Monday, January 6, 2025

[Luv2shoot]

Hello and welcome to a NORMAL week.
OMG, did the holidays popping up in the middle of the week throw anyone else for a loop as it did for me?

Okay, looking forward to NORMALSY.
And my first thing on the list is to start this thread.

I submitted this image for the Macro Monday Group on FLICKR.
The theme is key chains.  I cannot believe how many cool KEY CHAINS there are out there. I shouldn't be surprised since you would find some in every gift shop and souvenier store, right?

Have a great start to your week.
LORELL
PS.  How about them LIONS?   (For Peter: Detroit Lions football team won their division last evening)

[Dave]

That's very nice Lorell. I'll try to remember to view your recent Flickr photos.

Yeah - how about those Lions? An impressive dominating performance, especially the second half. BTW, did you notice during the game that they briefly showed a Detroit auto museum, and I thought "I know that place from  Lorell's many photos."

If I'm reading the playoff bracket correctly, Minnesota plays LA Rams next week and should win that game easily. That makes it likely that they'd play the Lions again in the next round.

My picks for the playoffs:

In the AFC I think it will be Buffalo vs KC for the AFC title, and I think KC will win because of home field, and their first round bye.

In the NFC I pick Detroit vs Philadelphia, with Detroit winning.

Super Bowl: I think Detroit's powerful offense will outperform KC's defense And Detroit's resilient defense (despite all the injuries) will slow KC's offense to make the Lions Super Bowl Champions.

I posted a larger version of this Great Blue Heron (taken at the wetlands on New Year's Day) and 4 of the seven who viewed it tagged it as a favorite.

   

I like the minimalist mood it has. I think it's one to have printed and framed.

[Luv2shoot]

This is a great photo where I think breaking the rules paid off. They always say to leave more space in the area where the subject is looking or heading. You did just the opposite.

However, I think your crop fits this subject well. The heron looks like he is looking over his shoulder and snubbing you. The empty space is left for the viewer to stand in. So simple, but so good. The reflection also adds an important element. Worthy of printing. 
LORELL

PS.  I missed the ad from STAHLS, but I am sure that was what you saw.  I have seen it at another LION's game on TV.  That was a great time to broadcast that ad.  

Regarding playing Wisconsin again, after the game, our coach approached the Vikings' head coach and said, "See Ya In Two Weeks."

I printed your prediction, Dave, and will follow your flow chart.  I sure hope that your crystal ball brings us a winner.

[Rich]

Lolrell, well composed photo! Good close up! I was messed uo on the days too!

Well, I am not a football fan but being close to Minnesota and the Vikings I should be. After yesterdays loss it brings to mind the old joke about a super fan for the Vikings. When he died he had in his will he wanted to have 6 starters for the Vikings as his pallbearers. He wanted to be let down one last time.

Dave I agree with Lorell on the composition. When I first viewed it I thought it would make a good painting. The more I thought about it the more I decided that it is perfect as a photo. Some photos are meant to be a photo and this is one of those. Love it!

Driving down Main on my way home and saw this scene at the Palace. Two City Employees working on the mural with 5 degree F temp and below zero wind chill. Give em a raise!

[Dave]

Thank you Lorell & Rich.

Lorell, when I took the photo my hope was to show the serenity I felt that early morning. During processing I tried various crops, and even though I knew I was breaking some of the "rules" of composition, I went with this square one. I think I'll revisit the original photo again and try different crops.

To answer a question you asked in another thread, Sandy and I plan an outing to the Huntington Beach Central Park early Wednesday morning. There have been reports of a bald eagle sighting, but don't know where in the large (343 acres or 0.53 square miles or 1.4 square kilometers) park the eagle was seen.

And I sure was happy to read that you walking again.

Rich, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Photo or Painting? Maybe both. The next time I have a day when my hand tremors are mild I hope to give it a try in watercolors. If you would like to do the same, feel free to go ahead. I'd enjoy seeing your interpretation of the shot.

And kudos to those  two working in that brutal temperature.

Here is another photo from the same wetlands outing on New Year's morning. It's a Snowy Egret and I think the shot captures the mood of the morning and has a hint of action as the egret is starting a stride. But again, the composition is both good and bad: I intentionally included the post on the right to serve as an eye stopper (good), but they say to never have your subject looking out of the frame (oh how I wish the egret had been facing right!).

I'm putting this egret photo on my "I should paint this someday" list; if I do, I'll have a chance to flip the egret so it points right.