December 31, 2010 - The 365th picture- Garden of the Gods

When I started this project, I named it 52 photo projects, because I never thought I would commit to 365, one picture a day, and post it. I imagined that for sure I could make it once a week, but not once a day for 365 days. As it turned out, I made it...365 days of pictures that represent my life in the end of this decade of 2010. And to end it really nice, today's image is one of my favorites of the 52 that will make the cut to become a book.

Since it snowed today, we went out to photograph the beauty of the snow, and I made another panoramic image. For the records, this is a stitch of 5 images put together. Garden of the Gods is the place, one of the most visited spots in Colorado Springs, and even prettier when snow is around. The gold light of winter and early morning made the rocks really stand out. I am happy for putting the effort and making the time to commit to my first 365 project.

I made it. I am aware that this project was not about the making of 365 amazing pictures, but the journey to create every day and to come up with things that mean to me now, and to finish it.
Happy new year!

ISO 200
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: f/10

December 30 - Finally, the snow

It looks like winter took its time to get closer this year. I know it is only December and officially we have only been in winter for a little over a week, but it still sounds like we have been lucky compared to the East coast with all that snow.
It took me 3 hours and a half to drive 13 miles today, quite an adventure, but the beauty of the quiet is almost magical.
Before the big traffic hours, a scene through the window...

ISO 400
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/4.5

December 29 - Mama

I stopped by my friend's home today and took a window portrait of her mama. I really like it and I think I captured her honest smile.

ISO 400
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8

December 28 - Don't interrupt my dinner

I placed the camera on the floor and called Henry, the cat, who gave me "the look" of "don't interrupt my dinner".

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/3.5

December 27 - TV night

Tv night is not a habit of mine. In fact, we watch so little tv that we cut cable in September and never regretted. Now we have netflix, for those 5 to 8 hours of tv we watched every month and have nothing else to do.
Tonight we watched a movie about the photographer of the Obama's administration, a documentary made by National Geographic that I recommend.
When the movie was over, I took a picture of the tv with the other options for some other night.
Tired now. Time to sleep.

ISO 1000
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/5.6

December 26 - Chocolate cake

One day after Christmas and all I could think was cake. Not any cake. Chocolate cake.
I usually don't have desert, don't like ice cream (with the exception of butterfinger blast and hagen daaz caramel in summer) and don't have the habit of munching on any sweet. Now chocolate cake is something I crave every couple of months or so...
Bought one at Costco today. Had one piece and was done with sweets for a month.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/4.5

December 25 - Christmas day

Eve got a perfume from her aunt and I really liked the backlight and the way the colors were warm thorough the glass.

ISO 1250
Shutter speed:1/250
Aperture: f/5.6

December 24 - It's Christmas!

The night was cold but a beautiful moon was in the sky. There was no snow, and despite the fact I say "cold" , it was probably the warmest Christmas eve in a long time in Colorado. We turned the Christmas lights on and enjoyed music and wine.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/5

December 23 - Ice trees

With the rare fog and low temperature, trees have been "frozen" for a couple of days, but I knew that sunshine would come in and melt them today, so I went out earlier to still capture the ice on the trees. I ove how the ice on the top of the trees contrast with the blue sky. Spent the entire day with a big smile on my face just by remembering this scene...

ISO 200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/10

December 22 - Fog in Colorado

Fog is something rare in our winter, since we are in the desert, but every now and then we get some ice days, and everything gets covered in ice and fog. One of my favorites of the year.

ISO 500
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/10

December 21 - Christmas bear

The Christmas bear in the hallway is very warm and I think it is a sweet image.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8

December 20 - Christmas ornaments

I am in 12 day of Christmas pictures, just for the Christmas spirit, so today I put the camera on tripod and used the 200mm fixed lens. I used the Canon 580 EX flash bounced to the ceiling with gold reflector to add to the gold warmth of the tree.

ISO 200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8

December 19 - Mini christmas tree

I took a picture of the mini christmas tree with the orange chair behind it. It seems red, because it had backlight at 45 degree, and I increased the contrast.

ISO 500
Shutter speed: 1/640
Aperture: f/4

December 18 - Balloon

I bought a Christmas balloon to decorate the home. It is one of those balloons that go to the ceiling...never had one of those...really cool.

ISO 320
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/4.5

December 17 - Stockings

Our stockings hanging on the wall. Ethan's stocking was made by his grandma when he was a child. I have to get a red sharpie and write my name on it.

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/5

December 16 - Our christmas tree

Our Christmas tree in the living room.

ISO 800
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/2.5

December 15 - Christmas Angel

Christmas Angel was in my friend's house today. I put the angel in her red chair to contrast and complement the green.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8

December 14 - Mini gifts

Those mini gifts are under my friend's tree.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/2.8

December 13 - Mini Santa

Little Santa on top of our coffee table. The room feels very warm in the Christmas Season.

ISO 3200
Shutter Speed:1/125
Aperture: f/2.8

December 12 - Gift under the tree

I joined the 12 days of Christmas pictures so for 12 days my images of the day will be about Christmas. This is a gift under our Christmas tree.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/2.8

December 11 - Santa came to town

I did a volunteer work photographing kids with Santa today, but for their protection, I can't share the kids. So I am sharing just Santa, a very good Santa who came to town to give the kids some gifts and joy.

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/7.1

December 10 - New table

We finally have a coffee-table! I just love it!
It was at home when I arrived today :)

ISO 1600
Shutter speed: 1/30
Aperture: f/2.8

December 9 - Henry watches tv with us

He usually comes to our laps, but every now and then he just sits in between the shoes and watches tv with us. Just funny to me.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/20
Aperture: f/2.8

December 8 - Like sisters

10 years from now, I wonder if those two will remember they were best friends and loved each other like sisters do.
I see this over and over and it is always a happy thought that comes back to my mind. It reminds me about the people who come to our lives whom we learn how to love and then just live in our heart.
This is one of my favorites of the year and it literally brings happy thoughts and tears to my eyes. I love this picture.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/20
Aperture: f/2.8

December 7 - Vintage camera

The third vintage camera arrived today. Now those 3 "ancient" cameras will do company to each other.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/20
Aperture: f/2.8

December 6 - Backlight

The back light through the trees caught my eye today. I love the flare and the darkness feel to this picture.

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/13

December 5 - Christmas decoration

I took a bunch of pictures of our Christmas tree and I like this one.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/2.8

December 4 - Model

I photographed this gorgeous model today! What a privilege! And I love the black and white conversion.

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/10

December 3 - Cake

This was the most beautiful crafty cake I've seen. And it was egg nog cake! Yummy!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/4

December 2 - Lollypop

I found the most colorful lollypop today! Love the colors.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/5

December 1 - My friend's camera

I went to visit a friend and took a picture of her camera. am not a big fan of the 70-200 lens because it is too heavy, but it sure looks good :)

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/4

November 30 - Blur

Today was blur play day and I took auto focus and blurred images for fun.
I kind of like this one. I definitely like the mood.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/2.8

November 29 - Camera

I got a couple of old cameras to have as my "display" at home. Kind of fun to imagine that this as an amazing invention once. An old polaroid.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/2.8

November 28 - Signs

We went to spend the day in Denver and I loved some signs I saw in the parking lot.

ISO 160
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/9

November 27 - Eve and her friend

Those two are like sisters. Playing videogame or watching tv, they are always having fun together.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8

November 26 - Ethan

My sweetheart posed for me. One of my new favorite pictures :)

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/7.1

November 25 - Emma

We had a fun Thanksgiving with many friends today. Emma was just adorable with those earrings!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8

November 24 - The purse

I took a picture of the towel/purse my mom made for me.
The purse becomes a beach towel when open and it is wonderful to carry wallet, glasses, car key, and it fits my camera! Oh, and it is pink (mostly!)

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/200
Aperture: f/3.5

November 23 - Kansas book

Almost 2 years after I went to Kansas I finally put a book together from my favorite images, the ones of the abandoned house we photographed.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/2.5

November 22 - Polaroid board

My new polaroid board. I had a week of polaroid nostalgia, so I spent the weekend selecting some images to print polaroid style

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/8

November 21 - Zuchini bread

Ethan made this moist and wonderful zuchini bread today.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/5.6

November 20 - Panettone

I found Panettone from my childhood brand in the stores!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/5.6

November 19 - Sunrise at home

I woke up with this gold light around everything. I picked through the living room window and the most beautiful sunrise said good morning. What a great way to start the day!

ISO 800
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/8

November 18 - Couchsurfers

Today we had guests. The couchsurfers from last night spent the night in our home and we had a lovely dinner together.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/5

November 17 - The cat in the house

Today we went to the couchsurfing party, and there was a lot of people there. We all brought a dish and wine to share and celebrate the Thanksgiving our way. I met a lot of interesting people.
The cat in the house is very friendly and let us take some pictures.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8

November 16 - Chinese food

For almost 8 years, I've been going to "Jen's", like I refer to my favorite Chinese restaurant.It is actually called Rong Cheng, in the same shopping center where King Soopers and Hobby Lobby are located, by Woodmen and N. Academy, in Colorado Springs. A family oriented, very small, and very simple restaurant, with the best Chinese Food I ever had. My sweetheart lived in Asia for 2 years and says her food is the best as well.

This is a picture of the soup, that has a great taste and perfect color, egg drop soup :)

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/2.8

November 15 - Leonor

My friend is excited about learning about her new Canon 60d, her first DSLR camera. I took just a few test shots of her today to show her the cropping and white balance.

ISO 400
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8