With A Little Less Than Two Weeks To Go...

Today my wife reminded me of the fact that the main building at her school, Queen's University Belfast, is beautiful.  It definitely is.  I took a photograph of it awhile ago...indeed I did, but have not used it to its full potential (and I have less than two weeks to go on this 365 day photo thing).  Thus, I decided to see what I could come up with using my 50mm...

Hand-carved oak.  I'm totally guessing on that, but wouldn't be surprised.  Go through it and you'll be greeted by a faun.  The faun part isn't a guess...purely factual.

Abstract Architecture

More and more I'm inclined to use my homemade tilt-shift lens for my architectural shots.  I am always fairly pleased with the results.  Today's shot wasn't as good as some of my others...like the first photo here.  But there can be just as much if not more satisfaction gained from creating something with which you can take a photograph than from the photograph itself.

I'm always a fan of bokeh.  Architectural photography is not a field you tend to see it used in...I think it works here, though.

Having Service Outdoors?

I saw this book lying under a bench.  For whatever reason, the first thing I thought of was a Bible.  Perhaps some people are having service outside in a park?  That would definitely be my preferred location...that or the middle of the woods I suppose...

Books, Bricks and Bony Fingers

My wife is a big fan of this site ...a site that pretty much revolves around books and their shelves.  Apparently they think pretty much anything can be a bookshelf over there.  Apparently, that is one of the main reasons my wife likes it.  Here is my attempt at creating a bookshelf that resembles one found on their site...taken on the 2nd:

Just an old barn door with a nice little "shelf" next to it.  

A while ago, while hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, I stumbled upon an old used book.  Apparently it is awfully common to bring a book with you while on the trail and once you've completed it you leave it for someone else.  If enough people do this, it is unlikely that you would go very far without having some good reading material.  I feel this would be an excellent thing to implement in the middle of a city.  Just have a few used books out on a wall in a few different locations...if someone thinks one of them looks good, they pick it up...whenever they are done with it, they put it back at one of the designated spots.  It would be much like a library except that it might pique the interest of people that weren't intending to hit up the library on a certain day...easy access and what not.  Plus, it sure beats just tossing out your old books.  So, anyone have some old books they want to get rid of?

Yesterday I took this...

The imprint of a house that once was?

Maybe an addition to this brick wall building that has now been subtracted?

I found it odd.

Today, hands intrigued me.  So here are some hands.  Yoga hands and soft delicate hands.  

This shot reminds of some Bruce Springsteen album art.  Minus the fact that it's a girl...and the fact that it's all soft and serene.  Alright...so basically it's just the jeans.  Springsteen liked jeans.  

...Not exactly how one does that "L 7" thing...but props for trying.

Warm Beverage, Anyone?

Not having much of a chance to leave my apartment today, I had to find something indoors to help me get my daily photo.  Not being in the States, where I am surrounded by a lot of (interesting and more photogenic) crap, I am limited to the things I brought with me or purchased here.  Which really isn't much.

Luckily my wife is constantly drinking tea...and leaving her teacups where I stumble upon them and realize they are as good a subject as any.  Especially when you are going for an overexposed and washed out look (things with smooth surfaces are better for this (or so it seems)).

Went For A Walk

We went for a walk today.  We do so daily.  Today we went down to the river as well as some parts of the city that we were yet to check out.  We came across what seemed like a River Dance flash mob...

One second they were jumping around like fish out of water...the next second they were just standing there talking as if it never happened.

Then we came across the area that is being used for Occupy Belfast.  No one was there.

Then, on our way back to our flat, old Albert entered my field of vision.  Apparently Albert is the name of this clock tower...

Panels of Clouds

Nothing special today.  Got home from work late.  Rediculously tired.  I've been meaning to try something like this for awhile...but was waiting for a day like today...a day that I didn't have much time to put towards a photo.  This ends up meaning I'll probably try the style again with a shot I actually like.  Here's what I got.

Clouds

Clouds are nice.  I think that the panel idea needs to be of an image that doesn't have much going on in it.  Clouds fit that description... but I still think I could do better.

Pet Photography

I've never done any pet photography before...other than a few pictures of my lethargic cat.  I decided today that I must try this new side of photography.  I also decided today that my marketability as well as laziness might get in the way of actually finding clients.  So I then decided today that I must find another way.  I did.
I went to the trail by my house that is used for biking, walking, running, and any other physical activity.  But besides all that, it is mostly used as a place to take one's dog for a walk.  I sat down with a notebook and pen, ready to write a song or do some sketching until my first "client" walked past.  I'm not the most outgoing person, so I saw this as an opportunity to break down those anti-social walls and to put myself out there.  I also saw this as a chance to go at pet photography all out...I figure, most people that are getting their pets photographed have some treats or a favorite toy to help keep the dog on it's best behavior...making the photographer's life easier.  On the trail, enjoying a nice afternoon, few people are expecting to have to keep their dog in one place, looking in one direction.  So yea, it seemed like a good way to get a real taste for the hardships pet photography could bring.
Also, anyone that told me no when I asked, my plan was to tell them that this was a social experiment on the generosity of complete strangers.  I figure if people know they are being evaluated in terms of their decency, they will be more likely to give in.  If not, I will then know that letting someone know they are part of a social experiment makes no difference on the outcome of a social experiment...at least under these circumstances.

Seeds of Knowledge

I shot this while waiting for my first "client."  I kind of like it.

Furry Thing

This pup would not look my way.  With all that hair, even if he would have looked in my direction, it would have been hard to focus on his eyes.

Smiley Thing

This pup wouldn't look away from me.  He had a big slobbery smile on his face the whole time.

Questioning

Another picture of the same dog, this one has him with the questioning "cocked head" that dogs so frequently have.  Check out those teeth.