PandaBob - Day Of The Clock

Batteries

Batteries, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

These batteries are dead. They were in a flashlight.

My batteries are a bit dead, too. I've started running again after a long time off and this level of exhaustion is the return of an old frenemy.

G'night everyone.

Now and Then #1

"Now and Then" is going to be my weekly effort to track my ability as a photographer over the years. The idea is to take a photo from this week, and from around the same date in previous years for comparison's sake. Here we go.

I find it interesting that all three photos are of animals. I don't consider myself much of a "wildlife" photographer and I certainly don't have the really expensive lenses to do that particular thing well. But there you have it. This year (week) I broke out my macro and took some spider shots. Macro is tough, especially in the "wild" where even the slightest of breezes can wreak havoc. A year ago I took a test shot of Fergs with an old school manual focus 50mm lens. I shot almost exclusively with that lens for months. To this day I rarely take my 35mm Sigma prime lens off my camera. Love that low-light capability! Way back in '07 I had just moved into my current house and was excited to see such large lizards living outside. It's worth noting that I have yet to get a really good shot of one of these guys. They're tricky to shoot.

Today

One Year Ago

Two Years Ago

Trike

Trike, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Lazy Sundays are what it's all about.

I assure you.

Spider

Spider, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Today I went out to do some "landscape" photography. That was sort of a bust, but I did practice "panning" and shot some spider macros. Tomorrow I will be posting a picture of this spider's children.

Hundreds of them.

So far as I know, none of these guys came back to Dallas with me, If you hear Steph scream soon, you assume otherwise.

Oops

It appears that about a month ago I screwed up the numbering in my 365 project.

The good news is that I went back, not forward. So, while I *thought* I was only on number 202, I am actually on 211. The bad news that the posts that talk about being halfway and hitting #200 are 9 days off.

Oh well.

Travel Size Buddha

Travel Size Buddha, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Driving down towards Houston tonight, so I polished up the ol' travel Buddha for good luck.

If you notice a little smudge on the left side of the instrument cluster - That's duct tape residue from when I tapped my camera to my dash to try out time-lapse while I was driving.

Looking Forward. Way Forward

Looking Forward. Way Forward, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Here goes...

Some of you may have heard me ramble on about some "art collective" thing that I've been wanting to put together.

Well, it's still mostly a big jumble of thoughts in my noggin - BUT it'll get there, soon, I promise.

In the meantime, here is the first "unofficial" project which I hope will be representative of what it is I want most out of gathering creative type people together.

Collaborative effort.

I'm really stuck on the concept. I think it's an amazing way for folks to get their creative juices flowing.

Here's the idea:

We'll take a 365 page-a-day calendar (the one seen here) and for each day each person will make a photo, drawing, 100-word essay, doodle, finger-paint, carve, or mow into a field what the content for that day means to them.

Who can participate? YOU CAN! All of you, if you can read this then PLEASE consider joining in.

Do you (YES YOU!) have to contribute every day? NO! just do the ones you like or have time for

Can you work ahead? You bet! This won't be as strict as my current 365-day photo project, where the photo is made day of - For all those wanting to participate I'll make the near future dates and phrases known so you'll have plenty of time to chip away at that slab of marble.

Does it cost anything? Not at all, at least not unless you need to buy some materials to do your thing.

Once it gets rolling I'll be making daily posts here on Day of the Clock showing off the various creations I get.

If you think you'd like to participate then drop me a line here in the comments or email me at: pandabobby at gmail dot com!

200

200, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

I think I waxed poetic about this enough last night...

So tonight I'll just let the pandas do the talking for me.

165 pics to go!

Blue Ribbon

Blue Ribbon, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Lets talk about taking pictures for a few minutes.

Just over a year ago I redeveloped an extreme interest in taking pictures. I got serious about it. I started carrying my camera everywhere I started looking into better lenses - I drove to the Grand Canyon.

I also joined the Dallas Camera Club. Tonight I won my first 1st place ribbon and I'm - at the same time - extremely pleased and a little peeved at myself because the prints I turned in tonight are not up to par. Last month, shooting a theme I didn't care for, I did end up working really hard on the pictures. That payed off. I got 1st place in monochrome print and an HM in projected. Both judges had very encouraging things to say about my work.

Next month I expect they'll hand it too me. We'll see.

This week - tomorrow in fact - will be "365" picture #200, and that also is pretty cool. For 199 days in a row I've made an effort to creatively conceive, compose, and produce something with at least a minimal amount of "creativity" involved. The result of which I've been extremely pleased with - and that has so very little to do with the pictures themselves.

I'm much more excited that I'm now constantly thinking of ways to explore the creative process. To celebrate this I'm going to kick off a new weekly feature where I showcase a photo I've taken that week, and from that week in years prior. This - I hope - will give me a chance to show where I've grown, where I've slid back, and where I need to go with my craft. Details to follow.

I'd also like to take a moment to give a shout-out to Erin for placing 2nd in projected images her very first month to compete AND to throw a big thumbs up to Ann who is participating in NaNoWriMo!

Tacos - The Demise of Civilization

Tacos - The Demise of Civilization, originally uploaded by PandaBob.

Ok, we talk a good game, but the truth of the matter is that "we" as a civilization don't back up our data like we should. Because of this in two thousand years future people will be left to wonder what it was that ended society back in the 21st century.

Let me tell you. It's because of fourth meal. Man was not meant to consume tacos past midnight. But here's the thing, when given the OPPORTUNITY to do so, we can't say "no."

We simply can't. Maybe future people will wizen up.