Week roundup.

First things first.

I was rather disappointed in the amount I got done this week from my 7 goals for the week.

I managed to find a SINGLE job to apply to... and I didn't even find it... the job agency I met with back in January sent me the lead. I forwarded my resume as requested and haven't heard anything except they'd let me know. T said that counts as one any way. Grade F

I did fairly well exercising and managed about 45 minutes a day. Some days more, some less because I worked too hard (i.e. 1.5 hours or more) the day before. I think that went pretty well overall. Grade C-

I started the week off pretty well turning off Monk, Law and Order and other crime shows - mostly because I'd already seen them - but as the week went by it got harder and harder to pry myself off the chair. Grade C

Cooking dinner was pretty easy this week since I cooked a lot the week before (i.e. we had plenty of leftovers). I even made some yummy honey flaxseed bread yesterday afternoon... so overall Grade B

As for cleaning and reading software or skill books, I'll just say I sucked at it. I ran the dishwasher and did the laundry and that was about it... and wiped down the kitchen when I cooked still not really housework. Reading tech books didn't happen at all. I am ashamed and saddened by my failure. Grade F


I did manage to get out and take some pretty good macro shots this week. I was pretty pleased with how they came out being full sun and no tripod. I've loaned my tripod and 100mm macro to J this evening so it'll be a few weeks I'm sure before I get them back.

I also managed to get a bunch of digital scrapbook layouts created so that's a plus there too.

Hard to believe it's nearly 9 p.m. J was here until after 7 so we didn't eat dinner until 7:30ish and then we watched some show on the history channel.

Lensbaby love.

I've had my Lensbaby 2.0 (now called "the Muse") for at least a year - probably longer. I haven't used as much as I should, but that doesn't mean I don't love this toy. If I could, I'd have the whole collection to play with and be all the happier for it. I, however, do not have an infinity supply of camera gear money. Shocking but true. Ah well.

I took it out today for the first time ...in a long while (for which I humbly apologize for oh lensbaby toy) and had a grand old time taking self portraits. All of them were bad, but playing with any lens is always good fun even if the results suck.

Week in the Life.

This week I started following Ali Edwards'latest challenge - to celebrate the everyday for a week by taking pictures and making notes of the little day-to-day things we tend to loose in the shuffle. I love her blog. I read it every day without fail. She just comes across as such an amazing person.

I've been cleaning all afternoon. T took me to our favorite restaurant for dinner and then I reorganized my bookcases - pulling some books to donate to the library. It doesn't look like much yet but I think it looks better than it did... Preparation! That's what I should call this cleaning thing. Since we all know that on Friday, I will have bought lots more books at the library's book fair.

Preparation! I like that.

HDR Photography

I love High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. I love all the new bits of information you find hidden when you combine the files together. It gives me that little rush that I got from developing photos in the darkroom but without that nasty chemical smell or worrying if I wound the film properly or any made any other mistakes in the developing film/photo phases. Mistakes I am good at.

One of my favorite sites for HDR photography (with some great tutorials too) is Before the Coffee. I love the images Ferrell McCollough creates and his candor on the various programs available to acheive HDR. His book Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Photography offers great examples to those who want to learn HDR and those who just like looking at the pretty pictures.

I don't think HDR works well for every shot but it can be a fun way to experiment or get a complex lighting shot to work.


If at all possible, use a tripod. Any movement from handheld shots can ruin anotherwise great image. Take your time (this is the one I have trouble remembering). Try different angles and don't always go for the easy shot. Most of all, have your camera with you because you never know when a great opportunity will arrive.

All images are my own creations.