Photo of the Day: One Foggy Night in Charlotte

I love taking photos that defies commonality, out of the ordinary and one that is challenging. I love pushing beyond the limits. At the same time conveying stories of what I see the way I saw them. Images such as of this particular night where thick fog rolled in and blanketed the horizon with an eerie mist while lights on the ground bounces off the haze and creating a subtle glow across the sky. Photos were taken with Canon EOS Rebel T3 on AV with ISO 200, Aperture F8 and Al Servo using 18-55mm lens.

If night photography is your expertise, which settings do you use?

Photo of the Day: Angry Birds in Charlotte

I was roused from my sleep by a very excitable husband who apparently can't wait for me to see and photograph these flock of cute birds feasting and creating a raucous right outside my office window! Now I should tell you that if I didn't have an affinity for photographing wild birds, I probably would have been the embodiment of Angry birds that morning! But you'll see that these birds were beyond cute, so I went to work right away. What I caught in my lens was priceless!

Classic Angry Bird look! Don't you think it's giving me the "back off" stare?

Photo of the Day: Full Moon and Pixie dusts

I have been trying my hands on Astrophotography and took another shot at it when I saw the full moon last night. Though this is NOT my best shot since I took it from inside the comfort of my house (you would too. Boy! It's friggin' cold outside!), through a misty window and used a different mode. This time I chose TV to manipulate the shutter speed. Though it worked, it wasn't as good as my first one. Check my first moon here. The great thing about this shot is that I captured the minuscule particles in the space not visible to the naked eye. They look like pixie dusts which to most of us, they're stars when they're visible. To see what I'm talking about, you have to look pretty close on the black space just to the left of the moon to see the faded dots. If your eyes are good you'll see the constellation shaped like a kite (Bootes Star).

This photo is taken when the stars were visible, shining brightly and skies were clear. It was a great time to photograph the stars with the full moon as backdrop.

Photo of the Day: Ripples, Freezing Rain and Icicles

The weather have been nasty today with  freezing rain and freezing cold. Icicles formed on the bare tree branches and mesmerizing ripples on the water as the pellets of rain hit the little puddles on my deck. A sight that I can't dare miss take a picture of.

Photo of the Day: Amazing Sunset Sky

The setting sun created a magnificent canvas of wonderful colors in the sky yesterday. One simply can't help admire and feel exhilarated with awe at its glorious appearance. Inspiring is the one word that came to mind.  May your day today be as glorious!

Photo of the Day: Red Cardinal and an Empty Nester

Rare finds around my backyard. A pretty little Red Cardinal perched on a branch high above a tree. And an empty Spring nest which I hope will have chicks by next Spring. I rarely see any birds in my backyard in my new place and I'm lucky to capture a photo of this beautiful bird. What's in your backyard?  

Photo of the Day: Coffee and Chocolates

Do you love Chocolates and Coffee? I do! And Why not?! They're always there for me when I needed a strong kick or burst of energy! Or when life is crazy. One sip, one bite is all it needs to start making me feel better. I can't imagine a life without coffee and chocolates - especially in my mornings! I'm very grateful that they were "invented". YOU, what are you grateful for?  

PhotoFall Wednesday - A Walk in the Woods

This is the wooded area in my backyard. I've never explored it before but with the bursting colors of Fall, it was an adventure to be had. Its beauty forever captured until yet again next Fall.

Specs:
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3
Focal Length: 18 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 200

Photo of the Day: Pink Porta Janes and Johns

Pink Porta Johns are so rad and so girly! One look at it and I was sold. I gotta have a picture of it. I did. I was Ms. Unstoppable. I was literally dodging laser eyes and dagger stares. Well, who in the world would be happy having someone taking a picture of you while on your way inside the potty? Not me. But I've gotta have it. And because it was in an event surrounded by boobies, chichis and tatas, I renamed it Porta Janes. Sounds about right, doesn't it?

Effects used on Picmonkey: Applied Tranquil first, followed by Film Grain where I brushed off part of it to highlight the pink doors, then finished it off with Focal Soften and Focal Zoom! Love! Do ya?

Can't wait to see them again in 2014!

Photo of the Day: Which Road Are You Going To Take?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost 

About the photo: Taken at Uptown Charlotte overlooking Highway I-277 from S. College overhead bridge. In the background to the right. is the Bank of America Stadium that is currently in the process of being renovated.

Photo of the Day: Fall Harvest

Colorful gourds, squashes and corns at Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze.
To achieve this photographic result, I used Picmonkey's soften and black and white effects after doing basic edits. I first selected soften. "Brushed" the effect off from the subject to highlight the subject then same technique was used on black and white. The outcome made the subject pop out from the entire frame. Works best for photos with "unnecessary" images in the background and you want to eliminate it without compromising your focal subject.

Photo of the Day: Halloween Icon - The Grim Reaper

Trick or Treat???
This iconic statue of the Grim Reaper is the focal image inside Carowinds Park's annual Scarowinds attraction. It's huge and overbearing! It almost seem like it's asking "are you ready for Halloween?!"

Are you?

The Day in Photos: Hello Fall Leaf

My tree just dropped a hint that Fall is in its way in. Goodbye Summer...
Are you ready for Fall?

The Day in Photos: Roses

Rose at the end of its bloom and about to lose its petals

And a Rose in Bloom.
Both photographed with Canon Rebel T3. 18-55mm lens on Landscape Mode.
Taken on a rainy, gloomy Summer day.

The Day in Photos: Summer Rose Spider

Don't quote me on the name. Not really sure what this spider is called but it sure loves roses! Taken on a rainy, Summer day. Photographed with Canon Rebel T3. 18-55mm lens on Landscape mode.

I haven't done this series in a while due to our recent move but for more amazing photos, check our Photography archive.

Astrophotography: Summer Solstice Moon

Today is the only time the largest the full moon will be visibly seen in the horizon for the entire year. Astronomers calls it Perigee or "Supermoon". And yesterday, first day of Summer, is the longest day of the year. I've been captivated with Astrophotography since I captured my first full moon in California in broad daylight! A phenomenon called Day Moon, and here I go again...

The Day in Photos: { More } Reason to Celebrate Memorial Day

M46 Patton medium tank used during the Korean war displayed inside Fort Jackson

The Day in Photos: N turned Eight into Nine #365Photoproject

My alphabet took a halt at M. Life got busy. I spent most of the past week burning my fingers -- thanks to my sadistic glue gun-- got knocked down by pollen and spending most of the week sneezing and sniffling... BUT we're back! And with this, N turned someone close and dear to me, from eight to NINE...

If you think the Cat is cute, check out the Cat-themed party craft ideas that I created for the Nine-r and use them on your upcoming Cat-themed birthday party!

The Day in Photos: MaricrisMojoceratops is the New Tongue-Twister! #365Photoproject

Did your tongue survive the twister?

Check the rest of the photos in the Alphabet series for the month of March continuing on in the month of April. And while you're at it, take a long peek at the Giants of Patagonia too! And when you're done, go enter the our Dinosaurs Alive dino-bling giveaway!

The Day in Photos: K is a Hob-nobbing Kalamata #365Photoproject

If J was in a jam yesterday, K certainly got more to be excitable for. Kalamata Olives in a mixer, that's totally rockin'. I love olives. And I love the variety of flavors, more so when it's spicy! Just like me. Hot and spicy! Feast is at hand.


Check the rest of the photos in the Alphabet series for the month of March.