April 16 - Cable HBO Micro Fridge

April 16 - Cable HBO Micro Fridge, originally uploaded by wasabi_peas.

I sometimes tell people that I have great appreciation and taste for music, even though I can barely figure out a simple song on the guitar. Same with graphic design -- I'm a total sucker consumer of fonts, design, layout, etc.

To me, that's what this shot is all about. Capturing the designs and typeset from a hotelmotel which has been around here longer than I have.

I do have to give my wife credit for suggesting this subject. Though I'm not sure she would have expected me to crop out only a section of the sign. I'm continually surprised about the little and big ways we find to feel like a well-matched team.

Getting to forgive the 100-300 lens, because I couldn't have hid behind a tree in the semi-shady neighborhood and pulled off this shot. In fact, I bailed on my wifes original suggestion of this shot (month or two ago) because I was thinking I'd stand out being out there with camera and tripod. I've seen my share of underwear-clad hotelmotel managers and I really didn't want to get chased by one. So the long lens and semi-stealth shooting position were keys on this one.

OK, and I know I'm calling this "photo a DAY" but I really enjoyed taking photos today, and I wanted to share this second one. I really like where I cut off the bike racks, the off-center composition, and the tungsten light highlights on the RHS of the racks. (The racks were well-lit by fluorescent). This was another shot I'm proud to say that I spotted while driving toward another idea, and I'm really proud that I immediately stopped and took the chance to try some ideas. Before this blog, I would have probably dismissed it. And whether you like this photo or not, you can't argue the huge benefit to just getting out and taking more photos.

So more than only-one-photo-every-day, this is really about wearing my photo eyes every day, following my vision if one appears, even if a little inconvenient. And using the gear I got instead of lusting after the new 5DMkII my co-worker just bought.......