digitally enhanced

Sometimes it's hard to strike the balance between post-processing and making a photo look fake. I'm okay with the latter on this shot.

(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/160s, 10x close-up filter @ 55mm)

in the weeds, vol. 2

Following our Cadillac Mountain hike, I noticed an old work truck rusting in the weeds behind our motel. I couldn't just let it sit there without taking a portrait or two.
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/20s)

the others

We went for a walk on the azalea-lined path. Few of those shots came out. I was much more pleased with the random ones I showed some lens love to. This one would've fit nicely with all my out-of-focus Monet-inspired shots from last summer.

(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/100s)

[insert gasp here]

At least that was her reaction to this shot. More depth of field needed?

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160s)

planning

With snow on my windshield, I found my way to the cathedral with a freshly-charged battery. I had a few ideas in my head for what I wanted to capture. It took a little while longer with services going on, but I needed some religion anyhow.

(ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/20s)

fine tuning

I've often looked at photos of doorways and wondered how the eyes behind the lenses trained themselves how to compose the shots, making them catch the viewers' eyes as it caught theirs. Something I've learned recently: practice. Everyone seems to have their own tricks. If it's the color you want, make your camera capture the color. Fool around with the settings, and take 100 different shots of the same door. Bring them home, and critique them. Good luck remembering the setting you liked best!

(ISO 1600, f/1.8, 1/50s)

colored window

Last one from my snowy walk with Jack Frost.
(ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/125s)

inspired by warhol

In October, when I went to the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, I was inspired to take some pop art inspired shots. On the camera-verboten floors, a few of his paintings made me think, "I can photograph in that style." It sure took me long enough, but here's my attempt at pop art via photography. The tint was added in post. I don't have color gels...yet.
(ISO 100, f/36.0, 14.0s)

real live fall

The leaves had changed quite a bit in the three weeks that'd passed since I last was in West Virginia. I'm looking forward to them in D.C.
(ISO 800, f/3.2, 1/10s)

cafe lunch

I can't wait to retire so I can have lunch wherever I want on workdays. According to the state, I only have 23 years left.

(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/30s)

escalating

Taken at the Judiciary Square Metro exit.
(ISO 200, f/9.0, 1/100s)

gateway to the soul

She indulges me and acts as a model every so often. See others in my Portraits set on Flickr.
(ISO 100, f/4.0, 1/640s, eV -1.00)

of a, on a

The other star stallion was a, F355 racecar. It had a full roll cage setup, but it wasn't as photogenic because of all the sponsors' decals. While trying to get close-ups of its details, I noticed this reflection in the fender of its prettier stable-mate.
(ISO 100, f/14.0, 1/13s)

a single rose

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. No one appreciated the flowers more than my better half!
(ISO 200, f/18.0, 30.0s, 4x macro filter)

experimenting with photoshop

I spotted this leaf in the fall. It caught my eye from 15 feet away, and I wanted it to catch the viewer's eye too. There was no way I could get close enough to it for a macro view without soaking myself or my camera. Picasa's focal black & white didn't capture my brain's perception. So, my better half gave me a crash course in Photoshop trickeration yesterday, and this was the first result. Thoughts?

a lone male

One red cardinal against the snow. I really wish I had a long zoom lens for this one.
(ISO 100, f/5.0, 1/3200s, eV -1.00)

bright red

Red really stands out against snow. I guess that's why ski patrol wears red coats...
(ISO 100, f/22.0, 1/100s, eV -1.00)

nostalgic

Last summer, I sold my pickup truck. Every time I see an old one around town, I daydream about the day when I can get a new (old) pickup truck. I often drive past this one outside of Stalcup Farms in Vienna. It sets my mind a-wandering.
(ISO 200, f/8.0, 1/80s)

the rest of the story

There's a crane near my house that hasn't moved in years it would seem, though I'd venture a guess that it's only been months. It has a cracked windshield, rusted cables, and extensions for the boom laying next to it. There's not a job site near it, nor any indication of who it belongs to. I've always wanted a crane! Finders keepers?
(ISO 100, f/4.2, 1/50s)

a frayed...cable

Any guesses on what it belongs to? I'll post the rest of the story, as it were, tomorrow.
(ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/4s)