Angie's Photo Blog

The Pier

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:38:00 +0000

We had a couple days left of vacation to burn so we ran down to Panacea, Florida for a few days. It was colder than I would have liked, low sixties, but at least it was sunny and we got to enjoy a few days of fishing and being on the water.

Fishing At Dusk

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:54:00 +0000

One evening while on vacation we drove over to Port St. Joseph and took an excursion - an evening boat cruise. It was really more of a history lesson. The boat navigator told us everything we ever wanted to know about Port St. Joe and then some! While cruising, I saw this man's silhouette against the dusk sky. I certainly wouldn't have minded to be him, all alone in an ocean of water... nothing but peace and quite and a beautiful sunset to watch!

Bucket Of Fish (Beach Vacation Photo)

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Hubby caught a bucket of fish right from the shore! We all took turns reeling them in... even some of the other visitors to the area wanted a turn! Then we fried them up for dinner... yum!

It Points To The Sea

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:51:00 +0000

My friend was looking at my photos and said about this one, "A picture of wood." OK, I find it a little more interesting than that... I hope you do too!

Beach Grass

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:37:00 +0000

If you visit regularly you should have noticed that I'm trying out a new template. This one allows me to post my photos almost full size. This particular photo is the one I'm using in the header right now; it's another one I took on our recent trip. This is the full shot, and I've added a little color saturation to it.

Let me know what you think of the new layout!

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:47:00 +0000

I haven't been out snapping photos as often as I had been in the past, but we recently went to the beach and I got a few. Not as many as in previous years, but there were a few good ones I'll be sharing in the next couple of posts.

I love riding my bike. So three times, on this trip, I road down to the Cape San Blas lighthouse, which was around 2.5 miles from where we stayed. I never did go up in it, but here are my photos of it from the ground.

Photos Of The Newest Additions To My Garden - Lily and Rose

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:18:00 +0000

Here are two of the newest additions to my garden. I came out one day and we had just had a shower pass through and they looked so lovely with the water drops on them that I just had to capture a photo or two ofthem!

Nature Photos - A Squirrel And A Goose

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:46:00 +0000

On our last camping trip I took a walk while Hubby and DS went fishing. This squirrel let me get very close - I guess he was hoping I'd give him something to eat!

What Happened To Mama Robin?

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:32:00 +0000

I found the beautifully crafted nest with these cute little robin blue eggs in it on my porch two weeks ago. I kept looking for mama robin to return, but she never did. I wonder if the cat next door got her...

Crabapple Blossoms

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Our church has a miniature crabapple tree that was absolutely covered with the most beautiful blooms this spring. I usually carry a small camera with me and though most of the photos didn't turn out great, I thought this one was really pretty. Click on it to see it larger with more detail.

Flowers Of Gardens Past... Green Thumb Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:48:00 +0000

I have to admit, I haven't been taking many pictures lately. However, I have been looking at all the photos I've ever taken. I'm making a video slide show for my son's graduation. So, I've spent hours pulling and scanning pictures... and I've decided I love them all and my son's video may be an hour long! Hopefully I can condense it some.

Anyway, while going through a box today I found a few photos of my flowers in 2001. It was apparently a good year for the garden because everything looked great that year. Here are a couple of my favorites! Of course the actual photos are much clearer, I had to scan these to put them on my blog.

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll

Remember To Feed The Birds

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:45:00 +0000

These aren't the best photos I've ever taken, but it was cold, it was dusk, we had no electricity, and we weren't staying at the house but I had walked up from my in-laws to check on everything and get a few things when I noticed all the birds. They just kept coming and coming and I realized that with all the ice on everything they probably were having a hard time finding food. I managed to get a few shots of them before I got too cold and had to leave. But I didn't work real hard on them. I had too much on my mind. I am glad I helped a few of them... although I wish that cardinal would quit pooping on my side-view, Jeep mirrors.

Winter Hits Full Force

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:23:00 +0000

A winter storm hit last week and left us without power for an entire week! It was no fun what-so-ever, but at least it made for some lovely photos!

Wondrous, White, Winter – Hot Tips for Cold Photography

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Today I'm very excited to bring you a guest post by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Associate Degree in Photography. Sarah has some great tips to help you successfully photography in snow, ice, and cold this winter.

Wondrous, White, Winter – Hot Tips for Cold Photography

For those who've never seen it, snow can be an overwhelming sight, especially when it forms a blanket so pristine and unspoiled in the first light of day. And for those who have, they oscillate between being awed by this wonder of nature and irritated by the inconveniences it causes (if you’ve inadvertently stepped in melting snow when your feet are all warm and cozy in your snug boots and feel the cold seeping in like an unwanted guest, you’ll know what I’m talking about). But I digress; the point of this essay is to elucidate the finer aspects of shooting perfect pictures during winter. So here goes, these are the tips and tricks you’ll need up your sleeve when you’re about to take your camera and embark on a snowy or icy adventure:

Know your reflection details: White reflects more light than any other color and this may fool you into thinking you have enough light to complete a good shot. But the reality is far from perception – you’re likely to get grayish scenes when the lighting is poor because of underexposure. You must know how to adjust exposure when you’re shooting in snow; this is easy enough with a manual camera, but when you have an automatic or a digital gadget, you need to learn how to control the metering system.
Protect your equipment: Extreme cold is not the kind of environment your equipment likes – in fact, harsh and icy conditions can cause your battery to freeze and shut down your camera altogether. Make sure you protect your equipment in insulated carrying cases and take them out only to click photographs. Keep them away from the snow because water and electronic gadgets just don’t go hand in hand.
Be prepared to brave the elements: Ice and snow look exceptionally lovely, but their beauty is only skin deep – beneath the pure surface lurks a wild and fickle interior. And if you’re not careful, you may be caught unawares and risk serious injury and even death. Wear the right kind of clothing and accessories that protect you from the biting wind, extreme cold, and harsh elements and allow you to maintain steady hands to handle your equipment. Also, it’s wise to carry the minimum amount of equipment so that you’re not hampered by the weight when you’re fighting for balance on unsteady ground.
Ensure your safety: You also need to ensure that you stay out of harm’s way by familiarizing yourself with the location using maps and local know-how and sticking to beaten paths – being buried in avalanches, getting caught in blizzards, dropping down abysses, drowning through cracks in the ice on frozen lakes and rivers, frostbite and hypothermia are just some of the dangers you face when you’re out in the cold under harsh conditions. It’s best to wear bright colored clothing that stands out against white and carry emergency equipment like flares and communication gadgets that do not fail in icy weather.

Photographing snow and ice can be a wonderful experience as long as you take the right safety precautions and know how to call the shots.

By-line:

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Associate Degree in Photography. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

Red River Gorge - Revisited!

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:21:00 +0000

I apologize if you're sick of Red River Gorge pictures, but the truth is, it's cold here (minus 1 yesterday morning) and I don't feel like going out. I'm wishing and waiting for warmer days. Until then, I'm looking at old photos of warm, fun times and reminiscing. I promise not to post any more Gorge photos for a while... maybe I'll go back to the beach instead!

I think this is Military Wall. (could possibly be Left Flank though) You can see by looking at it why rock climbers love it! Lots of places for a foot, or a finger, to grab on to.

This suspension bridge is just a short walk from the parking area. I'm sure there is much to explore beyond it, but we were running out of time on this day.

The suspension bridge from underneath.

Me, needing something to do, decided to add some effects to the suspension bridge photo and liked the look.

Some of the wildlife in the Gorge.

This deer was playing peek-a-boo with us. She actually came out and walked on the trail ahead of us, at one point, but those photos didn't turn out well. I couldn't get my settings right that day.

You might want to watch where you put your hands. My son spotted this guy in the crevice and ran back and grabbed my camera to get a shot of him. Not sure what kind he is, but I don't like any kind of snake.

Big Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:28:00 +0000

We pulled off the side of the road just so my son could climb out on the big rock in this first photo! The sun was starting to go down and it made a lovely photo.

The plant in the second photo amazed me. There in nothing but a crack in the rock, it was able to take root. What a resilient little guy... and he made a unique photo too!

Come Back Fall!

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:15:00 +0000

These photos don't show you nearly how beautiful the real thing is, but it will give you an idea of what great colors the trees were in the weekend we went to Red River Gorge. You can also see just a glimpse of what an incredible place The Gorge is.

The photo below is of Half Moon Arch as seen from a trail off Chimney Top Road. There are people on top of it. I thought it might be too hard to get out onto, but I zoomed in on the people and they definitely didn't look like seasoned hikers. So, maybe next time we'll try it!

Apparently I'm Not Afraid Of Heights!

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:46:00 +0000

It really didn't seem scary at the time, but now that I'm looking at the pictures, I'm wondering if I had lost my mind! Two teens died rock-climbing at another spot in the Red River Gorge the same day I took these photos. What a bad mother I am, letting my family get that close to the edge! It must be the angle of the photos... I really wasn't concerned at the time, and I'm a worrier. (And no I wasn't drinking either.)

If you've never been to the Red River Gorge area in Kentucky, and you like nature, hiking, rock climbing, beautiful views, etc., I highly recommend you take a trip here. There is a a map of the more popular trails online at www.RedRiverGorge.com, but this is the 2004 version, it was updated again in 2006. Last year, we did the last trail on this map. So this year, I purchased a book call Hinterlands by Jerrell Goodpaster. This book is a "guide to unofficial trails in the Red River Gorge area."

These photos were taken on two of the trails we found in the book that we would never have found without it! It was such a beautiful weekend, with such beautiful scenery! I wish I was there now!

Me & hubby enjoying nature on the Tarr Ridge East Trail. Look at the colors! Our timing was just right this year!

Also on the Tarr Ridge East Trail, hubby decides to peek over the edge.

Good grief! It looks like DS is falling over the edge! I promise it didn't slope as much as it looks! This was on the Veranda Trail. (My favorite that we did this trip!)

Fall Traveler

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:59:00 +0000

This was taken on either Tunnel Ridge Road or Chimney Top Road in the Red River Gorge Geological Area after one of our hikes, on our way back to camp. I was driving out the road and saw the photo in my mind. I stopped the Jeep, grabbed my camera, and jumped out. It turned out just about as pretty as I thought it would! I think this may be one of my favorite shots of fall. (That I've taken.)

If A Tree Falls In The Woods...

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:59:00 +0000

We did some hiking in the Red River Gorge area this past week. I'll post a few of the better shots that I took over the next few posts. For this first one, here is a huge tree that had fallen over and in the process, splintered another tree.

With This Ring...

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:03:00 +0000

My friend called last night, she's getting married next week and needed a photo of their rings to blow up as a poster for the front of the theatre they are getting married in. She had 4 photos of her and her fiance but there are 5 places for 5 X 3 posters and she thought the rings would be good in the middle. I looked at the other 4 photos she had and they were all in black and white. I thought a full-color photo would stand out like a sore thumb with those 4 black & whites. So what I did, on some of them, was to black & white just the outer edges and leave the rings in color. On a couple I made a make-shift light box and they are monochrome except for the flowers I laid in the background, and on a couple I used the bible (black & white) and blurred the edges.

Here are the ones I gave her to select from. Remember... I'm an amateur, lighting is not my forte'. My favorite was the first one, and it is the one she was thinking she'd use. Do you like any of them? Any suggestions for improvement? I can only learn by input!

Bugs, Bees, & Butterflies - Green Thumb Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:02:00 +0000

I found the worm on my mailbox one day when I went out to check the mail. I have about 10 photos of him. I found if you push him, he would stick out little horns. I may post that photo at another time.

I jumped out of the car and shot the photos of the bees and butterflies one day when I noticed them in the field across from our house. It was windy and I had a hard time getting a butterfly photo that wasn't blurry - between their beating wings and the wind I only got a couple.

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll

And The Winner, In The Cake Category, Is...

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:21:00 +0000

These photos are the reason I go alone to the fair for a few hours. Hubby would never spend time looking at cakes. (Or any food that he wasn't going to eat, for that matter!) I enjoy it though. Here were some of my favorites:

Here's a display of some of those judged by taste... now these I would have loved trying!!

On to the decorated cakes. This one won a blue ribbon for wedding cakes.

I love this pig cake! A true representation of what the fair is all about! Oink!

What 21-year-old wouldn't love this inventive cake?

And finally, I'm not sure why you'd ever need a spaghetti and meatballs cake... but if you did, this one 'takes the cake!' (Don't I just crack you up?)

It's State Fair Time!

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Well, it was State Fair Time, oh, about two months ago. (My how time flies!) I'm going to do a short series of fair photos. (just 3 or 4 posts) I went multiple times. OK - that's pathetic, isn't it? Well, I entered some photos so I got in as a vendor for just $2 each time. So I went once late in the evening with hubby to listen to music, once by myself just to look at the exhibits and take photos, and once with some friends.

Hubby and I walked the midway -- it's just fun to see all the sights!

OK - so I've seen Farris Wheel photos on two or three other blogs. Apparently they are 'the' thing to photograph at the fair!

We were just being silly and having fun, so hubby tried on this 'cool' pair of shades. Not his color, I'd say!

Ah... the fair food! What could be better than pork butt on a stick?

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave -- Green Thumb Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (AMH615) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:53:00 +0000

I went out to water my plants one morning and this spider web caught my eye. I took a few shots of it and this was my favorite... with my little girl hanging in the foreground for a nice contrast!

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Green Thumb Sunday Blogroll