Day 365: Busy Little Bees

originally uploaded by billaday.

So, three years of taking a picture every day. Wow.

I suppose it's fitting that the greatest skill I learned applied to today's photo. It's difficult to be creative when you're not in the mood. Tonight, I was exhausted, and wanted to crawl into bed at 8pm (it's been a really long week). I forced myself to drive downtown to Los Angeles and find some interesting place to photograph at 9pm. I just wasn't feeling it. I think the real measure of an artist is the ability to create at any time. And I think, after 1095 photos every day, that I'm a bit better at it.

Thanks to everyone who commented, viewed, posed, and supported me through taking 1095 photos. Every photo from year 3 can be seen on the map. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out Photo-a-Day Yr. 1 (where it all started), and Photo-a-Day Yr. 2.

Year 3, Day 365

guitar hero, stuffed edition

originally uploaded by billaday.

Behind the food court at Azusa Pacific University is an art gallery. You'd only find it if you were looking for it... or if you were looking for the weight room... or restroom. There's some incredible work. Here's one piece.

Tomorrow is going to rock. Photo-a-day Year 3, Day 365. I'll be downtown in Los Angeles. Yippee.

Year 3, Day 364

Rock out.

originally uploaded by billaday.

Just two more days to my 365. Stoked.

I took this photo during a math class that I teach. Students were giving a presentation about an algebra strand. We had to categorize/sort rocks. I organized mine small to large.

Year 3, Day 363

Attention... water comes out of faucets

originally uploaded by billaday.

In case you were wondering, water comes out of faucets. So, if you were afraid of snakes coming out of faucets (or planes), rest secure.

Year 3, Day 362

embodies a sole

originally uploaded by billaday.

I'm slowly beginning to get used to my extension tubes. I've discovered a few things.

Photo Tip #7:
My 50mm f1.4 lens is difficult to use with extension tubes. My 18-200 lens is much easier to focus with with extension tubes. I think it's because the aperture is lower (higher?). The 18-200 lens is a f5.6, so it's way easier to focus. Remember with extension tubes, you can focus much closer. I was about three inches away from this shoe. Very cool.

Year 3, Day 361

meet the bride

originally uploaded by billaday.

Julie and Bob got married. Yay!

This photo was taken with my cameraphone, shooting through the church doors in the back. There was a tiny gap in the doors, and my cameraphone could fit. This was taken the moment they held hands after she walked down the aisle.

Year 3, Day 360

new house, new puppy

originally uploaded by billaday.

This shot is cute enough with the new house, the new tree, and the new puppy. Add to it, however, that Taylor is laying down on Isabelle's brand new coat. Too cute.

Ok, ok. Soon enough, Taylor will be grown up, and I'll get back to other shots of other stuff. Until then, the cuteness must continue.

Year 3, Day 359

with a face like that

originally uploaded by billaday.

If you look carefully, you can see me in the reflection of her eyes. It's tough to get a puppy to stay still long enough to frame a shot and get it in focus. Stoked.

Next Thursday, I'm heading to downtown L.A. for day 365.

Year 3, Day 358

lobby tree at APU

originally uploaded by billaday.

I like that APU has a mini Christmas tree inside the education department lobby. Cool stuff.

Year 3, Day 357

Good sit Taylor

originally uploaded by billaday.

10 days to go til photo-a-day day 365!

Year 3, Day 356

Snowflakes in Glendale

originally uploaded by billaday.

We took my great aunt out to dinner for her 91st birthday.

There's a new place in Glendale called The Americana. Around Christmas time, they blow fake snow onto the street at 8pm. It's very cool... for us Californians.

Year 3, Day 355

our first christmas tree

originally uploaded by billaday.

I've gotta be honest... I thought this shot was going to rock. I imagine the Christmas tree lights illuminating the branches magically. Yeah. I'm not too impressed. How would this be cool? External flash backlighting it?

Year 3, Day 354

nose

originally uploaded by billaday.

Like most puppies, Taylor falls asleep often, briefly, and strangely.

She was playing around, then rolled onto her back, and dozed off. I was right above her, trying to pet her when I realized how ridiculous she looked.

Year 3, Day 353

five o'clock shadow

originally uploaded by billaday.

Chris and I went on a bike ride. One of the great things about living in southern California is that the weather is pretty much always the same. It was in the high 60s as we went for a ride in the late afternoon. The only bummer about fall is that the sun sets around 5 pm.

Year 3, Day 352

Meet the In-Laws

originally uploaded by billaday.

We took Taylor over to my parents house for Thanksgiving. She met their dog Maggie. They spent all day trying to figure each other out. Too funny.

Year 3, Day 351

Taylor White

originally uploaded by billaday.

Soon, Taylor will be a huge dog. Until then, she's a super cute puppy. So... the photos must go on!

Year 3, Day 350

Fail

originally uploaded by billaday.

After 3 years and 349 days, I forgot to take a photo. Argh.

Year 3, Day 349

800

originally uploaded by billaday.

Reason #800 why downtown is cooler than the suburbs:
Even addresses look cool.

Year 3, Day 348

social media corporate christmas ornament

originally uploaded by billaday.

I guess it's a sign of the times that corporate bakeries now have ornaments that encourage you to follow them on Twitter.

Year 3, Day 347

first Thanksgiving dinner

originally uploaded by billaday.

We cooked Thanksgiving dinner the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and invited the wife's family over. We cut the turkey into pieces before cooking it, so it only took an hour to cook. Delicious.

Year 3, Day 346

replacement

originally uploaded by billaday.

I took this picture so that I would know what to buy at Home Depot. Somehow, it didn't fit. Dude.

Year 3, Day 345

an apple a day

originally uploaded by billaday.

Most photos with an apple computer end up looking pretty cool. This photo is not an exception.

Year 3, Day 344

the evolution of the dinosaur

originally uploaded by billaday.

Dinosaurs started out as big scaly creatures. Those ones went extinct. Now, they are small and cut out of paper. They're still dangerous, though!

Year 3, Day 343

under the bed

originally uploaded by billaday.

I caught Taylor sleeping under my bed. She moved her blanket so she'd be more comfortable. Too funny.

Year 3, Day 342

my rooted android

originally uploaded by billaday.

I can use my G1 phone as a wireless router. It's pretty sweet. Here is how to do it.

Year 3, Day 341

primary lamps

originally uploaded by billaday.

The ceiling at Pick Up Stix is interesting. It also has primary colors.

Year 3, Day 340

power to the podcasters

originally uploaded by billaday.

I held this microphone up to a window and snapped the shot. It looks more like a graphic from Illustrator, but it's a photo.

Is this obvious enough that it's a microphone?

Year 3, Day 339

marriage license

originally uploaded by billaday.

One of the most official parts of a wedding often gets overlooked (and not photographed): the signing of the marriage license. This is what makes a marriage legal and official.

Year 3, Day 338

croissaint my heart

originally uploaded by billaday.

I love those Pillsbury croissants. Yum.

Year 3, Day 337

learning the routines

originally uploaded by billaday.

So, Taylor is finally getting into a groove. She knows where to go for food, potty, and petting. She knows she needs to sit to get access to all of those. We're coming along well. Here are the Taylor tricks, so far: sit, stay, shake, down, fetch, and vacuum. We're working on that last one.

Year 3, Day 336

negative space

originally uploaded by billaday.

I'm teaching a math class at the University of La Verne. It's for primary/preschool teachers. This lesson was about geometry... I suggested to my students:

cutting out a shape (negative space), and taking students' head shots. That way, students would see themselves, and they'd be inside the shape you are studying.

Year 3, Day 335

Duaflex project

originally uploaded by billaday.

I've been thinking about a new photography project.

My photo-a-day year 3 ends in December. My wife thinks I should switch up the photo projects so that I keep growing as a photographer. I've thought about:
• taking just one photo each day
• starting the 100 strangers project, where you take 100 strangers' portraits
• through the viewfinder, where you make a contraption to convert your dSLR to an old camera (like this)

Any suggestions?

Year 3, Day 334

blue jeans in a black and white world

originally uploaded by billaday.

You know you're in a cool band when the best part of the gig is hanging out after sound check.

Year 3, Day 333

housewarming guests

originally uploaded by billaday.

We had a housewarming party for my birthday. Many friends with cute kids showed up.

Year 3, Day 332

rosemary

originally uploaded by billaday.

I got extension tubes for my birthday. This is a typical, small (one-inch diameter) seasoning container. I was able to get about two inches away from it with my dSLR. So cool.

Extension tubes take a while to get used to. The depth of field is super shallow. I'll probably wait until I finish my photo-a-day project in December before I dive in head-first to the world of true macro photography.

Year 3, Day 331

the heart of

originally uploaded by billaday.

Lately, I've been surprised at how small downtown Los Angeles is. Small as it is, there's still plenty of new, interesting places left to walk around.

Year 3, Day 330

in case of emergency

originally uploaded by billaday.

If you haven't visited Zel Nunes' photostream, go! He's been a big inspiration and influence in my photography. Shots like this catch my eye, and might not have if I had not meet Zel on Flickr.

Year 3, Day 329

One shot locker

originally uploaded by billaday.

I only took one photo today. Here it is. I worked hard to get the row of lockers to show up on the left. I'm tempted to take just one shot every day, but I'm not sure. Some of my greatest shots are ones I didn't think much of at the time.

Year 3, Day 328

welcome home

originally uploaded by billaday.

It's nice to be greeted at the door. Of course, Taylor doesn't know to stay inside, so that makes things interesting...

Year 3, Day 327

I hold the key

originally uploaded by billaday.

When this caught my eye, I thought stock image. Text can go on the left, the keys on the right. Yes? No?

Year 3, Day 326

Where did all the trick or treaters go?

originally uploaded by billaday.

So, we stayed in to pass out candy to kids. New home, new responsibilities, right? So, I'm looking forward to freely giving candy all night.

Guess how many kids came? One group. Five kids. Do kids not like candy any more?

Year 3, Day 325

Taylor, no bite!

originally uploaded by billaday.

Puppies like to bite. A lot. I guess that's why God makes them so cute.

Year 3, Day 324

I ate all my vegetables

originally uploaded by billaday.

We went to dinner at Aldolino's Italian Restaurant. Great food, great company. I ate all my vegetables, so I was able to have dessert, too.

Year 3, Day 323

put up fences

originally uploaded by billaday.

It wasn't until we got a puppy that I realized we don't have working gates. So Wayne and I are going to build three gates. This is the first one. We need to hang it now.

My favorite dialog of the afternoon:
Wayne: "Hey, check out my row of screws. Do you see how I tried to make them all even. You should try that."
Me: "I did."
Wayne: "Oh. Ok, then."

Year 3, Day 322

Taylor, off!

originally uploaded by billaday.

Soon, she'll think her name is "Taylor-off" because we say it often. She also responds to "Taylor-no-bite!".

Year 3, Day 321

puppy accessories

originally uploaded by billaday.

I wasn't really aware of this ahead of time, but puppies need lots of stuff. Food, water, treats, toys, beds, crate, games, potty mats, ropes, kongs, peanut butter, baskets, blankets, and love.

Year 3, Day 320

Earn Your Keep

originally uploaded by billaday.

I told Taylor that she had to earn her keep. She can start by cleaning the floor. No free rides!

Year 3, Day 319

Taylor discovers the carpet

originally uploaded by billaday.

I thought to myself, "How nice. Taylor doesn't bit the area carpet or the furniture. Great." Turns out, she hadn't discovered it yet. At six weeks, she was a bit timid to eat the carpet. Even now, she's good about it, unless she wants attention.

Year 3, Day 318

Reminisce immediately

originally uploaded by billaday.

The great thing about digital cameras is that it allows you to reminisce immediately... "Hey! Remember when we went down Splash Mountain ten seconds ago!? Yeah, those were some good times."

Year 3, Day 317

sleeping puppy (for now)

originally uploaded by billaday.

Puppies sleep a lot. The trouble is, they are usually awake when you're trying to sleep. I was not expecting me (or the wife) to have to get up every three hours. I guess that's why God made puppies so cute.

Year 3, Day 316