of cutlery. I know. This is exciting stuff! Not really feeling the fork pic? You might want to check out my blog http://magneticmags365.tumblr.com/ if you just feel like "spoon"ing....

Mags.

Alcohol: Pleasure or Poison?

Plastic or glass? Today's challenge was to make a photo of a bottle or grouping of bottles.

Drinking alcohol can do a lot of different things to our bodies. It can help us "loosen up" in social situations, can be enjoyed with a meal or quench our thirst on a hot day. People react differently to alcohol depending on their size, age, gender and experience with drinking. It is important however, to know the signs of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol poisoning is a very serious and dangerous condition, in which alcohol depresses (as it is a depressant), the central nervous system and depresses involuntary actions – such as breathing and the gag reflex. There are varying degrees of alcohol poisoning. Vomiting can be considered a sign of mild alcohol poisoning. Alcohol is an irritant to the stomach, which is why bodies reject it if too much has been ingested. More critical signs of alcohol poisoning are mental confusion, stupor, and the inability to be roused, which are all things that can lead up to an eventual coma. Other signs are seizures, slow breathing and irregular breathing (which is considered fewer than 8 breaths per minute, and 10 seconds or more between breaths respectively), and hypothermia with blue-tinged or pale skin. 

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that things will get better before they get worse. Even if the person has stopped drinking and/or is passed out, alcohol continues to be released into the bloodstream after their last drink. If someone has alcohol poisoning, the best thing to do for them is to get medical attention as soon as possible. When a friend is vomiting, and cannot wake up, their life is in danger. It is important that you role them onto their side and assure that their airway is clear, and they have ample ability to clear their system of vomit.

Here are some steps if you encounter someone who is passed out and could be suffering from acute alcohol poisoning:

1. Try to wake the person

Can the person be woken up? Do they respond to their name being called? Pinch their skin – they should have a reaction. Alcohol is a depressant and it will numb the nerves, by pinching you can roughly gauge how far along in the “overdose” process they are. If they do not respond, they may need medical attention.

2. Turn the person on their side – do not leave them alone.

Turning them on their side ensures that if they vomit, their airway will not be blocked and they will not choke. Stay with them – only leave them if you have to get someone to help you. 

3. Check skin colour and temperature.

Is enough blood getting to the skin? A clear sign that you need to get help if the skin is pale or bluish in colour, or the skin is cold and clammy. These signs indicate that the person is not getting sufficient oxygen and they need immediate medical attention.

4. Check their breathing

Irregular breathing, with a few breaths and then nothing for awhile, is a sign that medical attention is necessary. If the person’s breathing is too slow or shallow – less than 8 breaths a minute, or more than 10 seconds between breaths – this is another sign that they need help. These are just some of the potential signs of acute alcohol poisoning. A person may have one or all of these signs. Use your instincts when assessing a situation. If you cannot wake the person up at all, it is a serious situation. If you are at all concerned, don’t hesitate to get help.

Mags.

Pucker Up, Baby!

Today's challenge was to make a photograph using strong verticle lines.

Technical difficulties have prevented me from posting something wonderful and interesting so I had to resort to using a photo I took two weeks ago while shopping with some friends. I didn't get to edit the photo so this is it....I've always loved M.A.C. cosmetics and in my younger wild and foolish days, would blow a good chunk of my paycheques on some M.A.C products ( the other part of my pay would go to clothes and weekend partying). I've always been drawn to displays of lipsticks ...the rows of lipstick colours ranging from just barely there nudes to va va voom reds and every colour in between just begging to be tested and ultimately purchased. Sadly, these days the M.A.C. "lipstick fund" is now substituted with the "grocery fund" , "mortgage fund" and "utility bill fund"... :-(

Mags.

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Birds On A Wire

I was out on an assignment this evening trying to capture a photo of the front of a building (as per the daily shoot assignment). I decided to capture the municipal Hydro building as I really love the architecture and think it looks beautiful especially at night. While clicking away, I was distracted by a commotion across the street. I looked up into the dusk sky to see THOUSANDS of birds flying around in a large group. There were so many that it literally looked like a black cloud floating across the sky. Upon closer observation, I noticed the telephone wires and lamp posts were covered with birds as well. Feeling like I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, I attempted to capture this phenomenon. It was difficult to capture clear photos of the birds as they were very unpredictable and and would take off in a flash. I wanted to post this photo as it was one of my favourites. I loved the dark silhouettes of the birds against the sky.

Oh, and the photo of the building front I was supposed to capture? Check it out here:http://magneticmags365.tumblr.com/. It's titled "Night Lights"

Mags.

I Get Around......

How did you get around today? The challenge for today was to make a photograph of your transportation and post it.

I'm always on the go and today was no different. I used several different modes of transportation...a car, public transportation (how ghetto) ,some might say on a broomstick, and I wheeled around the office on my ugly, uncomfortable desk chair. By far; however, the most fashionable (albeit tiring after awhile) method was on my own two feet. Sporting my snake skin Steve Madden stilettos today, I decided to showcase this method of transportation. Yes, ok...you're on to me...it's just another way for me to show off my love of stiletto shoes......

Mags.