#APicADay 2020: Day 366

 Today marks the end of my year long project to take and post a picture every day. I only missed posting one day, and I took pictures every day. I think it has made me a better photographer. Hopefully I am a more thoughtful one, and my skills have increased as well. I know I tried different things throughout the year.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This was shot with the same setup I used for the picture yesterday. I did move the main light back a bit, and the focal length is slightly different. But it's largely the same. These are two of the four gingerbread houses my wife and The pup decorated this year. I think they're proud of how they came out.

Quote of the Day: 31 December 2020 #QotD

“[I]n improving your life, ease is not the point; growth is the point.” -Brenden Burchard

[This year has been a bear for everyone. Give yourself some grace for how you've handled it, and how well you've maintained your resolutions made before you knew how hard it was going to be.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 365

 Another day when I was not able to go for a walk. The weather and obligations prevented me from doing so.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 128mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This little set of legos was something my wife got for Christmas last year. I found it when looking for something to take a picture of, and decided it would work. The flashes definitely work better when I have not exceeded the sync speed. And the umbrella makes for very soft light on something this small. It's a 45 inch umbrella and this is maybe three inches tall.

Quote of the Day: 30 December 2020 #QotD

“Whoever said you can’t fool an honest man wasn’t one.” -Moist von Lipwig, Making Money
[I still think that it is more difficult to fool an honest man than a dishonest one, but it certainly isn't impossible.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 364

 There was no chance to go for a walk today. I didn't even get out to the grocery store as I had hoped to. So, it was back to the studio. This time with an umbrella.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 134mm, f/8.0, 1/320 s, and ISO 160

And now that I'm looking at the settings to put them in the caption, I realize I've exceeded my maximum sync speed. Whoops. This figurine is inherited from my wife's grandmother. She gave it to us because it looks very similar to our dogs. Though the brown is a bit too dark.

Quote of the Day: 29 December 2020 #QotD

“Alas, some lessons must be learned through time and experience.” -Sarah Mackenzie
[There is certainly a difference between intellectual knowledge and experiential knowledge. One does not imply the other, and the depth of understanding conveyed by the latter is hard to comprehend.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 363

 I was able to go for a bit of a walk with the kids today. There was bright sunshine, and cold temperatures.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/420 s, and ISO 160

This particular oak tree retains its leaves for a very long time.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 82mm, f/3.8, 1/550 s, and ISO 160

This is a texture shot that I thought might work well as the background for quotes in the future.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 95mm, f/4.0, 1/80 s, and ISO 160

This poor rose bush is still trying to push out buds. It's got these three at the moment.

Quote of the Day: 28 December 2020 #QotD

“It is no exaggeration to say that if we had had to rely on conscious central planning for the growth of our industrial system, it would never have reached the degree of differentiation, complexity, and flexibility it has attained.” -F. A. Hayek
[Astonishing as it is to contemplate, this is undoubtedly true. And yet we have millions who would rather transition to a system where central planning is a core component. The have not understood the implications, nor the likely outcomes. Even in the face of repeated attempts.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 362

 The weather today was beautiful, and we're enjoying the (slightly) longer days since the solstice. So, the kids and I headed out on a walk. It ended up being a bit longer than what I had intended, but was still pleasant. There are far fewer things I consider photographic opportunities now that I have photographed so many of them over course of this year. But I am sure that the reason is my own mental blocks rather than the lack of opportunities.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/350 s, and ISO 160

Whatever conifer this is has an interesting cone. And the needles have their own distinct character, too.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 156mm, f/4.5, 1/640 s, and ISO 160

There are some flowers still around. I hadn't realized daisies were quite so hardy as they are.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

There are some leaves that are hanging on too, but they are less inspiring than the flowers are.

Quote of the Day: 27 December 2020 #QotD

“[T]he surest way to find joy in this life is to join Christ in helping others.” -Steven J. Lund
 

#APicADay 2020: Day 361

 I took The babydoll out for a walk this afternoon. She was all I had to worry about, and we just kept going until I found something that was interesting enough to photograph.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 74mm, f/8.0, 1/15 s, and ISO 160

Just a pretty window box in front of one of the homes around here.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/4.7, 1/34 s, and ISO 160

Just something I thought I'd try.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 100mm, f/4.0, 1/1600 s, and ISO 160

Another plant I don't know what is. But it's on display now when almost nothing else is.

Quote of the Day: 26 December 2020 #QotD

“That’s the trouble with not being in your own field: You don’t take it seriously.” -Richard Feynman
[These days we spend almost all our time outside our field. Or at least, the majority of Facebook and Twitter users do. And they purport to take it seriously.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 360

 Merry Christmas.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 82mm, f/8.0, 1/250, and ISO 160

I received some photographic umbrellas, so I was able to soften my flash considerably for this shot.

Quote of the Day: 25 December 2020 #QotD

“Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy.” -Ezra Taft Benson
[Merry Christmas! May you all find joy in your observance of this blessed day.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 359

 It was quite a day. But I got the kids out for a little walk today.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/120 s, and ISO 160

Happy Christmas Eve.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 141mm, f/4.4, 1/70 s, and ISO 160

I don't know what these flowers are, but these seem a bit early. I don't recall seeing these until late January or even February before.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/26 s, and ISO 160

I felt good enough about this one, that I only took one exposure.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/26 s, and ISO 160

Some other flowers I don't know. And I like to take pictures of flowers.

Quote of the Day: 24 December 2020 #QotD

“He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas-day who made lame beggars walk and blind men see.” -Bob Cratchet, A Christmas Carol
[From a book I read each Christmas time, and a good reminder of why we celebrate the birth of Christ.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 358

 I was able to go for a walk today. Initially I had just the kids with me, but about ten minutes in I got a call from my wife saying she wanted to join us. Luckily, we had taken a backtracking path, and were only a few houses away from home.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/140 s, and ISO 160

This is the front of a local home.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 78mm, f/3.8, 1/5 s, and ISO 160

Some ferns next to a trail on the edge of some green space.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/25 s, and ISO 160

Some decorations.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/15 s, and ISO 160

This dog was just watching us on our walk. He didn't try to follow us at all, but he watched what we were doing.

Quote of the Day: 23 December 2020 #QotD

“Shift the focus to individual justice and the social justice will follow.” -@MattsIdeaShop
[I couldn't agree more.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 357

 I was able to take the kids on a little walk this afternoon. And the sun was even out.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 95mm, f/4.0, 1/60 s, and ISO 160

As I have said before, these large ornaments are vey popular here.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/50 s, and ISO 160

I thought this rock had a bit of character.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/300 s, and ISO 160

As did this front door.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 61mm, f/4.0, 1/150 s, and ISO 160

This Bel-Air drove by while I was walking along the street. I didn't have time to make many adjustments, but I hoped that I would be able to get a bit of motion blur while I panned with the car. It didn't work quite how I would have liked, but it's not an entirely ruined shot.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 122mm, f/4.2, 1/220 s, and ISO 160

These daisies are still holding on even though we've now entered winter.

Quote of the Day: 22 December 2020 #QotD

“I learned the lesson that great men cultivate love, and that only little men cherish a spirit of hatred.” -Booker T. Washington
[Mr. Washington had the right of it. And we will each go further by focusing on the positive than by clinging to the negative.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 356

 Today was a very stormy day. Extremely windy. To the point that we lost power three different times.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This was just what I grabbed to take a picture of. I think it works OK, but something was going on with my key light so that it didn't fire fully. I think I need to change the batteries.

Quote of the Day: 21 December 2020 #QotD

“MONEY, n. A blessing that is of no advantage to us excepting when we part with it.” -Ambrose Bierce

[Heh.]
 

#APicADay 2020: Day 355

 Today has been very rainy and dark. And I've been barbecuing. So, you get a quick snap with the ISO pumped up from my doorstep.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/3.5, 1/9 s, and ISO 3200

Wide open and ISO 3200 and I still only got a shutter speed of 1/9 of a second. It's a dark day.

Quote of the Day: 20 December 2020 #QotD

“Unity is enhanced when people are treated with dignity and respect, even though they are different in outward characteristics.” -Quentin L. Cook

#APicADay 2020: Day 354

There was no chance to go for a walk today. At least while I didn't have other things I needed to be doing. There was too much rain, and I had too many other responsibilities. Instead, I grabbed something and headed to the studio.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 78mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I should have taken a longer shutter speed, and let the light from these come through in the picture. Oh well.

Quote of the Day: 19 December 2020 #QotD

“Time, is not currently one of my problems.” -Arthur Dent, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
[This has applied for the majority of this year. I don't know when that will come to an end, but one day it will.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 353

 Despite the cloudy conditions, I bundled the kids up in the stroller, and headed out on a walk.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 78mm, f/3.8, 1/17 s, and ISO 160

These lights were just there for the observing, and I liked how the picture came out.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 116mm, f/4.2, 1/90 s, and ISO 160

Someone has decorated a tree next to city property. There is no clear indication of who would have done this.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 128mm, f/4.4, 1/50 s, and ISO 1000

This color combination just works for this time of year.

Quote of the Day: 18 December 2020 #QotD

“[W]hile there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.” -Charles Dickens
[It is good to know that there are good things circulating as well as the blasted Wuhan virus. So, if you do pass something on, let it be laughter and humor.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 352

 I was able to go for a longer walk today, because we had a nice sunny day. Toward the end of the walk we were getting a light sprinkling, and we did see a rainbow, but for the most part, it was a nice, pleasant, sunny day.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/20 s, and ISO 160

I am surprised by the number of rhododendrons that I see flowering right now.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 90mm, f/3.9, 1/250 s, and ISO 500

The sun was making this spider web very visible. Though, I forgot to bump down my ISO to account for the sunny day after the rainy days we've had recently.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/3.9, 1/150 s, and ISO 500

I usually detest black berry canes, but the color on these are so pretty.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/300 s, and ISO 160

This shot was at the request of The pup. He loves dandelions.