Ready?

Ready?
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Yotsuba gathered a gang of friends to get ready to watch the 2012 London Olympics.

We'll be watching the opening ceremonies tonight, my daughter has be anxiously awaiting the show for some time now... she has a thing for Michael Phelps ;-) Looking forward to the show Danny Boyle has put together, it should be very interesting.

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White Plains rain

White Plains rain
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

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A road trip with my daughter and a visit with my brother... afternoon rain was welcome as it cooled down the 99 degree temps.

Dinner - Mostly Cold

Dinner - Mostly Cold
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Too hot to even think of cooking and eating a hot meal!

Chicken sausage & peppers, cucumber salad and Romaine with black olives and mozzarella pearls w/Balsalmic dressing.

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Strawberry & Cream

Strawberry & Cream
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Tried something a little different for breakfast... daughter is always trying something new, it was pretty good too!

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Bizzzzy...

Bizzzzy...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

The bees were out in full force this afternoon... this little guy was in and out of these flowers faster than I could focus!

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Photo Heart Connection - June

Look who followed us home last night
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

June was busy indeed! There were two very important graduation celebrations and they brought the family and friends out to share these special life moments!

My daughter completed her college degree and set off in the world of broadcasting... she worked hard on developing skills and craft in media, may she succeed and be fulfilled!

My great-nephew graduated from HS and will continue on with his education at university!

This photo speaks to me of both their achievements and the beginnings of new adventures... Oh the places they will go!


I planned on sharing this photo with Kateyeview's Photo Heart Connection, but looks like I missed it!

Pick a seat...

Pick a seat...
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

As I posted this photo the song "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" just popped right into my head. It's an oldie and I'll probably be humming it for a week.

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Love is a Shelter

Love is a shelter
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door
No, love in not a fight...but it's something worth fighting for ~ Love is Not a Fight, Warren Barfield

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Celebrating July 4th

Celebrating July 4th
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Today's photo is a composite of two images worked through PSE 9 and then Instagram. This is the first time I've attempted such a thing, I like it... What do you think?

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Tribute

Tribute
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

In memorial of those who gave their all.

Today I'm participating in the Photo-Heart connection for May... I'm sharing this photo I took for Memorial Day in the US. While it's always signified the start of summer and the beginning of the beach season, we must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live freely and in peace. We must remember all they've given and respect the values they fought to protect.

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iPhone Instagram Hefe

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

Always Learning

Always Learning
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Learning is a lifelong process... Despite the fact that I've been using my camera for over 3 years, I continue to learn as much as possible about photography. Today I sat in on a Creative Live session "Photography 101 for Moms", very interesting session for moms to learn the basics, it was fun.

I love attending the sessions at Creative Live there courses are free for the live recording and cover many aspects of photography and more. You can also buy previous courses if you find them of interest. My budget's been kinda tight, so if I have the time I enroll in the live recording. Definitely worth checking out there course calendar... you might find something of interest.


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Camera Nikon D40
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 360

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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Delicate Beauty

Delicate Beauty
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Tall, vibrant and beautiful... Alone, delicate and vulnerable.

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. ~ Gerard de Nerval

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Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 35 mm

Make a wish!

Make a wish!

Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~ Elenora Duse

Seeing the wonder of the simple things in life, knowing in my heart there is beauty all around us if we just stop and look for just a moment... These are moments I want to capture!

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#lux #dandelion #flower #morning

I'm linking up with The Photo-Heart Connection with my favorite photo for April!



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