Project 365: #144 - Mater

144 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I started what seems like ages ago to mix in a regular subject, but soon realized that was not practical, partly because of indoor confinement and lack of inspiration. However, now that I am free to roam outdoors, that missing inspiration has returned and just in time for Cars 2, which means plenty of toys to pick from. You just can't go wrong with Mater. So in the first of what should be at least several photos, I picked a pretty bland location and attempted to create something interesting in post-production. I went for an old, faded feel and sort of like it. I plan on taking this guy with me to a few locations to see what creativity might come out of me. I may have to buy another Cars figure to spice things up but I'm excited to see what I can do with just some simple toys and my imagination.

Project 365: #143 - Sunset on the Lake

143 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

On this amazing day, I could only think of one photo that I wanted to capture. Well before I bought my DSLR, I was fascinated with sunset photos. They are often made up of only a few colors, but the composition you can create with such a simple palette can be absolutely stunning. The thing that I find especially cool with this photo is that it is only take with a f/4 aperture. Usually I prefer a much narrower aperture to get the entire frame in focus. However, the resulting photo came out nice and sharp. I wish I could better put into words how awesome a sunset is. I suppose it is just another of God's beautiful mysteries.

Project 365: #142 - Burning Love

142 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I have been intrigued by long exposure shots utilizing light and fire to make designs for sometime. Tonight was my first time giving it a real go of an attempt. Although fire can be risky to experiment with, it sure does create a striking photo. This was taken in my basement with the lights all off and the use of a match and hair spray. The entirety of the photo was created in less than 10 seconds in one single exposure. I did have to darken the dark areas to remove visible signs of my hands but otherwise, this is a relatively unedited photo. Although this has little practical application for my professional endeavors, it is an absolute blast to play with. And who said playing with fire isn't fun?!

Project 365: #141 - Gangsta

141 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

It never ceases to amaze me at times how the photo that ends up making the daily cut is not one I may have initially expected. Sometimes I think I'm just "playing" around but when I look at the photo as its imported on the computer, I'm pleasantly surprised. I knew my goal today was to take a portrait that focused on something different than the face. It can make a very cool photo. I had a few that would have done just fine for the day but I liked how this one in black and white just was so simple yet strong. In hindsight, maybe playing with the aperture just a bit more may have helped to not blur the face as much but that is still something I have yet to master on the spot. Oh well, it gives me more opportunities to continue photographing the world around me.

Project 365: #140 - Postgame Fireworks

140 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Tonight started off really well. The Twins looked to get a rare win, up by 5 runs entering the eighth inning. However, the win slipped just out of reach after the bullpen and Morneau made sure to do their part to choke away the win. Despite another Twins loss, there was a bright spot. Fireworks! And I had my camera and tripod ready and waiting. So maybe this was rather challenging to capture the "perfect" photo, but it was so much fun to try. Exposure is such an interesting balancing act when dealing with bright light in darkness. This will be a photo you can guarantee will be experimented with many more times as the fireworks season is now upon us. All in all, not bad for a first attempt.

Project 365: #139 - Sun Kissed

139 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today I had my first engagement photo session in a while. As can be assumed, I was excited to experiment with different shots to capture Chris and Jen. Confession time. It was not easy to use the sun as I wanted. Did I make it work though? Of course! I learned quite a bit how the changing angle of the sun can change the whole look of a photo. I can honestly say that I don't think I have moved and contorted in so many directions to get the desired photo in a session like I did today. Light is a tricky think, but as this photo illustrates, it can be a photographer's best friend even when it threatens to overtake the scene. Anyway, here is just the first of many photos from the engagement session. It was a blast!

Project 365: #138 - Free Lensed Rings

138 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I know I'm still months away from shooting my first wedding, but I have been thinking about ideas for photographing the rings. A couple months back I heard about a technique called free lensing. Simply, it is a way of shooting macro shots by taking pictures with the lens off camera. As this photo shows, it is far from an easy technique to master. I am FAR from where I want to be in September, but just the fact that there is a sign of promise is exciting. This means I should be able to take macro photos without investing $500 dollars to do so. Now, of course I may entertain the purchase down the road, but I much prefer the challenge of this method. Let the practice continue!

Project 365: #137 - Beautiful Mess

137 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Ok, so perhaps this is not exactly what most would consider beautiful. However, among chaos and disorder, somehow I see something quite uniquely interesting. This photo again reminds me that not every day will be easy but that there will be opportunity daily to take a photo, and yes, a photo with purpose. I specifically targeted the cluttered table and wanted to highlight one object among the debacle. It is absolutely amazing to me still how a shallow depth of field can help create a photo that focuses on one object just centimeters in front of or behind or another. Focus is so important to photography and tonight was a great reminder of that very thing. Time to focus on getting some sleep!

Project 365: #136 - Dinner

136 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Ok, I can't deny it. I like Noodles, especially Wisconsin Mac and Cheese with Meatballs. It's not exactly the healthiest option, but it is oh so good. So, after riding to and from work on my bike, I figured I had burnt extra calories so I could splurge a little. On my way in I noticed the lighting created by the reflection off the door windows into Noodles. There is nothing special about the composition. Rather, I saw it as a challenge to get the Noodles logo in focus, properly exposed all while allowing the reflection to not be blown out. So I tried a setting or two and actually realized I liked the first photo I took. I figure that in doing various sessions there will almost certainly be lighting that is not ideal, but I still need to get the desired shot. The more I play with tough lighting situations the better I'm sure to get. So, here is the photo of the day. Have you had your Noodles lately?

Project 365: #135 - Killer

135 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

So, once I heard about the small litter of kittens a friend from church had, I instantly thought of what cool photo opportunity it might be. However, as soon as she saw the pictures she posted, I knew I might want one myself. I went over today to check it out and of course to get some photos. After seeing this cute little guy I was hooked. He has got such a cool personality, curious, adventurous and just a bit crazy. He jumped from the couch at one point, totally unprovoked, and flipped completely over. He got right up and ran to play with his siblings. It'll be a couple months still before I can bring him home, but for the time being, I'll have to make regular trips to see him. The trick now is to figure out a name. I have a few in mind, Killer being one, but would love any and all ideas.

Project 365: #134 - False Alarm

134 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

After my date tonight, I took the opportunity presented to me to try to capture the sky opening up. Maybe it wasn't too late for the rapture. Well, as I headed on to Stone Arch Bridge, which I though might make for a dramatic rapture/cityscape photo, the clouds overhead had a slight reddish glow to them. It was enhanced by doing a long exposure and most likely as a result of the lights below. Nonetheless, it still looked pretty awesome, especially in light of the prediction. Well, this is not a photo of the skies opening up to rapture us all. Hopefully, if that had been the case, you wouldn't be seeing this photo. Oh well, maybe next time it will be a bit more jaw-dropping an image.

Project 365: #133 - Dandelion

133 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I did not have much time yesterday to get a photo between work, the rain and hanging out with my freshman guys. However, I haven't let anything stop me yet and I wasn't about to. So I grabbed the camera, very careful to not let it get drenched in the rain and went shooting. It only took about 2 minutes when I saw untouched dandelions. Since I was young I have always thought dandelions were cool, even after being told they were weeds. As far as weeds go, they are pretty darn amazing in appearance. They trump many a flower in my opinion. Although I really like this photo, it brings to light the fact that I could seriously benefit from a macro lens. Time to put it on the listof future purchases.

Project 365: #132 - Concentration

132 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today I was reminded of one of the things that make Capella a great place to work. We work hard for our learners but we have fun as well. Today's fun event was based on the game show, Minute to Win It. The game that is captured in this photo required individuals to pickup and maintain control of noodles using a thin spaghetti noodle. I really thought this photo was cool because the focus in Warren's eyes tells how challenging this contest was. This is the epitome of concentration. Although not quite as obvious as last night, the eyes tell the story in this photo.

Project 365: #131 - Intensity

131 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

For those who haven't been paying attention, I love photographing eyes. They are all so amazing. However, this is the first of the Project 365 that I solely focused on the eyes. It took quite a bit of cropping so it isn't as crisp as it would be as a full resolution image, but I still think it is pretty crisp. I do want to try a similar shot but with one of my L-Series lenses because I suspect it'll be just a bit crisper. I bet though, I might be one of the only people who notices the very minute differences. It's crazy how much black and white makes the intensity of Derek's stare just pop. There is no doubt what his expression is as you can tell so much more from the eyes than any other facial feature.

Project 365: #130 - A Father's Love

130 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I had a cool opportunity to go back to finish a session that just wasn't able to be completed on Saturday. I was so glad I was able to. Reese is just adorable but what I really enjoyed was seeing the way her dad, Jason, adores her. It is priceless and a big reason I love doing sessions with little ones. The parents eyes light up when they see a smile. It's sort of contagious. I am so fortunate to capture such amazingly precious moments. I know that these kind of photos will NEVER get old. I just want to take this opportunity to thank Jessica and Jason for having me out to help capture Reese while she is still little. Heaven knows it won't be that way forever!

Project 365: #129 - Walk by the Lakes

So today, I felt inspired to try something new. It is not just because I could but because I had so many photos to choose from today. I tried. I really tried. Ok, maybe not nearly as much as I could but ultimately, I think it was the best choice. So, I will keep this short and let the video tell the story. Enjoy!

Project 365: #128 - Lending a Hand

128 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today rather than listen to a sermon, we went around the community helping out with various organizations. It was awesome to get to see what all we were doing as a church community. This photo was actually taken at the last place I stopped by, PRISM, People Responding in Social Ministry. The group here was helping with a variety of tasks including moving cars. I took this opportunity to practice backlight shooting. With this photo I wanted them slightly illuminated which proved tricky with the stark contrast between the lighting inside and outside. It often produces a silhouette which isn't what I wanted, so after experimenting, I finally produced this. I really like the subtle details that stand out so I will consider this a success. Whatever will tomorrow bring? We shall see!

Project 365: #127 - Reese

127 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today was the first of many sessions to come this... summer. It's hard to say that word when it is in the 40s and rainy. Soon enough. Well despite the weather, I had the awesome pleasure of doing a fun session today with this cute little one. She is a doll and such a sweetie. She was a real trooper too, going through multiple outfit and location changes. She handled it like a real pro, even baring it all. I so love photographing the little ones. They just have so much pure joy and wonderment. This photo is just a sample of more to come by the end of the week. They will all be on the website, so stay tuned for the announcement of when they are up to view.

Project 365: #126 - Product of Rain

126 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

After not feeling all that excited about the rain, I somehow saw something that I hadn't paid much attention to. What does rain produce? Oh that's right. LIFE! The green stuff. That which I have longed for all winter. It's here and it happened so quickly, I haven't even had the time to appreciate it. Well rest assured that I do fully appreciate leaves on trees and grass growing. I actually really like the photos it allows for such as the one shown. Light and leaves create some stunning bokeh. This will not be lost on me. In fact, this has inspired me to use trees and/or bushes in the photo session tomorrow with an adorable 6 month old. Let the fun begin!

Project 365: #125 - All About the Lincolns



125 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.



Sorry this one is a day late. You can thank Blogger for that as they were having issues yesterday. Anyway, yesterday was rainy and cold (relatively speaking) so I was better off capturing the image around the house. I saw a nice stack of dollar bills that I had left on the table and instantly saw the shot. It is about as simple a shot as there is, but it also is among my personal favs. It has really good color and depth of field. The one thing this photo reminds me of though is that if pictures are worth a thousand words and are supposed to tell a story; what is the story here? I want to work much more on telling a good story with more of my images. I think this is ironic, but Lincoln has been called somewhat of a good storyteller, but yet his face is hidden in this shot, just as is the potential story of the photo.

Project 365: #124 - PB & Chair

124 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I have made a point of taking my camera with me as much as possible. Today was an example of how photos can present themselves in the strangest of ways. I mean, when do you ever expect to see a piece of bread with peanut butter spread on it just sitting on a chair and in the office no less. It just doesn't happen. Well, it did today for me and I was there camera in hand, ready to shoot. I went for more of an abstract composition and am pretty pleased with the end result. I can honestly say, I never thought I might take a photo of such a randomly placed object but I do enjoy these opportunities. It can be better to just capture the randomness of everyday life than take a posed setup shot. And this coming from a guy who does photography as a side job.

Project 365: #123 - Backlit Bimmer

123 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

After running and errand at the mall, I noticed this very picturesque scene created as the sun emerged from behind a large bank of clouds. As I approached my vehicle I was presented with this prize of a vehicle, a BMW. I couldn't help notice how the BMW had an awesome reflection from the sun behind it. It was really as awesome as it looks. The clouds were overhead and starting to dump want became one heck of a hailstorm, so I had minimal time to setup and take the photo. It was a very tight aperture but still I was able to take the shot without a tripod. I suppose the sun can be helpful. Who knew?! Now, for those of you who think I am mistaken in my word selection for nickname of a BMW, ask a true aficionado. I know I had to!

Project 365: #122 - Silky Water

122 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

I've been thinking about doing this kind of photo since the start of the project, but as you might imagine, that isn't all that possible until the water is in its liquid form. It was a gorgeous day, hovering in the 60s and 70s. To get this shot, I had to wait until the sun was all but set so I could do a long exposure to get the silky effect without overexposing. Unfortunately, this was the only "waterfall" I could make it to tonight but rest assured, as soon as I can I'll be taking a similar shot of Minnehaha Falls and the many waterfalls that are scattered along the north shore of Lake Superior. I really do enjoy these type of photos but color is an aspect to them that is difficult to perfect. Always something I want to work on!

Project 365: #121 - Pigtails

121 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today after church this cute little one was sitting on the table playing with her mom's purse and flowers, but paid those no attention as soon as I pointed the camera in her general direction. She was full of life and loved, LOVED, the camera. She kept giggling and turning and was just a bunch of joy. Somer days I think awhile on what kind of shot and take time to compose and expose the shot properly. Other times, as today, I just point and shoot with minimal attention paid to what the camera is set at. Now, obviously, I almost always am aware of my camera settings, but sometimes only enough to make sure I get the type of shot I want. This photo was shot with a lot of noise because of the indoor lighting but that's what Lightroom is for. I don't always get the shot to look exactly how I want, but postprocessing can make up for it. I really do enjoy photographing children. They are just so much fun!

Project 365: #120 - Yellow Card

120 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Tonight I made it out to my first soccer game of the season. This is not MLS caliber but it is quite a high level of play and competition. The NSC Minnesota Stars, formerly the Thunder, recorded their fourth draw of the young season against Ft. Lauderdale. Rather than showing a photo of one of the two goals or countless headers, I had to show this photo of the ref handing out one of the many yellow cards. The unfortunate thing was that he was horrible, missing calls that were needed to be made and calling fouls where there was no contact at all. In fact, the referee handed Simone Bracalello (pictured) a second card, resulting in a red card, in the closing minutes on what may have been his worst call of the night. This photo says it all for those who were at the game. The referee has this smug look while Bracalello is doing his best to not react. It was a pathetic game of officiating but still a very entertaining game of soccer!

Project 365: #119 - Late Tee Time

119 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Ok, so maybe I have an affinity for benches and sunsets. Today I intentionally walked 3.5 miles to this spot and back for this shot. Their is a trail that runs from the cities out west for at least 60 miles. For part of it, it dissects this golf course. It's the easiest access to a course without bringing a set of clubs. I was also very intentional about time of day as I wanted to be there right as the sun was getting ready to set. The photo was fun to take and provided me the longest walk I've taken in almost a year. It was well worth it to enjoy the 70 degree weather and the smell of bonfires and barbecues that were going on in almost all the backyards the trail passes. Now, there is plenty I would like to do differently including using a different lens. I would have loved a narrower aperture to get better focus throughout. Oh well. Enough of my perfectionist tendencies.

Project 365: #118 - Siesta

118 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

After a good night of eating and drinking, it is rather obvious that the Cinco de Mayo celebration is not complete without the siesta. In fact, as I'm writing this and looking at the photo, my eyes are half open. It is easy to forget the effects of good Mexican food and margaritas on the body. I feel lethargic and very sleepy. I really do like this photo though because it seems to communicate the feeling of relaxation, or in this case, exhaustion. It does so best in black and white because removing color helps those viewing this to look at it in a different way. Ok, I seem to be lacking any real ability to make any resemblance of sense, so I bid you all a final Happy Cinco de Mayo and goodnight!

Project 365: #117 - Grillin'

117 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Tonight's photo cries "SUMMER!" and that is the reason it made the cut. It has been a little bit since my last food photo so I thought it was about time. Looking at the mushrooms and chicken as I write this makes my mouth water. Too bad cameras don't provide the opportunity to smell all the flavors on the grill. It was a treat. The only knock on this photo is the monotone nature of it. Too much black and white and gray tones can get boring but the shallow depth of field made up for a bit. As the days get longer and the temps keep rising (fingers crossed), expect to see more photos that represent Minnesota summers. It's coming!

Project 365: #116 - Sisterly Love

116 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Attempt #2 at the photo shoot with the Marr sisters took place today and it was much more successful. The weather was hovering around 60 degrees and only a slight breeze. We were able to spend more time around Wayzata and got some really good photos, including the one that was the reason for the session. This photo,however, was a fun one the girls did spur of the moment. Sometimes the best photos come out of random moments of silliness. It was a blast watching Anna, Halle and Taylor interact. Ah, sisters. I actually enjoyed the moments of bickering. It was quite entertaining. As alluded to, there is "the photo" of the session, and I'll be posting it after the weekend. Don't want to accidentally ruin a gift.

Project 365: #115 - Under the Rim

115 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today's photo is much more about the sky than the basketball hoop. In fact, that is the reason I decided to go outside. There was a minimal break in the clouds allowing the deep blue sky to show through. I couldn't just take a shot of the blue sky so I looked around for something of interest. Well to my surprise, the orange of the rim and the shape of the backboard did just the trick. It's not everyday you get a chance to look at an object in a new way. I mean, honestly, when was the last time you stood under the hoop and looked straight up? It's not a particularly stunning shot but rather, it is something interesting and with a uniqueness. Change the way you look at the world!

Project 365: #114 - Sisters

114 of 365, a photo by caliguyinmn on Flickr.

Today's photo is owed to Anna, Halle and Taylor. It was brutally cold with wind gusting uncontrollably, yet these 3 decided to go for it anyway. We only were able to be out for a short while, but we got a couple shots in. I really thought that this photo came out well because I know how windy it was and their hair looked fine. What I wish is that it was warmer, duh. It would have been really nice if the trees were full of green leaves and the sky was blue, but I made the best of it. Now, let's just hope for the second attempt on Tuesday. God, please allow for warm weather. Thank you!