iPhone 365 Photo Project - Paul Manoian Photography -

Day 42: Tim Horton’s Drive Thru

Paul Manoian — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:11:50 +0000

Hello. My name is Paul and I have a coffee problem.

I admit it. I love Tim Horton’s coffee. I find that it’s very smooth with a mellow coffee flavor. It’s not bitter and acidic like Starbuck’s and some of the other chains. I stop at this particular Tim Horton’s every morning to order my same Large coffee with cream/sugar and, even though they’ve asked me every day for the past 5 years if I’d like to try a donut, muffin of breakfast “thing” with it, I’ve always declined with a simple, “Nope. Just coffee.”

I never would have guessed Tim Horton’s would have been a location for my iPhone 365 Project; however, I thought the lighting looked especially nice today with the blue glow coming from the sky blending with the red glow from the Drive Thru sign casting violet colors over the freshly fallen snow. So, I rolled down my window and took this photo from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

Ahhh …..

Perhaps I’ll get a donut tomorrow morning. Then again … Nope. Just coffee.

Do you have a favorite place for coffee?

iPhone 365 Project Day 42: Tim Horton's Drive Thru

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Day 41: 1901 Double Railroad Viaduct

Paul Manoian — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:55:32 +0000

Today’s iPhone 365 Project post is from one of my favorite spots for winter photography. It is a railroad viaduct that was built in 1901, you can see AD 1901 carved into the middle of viaduct near the top.

This particular scene actually contains 2 viaducts: the obvious one in the foreground and another viaduct mirroring in in the background. In addition, there is a cool waterfall in the distance.

This viaduct is actually somewhat difficult to adequately access for photo ops. To make it worse, I was standing in 12″ of snow while wearing slacks and dress shoes. Even so, I really like the way this photo turned out.

iPhone 365 Project Day 41: 1901 Double Railroad Viaduct

Day 20: Benches Along Snow Covered Path

Day 40: Skylight

Paul Manoian — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:29:34 +0000

The blizzard has started hitting Michigan which means I was forced inside today. Whenever that happens, I start looking at common, everyday items with a new perspective. Today, I looked no futher than … up.

While waiting in a building lobby to meet a friend for lunch, I looked up and noticed the skylight over head. Honestly, it was a very plain skylight … just a couple of recessed circles. However, I sought out an angle that gave it a little more interest.

I like the end result. It’s simple. Clean. Contemporary.

What do you think? Cool skylight or just a couple of boring holes in the ceiling?

iPhone 365 Project Day 40: Skylight

Day 39: I-96 Eastbound Toward Detroit, Michigan

Paul Manoian — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:09:51 +0000

Traffic into downtown Detroit was absolutely horrible this morning. The obnoxiously bright, rising sun blasted eastbound drivers in the face and cars came to screaching halt.

While parked out on I-96 under an overpass, I decided I would at least play with my iPhone and take some pictures of the sunrise. I didn’t like any of them, but it was better that channel surfing on the radio. While waiting for everyone to remember where they stored their sun glasses, I looked to my left took a few more pictures.

The lighting under the bridge looked pretty cool. I really liked the way it came in at a shallow angle. In addition, the cement pillars really pulled me into the frame visually.

iPhone 365 Project Day 39: I-96 Eastbound to Detroit, Michigan

Day 38: Mallard Duck Wildlife Portrait

Paul Manoian — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:55:49 +0000

Okay, I admit it, I’m not a wildlife photographer. I like photographing people, especially children, seniors and weddings! However, I thought it was about time for me stretch out capture some outdoor wildlife for my iPhone 365 Project.

However, if you’ve ever used an iPhone camera, you know its tiny lens is not designed to reach out and capture wildlife in the typical fashion. I normally recommend a 300mm or 400mm telephoto lens for people wanting to capture wildlife; unfortunately, the iPhone is much closer to a wide angle lens. So, that means I had to get very close to my wildlife subject to capture anything worth while.

I found some Mallard ducks this afternoon and plopped myself down with my humble camera phone. With some coaxing, I was able to get the ducks close enough for a few photos. I like the way many of them turned out and this is one of my favorites. But, I think it looks more like a Duck Portrait than a Wildlife Photograph! What do you think?

iPhone 365 Project Day 38: Mallard Duck Wildlife Portait

Day 37: Calico Cat Pet Portrait

Day 37: Calico Cat Pet Portrait

Paul Manoian — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:32:03 +0000

Normally, Sadie will run and hide if she ever sees me. I’m not sure what it is … perhaps I’m just too loud for her. But, I saw her sunbathing in a window this afternoon and thought I would try to grab a few shots. So, actually, today’s iPhone 365 Project post is really more about how close Sadie would let me get than the portrait itself.

I started about 8 feet away and focused on trying to capture the ambiance of the warm sunlight coming through the wooden slats covering the window. When she got used to me being there, I slowly moved closer for another shot … and another … and another … and another.

This shot is as close as she would let me get … about 4 inches away from her nose. If you look closely, you can see my reflection in her eyes. I held and controlled the iPhone with one hand and shielded the lens from sun glare with the other since it was in front of a full-sun window.

I’m actually quite pleased with the shot. I was able to capture an amazing amount of detail in her eyes with the tiny iPhone lens.

iPhone 365 Project 37: Calico Cat Pet Portrait

Day 38: Mallard Duck Wildlife Portrait

Day 36: Michigan Central Station in Detroit, Michigan

Paul Manoian — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:29:16 +0000

If you have ever driven through Detroit, Michigan, you have likely noticed an ominous building standing about a mile west of the old Tiger Stadium, 2 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. It is none other than Michigan Central Station.

It was built in 1913 and served as the passenger rail depot for the old Michigan Central railroad. It is located in the Corktown district of Detroit and has been abandoned since 1988 when Amtrak ceased service. It was almost demolished in 2009; however, Stanley Christmas stepped in to save it stating the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act.

It is an amazing building. The architecture is beautiful in every way, it was designed by the same firm that designed the New York City Grand Central Station. It is hard to believe that the original price was $15 million dollars … in 1913!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Detroit really has some remarkable architecture. I hope someone is able to raise the funds necessary to restore this particular building.

I captured this shot very late in the day on my drive home after a long day. I wish the gray skies had allowed more sunlight through to highlight all of the crevices. I would also love an opportunity to photograph the interior! It’s a good thing I was using my tiny iPhone since my DSLR never would have been able to capture a shot through the barb wire and chain link fence used to keep intruders out.

iPhone 365 Project Day 36: Michigan Central Station in Detroit

Day 35: Gas Station Sunrise

Paul Manoian — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:54:10 +0000

I posted a “gray” image for yesterday’s iPhone 365 Project photo, I even used an elongated crop to exaggerate the gray sky. I thought it would really cool if I could go back to the same spot early this morning to capture a colorful sunrise to contrast yesterday’s image.

While I wasn’t able to make it back to the same location, I was able to be outside to see the sun come up this morning … even if it was from a gas station! While standing there waiting for the gas pump to spit out my receipt, I grabbed my iPhone and took a quick series of photos of the pre-sunrise. The sun was still a good 15 minutes away from breaking over the horizon causing beautiful colors throughout the hazy sky. I used the same crop as yesterday’s photo just for my own comparison. I really like the light purple “smudge” in the middle of the sky.

I wish I had time to move to a better location for the foreground, but the colors dissipated too quickly. Oh well!

iPhone 365 Project 35: Gas Station Sunrise

Day 34: Gray Michigan Winter Day

Paul Manoian — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:15:02 +0000

I keep talking about the “typical gray Michigan winter day” phenomenon and thought I would try to capture its essence for today’s iPhone 365 Project post. It wasn’t hard finding a gray sky, it was everywhere. The challenge was finding suitable surroundings to make the plain gray sky at least somewhat artistic.

I decided the best way to showcase “gray” was to go with an elongated vertical crop. I used a couple of common items (i.e. a tree and foot bridge) to anchor the image at the bottom and then let the sky do the rest.

What do you think? How does the image make you feel?

iPhone 365 Project Day 34: A Gray Michigan Winter Day

Day 33: Burned Out Light Bulb

Paul Manoian — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:45:08 +0000

I took a lot of photos today with varied lighting. But, it wasn’t until late this evening when I saw a burned out bulb that the “light”, or lack thereof, really struck me.

I really love the way the other bulbs in the fixture backlit the glass surrounding the burned out bulb. It put a nice emphasis on the wavy glass.

Who knew a burned out light bulb could be interesting?!

iPhone 365 Project 33: Burned Out Light Bulb