Day 206/366

"WOB"

For those that don't know this is Weight Over Bar. The Portland Games was the first games I got to shoot at that had a Pro Division. At the other games I've shot there was always one or two pros that would show up mostly as practice.

This was the first time I got to see them go all out. We had world record holders competing and even some new World Records were set, so it was a great day to shoot. I shot over 3000 images and have gotten them whittled down to 400 or so. I will have more to post tomorrow and mostly I wanted to get through them to help me see what I can do better this coming weekend in Enumclaw.

This is one of the Pro's Matt Vincent. I also have a Black and White version, but thought this one was good with color.

Day 199/366

"Sheaf"

As I approach day 200 on my quest to post a picture a day for the whole year, I bring you another image from the Tacoma Scottish Highland Games. It was pouring rain and the athletes had little to no shelter. They were warriors out there.

The "Sheaf" consists of a Rectangular Burlap Sack heaved overhead using a pitchfork. It originated with throwing Hay. But evolved so the hay wouldn't get destroyed throughout the day. But on a day like this the Sheaf slowly got heavier and heavier from the rainfall.

This is Kate Burton, She is a kick ass competitor.

Day 194/366

"Don't hurt 'em Hammer!"

Sorry for the title, I had to do it. Gotta give MC Hammer props whenever possible.

Anyway, this is one more from the Bellingham Highland Games. There is a net that surrounds this event, to protect spectators should the hammer slip out of the hands of the athletes. But all I saw was a distraction, so I figured I would just stick my camera on tripod inside the net and hope for the best.

This location lasted for 5 maybe 6 competitors and I got nervous, since I am not sure if the insurance I have, covers for this kind of accident. Luckily nothing went wrong and I think it made for some pretty cool images. This is Charlie Latt, he was nice enough to not let the hammer slip and smash my camera into smitherines.

I am leaving tomorrow to head out to the Olympics. Not the ones in London, the ones we have here in Washington.

Thanks for stopping by.

Day 193/366

"Bellingham Scottish Highland Games A-Class"

This has been a beast of a job. Mainly because I ran out of Harddrive space and for some reason decided now would be a good time to completely re-examine my photography workflow. Mostly Lightroom, but also my Digital Asset Management.

I have it mostly figured out. I am still waiting for my replacement drive, which will arrive tomorrow. So I can get all the files into their proper location and then finish the final details of the workflow. I am working on a big post and possibly videos explaining everything I have done.

But for now, I wanted to share one of the Final Images. I just need to keyword all the final images so when I upload to my site the Athletes will be able to just search their name and all their images will show up.

This is the A-Class. One step below the Pro's.

To all the Athletes that have been patiently waiting for the images to be posted, the wait is almost over. I will hopefully have them posted by tomorrow night. I will be out of town this weekend and unable to be at the Skagit Games, but will be at both Portland and Enumclaw.

Good luck to everyone this weekend.

Day 192/366

"Trainspotting"

We are finally rounding that corner into what will hopefully be a good summer. I think we have peaked into the 70's once or twice. I know lots of you out there are dying from the heat and I do feel bad for you. But when it's Rainy and low 60's in late June, it just feels a bit odd. And last summer was mainly in the 60's. So I am hoping for some high 70's low 80's this summer.

So I felt I wanted todays image to be all about color and motion. That's one of the great things about photography, it can be whatever you want it to be. And for me I enjoy capturing things that maybe aren't noticeable by the naked eye. Like motion, it is very difficult for your brain to stop and separate one frame from the act itself. Much less a slow shutter version of it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday.

Day 191/366

"Water Lillie's"

I figured I would have a little fun with an image I took recently. I was out and there was a little pond full of water lilies. I like the shot but being a huge fan of Monet, he has ruined regular photos of Water Lilies for me. So I though I would have a little fun with the image in photoshop using the Oil Paint filter. This is composed of the image processed several times with the filter, then using masks I had fun painting in more detail and multiple layers of subtle color changes.

Have a great night everyone.

Day 190/366

"Beach Volleyball"

I was looking at dates to head down to Southern California and was happy to see pro beach Volleyball on the schedule in Manhattan Beach. The AVP, which is the "Association of Volleyball Professionals" NOT "Alien Vs Predator" as I am sure many of you were thinking. Well they went bankrupt a few years ago and it looks like Jose Cuervo has stepped in. So it will be great to hopefully get back down there and shoot and play some Beach Volleyball.

Have a great Monday everyone.

Day 188/366

"Mystery Image"

I love when I come across an image and it takes me a second to realize what it is. I figured it out pretty quick, simply because I knew the location I took this image.

But I was interested to see if you guys could figure out what this was. I only did a little contrast adjustment, so the colors are pretty true to what came out of the camera.

So let me know if you can tell what this is?

Day 187/366

"Cargo"

I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th. I am back to the grind today, was going through my images and still refining my Lightroom workflow. Little tweaks here and there. And still waiting on my G-Drive. It was shipped on Tuesday and wont be here until next Thursday. I have to say I am a little less than enthused with BH Photo's replacement process. The fact that they don't have a Cross Ship option is baffling to me. So i have to wait almost 3 weeks for a replacement of a defective product that I received from them.

Anyway, this got me thinking of the term "Slow Boat from China" And as I was moving around images I came across this image of a Cargo ship. This is how my replacement drive is getting it to me.

Have a great night everyone.