Thursday, February 26, 2009

Ink and Paper


Ink and Paper, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

This is writing ink dripped onto handmade paper. I have no idea why this idea popped into my head. I can't draw or paint, so I rarely make anything.

I wanted to get a close-up to show the texture of the paper, and how the ink ran together and spread. I think it came out pretty well.

KC is a Seal

This is my friend Cate and her awesome golden retriever KC. Last night I learned KC is not a dog; she's really a seal! Possibly even a ninja seal. Cate throws the ball to her, and KC hits it back with her nose. It's so cute.

To see more KC photos (and art photos) visit Cate's website: www.catescott.com

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Wal-Mart Cometh


You might want to read this first unless you're from Austin: http://walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/more_on_victory_austin_tx/

About the photo - I took it awhile back but kept forgetting to post it. There's a skating rink that moved from the mall to the other side of the parking lot, and I skate there Saturday mornings. I don't usually drive all the way through the lot, since there are fences and construction everywhere. One day I did, and this is what greeted me. I was totally shocked.

I tried to find a photo of the Northcross Mall before it was torn down, but I couldn't. You'll just have to imagine that there was an entire mall where this destruction is now. My fiance and I used to live in an apartment complex across the road. When we first heard about the fight against Wal-Mart we kind of rolled our eyes. Where were these concerned citizens when the mall was there and dying? Were they shopping there; were they helping the local businesses in the area?

When we heard the size and scope of the Wal-Mart plan, how the trucks would be going down residential streets, and how there was no way the streets would be able to hold all the extra traffic, it got a lot more serious. We're all used to seeing Wal-Mart on the highways and interstates, but a 200,000 sf 2-story monster with attached parking garage in a small neighborhood? Is that really necessary? No. I'm so glad we bought a house and moved.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Blue Smoke


Blue Smoke, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I really need a digital flash or a real light to get it sharp. I like the shape of this one, though.

Green Smoke


Green Smoke, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My next attempts at photographing smoke. Today I used more light, but they still came out with some noise. It's so hard - I deleted over half the photos I took.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Pink Smoke


Pink Smoke, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My first attempt at photographing smoke. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough natural light, and no external flash or studio light. This is the only photo out of many that actually looks ok after processing. I may try again tomorrow.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Fire Woman


Fire Woman, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

A sculpture I saw in San Diego. I like to think it's a phoenix rising in flames.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Grackle Attack!



After a dreary, drizzly day this is what I came home to. Freakin' grackles everywhere! On our trees, all the neighbor's trees, on several houses and all along the power lines. Every black dot you see in the photo is a nasty squawking bird that poops on everything.

One guy tried honking his truck horn at them, but they were not deterred. Nothing deters them. They're the Chuck Norris of birds.

By the way, this is not a black and white photo. It really was that dreary and depressing.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Oceanside Beach


Beautiful Beach, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

One of the beaches in Oceanside, California. It was cold outside, so I didn't get to take many photos. I'm glad I got a nice landscape.

Surfer Boy


Surfer Boy, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

For a change of pace, here are a couple of photos from our trip to Oceanside, California at Christmas. I'm not sure if this kid was posing for me, or just waiting for me to get out of the way. Either way, I really like it.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Baby Cactus


Baby Cactus, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Apparently I was into macro plant photography today.

Our cactus is having a baby! It's so darn cute I had to get a nice closeup of it.

We'll be registered at Target for the baby shower. Baby cactus loves towels and Xbox games.

Our Plant Has Hair


Tomato Plant, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My fiance got 2 tomato plants yesterday. I was outside with Denali at about noon, and I went to check them out. The sun was lighting the little hairs perfectly, so I went inside and grabbed the camera.

I'm really pleased with how sharp the hairs came out. I love macro!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Yellow Lamp Post


Yellow Lamp Post, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Johnson City, TX series #6. This lantern lamp post is the prettiest thing I saw there. It has a lovely yellow color with all the scroll details in the metal post. I wish I could have it at my house :)

Rusty Bicycle


Bicycle & Cactus, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Johnson City, TX series #5. More rusty, cracked and weird stuff, but with some random cactus thrown in! Awesome.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

No Photo Today :(

I was sick for about half the day, but I stayed at work, and then I decided to go skating anyway. I know, I'm a smart one. So I'm just too tired to choose, edit, post and update everything. Back to lying down for me.

There will be TWO photos tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Rusted Gears


Rusted Gears, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Johnson City, TX Series #4. A black and white of some rusty gears hanging on a wall. There are things hanging everywhere in this place, which I'll probably show in another photo.

What attracted me to these gears is that each one had a different color and texture. The wall also had a lot of bumps, cracks and stains. I decided to go black and white to showcase the texture over the rusty colors.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Room with a View


Johnson City, TX, Series #3. This is looking outside from inside the room with the blue floor. It has a lovely view of the decrepit, falling-down place across the sidewalk. I particularly like the broken window hanging out of its frame.

I think I should look up the history of this place and find out what these buildings were used for.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Colorful Water Towers



I'm not feeling that well today and am really tired, so I didn't take a new photo. This is another in the series of Johnson City, TX photos, and another attempt at HDR.

I'm also having trouble with Flickr lately on the "blog this" feature. It looks better on Flickr, so head over there.

Please leave comments on HDR!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Disinviting Entrance


Disinviting Entrance, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

An HDR of a locked cyan "Entrance" with autumn leaves at the bottom, and fantastical artwork painted at the top. This was also part of my shoot in Johnson City, TX. I'm not sure if I saturated the colors enough. I don't have much experience with HDR, so I'm practicing and trying to learn.




Saturday, February 7, 2009

Blue Boot on Blue Floor




Today Cate and I drove out to this strange place in Johnson City, Texas. Most of the buildings there were locked. I found this one open and loved the blue floor. I ran back to pick up the lost blue boot, and the colors are exactly what I wanted.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Yellow Narcissus


Yellow Narcissus, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

I'm always swearing not to take any more flower photos, but this one bloomed today and looked so bright and happy.

Mismatch


Mismatch, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My boss has been stressed out lately. Can you tell?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Dragonfly & Candlelight


Dragonfly & Candlelight, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Yesterday I was all proud of myself because the photo didn't take very long and didn't require much editing. Today was a totally different story.

This was actually the 3rd thing I tried to photograph, and it took forever. First I tried to capture something moving (horrible), and then I decided to play with candle light.

Editing was still easy though, and I'm happy with the result. Phew!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Crystal Ball


Crystal Ball, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Cate gave me this for Christmas. It's a small glass ball with a blue flower in the bottom. It's so bright in the sunlight, I wanted to capture it. Amazingly it didn't take that long or very much editing. Bonus was the refraction through the bottom.

Monday, February 2, 2009

You Love Me


You Can't Resist Me, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

Not an artsy photo, I know, but who can resist this face?

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Feather in Black & White


Feather in Black & White, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.
My fiance and Denali went on a walk and came back with a big white feather. I took a bunch of photos and played around with them before settling on a color outdoor shot, and a black and white indoor shot. Pick your fave!

Feather in Color


Feather in Color, originally uploaded by Orchid Photo.

My fiance and Denali went on a walk and came back with a big white feather. I took a bunch of photos and played around with them before settling on a color outdoor shot, and a black and white indoor shot. Pick your fave!