Member Voice for January 7 - Macro Shot of your Town

The theme for January 7 is Macro Shots of your Town by Jarielyn.

 

 

In her words:

Macro shots aren't just for flowers and bugs.  How about capturing the details of your town by getting up close and personal with the architecture that makes up the buildings in your town. It could be anything from a doorknob to a window display.  Whatever you find interesting enough to get a closer look and to capture with your camera's eye.  It will be lots of fun to get a zoomed in perspective of your town.

 

 

 

Not really a macro shot but the closest I could come. :-)
photo by Doreen

 

Double Takes With Rebecca: Frame Your Photo

One way to add interest to your photos is to frame them before you take them!

So obviously I am not talking about a wooden frame with glass,

I am talking about using the environment to create a frame for your subject.

Below is an example - this photo was taken by Kerry who is one of our participants.

She framed the people & landscape using the tree branch, trunk and shadow.
Nice job Kerry!

Here is a sample of a photo I took of a cannon, framed by a cannon, taken with my Canon!

And here is a photo taken by my brother in law, John Hardy, in Linderhof.

And finally, think a little outside the box too...

On your next photo excursion,
look around for some environmental frames you can include to enhance your image.

Spotlight Photos ~ Christmas Traditions ~ and Member Voice for December 31!

Wow! I am falling way behind here. I have been so busy with the Christmas season, family and friends that I haven't posted like usual.

Member Voice for December 31....

 Happy New Year!! Another celebration. A new year, a new you, new beginnings, new town. What is new, changing, evolving. New in your town or new with you if you care to share. Is there something new and exciting going on in your town? or something that is drastically changing? (and is the change for the better or not so good)

On to the Spotlight Photos for December 24 ~ Christmas Traditions ~

 GingerV

 

 Jama

Kerry

J9 the winter death of a rose.......

 not really a photo of Christmas Traditions but .....

 the end of another year

and the beginning of a new one

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

 

Spotlight Photos The Color Red and Member Voice for Christmas

Everyone had such fantastic posts of the color red. I don't know how you all feel, but I really enjoy cruising around and seeing how everyone interprets the theme so differently from each other. Here we go!!

SS

Dawn

Elaine, also our latest "In The Limelight" interviewee. 

Kim, cute PJ'S!

Gayla

CTG Sue

Our theme for this week is Christmas. Christmas is celebrated worldwide. How is Christmastime celebrated in your part of the world. 

Christmas is a favorite of winter celebrations, a time for beloved traditions that are honored year after year. A time of hope for the future and reminiscing of Christmases past. 

Caroling, feasting, and gift-giving along with the prayers and wishes - Christmas is celebrated with high spirits in various parts of the world.

As we rejoice in the birth of Christ, we're reminded of just how special the day truly is. It's no wonder why Christmas is the most popular holiday of all! 

We are all very busy this time of year, especially this week. Hope you all can find a few minutes to post what your Christmas tradition or family fun time is. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!

In The Limelight

 This month our guest interview is with Elaine Dale. You can visit her at A Scattering.

Photography

When did the photo bug bite you?

I think I was about 8 years old. My Dad inherited a 35mm camera from my uncle and it was the first time I’d seen such a complex looking camera and such crisp photos. I was totally intrigued. I didn’t get to use it but it put the idea of having a camera of my own became a goal.

What was your first camera and what do you use now?

The Christmas I was 13 I got my first camera - a Kodak that used roll film and flash bulbs. Within a year or two I switched to a Kodak Instamatic that used 126 cartridges and flash cubes. I now have a collection of cameras that includes a couple of Instamatic models.

These days I use a Canon SX100 that I bought 3 years ago. I love the fact that I can pop it in my jacket pocket and take it anywhere. I leave the bigger, heavier equipment to my husband, Geoff, who used a Canon Rebel.

Have you ever taken any photography courses?

I took one evening class course in photography in the early 1980s so it was based on 35mm photography. I haven’t taken a digital course.

What inspires you to turn on the camera, the gotta have it shot?

More often than not, it’s the light, “ plain and simple“. I could have the most interesting subject in the world in front of me but if I’m not inspired by the light I might pass on the shot. Not always a good decision.

What is on your equipment wish list?

My camera has 10x optical zoom, I’d eventually like a compact camera with a higher optical zoom.

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?

Yes, and it is still my favourite photo. Circa 1978 I visited the Long Point Lighthouse in Twillingate, Newfoundland with a friend of mine and we climbed to the top where the light is located. I took a photo through the glass dome with the light mechanism in the corner and broken ice visible through the dome.

Blogging

Blogging since …..  July 2010

Why did you start blogging?

One of my cousins let me know that she had started a blog. Her blog inspired me and the rest is history.

Is there a story behind the name of your blog?

I wanted to share a variety of my photos with my family and friends and thought that A Scattering summed it up nicely.

What does blogging mean to you now?

My blog has really become an outlet for me to share my photos with Followers, as well as my friends and family. Often other photographers will provide useful feedback and that’s something I really appreciate.

What advice would you give to a new blogger?

Take your time setting up your format/template, familiarize yourself with the process. Also, be sure to read and preview your posts a number of times before you hit Publish!

Do you have a favorite time of the day to write posts?

I tend to post in the early evening, just after dinner or sometimes during lunch hour at work.

Have you set any goal about your blog? Anything you want to achieve with it?

I hope my photos will inspire people to travel to the locations I’ve shot or to open their eyes to the beauty in their own surroundings.

From the start I hoped to reach 100 Followers and I hover just above that. But that’s a shallow goal.

What are your favorite places to visit on the web that aren’t blogs?

Facebook, Iceberg Radio, CBC Radio.

Guest Interview Questions

From NanU:
 

Do you ever comment on a blog to disagree with it? If not, why not?

No, I don’t comment to disagree on blogs. Maybe it’s a by-product of being Canadian, I’m too polite.

From Mark:

What is the most difficult struggle you have had with something you didn't like about yourself and how did you overcome it?

I used to find myself being volunteered for tasks, committees etc. that I had little or no interest in. Finally about 15 years ago I learned to say I’m flattered you’ve asked, thank you but no, I’m not the person for the job.

From Redlan:

Can you take a look outside and describe the view at this moment?

It’s a very cold 2 degrees Celsius, there’s a fair bit of cloud in the sky but it’s sunny as well. It’s 3:40 pm and it’s very quiet here on my residential downtown street.

Personal

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

The Highlands in Scotland.

What would you like to teach others?

History

Which adjectives best describe you?

Outgoing but appreciative of quiet. Good-humoured.

What is happiness to you?

Knowing my family and friends are healthy and happy.

Do you have any special talents; such as singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument?

Zip, nada, zero. I wish I could sing.

What are your basic stats that you would like to share?

I’m 55 years old, married 27 years to Geoff a freelance writer. I’m an Administrative Assistant with an agency that provides behavioural and assessment services to individuals who have developmental disabilities  I’m the keeper of the statistics, I’m a numbers nerd.
 

What is your favourite thing about yourself?

My red hair, which now has natural highlights (white hair!)

Favourite saying or quotation: (or any comment you would like to make)

Oh, for the love of God! pops out of my mouth MANY time in the run of a day. I’m not being blasphemous, I’m asking for help!

Thank you Elaine for being our interview for December.

Spotlight Photos ~ 10 Minutes From Home ~

December is a very busy month for everyone. This has shown up in our decline of "shooters" each week. Getting ready for the Holidays, family and friends visiting and shopping to do, whether picking out a special gift or shopping the market for dinner delectables. Thanks to everyone that is still taking the time to post on our weekly themes with all of the busy schedules. 

Jama

 Gayla

Ginger

Pauline

Lena

This weeks theme (December 17) is the color RED. Mark may be posting "10 Minutes From Home" though. But don't quote me on that!! :-)

Spotlight Photos ~ Thankful ~

 J9

 What could we be more thankful for than the little ones. Our futures.

 Pauline

 The innocence. So carefree. Precious.

Mark

Member Voice for December 10 - 10 Minutes from Home

The theme for December 10th is a little different than what we are use to. 10 Minutes from Home. You can travel any way you would like, just let us know how you ended up 10 minutes from home.  Walking, bike, drive a car, maybe ride a horse! (I bet Kerry has already thought of that one!) After you get 10 minutes from home, show us what is there. So, in a way, this is a mystery for all of us!

I can't wait to see everyone's posts.

Happy Shooting!!

Spotlight Photos ~ Favorite Shop ~

This was a very enjoyable theme. I loved everyone's posts and thoughts on your favorite shop.

In no particular order:

NanU. this photo intrigues me. what are they talking about? are they drooling over the goodies? are they discussing how much money they have to buy a favorite treat? or just passing by and what caught their attention...... 

 Dawn. I like the three tiers, colorful, sitting on the chair. the one foot of the doll hanging over the top of the chair. the sticks in the bottom left corner. more doll legs in the background. the mat in the doorway. the sprig of evergreen at the top of the three tiers.

 Jama. I could be in this mall for a week! probably because I would be lost and could not find my way out. :-) amazing shot!

 Kerry. a great entrance to a shop. the color and the name. first impressions. must bring in tons of shoppers.

Sue CTG. a scene out of an old movie. everything out on the sidewalk entrance. the tilt of the umbrellas out front. once again, color! I would have to go inside and see what is there. 

Fantastic job everyone! We have the best little group of shooters!!

Happy Shooting!!

Member Voice for December 3 - Thankful!

 December already? Well, in a few days it will be. The theme for December 3rd is, in general, what are people most thankful for in your town? 

This can be a variety of meanings to everyone. This could be a person, an event, a building, what a group of people are doing in the town, gifts to the town,  etc.  Or personally, what are you most thankful for in your town.

Definitions of Thankful ........ 

a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive

feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

HAPPY SHOOTING!!

Double Takes With Rebecca: On the Horizon

Is there a horizon in your photo?

Remember...There is a time and place to break every photographic rule!
But break them on purpose, not in ignorance of them.

Here's a tip...Horizons should be level.

Unless you are suffering from a case of vertigo,

it is how we see the world.

A crooked horizon is interpreted as...careless?

So what to do when you have a great sunset shot but the horizon is crooked?

Fix it!

There are free editing programs that provide easy to use straightening tools.

I have used Picasa (a free download from Google)

and Picnik (a mostly free online editing site, for "Premium" editing use it is ~$24/year)

There are many creative uses for applying a slanted horizon.

Plan for those uses and the rest of the time,

keep it straight.

Above I tried to accentuate the downhill feel by slanting the [horizon] line behind the skateboarder.

Another tip: Horizons should not cut through the center of the photo.

The 'norm' when taking a photo is to center the horizon right through the middle of your shot.

This is very predictable and very symmetrical....and well, dare I say...boring?

Generally speaking, your photo will be more appealing if you keep your horizon 

on the lower third or upper third of your photo.  

I like to place the horizon low to accentuate big sky.

This goes hand in hand with The Rule of Thirds.

The Rule of Thirds says that rather than center your subject right in the middle of your photo,

place your subject on one of the intersecting lines that would be created if you divided the photo into thirds horizontally and vertically.

Something to try:

Take some photos of the horizon with a well placed subject (tree, building, etc.)  

Frame it out so your subject is placed according to The Rule of Thirds and take multiple photos.  

First, the horizon high. Top 1/3rd.

Second, the horizon middle.

Third, the horizon low. Bottom 1/3rd.

When you look at your shots on your computer compare the different 'feel' of each photo.

Do you sense a different interpretation of distance?

How does the foreground and/or sky affect the photo in each?

Here is a related tip I picked up from Digital Photography School.
"If you have a bland, boring sky – don’t let it dominate your shot and place the horizon in the upper third of your shot (however you’ll want to make sure your foreground is interesting). However if the sky is filled with drama and interesting cloud formations and colors – let it shine by placing the horizon lower." 

And excluding the horizon is an option too!  

It helps create a sense of endlessness.

These are some very simple things to keep in mind 

 which will dramatically increase your satisfaction in your work

Happy Thanksgiving!

Spotlight Photos ~ Temptation ~

So many of you are tempted by ...........

photo by Anne

cakes! chocolates! sweets! bakeries! 

and ....... there were a few that are tempted by .......... 

everything Christmas!

and many have a book temptation.

 photo by Dawn

many are drawn towards and can't pass an ........... 

antique shop! photo by CTG Sue

One has a unusual temptation. She can't pass up a ..........

photo by JarieLyn

and yes, dear visitors and shooters...... even animals have temptations. 

photo by Lena

 her cat is tempted to eat the plants!


 Fantastic shoot out everyone!

Take a peek at NanU's member voice on this weeks theme ........ Favorite Shop. 

As an added shot, add a photo of the main street of your town.

Member Voice for November 26 - Favorite Shop by NanU

I combined two shoot outs because they were so similar. I combined Main Street/ Store Fronts with NanU Favorite Shop/Store.

Here are her thoughts on the theme.

Favorite shop, well, show us what you like about it. Inside, outside. Maybe some people who work there and what they sell or do. 

 

Also I thought it would be fun to show us a shot of your main street. 

 

 

 

Happy Shooting!!

Spotlight Photos Over Your Head

Well I have to tell you .... you all did a top notch shoot out for this theme. I had the hardest time deciding on "Spotlight Photos". From time to time I will be changing the header shot with photos from our shoot outs.

Kim

Nicolle

Cheri

CTG Sue

Heather

Little Chit Chat.........

I want to thank all who have been our guest interviews for "In The Limelight". I sometimes forget to do that.

Be sure to check out "Double Takes with Rebecca". She will be having another post later this month.

Heads up on the Future Topics list. I have made a few changes. Hope this doesn't mess anyone up. And as always, if you have any suggestions for future topics, email me or leave a comment here.

I see we have had a few new "shooters" lately. If you are not on the member list and would like to be, let me know how you would like your name and location listed and the url to your blog. 

Thanks to everyone that has been hanging in there and posting FMTSO shoot outs. There has been quite a few changes here and there but many of you have been loyal "shooters". I enjoy getting to know more and more about you all and learning about your part of the world. We are a FMTSO Family!!

In The Limelight

Our guest interview for this month is Scriptor Senex from the United Kingdom. Rambles from my Chair is just one of many places you can visit him. 

Photography

When did the photo bug bite you?

When I was about ten.  My father, brother and uncle were all photographers and Dad allowed me to use his spare camera when we went on holiday to Scotland around 1960.

What was your first camera and what do you use now?

A folding bellows Kodak which took an unusual size roll film - 116 - which got progressively harder to purchase.

Have you ever taken any photography courses? 

No, but I have read quite a lot of photography books over the years.

What inspires you to turn on the camera, the gotta have it shot?

Principally natural history - butterflies, dragonflies, animals and so on.  I must have taken literally hundreds of photos of Red Admiral butterflies over the years.

What is on your equipment wish list?

Nothing.  I am fortunate enough to have all I want at the moment.

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?

Yes, It was a photograph of a bank of snow in the winter of 1963 - in black and white, of course.  Because of the difficulty of capturing snow on black and white I had not expected it to be as good as it turned out.

Blogging

Blogging since ..... 2005 on my natural history and holiday blogs but only since 2007 on my Rambles from my Chair blog.

Why did you start blogging?

Initially I wanted to use the blogs to keep a record of birds and insects seen in our garden.  From there it progressed to records of holidays and then on to 'Rambles' which is a total miscellany.

Is there a story behind the name of your blog?

I enjoy rambling and taking photos of the places I have been and the creatures I have seen there.  The process of then putting it on a blog seemed to call for the title 'Rambles from my Chair' which also gives a hint of miscellaneous nature of the blog by using ramble in the sense of meandering through different subjects.

What does blogging mean to you now?

At times - especially at this moment while I am having computer problems - an obligation which I could do without.  See next answer..

What advice would you give to a new blogger?

Blog at your own pace and what you want to blog - do not get into the situation where a day or a week of failing to blog (or failing to read other people's blogs) makes you feel guilty.  Blogging should be an enjoyable process used for your own satisfaction.  Also - don't take to heart adverse comments if you ever get them, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 

Do you have a favorite time of the day to write posts?

Usually very early in the morning.

Have you set any goal about your blog? Anything you want to achieve with it?

No.  Other than, in the case of 'Rambles from my Chair', to make it random and fun so that all the people who kindly follow it enjoy coming back for more; and my word blog where I try to post a word a day.

What are you favorite places to visit on the web that aren’t blogs?

Google Maps,  BBC News, and sites that explain the meanings of some of our more obscure words and phrases.

Guest Interview Questions

From NanU:

Do you ever comment on a blog to disagree with it? If not, why not?

Yes but I always try to make my disagreement tactful and to make the point that just because I disagree doesn't mean I'm right.

From Mark:

What is the most difficult struggle you have had with something you didn't like about yourself and how did you overcome it?

Ouch.  That's a bit painful - it assumes I have overcome it.  I think my difficulty in suffering fools gladly.  If I haven't overcome it I hope that at least it doesn't show.

Personal

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I am not a great traveler - I have never been outside the UK - but if I were ever to venture further afield it would probably be to Paris with the Grand Canyon a close second.

What would you like to teach others?

The fun and benefits of a Latin education.  I really regret its disappearance from the modern syllabus.

Which adjectives best describe you?

Perhaps someone else should really answer this but I suppose enthusiastic, caring and with a dry sense of humour are the ones I would hope they came up with.  (And no doubt pedantic would feature in there somewhere!)

What is happiness to you?

Getting so absorbed in a pastime - be it photography, watching wildlife, blogging or reading - that I forget pain which, regrettably, I suffer from constantly.

Do you have any special talents; such as singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument?

I can sing if there are 12,000 other members of the Kop (Liverpool Football Club's supporters) around me;  I seem to recall dancing, after a fashion, twenty odd years ago; I can play the first few bars of Beethoven's Fur Elise on the piano.  In other words - No.

What are your basic stats that you would like to share?

Male, age 61,  5' 9" and shrinking, slim, bespectacled, and with less hair than yesterday...

Is there a question you would like asked in the guest interview for the next person?

No - I think They have enough to cope with..

Besides blogging or photography, what is your favorite thing to do?

Reading and watching wildlife.

Favorite saying or quotation: (or any comment you would like to make)

The trouble with being punctual is that there is no one there to appreciate it.  Anon.

Member Voice for November 19 - Temptation

Temptation is the act of enticement or allurement, something that tempts, entices, or allures.

A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. 

 

A guilty pleasure is something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Often, the "guilt" involved is simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes, rather than actual moral guilt. Fashion, music^, and food (especially unhealthier foods high in sugar and/or fat) can be examples of guilty pleasures.

Guilty pleasures are the little things that make life just a wee bit better. Of course, they're also the things you're not supposed to like for reasons it may be unhealthy for you or even sometimes harmful or maybe you do to an excess. Think of this in a fun way though shooters, not harmful or hurtful.

 After all........ this blog is rated PG!

What is a temptation for you? The gotta have it if I see or think about it stuff. Here is a list of guilty pleasures I found on the internet:

1. Doritos
2. Cheetos
3. Oreo
4. Winston Red
5. Red Bull 

Have fun and can't wait to see our "shooters" temptations and guilty pleasures from your town. 

Spotlight Photos the Letter N!

Hmmmmm.....

Did I stump you all this time? ;-)

Many mentioned that N was hard to shoot. And I agree! Can't have it easy every week and thanks to the ones that took the challenge.  For the Spotlight Photos I have decided to show the ones that are the more unusual N's.

North by Lena

Newlyweds by Camella

 Namaste by Sarah

 Nutmeg by Jama

 and I don't usually spotlight one of my own, but here is Nourishment