Saturday, June 27, 2009

New Website

I broke down and bought a website awhile back, hoping to look more professional and maybe someday sell some photos. I really didn't want to announce it until I got the theme looking exactly like I want it, but that has proven difficult. I'm a photographer, not a web designer! I know a little CSS, but no .php. Try to focus on the photos :)

http://michellegarrettphotography.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

Website Under Construction

I'm moving to a "real" website that hopefully will be more professional. I don't know how long it will take, but I'll let y'all know!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Bead Blocks



I found these beads in a drawer and loved the colorful stripes. I had fun stacking them up, moving them around and changing the focus. They came out just how I wanted them too.


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Connection


Connection, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I noticed the spirals on the right-hand limb, and then I realized they were created by the left-hand limb reaching out and wrapping around. I'm not a philosophical person really, but it made me think about different connections, and also how people can grow together over time.

Monday, May 4, 2009

'Moses in a Basket' & Raindrops


Purple Plant & Raindrops, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This was originally named 'Purple Plant & Raindrops' but thankfully my friend Jessica knows the real name :)

This might be the best raindrop macro I've gotten so far. I've been envying other people's techniques with this on Flickr (and I'm still not as good). Cate at www.catescott.com has some great raindrop macros, so check those out for more.

KC & Cate in Sepia


KC & Cate in Sepia, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This was toward the end of our fabulous day with Cate & KC at Bull Creek. A tired KC came over to get some love from Cate. I love her expression!

Bokeh Love


Bokeh Love, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I got SO much bokeh, wheeeee! Kevin and I spent Sunday afternoon at Bull Creek in the most awesome spot that Cate found. Denali and KC got to see each other again, swim, chase each other, fight over sticks etc. The adults got to laugh at them and get a lot of sun. And photos, of course.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Begonia 2 textured


Begonia 2 textured, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I'm really proud of how this came out! With the texture it reminds me of a painting.

Bokeh Begonia


Bokeh Begonia, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Fountain Drops


Fountain Drops, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This is the edge of a really cool water fountain outside a Dr. office I visited yesterday. Apparently I have gotten over people staring at me taking photos, because I sat down on the sidewalk and snapped away for at least 20 minutes.

I took a whole bunch of photos because I couldn't tell on the LCD if the drops were in focus. I also wanted to get some good bokeh in the background. I think this is a success :)

Purple Flower


Purple Flower, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Playing with my new 50mm lens! I'm a lot more pleased with my attempts yesterday than I was on the first try.

I used Google images to try and find out the name of this flower, but I still don't know.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

"Swine Flu" Kit


"Swine Flu" Kit, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Everyone in my office got this today. It's our swine flu voodoo kit! Cross your fingers, people.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Rusty Grill Texture


Rusty Grill Texture, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

The little camping grill gets more and more rusty and discolored the more it gets rained on.

Torn Paper Texture


Torn Paper Texture, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I'm not sure I've got the color balance right on this one. Welcome your suggestions!

Grunge Metal Texture


Grunge Metal Texture, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This is my favorite new texture! It's from the top of a barrel Kevin's had for years.

Tortillas


Tortillas, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I guess I'm hungry, taking food photos!

Finger-lickin' Chicken


Finger-lickin' Chicken, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Kevin called me outside to look at the chicken he was making for dinner. This is not artsy, but I like it for two reasons. One, I can remember how it smelled by looking at the photo, which is what I wanted to capture. Two, the curlicues of smoke rising up from the grill.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Creepy Stuffed Puppy


Creepy Puppy, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

First thing Denali chewed the plastic eyes and nose off her puppy (see my Flickr page). I thought it looked so creepy! Then it looked even creepier in black and white. Success.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Kids on Beautiful Day



Kevin, Denali and I were hoping to meet Cate and KC at Bull Creek today. It was such a beautiful day! Then we realized Kevin doesn't have two arms to control Denali, and I have a hard time when she's super excited about swimming with KC.

So we had to settle for an easy walk behind our house and down to the park. These kids were so cute, riding their bikes and splashing through the puddles.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Big Bubble!


Big Bubble!, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I thought I had such a simple idea: I'll photograph bubbles! They're shiny and rainbowy, and it'll be easy. Ha!

I took so many bubble photos. I took them indoors, outdoors, floating in water, sitting on grass. This is one where it was floating in water on a clear platter. I put a black piece of paper underneath in hope of showing the colors and shine more.

I think the colors came out well, especially the reflection of the window. And I got some bokeh as well!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Yes, It's Flowers (Don't Judge Me)

Yellow with Raindrops


Petals on Rocks

I can't resist posting these photos of the flowers in my mom's long stem rose garden. They're so pretty!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Wine Glasses


Wine Glasses, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

These wine glasses were perfectly poised on a table, on the balcony outside Shawna's reception room in Shoreline Grill. The trees and water in the background are part of Ladybird Lake in Austin, TX.

I like the depth of focus, the distortion through the glasses and the reflection of the glasses on the tablecloth.

Peaceful Walkway


Restful Walkway, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This is a beautiful walkway by the Four Seasons in Austin, next to where my friend Shawna had her wedding reception.

It caught me because of the tree leaves hanging down and shading the stairs. Nature with man-made stone and all that.

I feel like I could sit there all day.

Update 4/18 - After much discussion, Cate and I finally determined the structure in the middle is not a pagoda, portico or porch; it's a pergola!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bus at the Basin


Bus at the Basin, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Last Thursday Kevin was in a wreck, and our VW Bus was crushed. It's sitting in our driveway looking very sad.

I didn't want to post a photo of that, though. Here is the Bus in our happiest time, when we spent 11 days at Big Bend National Park. A perfect home in a gorgeous place like that.

Resting Canoes


Resting Canoes, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

These canoes were sitting alone, looking so nice against the blue and green background. What a beautiful day it was!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Sandals on Kayak


Sandals on Kayak, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

A shot of my flip flops sitting at the front of mine and Kevin's kayak. A beautiful sunny day without being too hot or windy. I love being on the water!

Heron Flying


Heron Flying, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Cate, Kevin and I went kayaking on Lady Bird Lake Saturday afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we all had a great time! We're planning to go again very soon.

Cate and I took tons of photos, and I'll be posting more (at least on Flickr) as I get them edited.

I'm generally terrible at photographing anything moving, so I was pleasantly surprised I caught this heron flying away from us.

Lost Your Marbles?


Lost Your Marbles?, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

These adorable figurines were at a booth on First (1st) Thursday on SoCo in Austin, TX. They are so cute, and I bought a calico cat, a turtle and a skunk (for Cate).

The guy, Sid, and his wife, Debby, start with marbles and then add clay and paint. They call them "Marblies" and you can see the whole collection and how they're made at www.marblies.com.

I think this is the first time I've managed to focus on something in the foreground and have bokeh in the background! Yay!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Gypsy Jewelry


Gypsy Jewelry, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

The gypsy who assaulted Cate (see here) also insisted we take photos of his jewelry. This one came out rather pretty and shiny in the light.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

You're So Vain


You're So Vain, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Austin has 1st Thursday every month, where the stores that are open stay open until 10:00. There are tons of booths outside with local artists, and this time there was an awesome percussion group with dancers.

This mannequin just struck me in a store window as looking so vain and self-serious. I tried to catch the weird lighting that was hitting it. Cate and I were standing outside, and I shot through the window.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Happy Reunion March 2009!!!


Happy Reunion Mar 2009!!!, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My friend Jessica's been living in California for several years but finally moved back to Texas! Since I never won the lottery I only got to fly to CA twice. It's been a few years, so we're thrilled to be closer again. I got all teary-eyed when I saw her :)

I drove to Jessica's dad's house in Ft. Worth where Jessica and her husband Kris had a joint birthday party for their 2 kids, Jacob and Ella. I'll probably post a few pics from that, as well as a couple from our adventure to the Kimbell and the Modern museums.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Last Vee-dub Post

Rusty VW Icon


Blue Bus Hinge

Red & White Grill

Monday, March 30, 2009

Old VW Textures

I had a great time taking pictures of old VWs when we had to pick up Kevin's 1976 Volkswagen Type II Bus from the shop. There were a lot of old Buses and Beetles that must have been there just for parts. There were also a few that were being repaired and/or restored. I saw a shiny light blue and white van and a beautiful orange car, but those aren't as interesting to photograph, now are they?

Check these out on my Flickr page to see them separated and much larger: http://www.flickr.com/photos/orchidphoto/

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

We Had a Storm!




We had a hail storm today! There was also a tornado warning. Tornado warnings I'm used to, but hail I haven't seen in awhile, maybe not since I left north Texas.

I really hope my car is ok. It didn't last very long, but it was crazy while it was going on (I know some of you think this is really weird if you live in a stormy place).

The first photo is the pile of hail that built up next to the back door. I risked life and limb, and camera, for this shot. Those dime-nickel sized suckers can hurt when they smack into your head.

The second photo is from the front door looking into our main road. There was so much hail on the road, it was amazing.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Study in Lines


Study in Lines, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Sometimes you just get lucky with timing and lighting.

Spade and Soil


Spade and Soil, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I've been digging up weeds, and Kevin's been working on a little garden in the backyard. I was chillin' outside with Denali and noticed the spade shining through all the dirt.

I decided to take a shallow DoF because I like the texture of the soil in the middle.

Checkered Bowls


Checkered Bowls, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This is an attempt at a still life of my bowls and plates. They're so colorful and bright, and I tried to capture it with natural light coming through the kitchen window at the right.

Walmart Flasks!


Walmart Flasks!, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Did you know Walmart sells flasks? I didn't either, until this random end cap next to the pork rinds. Unbeatable price of $3.88; get yours today!

(taken on camera phone)

Cate's Birthday '09


Cate's Birthday '09, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

We finally celebrated Cate's birthday like 2 weeks after her actual birthday. She's been going to a sushi place called Kenobi, here in Austin, TX. It's a really cool place with great food, and we had a great time!

Check out photos of Kenobi by Cate at www.catescott.com.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Magic Wand 1


Magic Wand 1, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

These 2 photos are close to identical, except for the focus point. They're a tiny bit off since I was holding the wand in my left hand and the camera in my right hand, crouched down next to the back door.

I wanted to get the little rainbows spread by light coming through the crystal. I took several shots I didn't care for, several 'meh', and then I got this idea. These are the last 2 photos I took, and they came out just how I wanted.

P.S. Yes, it's really a magic wand. It says so on the tag.

Magic Wand 2


Magic Wand 2, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I'm thinking these should have gone in the same entry. I automatically sent them from Flickr, and I don't feel like messing with it now. Oh well, surely my readers are smart enough to find 'Magic Wand 1' to see the description :)

P.S. Yes, it's really a magic wand. I can smite you with it, so watch out.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Out Sick

I know y'all have been missing my blog (haha). I've been knocked out with some random illness that made me sleep about 3/4 of every 24 hours. I've hardly been on the computer much less taking photos. Hopefully I'll get something today!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Hand-Painted Bike


I took photos of this cute painted bike on campus one morning (before the time change!). I've been playing with Poladroid too, and I thought this would be perfect for it. I like the little fingerprint smudge it added at the top.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Rain Bokeh 3


Rain Bokeh 3, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Even MORE bokeh. Rain is fun! This time I was sitting in a left-hand turn lane with a green light, hoping no one would come up behind me while I took a photo :) It's not really focused anywhere, so there are circles plus a lot of other color shapes.

Rain Bokeh 2


Rain Bokeh 2, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

More bokeh from drops on my windshield, but this time I tried to focus on the drops.

Rain Bokeh 1


Rain Bokeh 1, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

It's raining! I can't believe it. I hope it keeps raining for awhile so we can have water to play in this summer.

Anyway, this is bokeh from the rain on my windshield this morning, focusing past the rain drops. I like how the circles are broken up.