showing off.

showing off., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weaver (Tetragnatha elongata)

Taken at Shawnee Mission Park Lake.

I miss that park. It was my favorite places to go alone.

I would walk around that place so often.

I could spend days there.

but i will still find you... :)

but i will still find you... :), originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas.

I believe the identification is Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole).

i love the detail on this creature's skin.. I like the focus level too, it shows how well he is tucked into the plants.

I want the rain to stop here.

I want to see more sunny days :)

on the stereo, stereo.

on the stereo, stereo., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken while visiting his side of the family.

Vinyl Records.

I am currently listening to Sainthood, an album from Tegan and Sara.

I wish I had a record player and I could listen to it on vinyl. ....

Tegan and Sara (IMO) are amazingly talented musically. The undertones in their music is inspiring for living life.

Tegan and Sara playing through my earbuds while walking helps me to see the world the way I enjoy it.

Melanie

growing basil.

growing basil., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken in my kitchen, in Redwood City, Ca.

I have several reasons I started growing things. I am spending too much $$ buying fresh spices. I wanted something refreshing in the kitchen. I wanted a subject to photograph over time. I wanted another responsibility.

I have attempted this (general flower growing) before, but not of this nature. I would usually stick something in a pot, place it outside and allow nature to take it's course. That plan of no plan failed last time :(.


Hopefully this 'something' will continue as long as possible.

Anywhere I live, I should be able to grow indoor produce.

The expensive part is buying the pots. (eventually trays and lighting, if I am successful)

It's exciting to check these little sprouts out every morning.

I need to get a bean/ alfalfa sprout grower. There is just something wonderful to the taste of fresh sprouts on a deli sandwich.

..

have a good day!

walkin'

walkin', originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken along Shell in Redwood Shores, Ca.

I haven't gotten out as much as I would have liked.

Maybe it's because I finally feel like I have a home again.

The ability to clean and decorate as my imagination inspires ties up a little more of my time and entertainment than I realized.

Even though we do not have living room furniture yet, and even though we do not have anything more than a mini folding table to eat on, I know we are holding out to purchase way cool stuff on a budget.

I don't want a cookie cutter living room set. I want the leftover pieces from other sets, that match each other in magical ways.

..

thats all for now.

20090506a48

20090506a48, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Shawnee Mission Park.

It was at this moment when i decided i needed a macro lens.
as of 20091105 I still don't have one.

... :|

up or down

up or down, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at the Marina at Coyote Point.

reflection. boats. a new (to me) sight i will enjoy seeing more.

spending time in the summer-like sun.

with camera.

i rate today a 10.

thirsty?

thirsty?, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i know, i took this one a little while ago. I just felt it ever-so appropriate due to the fact i am sitting in a starbucks at the moment.

In Edmond, OK. On my way, the adventure begins. I am surprised I didn't more teary eyed than I did. Maybe because the reality of it all hasn't sunk in yet. and I know my sister is just $200 dollars and 5 hours away (flight) :)


*tips latte to new adventures...
:o)

kiss the girl.

kiss the girl., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Ca.

Taken with my new wireless shutter release remote.

My husband bought me one before I arrived :)

I haven't really taken very many portraits of myself, I haven't taken any pictures of couples.

So i suppose you should know, this was my first time. My first time to attempt at any type of couple portrait photography.

Taken for my own wedding.

I was a lot of work, which was ok, because it was an elopement.

There wasn't any pressure to please anyone other than ourselves.

The only pressure was that of avoiding rain and unexpected cold weather. It was rather romantic to set up tripod and browse through shots with the hubby.

It was endearing watching matthew learn how to 'frame a shot' aka compose the frame before shooting.

giving him a basic rundown of what to look for in the window.

all in all. I am pretty pleased with how my photographs turned out, I can say in confidence that Matthew and I took our own wedding photos.

We are moving across many states from Kansas to California and I am excited and ready for this new adventure.

wash, wait and chew.

wash, wait and chew., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at the laundromat in Sunnyvale, Ca.

I went away, to California.

I eloped, and managed to take a few good pictures with my own camera. :)

snail, why can't we be friends?

snail, why can't we be friends?, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

I took this picture at my sisters house one afternoon. I love the colors. i like the snail and I love the little yellow flower and the fine details in the petals.

leaves.

leaves., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken while walking along a nature trail. I am please how the flash wrapped around the subject the way it did. The lighting gives the subject a nice, not too harsh glow, bringing the details out in the subject in a flattering manner.

morning.... goood mooorrnnning!

morning.... goood mooorrnnning!, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Stoll Park in Olathe, Ks one morning after some light fog was leaving the area.

found:

found:, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

glimmering in the sun....

Taken at Shawnee Mission Park.

Found on concrete pillar.

:)

have a good day!

i've got you babe..

i've got you babe.., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken along the Millcreek Streamway Park path at 95th and Renner near Olathe, Ks.

captured

captured, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken along the Millcreek Streamway Path near Olathe, Ks.

red roof.

red roof., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

When I saw this red topped mushroom I couldn't help but to think of mario :)

staring contest.

staring contest., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

shortly after photographing this, i noticed i was being watched closely by the police. ..

i am so glad this guy let me get as close as i did!

what to wear today?

what to wear today?, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

jewelry in progress.
more earrings being made with lovely silver wire.

:)

too pretty to eat.

too pretty to eat., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken while following msw around at Price Chopper. Unfortunately I don't remember what the name of this plant is. :/ I really love the depth of color in this picture. The shadows around the leaves seem too add a lot more character.

I am becoming more 'brave' with taking pictures in public retail.

:)

garden refraction

garden refraction, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

water-droplet. I used a flash, but nothing special to it, just tilted the camera.

shocked at the depth of clarity.

:)

done for now

done for now, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i took this the day i almost stepped on a large rattlesnake while walking along the Mill Creek Streamway Park path near 95th and Renner.


at that point of learning my camera, I was mostly focused on trying to get photos of birds, kind of like hunting, without any bloodshed.

I tried experimenting with different iso levels, shutter speeds and fstops trying to figure out what combination i preferred for my shooting style and my camera.

I eventually learned that i love shooting - whenever i can - on iso 200. it just makes it a little more difficult and more bright sky dependent.

I love this picture because of the clarity i was able to capture (even if it is just the back side) of this bird. I love the DoF i was able to get as well.

:)

as the sun sets

as the sun sets, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Shawnee Mission Park. Almost completely dark. I think the light stream ending at the base of the tree is pretty cool.

:)

oh, the horror!

oh, the horror!, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

playing with my polymer clay.

i find it quite entertaining, especially on rainy days.

at the top of the net.

at the top of the net., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at the tennis courts in Antioch Park in Merriam, Ks.

The tennis courts so worn and rusty; dirty and cluttered with fallen leaves and twigs. The chaos is almost calming, in a city living way. I find beauty in things worn and seemingly past their day. The textures and colors that are brought out in time tell a story all their own.

tree.

tree., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

organize it.

organize it., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Went to the four story Antique shop in the RiverMarket Area of Kansas City.

Had a blast. I could have been there for hours and hours.

moss

moss, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

grow up!

grow up!, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Antioch Park in Merriam, Ks.

I spotted this Fungi growing on this tree.
So Tiny.

:)

lifeless finger puppets.

lifeless finger puppets., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival 2009.

I went there today. I tromped around and snapped some pics.

It was fun. Too Bad I didn't have any money for food.

:|

chillaxin'

chillaxin', originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

I spied this jumping spider outside the entrance to the Gardens.

I was lucky to have the bright orange flower behind.

Beautiful.

tree frog.

tree frog., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Another angle of the tree frog.

froggie. camo style.

froggie. camo style., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

When I spotted this frog on the plant leaf I was not aware until looking at the green smudge for more than 3 seconds that this was even anything at all. In passing glance it looked merely like a small leaf resting on another plant.

Whenever I see something in passing that seems slightly unusual in placement for a normal plant I always try to get another angle of the object in question. I always remember: I might just find something cool.

This particular frog could not have been more than an inch and a half in length.
He did not move as I moved my camera around him.

I was surprised that he did not jump.

Bee Killer

Bee Killer, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

I found these creatures today, and I was amazed at how well the picture came out seeing as how I was so "unprepared" to take it.

:)

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Spotted Cucumber Beetle, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

This was one of my first (IMO) great "macro" shots. I don't have a macro lens. I have 4 close-up filters that I stack when I feel like it. I usually use them with my 50mm f/1.8 lens, but I do have another set that fits my 18mm-105mm lens as well.

I took this image without the flash. only natural light. I am still really shocked at the clarity and depth of the image given the conditions taken with.

:)

flower

flower, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

I took this picture before meeting up with my sister on 39th street in Kansas City. I was walking along the sidewalk, and the tree above me had scores of beautiful blossoms.

I am pleased with how this image turned out.

I like how it almost sparkles.

:)

Shawnee Mission Lake after Sunset

Shawnee Mission Lake after Sunset, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee, KS. I set out last night without any particular plan. I just wanted to take some pictures with the ol' tripod.

Walking past this area, I could not help to not fall in love with this view.

I like the light, but I wonder how it would have turned out if I had zoomed in more and left it out of the frame.

Next time, right?

:)

up from within.

up from within., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

I love these colors. I love the depth of field. I love the details.

I sat down at the bench located near the Monet garden to take a short rest. It is quite hard work to carry around camera + misc gear. The bending and stretching while balancing a camera to get the perfect angle is not exactly simple. When I first tried my close-up filters I was almost exasperated with the seemingly limited choices I had with positioning and depth of field. Combine that with not enough light or a lens that just isn't fast enough.

Frustrating. I took thousands of pictures learning how to shoot (excellent) close-ups. I was trying to learn how to shoot without having to take too many frames of the same image just to get the best focus. I began to have more concentration and a 'steadier' hand.

I still need much much much more practice. I am glad I decided to embrace experimenting with the old flash I had lying around. 'He' is now more than 10 years old, and I am thinking he has seen his day. (I played with the flash at waaay too young of an age, using it just to use it.... not understanding what I was doing.)

stealing the show

stealing the show, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Antioch Park in Merriam, KS.

I remember trying to take this photograph. I remember it was one of those 'annoying windy' days because at times the air would seem still for minutes and minutes (rare for kansas) and then all of a sudden trees and grass and flowers would begin 'thrashing' about. Ok, so maybe not thrashing to an eye without a lens in front of it. The wind seemed to give you just enough of a break to manually focus and decide a focal point - watching your finger press ever so slightly on the shutter-release button. Almost as if it decided to blow just at the wrong time.

After becoming frustrated with this weed getting in my way. I finally gave in. I photographed it.

I was pleased with the outcome.

:)

This plants effort to become the center of the image makes me smile and reminds me of myself. (brat)

he was a bright shade of green and seemingly unafraid.

he was a bright shade of green and seemingly unafraid., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

I spotted this bug while walking around at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. He was a bright shade of green, and patient enough to with stand me photographing him. This small creature intrigued me. I wonder what his name is.

orange flower refraction

orange flower refraction, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Taken at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
I saw the orange sparkle when passing over the flower while I was looking at the droplets surrounding.

You can't really see the droplet because it is focused so deep within.

:) this has got to be one of my top faves.

caterpillar

caterpillar, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i loved this creature!!! his 'hairs' were great. perfect like they were styled at a salon in paris. if you go to the photostream you'll see a few more of mr. caterpillar and his hairs.

sun sparkles.

sun sparkles., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

I am learning how to photograph refractions. Trying to understand how to manipulate the existing light along with the flash light. I enjoy getting the distance the in the refraction. I like fine details in the refraction. I feel it is more difficult to get a decent 'droplet skin' photograph because of the requirements my imagination has along with it. I think I will be able to take a good droplet skin photograph when the sky is painted how I dream.

time to clean.

time to clean., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

Bored and walking around the apartment, trying to find something to entertain my eyes. I located the scrubber, since not looking completely disgusting, I thought it would make a good image.

playing with the food.

playing with the food., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

one afternoon (in an attempt to humor my creative curiosity) i decided to make the hamburgers square, not round. this motivation was inspired by my lack of ability to make hamburgers round and flat. and the correct size. mine usually come out looking just slightly flatter than meatballs, and one might not know what to think. sometimes the fiancee would slice the meat in flatter pieces so that it would fit inside the bread a little better.

once i made the square patties i decided that i should cut the bread to match. and getting carried away waiting for him to arrive to eat lunch, i also cut my pickles into squares/rectangles.

i should have been doing something more productive with my time such as cleaning off the island, or doing laundry.

but this entertained me quite well, and i was pleased with my awkward looking but great tasting square burgs.

=)

scaley

scaley, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i just want to post this. i dont want to think right now. i just like looking at it.

takin' a swim

takin' a swim, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i love this image. i love the reflection on the bottle i love the condensation. i love how the bottles are floating in the water. i like how the ice is melted almost completely, but still has quite some life left.

i like the deep colors in this image,

to the root of it.

to the root of it., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

i love this image with the low light, the fine details, basic and raw.

shadows and bits of light.

simple.

dark. i love the DoF that i was able to capture.

hey there lil' guy.

hey there lil' guy., originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

he is just a baby. baby mantis. praying there.
looking at me - dead on. wondering what that round black shiny thing is.

i got lucky that i even saw him on my walk.

daisy

daisy, originally uploaded by mjkimmel.

flowers in a field. simple beauty. not perfection. as you may notice the bugs on the flower i focused on. beauty with flaws, and without the flaws, it just might not be interesting enough to catch my eye.