264 - Double Nickel

From 365 Project

Today is my birthday so I thought I'd try to pay tribute to the occasion. This macro close-up of two nickels, one of the old series and one of the new series, shows the toll that the years take on coins as they bang together in pockets, cash drawers and vending machines. I hope nobody takes a 1X macro photo of me, I suspect I've fared worse than the nickels. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/60 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 200, 65mm macro lens. Lighting provided by two manual strobes on either side fired through the white sides of a Light Shed. I used slightly different power levels, one at 1/4 and one at 1/8 to help contrast the coins. Converted to black and white in Photoshop Elements using Silver Efex Pro.

263 - Back Bay Sunset

From 365 Project

Sunset over Back Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We spent the afternoon and evening with a drive in the country ending up at Sandbridge. Along the way we visited two wineries in Knotts Island North Carolina. All in all, a very nice day and evening. Canon 40D, 1/20 sec @ F/5.0, ISO 200.

262 - Mirrored Marquee

From 365 Project

While waiting in line to buy tickets to see (500) Days of Summer tonight, I noticed this mirror like reflection of the Naro's marquee reflected in a parked car's side windows. Canon G10, 1/30 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400. BTW, the movie was great!

261 - Reel Time

From 365 Project

I am sucker for neon, it makes for pictures that pop. This is on the top of the roadside sign for the Columbus Theaters in Virginia Beach Virginia. We still associate movies with reels of motion picture film even though many theaters are shifting to digital cinema projectors. Canon 40D, 1/60 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400, 115mm focal length. The photo is under exposed by a full 2 stops from the meter reading which helps isolate the sign against a the black night. Thanks to my wife Cindy who spotted the sign and suggested the pithy title for today's blog post.

260 - Step Up

From 365 Project

There's nothing like a dark, cinder block walled, metal staircase, illuminated by a single bare bulb florescent fixture, with a card security door awaiting to give that step up to the challenge feeling. This is the back stairway at my office that greets me every day as I arrive to make a difference. Canon G10, 1/10 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.

259 - Knock Out!

From 365 Project

This is a rosebud on a red Knock Out® rose. Introduced just 10 years ago these hybrid rose bushes are seen everywhere. Disease and drought resistant and loaded with blooms they have become a favorite of both commercial landscapers and home gardeners. The bright fire engine red of this bud caught my eye. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/2.5, ISO 100, 50mm compact macro lens.

258 - Cobblestone

From 365 Project

This patch of old cobblestone pavers on Armistead Avenue in Norfolk Virginia were revealed recently when a gas line construction project peeled back the modern asphalt overlay. Cobblestones, or more correctly quarried granite setts, lie under the surface of many streets in cities across America. Norfolk has restored them in the historic Freemason neighborhood near downtown. These will most likely get another coat of asphalt soon and be lost again. Canon G10, 1/400 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 200.