Purple and the Problem

Does anyone else beside my mom and I have trouble shooting purple???

What is this? Why is this?

Purple just doesn't come across right on the camera/pictures. I would imagine this has a very scientific explanation that is way above my realm. Something about light refractions and light absorption and such.

So really. Skip the technical scientific explanation and tell me in plain English (sorry, no foreign languages either).

This drives us both (mom and me) nuts. I rarely shoot anything purple but flowers and most of the time they are accurate cause I am outside in sunlight. But I really started noticing it when I helped mom take pictures of purple yarn. Then I noticed it again trying to take pictures of Mardi Gras beads.

Any help or advice would be appreciated :) Thanks! (And if no one comments, this is going to the morguefile forum board!!!)

Why Photography is the BEST Hobby

This fall/winter my mom started a new hobby. She is now spinning her own yarn. No, not telling long stories. Really spinning yarn, as in "Baaaahhhh." She loves it. And from my meager opinion (and from knowing how she is) she is good at it.

My family has always been crafty. I say that but then I think about my poor sister (lol :). Okay, so my mom, dad, and I have always been crafty. My grandma was crafty. My great grandma was crafty. Between us, there are probably but a handful of crafts we have never at least tried.

So I'm chatting with mom on my way home tonight. She's talking about the house and all this craft stuff she needs that is strewn all over. My comment? "That's one reason why I LOVE my new hobby!" (photography)

With digital cameras, it has to be one of the neatest, least messy hobbies that exists. I do everything with a little bitty camera, a little bitty disk, and a laptop.

I can do my hobby just about anywhere (and people might even think I am working!! :)

I can have someone over at a moments notice and not have to worry about having stuff drawn out all over the house.

There is minimal physical storage (laptop and camera). Not like the Rubbermaid tubs of material for quilting, the giant file cabinets for counted cross stitch patterns, the large tubs full of paint, or the endless tackle boxes filled with beads.

I can put 150 GB into the palm of my hand for storing my hobby.

And boy, once you get past the initial purchases, it is pretty dog gone cheap.

This has to be one of the best all time hobbies ever.

American Sign Language Alphabet photos

Last night I spent forever uploading pictures to morguefile. I got on a whim and took pictures of myself doing the American Sign Language alphabet.

I am not the best and realize I made some of them backwards. But I attempted them and my hand looked halfway decent (my nails were done.)

So if you are looking for photos like this, you might want to check them out. I might add more (numbers, simple signs) later, depending on how much they get used. If you want something specific, feel free to drop me a line.

It was funny because I was so proud of how well my nails looked. And as I downloaded the pictures and looked at them, I must have used a pen that day before the pictures. I had a giant ink spot on my index finger. I had to edit it out of every photo where you could see my finger. :)

Give me a sign that you are out there :)

Extra Weight is Worth It

You would have thought (or at least I would have thought) that I had learned my lesson. But clearly, I haven't.

We went to dinner last night and it was cold and I really didn't even want to bring a purse, but I ended up just switching to something lighter and easier to carry.

As I was switching over I thought, "I don't need my camera do I? We are going to be inside a restaurant. That would be silly taking pictures."

It wasn't but 4 minutes out the door when I wished I had had it. The sun was going down and the drive offered a perfect view of a beautiful sky with hills and barren trees silhouetted in the distance. And when we got there, there were quaint little buildings (which I knew but had forgotten about) that are in the Swiss Alp style.

There were even Mardi Gras Parade goers walking about with their heavy laden beads.

And kids running in shorts and swimming suits through the plaza on a fierce cold night, headed toward the pool at the hotel.

Lots to see. Interesting things to see. But that is all I did. See them. Because the camera was at home.

I know better! Let's hope this reminds you that you do too :)

Some of My Favorite Photos

Very romantic and I like the contrast. Once again, I like the contrast. I also like the starkness of the dead plant.

Soft and frilly and relaxing - I like the colors and the textures.

I like the metal coloring and oxidation. I like the shape.

I like that the benches can't be gotten to. A bench you can't sit on - a paradox.

Since I have declared it to be Favorite Day (see everything daisy blog), I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures.

Picture Protection

I'm ready for spring. I'm ready for green. I'm ready for my yard to look better.

In past years I have taken hundreds of photos in my garden (my neighbors affectionately call it the neighborhood Botanical Garden). I took them not for their beauty but for documentation of the growing garden and to make a scrap book of the different varieties and species I have.

Sadly, this project came to a quick end. My computer died.

How are they connected??? I had ALL my pictures on my computer. As of now, they are still irretrievable. Years of work and documentation down the drain. All because I hadn't put the pictures on disks or an external hard drive.

I also lost first baby pictures, 2 separate graduations, birthdays and holidays. Needless to say, I learned my lesson.

I bought an external hard drive. And I use it regularly to back things up. It's my most favorite thing I have ever bought (well, aside from my beloved vaccuum - but that's a whole 'nother post).

So why am I posting this story?? Just to caution you all who don't have those precious photos anywhere but on your computer. It can happen. You can't go back in time and make the baby be born again. You can't stage a graduation ceremony. Etc. Etc.

External hard drives have really come down in price. You can also find places online for storage, but I don't know how private they are. Although Shutterfly is private and I like the enhancements they have.

Don't wait. Do something about it now. :)

Attention! :) Free Photos

It has come to my thoughts (and attention) that maybe people don't know about morguefile. It has also come to my thoughts that maybe people misunderstand the name.

Folks, you know I am not gory in the least. The photos at morguefile aren't either. It is actually one of the cleanest photo sites I know and I let my students use it regularly. (The owners of the site have strong teacher ties)

A morguefile is a place where old unused photos from a newspaper or magazine used to sit. It is not about dead people. So go ahead! Head on over for some free pics! You just might find what you are looking for ;)

New Morguefile is FABULOUS and Full of Free Pictures!

If you are looking for free pictures, you need to check out morguefile.com

They have tons of new uploads and the photos are spectacular! Some are of exotic places, some are great for photoshopping or adding to your blog!

Here is a another list of websites that have been using my pictures! A big thanks to all of those at Suite 101 for using my pictures so much!!! Keep using them :)

http://essay-writing.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_response_paper

http://reducing-waste.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_buy_green_engagement_rings

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/foods_to_avoid_in_pregnancy

http://www.bestlibrary.org/home/2009/01/child-development-assignment.html

http://academicwriting.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_academic_language

http://modern-us-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/voter_participation_in_america_18761920

http://oral-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/uv_rays_used_in_tooth_whitening_can_cause_damage

http://www.acreativejournal.com/some-upcoming-journal-courses/

http://essay-writing.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_custom_essays (mine is down at the bottom)

http://classroom-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_decode_assignment_sheets_for_papers

http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/nontraditional_creative_journaling

http://academicwriting.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_avoid_plagiarism_in_essays

http://www.labspaces.net/95303/Divorce__antidepressants__or_weight_gain_loss_can_add_years_to_your_face

http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/7_ways_to_make_them_like_you

http://www.ehow.com/how_4714386_place-value-playing-whos-greatest.html

http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/george_the_140yearold_lobster

http://www.bestlibrary.org/home2/2009/01/growing-years-series----months-11-and-12---pdf-for-printing---html-for-browsingcdc-child-development--positive-par.html

I think that's it for now. :)

Busy Busy Busy

I'm too busy uploading photos to blog much - sorry! If you would like to see all the new photos, visit morguefile :)

I just uploaded tons of jewelry pics. If you are looking for a gemstone, it is probably there :)

MORGUEFILE is NOW OPEN - FREE PHOTOS

YEAH!!!!

I have waited so patiently! And now they are allowing uploads again and are settled in with their new server.

Check out the new site here www.morguefile.com
for FREE PHOTOS!

I am jdurham at that site :) See what's new in my section! And everyone's!

I LOVE my Job :)

I don't even have to leave my room. Interesting things come to me :)

Unknown Soldier Grave Markers

There were so many unknown soldier tombstones at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. This post is for them.