Urban Winter

First, can I just say that getting out to take photographs in the bitter cold is not easy to do, and even harder to do alone. So, I have found that, as is the case for most of life, it helps to utilize the buddy system. Find a friend, preferably one who is also into photography, and make a date, rain or shine, to go out and shoot. And just see where an hour or two will take you. It works for physical activity and it works for photography. Having someone to keep you accountable and also share the journey with can lead to inspiration...what might you see that you wouldn't have if you were alone?

And so, weeks ago, I made a plan with a new friend, Rich, who is just getting into photography more seriously. He picked me up early one Sunday morning with a plan to do some urban photography in downtown Dayton. It so happened that we had had snow the night before, just a dusting, which made for an interesting twist considering the sun was also bright and shining (perhaps one of the last sunny days we'll see until April!). And so we drove around, stopping when something caught the eye, ending up at one of my favorite urban areas - the Front Street Studios. It was really nice to get out and just play for awhile. And, in an effort to challenge myself, I tried to stick to using just one lens - one of my favorites that I don't pull out too often - the 50 f1.4 - it's a great lens and I love playing with the really wide range in depth of field to give a very blurry look to the background (which I have just learned is referred to as "bokeh" - who knew?)

So enjoy my little bit of Urban Winter!

bench overload!

prowling

bow down before winter

reflection of Rich

J is for "Jackie"

tag, you're it

talk about a blue sky day!

like layers of a cake!

my next tattoo!

on the tracks

I wear my sunglasses in the snow!

Inside the buildings are items that give a new meaning to the word "random"

what's in the box?

I love getting packages...I mean, who doesn't? But the best kind of package is the unexpected one - not something you ordered online, or something you know is coming because it's your birthday - but something that arrives out of the blue and both surprises and pleases you. I recently received just such a package from one of my oldest friends, Canci, who lives in Holland. Canci, who I met in high school, lives in Utrecht, and while I love to visit her (in fact, it was one of my stops this past summer on my journey through Europe), the next best thing is receiving a package from her, because more than likely it contains something chocolate! And indeed, fulfilling my every wish, it came stocked with goodies with names I cannot pronounce but flavors that melt in your mouth...and even better, bath products from my all time favorite (and only accessible via certain cities in Europe) "Rituals" company (yes, I dragged her all around town searching for these on my last visit). So I've taken photographs of some of the delights contained herein, just to share my pleasure. Enjoy! Though you'll have to use your imagination for most of it!

essentially chocolate covered peanuts.

chocolate covered ginger cookie bites - an interesting flavor combination!

almond cookies - buttery, crispy and so bad for you!

inside the box

the chocolate hazelnut J....Aaron got an A, but his doesn't have hazelnuts (which are my favorite!)

the bath line that I love.

Fire & Ice

I'd like to attempt an answer to the age-old question - "what do photographers do when they get bored" (mostly in the winter)? They play with fire. And studios if they have them. At least I do. What began as a simple conversation between my husband and I spiraled quickly when I mentioned this idea I've wanted to try - setting a flammable liquid on fire in a glass and photographing it. I don't think Aaron's ever moved so quickly on an idea. He had the materials gathered before I finished speaking.

As to the how - well, I've had some discussions of late with a friend who has recently become interested in photography. We chatted about the best liquid and best settings, but, in the end, I went with my gut rather than worrying about the technicalities. Pick a liquid, a sturdy glass, focus, turn out the lights, light the fire, and watch it burn. With our combined biology backgrounds and interest in all manner of fire, we selected rubbing alcohol as our liquid and a sturdy Jack Daniel's shot glass as our container. Kids, don't try this at home. Please. It burned for about three minutes, maybe more. And danced while it burned. In the mean time, clicking away, I was amazed at the various colors and shapes the flames took on. While this required minimal work and set up, and I got a pretty cool result in only one try, please note that this can be dangerous. Again, don't try this at home without understanding the risks!

But yes, it was pretty darn cool! And I couldn't have done it without the hubby, who graciously lit the flame. And then Aaron, on another whim, brought out the scale model cannon. And again, matches in hand, sparks went flying.

As for the ice, again props to the husband and the journey jewelry he and I have worked together to create over a year's time. One diamond for each generation on the journey - one from my grandmother, one from my mother and one for me, from my husband. And an heirloom was born. And photographed appropriately.

The ice in the whisky and the fancy schmancy cat are just extras. What can I say...? I in my kerchief and he in his cap have better things to do than settle in for a long winter's nap!