Chocolate cupcake with chai infused whipped cream

Life's been busy, so I haven't had time to do much photography, whether editing photos (I have tons to edit!) or taking new ones. A couple days ago I decided to bake for my neighbours, and experiment with flavours, so I dusted off my camera too.  

I am still using my Canon Power Shot Pro1, and this picture is only somewhat better than the one I took on my phone... Technology has definitely developed in leaps and bounds since the Pro1 was released. 

The purpose of this photo was to test different methods of diffusing light, without the use of a lightbox.  In this shot I just put some paper towel over the LED lights I was using. It did an amazing job, but I still want to tweak my set up, as I'm not thrilled with some of the glare on the plate. 

And, if you are wondering... These cupcakes turned out amazing!

Long time no post

So, I've been bad about posting photos since the end of my 365 challenge, but I have reasons for that. First, camera really has seen the end. I can't hold on to the faithful Canon Powershot Pro1 any longer. It sits dormant on my desk, because I don't have the heart to recycle it. I am especially hesitant since I don't have a camera to replace it yet... I'm working towards that, but it might be a long time in the making.

Second, it's been really busy for me. With the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, and of course Ramadan....  However, I really don't like using busyness as an excuse, since we can always busy ourselves with nothing. So, I have decided that I'm going to try and blog a little more regularly. I've been reading a lot of photography websites, so I'm going to post my own pics, but also post articles, tips, and techniques I find interesting.

Currently, I'm working on trying to figure out how to capture an image I want to for a competition that I would like to enter. I have less than a week left to figure it out, since after that I won't have access to my brother's camera.

Day 365 - Beauty...

Can you believe that this is it? the 365th picture.... A year since I started this project. I found this fortune in my wallet.  It's been there for some time.  I still remember the day I got it.  I was having a bad day. A bunch of us were out at lunch at a Chinese restaurant. One of the members cracked open his fortune cookie, and handed it to me, and said he must have mistakenly taken my cookie.  It was very sweet.  I also thought it was pretty good way to end this project.... A lot of people take pictures for many reasons, and one of the primary reasons I photograph is to capture the beauty around me, and to share the virtues of the world.

Day 361 - Drag'un!

The title is an homage to a children's program from many, many years ago. The title character had a specific way of saying dragon... and after all these years, I still say it that way!

So, this is a metal figure I happened upon that was part of a display by a water drilling company's facility. There were a bunch of dinosaurs in the display.  I really liked that dragon looked like it was attacking the sign, so that is why I'm posting this image!

Day 360 - On the grill

Tonight's dinner... completely vegetarian. Ever try a portobello mushroom burger? Great replacement for a meat patty. Wish I wasn't so hungry when I was trying to take this photo, I really didn't take the time to properly compose this shot. This was the best one of the ones I took. Oh well, it was yummy!

Day 359 - Random flower

After the crumby day I had yesterday, I figured I'd post a picture of some flowers because I need something uplifting to make me smile.  Flowers always make me smile, especially when I can smell them even when I can't see them.

Day 358 - Ever have one of those days...

I guess this photo can now be from "the archives"... it's been about a year since I took this photo. It was one of many that I took trying to get the shot I wanted.  I was looking for a picture to edit and post for today, and this is the one I chose, because while looking at it, I realized, it perfectly reflects how my head is feeling right now.

Day 357 - Pinocchio...?

So, I didn't have the time to go out and shot a new picture today, so I figured I would edit one I took a few weeks ago.  Not sure which would have taken longer...  After staring at this picture for 10 minutes, I then tried various filters to edit it to tell the story I wanted it to tell.  Still not sure I got it.  This figure reminded me of Pinocchio, and I wanted it make the background fairytale/drawing like, and make the figure look as though he was stepping out of the drawing as a "real boy".  Not loving the edit.  Will have to try again, when I actually have some time.

Day 356 - Let me shade you for awhile...

I really like this shot.  It's like the tree is leaning over the bench saying, let me shade you for awhile...

Day 355 - Lines

My camera seems to be cooperating again!  Yay! So, this is from today...

I'm still trying to figure out what I feel about this shot.  I was trying to capture the train tracks through the fence. A lot of different lines, with the leaves framing them... the jury is still out...

Day 354 - Set lists

Haven't had a chance to look at my camera, so today's entry is from the archives, sort of.  Here is some background:

I remember years ago I was at an album preview event that was part of a free summer concert series in the business core of the city.  As throngs of fans waited to meet the artist and the staff cleaned up the temporary stage, I walked aimlessly onto to the stage.  There I noticed that artist had a set list printed on a simple white 8 1/2" x 11" paper that was on the ground next to his mic stand.  Next to it were the lyrics to his newest song. Knowing this artist, I knew it was because he admitted that with new songs he often couldn't remember the lyrics new songs until he had performed them for a while.  I still have both of these.

Since I have been volunteering for arts and cultural festivals, I've had many more opportunities to observe artists and how they function.  One of the things I always take note of is where they keep their set list.  The following are two such lists.

This photo was from a couple year's ago. I was with the artist while he sat in the Green Room/Staging Area figuring out his set list. I was thoroughly amused as he wrote it on his wrist; he humoured me later and allowed me to take this picture of his wrist/list.

This set list was from the event last week. The performance came together sort of organically, as we chatted about life in the interview portion, so there was no fixed set list.  The artists did however want to remember a couple of requests that had been made, so he jotted them down on a piece of paper and laid them on the drum that was by his mic stand during the performance.

Day 353 - More flowers...

So, I went out to shoot some flowers during the golden hour, and my camera just would not cooperate. I tried so many ways to get take pictures of these and a few other really pretty flowers, and my camera would just not cooperate.  It would indicate that it was focused, and then it wouldn't actually be.  The camera has a mind of it's own.  Until I figure out what is wrong, again, I'll be using my point and shoot.

Day 352 - Another Wedding...

At a wedding this weekend, and was trying to capture that perfect shot, and my camera was being particularly insubordinate. I was trying to capture the rose centrepiece on the next table through the branches of the centrepiece on our table.  As I was trying, very unsuccessfully, to get this shot, I noticed the door to the kitchen and the ugly EXIT sign would wreck the shot if I could ever get it. This was the best I could do... time for a new camera... yes.

Day 349 - Waiting for the perfect shot

So, I'm going to be a dinner tonight, so don't have a lot of time today. I found this unedited photo from a week(?) ago.  As I was walking down town, I saw this tree canopy, which I haven't seen in years...mostyly because I didn't stop to look. It has been filling in, and I really liked the way it looked.  Had to take my picture from across the street, to frame the image the way I wanted. I ended up taking two photos, since I wasn't able to stay long.  Both of these pictures were not perfect. The first had a car zooming through.  This one, I don't mind the cyclist, what I don't like is the woman on the left who is about to fall out of shot. If I had had more time, I would have waited for the perfect shot, and I'm sure I would have gotten it.

Day 348 - On being short

Was kind of cloudy today, so there were few people out and about. This was the perfect opportunity to take some pictures without people in them.  Because I'm limited by my camera's fixed lens, I had to go pretty far back to get a shot of the entire section of the building.

The unfortunate thing is to do so I had to go down a set of stairs to get the building the way I wanted.  In the original photo it is very apparent that I was taking the photo from a lower vantage point.  I feel that it was more apparent because I'm short and I can't compensate very well.  I ended up editing to correct the perspective.  The picture looks better, but I think is you look at it closely, you can tell that it was taken from a lower vantage point.

Day 347 - More cupcakes!

So, this was yesterday's experiment, which I have to admit taste AMAZ-ING! I actually found some store bought frosting in the house, so made some cupcakes to use them on.... I didn't want a run-of-the-mill flavour, so I tried making almond and cardamom cupcakes.  I then flavoured the frosting with rose water. Still drooling...

So, if you look at this picture, the left is really warm and the right really cool.  I had two different light sources, and they cast very different temperatures of light. I couldn't balance it too well in post.  It's just something I need to be more cognizant of in the future.

Day 345 - Using obstructions

So, I was at a concert last night, and wanted to take some pictures, but my camera cooperates less and less with me.  I have a lot of very blurry pictures of my friend performing.  I realized how I would be able to take a half decent picture after much fiddling, the only thing is I kept getting peoples head in my shot.  It wasn't artistic in the least. At one point the person in front of me turned to the left, and I thought maybe I could use that.  This is the result.

Day 344 - "Let me rest in peace..."

This was from Thursday.  It was a beautiful day out, and all the urban creatures were out doing whatever it is that they do.  As I was photographing this tree, I noticed this little guy sleeping.  I stood there for a minute to figure out how close I could get to photograph him.  As I stood there, he opened his eyes, just a crack, turned towards me, as if to say, "That's far enough." He then put his head down, and tried to continue sleeping.

Day 342 - In full bloom

The winter that seemingly would not end has most definitely ended.  Downtown is in full bloom, and it's breathtaking!

Day 341 - On the menu tonight...

Okay, so here is another food shot! Dinner tonight... brought to you by whatever you find in the fridge thrown together...

Chicken breast stuffed with red peppers and cheddar cheese, with spinach, and red and yellow peppers lightly sautéed with onions and garlic, on mushroom couscous.

Delicious!