July 10, 2020

On Shooting the Moon.

Now, just to be clear, I am not a professional photographer. Not by any stretch!

I do know some things about getting pretty good moon photos, so since there's some interest in that, here are my ideas:

You will need:

1. A real camera, not a phone. (digital single lens reflex type)

2. A big zoom lens. I use a Tamron 18 mm to 400 mm.

3. A tripod. Really helps keep the camera steady so there's no blur in your photo!

4. A cable release cord, also to keep the camera from shaking.

5. Practice, practice, practice!

Here's a couple of my moon photos to hopefully inspire you:

July 9, 2020

My new sign:

July 9, 2020

Found on Facebook: How to handle "45."

Daughter of MLK & Coretta Scott King posted this last night:

1. Don't use his name; EVER ("45" will do)

2. Remember this is a regime and he's not acting alone;

3. Do not argue with those who support him--it doesn't work;

4. Focus on his policies, not his orange-ness and mental state;

5. Keep your message positive; they want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow;

6. No more helpless/hopeless talk;

7. Support artists and the arts;

8. Be careful not to spread fake news. Check it;

9. Take care of yourselves; and

10. Resist! Keep demonstrations peaceful. In the words of John Lennon, "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you - pull your beard, flick your face - to make you fight! Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor."
When you post or talk about him, don't assign his actions to him, assign them to "The Republican Administration," or "The Republicans." This will have several effects: the Republican legislators will either have to take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don't like; he will not get the focus of attention he craves; Republican representatives will become very concerned about their re-elections.

July 5, 2020

A 3 photo sequence, showing the progression of the penumbral lunar eclipse, July 4, 2020.

July 4, 2020

*July 4, 1894...My grandmother's birthday*

Today I honor her memory...

Her parents saw, and lived, the American Dream...

They came from Sweden, met and married here...

She was their oldest child...

She was a bright, hard-working, motivated lady...

She and her husband raised their six children on a farm outside Chicago...

They had a pump in the kitchen...

She would kill and clean chickens for their meals...

She baked bread every week...

And still had time to go into Chicago for concerts...

She lived through the World Wars, and the Depression...

She did not let adversity shrink her soul...

My Grandmother! How much I still miss her, and her example!

I wonder what she would say if she could see what's happened to her beloved country...

Her birthday, today...

I salute her!

July 4, 2020

Almost Full...

July 3, 2020

Flowers at dusk

June 28, 2020

Almost First Quarter...

Much easier tonight! A lower angle and way fewer clouds make for a happy photographer. I used my tripod, cable release and my right angle viewfinder, all to my satisfaction. Hope you all enjoy.

June 26, 2020

Waxing Crescent Moon on June 25, 2020.

Without question, one of the most difficult photos I've ever taken. Why? The angle of view was nearly straight overhead. I could not see it through my lens at all. I took this hand-held, no cable release. Our skies have been extremely cloudy in the evenings.

June 13, 2020

The agapanthus are blooming! Here's some examples: