Color Depression Era photos' shown on MailOnline

You have to check out this article.  Here is just one example of over 20 depression era photos.  I've never seen anything like these.  Some are truly amazing.

From the article, "The images, by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, shed a bleak new light on a world now gone with the wind.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388179/Rare-Library-Congress-colour-photographs-Great-Depression.html#ixzz1MjfPVc4F

Her Big Day

First Communion, D90, ISO 200, 50mm, f1.6, 1/2500I recently traveled back to the Cleveland area to witness my goddaughter's First Communion. The funny thing about little girls, any girl really, is that a dress can make all the difference in their perception of the day. Provide a special dress, and the day takes on an entirely different meaning. I could tell that Cora had been looking forward to this day for quite some time. I have to imagine that the dress fittings with her grandmother only reinforced her expectations for the day.

I hope she remembers the day fondly for years to come. I have to admit that I don't remember much from my First Communion. But from the pictures we have, I don't think enjoyed my outfit nearly as much!

With regard to the picture itself, this was my favorite from the morning. The light was good and the bokeh thrown up by the wide aperture really made me smile when I went through the photos later on that night. I took this picture with my 50mm prime lens, almost wide open. One tricky thing for pictures taken with such a wide aperture is keeping the subject in focus. This is something I, and the autofocus on my D90, still struggle with at times. I guess the trick is to shoot lots of photos!

Here is another fun photo from the day...I always like these rather unexpected moments.  I guess kids will always be kids!

Guitar Hero - D90, ISO 1250, 50mm, f12.8, 1/100

"Happiness is a warm puppy!" - Charles Shultz

Fritz - 6 month old German Shorthair Pointer D90, ISO 1600, f4.8, 1/500

I recently took a trip with some friends to Snowshoe, West Virginia.  What a beautiful place!  Unfortunately, I'm not a skier and the weekend's weather didn't lend itself to a first trip down the slopes.  As a result, Fritz and I had the chance to go for a long walk.  After returning from a 2 hour romp through the forest we had about 30 minutes of total calm as Fritz sat looking out the window. While we waited for him to catch his breath I was able to take this shot.  About 10 seconds after taking this one, Fritz was launched another pre-emptive attack on a friend's dog sleeping on the couch!

I really love this picture.  It marks a moment of silence and contemplation for the little guy which were in short supply that weekend.  I think the natural light and relaxed pose really show Fritz at his finest.  Years from now I'll be able look back at this picture, and remember when my old friend didn't even fit into his paws.

If you can afford all the time it takes to raise a puppy (hat tip to Hilary) go out and do it tomorrow.  I wish I could have done it years ago.

Valentine's Day...bah humbug? Not anymore!

 

Valentine's Day...bah humbug? D90, ISO 160 f1.4 1/3

I used to absolutely hate Valentine's day. It seemed to be one of those made up, Hallmark holidays whose real purpose was to separate myself from some hard earned pesos. The past couple of years I've been forced to reevaluate my position on the topic. You see I met this person...and she has shown me how great it can be to have a true valentine. I'm very lucky to have found her at this point in my life. I think I was a hair's breadth away from becoming another "grumpy old man."

Now, while I may still be grumpy, I no longer feel like it's me against the world. I know someone else cares and I owe her the world for that simple thing.

Life seems to work in odd ways but I count my blessings every day and dread the moment that I don't feel lousy about being away from home on the 14th of February. Or on whatever day Valentine's day falls from year to year!

I hope you are as lucky as I am... Hilary, I wish I was in the 'Burgh today to give you a big hug!

You Looking at Me?

National Aviary, D90, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/40
National Aviary, D90, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/40The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is a fun little place to visit.  If you have little kids in tow, it might be a perfect place to visit for an hour or two.  The space itself isn't too big. In fact, if you are in a rush you can blast through the whole place in about an hour.  If you have more time though you can also spend a heck of a lot of time watching the many birds and waiting for that perfect shot.  Nice thing is that in several of the exhibits the birds roam freely throughout the room giving you the chance to grab a pic like this one where there is no cage between you and the bird.

Be watchful though, because it is possible for "presents" to fall from the rafters.  I've heard that these types of presents are considered good luck, but in my book its pretty awful!

I took a lot of pictures this day at the Aviary, and frankly most of them were pretty pedestrian.  This is the only one I really liked.  But that's the great thing about digital cameras...just keep shooting!