Upde Designs

Nikon D3 | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | SB900 Flash | ISO 200 1/60 sec @ f8.0

Funny how things can turn around in the blink of an eye.  I was in a funk yesterday and was content to set at home and critique my images from 2011.  Then a wonderful e-mail from my friend Dana (I met him at this year’s Photo-Walk) turned my whole day and my attitude completely around and it turned out to be a pretty special day.  So first of all, thank you again Dana.

The image above is an old crank phone.  I actually remember a phone like this in our home when I was a child.  I had to get a chair to use it.  Our phone number was 122 and my Dad’s garage was 121.  There was a telephone office in the small town and an operator who knew everyone and everything.  I think she actually listened in on most of the calls.  I remember my Dad saying if you wanted to know anything about what was going on in town just ask Wanda.  🙂

Nikon D3 | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | SB900 Flash | ISO 200 1/60 sec @ f8.0

Then I received an e-mail from my friend Burt.  He said that Ty Smedes, a photographer and author of a new book was going to be speaking at Wide River Winery in Clinton, Iowa and having a book signing.  Ty Smedes is a noted wildlife photographer over the last 30 years and 16 years ago he dedicated his career to photographing eagles.  His book, “The Return Of Iowa’s Bald Eagles.” is wonderfully illustrated with beautiful eagle pictures.

The image above has nothing to do with Ty or his book.  After we left the Winery we drove to Davenport, Iowa for the Holiday Party of another one of our banks.  The celebration was held at the Putnam Museum and IMax Theater where we enjoyed the movie “The Polar Express” in 3D,  after a great dinner and the awards presentation.  As we were leaving the dinner I photographed the left over dinner rolls.  Hey, art is in the eye of the beholder.  🙂

Nikon D3 | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | SB900 Flash | ISO 200 1/60 sec @ f8.0

Finally after the movie and on the way out of the theater I noticed these large snow flakes hanging from the ceiling.  I like the way this particular snow flake was cast against the distant Christmas tree lights.

It was a fun afternoon and an enjoyable evening, which could have been so different if not for the thoughtfulness of one person.  Attitude is something I work with as a profession in my job every day but it is as they say sometimes difficult to heal thyself.  Thank you for stopping by.  Enjoy your Sunday and be careful.