Its a Macro Challenge!

Just found this challenge via Ashley over at Ramblings and Photos (she's my new favorite to follow).  If you have been following my blog since the beginning you know how I love taking macro shots of flowers. 

To see more beautiful macro shots, click the link below!

Feeling a little Black & White

For todays challenges I decided to go black and white. 

While I love color, sometimes the contrast of 2 colors can really make a photo pop! 

First up...The Long Road to China's BLACK and WHITE WEDNESDAY

For this challenge I took a picture I snapped this morning while at breakfast.  We had some errands to run in Everett and I was hungry (as usual and we never want to wait when that is the case) so we found this great little cafe, The Mermaid Cafe.  It was a little, family ran establishment with the daughter working the counter, while mom and auntie were on the grill.  The setting was quaint with local artists' work lining the walls and lots of little touches like the sign above the door that read "See you later alligator". 

 I think my favorite part of cafe was the Mason jar glasses,

well that and the Big Jonny's burrito I had.

Then it's over to Aspire: Lovely Photo Wednesday

I thought I would keep the black and white theme going with this shot of Emily.  She is the elderly cat of our close friend Dann.  Her colors match that of Dann's house...black and white. 

To see other lovely photos, click below!



SOOC Sunday...which means Straight out of the camera!

Thank goodness for a nice, lazy Sunday! 

It has been much needed and I have found myself practically glued to my laptop

(while watching Sally Field's movies) all day. 

Editing photos, posting photos, finding challenges...all of it makes this girl happy! 

Murrieta 365: SOOC Sunday

This bee found these flowers the minute that I set them outside to photograph. 

I was shocked to see I was able to capture him and get a clear shot! 

YAY ME!

Two Moms Made a Photo Challenge: PETS

This is my first TMMaPC and I couldn't resist with this weeks theme...PETS.  Sheridan has been my subject in many, many pictures.  She usually gets super annoyed with the lights in her eyes, but she stayed still enough for me to get this super cute shot as she lazily lounges on one of our quilts.

Before & After...

I took this picture of my mom's dog, Dozer, who can always be found just lazing around.  He is old and full of arthritis but always looks irresistible...its a front though...get to close and you will be knocked out by his atrocious dog breath...yikes. I thought that this picture would be great to do a Before and After...

BEFORE:


and AFTER:


My camera:  Olympus SP-800UZ (my favorite point and shoot)
My Editing Software: Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

To see more pictures like these or to link up some of your own, head over to Pixel Perfect now by clicking the following logo:

Photo Hunt = Check!

Well it was tough and literally up to the minute I went to bed last night, but I DID IT!! I challenged myself to complete the August Photo Hunt Challenge that I found over at Ashley Sisk's Ramblings and Photos blog at the beginning of the month.  Her blog is great, well really beyond great!  I haven't figured out how she is able to work and do all the amazing challenges she does, but I love it and she is quite the inspiration.  Thank you Ashley for making me want to get out and shoot! 

I was able to complete this challenge with using only 2 photos from my archives (from June 2010),  that being said, I was pretty happy with myself.

So here we go:

1. Something to Represent Me:  Well nothing says it more than the Gay Pride flag that was raised atop the Seattle Space Needle during Gay Pride weekend in June this year. Yes this is an archive piece, but to be honest I couldn't resist posting it.  It was the first time the Space Needle hoisted the flag and it was quite an emotional moment.  I come from such a great city who is so supportive!

2. Something Comfortable: What is more comfortable than the loves from Grammy?!  This picture captured the love and special bond that these two have. This shot was also my first attempt at erasing a background and just focusing on the subject.  I am happy with it and I think Grammy will love it when she gets it for Christmas :)

3. Something in Season: CRAB!!!  Delicious, fresh caught crab! It was a true treat.

4. Feet: My feet! Ok maybe I should have done a pedicure before this picture, but I really like the "infrared" process I did with this one.

5. Repetition: The lines of this gate really intrigued me.

6. Ethnicity: My very talented friend, Drew Rodriguez painted the picture, which I have posted before. U absolutely ADORE his work.

7. Contrast: The red lips and plaid hat SCREAM in this picture. I LOVE IT!

8. Indulgence: It's a feast for this little bee.

9. Macro/Closeup: I LOVE MACRO images! This little grasshopper became my subject after he diligently stayed put after my morning watering of the garden.

10. Masculine: Our friend JT came over one night to visit, and I took advantage of using his beautiful bike for this shot. He hasn't seen this yet and when he does, hope he loves it!

11. Feminine: The simplicity of a white rose.

12. Light: Literally.

13. Eco-Friendly: Ok, this may be a stretch...but the simplicity of a water fountain. No plastic bottles. Just pure water into your mouth.

14. Business: The Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon. If you haven't been there...put it on your list to visit. Music, wine, brew, golf, spa...list goes on and on!

15. Arrow: My least creative of the shots. But, there are some arrows!

16. Something Wet: I love how the water drops look on the leaves after a rain or even watering the garden.

17. Something Dry: RICE...before it's cooked that is.

18. Butterfly: This is also a piece of Drew Rodriguez's work. The sharpness of this picture is not as good as I had hoped, but it still shows the beauty of his work.

19. Heart Shaped Cloud: I found one! I hope you see it too!

and lastly...

20. Strength: This too is an archive pic, but I loved the girls trying to "hold" up the tiger.

WHEW!!!! I did it! I hope you enjoy!

PURPLE

Week 30 PURPLE photo challenge!

This weeks challenge was all about purple. I love the color contrasts of this photo.