Liked the textures on this juicy Mandarin…

The Daffodils are still blooming!

I used the overhead halogen kitchen light so I had to adjust the white balance to correct the colors. I also edited it in Perfect Photo Effects 8. Primarily used the Dynamic Contrast and Sunshine effects.

The Tulips from a few days ago are still hanging around… Probably be the last day though…I enjoy all the Tulip stages.

I didn’t note what type of bulb this was when we planted it, but i do believe it’s a Daffodil… It took about 3 weeks to bloom.

I believe my daughter found this bulb at Trader Joe’s at the beginning of the year. It came with the bulb and it’s own soil…. We added water to the dried soil and then planted the bulb and kept it in the window. It just bloomed today.

Beautiful light this morning as the kids went out to ride their bikes!

Edited with Aperture and Perfect Photo Effects 8. I added a bit of Dynamic Contrast and a layer of Sunshine Glow.

I was watching The Grid on Kelbytv.com  the other day about photography and they were answering a question of how to be a better photographer in 2014. One of their suggestions was to not partake in a project365 or a daily photo project. The primary reason for not recommending taking a photo each day is that it leads to quick snaps of something mundane to keep the project going. They recommend that photographers work on specific projects, i.e. learn something new and go deep into that, or take the next 30 days and make 5 new photos to replace old photos in your portfolio and there are a few other recommendations. This all makes sense and something I agree with.

I’m currently in my 4th year of taking a photo every day, or project365. This clip got me thinking about why I take a photo a day.

• It makes me pick up my camera even when I don’t want to
• I take far more photos of my kids and family
• It makes vacations more fun
• I buy more flowers
• I’m urged to learn new things(techniques, software, etc.)
• I get inspired seeing others in the various daily photo communities each day
• It forces me to take a few minutes each day and create(and yes some days I end up with nothing)
• By having to post everyday I have to finish and publish. I can’t hem and haw.
• I can see something creative or unique out of the mundane?

I agree with them regarding a daily photo project. A daily photo project will probably not on it’s own dramatically change your photography. There are plenty of other ways to do that. If your looking to try and learn new photography techniques,  take more photos and challenge yourself,  then I think there is value is committing to a daily photo project. Some of us need a commitment to something like a daily photo project.

It’s always fun to sit back and reflect why your doing something and if there is still value in it.

T-65 X-Wing Starfighter

At school my daughter’s class did an experiment with colored water. I think she was trying to see how the colors changed the clear glasses were side by side and the light shown through one to the other. So J had to setup the same experiment in our backyard with Mom’s help

17:365
01-17-2014

Still having fun with the Tulps..

Edited with Aperture and Niks HDR Efex Pro

Having more fun with the tulips.

My daughter jumped on my lap when I was editing this image. I was seeing a more desaturated image, but she said “Daddy those tulips aren’t purple, they are orange.” So I decided to let her edit this to what she liked! I liked it too!