Penning Photography Daily

For as many years as I can recall, the State of Illinois has decorated the capitol building with lights to simulate a Christmas tree. It was dark a few years, during the 1973 oil crisis for one.

As I was leaving work, the twilight blue sky was serving as a beautiful backdrop for the scene. The photo has some significant digital noise, but the sense of the scene is intact.

This vertical capture had the bonus of the quarter moon at the top.

I went and did the bulk of my last minute holiday errands tonight. Just a few more short trips for just-in-time items, and I’ll be done.

I’m enjoying the season, and hoping for peace and good weather for the rest of this year and into the New Year.

Just the Christmas tree this time.

Karen says she has more to put on, so this is just an interim look.

Looks good to me!

I had to zoom in closely to see if you could see the photographer in any of the ornaments. Thankfully not, from my cursory glance.

The snow fall was about 6-8 inches here yesterday. It’s white and shades of grey, wherever I look. I guess that’s why this colorful tree brightens my outlook.

Stay warm and walk carefully. =)

Our first substantial snow of the Winter season.

It could add up to near 12 inches before it’s done.

Then again, it could stop and just leave us with 4-6 inches.

We take what comes, and in this case, make photos of it.

I like the frosting of snow on this evergreen in my back yard. It was snowing very fine flakes at the time. I put the sodium vapour light behind the tree to give it some definition and to try to highlight the snow flakes in the air.

The sun – hidden by total cloud cover – had set and the sky was holding the last bits of sunlight with the snow helping to keep it bright.

I had taken the packages from the car into the house, and came out for some photo play.

I had fun. =)

Me at work.

Notice my photo collection behind me. I’m a shameless huckster of my work.

I was on a teleconference for work. I have an average of 4 each week. Some are long and arduous. This was one of them. All for the greater good of my fellow citizens. Really.

So I had the Zenitar 16mm manual lens on and started playing as I listened.

I would make comments or ask questions as needed, but I had the call on speaker phone and muted unless I was speaking. .

Plenty of time to play around and learn a few new things about the lens.

Being self-centered, why not take another portrait? Ok, here you go.

Instead of the blank stare, you get the quizzical look.=)

It’s a very cold day and night here.

I needed to warm up. Hence, my dipping once again into the archives.

This is from a wedding in St. Louis, Missouri this July. I 2nd shot this with a pro friend who is St. Louis based. I learned a bunch, including how hot it is in the Summer in St. Louis.

The sun had set, we were indoors and the music had this crowd of 20-somethings up and boogieing to the beat.

They kept the joint jumping and me shooting until it was time for me to drive the 2 hours back home.

Looks like they were having fun along with me, right?

They were and I was too. =)

Since it’s so cold and dreary outside here, I’m again dipping into the Autumn well of photos for a warm visit to places past.

This is Karen’s favorite of the set we took in the Lincoln Memorial Garden walk on a Sunday afternoon’s walk.

She loves the bridge and the couple at the end of it, also enjoying the colors of Autumn.

The seasons change and thus the variety of life is a reminder of the richness of life.

I hope you are warm and well as life changes about you.

From the archives of Summer. Redone in Photomatix for some HDR goodness.

My sister Trish’s cat, I’m not remembering it’s name at the moment.

She had a pair of tabby cats but one has gone, now this sweetie is all alone, with Trish.

The light was pouring in through the large window, putting the cat in dark shadows.

Using Photomatix, I was able to pull out detail of this splendid companion.

Bonus – The light on the throw blanket is real sweet too.