Modified shelves to fit the 73" tv for the man cave!

Terry had to cut out some shelves from the built in bookcase unit so that he could fit his new tv! On Father's Day last month, the television flipper (him!) came across QVC selling this tv as a Today's Special Value. I told him to 'change that channel'! I am a recovering QVCaholic. He said, 'Wait, I want to hear what they have to say....' Minutes later he had me calling in the order for this 73" tv. When it arrived, we had some modifying to do. We set it up temporarily on a stand until last night when he could cut out the shelves. So, I was painting and staining to repair the patches at midnight last night. When I saw that my photo group's challenge for today was shelves, I told him to strike a pose.

Smokey and the Bandit movie was on. See that hot spot on the screen? That is the hot spot from the flash. I thought it worked out that it looks almost like a huge headlight beam from the big truck.

Terry asked me how much of my stuff actually needs to go back on the shelves.  He told me if I didn't hurry up and put my things back up, he was going to put his football paraphanalia up there.  With 2 daughters and me, he has lived in a girl world for a long time.  I think he is ready for a man cave.  Actually, this is the living room.  It would be super nice to build a cave for his retreat.  He would hibernate there I am most certain!

Follow up: 

Jean Ann (blog: http://jakozlowski-athousandwords.blogspot.com/), asked a great question about the hot spot and how I was able to get it line up with the headlights on the big truck image. 

Here is my answer:  "Anytime, I tell my family members to 'go over there so I can get your picture...' and IF they decide to cooperate...I have to get that shot is 2.3 seconds or Its Over! If I take longer than that, I get eye rolls, shoulders thrown down in a huff, and looks that say "Would you hurry up and get this over with!" So, there is no time for creativity. I did a test shot with no flash and the tv picture was great, but all else was dark. Tried a couple different apertures but I knew I was going to lose my subject. So, I cranked it over to auto and let the pop flash fill up room. Timing of the two shots were deliberate. I wanted to have an iconic image on the tv screen and there was big ole Burt Reynolds, larger than life. I couldn't pass it up. Then, when I saw those big trucks rolling down the interstate, I knew I wanted that image too. Terry had no idea what I was getting excited about but I told him it was so cool. I knew I was getting the hot spot but, 'whatever'...ya know? So, when I downloaded the images, I noticed where the hot spot was on the trucker shot & thought, "HOT DANG!"

So, longer answer short, dumb luck. "

Brandilyn and me - photo field trip to the State Capital

Brandilyn, my niece, went on a photo field trip with me to the State Capital a few days ago.  I had some resources that I needed to return to ELBA so I asked her if she wanted to ride with me.  Brandi is always so easy to be around.  Anyway, another place that I had in mind to visit was the Walker Museum.  I had seen that John Gallager's beautiful nature photography was currently on display.   When she jumped into my car, I handed her my Panansonic Lumix and told her she can take shots of anything that she finds interesting. 

Silly me, I went to Walker and realized that I had not gotten the directions to the museum.  We stopped at the Police Station and they helped me with directions.  We finally found our destination and went inside the small old house turned local museum.  They have really put together a very nice collection of artifacts.  I especially loved looking over all the old photos that are posted on huge display boards.  One in particular, piqued my imagination.  It looked like a WWII period photo in sepia coloring of a couple in love.  What I liked was the manner in which the man had his arms wrapped around his girl.  It was like he was hugging her around the waist in that WWII kind of way.  I know, I know....hugging in a WWII kind of way?  That was so silly and vague sounding to try to describe it like that.  If you would see it, you might know.  The way they were laughing into the camera was terrific also.  It made me want to attempt to recreate the vibe and style of that earlier era.  I find it so interesting how there is a certain 'flavor' about those old photos.   I think my parents would very, very much enjoy browsing through this museum.  Lots of local interests there.  I can't wait to go back and discover many more treasures. 

After we left the Walker Museum, Brandi and I decided to go to the new State Capital tower lookout.  I had not been there since I was a little grade school kid.  Listen, I remember that school field trip and I didn't like it at all.  Oh my goodness, walking up to the guard rail and feeling the sway was terrifying.  Dizzy!  All I wanted to do was sit down flat on the ground.  So, almost 40 years later, I went back to the tower lookout.  As we were riding the elevator to the 24th floor, I could feel that school kid apprehension rising up in me.  But, I decided that I could do this now.   At floor 24, we had to catch a different elevator that went up to the tip- top of the tower.   Ok, we made it.  I stepped out onto the landing and voila!  I did it!  It was not so bad.  Although, when I would walk around, I kinda got a bit dizzy.  I asked Brandi if she felt it too.  She said she did. 

I took some pics of Brandi.  Here she is taking pics from the top of the State Capital tower lookout.   The following pictures are Brandi's images.  To Bran, I think you have mad skill!  I love you and Happy Sweet 16 on Thursday, next week!!!

She took the picture of my reflection as I was studying the replica model of the Old State Capital Building in the glass case.  I saw my own reflection and was reminded of an photographer's interesting work that I had seen here:   http://craftandvision.com/authors/eli-reinholdtsen/   Her name is  Eli Reinholdsten.  She sells a pdf version of her book Chasing Reflections.   She teaches technique to capture artistic reflections in photographs. 

I had just seen the front cover of Reinholdsten's advertised book this morning so it was fresh on my mind when I noticed my reflection.  I asked Brandilyn to try to capture the image.  At first, I could see her and the camera in the glass reflection. I knew she would be in the picture and it would not be as effective.  So, I asked her to move around to the side until I did not see her camera reflection.  We laughed as she kept adjusting her position around the glass case in order to capture the right angle.  You can see the lady and son who walked into the room as we were experimenting. We just kept going with our project.   It was fun and her photo turned out neat.  To me, when you catch human reflections, sometimes it appears as an apparition. wooooooo....spooky. 

I gotta say, "Great job, Bee-RaaN!"  :) Oh, yeah and congrats on that driving learner's permit! 

I think I am going to purchase that pdf that I mentioned.  It is only $5.00.  I think that it is great value and definitely worth a look see!