Saturday, March 31, 2007
photo-a-day
Joshua shows me his art
When I got to my Photoshop for Photographers class today, Joshua was already there, working at one of the computers. We got to talking and I discovered he is 12 years old and has been taking Continuing Education classes here at Detroit's College for Creative Studies since last summer. His field of interest is Animation and he's good! In addition to his drawings online, Joshua showed me an impressive number of drawings on paper.
This young man is an example of what can happen when a child's artistic abilities receive the recognition and support they deserve. His passion lit up the room. By the way, he soon found he was in the wrong classroom, but I'm glad he was. Otherwise I might never have met him.
Friday, March 30, 2007
photo-a-day
Thursday, March 29, 2007
photo-a-day
Weeping willow in bud
I wonder if other PBase photographers sometimes put up image after image for their PAD and still not find one that pleases them? That's what's happened to me today. This Photo-A-Day business is definitely not for perfectionists!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
photo-a-day
Spring's promise kept
On those freezing cold February days, the thought of such a fat green bud seemed like a crazy dream. Yet here it is, ready to pop into bloom. Spring always catches me by surprise.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
photo-a-day
"Lemonade 25 cents!"
The first lemonade stand of the season. I hope the girls closed down and got safely inside before the rains came an hour later. By the way, it's raining and thundering right now and the temperature has dropped at least 10 degrees. Springtime in Michigan!
Monday, March 26, 2007
photo-a-day
The first crocus
Today's 82 degrees F. (27 C.) opened up Detroit's first crocus blossoms. Spring has sprung!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Joshua Tree National Park gallery is up!
I've just put up my first gallery of photos from my trip. Click on Joshua Tree National Park to see it. Be prepared: there are 60 photos in all! I tried to pare it down but couldn't. I love them all. I'll be interested to see what you think.
photo-a-day
Saturday, March 24, 2007
photo-a-day
Detroit's graffiti art
On the way to my first "Photoshop for Photographers" class at the College for Creative Studies, I passed this colorful example of Detroit's indigenous art. So who says what is art and what isn't? I say if it speaks to your soul, it's art. And this did.
Friday, March 23, 2007
photo-a-day
A fish for my favorite Pisces
I brought this fish back to Ed from Mexico. Polo, the artist, described how he first dives for the abalone shells, then scrapes the surface to bring forth the iridescent inner shell, and finally cuts and applies them to his handcrafted silver jewelry and other decorative items. Believe it or not, Polo said this can be used as a bottle opener. Fat chance!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
photo-a-day
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
photo-a-day
Small town in Illinois
Rain in the night dirtied up my train window, so on this, Day 3 of my journey between Los Angeles & Chicago, I didn't take many photos. Besides, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois don't exactly have the same drama as California, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
photo-a-day
View of the mountains in New Mexico
It was hard to choose just one photo from Day 2 on board the Southwest Chief traveling between Los Angeles and Chicago, but soon I'll be putting up a gallery full of photos from my trip. We even had a glorious sunset over the Colorado desert, but that will have to wait.
Monday, March 19, 2007
photo-a-day
San Clemente Pier between San Diego and Los Angeles
I took this photo aboard the Pacific Surfliner on the first leg of my train journey home.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
photo-a-day
Neighborhood calla lilies
On this cool foggy Sunday--my last full day in San Diego--I scooted up to the house on the corner of Phil and Scott's street to photograph a stand of calla lilies I've been admiring all week.
Tomorrow (Monday) at 3 PM I'll be boarding the train for my journey home to Detroit. What a glorious time I've had these past two weeks here in San Diego, and I have my loving hosts, Phil and Scott, and their nephew Eric to thank for it. In my Inbox gallery, you can see a portrait taken yesterday of the four of us at Joshua Tree National Park.
Although I'll certainly be taking photos on the train, I'll be unable to post them until I'm back home on Thursday, March 22. See you then!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
photo-a-day
Joshua Tree National Park, California
This park leaves one speechless. It isn't just the grandeur of the terrain with its deserts, mountain ranges, piled-up boulders that draw rock climbers from around the world, but the Joshua trees themselves, a species that only grows in this location, and the Cholla cacti that we were lucky to find covered with yellow blossoms. Awesome is the only word large enough to describe what we saw and experienced today. In time I will be putting up a gallery of selected photos that I took today, until then, I encourage you to do a PBase search of "joshua tree." There are many spectacular photos & galleries already up.
photo-a-day
Sand art
Today we again went to Mission Bay Beach so I could have one more sandchair ride before I head for home on Monday. As I was tooling around the beach, my friend Scott said, "You're making art!" I looked behind me and saw my wheelchair markings on the wet sand. So then I really DID try to make art. Mindful that sand art is ephemeral in the extreme, I experienced the truth of what I used to teach my students: art is process not product.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
photo-a-day
San Diego Zoo Hummingbird Aviary
I have Bud Cheetham, my hosts Scott & Phil's friend, to thank for any interesting effects you might notice in this photo. I worked on it myself but only after Bud had given me a three-hour tutorial on Photoshop layers & masks this morning. If you want to see the work of a master broadcast animator, be sure to check out Bud's web site.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
photo-a-day
Soakin' up the sun
Scott and I met these two lizards today at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. If you ever visit San Diego, don't miss this oasis of serenity.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
photo-a-day
Blue Crowned Pigeon
I went to the San Diego Zoo again today, this time by myself simply to take photos. This lovely bird--whom the zookeeper later said is a real "ham"--graciously posed for me for at least twenty minutes. A young man named Thomas offered to take a picture of me with my new best friend.
new photo gallery
You might enjoy checking out my new photo gallery. I call it California dreamin' and it is totally psychedelic!
Monday, March 12, 2007
photo-a-day
Another lovely hot day in San Diego
This morning I sat and read on Scott & Phil's patio. The trickle of water from their fountain mingled with the summer sounds of people working outside in the neighborhood. Even though today's temperatures climbed into the 90s F/30s C, it was pretty darn idyllic out in their garden.
photo-a-day
Another lovely hot day in San Diego
This morning I sat and read on Scott & Phil's patio. The trickle of water from their fountain mingled with the summer sounds of people working outside in the neighborhood. Even though today's temperatures climbed into the 90s F/30s C, it was pretty darn idyllic out in their garden.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
photo-a-day
A first rose of San Diego's summer
Summer came to San Diego today with sunny skies and temperatures reaching into the mid-80s F (28 degress Celsius). I could easily get used to this!
photo-a-day
A mother & her children in Ensenada, Mexico
It's the women and children whom I will remember from today's excursion into Mexico. Their faces and eyes as they sold trinkets or simply held out a cup hoping for change from us rich Norte Americana tourists. How unfair it is that I have so much and they so little.
Friday, March 09, 2007
photo-a-day
the story behind today's PAD
On the beach again!
Today I discovered this wonderful city of San Diego has chosen to have two sand-accessible wheelchairs available for use at Mission Bay Beach...for free! To someone who had spent every summer of her childhood on the Chesapeake Bay but had been unable to get onto the beach since becoming disabled in the mid-90s, this was like a miracle. I couldn't stop smiling. Nor could I stop taking pictures!
This photo was taken by my dear friend, Scott Weldon.
photo-a-day
Thursday, March 08, 2007
photo-a-day
Lesser spot-nosed Guenon family
Now I know why the San Diego Zoo is considered one of the best in the world. Not only do they have an exceptional variety of animals--all of whom are in environments suited to their needs and temperaments--but the terrain, with a canyon, waterfalls and vegetation lush enough to make you believe you are in a tropical rain forest, creates an environment that soothes the wild beast in every human who goes there. It is not to be missed!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
photo-a-day
Dorothy in Oz
When I see plants like this growing in front yards out here in San Diego, I KNOW I'm no longer in Michigan!
Monday, March 05, 2007
photo-a-day
Aboard the Pacific Surfliner train from Los Angeles to San Diego
I was surprised how long it took us to see the ocean after having left Los Angeles, but when we finally did, it was well worth the wait.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
photo-a-day
Hanging out on Melrose in West Hollywood
After having spent seven hours at Venice Beach the day before, it was sweet to spend a lowkey Sunday morning at home with my sister and brother-in-law before going out for a little tour of West Hollywood late in the afternoon. Gorsha, my brother-in-law, LOVES to show off his adopted Los Angeles!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
photo-a-day
Sunset at Venice Beach, Los Angeles
I have my patient sister and brother-in-law to thank for allowing me to take 100 photos of this dramatic sunset over the Pacific Ocean in Venice Beach. They sat for at least an hour on a park bench and never complained. That's true love, if you ask me!
Friday, March 02, 2007
photo-a-day
Fountain at Los Angeles Union Station
After having spent two days and nights on a train, being able to sit beside this fountain with colorful carp swimming amidst green plants and lily pads was incredibly refreshing.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
photo-a-day
New Mexico from Amtrak's Southwest Chief
On this, my only full day on the train, I took over 500 photos and downloaded 458 to my laptop in my sleeping compartment that night! Choosing which one to use for my PAD was like choosing which of your children you love best. I love them all.
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