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Scavenger Hunt – Week #17

“Something with stripes”

CAUTION: PARENTAL GUIDANCE REQUIRED.

THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION

NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

OR THE SQUEAMISH.

After spending all day sitting through a defensive driving course, I was eager to grab my camera and start hunting for “something with stripes.” My husband decided to tag along, and we headed to town.

We had barely hit the road when he slammed on the brakes. “There's your stripes!” my husband exclaimed. I looked out the window in disbelief. Roadkill? “You've got to be kidding!” He wasn't, so I dutifully took the shot and got back in the car.

I had a barbershop in the back of my mind for this assignment, so that was our first stop once we arrived in town.

The barber pole wasn't as colorful as I'd expected and this image did nothing for me. The hunt continued. Go west, young man.

Actually, I instructed my driver to go north. We'd only driven a couple of blocks when the hunt for stripes ended. “Pull over here!” I cried.

I wish there had been a breeze to capture the flag in full glory, but I really liked the juxtaposition of the two forms of stripes against the deep blue sky.

The end!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #16

“Stranger”

Unfortunately, this week's schedule did not allow time for hunting and photographing our Scavenger Hunt topic.  Fortunately, I found a few recent images in my photo library that fit the topic!

The image posted above was taken in Saratoga Springs this past July during a “street photography” shoot with my photo group.  My friend, Steve, was the first to spot this photo op.  We moved closer to the stranger, and pretended to fiddle with our cameras while surreptitiously shooting our subject.  Steve captured a terrific image of the “sunglasses” lady!

I used my long lens and zoomed across the street to capture this scene of strangers:

Remember my trip to D.C. in May?  There was a whole stadium of strangers at the Washington Nationals baseball game!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #15

“Storm”

When Sandy arrived Monday night, our power/phone/Internet went out.  They were still out the next afternoon.  Eager to get out of the house (and hoping to catch some “storm” images for this week’s Scavenger Hunt), I tagged along with my husband on errands. 

On the way to town, I mentioned that I would wait for him in the truck while he shopped in his “man” store.  I was perfectly content to people watch while passing the time.  Being the considerate person that he is, my husband made a quick stop at Stewart’s and surprised me by coming out with a newspaper.

Next stop:  the “man” store.  While I waited in the truck, did I read the newspaper that my husband so thoughtfully purchased for me?  Of course not!  The whole time he was gone, I was busily photographing the newspaper!  My husband got a big chuckle out of that. 

I never did capture any “storm” images.  Thankfully, Sandy didn’t wreak too much havoc in our area.  Other than some stormy looking clouds, it was business as usual in the Glove cities.

Scavenger Hunt – Week #14

This week’s scavenger hunt was to photograph “something you collect”.

Our leader thinks the topic is rather boring, but I disagree.  I’m curious to see what people collect, and why they collect them.  You’ll probably laugh out loud when you see my collection!

I can’t really tell you why I collect this item, but I can tell you I began my collection at least 35 to 40 years ago.  A few pieces in my collection have even come from as far away as France (courtesy of my niece).

My collection definitely shows its age.  Over the years the pieces have faded and torn; some are barely readable.  Each one, though, is a piece of pop culture that evokes memories of the past.

Scavenger Hunt – Week #13

“Just nail it!”

(Please click to enlarge)

The straight image was rather boring, so I decided to amp it up a bit!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #12

“Flashlight Face”

 I experimented with different flashlights 

to achieve a variety of effects. 

My friend’s adorable grandson was a very 

cooperative model.  Isn’t he a cutie?

Scavenger Hunt – Week #11

“Purple”

I pulled this off at the eleventh hour...

thanks to my macro lens and purple jacket!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #10

“Rays”

  A setting sun still whispers a promise for tomorrow.

~Jeb Dickerson

Scavenger Hunt - Week #9

“Mask”

  I had to dig a little outside the box for this one!  

The next image is an oldie, but it really works well for this assignment!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #8

“Ghosts!”

When our leader posted this week’s Scavenger List, my heart sank.  Where was I going to find that?  I pondered this question for a few days before an idea emerged.

Figuring the most likely place to find spirits would be in a graveyard, I headed to the nearest cemetery and prepared to catch my ghost.  Unsure of what I’d see, I certainly wasn’t expecting this frightful sight!

Scared, I scurried off, only to fall into a hole camouflaged by tall grass.  “Ouch!”  Twisting my foot, I cried out in pain as I sank to the ground.   I was helpless and at the mercy of the spirit world!

Thankfully, the next ghostly soul who appeared was angelic in nature and allayed my fears.

 R.I.P.

Scavenger Hunt – Week #7

This week we had to hunt for “consumption – to consume.”

 The first thing that came to my mind was something that is used up by eating or drinking.  That’s me…always thinking of my next meal!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #6

This week’s assignment was to hunt for “something that has had a better day.”  Our scavenger hunt leader, being the humorous guy he is, couldn’t resist adding “But no self-portraits!”  Very funny.

Driving through Gloversville, I hunted for the perfect subject.  Bingo!  I went back a few days later to capture my subject in the late evening light.

 Just as I began shooting, some guy came along and talked my ear off about this old house.  He told me it’s slated to be demolished (what a shame, he said!), and went on to point out all the beautiful features of the Victorian architecture. 

Whipping out his smart phone, he rambled on about his love of Victorian style homes as he pulled up a photo to share with me.  The image was of a beautiful Victorian dwelling that’s for sale in a nearby city.  The price?  Only $1.6 million, he said…and definitely in much better shape than this old house!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #5

This week’s scavenger hunt list (“something tall, something short”) had me scratching my head.  I hunted all week but came up short (pun intended)!

Defeat was just around the corner when my friend called last night and invited me on a walk.  Epiphany struck…and the hunt was over!

Scavenger Hunt – Week #4

On this week’s list:  “Jumping”

…as in “jumping” in the pool!

(For better viewing, click photo to enlarge)

I must confess…these images were taken last month when I was in Louisiana for my nephew’s wedding. 

The Big Day was hot and steamy when family congregated at my brother’s house for lunch.  While the adults lounged poolside, my nephew’s cousins had a ball jumping in the pool!

Since these were “jumping” images that I had already taken, I tried really hard to photograph specifically for this week’s Scavenger Hunt.  When I couldn’t find a model, I was forced to jump in for a self-portrait. 

I set up a black towel as a backdrop, donned a pair of brightly colored (Easter) socks, and started jumping!  

Have you stopped laughing yet?  Hey…you gotta give me credit for trying!  

Scavenger Hunt – Week #3

“smart”

First, I rummaged around my house, searching for “smart.”   I found it!

Next, I hunted through my photo library for images that embody the word “smart.”  I found it there, too!

In my opinion, Dr. King was a great man who personified the term “smart.”

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial opened to the public on August 22, 2011.  Interestingly, its official address (1964 Independence Avenue, S.W.) commemorates the year that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law.  I had the opportunity to visit this magnificent national park when I was in D.C. this past May. 

“I have a dream…” lives on.

Scavenger Hunt – Week #2

On this week’s Scavenger Hunt list:  “glass/crystal”

I didn’t have to go far to find my subject. 

On my desk sits a clear, glass cube paperweight with a large black “P” on one side.  Inscribed on another side is Rudyard Kipling’s famous quote:  “I keep six honest serving men.  They taught me all I knew.  Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who!”

Written on the next side is:  “what”… “Never say no…say catalog!”

Engraved on side four is:  “why”… “Sales, profit & customer service!” and “when”…”EVERYDAY!”

Then, “how”… “Let catalog serve your special needs!”

Next, “where”… “Storewide” and “who”… “You and every associate!”

There is nothing particularly impressive about this paperweight.  The glass is considerably scratched, a telltale sign of its age.  But it is quite special to me, simply because it belonged to my father. 

My dad was a JCPenney store manager, and a “company” man through and through.  This paperweight, meant as a motivational tool, sat on his desk for many years.  Now it sits on mine.  I see it everyday and think of that very special man who I called Dad.

Scavenger Hunt - Week #1

The photo group I belong to is doing a “Photo Scavenger Hunt.”  Our team organizer will email us a weekly “list” to photograph.  If we choose to participate, we have one week to hunt, photograph, and post the image(s) to our individual blogs.

Here is our first week’s “list”:

“Photograph a ‘something’ that separates something/anything else’ into TWO sections.”

Hmmm…this required some thinking…and hunting!

This was fun…I’m ready to go hunting again!

 

Husband and Wife

Congratulations to my handsome nephew and his lovely bride.  May they share a lifetime of love and happiness as husband and wife!

Splash!

A few weeks ago my friend, Linda, posted some awesome “splash” images that she shot at a workshop (check out this link):  imagesisee

I was so impressed by her photos that she kindly offered to teach me this method. 

Last Monday afternoon we set up the photo shoot at Linda’s house.  By the time we finished, there was quite a wet mess in her bathroom, but she didn’t seem to mind a bit.

Thanks, Linda, for being such a good friend.  I had a blast creating these images!

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.  ~Douglas Pagels

Saratoga...in Living Color!

Field trip time!  My photo group went to Saratoga one afternoon this week.  Our assignment:  black/white street photography.  We were instructed to shoot in b/w, but I found some scenes that I just had to capture in living color.

 Saratoga…the August July place to be!

An Act of Kindness

Times are tough.  Life is tough. 

Many of my co-workers will not be returning when school opens in September.  A very good friend of mine is one of those casualties. 

Yesterday was my friend’s last day of employment.  She called, excited about showing me a “photo op.”  That’s just like her, always thinking of others.  Concerned about how she was holding up, I planned on popping in on her, anyway.  Besides, I couldn’t let her go without a goodbye hug!

When I arrived, on her desk was a gorgeous bouquet of flowers – a very thoughtful gift from a co-worker.  Her lovely flowers were ablaze with color and contrast.  She was right; it was a beautiful photo op!

The above images are not of my friend’s flowers; they are mine, a birthday gift a few months ago from another thoughtful friend.  But they do represent a lovely act of kindness by one individual to another.

Love and kindness are never wasted.  They always make a difference.  They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.  ~Barbara DeAngelis

America’s Presidents

America’s Presidents is a permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.  This display is the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House, and it includes all 43 past presidents of the United States.

I had the opportunity to visit this gallery last month, and I really enjoyed the America’s Presidents exhibit.

Artistically speaking, which presidential portrait is your favorite?  (Please, no political comments!)  J

My favorite portrait is of President Bush.  I think the artist really captured his personality.  The painting was so realistic, that one could almost believe President Bush was in the room!

The accompanying narrative to President Nixon’s portrait stated that Norman Rockwell purposely painted the President in a flattering manner.  I found that tidbit amusing!

President Clinton’s portrait is quite creative and unusual.  Isn’t it amazing how squares of abstract art can create such a recognizable portrait?  Even though that style is not my personal preference, kudos to the artist!