My Amateur Art & Photo Blog

What Is This? Today's photo is a 'guess what this is?' challenge. If someone can tell me what this contraption that is tied to a streetlight in South Boston is I would be very interested. Is it art, a social statement, trash or something more nefarious? Whatever it is it has been there all Summer so I think it's harmless enough. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , no post processing. Update August 7 2012: When I walked passed this streetlight today this curious object was now gone after being there all summer. I think it knew we were on to it!

The Road More Traveled The Boston commute home from work today was as usual painfully slow. I made the most of it while being stuck in traffic of taking this shot through the passenger side window of my car. I like that you can see the hard shoulder in the side mirror. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , color adjusted slightly in post processing.

Desktop Size (1024 by 768) Get your free August 2012 Monthly Desktop Calendar Wallpaper. Simply click one of the above images to get the full size version and right click to save it to your picture directory (depending on your browser). Once saved locally you can set it as your desktop background. For instructions on how change your desktop background on a Mac or a PC click here or here .

Tomato Macro With the weather outside not cooperative today I fell back on the theme of Macro photography. A tomato left over from yesterday's dinner is the target for today. Taken with the Pentax K200d, handheld with MF with its kit lens mounted to a Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens , no post processing other than cropping for square.

Spuggie The sparrows were attacking our bird feeder this morning, this little spuggie took prime position before he fought off the competition. Taken with the Pentax K200d, handheld with MF using my Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens , cropped for square and contrast adjusted in post processing.

Freckle Macro I was going to give today's post the title 'guess what this is?' but I didn't want anyone to be confused as to what this actually is. It's a freckle on my arm up close and personal, hmm, I think after seeing this I want to get it checked out by a doctor. It really doesnt look this bad to the normal human eye but when magnified in the lens of my Camera it is quite scary looking. Taken with the Pentax K200d, handheld with MF with its kit lens mounted to a Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens , no post processing. Next time I will try this with a tripod which will make for a sturdier shot than hand holding the camera with just one hand.

Boston Skies The skies over Boston looked ominous earlier today. Taken through the window of my car while I was stuck in traffic, remember to close those windows before the heavy rains hit! Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , perspective and tone corrected in post processing.

Potted Annuals Today's photo is rather boring, potted plants from our back yard, been too busy at work today and completely forgot until now, my bad. I will do better tomorrow I promise! Taken with the Pentax K200d, handheld with MF with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens , no post processing.

J'étudie Le Français I've taken to swotting up on my French on the commute to work on the days I take the train so that I'll be ready to converse with the natives in Montreal later this year when we return for our late summer vacation. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , no post processing.

New Speakers The set of 2.1 speakers I ordered over the weekend arrived via amazon prime in record time, and in just enough time to listen to some Carrie Underwood while ordering up pizza for dinner this evening. These little babies from Altec Lansing have a lot of Base in their small frame, and I would recommend them for any audiophile on a budget. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , no post processing.

A Succulent Macro Back to macro shooting for today and another house plant. Although I had taken several shots of various things in and out side this morning I feel like this shot of a succulent potted plant was the most clear and interesting shot of the bunch. Taken with the Pentax K200d in Macro using the Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens with MF, lit by natural sun light only, no closeup filter needed for this baby, no post processing.

Artist's Monstrosity Walking along the Davis Sq. bike trial minding our own business today we were almost stampeded by this monstrosity. I definitely didn't expect to find this in the heart of the city of Somerville. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , no post processing.

Spider Web I didn't end up seeing Spiderman at the box office this week so I will have to make do with this spider's web instead. I like how the really small in-focus area adds to the overall frame. Taken with the Pentax K200d, handheld with MF with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens and using a +10 closeup filter, no post processing.

Public Garden Fountain What a great day to be in Boston, the humidity is all but gone, the rains are all forgotten and nothing but summer sun was shining in the Boston Public Gardens. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , contrast adjusted slightly in post processing.

Rainbow As the storms over Boston passed on by the clear summer skies returned and all that remained, except for the flooded streets of course, was this rainbow. Taken with the Pentax K200d in MF with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens , contrast adjusted in post processing.

House Plant The heat wave continues and it was just too dang hot to be outside today so this is a photo of one of the plants we have laying around; one of the few that our cats haven't eaten! Taken with the Pentax K200d with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens and using the +10 closeup filter.

Butterfly Weed This shot was taken just before a thundershower came through the area, the sun was cooking up the yard but this butterfly weed flower refused to wilt. Taken with the Pentax K200d with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens and using the +10 closeup filter.

Dandelion Macro Sticking with the macro theme today and in what little time I could bear to be outside in the sun and humidity I think this garden weed now past its prime sums up how I feel in the Boston summer temperatures lately ;) I am a little disappointed that I couldn't get the sweetspot of focus to cover more of the frame, however hand holding the Pentax and a little bit of a cross breeze were probably working against me today. Taken with the Pentax K200d with its kit lens mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens and using the +10 closeup filter, lighted only by blistering mid morning sun.

Orange Macro I decided to be a little more creative today than with yesterday's last minute shot. Taking out my Pentax DSLR, the kit lens but also a +10 macro filter ring which requires some gentle Manual Focus adjustments to get the right amount of the frame in focus. The fruit bowl in the kitchen was the inspiration, I grabbed one of the oranges moved it in to the dining room so I could sit and hand the cam while my elbows being supported by the table. I think I may have a theme for the week ;) Taken with the Pentax K200d mounted to a Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens and using the +10 closeup filter, lighted only by natural sunlight through the dining room window.

Stand By It's been a long day and it's time for me to power down I think, good night world. Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS in shutter priority mode, exposure set to 1/3 of a second, no post processing.

Evening On Spot Pond Before the high temperatures and humidity return to the Boston area I decided to get some kayak time in on Spot pond. This serene scene however was spoiled when my paddle snapped in two and began floating away. Paddling with half an oar like a mad man I managed to catch up with it and get to shore. Quite the adventure. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , contrast adjusted in post processing.

Boston Skyscraper One financial center towers over all other buildings in this shot taken while I walked through the Rose Kennedy parkway in Boston MA this afternoon. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , corrected for perspective in post processing. See my tutorial on how to correct to building convergence .

Tree Lined Sidewalk During the hot summer months being able to find the slightest amount of shade is a god send in Boston. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , no post processing.

Look Up When there isn't anything inspirational at eye level to photograph, just look up! Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS in aperture priority mode, and tone corrected slightly in post processing.

Boston Panoramic View While out for a hike this afternoon through the Middlesex Fells Reservation we happened upon Wright's Tower. Although the air was a hot, humid and hazy it did offer a great view of the Boston skyline. Note to self to return here when the weather is clearer, this would also be a great spot for some night time shots with trailing car lights of I93 although I wouldnt relish the walk through the fells in low light that's for sure! Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS in landscape mode, cropped for aspect and tone corrected in post processing.

Kayaking On Spot Pond This weekend the weather wasn't quite as good as it had been all week, or that last time I was out on my Kayak on Spy Pond in Arlington Ma. Today, however Spot pond in Stoneham Ma was virtually deserted, only the occasional fishermen and 1 other kayaker out there due to threat of thundershowers I think. I was lucky to get in and out without any thunder or lightning however right after taking this shot the heavens did open and soak me thoroughly (it was refreshing!) . Luckily having a ziplock bag on hand saved my camera phone from being ruined though, a tip for any water bound photographers! This panoramic frame was combined from 7 separate photos taken with the LG Optimus Elite , cropped for aspect and contrast adjusted in post processing, if you zoom in you can see the noise the camera has added in the lower light that was available this afternoon.

Glass Reflection While reaching for a glass of wine to start the weekend right I noticed the dappled sun light of my reflection being caught in these glasses. Un verre de vin rouge, s'il vous plait! Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS , without flash and tone corrected in post processing. The Canon SX230 HS is good in low-light but it does has a tendency for some of the shots to get a little 'noisy'.

Gravestone Shadows The late evening sun casts long shadows through a local cemetery as the grave stones stand tall. Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS no post processing.

Happy Fourth Of July Happy 4th everyone, now the rain has stopped I'm off to fire up the grill and have a cold one so I thought I better take today's photo before the fun begins. Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS at a fully extended x14 zoom and cropped in post processing to fill the frame.

Kayaking On Spy Pond This afternoon was the start of my mini-staycation, getting out on the water to do some kayaking after finishing up work is a great destresser and today was a great day to be out there. Temperatures in the high 80s, low humidity and lots of sun combined with a cool water breeze and no wake on the pond, paradise. I was a little nervous being out again with my camera phone not wanting to get it wet but a ziplock back seemed to do the trick keeping the phone zipped away when not in use. Taken with the LG Optimus Elite , cropped for aspect with no other post processing, the harsh summer sun overhead is almost too much for my camera phone here.

Black Helicopter If you thought black helicopters were following around Boston today, relax you're not in a Martin Scorsese movie it isn't the government after you. This helicopter is part of Tall Ships week in Boston and I was lucky to catch this on overhead at lunch today. Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS at a fully extended x14 zoom and cropped in post processing to fill the frame.

Tall Ships In Boston Harbor I couldn't let the heat beat me this weekend to getting the rare oppurtunity of capturing the magnificence of these Tall Ships in Boston Harbor. The temperature gauge may have read mid 90s but that didn't put a stop to the thousands out this weekend thinking the same thing I was. In taking this frame I tried to capture the one tall ship being flanked by the other while avoiding the heads of the crowds of other amateur photographers and onlookers. Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS cropped slightly (to get rid of some unwanted human heads), no other post processing.