Stupid things that excite me

[Bandit]

Actually I love to shoot without a flash from a distance away using a telephoto lens - gives a much more natural result. I like to shoot architecture and landscapes more than people...I've always felt it's so invasive to push a camera in peoples' faces and start snapping without asking their permission first.

Sure do! I also remember when the first cameras came out that loaded a roll of film with one drop-in cartridge in the back instead of having to wind the film in manually - magic!!

I forgot about that. You had to actually twist the film around after loading it and make sure it connected to the other side before you close the back. I do not know much about photography but I know when I see a good photographers work.

Do you go by the 1/3 rule in your photos and landscapes?
I do appreciate the professional photos of family & class pics with those backgrounds of blue and gray like at Sears or Olin Mills. I like them best when taken as a portrait and vertical when of people or when they prepare for a certain place during travel or like weddings.

MY first camera was a Polaroid Swinger, black and white only.

Speaking of black and white, my granddaughter actually thinks that when I was a kid, the whole world was black and white or shades thereof. The grass wasn't green, the sky wasn't blue, it was all shades of black and white.

Was that one that gave the picture right away out of the bottom and had a big can on the top where you had to change the flash bulb for every picture? I remember some of those. They opened up like an accordian.

I can relate to why your granddaughter would think that. Black & white photos still have an old fashioned look even when taken like that today as if color did not exist. Not because they are neccesarily old. B&W photos are still popular and very classy.

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

When I get off from work and head home, I get excited when I see my kittens waiting for me in the window, and shadow telling me about his day when I walk in the door, and genevieve rubbing her face all over mine and hearing her purrrrrrr.

Catchmeifyoucan

[CindyLou]

....and I get SUPER DUPER excited when Dr. Phil isn't a re-run!!!!

[Granny]

Was that one that gave the picture right away out of the bottom and had a big can on the top where you had to change the flash bulb for every picture? I remember some of those. They opened up like an accordian.

I can relate to why your granddaughter would think that. Black & white photos still have an old fashioned look even when taken like that today as if color did not exist. Not because they are neccesarily old. B&W photos are still popular and very classy.

No the Swinger wasn't the accordian type, although my family had that one too. But it did give you the pic right away.

I had the kids pictures made in black and white a few years ago. I'll have to show her and let her explain to me why she and her brother are that way. Thanks for reminding me.

[whatamess]

I LOVE containers. I love going to Ikea just to look at the storage stuff, it saved the playroom.

Applebees onion rings...mmmm.

Playing Zelda with my kids on the weekends

Catching critters like frogs, snakes, etc with our field guide.

laundry. I love doing laundry and I love smelling different soaps and softners. I love the smell of fresh laundry. Im nuts.

Taking the subway in the city. I have no idea why I love this.
WAM

[lrprn]

...my granddaughter actually thinks that when I was a kid, the whole world was black and white or shades thereof. The grass wasn't green, the sky wasn't blue, it was all shades of black and white.

LOL! I just love the wonderfully creative ideas kids come up with!

When I was about six, my dad brought home a new refrigerator in a huge box one day, then cut little windows and a door into it to make a little playhouse for me. On the day he announced we were buying a new car, I was thrilled thinking about how much bigger THAT box was going to be, and so disappointed to find out that new cars didn't come in boxes....sigh....I'm not sure I've ever really recovered! lol!

[lrprn]

Do you go by the 1/3 rule in your photos and landscapes?

Yes, unless I run across a situation that needs me to break the rule of thirds to capture the photo I see in my head

I've been lucky enough to win some photography contests and have had several of my photos published. I love that once you have the digital equipment needed (and you can take great photos with inexpensive digital cameras) and a computer with a free and easy to use photo tweaking software like Google's Picasa, all kinds of creativity and fun can flow without spending a dime!

[Granny]

and a computer with a free and easy to use photo tweaking software like Google's Picasa, all kinds of creativity and fun can flow without spending a dime!

Is Picasa hard to learn? I've played with some of the high end software, but it's all Greek to me. I have some gif images that I want to cut and paste so they will fit on to 8 1/2 X 11 paper without distorting. Will it do this? I know the retail version of Photoshop will do it, because I have seen it done, but I couldn't figure out how.

[lrprn]

Is Picasa hard to learn? I've played with some of the high end software, but it's all Greek to me. I have some gif images that I want to cut and paste so they will fit on to 8 1/2 X 11 paper without distorting. Will it do this? I know the retail version of Photoshop will do it, because I have seen it done, but I couldn't figure out how.

Picasa is very easy to learn! It can do pretty much anything that a non-professional needs to do to a digital file - cut and paste, lighten, darken, play with special effects...you name it. It's a great program and since it's free, don't see how it can get any better!

[B12]

Trash day is exciting for me! I love to gather up every single piece of garbage in the house, empty the refrigerator of spoiled food, tidy up the garage and put it all in the trash can in front of the house.

I used to have trash picked up once a week in my previous house, but this house is twice a week. Ohhhhhhh, double excitement now.

I will be giving up the house soon and moving into an apt. Going to the dumpster will definitely not be as much fun.

[whatamess]

B12,
I wonder, do we have a little touch of OCD??? I do, and I am a freak about trash, junk, and not keeping more than I need or use. Therefore, like you TRASH DAY is big fun for me...LOL!! When I had a cat I went trough litter like crazy because every time the cat poo'd or pee'd I'd nearly change the whole thing.
Scary thing is, I have to live with my mother right now who is the scary form of OCD, the hoarder. She keeps everything, has three closet full of clothes and shoes, & wont even throw away food until its almost growing. Needless to say we may kill each other soon.
Happy heaving!!!! Nice to know im not the only one.
WAM

[MajorMike]

My giddy passion is digital photography! Love it! I always have a camera with me.

Would love to see some of your work!!!

[MajorMike]

I'm an email freak! I have to check it every 1/2 hour !!

[B12]

LOL Our OCD is generational and inherent.

My grandmother used to polish the pipes in the basement.

My mom would follow us into the bathroom and polish the sink when we were done washing our hands.

When you asked my dad for a 3 inch phillips screwdriver, he would say .....go down in the basement on the pegboard, 3rd row down, 5th one over.

I had asked my gf to go into my dresser drawer for a document that I had stashed there. She let out a scream. I ran up to see what was the matter. She said she has never seen underwear lined up so carefully!!!

My sons used to line up their matchbox cars exactly one inch apart on the shelf. Now, as young men, they line up their shirts in the closet one inch apart. And.......oh yes, the shirts have to be all facing in the same direction.

LOLOL whatamess, we could start an entire thread on OCD?

[Granny]

LOL! I just love the wonderfully creative ideas kids come up with!

When I was about six, my dad brought home a new refrigerator in a huge box one day, then cut little windows and a door into it to make a little playhouse for me. On the day he announced we were buying a new car, I was thrilled thinking about how much bigger THAT box was going to be, and so disappointed to find out that new cars didn't come in boxes....sigh....I'm not sure I've ever really recovered! lol!

ROFL That was priceless.