133: Ominous

Well, not really ominous. It's another from my river study series that got a brutal pounding of post processing. It was a gllomy, overcast day, so the clouds were interesting looking. Still getting used to the heavy PP stuff, so this is close to what I wanted. Gotta practice!

Click for a larger view

132: The Road to Nirvana

More ladybugs. I had originally found four, so that's what you see here. Had bad backlighting as you can see, so I apologize for that. This was more an exercise in DOF and composition more than anything.

Yes, the wine was good as well :-)

131: Ladybugs Know Best

So while sweeping up in the country, I came across a bunch of ladybugs. Yes they were already dead, so I can honestly say no bugs were harmed in the making of this picture.

This is inspired by a few photos over at DPC that involved gluing dead bugs and taking fun photos and leaving everybody wondering how they got the bugs to cooperate like that.

Anyways, you can't tell, but two of the bugs are missing their heads. I found them like that! I swear!

The wine was really good, too. I nice Italian wine that my boyfriend has reviewed on his wine blog. Link is on the right.

Click the picture for a larger view

130: Toronto Skyline

Yah Blogger is working now! CN Tower in all it's glory, the Rogers centre where the LEafs play (I think) and Lake Ontario!

I'm heading out of town to dial up land for a few days. I'll be back on the weekend to update. The full Toronto gallery can be seen here if you feel inclined to check it out. They are pictures from the DPC GTG on MAy 6. Great to meet a bunch fellow photographers, joke around and take pictures.

129: Sail Away

Beautiful boat that was cruising through the harbor in Toronto.

I'm not nautically inclined, so I know nothing about what type of boat this is, but I thought it was neat

128: Wide Angle

So one of the fun things about these get togethers is seeing what other lens (or is it lenses) people have, and trying them out. This is my lens, but I had the opportunities and time to really try my wide angle fish eye out.

The interesting thing about my fish eye is that there is not that much distortion. This shot has very little distortion compared tos ome fish eyes shots I've seen. But it does make great 'from the bottom up' shots.

And just because I feel like it, another bottom up fisheye shot


I checked on a fellow PAD blog and noticed I was off by one on the numbering of the posts, so that is why there is a random gap in the numbering

126: En Route

I am not so hot at bird shots. I got one decent one in NY because they are accustomed to humans and fly away. Now I understand why everyone who shoots wildlife loves those (heavy) 500mm lens.

Not a greta shot, but I like the opposite way the wings are, and the shadows in the water.

125: JUMP!

This is Joey Lawrence

A very talented, young photographer who was willing to humour us with jumping over Di's rubber duckie.

The duckie is on the floor, in all its duckie glory :-D

124: Hogtown!

So I spent the weekend in Toronto. I stayed with a good friend of mine who I used to work with in Montreal and his girlfriend (a friend as well :-) ). They have just moved into a cute apartment right downtown.They have a view out their window of the water, and a fabulous open concept apartment.

This particular shot was taken with my 16mm fisheye lens. I had intended this for the night challenge, but the fisheye distortion doesn't quite work in this shot. The only thing really fish eyed is the CN tower, so it just sort of looks odd

This is the view from my friend's terrace on a terrace of the building. Not to shabby! The terrace has a backgammon and chess table (bring your own pieces) and little picnic benches as well. It will make a fabulous place to chill on a summer afternoon.

123: Wine...

For a real comparison review, you must check out my boyfriend's wine review blog here. I preferred the merlot. It was interesting because he gave me a true blind taste test. Normally, I would not consider myslef a big merlot fan, but I enjoyed it more than the cab/shiraz blend.

The picture is a quickie edit, just some WB adjustment and contrast in RAW and some levels in PS

I am heading to Toronto tomorrow, and my friends I am staying with have just moved, so they I don't know how much internet access they have.

When I get back on Monday, I will update the blog with (hopefully) fantastic photos from the DPC Toronto GTG and whatever else I happen to take pictures of!

See you Monday!

122: Sun Goddess

This is our sun goddess, Callye! She was the one who provided all our wonderful reflected fill light. Thank you!

121: Pensive

Yah! Blogger is working. So, a re-edit from the studio shot. One light with snoot and a reflector for fill. Some hard core editing since the background was white. Ended up grey in the picture, so lots of tweaking and masking in PS to get it here. Covnert to B&W and voila!

120: Pyramid

OK, having fun again! Cheers!

119: Callye's Bobo

This is Callye's bobo, or booboo. Here in Quebec, you get a boo-boo, it's called a bobo. Boo-boo is actually a derivative of bobo, which is French. Google is great!

The piece she is rehearsing requires her to jump up and hang onto a tall wall. The way to get up involves running towards the wall and then doing a sort of pseudo climb up the wall. This means her left knee gets knocked into the wall at high velocity.

Knee + high velocity + wall = HUGE bruise. She showed me the bruise and I said, we HAVE to take a picture! It will probably only turn more pretty colours this week!

Yes I"m holding my awesome remote in my hand :-P

118: Jean Seb

So, one thing we discovered was that we were placing our models too close to the backdrop. This picture seems to have vignetting, but it's more because the backdrop we were using was dirty where Jean Seb was sitting than because of lighting problems. We pulled our model several feet from the backdrop, and it solved a lot of the problems we were having earlier. Thanks John!!

The other thing we discovered was that the reflector is more than just a really cool wind generator for making someone's hair fly around. This time around, we used the gold side mostly. We used one light as our main source, and used the reflector, which made a huge difference in shadows on the model. We used two other lights for the backdrop.

117: Studio Revisit

So, this is being posted for Friday, but reality is this was taken Saturday.

We (Jean-Sebastien, Callye, and John) and I went back to the studio again. This time, since we had an idea of what studio stuff is, we decided to focus on more technical things, like 'Rembrandt lighting' and other classic portrait studio things. We also learned a couple of great lessons.

This, however, is me being a goof. I was showing off my remote shutter as we were getting ready to do some fun group stuff. As we were switching lights, we figured it made a good refreshment break as well ;-)

We don't wear our shoes (in less you are the model) on the paper, since it's white, so I've got my boyfriends nice and comfy wool socks on. Glad I brought them!

116: Real picture of the kitty

So after yesterday's debacle, you get a realy picture of the kitty.

115: What to do with a baaad picture

Typical of cats. There is a cat in our neighborhood who meanders around, and will even walk into your apartment if the door is open. She (I think) was sitting on my neighbors porch, so I thought, cool, snap a few pictures and I've got my PAD (well two since I missed this one).

Of course, the cat gets up and starts coming my way. Decided I was hers and did the rubbing thing, and of course, then proceeded to stretch with her behind to me.

So, I took an out of focus picture, and butchered it, just for the heck of it. I think it's horrific, but the best part, is I get to call it 'art' because I created it!

114: 1 done, 3 to go

Today I wrote my last exam for this year. One year down, three to go. So what you're staring it are my notes and textbooks from this semester. I know, lots of paper. I'm a nerd and type my notes because otherwise I wouldn't be able to study off of them.

Next semester will include organic chemsitry, molecular biology, laboratory techniques, biometry (statistics), and either an essay writing course or a management course. CAN'T WAIT!

Next semester will be tons of work. In the meantime, I get to go to Puerto Rico and volunteer in a lab. Plus I get to enjoy the summer in Montreal :-)

113: Challenge Entry

This is a challenge entry

This will be erroneous double spaced nonsense

In case someone stumbles upon my blog

And is hugely offended

I posted my picture

And destroyed all anonymity

And am trying to have

An undo influence

On the voters

Who are oh so easily swayed

If I asked them to change their vote

On my picture

I actually think if I asked people to change their vote on my picture, they'd vote me down.

If you still want to see the picture

Go ahead!

112: Intensity

This isn't my picture. It's a picture my mother brought back with her from Nigeria when she was there in the 60's. I'm 90% sure she took, but I can't remember.

The men are about to engage in a wrestling match, and you can see the crowd behind them. I've always loved the expressions on their faces.

It looks terrible because this is a snapshot through a frame, and thus the wonky relfections which I am to tired to PS out. Well, I would PS them out if I had the time and I knew how to do it. Knowing how always helps.

I just want to say something regarding my post yesterday. The people I was referring to (who seem to objectify women based on what they wear) are the ones who will swagger into women and make fake licking moves at them, or hoot and holler out the windows of their car as they drive. As Matt pointed out, looking at someone because they have a nice body, or work out, or whatever, is perfectly normal. Sexual selection at it's best! :-D I just wanted to clarify I was referring to the slimier jeers and looks. Looking is perfectly normal, and I apologize for not making that clear.

111: Gratuitous Behind Shot

Now that the weather is warmer, all the layers of clothing are coming off as well.

I love people watching, and I love to sit in a pedestrian traffic heavy and watch the people go by. As the layers come off, the rubbernecking gets its own workout. I've noticed that the number of men who will turn to look at someone's behind is generally a higer number than a women who will turn to look at a males behind. Granted, a large part of this is because women wear those TIGHT, low riding pants. For the record, I can't stand them (those pants).

Anyways, the title reminded me of an episode of the current Amazing Race where there was a gratuitous butt shot of one of the more shapely women in the competition. I guess the camera man was happy he had a telephoto zoom lens. It made me laugh because it made no attempts to hide what kind of shot it was - a shot of a woman's butt, and it was a blatant shot for the folks who like to look at butts. No generalized genders or sexual orientations will be mentioned.

It's funny. Women today are taught to be confident in themselves - proud to be a woman. Many will dress to show this off, yet it seems to end up objectifying them as sexual objects to be ogled at. I dunno. Seems like women can't win. Be proud and show off your feminity, but be prepared to be drooled on and looked at as a sexual object of desire.

My rant for the day is done. Go take a pretty picture :-)

110: Spring is bustin' out

Shot out my backdoor. Complete snapshot. Quick PP so I know it looks odd. Oh well.

109: Me II

So, way back when it was still cold and there was snow and ice all over the place, I had mentioned the idea of doing and on again off again project of sort of self portraits of me sitting in a chair in random places.

Well, this is one more for the series, though in a not terribly creative place. Don't worry, I have some better ideas!

I now feel like I can resume this PAD with a fresh eye and new start now that the bulk of my finals are done. I have one more one Tuesday, and as you can see, I am studying for it.

While in NY, I picked up a remote trigger for my camera, and can I just say it is REALLY COOL! No more running back and forth in the ten second alotted timer time! No more prefocusing on something, switching it to manual focus, and then pushing the shutter! And if you're wondering, it's in my right hand.

Winter is officially over as I was able to wear sandels to all three of my exams.

About the picture: I apologize for the blown out highlights on the right side of the picture. I had the sun on my left, and the picture was taken out my front door hallway.

I have to say it's nice to take pictures again :-)

Soon...

Almost done...
Last of three in a row in tomorrow... well, later today.

I have one on Tuesday, but the killer was this stretch
Physics on Tuesday, Chemistry on Wed, and Bio on Thursday

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving being back in school, but it's a lot of work studying for three exams abck to back. It's actually harder than having two exams on one day I am finding.

C'est la vie!

In retrospect, I think it's good I took a small (unplanned) break from photography. I think I'll get back into it witha freash perspective, full of ideas of molecular biology and how to synthesize DNA :-)

106: Finals

Fooled you!

No pictures
I have three finals this week, and I'm barely going to be able to find time to shoot for Terry's MS bracketing tourny.

Will catch up after I slog my way through this weird stuff called science.

105: Reflection

I know, been there, done that, but I still think it's fun. From a walk that my boyfriend and I took yesterday. Was nice out, and I needed to get out and stretch my legs. I was getting cross eyed staring at circuits and DNA synthesis. Today it's raining. While I don't like rain, it does mean pretty flowers soon!

104: Hyacinth

Did I spell that right?

Ohmmmmmmmm...

103: Picking up the Notes

Get it? Get it? Sheet music with notes on it flying away... getting picked up?

Hehe

Thought of entering this as well, and didn't. Figured people wouldn't get it. Physics is calling me

... ohm's law.... B-fields.... RC circuits....

102: Together

Shot at central park. The coupls is actually chimping at a pciture on a digital camera. Had thought of using this for candid, but as was pointed out, there is nothing candid about it.

I can now recite to you hwo to name hydrocarbons, alkenes, and alkynes. I feel so smart!

101: Snapshot

So I was out looking for candids. Nothing great, so I will look forward to another sub average score, but at least I hold no allusions of grandeur :D Some cute kids playing on the McGill campus. It was gorgeous out. Even got to take my coat off! whoo!

100: Robin, and 100 days DONE!

Wow. I never thought I'd actually make it to 100 days. Granted, I'm not following the 'true' spirit in taking one picture every day, but I am uploading once a day (or so...), and I have to say, I'm learning a lot with this project.

Makes up for my crappy scores over at DPC. I'm developing a love/hate relationship with that site. I'm learning so much there, and have a great time, but it's sometimes frustrating trying to figure out what makes the voters there tick.

At least, with this blog, I get to post pretty pictures that I took, and that I like :D

So, one of the nice things about Central Park is there are a fair amount of mellow birds who are hanging out in the trees. Managed to not only change lens, but snap this shot before it flitted away. I'm not much a of a bird photographer, but I can see why people enjoy it so much.

There was another bird earlier that Steve (Pawdrix) and I saw, but from where I was shooting it just kept giving me it's nice feathery behind. This one was a bit more cooperative.

I think I can send at least one of my winter coats to the dry cleaners... Shhh don't tell anyone, lest it dump 2 feet of snow sometime later this month! Like I said, Happy Spring!

99: Buds

Seeing this stuff makes me want to sing June is Bustin Out All Over, but it's not June, and I can't sing. Plus, June is more a flower month than a tree and bush bud month.

On second thought, never mind!

98: Sunbasking

Cute little turtles that Pawdrix found. I think if there is reincarnation, I'll be a turtle. Do nothing but lay on a rock and sunbathe.... But then I'd have to deal with polluted waters and messed up ecosystems. Hmm, never mind. Guess that means I (as I am now) better hurry up and work on protecting ecosystems :-)

97: Spring is in the Air

Central Park this weekend. This was actually taken on Sunday, a beautiful sunny day to take pictures. Went out shooting with Pawdrix. Had a nice time shooting stuff before I went to go see The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee, a wonderful, Tony award winning musical on Broadway. Highly recommend it!

It was nice to see spring since it's greener in NY than it is in montreal.

96: Untitled

Happy Spring!

95: Balance

More rehersal shots. Don't think I got a good shot of this during the show. Oh well. Still going through them.

Off to study

94: Rehearsal

I realized I could call one of these rehearsal after I posted the other one, so here you go :-)

93: Untitled

From a rehearsal I shot

92: Untitled

91: Faceless

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90: Busker

Buskers in a metro station in Montreal. I am so ashamed, I took pictures, and when the train came, I realized I had no money on me. I could have thrown them plastic, but I don't think they would have appreciated that. They were doing a nice rendition of Tears in Heaven. I promise to give them money next time I see them! I gelt so bad :(

89: Shadow Play

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88: Last of the studio shots (For real!)

Ok, Last few at the request of some friends :-)

Pumpkin/carrot top person is Callye this time, and one more of Jean Seb. This pose was actually inspired from that funny can you touch your toes thread. Except when he touchs his toes, it didn't really look like anything, so I had him try some other things and I liked this one.

So there you go! Fun stuff, and we can't wait to get back into the studio!

Thanks for the feedback!

87: Callye

This is Callye when she gets mad. Joking! We were goofing off with fanning to get the hair so we were trying different stuff. Ok, this will be the last studio shot since I think I've bored everyone. :-)

My printer died yesterday. It's ridiculous how dependent I am on it as a student. *sigh*

86: Jean-Sebastien

Jean-Seb again, but this time you get to see him :) Did a bit of the draganizer action on this, because I thought it would be appropriate, and I'm happy with the result. I'm not sure about the shadow, but that's learning about the studio lgiht set up.

85: Jean Sebastian

Ok, I promise to post a real picture of him tomorrow :) We had way to much fun goofing off with this!

84: John and Callye

So remember how I said I get to use a studio since I am a member of my university's photo society? Finally got in there. Wow was it fun! Wow is there a lot to learn!! The main thing I've noticed is the vignetting, which you can see in this picture, and almost all the others I took. We had a great time, and cannot wait to get back in there! These are my friends, John and Callye. You'll meet my other friend tomorrow

83: On Assignment

On assignment for one of the school papers today.

I did two others, and one got me into a comedy show that normally cost $25. It was a comedy showdown between Toronto comedians and Montreal comedians. I only stayed for the first Montreal, and first Toronto comedian, but they were both very funny. I also got a bit of the 'I'm a journalist and can go into the show just to take pictures!' I would have had no problem paying, but as money is not as abundant as I would like, going to laugh for a little bit in exchange for shooting some pics was a nice deal.

82: Medals

This was taken as a favour for my boyfriend's wine blog (linkie on the right). It's one of the few times we're tasting completely different things in the same wine. I'm tasting fruit jam (blackberry mostly) and he's tasting tobacco.

I just emailed the picture to him, so he should be posting soon.

Oh yes, and he thinks this wine is seriously overrated and that one should not trust the medals listed on the label!

Cheers!

81: MacDonald Engineering Building

Not much else to say. One of the buildings on campus

79: more river

Ok, blogger is working now!

78: Hopscotch

As always, by boyfriend decided he had to see hwo thick the ice was, even though it had started to break up. It was still quite thick in most places, so he was able to cross the river