Trees

Trees against the sky as we drove back home from the beach.  I didn't even realize they were in rows until I looked at this picture.

Sandy Hands

I love this picture because it shows how we do beaches in Washington.  Swim trunks and bikinis?  No way!  Its all about jeans, beanies, and rain coats on the Washington Coast.

Cribbage

15-2, 15-4, nobs for 5.

Stickers

I came across a guy who had a vinyl cutter and could cut some stickers for me.  So I had some Joel Miranda Photography stickers made up.  I figured I enjoy stickers from the brands I enjoy, why not get one for my own 'brand' that I enjoy so lets go ahead and get some made.

Here comes the rain again

Falling on my head like a memory.  And if my memory serves me correct, its been a long time since it rained.  The rain turned into snow in the mountains.  I think 3-4 inches fell while I was there.

Mt. Si

Another long exposure picture at night.  I really enjoyed doing these types of picture.  It's such a long exposure I tend to notice more around me while I'm waiting for the picture to take and then the camera to process.  The cold air on my face.  How dark it is in the woods.  The snapping of a twig from some animal walking in the woods.  It sounded like a pretty big twig.  What kind of animal was that?  Was it an animal?  I didn't stick around to find out...



Also picked up a new car the other day.  2005 Subaru Legacy Outback Ltd.  Yeah baby we're now a two Subaru household.

The Method

Did you go out and play today?  I did.

Kennedy Bday

I remember being a kid.  Playing in the woods building forts.  Playing in the snow.  Playing with cars..  Painting pictures.  Funny, I still play in the woods, still play in the snow, still play with cards, and still paint pictures (albeit with a camera and not crayola watercolors). 

Here's to still being a kid...

Where are you going?

Are you looking for answers, to questions under the stars?
If along the way you are growing weary,
You can rest with me until a brighter day
It's okay
 
-Dave Matthews Band, Where are you Going? 

Starry Night

A star picture is something I've always wanted to try.  Had a clear night and set the camera out on the patio for a long exposure. 

In the details

Sometimes what I like about a photo isn't necessarily that its all in focus or contrasty or composed well.  Sometimes its a small thing in the details.

Transportation

So over on nasioc.com, we have photo assignments for the local chapter.  The assignment ended on 2/15, but I took this one too late to get processed and posted online.

The main goal of this project is to 'see' more creatively in any given situation.  I feel like I'm getting better at that.  One of the sub goals though is to find subject matter that I can focus on.  Am I a landscape photographer?  A portrait photographer? Still life? Automotive?  Hopefully over the rest of the year I find that piece of the puzzle.

Valentine's Day in the snow

Today was a special Valentine's Day.  I felt like we got away from the marketing of this day, the expectations of this day.  It was nice to just get out and enjoy some time in the snow.

Elliott was playing in this hole in the snow and when she popped her head out, she looked like was sticking her little head out of a den that she burrowed into.  I couldn't not take a picture.


This dog, she likes to play fetch.  Its annoying at times because she'll bring you leaves if you don't throw anything.  Its nice though, because I know how to get her attention when I want it.

Painting

Why does time go by faster as you get older?  Is it because we have so many different responsibilities as we get older?  We're always moving on to the next thing to check off of our 'to do' list?  Less concerned by how much time is left in the day, but more by how many things can I accomplish today.  Then worrying about how much I can get done tomorrow.  When do we get to slow down again?

Roses

Well, its certainly near that time when folks are buying roses (and maybe taking pictures of them).  What I like about shooting roses (maybe flowers in general) is that its a challenge to just get the light right.  There are so many different angles and lines that cast different shadows.  I think it would've been nice to get the stems more exposed, but it would've been at the cost of overexposing the actual flowers.  I could probably retry this with some off camera lights. 

Just keep going...

Y'know, for as little snowfall we've seen in the mountains around here, I still have a good time going.  There have been a couple days where we took 3 runs or less and went to the bar.  Beyond that though I'v had a lot of fun.  That's the beauty of living so close to Snoqualmie Pass and having a season pass there.  If the weather is iffy, you just go up and see how it is.  It may be more fun than you think.  If it sucks, you just hit the bar or head home.  I know people who have become destination riders.  They aren't really interested in riding unless they're taking a vacation somewhere.  I can't understand that.  I'd rather have a bunch of less than perfect days where I can still have fun and learn a thing or two than have a handful of days and just cruise.  and that handful of days may still be less than perfect.

My only day so far at Alpental this year:

Happy Birthday!

So its my birthday and I didn't really feel like taking any pictures.  I worked all day and volunteered on the mountain.  Did really have any time to sit and relax.  So I had to dig in and find something to shoot.  What I found is that once I started, i wanted to try all sorts of different angles.  Try to see it differently.  Which is what the main goal of this project is anyway.  So maybe I'll learn something after all.  In the end, one of the early pictures was the one I liked most. 

Smile!

This picture went something like this:
Smile!
Ok, not as big.
Ok, bigger than that.
Ok, too big and keep your eyes open.
Almost, little more.
Ok, look at the camera.
Ok, show me some teeth.
*sigh*
Smile!

The kids

Before Elliott was born, I never really understood how kids can bring joy to your life.  I do now.

This is Elliott and the Harper kids (http://www.kellyharperphotography.com/).

The South Pacific

Going to see shows is a weird thing for me.  It's never anything I want to spend money on but when I do go, I really enjoy it.  Its kind of like Peanut M&Ms.  I won't spend money on them, but I'll eat them when they are available.  This show was fantastic.

Lucy

This is Lucy's "can we just go to bed now?" look.

Parking Garage

I think one of the things I really like about taking pictures of my car is that its always willing to be a photo subject for me.  I've wanted to do a full on car shoot in this garage.  I still haven't done it yet, but i've snapped a few.

Into the Light

I took this while volunteering for Chill.org at Snoqualmie Pass.  How awesome is this program?  Take kids up to the hill and expose them to Snowboarding.  The program provides Boots, Boards/Bindings, Helmet, and outerwear.  Lessons are taught by instructors from the Summit at Snoqualmie.  As a volunteer, I get to just hang out with the Chill kids and shred the gnar.