Photo Slam Down

Photo Slam Down: Capturing the Last of Summer

2010-10-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

Photo Slam Down: Capturing the Last of Summer

Capturing the Last of Summer

2010-10-10T17:24:00.000-05:00

Enjoy

Another of June's Grange Photos

2010-10-06T10:09:00.000-05:00

Enjoy!

Another Bites the Dust

2010-10-04T12:29:00.000-05:00

The Grange

2010-10-01T08:58:00.001-05:00

Below, is a shot through the window of the Grange building by June Henderson

Stay tuned for more.

Classes Filling Up

2010-08-31T18:24:00.000-05:00

★ ☆ ✮ ✯Classes filling fast - check http://studio909.net/SummerClasses.aspx you will find calendars there with the available openings -★ ☆ ✮ ✯ if this isn't helpful message me.★ ☆ ✮

Studio 909 End of Summer Photo Classes

2010-08-30T15:11:00.000-05:00

Studio 909 end of summer photo classes will begin on September 7th and run for the next 8 weeks. For more information see http://studio909.net/SummerClasses.aspx

See you all there.

The Photo Judging Contest

2010-08-26T12:40:00.001-05:00

For any of you whom have every been in an art judging context - you should appreciate this video. Click on the link below to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYLIBDXLTzI&feature=player_embedded

Info on Studio 909 photo courses coming to an internet near you - thanks for your support.

Moutain Man

2010-08-04T23:29:00.001-05:00

My first thought was - bronze - with a closer look ... it'a a painted photo. Nicely done. Thank you Doug Tindal for sharing.

Sunset

2010-07-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

Nicely done by Doug Tindal. Thanks for sharing Doug!

Under a Painted Sky

2010-07-18T17:33:00.000-05:00

Corn in Iowa

2010-07-13T14:24:00.001-05:00

Just one of the many fields of corn that create the landscape around southeastern Iowa.

Yellow Daisy

2010-06-15T09:34:00.001-05:00

Daisy yellow captured submitted by Studio 909 Barb Swift

Harley Season

2010-06-10T20:29:00.003-05:00

Doug Tindal shared the summer Harley season - Thanks Doug

Remember

2010-05-30T22:59:00.001-05:00

Remember all those that have fallen before us.

Out for a walk

2010-05-21T10:24:00.001-05:00

Today's photos were submitted by Mary Patterson -

Ponder Chair

2010-05-17T09:50:00.001-05:00

Yes ... a chair to ponder in your garden or a garden to ponder from your chair - Catfish and Penny - submitted by Studio 909

2010-05-17T09:42:00.001-05:00

4 O'Clocks - they will be here before you know it. Submitted by Studio 909

Glass Wooden Horse

2010-05-11T12:05:00.001-05:00

This is what the spring weather feels like today - Doug Tindal's Glass Wooden Horse

Rainy Brushed Tulip

2010-05-11T12:01:00.001-05:00

The tulip by Doug Tindal shows there are still a few left out there.

Fern Study

2010-05-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

The spiral stairway to heaven - Bill Tuttle

Ferns

2010-05-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

A study of ferns submitted by Bill Tuttle

Peonie Tree again

2010-05-09T21:02:00.001-05:00

When the light is right, the sun is warm, the viewing of this flower is a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day. Hope every mother had a wonderful day. Keep those warm fuzzies for the rest of the year!

Peonie Tree

2010-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't this breath taking?! The flowers are so big and showy!

Last of the Tulips

2010-05-07T10:50:00.001-05:00

Beautiful tulips are coming to an end

Moon over Spire

2010-05-05T12:01:00.000-05:00

The waning gibbous moon was hanging out around town this morning.

Rainbow: Two Views

2010-05-03T17:55:00.001-05:00

This first view is by Barb Swift using a wide angle lens

Enjoy

This is by yours truly with 80-300 lens

Ditto

Life is a Rose

2010-05-02T01:16:00.003-05:00

Life unfolds like rose pedals. Lots of layers with wonder in each pedal. Photo submitted by Bill Tuttle

Spring Alley

2010-05-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

If you want to know a town, look at its alleys.

Enjoy

Ground cover

2010-05-01T00:26:00.001-05:00

Wonderful ground cover and has amazing flowers. Enjoy the sunshine! The rain is gone.

Lilly of the Valley

2010-04-30T10:18:00.000-05:00

They smell so good in our front yard!

Blue Columbine

2010-04-28T22:54:00.004-05:00

Thanks to friends, Studio 909 has Colorado Blue Columbine blooming by the porch. Spring is colorful!

Not all Spring pictures are nature - some are edgy urban

2010-04-27T18:17:00.000-05:00

A picture from Mary Patterson from her trip to the great northwest...

Enjoy

Spring in the Rocky Mountains

2010-04-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Linda Drish sent us this - it doesn't look like Sokum Ridge to me.

Enjoy!

Tulip Time

2010-04-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Tulips! Submitted by Julie Mangold

Night Ball

2010-04-26T12:17:00.002-05:00

How does your garden glow? Photo submitted by Doug Tindal

2010-04-25T17:55:00.001-05:00

Bleeding Hearts - a spring time beauty! Submitted by Studio 909

Spring

2010-04-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

WOW - that is spring in Iowa. Submitted by Studio 909

Looking through the fence

2010-04-23T08:49:00.001-05:00

Looking through the fence at Sunset Park in Washington IA. Submitted by Studio 909

Pink

2010-04-21T10:49:00.000-05:00

Cheri Barrett shares this from California

Porch Time

2010-04-21T09:31:00.000-05:00

Spring is a time to enjoy the porch!

Waiting

2010-04-20T18:00:00.000-05:00

W H I T E

2010-04-20T14:17:00.000-05:00

In Your Face - Spring in our Backyard

2010-04-20T01:07:00.005-05:00

Mary Patterson has a different view of spring. In Iowa the weather can go either way. Very warm or almost freezing. Many perennials are ready for the test.

2010-04-20T01:05:00.000-05:00

June Henderson is sharing the joy of daffadiles in Iowa. Thanks June.

2010-04-19T11:44:00.001-05:00

As some spring flowers fade others bloom. This photo was submitted by Studio 909

2010-04-19T11:20:00.000-05:00

This image was submitted by Nancy Bisbey in Iowa

Spring Show of Color

2010-04-19T10:05:00.002-05:00

This photo was taken by Cheri Barrett in California. Yes it's spring everywhere!

A Sunrise in Purple

2010-03-27T11:30:00.000-05:00

Enjoy

Eusabio's Purple Sombrero

2010-03-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

Enjoy

Cuevo On One Foot

2010-03-16T12:20:00.000-05:00

Enjoy

Eusabio Looks to Sea

2010-03-14T12:54:00.002-05:00

Enjoy

Using anything but natural color

2010-03-13T12:57:00.000-06:00

Frigate Birds glowing in a Vermeer Sky

Enjoy

Frost

2010-02-17T14:24:00.000-06:00

Sara Bartlett captured this picture of rime frost growing on needles

Enjoy

Feeding Time at Aero Rental

2010-02-15T16:31:00.000-06:00

Enjoy

White on White

2010-02-14T10:02:00.001-06:00

Mary Patterson sent this image emerging out of the fog and frost of yesterday.

Enjoy!

Bikes

2010-02-08T10:12:00.002-06:00

Bob Shepherd took this picture of two lonely bikes anchoring the multi-story windows of the new library. Reflections give the windows a golden cast.

What Wood You Do?

2010-02-07T09:31:00.000-06:00

Bill (Billy) Tuttle has been taking shots of his wood splittting.

Enjoy

A Story of a Robin and Sparrows

2010-02-06T12:30:00.001-06:00

Mary Patterson shot this picture of a Robin and Sparrows enjoying a bracing dip in snow melt puddles.

Click the image above

Enjoy

Hays Timber and the Blue Shadows of Winter

2010-02-06T12:25:00.001-06:00

JoAnne Worley made these images of the blue shadows of winter.

Click Image

Enjoy

All Along the Boulevard...

2010-01-28T14:32:00.005-06:00

While hoarfrost and ice is not the best weather for commuting or keeping the grid online, it certainly does make for great pictures.

Mary Patterson took this picture of her neighborhood.

Enjoy

Icy Reception

2010-01-25T10:43:00.003-06:00

Lara Williams made this image after our latest ice debacle.

Enjoy

I See it's Icy

2010-01-23T12:26:00.002-06:00

Yesterday's Ice was wet and showing off for the camera. There were icicles everywhere and even though the elusive sun didn't grace us here in Washington, there were plenty of great shots just waiting for someone to make a great photo. More to come...

Foggy Evening

2010-01-19T13:08:00.003-06:00

This is an image that Julie Mangold made of last night's fog enveloping the square. What I particularly like is the story of solitude it tells me. There are many faces to our venerable square and this one makes me want to live in one of the great apartments there.

Enjoy

Drop

2010-01-18T11:35:00.002-06:00

What's in a drop of water?
Click for a better view

Mexico Trip

2010-01-17T16:51:00.002-06:00

For those that are wondering, there really is a Mexico trip in the offing. Currently, I am thinking of March 2nd to March 11th. That is still a bit fluid depending on airline deals, hotels, in-country travel, and a myriad of other stuff I am trying to tie down. I'm assuming 6 people for the sake of pricing more or less will change the amounts shown here. Tour/class fee is being developed along with the rest of the itinerary.

Here's a skeletal view of what is being planned (much more in planning).

Air flights ± $355 round trip/taxes and fees included

One free checked bag and the normal carry on stuff
Leaves 5:19 am from Cedar Rapids (CID)
Arrives 1:35 pm in Cancun (CUN)
Don't even think about this without a valid passport

Ground transportation to first hotel $35 for the whole group

First Hotel Imperial Las Perlas Cancun $50 per night Double Occupancy

2, 3, 4, 5th or 6th check out and go to Isla Mujeres
This first hotel is a mid-level hotel it has:

on the beach
all meals and snack included
Large rooms with goofy Mexican TV and Fridge
all the beverage you can deal with
Cool palapa restaurant that is over the water
Cool beach bar
Non motorized water sports (sea kayaking sailing, etc.)
Pool
White sand beach
Gift shop

5th or 6th ferry to Isla Mujeres $4:00
check in at Na Balam Suites on the beach 3 nights $70 double occupancy (this one is not all inclusive)
days on the beach priceless
golf cart $15 bucks a day shared
Downtown Isla at night $ 25-30 great food great street theater
Breakfast $5
Lunch whatever
Snorkeling emailing Capt'n Tony for current prices I seem to recall it was about $30 and included an awesome lunch at the south end of the island.

Back to Cancun

click to see the restaurant

More to come... working on details for the trip to the Classic and post classic ruins at Chichen Itza, and some other stuff that I will talk about as information becomes available.

Hoarfrost Macro Fun

2010-01-17T11:42:00.001-06:00

Those of you that woke up before noon today here in Washington may have noticed thick fog and just below freezing temperatures. That is the formula for hoarfrost and all the cool things that result. The bit below is hoarfrost on our clematis. I used fill flash, a wide aperture, macro settings.

The background is the roof of Barb's car - with a wide aperture it gives the background a cool gradient feel. Enough of that if you want the techy stuff here it is:

Speed 1/180s
f 8.0
ISO 400
FL 150.0mm

Enjoy!

Capturing Light

2010-01-14T08:50:00.001-06:00

Here's another example of light and shadows - but it also is a balance of focus and blur.

We'll cover this in much greater detail in the classes that start tonight.

Thanks for looking.

Reviving Old Photos

2010-01-12T12:12:00.003-06:00

Don't get me wrong I love the retro look of aging photos, but sometimes it's good

to revive them a bit to get some of the color and original feelings of the shot.

The same post production tools that we are going to use in the upcoming class can
be used to revive old photos.

The picture of the "Do's and Don'ts" that I got from Corbin Booth yesterday for the photo
quiz is a good example of reviving a photograph. The 40 year old picture had faded enhancing the red dyes the most - that's normal, also at one time it had been hung on a bulletin board or similar and had a tack hole at the top.

Below is a before and after

Click on the photo above for a better view

I just thought I'd share, thanks.

Another Winter View

2010-01-11T09:57:00.000-06:00

Since Facebook is yanking my chain

I felt I needed to post

Another winter view.

Sun and Snow

2010-01-11T09:44:00.000-06:00

The sun and snow present interesting challenges. The light is very much like white sand in the tropics, and unlike it at the same time. Snow and sun does interesting things to blue. A bit of touch up in Photoshop can tune up a disastrous white balance into something worth keeping.

Original photo with auto metering.

Better histogram - levels adjusted.

Quiet Thursday

2010-01-07T11:51:00.000-06:00

Black and White

Central Park

January 7, 2010

A quiet Thursday Morning in Downtown Washington's Central Park

Enjoy!

Snow on its Way

2010-01-06T16:44:00.000-06:00

Here's
some
Currier &
Ives - like with
cars instead of horse
and buggies -

Feeling the Cold in a Photo

2010-01-05T19:45:00.004-06:00

With the temperature fiercely refusing to budge past what the surface of Mars would be like in the Spring - it was a good time to go out and see if that cold could be captured.

Judge for Yourself...

A little different view of Iowa Cold

Enjoy, and do check out our classes discussed below

January Classes

2010-01-03T11:59:00.008-06:00

Here comes a lot of information --

Studio 909 is offering a series of courses beginning in January 2010. The first course is geared toward improving your relationship with your digital camera. It will be taught in four classes beginning January 14, 21, 28, and February 4, from 7-9 PM here at the studio, located at 909 S. Iowa in Washington (other dates and times to be added as needed).

This class will:

help you with your camera's settings and functions;
methods of visualization and composition to move out of the "Snapshot" mode;
use post-production software to take advantage of your digital images, (short version - cool stuff you can do with the computer), and
to begin painting with light.

More info? email me at craig@studio909.net or twitter @cjswift

Now for the first course, listed below are few FAQs to get you started.

You can always email craig@studio909.net or twitter @cjswift.

FAQ:

O.K. that's cool, but what will I need to take the class?

A digital camera

That covers a whole lot of equipment - let's be more specific. 1) You will need a digital camera that has a USB port and the cord that goes with it. 2) The camera should have a rechargeable battery pack, if not get a battery charger and at least one extra set of batteries. 3) A camera with some functionality, that means you can do something besides "auto setting" if your unsure contact me and we'll talk. Very very affordable cameras will fit within this category. 4) Some kind of flash memory.

A PC or a Mac

You will need a home computer with an internet connection. This can be Mac/PC/whatever, but a relatively recent OS (Operating System) would be good, for those with PC's at least XP.

Free Software

You will need to download two software sets that are free and simple to use. These are Picasa from Google, and Paint.net (an open source program that runs on just about anything and will introduce you to post-production [cool manipulation of your images]).

Jump Drive

We will be transferring a lot of data and it's the easiest way to do it without too much fooling about.

Several gigs of hard drive space you can dedicate to the class

Digital photography eats hard drive space like (fill in the blank) you should have a few for the class.

What's this cost?

The cost of the first course is $25 per class or $ 100 for the four classes. Payment arrangements are flexible - just contact me with one of the methods below.↴
None of this is rocket science, or I wouldn't be able to do it, if you have a question, contact me with one of the methods below:

email me at craig@studio909.net or twitter @cjswift

Upcoming:

Later this winter we will be traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula for an all out photo bash of Maya ruins, white sand, tropical color, and much more. We will have additional information with dates, costs etc, in a few weeks. This is a trip not to miss, unless you don't like adventurous travel, soft warm tropical evenings, unbelievable tropical colors, jungle ruins, and great time with a great group of people. Stay tuned...