keepers

Early in 2009, I decided to capture an image every calendar day for an entire year. 365 days later, I have more gray hair, have aged a decade and alienated loved ones, but I did it and, most importantly, I didn’t miss a single day. Comments and criticisms are welcomed, both on composition and technique, and on content. Thanks for looking.

Shutter Drag #2 (Day 159)

I had so much fun dragging the shutter (aka the poor man’s Lensbaby) with my cheap point and shoot at the Dead show this past April (see Day 104) that I decided to play some more using my front yard lilies (the subject inspired by James Hill’s recent, and unfortunate, camera focus issues). There's lots of grain due to the higher ISO as it was getting dark (in other words, best viewed small whilst squinting and shaking your head vigorously side to side).

For those who don’t know what a Lensbaby is, essentially it is a simple lens that allows the user to move it off axis from the camera through a pivot between the front element and the camera mount. This allows one to focus on a specific object (which remains fairly sharp) while the rest of the image is out of focus.

To see some great examples of what it can help create, visit Melissa O’Shaughnessy’s gallery (hope you don't mind Melissa) <a href="http://mwoshaughnessy.smugmug.com/gallery/8107166_5deXV#536048214_B6jQY">here</a>.

For an alternate take where I zoomed instead of spun, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (sorry, nodded off there for a second; I am tired. I was up at 4:30 this morning and on my way into work to deal with a production issue with my new financial system).

Anyway, for an alternate take where I zoomed instead of spun, please visit my alternate shot of the day, which is equally dizzying, click <a href="http://www.nawset.com/gallery/7350034_Cbef6#562623374_rY5G5">here</a>.

(2009-06-12 8:02pm)

159 / 365

Shutter Drag #2 (Day 159) I had so much fun dragging the shutter (aka the poor man’s Lensbaby) with my cheap point and shoot at the Dead show this past April (see Day 104) that I decided to play some more using my front yard lilies (the subject inspired by James Hill’s recent, and unfortunate, camera focus issues). There's lots of grain due to the higher ISO as it was getting dark (in other words, best viewed small whilst squinting and shaking your head vigorously side to side). For those who don’t know what a Lensbaby is, essentially it is a simple lens that allows the user to move it off axis from the camera through a pivot between the front element and the camera mount. This allows one to focus on a specific object (which remains fairly sharp) while the rest of the image is out of focus. To see some great examples of what it can help create, visit Melissa O’Shaughnessy’s gallery (hope you don't mind Melissa) here. For an alternate take where I zoomed instead of spun, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (sorry, nodded off there for a second; I am tired. I was up at 4:30 this morning and on my way into work to deal with a production issue with my new financial system). Anyway, for an alternate take where I zoomed instead of spun, please visit my alternate shot of the day, which is equally dizzying, click here. (2009-06-12 8:02pm)

Other Shot A Day shot 20090612 4070

Melissa OShaughnessy
on June 18, 2009
This is very cool, but I agree with James in that it would be nice if it had a subject or point of focus. You've both inspired me to try long-exposure/hand-held shots, but I've not been satisfied with anything so far. Will keep trying and post one when it passes muster. And thanks ever so much for the link to my Lensbaby gallery--and of course I don't mind. (And now you've inspired me to upload some of my latest stuff there, which I've been both too busy and too lazy to get to.)
James Hill
on June 14, 2009
Gee, I inspired something? Oh, my broken camera did, now I see...
I really like the cool green color and motion, but I really want something to focus on in this image. It doesn't have to be in focus - could be a splash of complimentary color in the vortex, or some discernible shape that survived the spin cycle. Next time instead of cranking the ISO, do the opposite and go for a long enough exposure to get some spin action captured, followed by holding the camera steady on your subject for the last few seconds of exposure. Challenging, yes. Predictable results, no. I didn't spin, but check my shot today for a 8 second, hand held, 3 stage, zoom shot.

Also, if your using a camera that accepts front filers, a little Vaseline strategically smeared around the face of a cheap filter can create some pretty nifty effects. The original poor man's lensbaby.
cornfu
on June 14, 2009
i like this. if you and Hill are doing this i have to jump onboard. i think the dailies lead to this as we all get bored of taking shots of flowers and pets! and that is no slam on you, bro. you got the variety going strong in this gallery! keep up the great creativity, pete. also thanks for the lensbaby description. i was clueless.

keepers

Melissa OShaughnessy

James Hill

cornfu