WEDDING RING

It's our anniversary this week and Melanie & I have been married 28 years. I struggled with this photo and retook it over 20 times at different angles. The photo is just like marriage. In the same way, we have to work at it all the time. It's not giving to each other 50%-50%, but instead 100%/100%. We're happy and we face our problems together as one.

Visit our wonderful host, Dragonstar, at http://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/ for more black and white wonders!

David & Melanie :-)

The Strange new world of Sycamore tree balls

"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the USS Kamera. It's 5 year mission, to explore strange worlds and new civilizations. To boldy go where no one has gone before. "
            ~Star Trek quote

                ....to  boldly view this week's black and white photography and to explore this strange new world, please visit Dragonstar at http://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/   May the Fstop be with you.
David/

Quick Study ~ Wild Buildings of Houston

"I always keep my foot a little in the door, to let chance come in, pilfer something, or bring something I hadn't thought of. "    ~ Robert Doisneau    French photographer   1912~1994


Sometimes you just have to enjoy the patterns more than thinking 'this looks messed up'. Took it while moving...at night...wrong ISO...wrong angle...still it's that wild IMPRESSIONISM that can sometimes bring more enjoyment than perfection.  For instance, speaking of perfection, I've taken 31 shots of a bar of soap in a soapdish and still not been happy. LOL

Wild Building in Houston Texas

David/

Anhinga Tree

The anhinga is a shore bird very similar to a cormorant. The Spanish moss hanging on the tree is found along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

To see this week's entries, visit Dragonstar at http://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/

Notes on the photo: This tree looks like it is out in swamp or wildlife preserve when actually it is near the lake at Hermann Park in central Houston. The shape of the tree with all of its elements reminds me of a haiku poem. This type of water bird has none of the negative connotations that a tree full of vultures might have. In fact, it's almost comical that a large bird with webbed feet can sit in a tree! I wanted the scene to look mysterious but not haunted. David/

Welcome to Houston in Black & White ~ Monochrome Photo Blog

The Discovery Table in My Classroom ~ Ocean Theme

Visit our host, Dragonstar at http://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/ to see this week's fine collection.

Background & Personal Notes: I had originally thought I'd post a weekly black and white photo on my other color blog, but after viewing it, it didn't seem the right context. Checked out all of the monochrome blogs this weekend and really enjoyed them. This will be the home of my black and white weekly photos.

Notes on the photo: After posting my top pick (the CAT) on my other blog, I was left with deciding what my #2 photo of the week would be. As I was closing down my classroom for the weekend and after turning off the lights, I noticed the blinds were tilted down instead of up. I went over to fix them and noticed the table of shells. I try to avoid posed pictures, but too much of the desk was showing. I pushed the shells together and had already determined in my heart that whatever happened, happened. As it stands, the single layer of shells and such are nice, but there is one white shell that's 'hanging' on top of the others. Everytime I view this shot, I want to flip this shell over. It's to the lower right of the starfish. I guess it gives the photo unresolved tension..which is good in a way.

My plan is to do something very different each weekend.  So next week outdoor, not indoor;  long range, not short range,  big picture, not vignette.  Moving life, not still life.  I'm 52 and just starting out on this long awaited photo adventure.  This will be my most challenging blog of the three. David/