Shadow Can

- Clear skies and strong afternoon sun helps to create a well defined shadow of this street trash can. A little playing around with a new effect called "neon" in Picasa 3.9 results in a unique image. It kind of follows the "Paint the Town Red" concept Norfolk had going this past October. This trash can is at the northwest corner of Granby and Freemason Streets in Norfolk, Virginia. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Contre-jour

- French for 'against daylight', refers to photographs taken when the camera is pointing directly toward a source of light. Contre-jour produces backlighting of the subject. This effect usually hides details, causes a stronger contrast between light and dark, creates silhouettes and emphasizes lines and shapes. The sun, or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong glare behind the subject. Source - Wikipedia. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400.

Lynnhaven Sunset

- The sun sets over the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, Virginia tonight. We had an early dinner at one of our favorite places in Virginia Beach, Bubba's. As you can tell the view is second to none, the seafood is fresh and everyone is friendly. It was a little too cold and windy for dining on the outside deck tonight. I recommend Bubba's to everyone visiting Virginia Beach.
The general composition rule is to avoid the horizon line being right in the middle of the picture. The preferred placement is one third from the top or bottom but I wanted to frame this picture with the outside deck. So rule are made to be broken, hope you like the image. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200.

Contrails

- 2012 started out with a beautiful day here in Virginia Beach, VA. This afternoon we went to Sandbridge Beach to take some photos. My wife Cindy is starting her own 365 scrapbook project for 2012 so I guess I'm starting project 365 number 4. Well here's a photo of contrails crisscrossing the clear blue sky for picture 1 of 365. I am making no promises to keep this up all year but right now it's kind of in my blood. iPhone 4, 1/200 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera+ app, fisheye lens.

Pleasant Hall

- Pleasant Hall has been a constant in my neighborhood since 1769. Witness to the Revolutionary War and everything since, it now overlooks yet another rebuilding of the Kempsville - Princess Anne intersection. While everything around it has changed, and changed and is still changing this beautiful example of Georgian architecture remains the only constant. Another 365 project done. Canon G11, 1/125 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, converted to B&W using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 3.

Here Comes My Train.

- Rode The Tide to and from a meeting at Norfolk City Hall this afternoon. This is my westbound return trip train pulling into the Civic Plaza station. When I got on board there was a little boy riding with his grandparents who was so excited. I asked him if he was having fun and he nodded yes. His grandfather said he loved trains and then he said, well heck I love trains too. Every time I ride I see people truly enjoying themselves and almost everyone comments that The Tide needs to go to Virginia Beach. I couldn't agree more. This is photo 364 of 365, just one more to finish out my third year of daily photos. iPhone 4, 1/625 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 80, Camera + app.

Whole Beans

- A key to a good cup of coffee, start with whole beans, grind with a burr grinder and then drip brew. These beans are called 454 Horsepower by Kicking Horse Coffee, dark and rich and so good. Be forewarned: don't tangle with this horse unless you're prepared to get bucked... Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 200, lots of LED lighting and converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro 2 and Lightroom 3.