A Penny Saved

A former Mrs. Delaware, Penny was a natural in front of the camera and a joy to photograph.

Meet Christina

An archived image dating back to the Film Emulsion period in photography.

A Fifth of a Quarter

I believe I may have found the inspiration for the famous 1913 Buffalo Head Nickel coin.

"Chocolate Chip Mints"

1/160 sec at f/3.5 ISO 100 

Valentine's Gift Expo

Please join Wild Shotz Photography and a heart-tastic bunch of vendors Saturday, February 13th* for a Valentine's Gift Expo at the Christiana Hilton.

• FREE ADMISSION
• 12:00 - 4:00pm
• Door Prizes
• Red Hot Gift Deals
  

* NOTE - New date due to blizzard

Hosted by Pure Romance by Cheryl Ann.

Partial Vendors List:

• Wild Shotz
• Pure Romance by Cheryl Ann
  
• Spilada Jewelry by Melanie Thompson

Go Ahead. I Dare You.

"Jenni"

1/125 sec at f/4.2 ISO 100

"Most smiles are started by another smile." - Unknown

I keep telling myself ...

"Real"

1/160 sec at f/3.7 ISO 100

... summer is simply a state of mind.

Pez Induced Laughter

"What is that?"

1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 200

My tribute to the 1992 Seinfeld episode when Jerry puts a Pez dispenser on Elaine's leg, causing her to erupt in laughter during a piano recital.

Cracker Barrel

"Parrot Ice"

1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 800

"Live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." - Will Rogers

Delaware's New Stadium with Retractable Roof

"Hole New Outlook"

1/320 sec at f/4.5 ISO 200

Granted, it's only a prototype for a new stadium, but I think they're on to something!

Delaware Reports Record Bald Eagle Count

As reported in today's Delaware News Journal - 

DOVER — Delaware environmental officials say an annual survey of bald eagles has found a record number of the birds of prey.

Officials said today that this year's count totaled 120 eagles, with 77 adults and 43 immature birds. In the past, the annual bald eagle survey has found fewer than 40 birds.

Read the entire story here.

One Track Mind

"Red Light District"
1/500 sec at f/3.8 ISO 200

"Even though you are on the right track - you will get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers 

Detect, Protect and Reflect

"Grille of my dreams"
1/250 sec at f/4.2 ISO 100

"If you can see, you can also take pictures. But learning to see may take a long time."
- Anonymous

Do You Suffer ...

Like millions of Americans, do you suffer from too much pizza pain?  Tens of thousands of cases go undiagnosed each year, but now there's a solution:

Call today for your appointment (and be sure to tell the receptionist if you prefer mild or hot sauce).

Last Night ....

"Stars & Stripes"

1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

"Last night I shot a zebra in my pajamas.  How he got in my pajamas I'll never know." - (98%) Groucho Marx

A Different Point of View

"Jet stream"
1/400 sec at f/4.3 ISO 100

CAUTION:  The newest generation of bidets are quite powerful and very uplifting.

How are Your Eyes?

There's probably nothing more important to a photographer than his eyesight, but when you're editing them on your computer or getting ready to send them to the lab, something else becomes equally important.  Color.

Understanding colors and hues (including the shades between black & white, too) and the simple fact that your eyes see them different than your digital (or film) camera can interpret them is a major realization.  In fact, your camera "sees" them different, your monitor "sees" them different, your home printer "sees" them different and your lab printer "sees" them different.

You can buy calibrators to compensate for your monitors inadequacy to interpret the dynamic range God has given you (and probably a wise investment if you plan to sell your prints).

Just for fun, here's a free online test that allows you to test your eyes ability to see different hues (the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength).  Click here (the eye chart above and to the left was obviously for humor, the link is genuine).

Pistil Packing Mama

"Petal Power"
1/400 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100

"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat."  ~ Beverly Nichols

Second Nature

Conversations at the Summit with Jay Maisel from Summit Series of Workshops on Vimeo.

The Artist's Palete

"Red Oak"

1/100 sec at f/4.0 ISO 125

Though the artist has been around awhile, every night he uses a new canvas to paint the sky.  May every day in 2010 challenge and excite the artist in you.

Swimsuit Post

"How You Doin'?"

1/160 sec at f/5.0 ISO 100

Mid-winter, every year, for as long as I can remember, I have looked forward to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  In my small way, I present my tribute to the bikini-clad beauty that reminds you warmer weather and skimpier articles of clothing are not that far off.  Hang in there men!

Missed Opportunities

"Mr. President, please return your seat to its full, upright and locked position."

1/400 sec at f/6.3 ISO 400

If it were physically possible for a fat man, I would kick myself.  Air Force One flew into Wilmington's New Castle County airport today and I didn't think to make the short drive up there to snap a few pictures.  Doh!  Sometimes my mind works about as fast as a box turtle running sprints through a peanut butter valley.

President Obama was in town briefly to attend the funeral for Joe Biden's mother. I would have loved to see that big bird land and take off. Grrrrrr!

Two Thumbs Up Software Review

In the "old days" of film (younger readers please consult an encyclopedia) you almost always had to think your shots through before you ever pressed the shutter.  Because there was an unmistakable cost associated with each click you did your best to get it right the first time.

Many times you would put a filter over the camera lens to obtain a predetermined effect.  There were several filter makers to choose from.  Two of my favorite were Cokin and Tiffen.  Well Tiffen has made all those same filter effects (warming, diffusion, etc) available post-shoot in digital.  Their new software program, Tiffen Dfx, is pretty amazing.

It has taken many of the looks you are used to from yesteryear and put them in an easy to use package (available as a stand alone version or plug-in for PhotoShop).  Tiffen is offering a 15-day full version, free trial if you'd like to check it out yourself.  Start with their quick tour here and then follow the link to their download page.  The full version retails for $149 (stand-alone) and up.  They also offer a "lite" version, called "Essentials" for $59.

Finally, Some Ritz Camera Deals

I stopped at the Ritz Camera store in the Center Pointe Shopping Center, on Churchman's Road (near Home Depot and Christiana Care Hospital), this morning.  They are closing this location and have some odd ball deals that might be worth your time checking out.

I presume anything that is already on clearance and/or not available at other Ritz stores is being turned into cash.  50% off the ticketed prices.  They have a lot of onezie's left (one of this and one of that) and still a decent selection of picture frames and albums.  You won't find the main lines discounted, but you may find some thing.

Aerial Stop Light

"Metal Lighthouse"

1/8 sec at f/4.5 ISO 200

"A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner." - English Proverb

Spend a Day with WildDelaware Author Kevin Fleming

Wild Delaware author Kevin Fleming is sponsoring an all day, indoor seminar on Saturday, February 6th in Rehoboth Beach.

Learn from his photography and PhotoShop skills. Click here for the full story and registration information.

AirTran Fly Away Sweepstakes

Party with the SI Swimsuit Models in Las Vegas!

Travel on AirTran Airways with the 2010 Sport Illustrated Swimsuit models from New York to Las Vegas for the party of the year! One winner and their guest will fly on AirTran Airways along with SI Swimsuit Models featured in the 2010 SI Swimsuit issue.

The winner will receive

• Airfare for two (2) to New York to board the flight to Las Vegas
• A two (2) night hotel stay in Las Vegas
• Two (2) tickets to the SI Swimsuit On Location Party at the The Mirage Resort & Casino
• Two (2) tickets to the Club SI Swimsuit Party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casin

Now this is my kind of sweepstakes! Click here to enter.

Shooting Tips

Honk

"Geesed Lightning"
1/320 sec at f/5.6 ISO 400

"The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything, but be yourself." - Lao Tzu

What are Your Goals?

"Ice, Ice, Baby"
1/320 sec at f/6.3 ISO 1600

I think we all have an unrealized dream or two tucked away somewhere in the back of our minds that never seem to come to fruition. I've read it a million times, and I've heard it another half million times, that if you don't write your goals down, you sabotage your own efforts to accomplish them.

So, while I put my dreams and hopes in writing (to be published here within the week), I'd like to know what your goals are for this year (photography-related or not). Leave them in comment form or send me an email.

Ride, Captain, Ride

"Lifesaver"
1/320 sec at f/4.0 ISO 400

"Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth, with a top speed of 120 feet per second, is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter." - Dave Barry

Lighthouses of Delaware Photography Workshop

Like to photograph lighthouses? Pete Lerro of Glenolden PA is sponsoring a one-day workshop shooting five (5) Delaware lighthouses.

Click here to read more about Pete's January 25th workshop.

Heroes

"Ultimate Sacrifice"
1/320 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100

"My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" ~ Thomas Jefferson

Quote Note

The PhotoQuotes.com website has a new quotation this morning. Hmmmmm, I wonder who the author might be????

Find out for yourself at PhotoQuotes.com

Featherweight

"Up Periscope"
1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud." — Carl Sandburg

Take a Chance

"Warning Will Robinson"
1/125 sec at f/5.0 ISO 100

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." - Helen Keller

Saddle Up

"Run Free"

1/10 sec at f/5.3 ISO 100

"A horse is poetry in motion." ~ Author Unknown