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TimNormanPhoto.com: A Moment, A Memory, A Walk In the Woods

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

During my trip to Echo Lake for a hike and some photography, I stumbled through the woods as I wondered around the lake. It was hard to tell where the path was. Snow still covered portions of the ground in late April, and some of it was still a couple feet deep.

My ability to hike 10,000 plus elevation surprised me. The ground was primarily flat or had just a bit of elevation but I was going over trees and carrying my photo gear with me. I never felt out of breath or felt like I was straining, and I kept at it for a good hour.

My feet plunged a foot or more deep into the snow at times as I went over snow embankments, and once my feet and gym shoes were thoroughly soaked, I decided to turn back. (I had forgotten to grab my hiking boots.) The light was starting to dwindle and my primary reason for coming to this spot was because I wanted to try some long exposure night photography.

I followed my own trail back the best I could, and as I rounded a tree, I saw this sign standing about 7 feet off the ground. A memory of a loved one. I had this thought of a family gathering around the tree to say goodbye to their loved one. It may have hung at eye level 10 years ago, but today it was higher. And in 10 years it would be even higher. Slowly it could rise until it would be out of view to those wandering the path below. Not forgotten, but just out of sight.

My own father passed away a few years ago, and his close friend scattered his ashes during a fishing trip to Lake Erie. My father loved to go fishing, and loved even more to go fishing with friends and family.

I had said goodbye to him long before. He had donated his body to science, and for a year all the family knew was that his body was being used to teach and to learn from. A year later, we received his ashes back, and a while later one of his best friends took him on his last fishing trip.

I wonder how their family has changed. My own has changed so much in the years since my father passed. Nieces and nephews have grown, gotten married and started having kids. One has passed away. I've moved across country. One brother and his wife has had a child and seen much of the world. Another brother has brought up two beautiful nieces, one who is a bit of a runner which is also something my father enjoyed. My sister and her family have seen changes too, and so has most of my family. Some changes bigger than others, but changes none the less.

I stood taking photos for a good few minutes- stared and studied the sign for a bit longer, and then I got on my way. I thank the family for allowing me to remember their loved one, as well as my own family and friends.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Echo Lake in Stereo

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:51:32 +0000

The stars at night streak across the sky with the motion of the earth spinning on it's axis on a quiet, peaceful and chilly night at Echo Lake in Colorado in late April. If you would like a print of this photo, you can purchase it from the gallery.

The photograph was taken with a half hour exposure on my Canon 7D at 160 iso and an aperature of f 8.0. I hadn't tried an expsoure that long before, and found a couple important things.

First, it gets very dull sitting and waiting for an exposure to take place. My mind also started wondering what animals were around. It was so dark that I could barely see much around me. The moon wasn't a factor since it wasn't out, and I didn't want to turn on a flash light so I could keep my night vision. It takes about a half hour for the eyes to fully see the expanse of stars in the night sky, and there is something about seeing that beauty that makes me want to see it even more.

It also gets darn cold at times, but I found layering clothing and using some hand warmers kept me pretty warm. I hadn't anticipated the cold though and was lucky I keep some spare clothes in the car.

The worst was what to do with the time while the camera was recording the photograph. I learned to entertain myself and experiment with the name of the spot this photo was taken. Echo Lake is very accurate.

I started with a simple, "Hello!" yelled out to anyone around that might hear, and the trees and rocks answered as they echoed back. First it echoed from straight in front of me, and then it swept from the right all the way around to the left at about 180 degrees. It was as if I had found the surround sound of stereo echoing. I played a bit more with longer and longer phrases seeing what could and couldn't be understood as the echoes drifted off in the far dark distance. As the night drew on, I found a bit of sophmoric joy in a few chosen expletives. Even at 41 I evidentally can still be turned into a 9 year old.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Painting Light in Commons Park

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:37:11 +0000

I had a blast meeting up some other photographers from the Front Range Focal Plane Meetup.com group late last month to experiment with some light painting. We spent a few hours out at Commons Park photographing the Highland Bridge, the Platte River and other areas near the downtown area of Denver, Coloardo.

This photo was made with the help of Andy Johns who is the founder of the group. The metal structure sits in Commons Park and has no lights hitting it besides a bit of light from the city to the East. So it was a perfect subject for some light painting. All of the light was added from Andy firing a Nikon flash several times across the structure during a 42 second exposure at f 9.0 at ISO 200.

You can see some more of the photos I took during the event on my Flickr page. We played with a Andy's hallogen light painting a bridge as well as some of the art in the area. I also took some photos of other scenes I found interesting during the night's escursion.

In case you haven't ever done light painting. It usually involves adding light either with flashlights, strobes or other sources of illumination to create a photograph that wasn't already there. Usually no two images created in this manner are the same.

For another photo Andy illuminated the Highland Bridge over the Platte River with his high powered hallogen flash light. This lit up the spires and the bridge structure quite nicely and probably scared a few of the people using the bridge too.

There were about 7 or 8 of us out there playing and experimenting. And in truth that was what it was all about- having some fun and getting more experience. If you are intersted in trying your hand just find the group on MeetUp.com. There are some regularly scheduled activities whether it is light painting or other events.

TimNormanPhoto.com: First Denver New Years Eve

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:55:48 +0000

I spent my first Denver New Years Eve hanging out with a great bunch of people from the Denver Photo Walk group. We hung out at Diamon Hill Park to photograph the New Years Eve fireworks taking place downtown. It was a short eight minute fireworks display. And though I was hoping the fireworks would be a bit bigger and higher in the sky, it was fun getting out in the cold weather and enjoying the Denver skyline. From those who had seen previous year events it sounded like this firework display was a bit less lively and smaller.

This is probably the best photo I have from the night though there are a few others that I enjoyed too. I debated which color setting to use for post processing and ended up using the automatic setting that the camera created when I took the photograph. I like the yellow ting of the skyline with the purple and blue hues of the fireworks and the tower that is part of Elitch Gardens.

If you want to know more about the Denver Photo Walk group you can drop me a message or go to the Meetup.com website and do a search for Denver Photo Walk. (Or just click on the link in the first sentence of this post.)

TimNormanPhoto.com: Open for Halloween

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:58:12 +0000

Happy Halloween everyone! One of the first places I knew I wanted to stop and photograph in Denver, Colorado was when I drove past Flossy McGrews costume shop on South Broadway. The outside is decorated like Halloween exploded all over it. There are a mixture of big and small pieces and if you are just driving buy or not paying attention as you walk by then you'll miss a ton of entertaining items. If the inside is anything like the outside it may be just too much for my brain to handle. According to yelp reviews of Flossy McGrews it also has a lot of other items to see beyond costumes.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Red Rock at Night

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:19:58 +0000

One of the large rocks juts into the sky at Red Rock Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado on October 12, 2011. I had gone out at night to do some long exposure photography but accidentally left the one piece of equipment I needed back at home on the kitchen counter. I left the intervalometer at home which allows the camera to stay open for longer than the slowest shutter speed on the camera (30 seconds). But not giving up on a beautiful evening with a full moon I realized that 30 seconds at ISO 160 at f2.8 would produce a pretty well exposed image to create some photographs.

I really like how the texture of the rock is brought out by the lights on the ground and the full moon provides an interesting countering light source. I went black and white to enhance it further. This photo is actually several exposures brought into a single photo to balance the light on the rock and some of the moon.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Being Upstaged

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:12:32 +0000

I found this plant on a hike in the Rocky Mountains and liked that there were two additional flowers behind it that I could space it between. They lined up nicely in height and spacing. What is one of the most important things when taking photographs? Your background. I don't know what plant this is, so if you do leave it in the comments.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Mountain Steeple

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:23:44 +0000

Driving along a road in Denver, I was just looking for some place to photograph the setting sun or find something intersting to photograph when I spotted this steeple peaking out from some trees. I pulled into a CVS store parking lot and stood on a rail to get just a bit higher to photograph the colors of the sunset with the mountains and church steeple.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Lakewood, Colorado - Forsberg Iron Spring Park

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:27:21 +0000

I took a drive to West side of Denver today and stumbled into Forsberg Iron Spring Park. I was driving along C-470 when I saw a sign for Dinosaur Ridge and decided to see what it was. I didn't see another sign for it, but as I was driving along the road a bunch of cars parked just off the road caught my eye. I thought maybe something migh be going on. So I turned in and found a beautiful dog park. The park climbs up up a hill allowing lots of views.

The clouds seemed like they might give way to a beautiful sunset so I waited around the park to see what would happen, and it didn't disappoint. There was a slight sprinkle and a rainbow in the other direction too.

The best part of the evening was talking with two couples who were great sources of information on some other places to visit as well as some of the history of the area. I have to say thank you to them for putting up with a talkative and inquisitive photographer.

TimNormanPhoto.com: Taste from Home

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:11:59 +0000

I'll preface this post with a note that Frito Lay is holding The Tastes from Home with Frito-Lay recipe contest and is offering specific bloggers who blog about their regional Lays flavors a surprise gift and a gift package to give away to their fans. I've always been a Frito Lays fanatic, so I figured what the heck.

Since moving out to Denver one of the things I will miss about Ohio is the chili. I haven't seen a chili place yet, but I haven't explored the city too much either. The closest I will probably come is the Skyline Chili in the freezer section at my local grocery store. Every family get together one of my family members would make Skyline Chili dip. Making that is the closest I will come to the flavors of growing up in Cincinnati.

To make the dip is pretty simple and only requires 3 ingredients, a microwave and a bowl. You take a package of frozen Skyline Chili without the spaghetti, cook it in a microwave as the box says and then spread it in bowl or dish. Then you add a layer of softened cream cheese (probably just one stick of it), and then you add a layer of Mild Cheddar cheese or whatever type of cheese you like that will melt on top. (I'm partial to a mix of cheeses, and I'm guessing it would total about about a cup to two cups of cheese.) Enough cheese to cover the lower layer but still allow you to see the other ingredients. Then wait a minute for the cheese to melt or throw it back in the microwave for a minute if needed to melt the cheese some. Serve it with some Frito Scoops or other chips. It's a great snack but I'd be willing to try it as a breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert combo.

I don't know what inspired it. I don't even think it was necessarily an original to the family. I've seen similar recipes on other websites, but we've been having it for years at family get togethers. And it just doesn't seem like a family get together without it. It is always gone by the end of the night even though there is usually some leftover cake or other treats.

Of course for me growing up in Cincy, I was always a Frito's fan. I used to put Frito's on my barbeque beef sandwiches as a kid. Or I'd add some potato chips to my peanut butter and jelly sandwich for that extra crunch. I started adding Frito's to my salads a few years ago. They give it that extra kick that croutons just don't do. I highly recommend the lower salted Frito's for this. I've tried all sorts. Recently I had a salad with Chili Cheese Frito's on it. It was delicious. I think even one of the regional flavor Lays potato chips might be an interesting addition to a simple salad. It would give it that extra flavor kick and you could crush them up a bit and sprinkle them on top.

Actually the salad with Frito's on it reminds me of my college years. I think that may have been when I first tried it out. I've experimented a lot with food over the years. I once had a rather bad outcome in college when I didn't know how hot a Habanero Pepper was. I cooked three or four with an onion and a nice steak thinking I was trying something new. I ate that steak and I think I must have drank half the city's water supply with it.

I've thought of trying a recipe that uses gummy bears, Lays potato chips, Frito's, chocolate chips, M&M's, peanuts, cashews, and crushed up Oreo's. You basically take the different items and alternate layers in whatever order you want in a glass jar. It is a sort of sweet and salty mix. Adding a regional Lays flavor chip might give that mix a little extra kick.

Since moving out to Denver I've been wanting to try the regional flavor chip out here. Lays Garden & Tomato flavored chips are regional to Ohio and some states West of it. I have always preferred the spicy side of food so I didn't try the Garden & Tomato flavor. I haven't had a chance yet to try the Chipotle Ranch flavored chips that are for the Denver market, and I think I'd love to taste the Tangy Carolina BBQ or Cajun Herb & Spice flavors that are in the Carolinas and South-Eastern region of the country.

Northeastern U.S. - Lay's Honey Mustard

Midwestern U.S. - Lay's Creamy Garden Ranch

Northwestern U.S. - Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion

Southwestern U.S. - Lay's Chipotle Ranch

Southeastern U.S. - Lay's Cajun Herb & Spice

Do you have any recipes that remind you of home or a time in your life? Perhaps something you like to make yourself on special occasions? Or perhaps have you tried something new with Frito Lays?

Flickr photo: Rose

tnorm — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:29:49 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

The petals of a rose is lightly sprinked with rain drops as a light rain starts to fall during the Stop and Smell the Roses event put on by the Park of Roses Foundation and the Columbus Recreation and Parks at the Whetstone Park of Roses on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Flickr photo: Mardis Gras rose with bee

tnorm — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:29:49 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

A bee sits in the center of a Mardis Gras Rose during the Stop and Smell the Roses event put on by the Park of Roses Foundation and the Columbus Recreation and Parks at the Whetstone Park of Roses on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Flickr photo: Making the blooms

tnorm — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:29:49 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Q-tips placed inside roses encourage them to open fuller as people ready their flowers for the Columbus Rose Club Annual Rose Show during the Stop and Smell the Roses event put on by the Park of Roses Foundation and the Columbus Recreation and Parks at the Whetstone Park of Roses on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Flickr photo: St. Paul's Cross Installation

tnorm — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:20:25 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Pat Kitzler takes a photo while watching with her husband Jerry Kitzler the 20 foot gold cross as it is lifted to the top of the new St. Paul Church under construction at 313 N. State St. in Westerville on Sunday, August 15, 2010.

Flickr photo: Watching at St. Paul's cross installation

tnorm — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:20:25 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Joyce and Ronald Roach watch the 20 foot gold cross be lifted and set on top of the new St. Paul Church under construction at 313 N. State St. in Westerville on Sunday, August 15, 2010.

Flickr photo: Worker releases the new cross

tnorm — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:20:22 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Corna Kokosing Construction Company Iron Worker David Lambert removes the wire from the crane after the 20 foot gold cross sits in place on the new St. Paul Church under construction at 313 N. State St. in Westerville on Sunday, August 15, 2010.

Flickr photo: pink roses

tnorm — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:02:11 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

A pink rose during the Stop and Smell the Roses event at the Whetstone Park of Roses on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

WherePhoto.com: Honor Moon

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:01:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Fly Away

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:01:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Fountain

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:05:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Flags Backlit

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:04:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: 500 Flags

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:03:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Surreal Trailer

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:02:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Flags of Honor tralier

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:01:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Ohio Flags of Honor

Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: Greenery

Sun, 30 May 2010 12:01:00 +0000

WherePhoto.com: A Sunday Walk with the Kids

Sat, 29 May 2010 12:01:00 +0000

Flickr photo: West Side Story

tnorm — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:23:40 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Upper Arlington junior Kelsey Overmyer and senior Tyler Moody kiss as Maria and Tony as they rehearse a scene from West Side Story at the school on Monday, February 22, 2010. The play will be performed Thursday Feb 25 through Saturday Feb 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 28 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are between $10 and $16 and more information can be found at uavocalmusic.org or callling 487-UATX.

Flickr photo: West Side Story

tnorm — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:23:40 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

Upper Arlington junior Andrew Mariotti (center) talks to the jets members freshman Douglas Gallucci, sophomore Griffin Gulcher, junior Zach Schafer, freshman Luke Quarles, junior Michael Rogers, junior Zach Rosen, senior Collin Gabriel, junior Alex Clark and sophomore Austin Bruns as they perform a scene from West Side Story during rehearsal at the school on Monday, February 22, 2010. The play will be performed Thursday Feb 25 through Saturday Feb 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 28 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are between $10 and $16 and more information can be found at uavocalmusic.org or callling 487-UATX.

Flickr photo: 0117de65631-8805tn

tnorm — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:00:21 +0000

tnorm posted a photo:

People disrobe as they start a 30 minute strip down to bare necessities to demonstrate the necessity to limit exposure for pets to frigid temperatues during the Humane Society of Delaware County's Freeze Out in front of the building at 4920 State Route 37 E on Friday, January 8, 2009.