Photography Challenge Day 29: Black & White

2010, Iwo Jima Memorial

In early 2010, Jeff & I decided to take Kiaj & Rhyanne to Washington DC.  I knew I needed to get a new camera - the last time I'd bought a camera was in 1997 when Nathan was born and it just wasn't taking good pictures anymore.

And boy, did I go overboard with the pictures!  Whoo, I took more than 400 pictures that week.

The Iwo Jima Memorial was our last stop on the way outside of town.  I was actually the only person who got out of the truck!  And I played with the functions on my new camera, which has settings for black & white, sepia, and blue tones.

NOW I really want to get a DSLR.  That, my friends, will take some careful research, and monetary planning!  However, when we were in Alaska last month, I lost my camera (a story for another time, my friend).  So, I wonder, how long do I hold off on that new camera?

Does anyone have a digital camera that they just love?  Any suggestions?

Photography Challenge Day 23: Patterns

I've taken a few photos over the years of what I would call "patterns", or backgrounds for photobook or scrapbook pages.

Can you guess what they are?

A.)

B.)

C.)

D.)

E.)

F.)

G.)

H.)

A.)  Evergreen after an ice storm, at Mom & Dad's house, 2009.
B.)  Cave bacon - it's a geological feature in Cave of the Mounds, which I visited with Rylee in 2010.
C.)  A column and the ceiling of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, which I visited with Jeff, Kiaj, & Rhyanne in 2010.  I stood very near that column and pointed straight up.
D.)  An air vent cover at the National Art Museum, Washington DC, also 2010.
E.)  A stone wall, also in DC, also 2010.
F.)  A rock near the shore in Whittier, Alaska, one of our stops on our Alaskan Honeymoon in 2012.
G.)  Trying to photograph water at the Anchorage Zoo, Alaska, 2012.
H.)  Birch tree, also at the Anchorage Zoo, 2012.

Out of all these photos, I think only one or two made their way into photo albums...

Photography Challenge Day 26: Close-up

Flashback to Spring 2010.  Jeff & I took Kiaj & Rhyanne to DC.

Rhyanne took this photo (Extreme Close-Up!!!) when we were at the Memorial to the Declaration of Independence.  You can see all the pretty flowers as well as Rhyanne with the camera, in my sunglasses.

Also, do you see all those freckles?  I just don't see them when I look in the mirror...

Photography Challenge Day 5: After Dark

Again, 2010.  This is as close as we were to the Jefferson Memorial - my favorite.  This was when I learned the value of a tripod...

We weren't allowed to park on the bridge where I took the photo from, so Jeff let me out and drove around.  I think there were police or security guards watching us closely, and right after I got back in the truck and we left, I saw that their patrol vehicle went to where we had been.

All I wanted was some pretty night shots...

Photography Challenge Day 3: Clouds

Washington Monument in Washington DC

I took this photo in 2010.  I so love it!  Someone said that they see a baby, like from a sonogram, in the clouds...

Do you see it?

Once Upon a Time: A story of two sisters

Once upon a time there were sisters who lived in the MidWest.

They went on adventures to exciting places like California,

Pretty, but yeah, I have no idea...

I really don't remember this...

Washington DC,

Jefferson Memorial from Washington Monument

Reflecting Pool & Washington Monument

Mt. Vernon

Monticello

and Iowa.

Amana Colonies

Amana Colonies

Oh, and Wisconsin.
(like I said, "exciting")

Fort Dells

ditto.

They were even known to take in cultural performance, like the 
Ice-Capades.

Okay, this might be Disney on Ice.

One day, the older sister met a boy, fell in love, and got married.  (well, it took more than one day...)

 Both sisters were very happy.

Before they new it, the older sister was a Momma and the younger sister was an Aunt!  (not to be confused with being an ant, which she was not).

Nathan

Rylee

Nathan

Nathan

oh, I'm just smooshing a baby to my face...

Nathan

baby Trekker

More fun followed, including riding the train,

looking at a light house,

birthday parties,

and bowling.

Eventually, the younger sister also met a boy, fell in love, and got married.

Both sisters were, once again, very happy.

(not at all)

The End

(because I'm sure there is much more excitement to come!)