Photo Assignment 01/26/08

[SNC1923]

I've been ruminating on a thread idea, and—with your indulgence—I'd like to switch things up a little bit this week. Change can be difficult, though, so let's bear in mind these simple rules:


Photos must be shot between 01/11 and 01/27/08.
You must provide the EXIF information if asked. If you need help, we can show you how to find it or even link it to your photo.
No photoshop alteration (we're looking to improve your skills with your camera, not software).
Your photograph must adhere to the theme, which will be described below.
Post only once, with three photos in one post. Those attaching photos can post three posts in a row, each with one photo.
Title your post. Do it. Do it.
Post only your final photos in this thread. A separate thread for test photos, commentary, and chat can be found here (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=279741#post279741).
And the most important rule: Have fun! We're looking to spread the joy that many of us derive from taking pictures, particularly ones that tell a story of some kind.


This week's theme: "My Town"

This week's photo assignment is a photo essay. Don't just show us, but tell us about where you live, and do so only by showing us three photos. Please no text except for a title. Do it. Remember, this is not your house, but your place, town, or location. Of course not all of us live in towns or cities, but you get the idea. Illustrate where you live photographically. You may post only three shots, no more or no less, please. The three shots can be shot at the same time, or at different times, or even on different days. All three must be shot within the time limit above, though.

Spend some time thinking about what you want to photograph, then set out to do it. Consider whether you want all three shots to be similar or wildly different, and what that says about where you live. Perhaps you want all three different, one wide, one telephoto, one close up. Indoors or out? Daytime or night? Snowy or sunny? I've extended the time because we're all dealing with weather, but I didn't want to wait until spring. These photos will be of locations, but will you include people? Will you put your bike in one of the shots?

To recap: Three shots, no text, post test shots and comments over here (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=279741#post279741), and have fun. Show us your town.

[Mika]

Photo Assigment Index (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=277618#post277618)

[bmwdean]

<b><center>Photo #1 - Mule deer in the Sonoran desert:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/mule-deer.jpg>

Photo #2 - Sunset behind Wasson Peak, Tucson vicinity:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/sunset-wasson-peak.jpg>

Photos #3a & 3b - Two views of my town, Tucson, AZ. First is a fisheye (replete with photographer's shadow):

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/tucson-fisheye.jpg>

The second is a more conventional view of downtown:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/tucson-downtown.jpg></b>
<center>

[redclfco]

Picture #1 Outside of Nerstrand, MN, my town, USA My Dog Sarge

[redclfco]

Picture #2 Side of the barn where the birds fly in

[redclfco]

Picture #3 Where I go to fly away..

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559747-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559767-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559780-L.jpg

Red,

These are nice shots that tell me a story about where you call home and--I think--at least some of what's important to you. I hope you don't mind, but I put reposted them all in one post by transferring them to my smugmug site. By doing so, I gained access to exif data. Here's the exif for your first picture:

Basic
Date Modified 2008-01-12 09:08:00
Date Taken 2004-08-12 02:13:05
Camera AIPTEK DV 8800
Exposure Time 0.0113s (11321/1000000)
Aperture f/2.8
ISO 100
Photo Dmsn 480 x 640
File Name BMWMOA 01.12.2008JPG.jpg
File Size 78.35 KB
Detailed
JPEG Quality 618952/3072016.13029316
Flash flash did not fire
Exp. Program normal program
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Light Source unknown
Sensing Method one-chip color sensor
Color Space sRGB

This gives me a lot of info: date taken (you might want to change the date on your camera's calendar), date modified, exposure, aperture and shutter speed, file name, size, etc. This is rarely essential information, but sometimes it's nice to access, especially if there is a problem. All your digital photos have this; you simply need a program to access it. A smugmug account (or other photo-sharing website) will do it. So do many photo processing programs like PhotoShop or LightRoom.

Hope this helps. Again, nice series.

[SNC1923]

I'm really pleased to see folks jumping right in on this assignment. Great stuff.

If anyone wants me to reorganize their shots into one post, just PM me.

Note, too, that the deadline for this assignment is 01/26/08, so there's plenty of time.

[grossjohann]

http://lh3.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rHoP0UJRI/AAAAAAAABDc/Wyq6tsdI7Co/s800/DSC02021.JPG
Village Shops


http://lh3.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rH6P0UJSI/AAAAAAAABDk/JhIr8PKjmcE/s800/DSC02033.JPG
Memorial Park


http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rH-v0UJUI/AAAAAAAABD0/zYwr9gscV-4/s800/DSC02035.JPG
Cash or Personal Check ONLY

[monkeywork]

Great Barrington MA on January 14th, 8:00 am.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2192114675_c8b087ae27.jpg
The Mahaiwe Theater

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2192903804_e3affb121d.jpg
Main Street in the Morning.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2192915834_042027e17d.jpg
St. James Church.

[Voni]

Nine Point, TX Population 8

[Voni]

We're not nowhere but you can see it from here.

[Voni]

We humans are way outnumbered by four legged critters.

[Burnszilla]

Friendly Horse in Glenwood
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2193708810_fa651bb3e8_b.jpg

Big Trees in the Hood
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2193708270_cde2175034_b.jpg

Glenwood, What Remains
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2193707422_bdbe43454b_b.jpg

[OfficerImpersonator]

I just had to share these.

For Christmas, our two year old received a child-friendly digital camera. Here is his first assortment of photos: http://dvandkq.net/John's%20Photos.htm

[BONEY]

El Fin del Camino Real:
http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3068-1/Sonoma+014.jpg

Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/4
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value -0.33 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 5.8 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/1000 sec
Date/Time Wed 16 Jan 2008 03:25:26 PM EST
Image Type IMG:PowerShot A710 IS JPEG
Compression Jpeg Compression
Contrast Normal
Exposure Mode Program
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Subject Distance 116/100 m



Zinfindel:
http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3080-1/Sonoma+033.jpg

Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/8
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value -0.33 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 19.57 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/160 sec
Date/Time Wed 16 Jan 2008 03:46:24 PM EST
Image Type IMG:PowerShot A710 IS JPEG
Compression Jpeg Compression
Contrast Normal
Exposure Mode 1
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Subject Distance 1550/100 m


Red Barn:
http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3082-1/Sonoma+036.jpg

Make Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Aperture Value f/8 Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value 0 EV Flash No Flash
Focal Length 7.06 mm
ISO Unknown
Metering Mode Center Weighted Average
Shutter Speed Value 1/100 sec
Date/Time Wed 16 Jan 2008 03:55:27 PM EST
Image Type IMG:PowerShot A710 IS JPEG
Compression Jpeg Compression
Contrast Normal
Exposure Mode 0
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Subject Distance 6553/100 m

[franze]

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720438-L.jpg


http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720441-L.jpg



http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720443-L.jpg

[PGlaves]

The Mall

[PGlaves]

The Motorcycle Shop

[PGlaves]

Fine Dining

[SNC1923]

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244587935-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244587935)

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244589128-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244589128)

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244850896-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244850896)

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551246-L.jpg

Not my town, but a local field where the new folk moved in this weekend.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551394-L.jpg

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551616-L.jpg

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245552176-L.jpg

Few more arrivals...I took 299 pics before the memory filled.

This is more representative of the town.
http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245552406-M.jpg

But to finish on a happier note...

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245552306-L.jpg

The noise was astounding and the wings caused pressure waves in your ears.

[lamble]

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551781-L.jpg

Okay that's all on the snow geese. Please evaluate the single goose, the signs and the shot above. Thanks Tom.

[naddy100]

Okay that's all on the snow geese. Please evaluate the single goose, the signs and the shot above. Thanks Tom.
For what it's worth, I like the picture of the geese right above your statement "A few more arrivals." It seems like the picture has depth, and the blank parts of the sky help highlight the concentration of birds.
Noel

[lamble]

For what it's worth, I like the picture of the geese right above your statement "A few more arrivals." It seems like the picture has depth, and the blank parts of the sky help highlight the concentration of birds.
Noel

I like that one too, that's why I didn't want Tom scratching the veneer of my happiness away, to leave a raw and tender ego, with any critical comments on it. (Sometimes learning is a painful exercise - cross reference with Dave and adult ed).

For some reason the birds seem to have gathered at the bottom corners, giving it almost a fish eye look...not intended...I have no goose herder skills, which is a shame because if they'd carried on left, there was a snow capped range of mountains that would have been a fantastic backdrop. Access was limited to this one spot.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Snowed Out
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2195753254_fc0853bc28.jpg

Greely Park
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2209365011_233b133261_o.jpg


City, what city?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2209823969_6a4d2fc05a_o.jpg

[OUTBACKUFO]

the infamous "subburb"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/EPAVILLE.jpg

one of many fixer uppers... :laugh :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/Mine3.jpg

original school house
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/LeadSchool.jpg

[grant]

I was tempted to just take pictures of the lake and waterfront but figured I couldn't really capture Canandaigua without one shot of Main St.

"Main Street"

[grant]

"City Pier"

[grant]

"Boathouses over ice"

[rocketman]

Ok I think I’m set, any more internal debates and I’ll go crazy, so out of four finalists I decided on these three. All taken with my P&S.

The view from Jefferson’s lap

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-1.jpg

A hidden Concrete Garden in the Midst of Madness

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-2.jpg

Smithsonian Castle Building: Entrance at Midnight

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-3.jpg

:wipe-brow :laugh

RM

[JohnF]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01256.jpg

[JohnF]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01270.jpg

[JohnF]

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01272.jpg

[rocketman]

Welcome JohnF, thanks for joining in and remember have fun and post often in incoming assignments.

Love the pigs!

RM

[oldpaul]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2217612076_f73c1078b2.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2217606904_94342c0d85.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2216816051_8dca851a5a.jpg

[SNC1923]

Well, better late than never I always say. This "week's" photo assignment has gone on for a few weeks. I think the results show that some folks really invested a great deal of time and thought into their work.

First up is BMWDean

Photo #1 - Mule deer in the Sonoran desert:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/mule-deer.jpg>

Photo #2 - Sunset behind Wasson Peak, Tucson vicinity:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/sunset-wasson-peak.jpg>

Photos #3a & 3b - Two views of my town, Tucson, AZ. First is a fisheye (replete with photographer's shadow):

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/tucson-fisheye.jpg>

The second is a more conventional view of downtown:

<img border=1 src=http://home.att.net/~jeff.dean/tucson-downtown.jpg></b>


This is an especially nice series, one that conveys much of the feel and geography of where Jeff winters. I like the shot of the deer--they're hard to get. The cactus and the tree provide a natural frame, too. The little fella almost appears to be posing and he's not dead-center in the frame, either. I've seen a lot of sunsets. This one is particularly rich, though, and the cacti add visual interest to be sure. Is there a more iconic plant? I really like to two city-scapes, A and B. The fisheye shot is great--an unusual application of this lens and one the lends a unique perspective to a familiar scene. As Jeff already pointed out, it has a distracting shadow. Waiting several hours for the sun to move would probably have been the only solution. The second city-scape, more standard, is a nice shot, too. I would have liked to have seen it shot perhaps a bit lower with the mountains higher in the frame. Hindsight makes these observations easy. Beautiful model in these shots, by the way.

Statdawg returns with three shots of a very different winter indeed.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836908-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836924-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836930-L.jpg

These three images evoke the sort of dreary winter that many of us labor under, myself included. One of the photographic details that I think contributes to this feeling is the lack of a discernible subject, especially in the first two shots. No.1, not uninteresting, is predominated by brown grass and has the dreaded horizon bisection. The rule of thirds might have helped here. The title helps to point to the contrast of the barn and the school. What if one had been foregrounded to the other? No. 2 is quite a bit more interesting, and it could be argued that the store is the subject. You're to be commended for composing the shot so that the viewer is not looking straight down the street, but that it is off to the left--especially given your title. The yellow of the store adds a splash of color, albeit muted, in this photo. It's an interesting and visually appealing shot of your town. No. 3 eludes me. I'm sure the flag is the focus of the faith 'till death, but I'm not tracking. The fence bothers me, though the framing through the trees is good. I'm thinking this might be a church, though I can't see for sure. I would have liked this to have been taken over the fence. Nice series. I have a real sense of where you call home from these shots.

Redclfo is back with an interesting series of where he calls home.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559747-M.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559767-M.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/242559780-M.jpg

This is really quite an interesting series. No. 1 is a great shot. I love the composition, even off-kilter as it is, as that mirrors the construction of this building. I also really like the patch-work of the facade, and of course the Sarge and/or the door are not dead-center. He emerges from the darkness within, adding even more visual interest. No. 2 is equally appealing. I love the composition and the upward perspective of the barn. I normally dislike things shot through trees, but this works. Perhaps due to the simplicity/size/color of the subject, and that the snow on the branches adds contrast and interest. This is a neat shot. No. 3 doesn't work for me, for the same reasons that No. 1 does. Subject too small, too far. There appears to be quite a bit of motion blur, too. This was shot at too slow a shutter speed to be hand-held. Increasing the ISO can help.

One point of interest here: As has been mentioned by others in previous posts, compare the shots in posts 9 and 10, the latter having been uploaded to my SmugMug account. The ones posted on my site appear slightly richer, more saturated. I find this surprising and interesting. . . .

Grossjohann is back this week with a particularly appealing series of his town.

http://lh3.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rHoP0UJRI/AAAAAAAABDc/Wyq6tsdI7Co/s800/DSC02021.JPG

http://lh3.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rH6P0UJSI/AAAAAAAABDk/JhIr8PKjmcE/s800/DSC02033.JPG

http://lh5.google.com/Alex.Grossjohann/R4rH-v0UJUI/AAAAAAAABD0/zYwr9gscV-4/s800/DSC02035.JPG

All three, very nice. No. 1 is a great perspective of Main Street. The festive red ribbons are the subject: one if foregrounded to grab the viewer by the collar and say, "I'm the subject!" The scene recedes nicely into the distance and it's a bit unusual in that it's vertically composed. No. 2 made me think immediately of Foundation holiday cards. It's a very nice scene as well, and like No. 1, clearly evokes a holiday spirit. Having underexposed this just a bit more might have helped retain the detail in the tree lights and lighted clock face, even isolating them in the composition. Definitely a bit darker. No. 3 is a complex exposure as well. I think I might have shot this a bit darker, too, but here it is arguable. To have done so would have lost the interesting sky. The restaurant sign is a bit hot, but not bad. The beer signs are over-exposed. The range of light in this shot exists over a wide latitude, so some sacrifices would have to be made. You may just have struck a happy medium. It's a moody, evocative shot, one that a weary, cold traveler would be happy to come across.

Monkeywork is here this week with three particularly nice shots of his town.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2192114675_c8b087ae27.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/2192903804_e3affb121d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2192915834_042027e17d.jpg

No. 1 is a nice composition, not only in terms of structure but also of color. The theater marquee jumps out of the corner of this text-book example of the golden-mean composition. No. 2 reminds me a bit of Grossjohann's street-scape. Also vertically oriented, it has a pleasing receding perspective, but it does lack a discernible subject. Still evokes a cold winter afternoon, though. No. 3 is very interesting. Shooting in B&W was a good choice here, I think. This viewer wants you to take five steps to your left and view the church between the trees and not behind them. May not have been your intent however. These are very interesting trees with complex systems of branches that are really visually interesting with the snow to lend contrast. This might be worth reshooting to experiment with various perspectives.

[monkeywork]

the great thing is, that last pic of the church... is color.

the scene itself lacked it.

[SNC1923]

the great thing is, that last pic of the church... is color.

the scene itself lacked it.

Wow. You got me. I made a similar error on one of Gail's shots a while back. Interesting. . . .

[kartcon]

Deserted Downtown
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-070.jpg

Fire Station #1
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-075.jpg

Bad Vacation Planning
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-159.jpg

Art
aka Kartcon

[grossjohann]

Thanks for the feedback, Tom.

I should have taken more time and bracketed, perhaps. Again, I had assumed the assignment was for one weekend, only… I ran out Sunday evening and shot all three in haste.

Not only does the 2 week assignment give you some time to catch your creative breath between shoots, it gives us some more time to experiment. One thread for discussion, and the other for application…

Great concept.

Thank you,
Alex

[MLS2GO]

I live in a small Village, but it is part of the Kansas City Metro, so I chose that instead. My problem was cutting a city of 2 million to 3 pictures. I actually took these two weeks ago when it first came out, but couldn't decide which ones. But here we go.

The first is Athur Bryant's Barbeque. Called by New Yorker food critic Calvin Trillin the "Greatest Restaurant in the World."
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247314882-L.jpg

This is the entrance of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the Historic 18th and Vine District. It is housed in the same building as the American Jazz Museum. This is actually half of the facade. The Negro Leagues were formed in KC down the street in the YMCA.
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247317750-L.jpg

The last of these are a distinctive part of Downtown. Called by some Docking Stations for Aliens, the world's largest hair curlers and some things much less nice they are the towers of the Convention Center.
http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247315707-L.jpg

[SNC1923]

Voni's back with her essay on Nine Point, Texas.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836957-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836963-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836970-L.jpg

No. 1 is clearly the "winner" in this series. It's a masterful composition: an interesting subject well-composed, a less-interesting and non-interfering background counterpoint, and a horizon that doesn't bisect the image. Very, very nice. No. 2 is a good picture though a less successful composition. The photographer is battling fading light and dealing with huge shadows beneath brightly-lit buildings. Perhaps a composition like the first, foregrounding the covered wagon looking out to the social club? No. 3 struggles with the same difficult lighting. I have to ask myself: What is the subject? Horse trailer, dog, American flag, or horses? It's a neat series taken in total and gives one a clear image of a little town with fewer people than even it's name.

Burnzilla chimes in this week with a very nice series, indeed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2193708810_fa651bb3e8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2193708270_cde2175034_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2193707422_bdbe43454b_b.jpg

No. 1 shows that of the thousands of possible ways in which someone can shoot horses in a corral, there are still unexpected variations. This is a great, if humorous, composition that demands the viewer's attention. No. 2: How are you going to go wrong with giant Redwoods and filtered light? It's a snapshot, but a successful one. No. 3 is a really nice still-life. We all take pictures of signs and plaques, more so as we get older, in order to remember where we've been. But this is beautifully lit with interesting objects to arrange a lovely scene. It's a spot-on composition and really a kind of found art. Very nice, artistically rendered series.

Boney's back with more fine images this week.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3068-1/Sonoma+014.jpg

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3080-1/Sonoma+033.jpg

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3082-1/Sonoma+036.jpg

Each of these is a well-thought-out composition. Great exposures, too. The mission is really nice with the (bell?) in the foreground not interfering with the mission itself. The grape vines are off kilter a bit--Boney may have even mentioned that already. Still a powerful image. The red barn is also a really nicely balanced image. These shots are so successful, I think, because the frame is filled with the intended image; the viewer is not searching for the subject. These are quite nice.

Franze came in with some images from far, far away, in Nyon.

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720438-L.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720441-L.jpg

http://elcid.smugmug.com/photos/244720443-L.jpg

All three of these are nice images. The train station shot leaves me wanting a bit. It's a scene of a place, but it seems to lack a center or central idea. The third shot works well with a difficult exposure latitude. Franze executes this very well. This reminds me a bit too much of my garage, though. The second shot is a master stroke. Beautiful exposure and composition. Although the horizon bisects the picture, the leading line, the interesting water, and the dramatic sky tie this whole thing up in a nice bow. Great image and a nice series.

Pglaves is here this week with an interesting series of one of these compelling Texas towns.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836978-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836945-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836951-L.jpg

Both Paul and Voni came up with really interesting quirky series without resorting to photoing each other's chosen towns. Bonus points for that. 500 bonus points each for having Voni in your photos and for making them motorcycle-related. You may be our big winner this week. Each of these is a nice shot, and a series that tells a story about a place that I now feel as though I've visited. In each instance, however, I want you to walk 50 paces closer and take a picture of an element of these scenes to show us. consider if No. 1 were a vertical composition including only the bikes, Voni, the sign, and the store. Such interesting locations can bear such scrutiny. I'd love to go riding with you guys sometime, particularly if we could stop at the Kowgirl Kafe.

[SNC1923]

Well, I'm going to talk about myself for a minute, so you may want to just skip ahead.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244587935-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244587935)

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244589128-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244589128)

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/244850896-L.jpg (http://snc1923.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=244850896)

In contrast to many of my past posts, I'm very pleased with this week's effort. The first shot is the crowning achievement. This is a 13 second exposure captured on a tripod. My buddy Brad and I rode around town one night capturing local landmarks. He kept criminal-types at bay and spotted traffic to make sure I wasn't run over. No. 1 is one of about 50 shots. I bracketed a great deal to find the right exposure. I love the big LCD screen for checking accuracy. I like this one best as a city bus drove through the exposure leaving these great red trails. No. 2 is a pretty standard shot of a local landmark. Again, I took many shots and many different compositions. Bricciphoto helped me pick the right one. No. 3 couldn't be more pedestrian. I just felt a daylight image wouldn't fit this series of three.

Lamble struggled to find his muse, but I think ultimately he was successful.

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551246-L.jpg

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245552406-M.jpg

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245551781-L.jpg

Per his request (much appreciated) I'll comment on these three. No. 1 is fabulous. It's a great capture of a beautiful bird in flight. This isn't easy and he got a good one. The composition of troubling, with the birds cut off at the bottom and the mountains bisecting the image, but one just can't attend to these things when tracking such a fast moving image. In spite of these minor flaws, this is a great shot. No. 2 I like quite a lot. He posted another that he liked better in the commentary thread, but I prefer this one. It's close up, composed well, and interesting image with the signs tiled beneath one another. It really tells a story of rampant development. No. 3 is simply remarkable for its intense natural beauty. The sheer volume of birds is remarkable and that they fill the frame adds to the intensity and drama. Even more interesting is how they seem to conform to the natural lines of the mountainous background. That Lamble was not shat upon during these photos is amazing (and I'm making a big assumption here).

[Burnszilla]

Boney's back with more fine images this week.

http://www.beachbus.net/photos/d/3068-1/Sonoma+014.jpg

...The mission is really nice with the (bell?) in the foreground not interfering with the mission itself.
Tom, next time your on hwy 101 look for the bells every few miles...

from: http://www.californiabell.com/

The El Camino Real and Its Historic Bells

In 1769, The El Camino Real, or Kings Highway, was just a footpath begun by the Franciscans and led by Father Junipero Serra who was a deciding influence in establishing the California Missions north from San Diego to Sonoma. Each Mission was situated in areas where large populations of Indians lived and where the soil was fertile enough to sustain a settlement. As time progressed and more Missions were built, the footpath became a roadway wide enough to accommodate horses and wagons. It was not, however, until the last Mission in Sonoma was completed in 1823, that this little pathway became a real route.

El Camino Real is the Spanish name for the historic road that joined the twenty one Franciscan Missions, the Pueblos and Presidios in the early days of California. Many of the Missions have been restored and the Kings Highway now is a magnificent modern road leading from San Diego, via Rose Canon, to Oceanside, then inland to Mission San Luis Rey and Pall from Oceanside to Mission San Juan P\Capistrano, Myford-Irving, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, LA Habra, Whittier, Mission San Gabriel to El Monte, Puente, Pomona, Claremont, San Bernardino, Redlands, Colton and Riverside.

From Los Angeles El Camino Real leads to Hollywood, through Cahuenga Pass to Sherman Way thence to Mission San Freehand from Sherman Way to Calabasas, Camarillo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Gaviota, Mission Santa Ines, Mission La Purisima, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, San Miguel, Jolon, Mission San Antonio, Soledad, Salinas to Monterey and Mission Carmel, or from Salinas to Mission San Juan Bautista, San Jose, Mission San Jose, Hayward, San Leandro, to Oakland from San Jose to Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo, Colombo, Ocean View, to Mission de los Dolores and San Francisco (Market and Third Streets). Across the bay, El Camino Real leads from San Rafael to Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma.

The greater portion of El Camino Real is Highway 101, a part of the splendid system of California highways. It is a continuous road over seven hundred miles in length and is marked by the unique and picturesque Mission Bell guideposts which originally gave distances between the principal towns and directions to the Missions. The bells are placed along the road not merely as landmarks and guides to travelers but as testimonials to the work of the Franciscan padres who were the pioneers that settled California in 1769.
The miniature bells sold in mission gift shops since 1914, are replicas of the hundreds of Mission Bell Guideposts marking the El Camino Real. Some of the old inventory made from 1914 to 1955 is still available from California Bell.

The idea of placing a marker along the highway and in front of each Mission did not come about until 1906 when a cast iron 85 pound bell and piping designed by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes was placed into the ground in concrete at the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora Reina de Los Angeles, also know as the Plaza Church near Union Depot in Los Angeles.

The bells were inscribed, "El Camino Real 1769-1906." The dates reflect the founding of the first Mission and the dedication of the first bell in Los Angeles on August 15, 1906.

The plan had been to place one bell along each mile of the El Camino Real Highway, in front of each Mission, and also selected historical landmarks. By 1913, a goal of 425 bells was reached. One bell was placed in front of each Mission and the balances were placed along the El Camino Real Highway. Since then many bells were lost to road reconstruction and theft.

After feeble attempts over the past 50 years, John Kolstad, owner of Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes' original California Bell Company, and Keith Robinson, Principal Landscape Architect of Caltrans, have teamed together and installed 555 original El Camino Real Bells along Highway 101. These bells have been installed on Caltrans property from Los Angeles to San Francisco. California Bell is now working with cities to reinstall the original bells in the remaining areas of the original route. From Sonoma to San Francisco, and Los Angeles to San Diego, new bells will be appearing along El Camino Real. Call your local City Manager for information on their installation progress. Click Here For Great Historical Photos

[SNC1923]

Tom, next time your on hwy 101 look for the bells every few miles...

from: http://www.californiabell.com/

The El Camino Real and Its Historic Bells

I see them all the time, but I never paused to ponder their significance. Thanks for the education!

[BONEY]

Burnszilla, thanks for the info.

I grew up in L.A. and they're posted all over the place down there. I've been thinking about putting together a ride that visits them all.

There's some other California history in Sonoma that I couldn't capture. It's the part where us rebellious folk put General Vallejo in the stockade and raised the Bear Flag.

[lamble]

Per his request (much appreciated) I'll comment on these three. No. 1 is fabulous. It's a great capture of a beautiful bird in flight. This isn't easy and he got a good one. The composition of troubling, with the birds cut off at the bottom and the mountains bisecting the image, but one just can't attend to these things when tracking such a fast moving image. In spite of these minor flaws, this is a great shot. No. 2 I like quite a lot. He posted another that he liked better in the commentary thread, but I prefer this one. It's close up, composed well, and interesting image with the signs tiled beneath one another. It really tells a story of rampant development. No. 3 is simply remarkable for its intense natural beauty. The sheer volume of birds is remarkable and that they fill the frame adds to the intensity and drama. Even more interesting is how they seem to conform to the natural lines of the mountainous background. That Lamble was not shat upon during these photos is amazing (and I'm making a big assumption here).

It wouldn't have been the first time, nor the last, but this time I escaped poop-free.
To be honest, the geese are so spectacular, it would have been hard to not get a good shot or two, especially out of 300 shots.
On the signs...if as much design thought went into defining the look of the houses they were building as goes into differentiating their signage, it would go someway, even if only a partial distance, to alleviating the tedium of bland house, after house, after house.
It took more thought than the geese, so glad you liked it...still prefer the other one though.

On the pic not assessed, the panorama geese, is the fisheye thing to do with the lens? I think you mentioned, or I've read that there's an effect at the edges that rounds the corners off. Is that what's happened there?
(Bracketing was mentioned re your pics-what is it?)

[Voni]

Thanks once more for the feedback, Tom.

It's amazing how much you see in photos that isn't obvious to most all of us. I'm continually blown away by your insightfulness.

Our adobe is always open for your visit!

[RandallIsland]

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326235_1

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326236_1

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326237_1

[SNC1923]

On the pic not assessed, the panorama geese, is the fisheye thing to do with the lens? I think you mentioned, or I've read that there's an effect at the edges that rounds the corners off. Is that what's happened there?
(Bracketing was mentioned re your pics-what is it?)

You should get a sign, like they post in factories: Poop Free for 27 days.

I'm guessing this is the picture? Please correct if wrong:

http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/245552176-L.jpg

The fisheye effect that you are referring to is called "barrel distortion." The opposite phenomenon, where the picture pulls in at the corners, is called "pincushion distortion." This is caused by you not spending $3,000 on your camera or $2,000 on a lens. Pretty much all wide-angle lenses have it and some are better than others. It's only noticeable at wide angle and then only in certain lighting or with certain subject. Unfortunately, geese are right out. A great way to fix barrel distortion is to buy a prime (non-zoom) moderate wideangle lens for major big bucks. My 10-22 zoom, considered by many to be a very high quality, moderately priced zoom has significant barrel distortion issues.

Bracketing? That refers to taking several shots at slightly different exposures. If using the EV compensation, you might take one at the recommended exposure, one at +1/3 and one at -1/3. Or if setting your camera manually, taking a shot at 1/60th sec. at f/5.6. Maybe take two others at the same shutter speed, one at f/4.0 and one at f/8.0. That way you are sure to get one that appears most "correct." Many newer cameras have automatic bracketing as a built-in function. Tell the camera what range (1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV, etc.) and take three pictures. I will shoot one at a minus setting, one a normal, and one at a plus setting.

By the way, EV means "exposure value."

Clear as mud?

Click on this link (http://dryreading.com/camera/) and click on the +/- in the lower righthand corner, beneath "exposure compensation." It will give you a live view demonstration of what I'm talking about. The only problem is that it won't work on snow geese, only bulldogs.

[lamble]

Thanks for that, I think.:dunno

Guess I'll live with the odd warped pic, as I'm not disposed to spending mega dollars on something I only play at.
I'm having to move to video for a while too, so there's the budget blown.
Any thoughts on a video forum or sub set of this one?

[SNC1923]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2195753254_fc0853bc28.jpg

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Nice to see SheRidesABeemer back, this week with a tour of Nashua.

I chose this theme at this time as I thought the winter conditions in much of the country might lend itself to beautiful scenics, as is the case here. In No. 1, I love the contrast between the black chainlink and the smooth powdery snow. The perspective chosen, inside the tunnel, the shadows on the snow, and the three trees peeking in from the outside all combine to make this a visually interesting image. I like the second one, too. It's also visually interesting, and a really perfect composition. Notice that it's over-exposed, which renders the snow white rather than gray. Nice going. It might be a bit hot, but not much, maybe 1/3 or a 1/2 stop too much. Anything less, though, and you'd lose detail in the building and cannon. It's a really good exposure. No. 3 is quite pretty, especially with the rising moon. It's quite symmetrical and pretty. You might have brought out more of the orange in the sky by underexposing, but you'd have lost the lake. It's always a judgement call. Three very pretty images that make me sense what Nashua in the winter is like.

Nice to see OUTBACKUFO again, this time with a tour of Leadville. I had to google this sign to learn what EPAville (http://www.missoulian.com/specials/libby/news/news01-805.html) was all about. You might want to check it out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/EPAVILLE.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/Mine3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/OutbackUfo/Motorcycling/LeadSchool.jpg

These are three images that to well together, leaving one with the feeling that all is not right here. I particularly like the shot of the abandoned structure. Many of us would shoot that straight on, but the shot from beneath on the side is an unusual and interesting perspective of a familiar subject. I might like to have seen the school house from a different perspective, but it is a nice shot. I've got to ask: what's with the tiny photos? Give us some size to see your excellent images.

Grant's here this week with a tour of Canadauiga.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836973-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836939-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/246836935-L.jpg

I must say, IMHO, these are three especially nice photos. We've seen No. 1--a view of main street--in several posts this week, but look at how the colors pop in this photo. Beautiful saturation. I checked your EXIF and see that your shooting a Kodak digital camera. I don't know if it's just the camera or if you've boosted the saturation, but it renders a beautiful image. No. 2 is an equally nice, though moody, winter scene. It's a good composition and good exposure, but watch your horizon. No. 3 might be this week's standout: Great composition, exposure, everything. It looks a bit like a postcard, and by that I mean professional. It's a really nice capture. The way the houses jut into the image is just right: not too much, not too little. They're apparent, but they don't dominate. It's clear that they're the subject, but there's plenty of landscape to balance. Nice, nice, nice.

And now, your friend and mine, Rocketman with his tour of DC:

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-1.jpg

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-2.jpg

http://roadrunes.com/images3/MOA-assignments/my-town/mytown-3.jpg

This is also a really nice series. One thing that strikes me is that three seem to encompass not only different scenes, but seemingly different times of the day/night. The first one if quite nice. It's an unusual perspective of a familiar scene. I like pictures that put the viewer in the action. This one is almost voyeuristic, though not salacious. I like the little story being enacted with the tourists. It's a neat shot. No. 2, the concrete garden, is nice. I really like the subdued light in this shot. The pagoda peeking in from the left is a mystery though. I find myself wanting to see that. Would have made for an interesting subject/foreground. Not what you were shooting for though. No. 3 is a wonder. I really like this shot. It's an excellent exposure. You'll note the hanging light is completely blown out, but the visible detail in the hallway is perfect. I also like the reflectance in the parking striped outside the door. It's a perfectly symmetrical composition and I like your decision not to get too close, almost as though wrapping this image in a large, plain frame. Wonderful.

Even if Rocketman doesn't remember him (:stick), I'm glad to see JohnF back this week with his great images always characterized by a sense of humor.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01256.jpg

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http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x55/k12rider/photo%20assignments/DSC01272.jpg

This very appealing doesn't just show me Cincinnati, it tells me a lot about this city, or at least JohnF's interpretation of it. No. 1 is a fairly appealing cityscape, especially with the large Cincinnati sign in evidence. It is, however, super low-contrast. You'd want to boost the saturation either in camera or post processing. If you were shooting a DSLR, a circular polarizing filter would really add some pop to this image. No. 2 is fabulous. I don't go in much for sculpture photography, but this is irresistible. I'd love to know the story behind this. No. 2 is my second favorite shot this week. This tells me a lot about either Cincinnati, JohnF, or both. It's beautifully composed, very well lit, an absurdly, stylistically simple background. . . . Just lots of fun. I very much enjoyed this tour of the Queen City.

Oldpaul is on board this week with another telling city tour, this one of Dallas.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2217612076_f73c1078b2.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2217606904_94342c0d85.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2216816051_8dca851a5a.jpg

No grassy knolls here. Instead, we've got three unique slices of life in Dallas. No. 1 is a nice landmark shot, well composed and visually interesting. Lots going on in this photo. No. 2 is shot in B&W or I'll eat my hat. (Note to self: you see these people at rallies. If you're wrong, someone WILL actually make you eat your hat). No. 2 is a stark, midwestern landscape. This is a harsh, brutal shot. The cardinal rule against bisecting your image horizontally does not apply here; it adds to the bleakness of this image. I like No. 3, too, but it is a rather plain composition. Perhaps if you'd taken the same shot from the sidewalk or lane 1 (don't get run over). It shows your community's hispanic culture nonetheless. I really like the blue sky and colors in this shot, especially following No. 2. It's almost a relief. Nice series. Same comment as I gave UFO: Give us some bigger images. Your photography deserves it.

[kartcon]

Living in the Daytona Beach area allows for many iconic images of this popular tourist destination. However, the areas most recognizable attraction has to be the Daytona International Speedway. This weekend it is home to the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This race is literally happening in my back yard. As I upload these pictures, I can hear the cars circling the track. The following pictures were uploaded while the race was in its 6th hour.

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 012.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 035.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 042.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 203.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 261.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 273.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 282.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 303.jpg<HR>
http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/Rolex 24 2008 320.jpg

[BradfordBenn]

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285310-M.jpg

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285369-M.jpg

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285390-M.jpg

[grant]

Thanks for the feedback! This assignment was a great idea.

Thanks also to those who posted pictures. I, for one, enjoyed them all. It was fun seeing the way folks all around the country view their home town.

[SNC1923]

Welcome to Kartcon. Speaking of getting beat up at rallies, if he keeps posting winter time photos like this, he'd better watch his back. Some of the midwestern riders may have a hazing in mind. . . .

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-070.jpg

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-075.jpg

http://www.quartermidgets.org/images/temp/MyHomeTown-159.jpg

This is a nice series, an unusual wintertime view (for those of us non-Floridians). No. 1 is a straightforward street scene, and unremarkable, except for the wonder palms. The choice to shoot this on telephoto really compresses the trees, especially in their full tops, and exaggerates their presence. No. 2 is also a standard shot, but the open garage door adds genuine visual interest. That they are redoing their red tile roof is interesting, but seems not to be a part of this photo. A pink firehouse is probably unique to Florida, or at least a beach community. . . . I love the shadow of the palm on the tower; I hate the power line (though there's not much you can do about that.) What if you had taken the shot from up close, at the open door, looking up at the tower? No. 3, with its title, is quite funny. You can just hear dad saying, "Well, there goes three grand down the drain." I like that all four have hoods and are faceless, and I love how the skyscrapers recede into the haze. Were dad not holding a video camera, this would be a different photo, one without a story. Nice capture.

MLS2GO is back, and he does not disappoint.

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247314882-L.jpg

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247317750-L.jpg

http://mls2go.smugmug.com/photos/247315707-L.jpg

I really like this series, again because it helps me feel as though I've been to Lloyd, MO. I also like it because these are all incredibly vivid photos--really sharp, clear, and saturated exposures. No. 1 is your basic building shot. A free-standing brick structure, it probably merits such a composition, though I might have liked to have seen a close up on part of the building (the sign and the door, looking up at the sign on the side) but I'm only second-guessing here. This is a good--and successful--shot. No. 2 is great. This is so successful precisely because it is a part of the whole. It's interesting, vivid, compelling, and a fitting tribute to an important historical milestone. A proud part of your area's history, no doubt. Strong composition and rich exposure. I like No. 3 because it asks more questions than it answers. The sky is a vivid blue (please tell me you used a polarizer--no hat eating promises attached). I like the off-kilter composition, and it is subtle. I wish the street lamp weren't peeking in from the right. Easy enough to PS out. A particularly nice series, Bob.

Good to see RandallIsland again this week with a tour, of all places, Vassar.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326235_1

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326236_1

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326237_1

Of the three, I really like shot No. 1 the best. Seeing the ceiling lights through the windows in this "castle" is a jarring juxtaposition between the traditional architecture and the modern interior. Also the difference in color balance. The exterior is daylight and the interior fluorescent, resulting in the dramatic yellow cast of the interior. Really interesting. The extreme noise in this photo points to one of the key differences between a compact camera and a DSLR; however, noisy photos aren't all bad, sometimes the noise adds a sense of ambience or mood. Nos. 2 and 3 give me trouble because they are so similar. They are entirely different subjects, but they are dominated by identical, monochromatic colors. Having said that, both are nice compositions. No. 2 because it highlights an element, the arches encasing the second-floor walkway and No. 3 because of its interesting multi-layered composition. The columns converge because of the upward perspective, but short of a cherry-picker (or tilt-$hift lens), that's the way it is. How might these have looked if the camera's color-balance had been set to indoor? This is an interesting interpretation of our theme, a much more specific and directed look than many of the others and view of a place I've never even thought about before. Thanks.

Bradford Benn is back this week, fresh off the road.

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285310-L.jpg

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285369-L.jpg

http://bradfordbenn.smugmug.com/photos/247285390-XL.jpg

This is an interesting series, and a very humorous one as well. Having not been home, Brad couldn't share his home, so he has shared his road travels, his home for the past X weeks. No. 1 is hilarious, highlighting as it does the ugly side of living on the road and jumping from airport to airport. Now, before the replies start flying, I didn't say Brad was ugly, but this picture says a lot about the "joys" of business travel that those of us who have done it know all too well. The headphones, the 36-hour beard, and the dead-center composition all combine to make this a photo worthy of a hearty chuckle. No. 2 sort of says it all. It's a very good exposure, given the circumstances. How would you like to face these crowds day-in and day-out? Yikes. No. 3 is nearly as humorous as No. 1. Finally arriving home only to find everything frozen over. I never thought of it before, but a mailbox can be a symbol of hope, a receptacle of good news. Brad arrives home only to find his frozen over in the dark. Sigh. I would have liked to have seen this composed as a mailbox with an icicle hanging off rather than of the icicle. Do you see what I mean? More mailbox.

JDMetzger snuck in under the wire with a series I'll call "Wholly Toledo."

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo1.jpg

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo2.jpg

http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo3.jpg

First of all, as you have already acknowledged, you were battling some tough weather. Still, it is an ambience, if an unpleasant one. I like the shot of Packo's. What about a vertical shot of just the sign/window/fire hydrant? Even a tighter crop might have helped what is a perfectly good photo. The patches of snow work well with the large foreground of a dreary, slushy street. That you picked up some takeout following the shot speaks volumes of both you and Packo's. I'll bet it was delicious. Easy to say now. . . . No. 2 is really ugly--due to the weather. It even looks cold. A shot from within the city may have been more interesting, but would have certainly involved more travel. Maybe including the trees but excluding the power lines? I'm second guessing here from the comfort of my home. No. 3: Now you're talking! Close up, colorful, and interesting. I like how you've composed this shot to include just a slice of the stadium between the iron bars. Shooting this on wide angle adds an exaggerated perspective that's funny, or perhaps whimsical. Like so many of the other series this week, I feel a sense of Toledo that I didn't have before. Nice series, Josh. Thanks for hanging in there and getting out to take photos even when you didn't feel 100%.

Thanks everyone who posted. I really enjoyed this assignment. It went on a bit long, almost three weeks. But as others have pointed out, the results were worth it. I'll post a new assignment shortly. Watch for it.

[jdmetzger]

Hope I'm not too late! I've been out of town, then sick... so I just got my photos, today. This "no editing" photos is killing me. There are a number I could have made a bit nicer; taking the pictures today, I was suffering from a weather-related lack of contrast. There was snow on the ground, and the sky is a lovely gray. I'd love to hear of any suggestions that would fix this, aside from post-processing, or taking the photos on a sunny day. All the "vivid" in the world can't brighten up gray. Ah well, here we are, my three of Toledo:

Tony Packo's - what says "Toledo" more than this place? I grabbed some takeout after the photo. :)
http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo1.jpg

Downtown Toledo from the east side of the Maumee River. Yes, it looked that dull in person, too. Lovely weather.
http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo2.jpg

The only really colorful shot in the group (I took 44, this morning). My favorite of the group. Mud Hens Stadium; waiting for opening day...
http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/potw/potw-toledo3.jpg

[RandallIsland]

Thanks Tom!
The "Castle" is the library.
I was shooting in low light and my JVC GRDZ7U (digital camcorder with still capability) is not the best under those conditions. But it's what I have. Actually the lighting in both #2 & #3 is true to the conditions.
Ideally I would have also had a tripod.

https://vspace.vassar.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-1326808_1

[MLS2GO]

Actually a Polarizer was used in all the photos and all are underexposed by a half or one to get the saturation. It was a very bright sky and auto exposure was not working. I agree that the Bryant picture is the least interesting. I took other more interesting pictures, but that was a landmark I could not leave out.

[BradfordBenn]

Brad arrives home only to find his frozen over in the dark. Sigh. I would have liked to have seen this composed as a mailbox with an icicle hanging off rather than of the icicle. Do you see what I mean? More mailbox.


Hmmm I tried the more mailbox, but it gave me problems with the white balance and flash bounce, I could not get the image/shadow right. So to me I went for the shadow more. Any suggestions on how to deal with that one?

Back on the road still - Atlanta this week.

[SNC1923]

Hmmm I tried the more mailbox, but it gave me problems with the white balance and flash bounce, I could not get the image/shadow right. So to me I went for the shadow more. Any suggestions on how to deal with that one?

Back on the road still - Atlanta this week.

By "flash bounce" I assume you me reflection. That sounds like a tough one. You could buy a diffuser for your built-in flash (if you were using your XT), but that's often more accessories than one wants to carry, especially when traveling.

It sounds as though you made several attempts and chose the one that worked best in those conditions. What do I know?

Good luck in Atlanta. Jeez, I hope they at least feed you well.

[GeoffMiller]

Ok, gotta ask, is that the same Tony Pacos of the Sweet/Sour pickle fame? If, so, how do I get some more of them pickles?

[jdmetzger]

Ok, gotta ask, is that the same Tony Pacos of the Sweet/Sour pickle fame? If, so, how do I get some more of them pickles?

I'll be honest; I've never been a big pickle guy; but they always give me some with my order of Packo's dogs, anyhow. You can order all their different types of pickles and pickles & Peppers from their website, http://www.tonypackos.com. From there, just click on "Products" near the top left, and you can order all sorts of tasty stuff from there!

[Sue]

I took some photos this weekend in Palmyra, but couldn't decide on which one I like the best.....

So I put them into a little video. Enjoy.

http://www.beemerhill.com/Palmyra.wmv

[Voni]

Sweet! And great music too!

Voni
sMiling

[DougGrosjean]

Josh,

Nice pics.

I think I know exactly where each of those shots was taken... :)

[jdmetzger]

Josh,

Nice pics.

I think I know exactly where each of those shots was taken... :)

:ha

You've been in the area once or twice, eh? :)

I DID get a really nice shot of the new bridge. It would have looked great, except a gray/silver bridge against a gray sky just doesn't work very well. I'll have to go back to the same spot on a day with a nice cloudless blue sky and try again.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I took some photos this weekend in Palmyra, but couldn't decide on which one I like the best.....

So I put them into a little video. Enjoy.

http://www.beemerhill.com/Palmyra.wmv

Nice video set. I sing that song a lot when I'm riding through dead and dying towns.
I especially liked the B&W house with the shadow of the tree - that said went with the theme song.