A friendly game of checkers anyone?

Tags

checkers, Facebook page, family, Spring Mill State park Inn, website

My son and my nephew deep into a game of checkers.

Last weekend we celebrated my grandmother’s 84th birthday.  The evening included dinner at Spring Mill State Park Inn, family visiting time in the recreation area of the Inn, and lots of photos.  The photo above is one of my favorites from the evening.  The original was in color but I felt the duotone was best for this particular photograph.  What a priceless evening spent with the extended family.  Nieces, nephews, grandmothers, mothers, cousins, brothers, and sisters all coming together to celebrate one special lady’s birthday.

My grandmother and I.   I will always treasure this photo.  Big smiles  (Photo taken by my son Triston)

In other news, I finally launched my Facebook page for my business.  Stop by to say hi and like my page to get more updates on what’s going on with Pantone Photography.  Use the following link:  www.facebook.com/PantonePhotography

My website is also up and mostly done.  I will be adding a projects tab in the near future and more photos.  Stop by often for updates.  Use the following link to access my website:  pantonephotography.com

~ “Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.” Mark Twain~

Have a wonderful weekend blogging world!

Standing atop Chicago!

Tags

Chicago, Photography, Willis Tower

Standing atop Chicago

F-Stopmama has been very busy!  I have not posted  in a month and a half!  What have I been up to?  Chicago trip over Spring Break, working, starting my 365 project (photos to come) and subsequently becoming back logged on photos to edit (a good thing).

The picture above was taken atop the Willis Tower (formerly The Sears Tower), in Chicago, IL USA.  They have added a new experience called “The Ledge”, it is an enclosed glass balcony extending four feet outside the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.  Under our feet the city of Chicago awaits.

I will admit to being a little afraid to step out onto “The Ledge”, but finally I did and what an amazing experience.

More to come very soon.  Currently I am a full month into my 365 project and I am eager to share photos with the blogging world.  Stay tuned, this F-stopmama is just getting started!  :-)

~”Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”  Albert Einstein ~

2 year blog anniversary and signs of life emerging!

Tags

2 year anniversary, blogging, Buddha, plants, rabbit, spring

Happy 2nd anniversary to my blog!  F-stopmama is 2 years old today  The blogging community has been a wonderful addition to my life and I know I will continue to enjoy blogging and sharing with all of you over the coming years.   A huge thank you to everyone who has read my blog, commented and/or liked my posts and to all of my followers.

Today’s post is also celebrating the first signs of spring here in the Midwest, finally! Last weekend we had an unusually warm Sunday.  In fact warm enough to sit outside for the afternoon.  Of course I had to get the camera out to capture all of the new life emerging after a long and cold winter.

Have a great week blogging world!

I caught this guy hanging out in our backyard but even with a zoom lens this was as close as he allowed me to get.

Hello world here we are!

Buds emerging on one of bushes in the backyard. I always enjoy watching life come out of hibernation.

~ “Every morning we are born again.  What we do today is what matters most.” Buddha ~

Flexing the photography muscles (if only briefly)

Tags

henry david thoreau, outdoors, Photography, snow, winter

Yesterday, we woke up to another blanket of snow on our lovely Indiana lawns.  Actually it was lovely.  It was downright beautiful.  The trees blanketed in snow and road signs barely visible from the previous evening’s snowfall.  I realized the difference from Tuesday night, when I finally managed to get home from my son’s winter athletics awards banquet, and Wednesday morning.  It was the sound.  Tuesday night when I stepped out of the truck everything was so peaceful and still.  The absence of sound made the entire winter scene magical in some way.  Yesterday morning was a different story with the sounds of snow shovels chipping away.

All I could think, as I clumsily made my way around the house to get ready for my workday, was wow its beautiful outside but it would be even more beautiful if I could stay home and enjoy it from the couch.  Suffice to say I was unable to stay home and enjoy the winter scene from my couch.  After arriving home from work I was able to get out to snap a few photos because frankly my Nikon has missed me terribly.  I really need to flex my photography muscles more often.   This oversight must be rectified at once.

Nothing too exciting but here is what I shot after arriving home from work.  Finally something on my SD card.

Is it just me or does it look like this sun is wearing a snow cap?

Nothing exciting here but I love the contrast between the snow and the wood.

I discovered this smaller entrance into our backyard while snapping photos.  Who does this doorway belong to?

Welcome home to the mystery animal using this “secret” entrance

P.S.  Is it summer yet?  I really am an outdoors, warm weather, sandals kind of girl.

~ “One must maintain a little bittle of summer, even in the middle of winter.” Henry David Thoreau ~

Thank you!

Tags

Canada, kindness, talktodiana

On Friday, I received an email from WordPress informing me that a fellow blogger had featured my latest post on her blog.  I was touched by her kind words and this gesture on her part.

To see her Friday pick post check out the following link and while you are there check out her blog!

http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/friday-pick-39/

A huge thank you to Diana!   Thanks for making my Friday start off with a smile!  To Diana:  my favorite picture from my trip to Canada this past summer.  I cannot wait to go back again this summer!

Happy Monday, blogging world!

~”Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible.”  Dalai Lama~

 

 

 

 

 

A little clean up, some accomplisment and a dash of dreaming about warmer days

Tags

accomplishment, business, New Orleans, Organizing, photos, Quebec, warmth, website

One of my projects, which I have managed not to start, is going back through my photos for a second look/edit.  They are in need of a bit more organization and key wording.   I anticipate this being a fun project and I am looking forward to doing it, but I have been busy lately working on getting my business together.  Hence why I have not started

Last week was a week of accomplishment.  My business cards are finally designed and printed!!  I have seriously been talking about getting them done for more than 6 months.  Granted I had a deadline of last Saturday, so that helped motivate me.  Why the deadline you ask?  Well maybe you did not ask, but I will tell you regardless.  I had my first charity photography gig last Saturday night!  It was a wonderful experience  working with many different people and finally flexing my photography muscles again.  I will admit living in Indiana makes my photo muscles atrophy in the winter.  It appears having an event to photograph helps get your butt in gear to put the finishing touches on your business.  Two weekends ago I stayed up until 4 am working on my website and it felt great to know I am moving forward with my goals.  My motivation seems to be picking up and for that I am grateful.   It has even helped me find a more positive way to “get along” with my day job while I work on my business.  Success on many fronts.  And this is why I am happy tonight.  Progress is being made toward living the kind of life I aspire to and every day it is becoming even more apparent I will get there.   Yay me!

On a side note:  We are still in the process of putting the other blog together, yes a bit behind schedule, but the blog is just for fun so why make it stressful.  Stay tuned it is coming and soon.  At this time I am focusing on getting Saturday’s charity event photos edited and uploaded to my website.

For now I leave you with warmth and splashes of color, two things we are currently  lacking here in the Midwest.  Enjoy, until next time!

Quebec July 2011.

New Orleans 2011

New Orleans May 2011

~”One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth.  Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”  Abraham H. Maslow~

Where did all of the heat go?

Tags

black and white, cat, Olivia, Photography, winter

The other day I noticed our cat Olivia peeking at me from around the corner.  I could not resist snapping a few pictures.  It’s winter in Indiana so I have been spending a lot of time indoors.  The following may not be riveting material  but it was fun capturing Olivia in her “natural house cat” state.  If reincarnation is real I want to come back as a spoiled house cat.  Enjoy!

I chose black and white for this series because I felt it captured the moment best.

“Why does that lady with the camera insist on taking my photo?”

“Not the close-up!”

I enjoyed capturing our feline in her favorite spot.  Part of the time, I spent on my belly trying to capture just the right angle the other part I laughed as she gave me that look of ‘what are you doing’.   Behind the wall,  hidden from view, is Olivia laying over our floor vent soaking up all of the warm heat.  No wonder our heating bill is higher in the winter

Happy Monday blogging world!

~”Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.” Anonymous ~

Where am I headed?

Tags

"The Passionate Photographer", "Understanding exposure", Bryan Peterson, business, goals, light, motivation, perspective, Photography, project, Steve Simon

The last two books I read in 2012.

Both were great books but the top one made me think about where I am and where I want to go with my photography.  After finishing this book I had a brainstorming session to sort this out.  Here is a snapshot of what I came up with from that session:

1.  Leave my lab job in 2013 to start my own photography business (this goes along with my lifestyle change, more on this in a bit)
2.  Shoot more!  The only way to get better at anything is practice, practice and you guessed it more practice.
3.  Come up with a project.  This was an excellent suggestion from the book. I have decided on a project involving my grandmother and telling her story through photographs.
4. Go through my Lightroom 4 catalog.  Yes this will be a large project which I will do in small chunks.  The idea is to take a fresh look at your images and organize as you go.  Lucky for me most of my images are organized into collections and categories but I am excited to see what I may find buried away.
5. Try out a day of “follow the light” shooting.

Sometimes all you need is a fresh, new perspective to jump start the motivation.

Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure”, helped me to better understand some of the technical aspects of photography and gave me ideas to try out.   After reading his book I decided to set aside some time weekly to shoot, practice, shoot, practice (you get the idea).

Steve Simon’s “The Passionate Photographer”, motivated me to set down and brainstorm my next steps.  (This was time WELL spent)

In number one I mentioned a lifestyle change.  I am excited to say my life partner and I are embarking on a major lifestyle change.   We have decided to start another blog chronicling this lifestyle change as it unfolds.  We will be launching it in the very near future, so stay tuned for that.

As for this blog, it will continue on as my personal photography blog.  Today I thought about changing the theme of my blog but instead have decided to leave it as is, aside from a few tweaks, for now.  In the future I am considering a premium theme.  I would love feedback from fellow bloggers out there who are using a premium theme.

Happy Monday fellow bloggers!

~”Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”  Henri Cartier-Bresson~

Lions, tigers and (no bears) oh my!

Tags

big cats, cougars, Exotic Feline Rescue Center, Indianapolis felines, leopards, lions, Photography, tigers

A few weeks ago I had another chance to experience big cats up close and personal but unlike before, this time my Nikon was in tow.  The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is home to 230 big cats who have been rescued from unsuitable living conditions or those who have been abandoned by owners unable to care for them.  It is a sad truth there are many people out there who do not think through the consequences of obtaining a lion or tiger as a house pet.  Many of these beautiful animals were living in such small spaces they were unable to turn around!

With it’s close proximity to Indianapolis, an hour west of the city, the drive to the EFRC is worth what awaits you.  The experience of touring this facility and being so close to such magnificent creatures is beyond words.  You are close enough to be sprayed if your are not paying attention.   It is best to remain alert at all times while on the grounds.  The experience involves all of your senses, except touch of course.  This is not a petting zoo Upon arrival the scent of big cats and lunch (various animal parts) bombards your sense of smell.  The sound of several lions all roaring at once entices your sense of hearing.  It is amazing to hear the power behind each roar.  Wow! Then of course the feeling of walking by an enclosure with a full grown adult tiger less than 5 feet away is beyond amazing and a bit intimidating (ok a lot intimidating).   I was happy to have my camera along although at times I could not get in close enough to remove the fence from my photo.  Then again had I been any closer my lens may have been a new toy for the big cats, so I’ll take what I got.

If you live in the area and you have not been to the EFRC, I highly recommend going.  The admission price is $10 per person and all of that  goes directly toward the care of all of the big cats that call this place home.

Check out their website for more information:  http://www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org/home.html

This beautiful lioness was far enough away and enjoying a peaceful nap allowing me to get in closer with my zoom lens to capture her slumber (or her partial I’m awake what do you want face)

We were at the right place right time for this photo and the one below.  It was feeding time at a section of 4 different enclosures.  The cats were ready for dinner and pacing.  As you can see from both photos this was as close as I dared to be and was allowed.

I can still hear this lion’s roar.  It gave me good chills.  How amazing to hear so many of them at once.

Our good friend Dan Fargo taking a picture while this lioness eats.  This photo is a great perspective on just how close you get.  Not pictured is another enclosure directly behind him housing white tigers.

Feeding time and this tiger wants it now.  Most of the food comes from local farmers who donate animals who have died or in some cases deer that have been hit on the road.  Volunteers feed and care for the animals.

This beautiful and powerful cougar looks like she wanted her picture taken

The second half of the tour looked like a typical American household after Thanksgiving dinner.  Most of the cats were in nap mode.   In this case I was able to get in close with my zoom and capture this tiger deep in sleep.

Check out the paw on this tiger, named Felix! Felix was brought here because his owner said he was too aggressive.  Our tour guide explained that the opposite was true in this case.  Felix was a big lover and has shown no aggression toward anyone at the EFRC.  His living conditions probably lead to his aggressive behavior towards his owner.  I was unable to get a great shot of him to share on here so you will have to settle for just his paw

Another napping tiger and a different perspective on the big paws they have.

The backside of a leapord.  I wasn’t about to disturb so I went with the shot available.

Hoping everyone has had a wonderful Holiday season and here’s to the new adventures that await us in 2013.  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

~”The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured by the way its animals are treated.” Mahatma Gandhi ~

Taking the time to look skyward

Tags

artistic, canvas, Lake Superior, painting, Photography, sky, sunset, yoga

Yesterday as I walked out to my car, an action I do five days a week and sometimes feel bummed that I am still involved in the day-to-day rat race that is called the 40 hour work week, I noticed something.  The sky!  The sun was setting and in its wake it created this canvas of colors.  Beautiful pastel pinks, yellows, and blues.  It was as if a giant artist stroked his paint brush across the evening sky to produce this lovely picture.  I know what you are thinking, where is the picture?  Sadly the only picture I have is the one in my head.  I was slightly cussing myself for not having my Nikon available for the photo opportunity.  However, it was a nice way to end the work day, admiring a beautiful sunset.  Did I mention the bummed feeling was quickly replaced with a smile

How often do you rush about and never take notice of the simple, yet beautiful things around you?  Lately, I have become more involved in my yoga practice and I have really enjoyed the positive effects it has had on my mind and body.  It has taught me to slow down and to simply enjoy “this moment” instead of rushing from one activity to the next.  On my drive home, I turned off the radio and simply lived in “the moment”, enjoying a peaceful ride and a beautiful sunset.  Try it next time and see how you feel.

In place of today’s sunset, I went back through my archives and selected a few of my sunset skies.  Enjoy!  Happy Tuesday!  And for those who will be celebrating the holiday in a few days, Happy Turkey Day!

I captured this while driving back from the Mid-Ohio race track.

Sunset over the railroad tracks leading away from downtown Indianapolis.  I loved the glow from the sun on the tracks.

This photo was one of my earliest photos.  With this particular shot I was playing around with the silhouette option.  Sadly, I cannot remember the name of the lake:-(

This was taken during our camping trip this past summer on Lake Superior.  The sunsets were incredible.

May each of you take time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us, each and every day.  Slow down and enjoy everything this beautiful planet has to offer.

~”Sunlight is painting.”  Nathaniel Hawthorne~