CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-21 18:58:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

+Kelly-Shane Fuller, I saw this and immediately thought of you.

2013-05-20 03:51:56 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Well, since everyone else is sharing this lately...

I signed up quite a while ago, but haven't done much with it since.

2013-05-19 04:29:11 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Wow! Two posts in one night. Might be a few days before the next.

2013-05-19 03:53:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Finally back to updating this blog.

2013-05-19 02:07:46 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Lstntrnsltn

A few years ago I had a blog where I was collecting various things where something was indeed "lost in translation". Sadly, at one point I deleted that blog, along with all the others I had at the time. I must have deleted most of my image files from the blog as these are all I could locate.

In other news, this photo uploading really sucks now. I don't mind the arrangement of multiple photos such as this, but I would like to be able to choose the one that is the largest, I definitely wouldn't choose this one. (Okay, after I posted it, it does show the correct one as largest, hopefully not just for me.)

While I'm at it, shameless plug: http://www.facebook.com/CraigPiferPhotography

2013-05-17 01:19:16 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Mixed Feelings

I like the idea of new posts not loading automatically, and that I have to click (or use L) to load them. I thought this was helpful to enable me to not miss too many posts.

Came home from work today and it said that there were 311 new posts. Maybe a bit lower than expected, but probably close. I finally got around to clicking on it, but instead of adding those new posts to the top of the stream, it refreshed the page. I couldn't start from where I had been. I started going down through the posts, and before long all I was seeing were posts that I had seen last night or this morning. What happened to the 311 new posts?

It still has the same inherent problem of never having posts in a true chronological order. There are hundreds of posts from today that I am missing and will likely never see. I really would like to see all the... more »

2013-05-16 06:24:48 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Because Everyone Else Is Doing It

or

My 2¢ on the new Google+

It's not entirely horrible. I never had the "white space" problem that many complained about before. Now I do, but its a light gray instead.

I switched to the single column layout immediately. The 2 column layout was just a bad idea in so many ways. I really disliked the disjointed view and smaller width of individual posts.

The only thing that I think the 2 column view would help with would be in viewing posts with vertical photos. As it is, I cannot see an entire photo (vertical), part of it is cropped at all times.

Not everyone has a 20+" monitor, did they think of this? I'm sure that a larger screen would resolve this issue, maybe. It could have something to do with the fact that the screen seems to have more static... more »

2013-05-15 05:34:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Welcoming The Lost Sheep Back Into The Fold

I got a great voicemail today. My 70-200mm f/4L IS lens came back from the service center. I had finally dropped it off at The Shutterbug store (where I once worked) after having it sit on our entryway table for several weeks. Now, 1 month and 10 days after I dropped it off, I have it back. I had mentioned here at one time that I was not getting sharp images with the lens. Whether I used AF or MF the results were poor, and my 28-135mm was much sharper. Part of the service done was replacing the USM focus assembly, so it wasn't just my imagination that something was wrong with the focus.

I must say, I'm very glad that I opted for the extended warranty on this lens, it just paid for itself.

I'll be using it for great, sharp photos soon.

2013-05-14 03:31:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Another facebook contest, but for those that still have an account there, check it out.

Win a Canon 5D Mk III or Nikon D800 from The Phoblographer and BorrowLenses.com http://woobox.com/hzhpg8/3fb7kw

2013-05-12 14:54:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

A Revisit

I originally posted this shot (or one nearly identical to it) last year. You can see that image here: https://plus.google.com/photos/113813534502443050477/albums/5632826882008349617/5727347104729524370

The one I posted before was an HDR image that made use of the 3 exposures I had made. This particular image is the result of processing just one of the exposures. I didn't have Lightroom at this time last year, so I had no way of knowing what I could pull out of this shot by using that program.

For those who don't know, this is the Oregon capitol building in my home city of Salem. This is shot from about a block away from the building to put the daffodils and fountain in the foreground, and to capture the cherry trees that line the walkways, which were in full bloom at the time.

2013-05-12 03:20:55 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Where Will You Wander?

I was browsing through some older photos today, and I came across this one. It seemed interesting enough to go ahead and do something with it.

I like little paths like this. There is always some mystery as to what one will find or see along the way. This is at a small, nearby county park. It's just a small bit of forest land, but it's big enough to get lost in for a while.

2013-05-10 15:00:32 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Open Up And Say "Aaaahhhh!"

I'm heading off to work in a few, but I wanted to share this quickly before I left. This is an iris at Shcreiner's Iris Gardens in Keizer, taken 7 years ago, shortly after I had gotten my 10D.

I submit this to the #FloralFriday crew, +Tamara Pruessner, +Beth Akerman, +Eustace James, and +Kiki Nelson. (Hey, I just found out there were people other than Tamara handling this +FloralFriday thing.)

2013-05-09 05:59:13 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Bee All You Can Bee

Earlier I was thinking about (and posting in the OR Photographer community) about the upcoming Keizer Iris Festival. (For those out of the area, Keizer is just north of Salem, one of those situations where one city runs to the next.)

So, I went back into the archives, as it were, and found this photo that I took at Shreiner's Iris Gardens seven years ago. It was shortly after I had gotten my 10D, and being new to owning a digital SLR, I was shooting in JPG instead of RAW. I also remember going out with at least a couple film SLRs as well. At least one camera was loaded with slide film, which I cross processed. I had made attempts at scanning the cross processed film as a positive and then inverted the images in Photoshop. It actually worked out quite well, and I may have to see if I can find some of the images.

Anyway, this is still one of my... more »

2013-05-08 23:18:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Training

Just now getting around to checking my stream on G+ today. I saw that it was +Gene Bowker's birthday, and that #HappyBDayGene was trending #1, so I thought I would share this. It's an old image from my old LightScribbles blog, but it has a train in it. If you know Gene, you know he loves trains.

This is for you Gene, hope you've had a great birthday, but remember, it's only a training exercise for many more to come.

2013-05-07 08:31:29 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Where The Path Leads

I really should be sleeping right now, but somehow I ended up visiting some older images again. This was shot last July when my family visited Drift Creek Falls near Lincoln City, Oregon. This is 3 brackets that I finally got around to processing in Lightroom, after merging to a 32-bit TIF. I think I'm happy with how it turned out.

It just dawned on me (although it's still too early for dawn) that this is perfect for #TreeTuesday , right +Christina Lawrie and +Shannon S. Myers?

2013-05-06 05:18:43 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Cuteness Overload

Okay, maybe not really.

Not far from the our house is a little wetland area. It's completely surrounded by a chainlink fence, with no access to get in for photos or other purposes. The middle school next door will occasionally take students in for educational purposes.

We stopped by on the way home, the girls constantly want us to drive right by, although it's not our usually route. The time of day was awful with the sun glaring off the water. Add into the equation that I could only shoot through the fence, and didn't have a good angle at all.

Anyway, these goslings are not all from the same family. We saw one family with 7 and a second with 6. Also nearby was a family with 3 goslings which were considerably older than these.

2013-05-04 07:18:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2013-05-04 03:44:25 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Let It Slide

I just couldn't resist sharing this photo of my little girl. First batch of photos on my new 16B card. I'm not used to not knowing how many photos I have left. I took well over 150 shots and the camera still said "999".

Not a whole lot was done to this shot, just some basic adjustments, then into PS to remove the majority of the scuff marks on the slide, and a little extra brightness and sharpness to the eyes.

Yes, I did tell her, as always, to go down the slide feet first. Sure, she turned around about halfway down, but she did end up feet first. I'll let it slide this time.

2013-05-03 04:06:55 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

The FedEx Man Cometh

Got a little visit from FedEx today.
Last Thursday I was fortunate to win a little Twitter contest from Lexar Memory. I was among the first 3 with the correct answer to their trivia question. They asked if I wanted a card or a reader and, obviously, I choose the card. I just had to share, looking forward to using this.

2013-05-03 01:47:48 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

A Major #BlameItOnZach Moment

So, Mr. +Zach Blackwood told me that he didn't like my blog URL. Something to do with that .blogspot thing. He even offered a fine solution to it as well, although I chose a slightly different route.

Now, after about 5-10 minutes, my blog can officially be found at http://lightscribbles.craigpiferphotography.com/

I probably should have done it sooner, thanks Zach.

2013-05-02 02:43:17 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Citation

Occasionally I see photos posted with the comment that it can never be replicated. This is just such a photo.

I took this photo of Citation the Damara zebra last Thursday at the +Oregon Zoo. Today I have learned that Citation was euthanized Monday night. At age 37 she was the oldest zebra in the U.S.

http://www.oregonzoo.org/news/2013/05/zoo-says-goodbye-citation-oldest-zebra-us

2013-05-02 02:23:43 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2013-04-29 02:38:12 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

May is National Photo Month

In the United States anyway.

So, with only a couple more days to go, does anyone have any type of photo project planned for May? I'm not looking for any type of photo a day project, but I'd be interested in doing something. I could probably start my own, but I can't think of anything.

And, for you immediate viewing pleasure, a lion from the Oregon Zoo.

2013-04-28 02:29:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

NAZP

Not another zoo image photo!

I shared one of Inji already, but I liked this one as well.

2013-04-27 21:38:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Chimping

Some of the chimps at the Oregon Zoo were in the outside habitat this past Thursday. That was a bit of a rare treat for me, as it seems that they are always indoors. As it was, I was able to go a short ways up the stairs to get above the viewing glass and eliminate any distracting glare and reflections.

2013-04-27 17:29:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

If it walks like a duck, if it whistles like a duck...

Then it must be white faced whistling duck.

These ducks are part of the new Africa Rainforest Aviary at the Oregon Zoo. As their name implies, they do indeed whistle. It's a very distinct sound, although a bit unexpected from a duck.

2013-04-26 21:16:16 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

My, What Big Teeth You Have!

The dwarf caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, is the smallest living species of crocodile. This young lady, just barely a teenager now, lives in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit at the Oregon Zoo.

I really should make a point of taking photos of the signs identifying the animals. Usually I am unable to remember exactly what they are. The saving factor to this is finding a wealth of information at www.oregonzoo.org about all (so it seems so far) the animals on display.

Would you like to see this on your wall as a canvas print? I've got you covered: http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/animals/reptiles/my-what-big-teeth-you-have-111506756
This and all my other photos at +pixoto are available for 20% off, with FREE shipping, until May 2nd. I'm sure that at least one would be perfect for Mothers Day.

2013-04-26 13:09:53 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Hip Pop O'Tamus

It's the Irish singing sensation taking a well deserved rest.

Good morning, and have a great day!

2013-04-26 04:44:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Who Remembers Lily?

At nearly 5 months old an Asian elephant is a big baby, but still quite cute.

My wish would be to have an unobstructed view (no bars, glass, or chain) and plenty of light (or maybe a camera with better high ISO performance). I'm not sure that the zoo genies are capable of that for me, but perhaps someday it will happen. Of course, by then, Lily will be much too big to be this cute.

Okay, last one, for tonight anyway. I've got at least one ready to go for another time. #FunAtTheZoo  

2013-04-26 02:42:22 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Inji

This Sumatran orangutan has lived at the Oregon Zoo longer than any of the other animals. We had the rare treat of seeing her up close and personal, with only the window separating us. The hand you see here is that of my youngest daughter.

I knew this would be one of my favorite images of the day. After a bit of playing around with it, I decided that giving it this tone was the way I wanted to go, although I still like the color version.

2013-04-26 02:13:04 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Watchout for Flaming Os

So, I filled up a memory card at the Oregon Zoo today. This was one of my first shots of the day, and I thought it was a perfect shot for #Threesday , my theme for photos of a "three of a kind" nature. Go ahead and join in the fun, post your photos and mention me or +Threesday.

This is also one of the most recent additions to the Oregon Zoo as well, about a month old. I'll have more photos later, but I still need to actually look at them. If I'm right, I have at least one or two that I'm quite pleased with, and will be more so after I process them.

2013-04-25 02:27:01 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

#WordlessOnWednesday

2013-04-25 02:10:33 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

What A Creep...


...ing Phlox that is.

Earlier I shared a photo of my macro setup - https://plus.google.com/u/0/113813534502443050477/posts/aQVLjxGR7ee

This is one of the shots that I got with it earlier today.

My daughters and I gave this Creeping Phlox to my wife for mothers day a couple years ago. I planted it in the backyard for her, and I'm pretty sure it's a least 4-6 times it's original size now. It's also in full bloom with these gorgeous little flowers. To give you a sense of scale, these flowers are probably about the size of a nickel, or maybe a quarter.

This is also perfect for my theme, #MyOwnBackyard , which is just for photos taken in, of, or from the backyard. Yes, front yards count too.


What's that? You wanted a canvas print of this? Okay:... more »

2013-04-24 23:31:32 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

My Macro Lens

Just wanted to share my current macro setup with everyone. If you're lucky enough, you'll get to see some results later.

Last year I got a set of cheap extension tubes, and I've played around with them every now and then. If you remember +Levi Moore's #abcproject from this past February, I shot almost exclusively with my extension tubes. You can view my album here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113813534502443050477/albums/5840230237670984625

Just recently, as in this month, I ordered, and received, a K to EF mount adapter. This allows me to use my Pentax lenses on my Canon camera.

The lens I bought from a customer a few years ago for $10. Nothing super spectacular, but it is the fastest lens I own.

So, for just under $30 total I have a workable macro lens.

Is it just as good as an actual macro... more »

2013-04-24 05:30:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Quick Lab Question

Hey fellow photographers, has anyone used (or even heard of) Bullock Professional photo lab? Also related is HD Photo Lab.

I need 1 print for a customer, and they offer free shipping (which beats $6 and up at other labs), but I'm not familiar with them.

Thanks.

2013-04-20 04:48:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Growing Up Red

One more for tonight, maybe I'm bored.

Shot this a couple of weeks ago at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. It seems that most photos are from the main tulip fields, but off to the side is a small garden area with various shrubs and flowers, and even a bench or two. I think there was even a picnic table somewhere there. I started wandering around there just before we left, so it was getting pretty late. As it was the exposure time on this shot is 3.2 seconds, good thing I had that tripod.

Since it's still Friday here, I'll humbly submit this for +Tamara Pruessner's approval for #FloralFriday .

Canvas prints here: http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/nature-up-close/flowers/growing-up-red-110473525

2013-04-20 03:00:47 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

"I can't believe she did that!"

Okay, just for the fun of it, another shot for tonight.

I snapped this one last summer at my brother-in-law's wedding. The bridesmaids were taking a rest while the official photographers were getting some shots of the happy couple. It seemed like a good photo opp, so I took it.

Shortly after I took this, the official photographers used this spot for a few photos, even bringing in the groomsmen. I guess I had a good idea after all.

2013-04-20 02:39:09 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Wishes for the Taking

Since +Chuck Jackson was kind enough to select me as his photographer of the day, I figured I should actually go ahead and post something. Seems like it's been a while.

My oldest daughter informed me a few years ago that these are wishing flowers. I always thought they were weeds. This one is in my backyard and posed for me while I was playing with my extension tubes the other day.

For your amusement, check out this related video: A Little Help Please


#MyOwnBackyard  

2013-04-18 15:30:02 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Thinking about a canvas print?

Now thru May 2nd all canvas prints at Pixoto are 20% off with FREE shipping.

I currently have 45 images for you to choose from, and will probably add more during the 2 weeks of this sale.

#BlameItOnZach
+Zach Blackwood has ordered a canvas print from +pixoto, so he can certainly vouch for the quality.

2013-04-14 01:43:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Everyone meet Veronica

Veronica arvensis that is. Also known as Corn Speedwell, Common Speedwell, Speedwell, Rock Speedwell,  and Wall Speedwell. I posted a different photo a while back, but didn't know the name of the plant. Since no one on G+ provided an ID, I decided to go ahead and take the two minutes to find one for myself on the internet.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

2013-04-13 22:33:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Trillium Enchantum

Okay, maybe no such variety, but this lovely group was just wanting to be noticed near the Ice Mountain roller coaster at the Enchanted Forest theme park. I had to take a quick break from my work to snap a few shots with my little 2MP Motorola cell phone. A few improvements with LR, but definitely not an award winning shot. Hopefully some guest are noticing and enjoying these today, there are several blooming all over park (the Trillium, not guests).

2013-04-11 05:30:02 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 13 +1s)

Just Ducky

Trying to make sure that I manage to post something today.

I shot this guy a couple weeks ago at one of the downtown parks here in Salem. He was swimming around with 2 or 3 other guys, but there were no ladies around. They seemed to enjoy being bachelors.

Canvas print available (help fund my trip to D.C.): http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/animals/birds/just-ducky-107834139

2013-04-10 05:21:59 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

I'm A Libyan On A Jet Plane

Pinkard & Bowden - Libyan On A Jet Plane

So, looks like I have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. this summer. I've never been there, and it should be fun to get out and take some photos. The big deal now is paying for the travel there. My wife has her expenses covered and will be at a conference while I get to roam free.

So, help me with my travel expenses, please. Simply purchase a print from my Pixoto or Fine Art America Site, even a greeting card sale would help.
http://www.pixoto.com/craigpifer
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/craig-pifer.html

If anyone lives in the D.C. area, I'm more than happy to meet and let you play tour guide, or just hangout for a bit while I'm there.


Yes, I know that's not a jet plane in the photo. Taken at Knott's Berry Farm 5 years ago,... more »

2013-04-10 03:03:59 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Oh, Look at all the Pretty Trees

Just thought that I needed to share another photo for the #TreeTuesday team of +Shannon S. Myers, +Christina Lawrie, and +Allan Cabrera.

Yes, it's another photo from last week's trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. A little creative LR work brought out the blue in the sky, which I think improved the photo.

Oh, and if you are interested, this photo is currently doing pretty well over on +pixoto, although it had a rough start. You can even order a canvas print of it there too, just follow this link: http://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/landscapes/prairies-meadows-and-fields/tulips-and-trees-107862389
Oh, and just #BlameItOnZach (+Zach Blackwood) that I'm using Pixoto at all.

2013-04-09 15:47:36 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Twisted

I shot this a couple weeks ago, and was thinking about #TreeTuesday as I did so. It was at the end of my Trillium hunt at Bonesteele County Park, and I shot this from the car just before leaving. I might have gotten out of the car if it hadn't been raining at the time. Something about this tree just begged to have its photo taken.

It wasn't a very colorful photo, but I thought that the lines and twists and turns of branches deserved the black & white treatment anyway.

(For the +Tree Tuesday team; +Shannon S. Myers, +Christina Lawrie, and +Allan Cabrera.)

2013-04-08 15:27:12 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Perhaps a Weed

For the S E C R E T theme of #MacroMonday +Macro Monday, curated by +Kelli Seeger Kim, +Jennifer Eden, +Kerry Murphy, and +Jake Easley.

The secret? I have no idea what the name of this flower/weed is, so it's a well kept secret from me. Obviously it's not very large, as evidenced by the little visitor. They are lovely little blue flowers, yet I feel the need to eradicate them as weeds.

Also for #MyOwnBackyard , curated, although not well at all, by ME. I'm sure the children enjoyed watching me lay out in the backyard as I ventured out with my extension tubes.

2013-04-07 05:03:51 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Just a quick blog post involving last summer's adventure with
+Tawni Henlin and +Wendy Chase

2013-04-06 19:07:02 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Shacked Up

Another shot from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. This year the tulips were in a different field than I had seen them before. That's not a bad thing of course, just makes for a different view. I was able to use it to my advantage for this shot though as I lined up my shot to show the "shack" on the other side of the road. Obviously I kept the tulips as the main portion of the image, but the little shack does play its part too.

Submitted for +#RuralSaturday for +Mario Cerroni & +linda stokes.

2013-04-06 00:58:16 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

John Deere Gr..., er, uh, Pink?

If Joe Diffie had seen this tractor, perhaps Billy Bob would have used a different color to profess his love for Charlene on the water tower. Certainly it would have been closer to the red that the rest of the town thought he should have used.

For years visitors to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival have been greeted by the standard green John Deere tractor. It's still there, and still sure to be a favorite, but this is the first time I had seen a John Deere in pink. It was a pretty popular piece too, even at the late hour that we were there.

Just another addition to #FloralFriday for +Tamara Pruessner.

2013-04-05 15:24:21 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Picture Yourself Among the Tulips

I like unique perspectives, even if I don't always achieve such in my photos. I also like the various bits of artwork found in touristy areas with cutouts for people to stick their faces through for a photo or two. This time they just happened to merge. My kids weren't there to stick their cute faces in the holes, so I just had to fill it with some beauty that was already there.

This is from Wednesday night's outing with +Tawni Henlin and +Wendy Chase, but I saved it until today, just for +Tamara Pruessner and #FloralFriday. I have a couple more, but I doubt that she would want to see them, and I get to go to work today.