Snapshotofagoodlife.com...

...that's the online photography class that got me started.  Karen Russell is the girl, or lady (I hate using that word, because if she's lady then I'm an old lady and I don't want to be that) that teaches the class and continues to be involved in her students successes.  She recently sent an e-mail asking for a little help.  I'm so happy to be able to give something back to her! 
Soooo......
Because she asked. Because she is the inspiration behind my wonderful journey into photography. Because she teaches in way that makes it easy to understand. Because she encourages you to do your best and find your style, not someone else's. Because she gives her heart and soul to all of her students, both past and present. Because she asked, I give her my best, one of my most best, one of my favorite shots!


Fifty-two on Friday-Week Forty-one

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.
"far away"
I had the opportunity this past weekend to take my camera to someplace that I've only ever driven past on my way to my husband's family's vacation home.  I was, actually, scrapbooking for the weekend when I decided to take my camera and check out a Pagoda that sits way up on top of a hill outside the town of Reading, Pennsylvania.  The Pagoda was really neat, but the view from the Pagoda was spectacular.  I wish that I'd thought to ask my husband to stop at this location years ago.  I hope to get back in a couple of weeks when the leaves are changing color.  I imagine the view will be even more amazing.   The city just seems so far away, but in reality it was just a few minutes from where I stood.
(note: I actually had a really nice panoramic to share but the file was too large.  I will try to resize it later, after work, and post, so you might want to check back!) 

Here's a panoramic I took but wasn't able to post this morning.

 
To see more far away things start here with Faye Kingston of Miramichi, NB

Fifty two on Friday-Week Forty!!!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"family"
 I tried to think a bit outside the box for this week's shot.  My youngest son, Kevin, was coming home from college last weekend, when I began brainstorming ideas for a family portrait.  I wasn't coming up with any unique, but in the course of explaining why he was coming home to a friend,  I got a better idea.  
Kevin is senior at Penn State University.  For years the students of Penn State have participated in the largest student run philanthropic organization in the world, know as THON. THON is a year long fund raising event that raises money to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at the Hershey Medical Center and more specifically, two families who have had children with pediatric cancer.. 
One of the ways the students of Penn State raise money is by canning.    Groups of  students usually travel to someone's home for a weekend. (they do this multiple times during the year.) They sleep on couches, floors, or beds if they're available. Then they get up early on Saturday morning and actually stand on street corners, outside of grocery stores, or where ever towns will let them and with cans in their hands they collect donations.  It doesn't matter to them what the weather may be, they just go.   And they do it all again on Sunday. Some are even ambitious enough to start when they get where they're going on Friday evening.
The culmination of the fund raising is a 46-hour  dance marathon in February.  More than 15,000 Penn State from all campuses volunteer their time to raise money to help the families of Brittany and Katelyn.  The students of Penn State have sponsored Brittany and Katelyn for the last several years.  
This past February THON raised a record $10, 680,000 towards the elimination of childhood cancer. The efforts of these students doesn't end there, though.  They just don't help out financially, but emotionally as well.  These students spend their weekend time throughout the year going bowling,  on picnics, or to the local amusement park or any other number of activities to raise the spirits of the families they have pledged to help and grown to love. 

For my shot this week, I chose to highlight just a few of the kids that so unselfishly donate their time.  These kids are part of Kevin's fraternity family.  Alpha Kappa Psi is a business fraternity that Kevin is proud to be a part of.  They are brothers.  They are family.  I'm honored to have met these kids and am looking forward to hosting a canning weekend at my house in November so that I can get to know them better and support them while they support their 
THON families.

To continue around the blog circle, start here with Christine Baylock

Part of the AKPsi family:

Yvonne, Rita, Lindsey, Emily, Steve, Kevin, Luke
 




Kevin (on right) and his friend Steve have known each other since first grade, were roommates for their first two years of college, and now live in the frat house, along with ten other "brothers."


 If you'd like to learn more or even donate to THON click here. The link will take you to Alpha Kappa Psi's THON page where you can read more about the event.  If you choose to make a  donation, there is a link at the bottom of the page. Please select "organization" in the Designation Selection box.  Once you save your info at the bottom of that page, and continue onto the next page, you'll be able to select Alpha Kappa Psi as the specific organization getting credit for the donation.  
Ninety-six percent of the the total donation amount goes to the Four Diamonds Fund to help with research and to support the families affected by childhood cancers. 
If you are unable to donate at this time, please keep these students and the familes they support in your thoughts and/or prayers.

It all means so much! 

52 on Friday-Week thirty nine

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"black and white"

I have to admit that black and white photography is not my first love.  
A few years ago when I really became interested in photography, I didn't really like it at all.  
I didn't see the point.
I see in color and felt like my work should represent what I see.
It was a noble thought.
It was also flawed
Not all photography is about recording what you see.
It's about creating a vision.
It's about art.
It can be an expression and/or an extension of one's character or one's imagination .
And sometimes it's about showing just how simple something can be
or about bringing out the detail that only grayscale can show. 

Here is one subject I love to see in black and white.


Here's a subject I find much less intimidating in black and white.


To see what the rest of the blog circle has created in Black and White 
.

52 on Friday-Week Thirty eight

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"reflections"

This week's theme is reflections.  As soon as I saw the theme I knew I wanted to show you this reflection.  It's from the local horticultural gardens and is a part of a light display they are currently featuring.


to see the reflections of the rest of my blog circle, start here with  Christa Paustenbaugh of Okinawa Japan

I'm adding another one I took last night. I had another trip planned to the same gardens, but it was scheduled for Friday evening and this post was set for Friday morning.  I shot this just for fun...just to push the limits of my creativity.  It's totally not my usual style, but I'm liking breaking out of that mold!

 

52 on Friday-thirty seven

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"trees"

For this week's shot I went to one of my favorite local parks and found these trees...

and, no, this is not upside down!

 To continue around the circle and see what other variety of trees this talented group of photographers found for our enjoyment, start here with Robin Moore

 

Sunflowers abound!

I took a drive this morning to find a sunflower field.  I wasn't able to shoot at that field but instead of going back home I took some back roads to see what I could find.  What I found is a place that needs more exploring and that had fields upon fields of sunflowers for me to practice in today.
I finally found a Monarch butterfly.  I was using my tripod and trying to focus on this flower when this beauty landed on the sunflower!  How lucky for me!


 I found several varieties of bees.  Funny how not one of them was interested in me!











 

52 on Friday-Week thirty-six!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"f/16"

The f-stop of a picture, in a large part, has to do with how much of the picture is in focus.  It can also give you some really cool effects of light.  I particularly like when I get a sunburst when the sun in incorporated in my compositions.  It's very easy to do when my aperture is closed way down.  F/16 is not way down, but it is still enough to get the effect I was looking for.  I was really thinking of a nice sunrise, but the weather this week didn't really allow for that, but this morning we are actually seeing the sun. I tried to find a unique perspective to get a sunburst, while still holding on the warmth and beauty of the last days of summer.  I won't be able to photograph these flowers much longer! 


To continue around the circle and see what four other talented photographers found at f/16, 

Recently I met up with some fellow photographer friends at Longwood Gardens.  There are several exhibits there during the year.  Until September 29th you'll find  
 You can visit the gardens at any time of day, but try to plan your visit so that you can stay through the evening hours.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.  
I liked it so much that I plan to go back because the exhibit closes.
Here are a few of my favorite images, many thanks to the sharing of ideas amongst my friends.
 (you know who you are!).























52 on Friday-Week 35

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

 
"close-up"

For this week's theme I chose I shot from a Longwood Gardens, a local horticultural center.  I went with a bunch of girls from an online photography group that I belong to.  The men in the group, for some reason, avoid flowers at all costs!  

 
 To see everyone else's close-up shots, start here with photographer Erin Dahl of Memphis TN 

Fifty-two on Friday-Week Thirty three

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"small"

I walked outside to find something to use for this week's theme and actually found a few things that fit.  Here are two.  The first is really what I intended to use.  The second is another shot that I took for a challenge in another photography group.  I had so much response on the second shot that I figured I'd share it here as well.


A teeny, tiny sunburst!


To see all things small that were captured by the rest of the group, start here with   
 Christa Paustenbaugh of Okinawa, Japan

52 on Friday-Week Thirty-two!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"fresh"

The only thing planted in my garden this year and they already more than make-up for the lack of tomatoes last year!  

These grape tomatoes reseeded themselves. 

  
I can just pick one of these off the vine and eat it like an apple!  There's not a tomato I can buy in the grocery store that compares to the fresh ones from my garden! 




Click here  to see what Emily Remmick, Natural Light photographer from  ND and the rest of the blog circle found this week for "fresh."
 

Finally! Butterflies on the butterfly bush!

Last year we replanted an area that had been taken over by some huge, but dieing, evergreens.  Three of the plants Michael chose to put in the bed were butterfly bushes.  It took a long time for me to actually see butterflies on those bushes, but while mulching this week, two kept me company!  Both swallowtails, but different colors.  I was only too happy to forego mulching for a while and run for my camera!

 



 




 










52 on Friday-Week Thirty one!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"symmetry"

I had every intention of going out this morning or this evening for a new shot.  I had my location all picked out, too. Unfortunately, sometimes the responsibilities of life get in the way.  Today was one of those days and I didn't get the shot I had planned.  
This shot was the first one that I thought of, though, when I saw the theme for this week. 
Some days I like the color.  
Other days, the black and white.    


 To see more examples of symmetry start here with Emily Remmick of North Dakota

52 on Friday-Week Thirty!

A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"patterns"

If you think about it, patterns are everywhere.  They are man made and found in nature.  They can be hard, soft, light, dark, colorful,monotone.  They can cause you to think "wow" or they can be so busy that you have to close your eyes because your brain can process the overload of contrast.
They can also be created in  computer, as you'll see.
This is one of the simpler patterns found in nature.  I have no idea what this flower is called.
I had to replace a whole section of my garden due to some disease and this was one of the few varieties of flowers left at the nursery.

   
I had some fun editing this in a program that someone shared with me this week.  I'm such a traditionalist when it comes to photography that I almost didn't even want to experiment, but I gave in and while I'm sure this is NOT going to be my new normal, it was a lot of fun to see what could be done with the click of  the mouse.

"a new pattern"

 or this with another click of the mouse

 

 To continue around the circle to  see what what patterns the group has found this week start with Faye Kingston, of Miramichi, NB and  click here!

One's of Paul's girls...

These glorious creatures grace our backyard on a daily basis.  During the summer months they come to feed off of the apple trees.  They sometimes eat the ones they can reach that are still in the tree but more often than not they are eating the ones that have fallen to the ground.  This is totally okay with me because it means I don't have to make applesauce.  I know a lot of people love to make their own, but I'm not one of them!  And if they are eating the apples, they are not eating my flowers! I  happen to spend a lot of money and time on my gardens and just hate it when I've found plants that have been nibbled to nothing!
 During the winter my husband also supplies then with corn, as do several of our neighbors!  There's always a salt lick on the remnants of a tree stump which is what this young lady is working on.  She doesn't even mind when I go out on the deck and put the the umbrellas and cushions away.  She'll stop to check me out and then continue on.  
I asked for some ideas on names for this lady and one of my good friends from work suggested McIntosh.  
I kinda liked that, so that's what I'll call her. 
We also have another doe whose been seen with two fawns.  I haven't been lucky enough to get them in the frame of my camera, but if I do, I'll be back with a post!  





52 on Friday-Week Twenty nine


  A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"Framed"

I just love how the center of a flower is framed by the layers of petals around it's edges. 


Have a look at what photographer Christa Paustenbaugh of Okinawa, Japan and five other photographers framed  by clicking here

Alaska Part 3-Denali and beyond...


 Our arrival in Talkeetna begin here at K2 aviation.  We could only take ourselves and the camera or a pair of binoculars.  They weighed us in order to make sure the plane was balanced. 
With all the clouds we weren't sure that we'd get to fly or that it would be very pretty.
Boy, were we wrong!


This was the view from the plane!







 

After our flight we had time to walk through the little town of Talkeetna.   It was like walking onto the set of Northern Exposure.  Everybody knew everybody.  The local bar/restaurant was well occupied, the people friendly, and the food was really good! 



I was forced into this photo op! 

 This made me laugh, out loud!  You gotta love small towns!


From the lodge we could see Mt. McKinley as long as the clouds cooperated.




As we headed towards Whittier to board the ship, these are some the sites I captured.

These are eagles!  Beautiful, graceful creatures!











More to come!

52 on Friday-Week Twenty-eight

 A blog circle of photographers from all over the world, both amateur and professional alike, sharing their interpretations of a common theme.  At the bottom of each post, click the link for the next photographer until you come full circle, back here to my blog.

"up-high"

This week's theme brought back some memories of when I used to work in a preschool.  There was a song we used to sing with the children that started with the words "Way up high in the apple tree, two little apples smile down at me..."  I think that song will be stuck in my head all day!



To continue around the circle and see what the other fantastic photographers found up high, start with Tammy Bilodeau,Whitecourt Alberta Photographer and click here

52 on Friday-Week Twenty seven

This week's theme is red, white, and blue or any combination of those colors.  Perfect timing for those of us in the States, since the Fourth of July was on Wednesday.  I am choosing a picture I took last weekend at Freedom Fest.  Freedom Fest has been sponsored by the Herr's Company and Chester County Parks since 1992. We attended the fireworks that first year and have been there every year since with the exception of one.

When my oldest son entered the military in 2005, celebrating this particular holiday became very important to us.  At Freedom Fest, they thank God for our freedoms.  They ask for a moment of silence in honor of our freedoms.  They honor the men and women who fought years ago for us to gain our freedoms and for those who continue to serve today to protect our freedoms.  And they celebrate this in style.  Almost an hour of explosions, noise, color, and music fill the senses.

Here is my favorite shot of the evening and my favorite memory of the night!  It's the raising of the American Flag while Lee Greenwood's song "Proud to be an American" plays over the speakers.  This is what it's all about!

 
To see more examples of "red, white, and blue" start with photographer Faye Kingston of Miramichi, NB

Here are a few more pictures of the celebration...

















Happy Birthday, America!