MyKey : photos : Daily Photos- powered by SmugMug

Finding that one perfect shot to adequately capture a moment in each day is a challenge. It forces us to look at our world through new eyes, to live more fully in the present, and to appreciate what lies in front of us even when perfection is elusive.

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MyKey > Sept. 26, 2008: This is a photo of Crater Lake that I took last week in Oregon. It was a bright sunny day, but a wildfire in the area created a huge cloud and added a dark, mysterious feel to the lake.

This was the first time that I was actually able to drive around the lake. My two previous visits were in mid May, and the perimeter road could not be accessed due to snow. (Average snowfall per year is 523 inches!)

MyKey > Sept. 25, 2008: I was getting ready to post some photos from my recent camping trip to Oregon, when I realized I never posted any from my annual camping trip with Lady Kate and the girls.

While most of you see pictures of LK and our group in our boas and colorful attire, I wanted you to know that our camping trips contain just as much peace and serenity as they do bling. (Well, O.K., not quite as much!)

This combination of a couple of shots shows LK floating through a lovely meadow across from our campsite, along with a shot of her with that ever present camera as she captures the special moments from our trip.

MyKey > Sept. 24, 2008: On one of my early camping trips with Lady Kate, a bear came into our campsite during the night. We'd had reports of bears being in the area recently, so each of us took pots, pans and large spoons into our tents, so we could make noise to scare any intruding bear away from our site. Little did LK know that I would beat my pan so hard when the bear neared my tent, that her prized camping pot would have a crater in it the size of a softball! From that day forward, my camping name became Officer Baby Bear, and I was required to bring my own "scare the bear" tools with me on future trips!

Now, if you know about Lady Kate's camping trips, you realize that boas are pretty standard attire. So, imagine my surprise, when I recently walked into a small gift shop and saw this lovely creature. I was actually in Oregon on a solo camping trip. Of course, I couldn't resist taking this shot!

MyKey > After a three month absence from the "Daily Photos", I'm attempting a comeback.

I'll start by sharing this rather wild looking Dahlia.

MyKey > June 21, 2008: I've decided that a picture from a few months back would be OK for today, since I really don't feel like venturing out in the heat for a DP.

So, here is a picture from the middle of March, which is the beginning of our wild flower season. I went on a bike ride down this road, which was a very peaceful journey. The clouds were fast approaching, so I had to hurry to catch the last of the good light. This is one of the Oak trees that dot our countryside. It had a rather spooky appearance. I'll have to return to this location soon, to capture this tree for you with all of its leaves in place. Of course, the flowers are now gone and the ground will be golden, not green.

MyKey > June 20, 2008: Summer has definitely arrived........113 Degrees today! So, I decided that a photo with water in it was the only way to go.

Since I love water, rocks and reflections.....this one fit the bill. I adjusted the lighting slightly to brighten it up a tad and gave it a frame, but no other PP. The sun reflecting in the water added its own processing.

MyKey > June 19, 2008: I didn't want you to think that you were the only ones who have beauty and culture in your neck of the woods, so I offer this photo. Yes, you may have your nature preserves, fine libraries, museums, historical sites, or even a few castles and graveyards nearby. But, I bet you don't have "Bubble Gum Alley."

Yes, that is right. Today's photo gives you a peak at a narrow passageway between two buildings in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. Many locals (and tourists alike) have deposited their wads of chewing gum on these walls for nearly thirty years. Recently, some earthquake retrofitting threatened the walls existence. There was such an uproar in the town, that the plans were revised to make sure the wall was preserved.

I tried to get you a shot of the entire space, but it didn't adequately represent the fine colors displayed here. So instead, you get a view of the edge of the wall as you exit the alley. PLEASE NOTE: After visiting the wall, a visit to the English Pub across the street is almost mandatory! (Now, that's culture!)

I must tell you that I took Lady Kate along on this journey. If you think that I was tacky to take her to such a place, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK to see the kind of place she takes me!

Lady Kate's idea of fun!

MyKey > June 18, 2008: It's about 104 degrees outside, so after a long day at work followed by a lengthy commute, I'm taking the easy way out. I've decided to sit in the air conditioned comfort of my home and sort through some old photos, instead of going outside and capturing new ones.

This picture was taken last September at the annual "i madonnari italian street painting festival". The event is held on the streets surrounding the mission in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. This artist was just finishing up her chalk painting.

I've relied on PhotoShop a little more than I'd like lately. So, I was happy that this scene had such nice color that it required no PP, except a slight crop on the top.

MyKey > June 16, 2008: I actually didn't take a picture today, so I've selected one from a couple of days ago.

I first tried creating a guitar planet. Perhaps that would have worked with an electric guitar, but it just didn't cut it with this acoustic. Next I tried a filter option in PhotoShop, called "Liquify". I overdid that one a bit, and the result made the fact that I am drinking a glass of wine way too obvious. It was pretty fun, however. I finally decided upon a more mellow version.

Sept. 26, 2008: This is a photo of Crater Lake that I took last week in Oregon. It was a bright sunny day, but a wildfire in the area created a huge cloud and added a dark, mysterious feel to the lake.

This was the first time that I was actually able to drive around the lake. My two previous visits were in mid May, and the perimeter road could not be accessed due to snow. (Average snowfall per year is 523 inches!)