It was a test shot, a starting point if you will.  I knew that I probably have to change my settings but I had to start somewhere.  But after I clicked the shutter, I was shocked.  Not that I got it right (because I didn’t), at least not for portraits, but the angle, the way my eye moved through the frame was wonderful.  The best image I have ever taken?  No.  But I really liked it isn so many ways.

Lesson learned?  Sometimes a test shot can give you more then you expect.  Look at your work and think about it before you delete it.  You may surprise yourself.

I went out my front door and saw these buds blossoming on a tree.  I loved how the ice crystals formed around them  I think it once again proves the fact that you  don’t have to go far to get some cool shots (pun not intended).  Sometimes just out your own front door.

When I looked over into my neighbors backyard, I saw this hay bale.  I knew 2 things when I saw it: 1) It had to be a BW shot and 2) I wanted the viewer to feel the cold.  I love the texture of it.  How you can see what it looks and feels like and, to me at least, it sure does look cold.

This afternoon I am driving over to Athens (about 2 hours away) to do an outdoor fashion shoot.  Let’s hope that the wind is not too nasty for us.  I, of course, will post the results later in the week.

Below are a series of images I took during the week.  The portait work is really just some fun, personal work;  Nothing outstanding, just fun stuff.  The landscapes: I wanted to try and capture the cold that has been running through Georgia this month.

As always, let me know what you think!!

I had a hard time with the below 2.  I could not decide if I liked the color or BW version better.  I shot this with the intent of turning it into a BW.  But in looking at it, I really think I like the color better.

Our two very good friends!!

I shot this @ 2.8 with an ISO of 8,000.  I am still amazed that I can do that!

And my favorite people in the world………..

I shot this about 7am last Sunday.  The fog was intense;  But the sunrise made it all disappear.  It was simple amazing.  Not sure how that works.  If you look at the image on the right side you will see half a dozen ducks swimming away.  I must have just missed them.

More rain is coming this weekend; they say about 3 more inches (like we need it!).  So this may be the last sun we see for a few more days.

While I like rain and water, below is a better example of the type of water that I woudl like to see then what I see outside my office window right now.

Case in point is the below.  Yes this was playing; but that is how we learn right?  You will laugh at this, but I just stuck a flash (at full power) in the kudzo and shot away.  Not great, but kind of a cool.  I wanted to create a glowing, almost a halo, effect. Getting there, little by little.  How are you going to learn this weekend?

I must have given that gift to my youngest son.  When I have an idea that involves getting up early, he not only is up for the adventure, but wants to make sure that we get up as early as possible; even if it means at 4:45am.  This weekend was no exception.  It was about having him to try and fish for the first time.  It was so quiet, you could hear the water as it moved across the dock, back and forth.  The sun rose in a mixture of dark and light. I don’t think I could have recreated this in PhotoShop had I wanted to.

And when I see images like this, I know why I get up so early in the morning.

And one shot from my son.  I loved what he did here.  No PS magic, he just turned the camera upside down.  And it works so well (at least to his Dad!).

Do you see the orange spots in the water? Those are water droplets that the sun hit just perfectly to have them turn color.

And the original…………