Patterns, Patterns, Everywhere

Take52 Challenge – Week 14

Pre-amble…I may be behind on my posting; however, all photographs were taken during the week they were challenged.  My home computer has bit the dust and finding time to use (borrow) other computers has been difficult, and then there was a vacation, and then there was the start of the new school term.  I’m now hoping that I will be able to post on a regular basis….

I love when family is in town.  You tend to get out more and explore, going places you normally wouldn’t take the time to visit.  While my cousin’s daughter was still in town we took the time to go to Chinatown.  (Okay, it is somewhere I would go normally; I did take my photos there for the “Red” Challenge). 

While walking throughout Chinatown, I came across an unusual pattern.  Or a not necessarily an unusual pattern, but a pattern we normally wouldn’t consider.  A Foo-Dog. 

Aperture Priority; ISO 640; Shutter 1/1250; Aperture f5.6; Focal Length 35mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

And why not include another pattern?  Skiers and boarders are covered head to toe in patterns; the louder the better.  I wasn’t interested in these patterns; I thought I’d look down.  While looking down, I came across some patterns that typically go ignored. 

Aperture Priority; ISO 200; Shutter 1/40; Aperture f7.1; Focal Length 80mm; ev 0; WB – Shade

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.

Time to Smile

Take52 Challenge – Week 5

After a week of chaos, I was looking forward to claiming this weekend for myself.  I left all of my marking and prepping for school at school!  This is a rare occurrence for me.  But it was time to find some balance.  It was time to do something that brings a “smile” to my face. 

After an early night to bed on Friday, it was up early on Saturday.  I was to spend the morning with a friend snowshoeing.  I was uncertain as I left the house and drove through the dense fog to pick her up.  The fog was so thick that I could barely see more than a car’s length ahead of me.  As I drove up the hill the fog began to break.  And it became clear that it was going to be a gorgeous day with beautiful scenery on the mountain.

Less than 30 minutes later we were parked and making the long trek up the hill (road) to the trailhead.  You have to understand the mountain was so busy that the actual parking lots were full, and we had to park approximately 1 km down the hill from the trailhead.  I was going to be about done, before we even started.

Once my feet hit the snow and the snowshoes were put on, I was in a whole other world.  I was in a place of pure happiness and relaxation.  It’s this that brought the “smile” to my face.  It was time to take back my time and claim it to myself.

After some trekking, and a little break to find a geocache, something else I haven’t had the opportunity to do in a while, we reached the summit.  Amazing views of the mountains and views of endless fog blanketing the city surrounded us. 

Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/4000; Aperture f13; Focal Length 35mm; ev -3.0; WB - Daylight

Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/1600; Aperture f13; Focal Length 55mm; ev -2.0; WB - Daylight

Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/320; Aperture f13; Focal Length 35mm; ev -2.0; WB - Daylight

I couldn’t have smiled more that day.  A day claimed to doing something I love, a day spent with a friend catching up, and a day outdoors in the gorgeous sunshine.  Nothing but smiles!

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.