Project 365: 2/28/11: Where's the Nuts?

Caught this guy snatching birdseed outside my window the other day. Can't blame him though. The snow was up to the birdfeeder and it made it very convenient.  Kind of cute with the snow on his head. He was out there for quite awhile, but he didn't sit still. I was lucky enough to get this shot. Yes, from the comfort and warmth of my dining room.

Ah, Ya Caught Me!

Aperture: F/8; Exposure: 1/50s; ISO-200; Taken 2/25 8:05am

Well, that's the last submission for February. 2 months down, 10 to go!  I'm going to drop the P-365 title from future posts as it takes up alot of real estate on the blog menu.

Take care
Em

Project 365: 2/27/2011: Busy Hands

Sue hates getting her picture taken, but she agreed to let me get some shots of her knitting. I was shooting this over her shoulder while she was working on some socks.  She had elbow surgery on Nov. 8th, and has been slowly recuperating. Only recently has she been able to get back to her past-time. That makes her happy, And that makes me happy! She loves cross-stitching and crocheting, and knitting. She's just got to pace herself because golf season will be here before you know it and she doesn't want to miss another year of it.

Busy Hands

Aperture: F/4.5 ; Exposure: 1/60s; ISO-400

Well, 1 more day in Project 365, and I will have made it thru 2 complete months. Yay Me!

Good night
Em

Project 365: 2/26/2011: Photographing Real Live People!

As you may or may not know, I don't feel very comfortable photographing people. Usually it is because they are making faces (my wife or son), or because the subject just isn't happy with how they look. My daughter Taylor said I really could get into wedding photos someday, but I'm not sure about that. However, Sue and I went to the wedding of some friends last night, and the couple asked me if I could take some pictures. The lighting was horrible where we were and I had an awful time seeing thru the viewfinder to determine if the picture was in focus.  So I had to kind of guess. And most of the pictures were lousy, but some were really good. One in particular made me quite pleased. I'd post it now, but the couple are on their way to Jamaica now (the lucky jerks), so I can't get a model release. But when they get back, I'll ask.

But, Jordan and his girlfriend were over tonite, and he was just being his goofy, loveable self and I started taking pictures. I did get their approval to post this, so here are Jordan and Shelbie...

The 'ol Finger thru the Ears trick

Aperture: F/5.6; Exposure: 1/60s; ISO-400

Getting back to the photographing people...I guess I could do it if I really tried, and I will start to do that from time to time. I've got to gain confidence in myself, and learn how to make the subject comfortable with getting their picture taken. If they are comfortable, (like my friends last night, and Jordan and Shelbie tonite), then theirs no telling how good a picture can turn out.

Have a good night!

Em

Project 365: 2-25-2011: Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad, Emery A. Swanson, Sr., was born on this day in 1933 to Helen and Emery H. Swanson, in Squantum, Mass. Here is a picture of a picture (one of my favorites) of him playing the piano somewhere in NH at a friends cottage back in the early 70's I believe. It was a guys weekend away, and dad loved to play the piano. There is a can of Schlitz (ug) next to him on the table-what a party animal!. There is one guy passed out in the chair. And at least another guy was awake to take this picture.  Dad was a fantastic piano player and loved to start playing whenever someone wanted to listen. He used to play piano for some girls who sang back when he was a teenager.

Emery, Sr.

Dad died around July1st, I believe, in 1984 at the age of 51. He was my hero, and always will be. I've tried to emulate him, by being a good, honest person, and a great husband and father. And also by enjoying life and doing my best to have a good time while I'm here.  I think he would be proud of me, as I was of him.
Love you Dad! I miss you. Happy Birthday.
Your son,
Emery Swanson, Jr.

Project 365: 2-24-2011: Business Cards Ordered!

Hey, thanks for your advice guys....The business cards have been ordered from VistaPrint.com! Should arrive in 2 weeks.
So, no new pictures taken today either, since I've just been concentrating on getting these done. Here's the final version:

Final Version - Front

Final Version - Back

And now, back to developing the website....

Ciao!

Em

Project 365: 2-23-2011: Business Card

I'm starting to think about having a table at some craft fairs this spring to display my pictures. Little by little, I'm starting to build up an inventory to sell. One thing I need to do is get some business cards printed before I attend a fair. The other thing is that I really need to finish up my website (EmerysIsland.com). That should be done in the next few weeks
Here is my first draft of a business card.

My Card?

What do you think?
I'm guessing that the font is too small for the bottom 2 lines.
Is it too busy? This is one of my favorite pics from last year and I thought the boats kind of fit in with the Emery's Island theme.

I'd appreciate some advice before I get them printed.

Well back to work, and then Web Design class tonite.
Have a good one.
Em

Project 365: 1-22-2011: Studs and More!

Great day yesterday. I created a website for my brother's contracting business Studsandmore last year, and we found out that the contacts page was not working for AOL and Gmail users. I spent a couple of months and hours and hours trying to get this fixed. It has been very discouraging and has thrown a monkey wrench into my desire to have a side-web design business. I host my websites at Godaddy, and it turns out that AOL and Gmail do not like other webhosting companies to forward their emails to Non-company emails via websites. Pain in the neck, believe me. But I got it fixed yesterday! Brother is happy! I am happy! Wooo Hooo! So I felt very accomplished yesterday.

Here's the main page:

Studs and More Home Page

Aperture: F/4.5 ; Exposure: 1/10s ; ISO-100;

Taken with a CPL lens to try and cut the glare on my laptop screen. And I know it is skewed, but it is very hard trying to line up a camera with a monitor. I could have fixed that in Photoshop, but that's a project for another day.

My brother John is a very meticulous and concientious builder. He does great work. He's primarily in the Provincetown area right now, but if you have a need for remodelling, or building, check out his page and give him a call. Or use the Contacts page - It works now!
And if you have a need for a website, contact me at OSML Consulting. Oh shoot! Now I have to go fix my Contacts page for all of you aol and Gmail users....thanks for reminding me!

Em 

Project 365: 2-21-2011: Happy Birthday Mr. President...

One of my favorite Presidents. Actually, anyone who gets me a day off is ok in my book. So what am I doing today? Taxes. Boo...So here is a picture of the father of our country, flying away in honor of his birthday, and the taxes I owe. Right out the window.
Ok, it's actually taped to the window.  But I'm in a rush and wanted to get my post in so didn't bother taking 100 pictures of a dollar bill thrown in the air. Took the easy way out and just taped it.

Flying George

Aperture: F/6.3; Exposure: 1/40s; ISO-100

But on a good note! I did over come a major problem I've been having with a website design today. So hopefully I can start making some money by designing and selling websites, and start getting George, Abe, Hamilton, and any other significant historical figures to fly back my way. Time will tell!

Hope you all have the day off too

Em

Project 365: 2-20-2011: So what did you do on your day off?

Hope what you did was more fun than what I did today...We decided to just stay in and veg today. Well, veg doesn't really mean veg around my house. Decided to do something I've been putting off for a long time. Clean out some file cabinets. Throw out those bills and papers that just take up space. You know, the ones you just get and throw haphazardly in a drawer. So when you need an important one, you can't find it because it's mixed in with all the junk. Well, that's what I do, and today I was paying for it. Four hours of emptying file cabinets, throwing junk out, and organizing. Here's how I spent my day. Behind the chair on the left is a bag of papers from the file cabinets still to go thru. On the table are organized piles ready to be filed. And the bag on the right is the stuff to get burned in our next bon-fire. It was a lousy way to spend the day, but I did listen to tv all day too. And I got 4 files cabinet drawers down to 1/2 a desk drawer. Yay me!

Spying on Em

Aperture; F/14; Exposure: 1/4s; ISO-100 ;

Wide Lens-Kind of looks like I'm shooting thru a peep-hole

Better doing this now than when golf season is here. Hope I learn my lesson and keep my files neat going forward. Oh and no paper-cuts I must say!

Till tomorrow

Em

Project 365: 2-19-2011: Sunny Day!

Well, it was sunny yesterday. Of course I was stuck in the office, and I think it was in the 50's outside. There were a couple of beauties like that this week. Of course, today it's Saturday and it's snowing. Guess I shouldn't bother putting my clubs in the truck yet.
Woke up early today (5am-groan). Got a busy day, and Bday party for my sister-in-law tonite.  So I'm going to get this posted.
Here's another pic of the Irises that Sue got me for Valentines Day. I've got them on the windowsill in my office, and they are getting some good sun from the left.

Irises



Aperture: F/11 ; Exposure: 1/20s ; ISO-200

Since I got up early (and already did some chores), I'm getting some pics together to print. I'm pleased with this one. Nice soft colors. And look at me - Getting out of my comfort zone and boosting the ISO up to 200. White balance is set at sunny. Using all the buttons on this shot.  I think it's a keeper.

Have an awesome Day! And here's hoping I don't have to shovel!

Em

Project 365: 2-18-2011: What's Wrong With this Picture?

So, what's wrong with this picture? Look closely...Do you see it?

No-It's not so much the composition, or the lighting, or the subject matter. I was trying to think of something different to do, and I looked online and saw suggestions like "your Desk". Well my desk is a heaping mess, so I decided to focus in on a smaller portion of what's on my desk. And I saw my coffee mug (Clean!) but full of pencils and pens and markers.

Do you see what is wrong yet? Well let's change the question into a statement. One of these things is not like the other.....you know, the old Sesame Street song...I've got multiple pencils. Multiple Pens, multiple markers...Well, ok there is only one cup...That's different, but not what I was looking for. See below for answer.

Chock Full O' Pens

Aperture: F/5.6; Exposure: 1/60s; ISO-400

Ok, here's the answer. What is wrong here is that I have a cup full of pens, pencils, markers, and only the yellow highlighter works. The other's are empty. WHY DO I KEEP THESE THINGS? I really need to start throwing things away and simplifying my life. (Sue will be nodding her head when she reads this). But that will cut into my photography and blog time. So forget it.  Just have to go get a new cup. And new pens and pencils.
For those keeping score,  you get 1 point for answering "The Cup is different', 100 points for "The Yellow Highlighter is good", and -10 points for 'There is Decaf coffee in the cup"

See you tomorrow.
Em the hoarder.

Project 365: 2-17-2011: A-ha! It IS a Lily!

Ok, where last we left off, I was telling you about this great bunch of flowers Sue sent me for Valentines Day.. And the fact that I don't know the names of flowers (nor do I really care to). But our plant person, Kelly came into the office for the weekly trimming and watering of plants and trees around the office. So I asked her what the heck this was. And she told me it was a ...Oh shoot....I should have written it down...It's a ...It's a.....Drat! 
Oh man, Well, I'll keep typing and maybe it will come to me...

What else is going on today? Busy day at the office. It is gorgeous outside! The sun is shining! The snow is melting! My curtains are open and I can't help but to keep gazing out...THAT'S IT!!!! It's a Star-Gazer Lily. Gee that was tough...My brain hurts.  But now I have it documented in the blog for all time, in case I need to know what it's called again someday.

Anyway, the vase of flowers (Irises in the background-Yay I remembered) is positioned by the window and catching some of the sun.

Stargazer Lily, Dammit!

Aperture: F/7.1; Exposure: 1/50s ; ISO-200

Alright - Gotta get back to work...Enough of the floral talk already.
Later!
Em

Project 365: 2-16-2011: Yeah, I'm Very Comfortable

I'm not gonna get into any mushy feelings here, but I will say, when my beautiful wife sends me flowers at work on Valentines Day, it makes me smile! And I am very comfortable in my manhood to say the flowers were beutiful and made my day. But I'm not comfortable enough to know exactly what kind of flowers they are. I know roses and tulips, and everything else just goes in one ear and out the other. I don't care how many times you tell me what kind of flower this or that is, it just doesn't register. But I think I got irises and some sort of lily.
Thankyou sweetheart! I love them!

So I was trying to get a good picture of them, and start experimenting. Couldn't find a decent background in the office here, so I cropped an Iris(?) down in photoshop.

Iris Landscape

Iris Portrait

Aperture: F/5 ; Exposure: 1/60s ; ISO-400; Under Fluorescent Lights (boo)

What do you think about the cropping? Which one (if either) looks better? And gosh-darn it...Is this an Iris?

Alright, gotta go do some manly stuff now like build something. Or break something... :-)

Em

Project 365: 2-15-2011: Spiral at the Mill

Hate to tell you folks, but I went back to the Belknap Mill this past Sunday. I know, you're probably sick of all the bricks and machinery that I posted awhile back. But the camera club at a photo walk there is Sunday, so I'm sure I'll be posting some more. But I promise, it will be new subjects,

This one is looking up an old wooden staircase from the ground floor to the top.  Using my flash, the red paint on this came out a bit too bright, so I desaturated it in photoshop. I think it looks better this way in black and white. And it shows a fibonacci spiral (or golden spiral) in action.

Stairway to ?

Aperture: F/5.6 ; Exposure: 1/60s ; ISO-400; w/flash

For more on the Golden Spiral, check out Digital-photography-school.

For more from me....check back tomorrow.

Em

Project 365: 2-14-2011: Happy Valentines Day!

What a great day...I was suprised by my sweetie with a bunch of flowers delivered to my office...Shortly before she was surprised with a bunch of flowers sent to hers. Ha! Very nice!

I also surprised Sue with a whole stacks of Marshmallow Peeps on the counter this morning (she likes them better than cholcolates).

Couple of pics today in honor of the day of love.
First one is of Sue's card and a play-doh heart...What a romantic, huh? And yes Play-Doh still smells just as good as it always has!

Play-Doh Heart

Aperture: F/4.5 ; Exposure: 1/60s; ISO-400

The second is an alteration of an idea I got from fellow bloggers. Music is from Dave Matthews (Lover Lay Down), ring is mine...

Kiss Me Now

 

Aperture: F/10 ; Exposure: 1/6s; ISO-100

Kisses & Hugs!

Em

Project 365: 2-13-2011: Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I know, I'm late posting this. My wife's birthday was on the 12th, and this is my post for the 13th, and it is getting posted on the 14th. What can I say? Busy weekend! Can't post a picture of Sue because she hates getting her picture taken. Something to do with some incident with Interpol or something. Not quite sure. But all I know is that I have so many pictures of her with her tongue sticking out at me, that I am totally afraid of taking pictures of people. Hence that's why I like taking pictures of inanimate objects. Buildings and trees aren't camera shy. And neither are flowers. So in honor of Sue's birthday, here is a pic of one if the flowers in a bouquet I sent to her at work

Aperture: F/5.6 ; Exposure: 1/60s; ISO-400; With Flash

And now, on to Valentines Day!

XO

Project 365: 2-12-2011: More Blue Sky!

Here is another pic from last Monday. The ice storm from the night before created a beautiful coating on all the birch branches. The sun was shining and the ice on the trees was starting to crack and melt. I just like something about this scene.  The sun was shining just right and it glistened like diamond on the ice. I've got the lens closed a quite a bit to get a wide depth of field. And I'm under the tree aiming up to a beautiful blue sky.

Aperture: F/18; Exposure: 1/100; ISO-100; Taken 2/6/11 11:34am

It's scenes like this that make me forget about how much I hate winter. How about you?

Em

Project 365: 2-11-11: Sweet Home Gilford:Where the Sky's Awesome Blue

I was going back thru my pics from last week and found a bunch I took the day after an ice storm. This was taken when I was up on the roof shovelling. It was really cool. The sun was warm (38 degrees out!), and the ice was starting to crack on all the trees. It sounded like popcorn popping outside. And the sky was just so beautiful. Here's a shot thru some birch tree branches.

Awesome Blue!

Aperture: F/18 ; Exposure: 1/100s ; ISO-100; Taken 2/6/11 11:34am

See what I mean about the blue?

Well the weekend is about to commence. It's my honey's birthday tomorrow..And then Valentines day 2 days later. Double whammy!

Have an awesome weekend!
Em

Project 365: 2-10-2011: For Sale!

This June, the Gilford Clickers Camera Club is displaying our art at the Gilford Library. Our pictures can be any size, but myt be matted. A couple of weeks ago, I had my first enlargements done at Ritz camera. A couple of 8 x 10's and a couple of 11 x 14's. I must say that I thought they came out great and made me really proud. But I didn't stop there. Next I went to U-Frame, We-Frame in Laconia. I had a gift certificate that I bought at the Childrens' Christmas auction and I figured that I may as well use it up. Kevin Rines is the store owner there and he spent a good deal of time with me telling me how to choose the best colors for the matting. He also showed me how to Mat. He's got a really cool programmable mat cutter there and it was amazing watching it work. Anyway, when he was done, I was really amazed! My pictures looked terrific and made me even prouder. I really am getting into this photography thing. (Gee-ya think?). I'm starting to plan for getting alot more pictures made up so I can go to a craft fair, or just start selling them. Ya never know.

So here's what I have so far:

I'm on my way! Just need to get a few hundred more made up..Oh yeah-then someone has to buy them...Time will tell!

Over and Out!
Em

Project 365: 2-9-2011: Strike a Pose

Just a quickie today...I've got to scoot out of work soon and go to school. I'm taking a Web design course with Jordan. Something the both of us could do together, and hopefully it will give him an idea that school isn't so scary. He's not sure what he wants to do yet with himself, and I'm just trying to open his eyes to the possibilities. Anyway, we've only had one class so far, but he seemed to like it. I'm looking forward to learning something new (as always).

I was asked to be the official employee photographer at work (since I ALWAYS have my camera). We have an online directory so we know who each other is between offices. (That was my idea a few years ago). Yay me!

But I was messing around with the webcam on my monitor and captured me taking a picture of me..OOOOO - A vortex!

Mr. Geek

So here I am taken from the dell webcam on my 27" monitor...With my friends, the 3 Stooges and Gumby in the background. Oh yeah!!


See you tomorrow. Gotta run and go get smarter!

Project 365: 2-8-11: I Ache

Well if you saw yesterday's post, you'll know that I was up on the roof shovelling. 6 hours in all yesterday...Today, I can barely move. My hands feel arthritic. I've had a fun day at work trying to type. Thankfully, the work day is over and I can go home and vedge....NOT! I'm going to go into the crawl space and see where the water damage is coming from. Yes, we have multiple spots in the living room ceiling and the sheetrock is going to need repairing come spring. Always something...Lets see, what else happened yesterday on the roof....I was banging on the ice with a hammer, and it went right thu a shingle. Apparently the builders used a scrap piece of wood with 1/2 circle in it. And naturally, my hammer found the spot and went right thru. I had to go down the ladder and trudge out to the shed in thigh deep snow to get some spare shingles...trudge back, and go repair that hole. By the way, this is not the site of the aforementioned leak....But I imagine it will be the site of a future leak.
What? You think that's it? Noooo! When I was on the very top of the roof chipping ice - No I didn't fall-but a huge chunk of ice went down and smashed the cover of our grill. Fun stuff, all around..
Anyway, here I am earlier in the day waving to my shadow. This is when I wasn't in pain and could still raise my arms.

My Shadow..Being Friendly

Aperture: F/14; Exposure: 1/80s; ISO-100; 2/7/11: 11:21am



When is spring coming???

Em

Project 365: 2-7-11; Up on the Roof

Ug. What a day. We started getting some water spots in the living room ceiling. The ice dams on the roof are wreaking havoc on our house. So I took the day off and spent it up on the roof. 6 hours in all today chopping ice and shovelling. My body is aching right now, and if I wasn't so dang exhausted, I'd walk out to the hot tub.

But the good thing about being up there, was what I saw. I heard a quacking in the yard and grabbed my camera (Yes, I had it with me)..There was a duck waddling around the yard. I took a bunch of pics and started quacking. The darn thing flew up to the roof and was 5 feet from me! It stayed there for a few minutes and posed for me. It was very cool!

Daffy

Aperture: F/14 ; Exposure: 1/80s; ISO: 100; Telephoto Lens

Daffy finally flew off when he realized I had no food for him. Anyway, that's what's happening on my roof.

Em 

Project 365: 2/6/2011: Ice Ice Baby

We were expecting another snow storm last night, but only got 4 inches. But then it rained. Got a bit messy. But boy the trees were pretty this morning.

Frozen

Aperture: F/14; Exposure: 1/25s; ISO-100

Looks nice in the yard, but my roof is a mess. I've haven't been able to keep up with the ice dams, and now my ceiling is starting to leak. Oh man, I think I've got some problems.. We'll see.

Ok, back to the Super Bowl now. Green Bay up 21 - 10 in the 2nd qtr. Yay.

Good night
em

Project 365: 2-5-11: Hey! It's snowing again!

Whoa! It's 11:35 and almost missed getting my post in. Not much exciting happening today. Billing day and I've been working for most of it. And it's snowed again today. Although it's raining now. Luckily I'm safe inside. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a little fun. Sue and I may head over to Meredith for Hockey on the Pond....To watch, not play. Supposed to be some Bruins Alumni there. We'll see. Something to do besides work.

So here's the winter picture for the day. The evergreen in front of my house. With a bit of Photoshop framing...

EverGreen and White

Aperture: F/13 ; Exposure: 1/10s ; ISO-100

Have a good day!
Emery

Project 365: 2-4-11: Bag-O-Loot

Hey guys. Well it's billing time again so it's going to be tough squeezing in time to blog this weekend. But I did have a project to do for my friend John. He invented a game (Bag-O-Loot) and is getting ready to head to New York in a couple of weeks for a toy conference.  He asked me to get some pictures together for his press conference. Great game, but tough to photograph. The card game comes in a little gold metallic sack and it is tough to get around the reflections. I had lights and diffusers and all sorts of boards trying to block the direct light.

Aperture: F/7.1; Exposure: 1/4s ; ISO-100:

Aperture: F/11; Exposure: 1/5s ; ISO-100:

What do you think? Head on over to Bag-O-Loot and get your Bag!

Em

Project 365: 2-3-2011: Pasta!

Hey, I've had this picture kicking around for a couple of weeks.  I've got nothing else ready to post, so what better reason. I was actually making one of my other specialties. Spaghetti for 100. Actually, i have no clue about how much of this or that to use, even though we have a spaghetti measurer. So I kind of Eyeball it. Then add more. Then add more again. Sue always thinks I've invited the neighborhood over when I make spaghetti. Hey! You never know when someone hears that I'm cooking and decides to drop in. Hasn't happned yet, but it's possible.
I don't really know why, but something about this just looked cool to me. Lots of soft colors I guess.

Feast!

Aperture: F/4.5; Exposure: 1/60s ;ISO-400; Taken 1/15/11 5:05pm

Anyway, Mangia!

Chef Boy-R-Dee

Project 365: 2-2-2011: My Little Helper

Spent 3 hours today snow blowing the driveway and shovlling the deck. Hoo chi mama. This is getting somewhat old. It's like the 4th or 5th Wednesday in a row that we've had a snowstorm. Wednesday has been renamed SnowDay...Ug.

At least I had my little pal Bella here to help scrape the snow off the car. Bella is wrapped in her official Patriots Dog coat. (Don't tell her the Pats are not in the Superbowl this year).

Ready to Help

Aperture: F/5; Exposure: 1/200s; ISO-100

I took this while we were waiting for Sue to get out of work today. Bella loves going for a ride.
Worked from home today in when I wasn't shovelling. Hopefully I can get to the office tomorrow and get some rest.

Good nite!
Em

Project 365: 2/1/2011: Cotton Hill Rd

Yes! It's Feb 1st. Almost Spring! Well, not quite, but one day closer anyway..
Here's a scene from the end of my driveway facing down the street. This is 2 storms ago, and I'm sorry it's outdated. But I'll get some new one's tomorrow after we get dumped on again. Shot in Black and white. 

Cotton Hill Road

Aperture: F/ ; Exposure: ; ISO-; Taken 1/21/2011 at 2:15pm

We're supposed to get  a foot and 1/2 tomorrow, so maybe that means the Groundhog won't see his shadow? We'll find out the results in 6 weeks.

Stay tuned

Em

Project 365: 1/31/2010: Hard at work

Ok, missed yesterday's post-SORRY! So I've got to catch up qucikly before time slips away...I was very busy last night getting my posts for the Gilford Clickers meeting tonite. (See GilfordClickers), and shoveling the roof for 2 1/2 hours getting ready for tomorrows's blizzard. YIKES!


So quickly, here is a self portrait (shoulda been smiling). I set the camera on the tripod, and set the timer to 10 seconds...That's why there is no smile-do you know how long 10 seconds is when you are waiting for the camera to go off? I've been meaning to get one of me posted for a long time.

Hard at work

Aperture: F/6.4; Exposture 1/10s; ISO-400. Taken 1/21/11 11:19am.

Or Hardly Working...I was able to take time out to take a picture, so couldn't have been working too hard. Anyway, here I am at the dining room table facing our window and looking at the snow pile up. I've got some good ideas for other self portraits so I'll have to get on the stick with that.

Anyway, have a good day!

Em