Our First Christmas

While doing this photo blog project, I found that I really like showcasing the small, individual christmas tree ornaments that hang not only on my tree, but anyone else's tree as well. I've found that most people see the christmas tree as a whole...not many people look at the individual ornaments, lights and other trinkets that peopel but on thier trees. I see most people look at the tree from the middle of the room (or further away) and say "that a beautiful tree). I like getting in close, putting a "spotlight", if you will, on specific things. In this case, I was at my brother-in-law's house, looking over the tree for something that stood out. I saw this little couple and knew it was what I was looking for.

Shot with my "Trusty Sidekick" Nikon D60 with an exposure of 1/40 at f/5.6 and ISO 800. Nikon 55-200 VR lens.

Ceramic Christmas

This post is dedicated to my "sister", Dana. For several years, we've had a debate concerning whether ceramics suck or not. Honestly, I've never liked them. However, Dana loves them. So, this is for her; a Photo of the Day of a ceramic christmas tree with lighted birds. It belongs to my brother-in-law (the one I like), and I was simply walking around his house looking for things to photograph. of course, just taking a standard shot of it was not going to do. I wasn't thrilled with a close-up shot, it just wasn't working for me. However, holding the camera up above my head and shooting down (and some skillfull positioning) I captured a cool view of something that is normally... normal.

Shot with my "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" Nikon D40x with an exposure of 1/30 at f/5.3, ISO 800. Nikon 18-55 VR lens.

Jingle Bells

A big part of the Christmas Holdays are he infamous Jingle Bells. You can find them everywhere...hear them in songs...and see them in decoatins from tree ornaments to christmas sweaters. The ones you ee here are on a wreath that hangs on my front door. I like how the subtle colors of red and green show through just enough to be notced, and are no overpowering. Merry Christmas everyone!

Shot with my "I got yer Jingle Bells right here" Nikon D40x with an exposure of 1/5 second at f/5.3 with ISO 1600. Nikon 18-55 VR lens.

Christmas Luminaries

Although always friendly to each other, many of my neighbors do not talk much during the year...outside of the casual "Hello" and coming together in a crisis. However, every year, some of them get together and make up Luminary Bags, placing several on everyone's lawn up and down the blocks in the neighborhood. I love it...like its the last little touch of the christmas decorations. Enjoy.

Shot with my "It aint coold outside" Nikon D40x wit an exposure of 1/13 at f/3.5 at ISO 1600. Nikon 18-55 VR lens.

Frozen Waters

Ah, yesterday we had a record breaking snowfall here in the Philadelphia/Cheltenham area...Saturday's snowstorm totalled 23.2 inches of snow for the city of Philadelphia. This is the largest snowstorm to ever hit the region in the month of December. It beat out the 21 inches in December of 1909-100 years ago! After some shoveling on Saturday, I spent Sunday morning digging out the cars and helping neighbors get their cars out so they could go to work or the store. While I was hauling shovel after shovel full of snow, my wife yelled across the street "There are some big-ass icicles out back". I promtply finished up and headed in for my camera and right out the back door! All along the back drain, icicles hung like spikes on a medieval gate. The ones pictured here measured over three feet long!

Shot with my Nikon D60 with an exposure of 1/200 at f/8, ISO 100. Nikon 55-200mm VR lens.

Ready to Launch

Snow does something to the guys in my family; it causes an irresistible urge to pack it together and hurl it at the closest person to us, with that hope that the snowball will not only collide with that person with a desirable “thump” sound…but that it will also smash into an area with the splattered snow and ice will slide down under the protective clothing they wear…causing an extended period of much discomfort. This event can only be topped if the splatter would soak the target’s underwear! And after today, I see that this trait has come to settle within my son. For as soon as I came around the corner of the house, I was greeted with this sight! I managed to snap off a photo before quickly doubling over to protect my camera from the onslaught.

Shot with my “Hit-The-Deck” Nikon D40x with an exposure of 1/60 at f/5.3, ISO 100. Nikon 18-55 VR Lens.

Lights & Snow

Wow, the first snowfall of the season, and it was a doozy! In fact, its still coming down! I got up around 8 this morning, and it was already laying on the ground with a depth of about 2 to 3 inches. Now, at 5:30 PM, it's well over a foot out there! As I went shoveling for round two, I stopped and looked back at the house. With all of the lights on (and a few more than in the previous image I posted), illuminating the untouched snow on my little front lawn...I saw a wonderful shot. I ran in the house, snow covered boots and all, to grab my camera. My wife got Connor to look up at us (he's smiling under the coat & hood). I love the color and the smooth waves of snow. I hope you enjoy it too!

Shot with my "Snow-don't-bother-me" Nikon D40x with a 1/20 exposure at f/3.5, ISO 1600. Nikon 18-55 VR Lens. Minor adjustments in Levels.