Pure Imagination | Photography and Randomness

Albus Dumbledore!

2010-04-11T19:09:00.002-04:00

I know, I know... long time no see.
I just really haven't been taking many pictures lately, and those that I have taken I haven't been too happy with and/or didn't feel like taking the time to edit. I do have a bunch to add still but for now here are a couple pictures of Albus Dumbledore. No, not the old guy from Harry Potter--the stray cat my roommates and I found today and sort of adopted. Isn't he adorable?

Flowers!

2009-09-25T15:26:00.006-04:00

I can't believe I'm posting this instead of studying in the library...
I was just really sick of my layout so ta-da a new one!
I also have a bunch of pictures to update with... I'm just short on time. For now just a few that I already edited. (Actually just three pictures, each with two different edits).

Mr. Squirrel

2009-08-04T15:16:00.004-04:00

I walked outside to get the newspaper today and saw a squirrel and four crows hanging out beneath the cherry trees eating the spoiled fruit that had dropped. I immediately ran inside to get my camera, and when I got back they were actually still there! While the crows were smart enough to back away from me (not that I would want pictures of ugly crows anyway) Mr. Squirrel here was too busy with his fruit to give me any notice. He let me slowly inch towards him far enough to get in some decent shots before finally scampering away.

Just some different editing.

My favorite shot, doesn't that look yummy!

Yumm, cherries!

2009-07-24T19:16:00.004-04:00

Time for a much needed update. Yet again just pictures of flowers I've taken around the yard and some of cherries too! We had soooo many yellow cherries this year, unfortunately they don't photograph well even if their blossoms did. Fortunately after buckets and buckets of yellow we actually got some off of our sickly red cherry tree too. Just enough for a pie (which was de-lic-ious)!

Happy Birthday To Me

2009-06-08T13:25:00.010-04:00

Just under a week ago I celebrated my 21st birthday.
My parents and I went out to our favorite Mexican restaurant for burritos and margaritas.
So delicious.
Here are just a few pictures I wanted to share.
I didn't bother editing them since they were just taken with my dad's point and shoot.

My mom got me this digital photo frame to show off all my pictures.
It LOOKS like a real photo frame!

Anyone who has been lucky enough to taste my mom's cheesecake knows how amazing it is.
She spent years trying recipe after recipe until she finally found the perfect one.
For my birthday she tried a new version of this recipe
Mint Chocolate Chip!
ZOMG it was amazing!

Nature Pictures [Midland and Vienna]

2009-05-05T15:06:00.008-04:00

Felt like having a Springy post so I'm just putting up some nature pictures this time. Which ones are Vienna and which ones are Midland? I'll never tell... Okay, okay, the first three are Midland and the last three are Vienna, stop having a cow!

I have a bunch more pictures of Vienna to be added later (along with some from Burano and Murano) I just don't have the energy for a big post right now.
As you can see it was time for an all-around Spring revamp and there are now pretty flowers in my header and profile picture.

When In Roma!

2009-04-02T11:30:00.007-04:00

This may be my last post actually from Italy. I'm almost finished with exams and then its a week and a half of traveling before finally going home (which I am no where near ready to do).

The Colosseum at night.

Some B/W photoshopping.

Inside the Colosseum.
Looking out over the Tiber River.
Trevi FountainCiao!

Paestum & Pompeii

2009-03-19T10:02:00.006-04:00

So apparently I'm only capable of updating once a month...

Over spring break I explored Southern Italy including the Greek ruins of Paestum and the Roman ruins of Pomeii.

Vesuvius looming over the city it destroyed. Pretty much anywhere you go in the Naples area you have a perfect view of the volcano, it was the first thing we saw when we got off the train.

This is in the tunnel going into the amphitheater. It was in so much better condition than the Colosseum (which by the way I saw last week and will add pics of soon). We sat on the grass in the middle of this amphitheater and ate pizza lol! How Italian is that?

Finally a lack of laziness!

2009-02-19T11:56:00.005-05:00

Okay, I'm finally updating this thing. However, these pictures are a few weeks old because I forgot to put the newer ones from my camera on to my laptop before I left home this morning. The rest will have to be posted with my spring break pictures after I get back next week (Naples here I come!)

These pictures are going to be light on the explanations for the sake of time (and the fact that I forget what church was where).

This was actually outside of a monastery, I just thought it looked cool lol.We went to a nunnery and saw an intact medieval kitchen, so cool!

The three nuns who still live there (they use a different kitchen now). They normally don't let people see them, but they really wanted to meet us and let us take their picture!

The head nun.

Some cool old wagon lol!

And to end....yeah Charlie, yeah!

REALLY old books.

2009-01-27T09:59:00.006-05:00

Okay last post of the day (make sure you scroll down to see the first two).

We went to the city library which is completely under construction, but they were nice enough to bring out some of their most important books to show us. Some of these were written before the printing press, others are from the Renaissance era.

These next for pics are from an astrological book, it was pretty amazing.

These circles MOVED to tell the astrological time. How awesome is that?

I really love how this picture came out. None of these were too easy to take because she was moving the pages so quickly. All of these were taken inside without a flash *hugs Zeus*

The oldest book in the library with gold leaf illumination and hand written script.
Obviously its a Bible because that was what the monks wrote mostly.

By the way, do you like my new header? Laura insisted I needed one with Italy pics so she made me this. I think it looks awesome! Thanks so much!

Italian Art

2009-01-27T09:41:00.004-05:00

Now off to one of the biggest palaces in Macerata. Most buildings here actually are renovated palaces. This one is currently under restoration to become a museum but we got the inside scoop.

Zeus chilling out in the middle of the ballroom ceiling:

All the rooms have different themes, this particular one was the trials of Hercules.

Look Renaissance cartoons!Roman dude out on the balcony overlooking the courtyard.

This one isn't from the palace, it is from one of the local theaters. We were totally talking about how one of these days we want to get a group together and buy out one of the like 100 balconies. Even if we won't be able to understand a word of it, how awesome would an opera be under this ceiling? Pretty much the entire room looks like this.

Italy!

2009-01-27T09:20:00.005-05:00

Well I have now been in Macerata, Italy for over two weeks and I am FINALLY updating my blog. I know everyone has been dying to see pictures of all I have been seeing so wait no longer! This is going to take me three posts to get everything on here so bare with me.
Lets start out with random pictures taken throughout Macerata.

This is a view from above of one of the many Piazzas throughout the old walled city.

This was originally built to be a sports stadium (post gladiators) but is now an outdoor theater. I so wish I was going to be here during the summer, this place is host to the second best outdoor opera in all of Italy.

Your basic Medieval city roof tiles.
These next two pictures were taken from the top of the clock tower. Unfortunately, I was too overcome by the beauty that stupid me forgot to take my camera off indoor settings so the pictures aren't the best at all. Oops!
The bell rang while we were up there. Have you ever had a giant bell ring about a foot behind your head? Cuz I'll tell ya, not so easy on the ears.
Oh yeah, I know you're jealous.

Down-Town Christmas

2008-12-31T22:50:00.010-05:00

Last week I took a little strole down Main Street and took pictures of all the decorations, and in true lazy fashion I am only now posting them.

Welcome to the North Pole!

This is the Santa House. In the brief time as a child that I actually believed (about age 2, pathetic I know but I was a very realistic child) I thought it was so cool that of all the fake shopping mall Santas in the world we had the real one, and his house stood there year round as proof (of course he only lived there during December as the rest of the year was spent making toys at the North Pole).

50ft Santa anyone?

How about a 20ft snowman?

The Court House really needs to get some more attractive looking decorations, the building itself is pretty interesting though.

I have a feeling not many Court Houses have a baby Jesus sitting in their front yard.

As you can also see I finally got around to making a new header, which I must say is growing on me, I originally hated it but after Laura gave her positive opinion I decided to give it a go along with new template colors to match. I also added a bit of music because I thought it would be nice and relaxing. If I get annoyed by it it might not last very long, so feel free to let me know if you find it annoying as well.

Well that's about it... kind of light on the explanations tonight. I'm fighting to stay awake at least until the ball drops. Only one hour to go!

Happy New Year to all!

Merry Day After Christmas!

2008-12-26T17:12:00.007-05:00

As promised, a few more shots of our Christmas tree.

Dad opening up his second pair of gloves. Apparently this year what had already been bought hadn't been communicated very well. At least now he won't be able to complain that he can't find his gloves.

Okay, I know this isn't the most enthralled face, but she really was happy... the only pictures that really showed that were very comical expressions and she would kill me for posting (though I have threatened to show Grandma).

This is pretty much the least blurred pic I have of my brother that's not completely unattractive. It was hard to even catch him opening anything, he is one of those rip it open and be done with it people.

And this is what happens when your brother finds your camera and decides to experiment. You get this and about 50 blurry pictures of yourself, dad and ESPN.

My brother gave me guitar hero for Christmas and we actually got the 'rents to play!

Moms turn! She was so amused by her lack of rhythm.

Rock'em Sock'em Robots... need I say more?

Here is the rest of my loot:

I got new luggage for Italy and these handy (and cute!) luggage tags so I can actually find them in baggage claim.

That's it for now, though more will be posted shortly ( I am trying to update more often, I know I've been slacking horrible lately).

I hope you and yours had a very merry Christmas!

Let It SNOW!!

2008-12-19T13:08:00.001-05:00

We are almost done decorating, and I finally got around to taking and posting some pictures. I can't believe Christmas is less than a week away!

It was so cold hanging lights, and of course there are a few sections highest up that aren't working :P I still need to get a night picture, these were taken as the sun was about to set so they aren't the best.

You can't decorate without festive socks! And these ones are my absolute faves:

I made this sled ornament when I was six, its still one of my favorites!

And of course, you have to end with Santa Claus.

I have more, but this is all I have the attention spand to edit and post for the moment. Oh and did I mention its snowing like crazy? As of noon we had about 12 inches total, 8 of which was from today (some of that might just be drift though because its been pretty windy). I am so excited to have lots of snow for Christmas, here's hoping it doesn't melt!

I don't see an old man...

2008-11-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

So Thursday (yes I know its taking me forever to update) we had a full moon and it was absolutely huge and so bright I was seeing spots. I decided to follow Laura's lead and attempt to get some shots of it. After a lot of experimenting with different shutter speeds here are my best attempts with my lens (still praying a 70-300mm will appear on my doorstep one morning).
I know they are awfully grainy, but hey you have to start somewhere and I was just happy to get some pics that were more than just explosions of light.

Last flowers of the year?

2008-10-20T17:00:00.000-04:00

Over fall break I got a chance to probably for the last time this year photograph my mom's flowers. I think they turned out pretty well, but you be the judge.

This guy spent the weekend with me... makes me want a dog more and more! What a beautiful model, eh?

Rubber Ducky, You're The One

2008-10-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

Last night I decided to do a photo shoot... with a rubber ducky. I must say he was quite the good model. Not once did he flinch!

Minion Duck!!

The sky outside looked really pretty so I tried to capture it but kind of failed... oh well it's not too bad of an attempt for being through the window screen.

Custom look and Name

2008-10-02T18:49:00.000-04:00

So as you can see I now have a custom layout with a header made with one of my own pictures. Its actually just a filler until I can get a picture I like better and really work around with it.

Also, I thought I would give a little explanation for my choice of blog names. I went with Pure Imagination because that is what photography means to me. Seeing the magical beauty in the world around us and bringing a little imagination back to our busy electronic-centered lives. So that's what most of my pictures will be: pure, plain and simple. No need for frills here. The natural is so much more beautiful.

There's No Place Like Home

2008-09-27T00:40:00.000-04:00

Its amazing how much inspiration can come from right in your own backyard or living room.

I swear the green thumb is totally my mom.

And now for inside...

Digital Rocks!

2008-09-26T18:55:00.000-04:00

So I finally got myself a new SLR camera, and I just have to say digital rocks. I had been fighting with my old hand-me-down SLR that was my mom's in the '70's, but no more! I am now the proud owner of a Olympus evolt e-510!

Today I went for a walk around the river and tridge area of my hometown (for those of you with no idea what a tridge is, it is a a three way bridge and I'm pretty sure its just a Midland thing... because well we are weird). Anyway here are a few pics from today, as you can see me and Zeus (yes I named my camera Zeus, I thought it fitting considering it is an Olymus) still have some getting to know eachother to do. Hopefully before too long my pictures will look much better.

The view from underneath the tridge.There are statues like this all over the park, but this cute old couple is by far my favorite.
One thing I really need to work on... no blurriness!

I wanted to get some animal shots, but all I could really find was this metallic-y fly. You can see him really well in the actual size...Wow... okay that's it for my first post, but stay tuned I still have more. Don't worry, not all posts will be this long.