Wednesday, January 18, 2012

day 18 - book of david

I'm doing a Beth Moore Bible study on her David series. It's excellent. All of her studies are. If you have never had an opportunity to do one of her studies, I highly recommend! Even if they don't have one at your church, why don't you update your facebook and ask if anyone is doing one. That's how I found out my last one. A friend answered back within minutes and said, "come join us! we're on our second week!" I was thrilled!

I've done Daniel, Esther, Breaking Free, and now David. 

day 18 - book of david

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/125
levels

day 17 - pretty plumes

You've seen these by every roadway, exit, swamp, pond... I love these as they are in their full plume. I just think they are so graceful as they dance in the wind. The lake of ice was behind it, I got a lot of photos of that, but I'm a stickler on the 1 photo a day! I may make a collage, because it's just pretty, but I don't have time right now.

day 17 - pretty plumes

ISO 100, f/2, 1/1600
levels

day 16 - frosted flakes

Frost bit! Little frost flakes all over my windshield... which is normally fine, but my van's wipers seem to freeze completely straight. Instead of forming to the window when all the ice/snow is off of them, they only wipe on small part of the window. Of course, it's above and below where the ideal viewing area is.

day 16 - frosted flakes

ISO, f/1.8, 1/2000
levels

day 15 - little treasures

I love garage sales! Do you? They are the best. 

Remember when we were little and everything was a treasure? Our minds were so creative we could make just about anything turn into our imagined toys. 

I was so proud when I brought home a huge set of small drawers full of "things." I think my hubby was less than impressed. He had to haul it all in. I think sometimes we know our guys love us when we do something they think isn't so smart, but don't hurt your feelings, and just pick it up and place it where you want. I was having such a blast going through the little drawers of treasures. Here are some of the things I found. The man obviously loved making his own clocks, for every drawer had something different. This was one of them. 

I love everything vintage... I could walk through antique stores all day and imagine what the person was like who once owned the items. My dream job would be riding with American Pickers. Have you ever seen that show? They crawl through attics and old barns looking for things someone once held dear to, that is now rusty and a little broken, to restore it to it's full beauty. LOVE that! 

Anyway, that's my soapbox speech for the day. OH! And Reminisce Magazine. I love the stories of long ago. The beau walking to his girlfriends house for dinner, missing dinner, her thinking he didn't care to show up (no phones) and around the fireplace that night they heard the knock on the door. There he stood, snow up to his waist, but had walked for miles...to ask her to marry him! Aaahhhh LOVE THAT!!!! 

day 15 - little treasures

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/20
(levels, added texture)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

day 14 - sidewalk magic

This is what we're waking up to.. a little bit of magic to shovel. Now, if this were near the mountains, I'd be elated! Skiing, sledding, tubing, snowboarding... okay, I must be daydreaming. This poor snow fell in the wrong area. Chicago can't do a lot with it. *sadness* I miss my mountains on the west coast! 

day 14 - sidewalk magic

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5


day 13 - snowy pines

I escaped from the laundry today and found a cool tree filled with snow.. Pines are so pretty with snow on them! This is what people try to recreate when decorating for Christmas, but can't quite do it as well as God can in nature

Another tree along the street, but you'd never know with the blanket of snow we have. It's like you're in the middle of a forest



day 13 - snowy pines

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 12 - white branches

I love how snow just seems to be sitting on the branches so gracefully. Something about snowy white branches that I just love. 

day 12 - white branches

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 11 - snowed under

Very snowy! The first night, we had about 4.5 inches until morning, then a bit more. I took a picture of a neighbor's house that faces east. She was pretty much snowed under! The winds attacked the front and swept all the snow over to her side. It was pretty impressive. 

day  11 - snowed under

ISO 100,  1/400, f/5

day 10 - full moon bridge

Full moon tonight, can you tell which one it is? Maybe a little lighter than the lights, but kinda fun to look for it. :) 

The trick about these nights is to start out a little earlier while the moon is lower. Don't wait until the kids go to bed, because it will be almost straight over your heads. I like the moon with a little background. I liked this bridge for a little interest.

day 10 - full moon bridge

ISO 200, .5, f/2.8
 

Monday, January 9, 2012

day 9 - factory lights

We drive by this factory a lot. It's always alive at night, or that's when you notice it the most. The lights are amazing, and I love how the smoke reflects them at night. I've always wanted to stop, now I have an excuse! 

day 9 - factory lights

ISO 200, 1/30, f/1.8
(levels, b/w)

day 8 - mr. popper's penguin?

Okay, last day of zoo pictures, I just couldn't leave a few behind. I loved the movie Mr Popper's Penguins. I must have been in one of those moods, because I laughed at everything. I begged my husband to watch it with the kids and I the next day, and I'm pretty sure he just didn't appreciate a few funny parts..because it was a great movie! 

When we got to the penguins, I wanted to take this little one home. He sat there and just posed for me as I took a bunch of shots from side to side. He would look straight on, then sideways as if to say, "Am I doing this right?" So cute!

day 8 - mr. popper's penguin?

ISO 200, 1/80, f/5.6
(adjusted levels, contrast on rocks)


Saturday, January 7, 2012

day 7 - we share

I love giraffes! It's so hard to get them without all the fencing, buckets and nonsense! So, I improvised. I loved the shot, but not so much all the cables that ran through them. I edited them out, brushed it up a little and added texture. You like? 

day 7 - we share 

ISO 100, 1/20, f/2.8

edited levels, took out obstacles, added texture (should have bumped the ISO more)

day 6 - who's afraid of me?

The Great Bear Wilderness was another fun exhibit. I know, this isn't a bear, but the wolves are at the beginning of the entrance. He turned around and stared over our way. The eyes are golden and seem to see right through you.  They also have such a sweetness to them. But, they are wild. I know.

day 6 - who's afraid of me?

ISO 100, 1/60, f/5.6
Levels, contrast

day 5 - sense of calm

At the Brookfield Zoo, we walked through the Pacific Coast exhibit. I love it, since I'm from the Pacific Northwest! Colorful fish, coral, reef life and penguins! I will have one of those guys up a little early. :) 

day 5 - sense of calm

ISO 160, 1/80, f/2, SOOC

day 4 - king of the jungle

I am exhausted today. Hubby and I took the youngest one (everyone else busy) roller skating last night, and I've realized I'm not quite a 15 yr old anymore! Then today, I took the youngest (again, only one home) to the Brookfield Zoo. It was about 45 degrees, a little cold, but so much better this way as the animals are so much more active

This amazing guy roamed around showing who's boss. He was loud! You could hear him from across the park. I remember my dad living about 4-5 miles from a game farm, and could still hear the lions at night. Lions are pretty majestic. I love everything about them. We watched him lick his paws like a house cat, and thought, "aaww!" Then when he gets up, you think, "Wow, glad this moat is between him and us." 

day 4 - king of the jungle

ISO 200, 1/25, f/5.6
I edited this a lot. Levels, vignette, colors were too orange, and added more contrast.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

day 3 - skates

Nothing like ice all over the pool! Too bad it's not quite large enough to skate, so there they sit.. hopefully we can go downtown to free skate on Michigan Ave. before it's too late. It's just really cold out there! We're supposed to have another cold and snowy winter.. we'll see!

day 3 - skates

ISO 100, 1/1600, f/1.8
edited with Florabella "Envy"

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

day 2 - anniversary dinner

Our 19th Anniversary! Hey, that's quite a feat these days.. we feel quite accomplished! LOL 

My hubby took me out to Shaw's Crab House downtown. We love it, but I forgot I didn't want the garlic butter all over my scallops, (I wanted it on the side) and I wanted them grilled instead of sauteed.... live and learn. It made for a great glaze in the picture though! 

It was a much needed break from the drama of life at home with the kiddos. And by "the kiddos" I mean the oldest teen! :) All was well when we came home. A little reset for all of us, a few heart to heart talks, and a refreshing sleep! 

It ain't easy, folks! :)
day 2

iso 400, 1/5, f/1.8
(edited light levels only)


day 1 - single rose

Happy New Year! Welcome to my 2012, second adventure of the 365 world! 

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My intro: 

I'm Kara - I'm a stay at home mom, photographer and just starting my business! 

I'd love it if you'd "like" my page on facebook! I welcome your comments there as well. If you have a fb page, please leave your link so I can "like" it as well! 

I've been very blessed with 3 kiddos, and my amazing hubby of 19 years! He's a firefighter for Chicago, and we live within the city limits...'cause we have to! 

I shoot with a Sony a300. Other than it's kit lens, I own a 50 1.4, and 24-70mm Carl Zeiss 2.8, and 75-300mm 4.5. I'm a Sony girl! A friend of mine just switched from Canon to Nikon. I almost made a switch, but so glad I didn't have to get used to different settings again. 

I am not a soccer mom, but it's under the same category... taking kids to and from softball and baseball games, travel leagues, cheer team, youth group, friend's houses,  and whatever else this world throws at me. I do enjoy it, I would never want someone else to have my job.

I enjoy traveling, but haven't been able to do much with kids in school and sports. Might have to save that for retirement? 

I love Starbucks and skiing, so it's easy to tell you that I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest in WA state! I grew up skiing Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain (Mt. Rainier) twice a week religiously! I miss home dearly, (there's no skiing in Chicago - worth writing about!) but this is where God has us right now, so I'm making the best of it! 

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fine print:
all photos are SOOC (straight out of camera) 
unless specified in settings under it's label. I will
try to add settings to every photo, this helps you 
get an idea of where to start, and adjust as needed.
I will do my best to help you through any questions 
you might have, as so many people have helped
me! It's sort of paying it forward. I also accept plane
tickets to come and mentor! LOL Again, I love to travel! 
Seriously, leave a comment, a suggestion, a kind critique..
look forward to meeting you!

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I must admit, last year was fun! A little stressful trying to get a photo every day, labeled, uploaded, blogged... but then I realized, the 365 police wouldn't be attacking me if it didn't happen. Now I can relax and get it all done on my own time.

I'd love it if you commented, visited, and left your email somehow (or private message) so I could respond to your comments or questions. Last year it was tough chasing around answers on their blogs, as they didn't pertain to their photos. 

2012 started off a little shaky. We have teens! But, by the grace of God we will all make it through, right? 

day 1

Our 19th Anniversary is tomorrow! The 2nd, my hubby brought me a huge bouquet of flowers. I've never seen roses like this, so I singled it out and I love it!

now the settings, back by popular demand (denise and kim!) 

iso 400, 1/640, f/1.8
(edited with Florabella "love," then took some pink color cast out)


Monday, January 2, 2012

Days 358-365 DONE!!

Happy END OF 365 day for me!! Although this isn't the best work like I expected the end to be, I got it done. That's what I wanted. Other than that, it would've never been done. 

Good news! I've already started my 365, 2012. I will change my header, revamp my site a bit, then start posting! 

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Then I will start visiting blogs again, I promise! I miss seeing everyone's work!







Sunday, January 1, 2012

Days 350-357

I will get there eventually! I feel like the little train that could... but still not there yet! I think I can.. I know I can! 
HAPPY NEW YEAR, all my 365'ers! I will finish soon, now a little disheartened to start another one. I am still undecided and I need to post one for today! 

Have a happy, safe 2012!