Daily Photo - Dec. 01-15
For 2020, I am photographing every day, and posting the best of each day in half-month increments.
2020 December 01, Tuesday
I was delighted when I received something in the mail on the first day of December. It was a cross filter, a camera device for making lights look all twinkly. What excellent timing!
Olympus E-PL9: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 160
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 02, Wednesday
I love the cinematic look that the filter gives. This would have been a fine long-exposure without each light making a cross shape, but I like it even more with the effect.
On a personal note, this was a rough day for me. I had a Wednesday afternoon meeting with my regional manager, and those all tend to end the same way. Given the timing, I wasn't surprised when he said that he was adding someone from HR to the call...
The end of a nearly eight-year job can seem dark, even when phrased as a Christmas vacation that never ends. It spurred me to find photographic brightness by challenging myself to see just how long I could keep the cross filter theme going.
Olympus E-PL9: f11, 1/60 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 03, Thursday
This one is a little experimental... I took the familiar passing-train shot, but with the filter on. Honestly, I think I would prefer it without the filter in this case!
Olympus E-PL9: f3.5, 1 sec, ISO 1000
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 04, Friday
I have this romantic notion of gathering on Christmas Eve to trim a tree. This year, however, has a lot of stress in it. Putting something comforting and shiny in the room may seem like a small act, but it does remind one to smile and think on happy memories. Given that, I brought out mon beau sapin a little early.
Olympus E-PL9: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 125, +1 EV
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 05, Saturday
I was hardly the only one jumping the gun on Christmas decorating. My aunt and uncle, parents, and I travelled around town looking at all the lights. We drove in two cars and communicated via walkie-talkie. It was a lot of fun. I doubt the inventor of the cross filter had luminescent caribou in mind, but man, does it ever do wonders on them!
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/80 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 06, Sunday
There's a German children's song, set to music from The Magic Flute, called In My Little Apple. It tells of a family of appleseeds who dream of becoming trees or - even better - being strung into Christmas decorations. While I don't have a beaded garland of apple-seeds, I do have an apple for my tree. It always reminds me of that song.
Olympus E-PL9: f5.8, 1/60 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 07, Monday
So, after a straight week of cross filter shots, I began to worry that my pictures were getting repetitive. I was also beginning to run out of illuminated things to photograph. Sure, this is an interesting lamp... But the time to take a break was clearly upon me.
Olympus E-PL9: f6.3, 1/30 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 08, Tuesday
I suppose that technically this is also a cross filter picture! It's tricky to see, but there are tiny strands criss-crossing the lens which direct the light to make that distinctive cross shape.
Olympus E-PL9: f5.4, 1/30 sec, ISO 800
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 09, Wednesday
Is it megalomaniacal that I keep a city in a box? I think one of Superman's villains did that to Metropolis...
Olympus E-PL9: f6.1, 1/50 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 10, Thursday
The Covid-19 pandemic requires us to bubble together with a tiny social circle. I am extremely lucky to have the fun family that I have! Months of lockdown are hardly a hassle when there are board games to be played.
Olympus E-PL9: f3.5, 1/250 sec, ISO 5000
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 11, Friday
This photograph is so serene... It is very important to take a few moments every now and again just to appreciate the world.
Olympus E-PL9: f3.5, 1/250 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 12, Saturday
I know I've posted similar mugshots before, but this really is a beautiful glass. As the weather turns cooler, warm drinks of tea or hot chocolateare a delightful indulgence.
Olympus E-PL9: f6.1, 1/20 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 13, Sunday
...And another failed train shot, twice in one post! Usually it's pretty late when the train passes on its way back from Cape Breton. This day was early, though, so I thought I'd get it coming in opposite direction. I was a bit too quick on the shutter, however, and didn't get the streaks I was anticipating.
Olympus E-PL9: f3.5, 1.3 secs, ISO 1000
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 14, Monday
A few days before I took this picture, my Dad was looking for a hex driver. Could I find one then? No! When I finally came across them on the 14th, I figured I should photograph them in the hopes of remembering where they are. Incidentally, they are with all my other tools... Just where I was sure I'd looked before!
Olympus E-PL9: f6.2, 1/100 sec, ISO 6400
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
2020 December 15, Tuesday
It does not take much looking to find a turtle in my house. This one is on a recorder that my Dad brought back from a trip overseas. I am fond of turtles because their shells are nifty and their noses are so high up on their heads. They are also resilient, having survived since before the time of the dinosaurs. They are good at what they do, yet humble. If they want to move quickly they can, but they also know how to be relaxed. There's a lot to admire and emulate about turtles.
