Delaware Views Hues of RED Anew

WOW, what kinda red is that?  oh ya that is the kind you make in photoshop CS3

 

 

Some folks think that photoshopping work has no place in PURE PHOTOGRAPHY...I could not disagree more.   Lots of folks take pictures of Palms in all kinds of compositions.  I wanted it to be RED and unique in its presentation.

 

I just feel like you can add so much to photography by accepting it as an art form, that is subject to modification in the camera, out of the camera, in the dark room, in any of the multitude of post processing software out there. I usually organize or, try anyway, in Windows Live, and make any minor modifications there.  Then I take it to CS3 for any major modifications like the one tomorrow...wonder if anyone can tell where I layered two images together, oh...I guess you will have to wait til tomorrow?  Cracking myself up here.

Sunday Funday in Cape May

 

This is such a cool image in so many ways, not to mention, the record of my first beach visit of the season, with my good friend Kathy.

 

We went to Cape May to do a little tidying up of house, eat well, exercise and relax.  Well things don't always turn out as planned and no one could have imagined the washing machine springing a leak and eating up a good part of our morning.  So I did not get out to shoot until after noon.  The light was harsh and bright and luckily it was a magnificent day with a cool ocean breeze blowing.  I waited while people walked onto the beach and passed, and then the gull started flying around and I positioned myself to have the sand, water and sky take up thirds, put the guards at left middle and set the fence to guide you in.  I adjusting the lighting in windows live and signed off in CS3.

Thank you Kathy for the opportunity to enjoy your company, dine in and out, stroll the promenade,

eat fudge..........

Foodie Friday: Delaware Chews at the Frenchtown Cafe

Early morning rides on the BMW K16 GTL out for breakfast are one of my favorite activities when the temps rise above 55 degrees.  The ride out is cool and crisp.  The light makes everything look so gorgeously green, this time of year.  The river shimmers and sometimes you can even smell it.  I love it. Then you arrive at your destination and often for us that is the Frenchtown Café.  Just shy of an hour if we go directly up river, we are pretty hungry upon arrival.  We are never disappointed there.  I cant help but order the very same thing each time I go.  French toast with ham and brie.  It is just so yummy.  Even though I look at the menu and try to encourage myself to try something new, I find myself at the last minute reverting to what I know will be absolutely delicious.  On our last visit, I  thought I saw a cappuccino go by.  I searched the menu and didn't see it so I asked the waitress if indeed that was what I saw.   "Yes"! Rather than my typical cup of coffee I went for it.  HAHAHAH a real break out of habit.

Delaware News is Good

Our cousin Tim is one of those men who is huggable.  He is a big, happy, accepting, and encouraging family man.  He surprised me by posting this selfie on FB, of his visit to see my art exhibit at the Pennington Ewing Athletic Club.  An even bigger surprise was the SOLD sign hanging below the image over his shoulder. WOO HOO.  Thanks for sending me this Tim.  It made me feel warm and fuzzy all over just knowing you took the time to go view my work. 

 

The Foils, Foibles and Follies of MaraBella and Me

How is it possible that I brought home a dog, that was supposed to be part lab and she is afraid to go across the road, down the stairs, and across the catwalks.  SHE LIKES THE PONTOON.  But does not seem to like the process of getting there.  Even with high value treats its a struggle.  Furman just happened to come up to the top of the steps when I was coaxing her across the front lawn.  She saw him and decided it was OK to go.  I wasn't really prepared to hang out down there so had to borrow Furman's phone to grab the images.

 

Hey MaraBella....you like it?

 

 

Delaware Issues Common Cents

My mother was 84 in April. In June she had a hip replaced due to terrible arthritis that had worn her out and made her pretty much immobile.  She is doing well with her recovery and all who know her are pleased and look forward to her getting off her...oopsy.

She arranged for her surgery local to her three kids so we could get there easily and support her.  Capital Health is a nice, clean, fresh and fairly new facility that doesn't smell like a hospital, and doesn't really feel like one either.  My Mother was very comfortable there and so was I.

She told me she wanted to go home after surgery and expected that I would stay with her for a few days...SO GLAD I SAID "NOPE".  Only ONE WAY out of that hospital and that is directly to rehab.  Do not pass GO, do not go HOME, do not pay your electric bill...do not go to JAIL.  ONE WAY to St Lawrence Rehab...after all when you need surgery you get the best surgeon you can, and then get the best therapeutic service to enhance your chances of a full recovery. That's Common Cents. 

 

Delaware Views Hues of RED...I MEAN REALLY IT IS EVERYWHERE

Appears as if I dropped my reds yesterday, but have no fear, RED IS EVERYWHERE.  It really is.  I saw so much red at Art All Night; in the good works of the people, in the advertising for the event, in my Chinese food dinner, and draped on the bodies of so many of the attendants.  What I think may have excited me most was taking notice of some of the old red brick that made up the building that contained the event and some of the surrounding buildings: this one in particular fenced off with a sign indicating it was under some sort of environmental investigation. Art Works on one side of the street, this on the other.   Trenton was at one time such a vibrant, healthy, and wealthy capital community...I wonder if there is enough power in the people and the arts to vibrate it back to that position. 

Sunday Funday Art All Night Trenton

 

Finally, made it out to Art All Night in Trenton and what a night.  Can not believe all the familiar faces I saw there and all the kind greetings I received.  It was a perfect summery night for the event which included both indoor and outdoor art, and music.  All the senses were stimulated. 

 

Maybe even a little overstimulated.

 

Foodie Friday: Delaware Chews at Home but Not Mine

It is a great pleasure to  dine in fine restaurants and sometimes even not so fine ones.  There is nothing, however, like dining in the home of a good friend.  The wine flows freely, the laughter floats in the air, you can sit on a couch or floor after eating and delight in the comfort of cozy. If you are really lucky and have the pleasure of dining in the home of a friend who prepares the food with love it will be one of the best meals you ever had.   I had that pleasure recently

Chicken Burgers
1/2 cup mayo
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
3 tblsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsps. kosher salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 1/4 pds ground chicken breast
1 cup panko

Mix all ingredients, shape into patties, and fry.  Serve with ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, sliced onions and tomatoes and rolls or a side salad as my good friend Ruth did with selections of bread brought by my good friend Kathy.

ENJOY

low light Iphone selfthree OY
 

Delaware News For Real: Good Times

 

I told you about my interview with Janet Purcell, Art Writer for the Trenton Times, author and painter.  What a surprise I had when I went out to get the paper Friday morning.  Of course, I had to check to be sure the Good Times section was in the paper and HOLY I'M ON THE COVER.  Not just one but TWO images on the cover, a great write up by Janet, and additional pictures to go with her story.  What a boost to my ego, just when I needed it most. If you don't get the Times, you can see the online version HERE

 

The Foils, Foibles and Follies of MaraBella and Me.

I did not have the heart to show you all the shoes MaraBella chewed up the other day.  But one sock isn't so bad.  MaraBella will not go into a bathroom.  I don't  know why and I don't have much of a reason to force her, other then at some point it is likely she will need a bath.  I shudder to think what might have happened to her in one to frighten her so. Before leaving for our outing I closed my bedroom door, so she would not grab laundry out of my basket.  I closed the downstairs closet door so she would not get into our shoes.  It was quite a surprise when I found this sock among her toys when we returned home.  Why, you might ask, was I surprised?  Because the sock was part of a pile of laundry on the bathroom floor.  And, because it was not destroyed. She just wanted it.  Obviously, she is not too scared to go in there when we are not home. 

 

 

 

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Getting Organized

 

The first two images are straight out of the box and the time is approaching noon on a beautiful, bright and sunny, blue sky day.  Both are automotive and fit into the category of transportation.  Both have chrome showing my reflection, self image, or self portrait.  They were taken on a BMW Motorcycle ride to an AIRPORT.  All of these categories confuse me and although I know I need to organize my images and even more important DELETE a whole bunch, I find the time on the computer overwhelming, especially when the weather is nice and I want to be outside....OUTSIDE NATURAL LIGHT, EXPOSURE...even more categories

 

 

 

And then what happens when I start to play, even more time on the computer, and add more images and Categories. BLACK AND WHITE

CS3, ABSTRACT, ADJUSTED, MANIPULATED, CURVED

 

 

And the vacuum is humming plug me in....here I am trying to figure out which images to delete, which images to print, which images are for the BLOG, OY another category with subdivision for each day, and in what category DO I FILE THEM.  Maybe I'm ready for a Class on LIGHTROOM...isn't that what lots of people use to name, file and organize their images? Saving time on filing and organizing will give me more time to go out and enjoy my camera.  Saving time on the computer to have more time to go out with my Camera is Common Cents to me.   Hey, I forgot Wheels.

 

 

Delaware Views Hues of Red

 

Took BMW Motorcycle ride to Sky Manor for breakfast on Sunday and saw this in the lot....there must have been some sort of gathering because there were quite a few old cars there.  When I first got my drivers license I remember wanting either a Mustang convertible or an MG.  Someone gave this car a lotta loven.

 

 

But the real reason to go to Sky Manor besides breakfast of course is to watch the planes.

Or in this case, Helicopters

 

Some folks think RED is hard to shoot.  I'm thinking my black dog is even harder.

 

Sunday Funday at JB Klines

I was notified by my friend, Mike, about  a  contest at JB Klines in Lambertville and decided to enter.  They had a wine and cheese and voting opening and I went to that too.  I hung around like the photos for a while to watch the viewers and received several compliments and I HOPE VOTES on my Blue Bird.  It was fun to watch people try to guess what bridge was captured in my other entry.

 

Foodie Friday: Delaware Chews at Home

I don't know about you but my mother always told me "Don't play with your food".  I wasn't really playing until I pulled out the camera.  It just sort of happened as I was molding my ground turkey into a meatloaf.  There was a little birdie trying to whisper in my ear.   Well, actually it was a big owl.  I heard it ask me, "must you eat meeeeeeat".  Well I suppose I must.  With just a few minor additions and substitutions to the recipe on the back of the Lipton Onion Soup my meatloaf is always a crowd pleaser. I use Italian Seasoned Bread crumbs, milk instead of water, a little A-1, some Worcestshire, and a very small squirt of Dijon.   

 

 

 

 

I did not forget Ruthy....next Friday I promise.  Would you consider sending me the recipe for the chicken burgers....I will post it if you do.

Delaware Has No News Til Friday

I mentioned last week that I was interviewed by the Art reporter at the Trenton Times, Janet Purcell.  The story should appear FRIDAY in the Good Times section of the paper so for now....this one is for you MARCIA.

I loved the way this dog looked in the tunnel. As you can see it was a bright sunny day and the dog was in the shadow of the tunnel.  Not to mention the black around his eyes.  During the day I generally have my ISO set at 200.  Kind of reminds me of all those rolls of 200 film I used to buy.  I wanted the fencing in the background to go away but needed a decent depth of field to get clarity on the dog and the stones in the front of the tunnel.  I thought an F-stop of  7.1 would give me just enough depth...however, I still feel like too much of the fence is showing.  My exposure time was 1/320 fast enough to get the light on the stones right...but dulled the dogs eyes so they blend right in with the black mask.

 

In an effort to improve this image the first thing I did was crop it.  Not much, just enough to remove the exposed grass top right, and cut down on some of the dirt in the foreground. I left the little tuft of green grass front left to compliment the green in the back.  Cropping also brought the dog closer and although a little more centered, I still feel like the viewer is being led in to the main subject through the tunnel which is a little off center to the left.

 

Finally, I brightened the eyes with the dodge tool.  Used the stamp to remove the fence posts and blurred the fence out with the blur tool.  On last view I decided to dodge the red toy and collar too, giving them just a little pop.

 

So what do you think Sister, can you see the difference between the first and last images and if so...would you consider it an improvement?  I just noticed an error but don't have the patience to go back and fix it...can you tell what it is?  Anyone else?

 

Couldn't stand it! How about now? Stupid fence rail. :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Foils, Foibles and Follies of MaraBella and Me.

Didn't have the heart to take a picture of 2 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of sneakers, and 2 pair of shoes that MaraBella dug out of the closet and CHEWED, while I was off to visit my mother in rehab.  I would prefer to be able to say it is rather difficult to photograph a black dog in front of a white fence on a sunny June afternoon.  The ISO was set at 250, the exposure time 1/100 and the f stop 4.5  To get the composition I wanted, I got in close with the lens at 35mm and let the Honeysuckle droop around her.  

 

Then, for fun I used the burn tool on some of the orange Honeysuckle to bring some color back into the overexposed buds.

Delaware Issues Common Cents: Kindle

I still have the original Kindle.  It gives me pleasure to think I might be contributing to the regrowth of a forest.   I can imagine I'm saving a tree.  For the most part you can get your books fairly inexpensively on line, even free. The problem is, if you have grown up with books, as comfortable as the  Kindle is, there is really nothing like reclining in bed with a bound book in both hands, turning pages and being carried away in a good story.

 

 



My files are so big and I'm afraid I've deleted the picture I was looking for. This one, shot a while ago while practicing depth of field, leading lines, and indoor lighting will have to do.  I was looking for  a picture in a picture so to speak with a lovely image of my grandmother framed, along side the books on the shelf.  You can make out the edge of it far left.  The next shot had the whole picture, dang it, I cant find it. Nicely focused with the books getting softer and softer to the rear similar to this one.
This set of books came to me precious and inexpensive from the estate of a loved one, a hand me down gift.   I always thought in my retirement I might read this collection of classics.  Maybe next winter.

Delaware Views Hues of Red

 Furm and I were leaving the Washington Crossing Inn early Friday evening on our bicycles when I saw the Bucks County Trolley RED after delivering it's bridal party.  There is an old saying "the best camera is the one you have with you"  Shot with my Iphone.

 

 

Ok so it isn't RED but I did take it with the Iphone.  The prettiest peonies where in vases on the bar.

 

Sunday Funday?

Been a rough week around here.  My mom went into Capital Health for hip surgery which has consumed a bit of my time.  She did well and transitioned to rehab.  Capital Health is new and clean and crisp on a beautiful campus, not far from here.  The staff are very warm and friendly.  If I need hospitalization, I would not mind going there.

Foodie Friday: Delaware Chews at the OCF Coffee House

 

 Usually when I go out for a bite to eat, I prefer table side service.  Unfortunately, the place I had in mind was not open for lunch, nor was the nearby Tavern.  I took a quick look at the menu on the blackboard at the OCF Coffee House on Fairmount Ave in Philly as did my companions and we all decided to try it.  I ordered the Brie and Fig sandwich.  What a pleasant surprise.  The sandwich was a nice blend of flavors that I would never have thought to put together.  The atmosphere was bright and airy and right across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary making it very convenient for our tired feet. The price was right too, since my house guests decided to treat.  

Delaware News

YAHOO

 

This is how I feel after being interviewed by Janet Purcell who covers Art for the Trenton Times.  She saw my work at the Pennington Athletic Club and contacted me.  WOOOOHOOOOOO

The Foils, Foibles and Follies of MaraBella and ME

I know these are not the very best images but MaraBella is fast like lightning and strong willed too.  And all I had was a cell phone.

A few days ago she got away from me in a nearby field and came home quite sick.  SCARY SICK.  We were not sure what she ate that made her so sick and fearing the worst we googled dogs and MUSHROOMS..BEWARE dogs can die from eating certain types of ground mushrooms.  Well she did indeed recover.  The next day I thought I would let her loose and track her to see WHAT was it that made her ill.  I followed her with her leash dragging all the way to a skeleton of a deer.  As you can see she was faster than me and with her prize ran right past me.   

 

She kept on running until she reached the end of the field at which point she stopped and looked back at me.  I gave it my best and turned around and ran in the other direction with the last hope that she would follow.  But when I turned toward her she was GONE.  I had no choice but to walk home alone.  When I got there, she was happily gnawing this skull in the back yard.

 

I was happy to see her and glad she ran home...so what was I to do?  I let her chew on her prize for just a bit longer before I took it away and tossed it in the trash. 

Delaware Issues Common Sense...Dont do the Crime if You Cant do the Time

Unless you are Al Capone and can afford the highest standards in your cell at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Delaware Views Hues of Red

The Columbine that grow in my garden are here for such a short time.  I sure do wish they would hang on a little longer.

Sunday Funday at Eastern State Penitentiary

If I ever had to be incarcerated I would not want it to be here, at Eastern State Penitentiary.  However, it is a great place to visit and photograph and learn about the prison system and its early beginnings.  It is very cool on the outside with tall watch towers.

 

This was my second visit and guides were walking around offering short tours of locked areas.  So we got past this gate and into the hospital and operation room.

 

There are always art exhibits inside with artist interpretations relating somehow to prisons and prisoners.  In this case portraits of murder victims hanging in two prison cells attracted my attention.

 

Al Capone had a stay here but you will have to go visit to see it....Or perhaps Ill find reason to post it later this week.