Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

After a wonderful afternoon movie with my loving daughter, a pretty flower shot!

 

Penstemon

 

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Camera Nikon D40
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/4.0

Tender Hearts

Tender Hearts
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Paradise was made for tender hearts ~ Voltaire

Deep within the strength of stone there can found the tears of a heart

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More iPhone Madness

Another week and half with the iPhone...

It's been a real mixed bag these few days

• Saturday - Market flowers
• Sunday - Perfect day for a stroll on the beach
• Monday - Preparing the invitations for the upcoming graduation celebration
• Tueday - Turkey on "Light" wheat
• Wednesday - A visit with my cousin and smile from her charming Buddy
• Thursday - Morning light made these dandies unresistable
• Friday - Nikon is idle on the desk
• Saturday - A family gathering at Cupsaw Lake
• Sunday - Rainy day at the station, poor girl had to go into The City for work
• Monday - Another chilly and wet day; toys and snacks shall prevail!

There are tons of apps for the iPhone and I'm having a grand time playing with many of them. The big problem I see is keeping track of what I do as process the photos. There is definitely a conflict between my Technical and Creative selves. The technical wants to observe and record each and every step along way while the creative side is just in there doing and playing! Oh well, I am a Gemini... so that's bound to happen.

Have a great week and until next time... Live, Laugh, Love!

Catching up on April

Catching up on April
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

1. A Touch of New England, 2. Who's Ugly Now?, 3. Chillin', 4. Spring in Bloom, 5. Some Bunny Needs Love, 6. Good Morning Earlybird, 7. MiniEggs Galore, 8. Fresh Fruit, 9. Tulip, 10. Hyacinth, 11. Maddox - Afternoon Light, 12. Outside the market - #pansies #flower #lux #squaready, 13. Flower Basket

I've been concentrating on using only the iPhone for shooting and editing my 365 for April. While the iPhone is a very simple camera to use, I think it offers great opportunities to expand one's creativity. There are many apps available to assist in capturing the photo that tells the story. As I experiment and explore I hope to share my findings and improve my photography skills.

Somebody's Fool

Somebody's Fool
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Happy April Fool's Day

Yesterday afternoon the light was hitting this figurine on the shelf... He belonged to my mother, when Mom passed my aunt took this little guy as a memory from my mother. He came back to me last May, now he holds memories of Mom and Aunt Lillie for me. This close-up of his face just reminds me of Mom, I think it's the little smile.

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Camera Awesome
Exposure 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture f/2.4
PSE for resolution adjustment

Bidding March Farewell

The last week has just zoomed right by... I can not believe it's already April! Here's what I've been up to

Clearly, the iPhone has taken over my life... 3 out of 5 of these were taken with it. We are definitely at the dawn of the age of mobile photography and the iPhone is just the beginning. It's amazing to me that the iPhone 4 is the most popular camera on Flickr today. iPhones also are the top 4 most popular camera phones, followed closely by the Android based Samsung Galaxy S II in the fifth spot and is gaining popularity.

iPhoneography is taking the world by storm, more importantly the age of phoneography is upon us. As new smartphones are developed they are featuring improved camera performance and increased application development. Photography has become fun and hip... and so easy to share it's almost infectious!

MegaMillions Madness

MegaMillions Madness
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

SugarPup: Wow the jackpot is hugh, hope these numbers are the lucky winners...

Rabbit: As they would say in The Hunger Games "May the odds be ever in your favor".


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Camera Awesome

Nothing On

Nothing On
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Quiet Sunday, TV off and reading Catching Fire


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Good Morning Daffy

Good Morning Daffy
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

An early morning errand can lead to delightful little finds... This little gem was there by my driveway waiting to be seen in the early morning sun!

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Instagram #lux #earlybird

Street Stories

Street Stories
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Today I stumbled across a fabulous article on Chase Jarvis' blog - Don't Quit Your Day Job? No Problem A showcase of very touching street photos from a NYC banker with a very serious hobby.

Chris Arnade (Twitter @chris_arnade) is proof that photography, even as a hobby, can clearly touch the heart and tell stories that need to be told. Along the streets of the Bronx there are many stories needed to be told and Chris' Faces of Addiction set on Flickr tells them with great heart and dignity. I was truly moved by this set of photographs, it reminded me of a similar project I had in mind years ago that was inspired by Richie Sambora's Harlem Rain. Chris has inspired me to start planning that project, the time has come and it is now!

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Exposure 0.008 sec (1/120)
Aperture f/2.4

Hot Reads...

Hot Reads...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Jeero is very impressed after reading Hunger Games... he now wants to see the movie! He found the next in the series too.

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Exposure 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture f/3.2

Drums

Drums
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

St. Patrick's Day Parade Bayonne NJ

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Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/5.6

Sugar O'Pup

Sugar O'Pup
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

SugarPup poses with the decorations at the local diner... Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

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No Paws...

No Paws...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

My daughter was holding Maddox on her lap... notice how he looks away from me, me thinks he knows he shouldn't there, and he's paw definitely shouldn't be on the table!

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Decadence

Decadence
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Had a fun night at my Great-nephew's high school fashion show. A night of prizes, gorgeous young Seniors and to finish it off... this awesomeness!

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Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/2.4

Remembering Cranes for Japan

Remembering Cranes for Japan
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

I heard the news today that Japan had another earthquake... and so close to the anniversary of last year's devasting events. I also found it ironic that today's Google Doodle commemorates Akira Yoshizawa the grandmaster of origami.

My heart and prayers go out to all those that suffered the devastation of last year's horror and to those who went through today's horrible reminder!


Today's photo may be a bit of cheat, these were last year's photos compliled into a collage tonight. If you didn't see last year's efforts they are 1000 Cranes for Japan and Update

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Collage - Picasa from last year's Cranes for Japan project

Special thanks to Photobook Girl's recent article on Free Collage Tools for reminding me of this very handy feature in Picasa. BTW, she is far more creative with photobooks and collage than I am and is an excellent source for tips on books!

Finally...

Finally...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

A pose from Maddox, no cookies necessary!

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Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/2.8

Friends

Friends
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Maddox is such a TV Hound... I caught him watching the Friends marathon on Nick @ Nite!

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Exposure 1/15 sec
Aperture f/2.4

Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

SugarPup: Oh yummy, better than the pizzeria!

It's the weekend and we're needing just a bit of a treat. Whole wheat pizza with fat free mozzella, turkey sausage, and onions.

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Exposure 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture f/2.4

Whoa... Windows 8?

Whoa... Windows 8?
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Yotsuba's introduction to Windows 8 left her confused...

Yotsuba: Oh my, what have they done? I don't know where all my stuff is, how will I get my work done?

SugarPup is going to have to get this figured out and give her some tips and tricks on using the new technology!

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Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/2.8