Just me and my Photography
My dad and stepmom came into town from Raleigh to spend Christmas with Amber and I. This was the first holiday in over two years that we got to spend with family. We spent most of the time at home playing board games and a little Xbox since the snow wouldn't stop coming down. We did get to go up to Estes Park and take a drive through the National Park the day after Christmas, which was very beautiful.
Amber and I returned home from dinner and a movie on Tuesday night to find our cat Meadow in the corner of the closet crying, wet, and unable to move. We decided to rush her to the emergency vet and find out what was wrong. The only thing we could think of is maybe she got into some sort of chemical or toxin, we did a quick check before we left the house but found nothing. The staff at the Longmont emergency clinic was super helpful, and their first assumption was she had gotten into something poisonous. They also asked if she maybe had a history of seizing or any other mental problems and we had never been aware of any. The entire time I was thinking they were going to give her some fluids, maybe some drugs, and after a few days, we would end up finding out she would be fine and they have no idea what happen, and she would come home. Instead, they came in the room and told us she had gone into cardiac arrest, and asked if we want them to perform CPR. Both Amber and I couldn't believe it and didn't know what to do. The Doctor said they would start and for us to let him know what we decide. Between Amber's medical background, and my 2 years as a Vet Tech, we knew that this situation was not going to get any better. I told the doctor to discontinue and we just waited for him to come tell us it was over. Its amazing how a perfectly normal night out could end up being to devastating at almost midnight. Both Amber and I are huge animal lovers, which is why we have 2 dogs, 1 horse, and well now we have only one cat. We treat all are animals like family, so this loss has really hit home. We got Meadow from a litter of strays in Florida that were born during Hurricane Frances. She had worms, fleas, and was very malnourished. Since then, besides being a trouble maker she has been great. I had just posted a picture of her a few days ago a couple of blog entires down. She will be missed and I still can't believe she is gone.....
I had the pleasure of shooting my friend Rob and his family in 19 degree weather today up in Loveland. It was actually my first ever shoot in snow, so it was a learning experience. The technical aspects of not underexposing because of the white snow was not that bad, but working in the cold was the hard part, especially for Rob's family. They wanted to look so good for the pictures, that they just couldn't keep warm.... Anyway, I think they turned out great!!!!
RJ Kern and I went and split the cost for a 400mm F2.8 for the day and did some Nat Geo style shooting and had a blast. I had just received my new D3 the day before so this was the perfect opportunity to really put it through a little trial. It performed like a champ. I don't very often do this style shooting, but now I know it can be a nature camera if I need it. I can't wait to put it through a test at a wedding. The picture of the big fish was taken at 3200 ISO!!! I don't see any noise. Do you see any noise?? A special thanks to RJ for the idea to get together and for letting me play with some of his cool Nikon gear... Enjoy....
So I had a few things to do in Boulder during the morning so I headed out early and for some reason threw my equipment in the back of my truck. So on my way through Longmont I remembered this old Sugar Mill that I always thought looked really cool. I was able to take about 2 pictures and then all of a sudden my hands went numb from the twenty degree weather. So after a quick stop to get some gloves I just kind of explored and had some fun. Overall, I think this old mill reminds me of a mix between the movie Hostel, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Very Creepy
