D184 - Garden

It was a scorcher today, even at 9am. I was at the Akron Zoo's garden when the image below was captured. While there, I met a couple that had just moved back to Ohio from West Virginia taking note of the different flower names. Out of curiosity, I asked why they were writing down the names. They told me their new home came beautifully landscaped, but they didn't know what type of flowers were planted. So they were seeing how many flowers they could identify with all the ones listed at the zoo. It's looked as if they were on a very fun scavenger hunt. Sometimes Zoo are not always about the animals.

Enjoy

Ja mata, Brian

D183 - All it takes

From the practice range I 'borrowed' a ball with plans for a ring shot from the last wedding. But it turned out that golf wasn't really the couple's 'Cup of Tea' so the ball was put on the back burner. This practice ball is a good reminder to 'practice' your craft, whatever it is, as often as you can. The difference between a violinist playing in an orchestra, one that teaches, and one that is a hobbyist, boils down the the amount of hours they have practiced. So, it's the weekend, you have no excuse, do something to further what you enjoy doing.

Practice.

Ja mata,
 Brian

D182 - Summer Fun

When my siblings and I were kids we did two things in the summer religiously, go to the library to get books for the yearly summer book club and spend time at the Akron Art Museum. Between the arts and crafts area in the basement and the art work on the upper floors we went everywhere in the building. I'm even convinced the staff knew us all by name. Our mom used to take us around to see the art and ask us what we thought the art work was or meant. The abstract art was the hardest to figure out, but fun to guess at. Now, some 20 plus years later, Sara get to guess at artwork at every museum we visit. Also, the Akron Museum has  Downtown at Dusk where they have local bands play from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursdays with activities for kids and adults alike. It's free and fun, as you can see from the second picture with Sara.

Can't beat summer fun.
Enjoy.

Ja Mata! Brian

D180 - Retro

Today we were at a parade in Stow, The parade actually ran later than (I) expected, but we did get to see a multiple old school vehicles (Like the fire Truck pictured below). This makes me want to pickup a Mamiya R37 Pro-s II, old school but completely functional, actually better in some respects.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D179 - Catalyst

A stick of incense is only at it peak with a flame. Sure you can smell the scent before burning them, but just having a bag of incense will not fill a room with it's smell. This is the same as pursuing your passion/dream, just having one is not enough. You have to be the flame, the catalyst to cause a reaction. Which is not as easy as lighting a match, especially on long days and short sleep. Or days you feel like you are taking steps backwards instead of advancing. These are the days it takes two matches to start the reaction. If you are feeling stagnant, uninspired, defeated, unmotivated, stuck in a place where you cannot move out from...make a reaction. It doesn't have to be a big reaction just big enough for you. Be honest, we all know when we are not giving 100%. Dig deep, know what you have to do and do more!  You never know how close you are until you get there...and it would be a shame to walk away when you could be right there.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D178 - Drive-by

So one of the things I had to find a solution for was taking pictures while driving on the RAAM race we did. This was not a terribly difficult task but it was a skill I had to develop while 'On the job'. Granted I did not have to shoot while driving, but the opportunity was there and most of the times we would only be going about 23 miles per hour. The first thing to do is get your exposure down, and stay aware of your surrounding as you may need to change them quickly. Next chose your zoom. I tend to shoot a little wide as I know I shoot with a tilt when not looking, and no it's not for art. Then show down, drive-by and shoot photograph the subject. Below is a church I passed  driving through downtown Cleveland.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D177 - Angry Birds Live

This is, as Sara calls him, Leo the red angry bird leader. Sara and I took some small empty boxes to make a live action Angry Birds game in the house (who says you need an iPad to get into the game). I have to say it was a very fun 20 minutes of throwing a stuffed toy to destroy the box houses. Next weekend we are going to up the ante and try to make exploding birds to throw. I did try to do an action shot of Leo, didn't pan out so well but there is always tomorrow. Enjoy.

As Thomas Edison would said, I just learned 1 of the many ways to not to shoot the angry bird 'flying'.

Ja mata, Brian