This is the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, TX. It is an extremely beautiful church which was founded by the Stark family who made their fortune in the lumber business. It is still recovering from damage during hurricane Rita but fortunately a foundation was established to cover the maintenance of the building.

This is where I went to Sunday school when I was a small child. I can still close my eyes and see the stain glass angels under that dome. Both my mother and I said after attending an aunt's funeral that the chapel itself has "shrunk" in our minds but it's beauty and peace remains.

Last Homework

These are the last of my class assignements - I like the overlay feature in the camera I was glad to learn about that - I haven't figured out the best use and purpose for the multiple exposure - except to create "art".

What HE liked...

Well THIS is a photo of the week - LOL
Clever application and interesting abstract

He didn't like my panning because I didn't have a ND filter on and the light was too bright.

He didn't like my reflections because the water was moving therefore the picture will never be sharp as a tack when hyperfocusing.

Finally read an article on Nikonians to learn what I wanted to about my camera - but FINALLY got an interesting assignment in the D200 class which might make me say it was worth taking - so stayed tuned for next week's assignments.

More Practice

Here's some of my homework. I still don't like panning and thankfully my son got to visit home while recording the Clear Lake symphony so I had someone who wouldn't balk at me taking a portrait

Day 32 and 33 - The Subject

I ended up with a non functioning brick since I left my CF card at home - I've GOT to get another card - took really LOUSY pictures at the dinner we were hosting because I need help interpreting the Greek in the SB600 flash manual. So I waited till yesterday and it was a BEAUTIFUL cold day here. I actually wore a sweater - LOL

Here's my faithful subject - he usually ends up getting his picture taken because he never tires of hitting balls. I actually got him at impact. He does end up appreciating my photography because he is working on changing his swing (why when his old one was fine) and he can really see what he wants to work on with these shots.

Day 31 - Tripod Helps

Happy Valentines Day!

I'm feeling much better - especially after the scare I gave myself with my back last night. Went to the PT and she says I'm fine and still good to go for adventuring - that was my valentine present.

I started playing with the flowers DH gave me. Tripod makes all the difference in the world.

Day 30 - Made It!

Got the blogger crud again and feel really lousy but wanted to show something for the 30 days. So stealing from Margie.

Will comment later when I feeling better.

Thanks for the challenge!

Day 29 - An Attempt

Here's a macro attempt - it was nice and rained for me so I didn't have to grab the water bottle but it was too muddy for the tripod - and this needed it or else I can't hold this camera still enough or both.

Hopefully the skies will clear up tonight for a decent day 30 picture.

Day 28 - ATTACK

This is my attack bird. He stands perched at the top of the stairs guarding my house. He's guarded my house for over 15 years when I "earned" bird from my dad's collection of "things" he's created and carved. Bird is one of his earliest carved pieces.

Why did I take a picture of bird - because I was complaining yesterday - so 2 manuals and a book later - I did figure out how to use my flash off my camera and I really like the result of this. (standing on stairs shooting above my head holding a flash)

I did an assignment for another class but thought it was rather boring so I share with you my eclectic taste and my pet BIRD.

Day 27 - Best of the Day

It's pretty sad when you go out LOOKING for something to shoot and this is the best you can come up with. Ah at least I tried.

The reflection in the building is office building where my husband works. At least he has a corner office and it has a nice view still the construction in suburbia mars the "scenic" waterway.

Day 26 - Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to ME! A year ago after urging from family, friends, and a persistant physical therapist I joined weight watchers online. And I have lost weight - do I feel differently - well I can walk a lot further. I still have not reached my goal - dieting was slightly derailed with back injury. So I will continue on ...

Day 25 - STOPPED

Today after taking a picture of the weather vane at our "open" market shopping area I was stopped by a security guy. I told him that I was taking photographs for a photography class and was not taking pictures of ANY people. To which I received a lecture that the property owners do not allow photography on their premises without their express approval (I wonder HOW many illegal pictures of toddlers playing in the water fountain have been snapped) So to placate the guard I did go up to the management office and say I'm taking pictures for personal use only and of absolutely NO PEOPLE and they said fine. After which I found the new pig statute. I'm beginning to think the only place where it is LEGAL for me to take pictures freely is my own yard.

Day 23 and 24 - Waiting

I didn't forget yesterday or today. I've been waiting...

Wanting to throw my computer through a window for being a pain - I decided I would work on it and add a hub and another external hard drive. I never thought it would take FOREVER to defrag the original hard drive and format the new drive partitions.

I did make it to the park and take some shots AND 30 days of photographs from me would be lacking without a golf shot. I decided to prepare for upcoming NYC trip by walking back and forth to clubhouse from my home. (A HUGE meander for me - LOL)

Day 22 - More Practice

Practice using shutter priority. I remember doing this lesson before so I made sure I cropped in closer to the water this time.

The subjective nature of photography still interests me. Since photography is art - what is it's true nature - to create something beautiful and pleasing to the eye or rather document what the person actually sees.

Day 21 - Being Nice

I was awakened by a phone call early this morning by my husband telling me that getting rear ended (no visible car damage) was not the way to start his day. He was determined to continue on to play in the annual Super Bowl golf tournament but I asked him if he was stiff in any way not to play golf. About 30 minutes later he walked back into the house and we decided to go to the ER to get checked out for precautionary reasons. FIVE hours later we finally left the ER with prescriptions for the same medicine I've been taking for my back.

So I thought I would be nice to him and let him play with my camera and a EXTREMELY rare event, not pitch a fit when he was taking my picture. I did take some pictures today but thought I would just share this.

Day 20 - GUILT

I am a golf widow. So after waiting through a 2 hour frost delay and my husband shooting a 76. I finally was taken were I asked to go. The Houston Camera Exchange - where yes guilt overcame him to buy me a Epson P3000.

Fortunately/unfortunately the camera shop is only a Wendy's away from the ONLY British pub in Houston - so yes we had to partake in a pint or two.

Which results in me playing with my camera on the tollway on the way back to the house.

Day 19 - Trees

Yea! Blogger finally is not mad at me.

The sky turned a different color today and something bright came out.

Day 18 - Some Things in Texas Don't Change

ROOTC - after eating lunch with my DH. What's wrong with this picture - hmmm - she's in Texas riding patrol on an English saddle. What's with the helmet vs. my good old cowboy hat? I guess safety matters in riding horses in suburbia too.

Weird things about me in response to being tagged.

1. I am a native Texas-Cajun who can't eat anything spicy
2. I think chemical plants are beautiful (even if I weren't married to a chemical engineer)
3. I LOVE to watch sports but I can't play ANY
4. I've been accused of being a possible ax murderer by more than one person
5. I can tell the difference between a male and female fly
6. I commonly get asked for directions when visiting places by other tourists

I think I'm tagging - those who haven't been tagged
Kevin, Mike, Frank, Hedi, Kayla, Ann

Otherwise I'm the last one who makes me IT I guess - LOL

Day 17 - Heart and Soul

I thought I would play with my macro and share my only Willow Tree - called Heart and Soul that was given to me by a dear friend when I moved from Texas to the UK. She said it reminded her of us when we get together sharing our hearts and souls. We don't get to see each other often but when we do it feels like it was just yesterday.

Day 16 - What do you see

I was about to give up on this day - nothing much happening and the sun FINALLY appeared and we had pretty puffy clouds.

What do you see?

Day 15 - Practicing

I am trying desperately to learn photography. I am reviewing my skills via a challenge for new photographers on a scrapbooking site.

This week's lesson was on DOF - Interesting exercise to line up objects and see the results of the aperture settings on DOF. The analogy of the water faucet and aperature never clicked in my brain it wasn't until someone told me it was a fraction the light bulb went off in my brain.

Thanks for putting up with my practice. I'm still amazed that I can shoot manually.

Day 14 - Downtown

I finally meandered out of the Woodlands 30 miles to downtown Houston. It amazes me that the skyline and the tracks picture were basically 90 degrees from each other.

The last picture is an abstract of the most abundant thing in Houston - highways - this is actually I-10. I am sure someone besides me has been on this stretch of road more than once.

It was so nice to get out of surburbia - I was better visiting downtown when I lived 90 miles away than I am now. Hopefully I'll get better at visiting soon.

Day 13 - No Camera Blues

You are stuck with a LOUSY picture of the picture over my fireplace. Because I can NOT learn to carry my camera with me. I figured WHY would I need to carry my camera to the inlaw's house where I spent 4 hours trying to teach them how to use their new phones.

Since I was a nice DIL (a rare event) I did get hubby to meet me for supper where I saw 2 BALD EAGLES. DH did attempt to go home and retrieve camera before they disappeared - but camera turned into paper weight because the memory card was in the card reader from last night. Oh well - nice try for Doug.

So lesson learned AGAIN - carry camera at ALL times.

Day 12 - Sportsaholic

My husband is a sports nut. His passion is golf but he LOVES watching every collegiate sporting event available. Especially for his alma maters Wake Forest and Texas A&M

So the other night was a dream for him - basketball season - Wake Forest vs. North Carolina and Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech - we expected Wake Forest to lose since they are now considered a "football" school since they made it to the Orange Bowl this year. Texas A&M however is ranked 6th in the nation and can beat a measly team from Lubbock - Nope

The defeat of Texas A&M was to the delight of our youngest son who now attends Texas Tech. Thus continues the obligatory phone call from the defeated to say congratulations.

So as a Red Raider Mom I can say - Way to go Tech!

Day 11

A pine tree just for Anna - LOL

Really busy day - out and about so I'm grateful that this is actually letting me post after giving me error messages earlier.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 10 - Making Do - Shade

The nice thing about having an injured back is my husband is extremely helpful cleaning the house - that means things get hidden - including my OTT light.

I wanted to try this technique but with my body being uncooperative I had to use things I had available at home. The shade is rootc. Lit by my hurricane lamp.

I definitely want to try this again when I have the correct materials

Day 9 - Conquered

With limited sitting time I've learned to do a lot of things on my side. Reading, knitting, typing, etc. Since I live in a house of boys they thought that a Nintendo DS would help me pass time. I have to admit they were right.

Today I completed all the Sudoku puzzles that Brain Age has available. So I guess it's back to playing on paper again unless someone else can suggest how to help me pass time.

Day 8 - The Harness

This is where I have spent an ENORMOUS amount of time over the past year. It is the "unloader" at my physical therapist office. I've been in and out of this contraption enough over the past year that I can actually get in and out of the harness myself as well as adjusting the machine to lower the weight.

I have come to develop a love/hate relationship with this machine. I at least get a lot of magazine reading done while walking. I will say that I am being good about doing the things my physical therapist is asking. I am looking forward to the day I don't have to be on this machine again.

Day 7 - It Begins

YEA!

3 hours of trying to post this - at least there's football on - LOL

It begins - a new house is coming down the street - this is normally the first sign. So long trees...

Day 6 - TooTall

Welcome to our eyesore - the Anadarko building. This is the tallest building between Houston and Dallas. This is what happens when a real estate company takes over a master planned community which previously had no signs or buildings taller than the pine trees where it is located.

For someone who grew up with her closest neighbor being 1/2 mile away it is mind blowing. I keep trying to figure out where all the people are coming from and why here.

Day 5 - Playing Around

I am grateful to be feeling better today. I decided to play around with the white balance on the camera and see how the clementines looked. I am progressing with my back recovery because this is the first time I've used my tripod since September - YEA! - Now if I can ever get a horizon straight. . .