Monday, December 29, 2008

Latest Answer to Photo Daisy Game

So after reading yesterday's blog you probably figured out what the picture was of. It was my Christmas tree with slow shutter speed.

One thing I have noticed is that when I move to get a direction in the photo for the lights, it is the exact opposite. Is this normal? It really messed with me as I tried to get "letter" pictures. I realize I can flip/rotate them but the backwardness really threw me because I wasn't expecting it. Anyone know anything about this?

I was trying to spell LOVE with different light shots and this is what I got (I finally figured it out at the end).



Sunday, December 28, 2008

Our Christmas Eve Walk

For the last few years, we have walked around the neighborhood at night in winter to see the lights. This year, it happened that we took our walk on Christmas Eve.
It was frigid.
I took my camera to play with the slow shutter speed option. (My camera is nothing fancy but I was surprised to realize it even had this feature at all!) I enjoy this and it does make some interesting pictures.



I especially liked this one. Of course the house isn't moving, it was me on purpose. Maybe that's why it was fun. Instead of holding my breath, I had to purposely move in a direction of my choosing!




This house is infamous in the neighborhood for the amount of lights and "thingys" that they set all over the yard (little lighted statues of penguins, snowmen, and such). I liked the swirls I got with this photo.

Same house, different direction of movement. I like this cause it kinda looks like people standing in the front.
I felt almost intrusive taking pictures of my neighborhood houses. They were all snug in their homes, we could smell fireplaces, and it was all very calm despite the cold fingers and wind whipping my face. I'm sure if any of them looked out, they thought were absolutely crazy. First off for walking outside on a cold dark night and second for taking pictures!
I've got some sparklers I might do on New Year's Eve. They might look good like this!








Friday, December 19, 2008

More Excitement



I have been collecting websites that use my pictures. Here are some I have added to the list recently! It is always so exciting to see my pictures being used and how they are used.


































This list does not include the ones I listed last time, so if you see the same picture, that means it was used again ;) yeah! Many thanks to those who have used my picture and given me credit! (If you don't give me credit, I can't find it.)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Game Guesses and Answers

Okay, so I got a complaint. Naw, not a real one. It was from my mom.

She was saying that there isn't a place to type in guesses for the Photo Daisy Game. So I made this blog post for people to comment and put guesses here.

And I will admit, I haven't provided any answers. So here they are.

First was a green something - that was a close up of a tarp.
Second was I don't remember - sorry
Third was I don't remember - sorry (feel free to remind me)
Fourth - a pine tree with sap running
This week - Oh, I 'm not telling yet.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Some Day, One Day


I keep hoping my next post will be about actually selling my first picture from one of the internet sites, such as stockexpert.com or dreamstime.com

But, every day (well almost) I faithfully check and every day, nothing. I am still optimistic for several reasons.

1. There are a LOT of good pictures out there that are free (and some of them are mine!) morguefile.com is just about ready to change (I saw sample pics of the new site layout) and I was impressed and glad to be a member!

2. I am still new to taking pictures.

3. I have one photo ( http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1109104 ) that has been downloaded almost 800 times! (Actually it is like 788) I provided the link in case you want to see it. Yes, an astounding 800 times in about a month. What could it be? A smile! I sent it to both the sell sites, but neither of them accepted it. Granted, it is not perfect by any means. And the teeth are not perfect either. But someone seems to like it - a lot!

At this point you might wonder, as I have, what on earth are people using it for? I am very curious. I have only received one notice about someone using it. It is in a foreign language (German, if I remember correctly.) And they advertised it as DENTURES!

Here is the link: http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://berlin.business-on.de/zusatzversicherung-fuer-zahnersatz-nur-3-von-140-tarifen-sehr-gut_id3309.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djdurham123%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLJ_en%26pwst%3D1&usg=ALkJrhhr4g7c9n2HZH0kGMJzY00ukY13jg

Yep, they think MY REAL TEETH might be DENTURES! I found that highly amusing.

So I will keep on plugging away at this picture thing, if only to provide amusement for myself and others :)

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Spur of the Moment Pics



Today one of my students called me over during indoor recess and said, "I have something for you." It was a Daisy made out of attribute blocks. How sweet!

The kids all know I love to take pictures and they often comment on my current and ever changing desktop picture. I have also used them as story starters in my classroom and they seem to inspire them to be creative and thoughtful.

So, back to the story. I told the student, "Hold on. Let me get my camera before we end recess." He was so proud that I took the picture. He would be even prouder to see his work here!

I had another student bring in a mini toy computer and a little doll a couple weeks ago. She had made a speech bubble for the doll that said, "I love blogging." The day before we had done our very first blogging in the classroom. I took pictures of that as well. It was so cute and she was very excited that I was taking pictures of it!

Taking pictures can be an inspiration to all. Not only those taking the picture but those creating something to photograph as well.


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Yeah Me :)


I recently won a photo contest on morguefile.com

The subject was voting and ballots. While not many people entered or voted, I was still excited. It made me feel like I can take a picture (at least sometimes :) ).


I also signed up to another website to sell my photos. I got 11 of them accepted right off the bat. That REALLY excited me. (Even though no one has even looked at one for purchasing yet.) On that site (stockexpert) I am jdurham123


So, I had to delete some of my photos that were previously free on other sites because they were accepted at stockexpert. I guess I didn't HAVE to, but it seemed kind of silly to offer a picture for sale on one site and have it free on another site - kinda defeats the purpose.


I am still patiently waiting for morguefile (my favorite free site) because I have tons of pics to offer as soon as they let the uploading begin. In the short time I have been visiting and contributing to the site, I have learned A TON! They even have free online "classes" you can take (at your own pace). Great information!
So lately, it's been kind of fun, picture wise. Yeah me! :)