Day 19 of 365 - Round Up

Well apparently I had some technical difficulty yesterday. Yesterday was actually Day 18 but I stated Day 19.

So for day 19 on my way home I passed one of many fields of hay that was being cut, raked and baled today. Hay is so important to farmers to feed their livestock through the upcoming winter. Round bales are a regular part of the landscape here and in many parts of the country.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 18 of 365 - Low Hanging

When I started this project I had a few ideas for photos. I had and still have no idea how to maintain the creativity required to complete this project. For the most part I have had many ideas I am really happy with. Sometimes though because of other commitments you have to go for the low hanging fruit. Today I was thinking about this while trying to figure out what to shoot and thinking of all the other things on my plate right now. When I saw some pine cones hanging from a tree, I thought of low hanging fruit.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 17 of 365 - Hercules Beetle

Just over 2 weeks into this project people are suggesting things for me to photograph. I love the ideas and will try to work as many in as I can. Today at work I got a call from a friend with an idea. He said he had the biggest bug he had ever seen. So he gave me what turns out to be a female Eastern Hercules Beetle. This beetle is about 1 1/2 inches long. Unfortunately the beetle was dead but the detail of this insect is amazing.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 16 of 365 - Refreshment

I saw a water setup the other day I had to try. While looking around the house for an object to photograph that would work for a water shot I found the kid's Caprisun. The kids find this to be a refreshing drink. So a Caprisun pouch became the subject for today's shot.



So as summer comes to a close. Grab a refreshing drink and enjoy the last few warm days.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 15 of 365 - Apple

I bought a bag of apples today and Trevor grabbed one to eat it giving me the subject for today. I have done reflection shots before so it easy to setup. So now to go enjoy a delicious red apple.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 14 of 365 - Wishes

"Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight"
- From Walt Disney World's Wishes Nighttime Spectacular



I have some decisions to make that are going to affect many things in my life. Some things are decisions about things I have dreamed about for a long time, others are things I have just begun dreaming about. So I am not wishing for an answer but praying for guidance. I have always had ambition, maybe too much ambition and I am currently afraid of biting off more than I can chew. I am not worried about myself, but how these decision affect my family.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 13 of 365 - Silla Pottery

In October 2000 I spent 9 days in South Korea on business. During this time our hosts took were able to take us sightseeing many places. One of the places was a traditional Silla Pottery Kiln in Kyongju. These kilns produced pottery whose style dates from 1000BC. The pottery has a very rough texture and a bluish gray color from the clay in the Kyongju area. I purchased 2 cups with bells and they became my subject tonight. It was described to me that the "bells" hanging from the sides were to ward off evil spirits.



The information about the pottery is from a sign that I photographed while in South Korea. I have to thank my wife for putting together a wonderful scrapbook of this trip to help me remember all the details.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 12 of 365 - Tomato Horn Worm

This evening, out in the garden, looking over what is left of the tomato plants I spotted several tomato horn worms(Manduca quinquemaculata). All of these worms were covered with some sort of parasite. I also noticed several dead worms. Before going in to find out what kind of parasite was on the worms I grabbed a few quick shots.



The parasite is that of the Braconidae wasp. The parasite will eventually kill this worm and it will never turn to the beautiful moth that it should.

By the way I shot some head shots for a local businessman. Hope to post them soon.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 11 of 365 - Vials

We are often called upon at work to administer medications to patients. Most of medications are in vials. Looking for an image for today at work I thought about the vials of medicine. So I lined them up on the desk for a quick photograph.



So off to finish my shift.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 10 of 365 - Toad

I have never been bothered by reptiles, rodents or insects. If you've been around me long enough you'll see me carrying around a bug, snake, toad, frog, spider, butterfly or whatever. We have always had toads around the yard and I welcome them to help keep the bug population down. I had seen this particular toad around the back porch several times during the summer this year. Today while mowing the lawn I almost ran over this toad. So I scoop him to safety while I finished mowing. I had been playing in the studio all weekend and still had everything setup for macro shots. So I took him inside and he was a very well behaved subject. So after a few shot back to the yard he went.



Wow! day 10. When I started I had about 3 days worth of ideas. I still have a few left but it has been amazing because almost everyday a new idea presents itself.

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 9 of 365 - Drip, Drip

I have always wanted to try water drop photos. Today I still had stuff set up in the studio so I decided to give it a try. After tweaking the set up and playing around I ended up with several photographs I liked. Part of this project is editing your images down to one image to post. This is almost as hard as finding things to photograph!



By the way, this reminds my kitchen sink is dripping.

Also what do you do with 10 gallons of fake snow? Just wait and see!

Enjoy,
Chris

Day 8 of 365 - Tools for the Job

Today I had to change the oil and belts on my wife's car. I have a wide variety of wrenches and tools to work with. Having the right tool for the job is a must. Just like my socket set, they can be a little beat up or rusted, but they get the job done.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 7 of 365 - Self Portrait

I setup a studio space a few weeks ago and have done a few things with it. As part of this project I want to document myself throughout the project. Once a month I plan to photograph myself. Today I setup the white seamless and tried several things. I ended up with 3 images I liked. The one I chose had me behind my Grandfather's Voigtlander Vito III. I love this rangefinder and recently had it restored back to working condition. So after a quick black and white conversion I ended up with a self portrait.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 6 of 365 - Byrd Locks and Dam

I had to go to Huntingon, WV today and on the way home I stopped at the Robert C. Byrd locks and dam. The locks and dam were built from 1935-1937. The dam has 8 roller gates. This is the first roller gate on the Ohio side of the Ohio River. It had been raining earlier today but began clearing on the way home allowing for amazing skies when I arrived at the dam.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 5 of 365 - Chrysanthemum

One major challenge of this project is my full time job. As a paramedic I work 24 hour shifts. That means 2 days a week images will have to be made while I work.

Today the mums outside the station were blooming. I actually had another shot in mind this evening but the glow of the exterior lighting on the mums at dark provided for a strong image.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 4 of 365 - Ironweed

I went out to Raccoon Creek County Park. It was a nice evening for short hike. I took my black lab Duke with me. One of his favorite places is a pond at the park. Around the pond were cattails with a single ironweed plant. The purple of the ironweed stood out against the greens of the cattails. So now that I am covered in chiggers, forgot my bug spray. Duke is covered in stinky pond water. Here is the photo.


Enjoy,
Chris

Day 3 of 365 - Ready for Take Off

Today Steph and I took the boys out to the Radio Controlled Fly-In at Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. In high school I used to fly these planes and mine is still in the basement. Isaac has several times about getting out and flying it. So I am looking into getting it airborne again.

Today's photo is of a scale Piper J3 Cub. This is one of the most popular scale model aircraft.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 2 of 365 Willy's Overland

The Gallipolis Old Car Club show was today. Out of all the cars there I was drawn to a 1944 Willy's Jeep. The vehicle represents what I look for in things. I find beauty in the utilitarian value of the way it is designed.



Enjoy,
Chris

Day 1 of 365 - The Moon

I am committing to a huge project. Today I turned 35 years old. I decided a few weeks ago about doing a 365 project where I take and post one photo a day for an entire year. I wanted to document my 35th year. I encourage you to follow me on this journey and encourage me. Feel free to comment and ask questions.



I had an idea for today's photo but put it off for this shot. I went out last night to see the Perseid meteor shower. Many of you who know me know I love astronomy and the stars. After coming home this evening a beautiful waxing crescent moon caught my eye.

Enjoy,
Chris

Freedom of Speech?

Legislation is affecting the Freedom of Speech in pulpits across America. With new legislation in the works at both federal and state levels fundamental preaching in the United States could be affected and may even be silenced.



The Constitution of the United States of America, the First Amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Hate Legislation may take that freedom away not only in the pulpit but in other aspects of our lives.



If you are not familiar with this topic take a few minutes to get acquainted with it. Google hate speech or visit some of the sites listed below for more information. Most of all stay up to date on the topics that affect you and your family. Don't hesitate to call your elected officials and voice your concerns.

Hate Laws Exposed
Traditional Family Values
ACLU
Congress.org
US Senate
US House of Representatives

Chris

Monarch Butterfly

I saw this butterfly flying outside and every time I got outside with my camera it would be gone. So after seeing it and trying several times I finally got a few shot of it!





Enjoy,
Chris

Jackson Alexander

I shot Cody and Tyler a few months ago during Cody's Pregnancy with Jackson. Tyler and Cody brought Jackson over last weekend for some photograph. As always Tyler and Cody were great to work with and we were able to get some great family shots.



We shot a few with Cody.



Then we let Tyler enjoy a few shots with his son.



Then Jackson became the star of the show.









Enjoy,
Chris