Close ups, day 6

While sitting and grilling some chicken for dinner, I was trying to decide what to take for my daily close up.  I looked down and saw the cap from my bottle of beer.  THAT’S IT!!!!!!

Close ups, Day 5

A small clover flower in the back yard:

Day 4 – Close up 30

I was having a little trouble deciding what to use for my daily close up today.  But then, as I was checking my email, there it was.  Right in front of me. 

I saw it and knew right away that was where it was at.

Day 3 – close up 30

So, what bizarre and unique item did I pick to take a close up of tonight?

Actually…

It really is nothing too special…

you might say….

It is nothing….

to write home about:

30 Days of Close Ups

I have read a number of articles about photographers who take on a project involving the taking of photographs each day following a particular theme.  They may do this for a week, a month or a years.  Reading about these projects has inspired me to do the same.  The hard part was deciding what sort of theme to follow.

I have decided to take a close up picture each day for 30 days.  My goal is to capture a new, interesting perspective on everyday items.  My pictures will be close ups, not necessarily Macro shots.  This is due to my technical abilities and my equipment budget.  While I intend to take a picture a day, depending on my schedule I may not be able to post each day.

So, here we go:

Day 1

In my mind, the best subject to start a project of close up pictures with  is……. FUNGUS

This was a small bit of fungus growing on the side of a stump at the campground I was at this weekend.  The whole thing was only about one inch long.

Day 2

The morning of my second day camping (and the second day of my project) was cool and dewy.  When I saw this young pine tree on our site, it just screamed to be photographed.

Thanks for stopping by.  I will try to get my pics up daily, or at least every couple days.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them!

A new project

Good morning!  Once again I find myself apologizing for the lack of new material on my site.  I thought that once Little League season ended, I would have more time and would post more.  Well, it has not quite worked out that way.  A good dose of laziness has not helped the matter either.

In order to kick myself in the rear and get clicking, I am planning on a new photo project.  I have read about the work of some photographers (amateur and pro), and I am feeling inspired.  If this project works, it will force me to be more productive.  It is a little ambitious, but I am feeling up to it. 

I am still planning it, so no details yet.  Keep your eyes out though, and come back to check soon.  I will of course share it all with you.

Thanks for you patience!

Wednesday in the Park

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to show some of my photographs at the free concert held in Wenonah Park in Bay City.  This concert was put on by the Bay Arts Council, and they offered local artists the chance to show off some of their work.

My display.  The best part of this spot is the great view of the stage behind me.

Here are the other folks displaying their work.  There were only a few of us there, but we had a lot of people visiting our displays.

There was a great turnout for the shows.

The fountain in Wenohah Park.

I will be there for the next two shows, on June 22 and July 6.  If you are in the area, stop by and say HI, and enjoy some great music.

I am still here

Hello!  I have not forgotten you.  Once again I have been too busy this weekend to get out on a photo safari.  But this week I have a good excuse.  I have been busy building an outdoor display for my photos, because I have been given an opportunity to display some of my photos during the Wednesdays In the Park Concert Series in Bay City.  The event is put on by the Bay Arts Council, and features a free concert in Wenonah Park.  New this year, the Arts Council is offering local artists the chance to display their work in the park during the concert.  I am honored to be taking part. 

So, if you are in the Bay City, MI area on Wednesday evening, stop by for some good music and good art.  The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Blessing of the bikes

During our camping trip a couple of weeks ago, the campground held a Blessing of the Bikes to raise money for Camp Fish Tales.  Camp Fish Tales is a summer camp for physically challenged kids, located in Pinconning MI. 

The blessing was suppose to begin at noon, but unfortunately they started early, so I missed about half of the bikes.  But I still was able to capture a few shots as the finished up and began the day long ride.

Storm Clouds

Yesterday evening we were watching my son’s Little League Baseball game, when the game was rudely interrupted by the wailing sound of the tornado warning siren.   Fortunately for us, the actual tornado was north of Bay City.  After the storms passed, and the setting sun started to peak out again, the billowing storm clouds in the distance were lit up with a golden light.

These photographs simply do not do justice to the awesome nature of those clouds.  It never ceases to amaze me how much beauty there can be in something as violent as a thunderstorm.

Thank God there were no serious injuries in the tornado that hit Bay County last night.  Several buildings were damaged, and many trees came down, but no one was hurt bad.  My thoughts go out to those effected by this storm, and all of the severe storms that have plagued our nation in the last few weeks.