Nu2Photo

Weekend @ Third Silver Lake

2012-02-21T20:05:00.000-06:00

2 Things Challenge - Value/Abstract

2011-10-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

This challenge this week over at 2 Things Challenge is Value/Abstract. Admittedly, as an art form, I struggle with anything abstract. I tend to gravitate to art that is more straightforward, but I am opening my mind to the concept.

My first submission is of a sculpture at the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden. As a whole, I find the whole piece beautiful. It is very Valuable and just walking around I gained Valuable insight in to Abstract sculptures.

I have a second submission that I think is an Abstract view of something that is Valued on a sailboat. I will let you be the judge.

Weekend in Perham

2011-09-26T20:00:00.000-05:00

While my dad's retirement house is being built, he is renting a home in Perham, MN. Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Front of house

View of lake

Back of house

View from living room through picture window

Hay bails

There is a great barn just outside of Perham. I developed it a few different ways and I can't figure out which way I like it best.

Cropped with wires taken out

Old paper effect from Photoshop

Background turned black and white with barn still colored

You Take Away The Breath I Was Keeping For Sunrise

2011-09-20T18:37:00.000-05:00

Just a few random sunrise pics. One was a magnificent morning on Big Pine Lake, near Perham, MN. The other two are from a rainy morning on my way to work.

2 Things Challenge - Playful/Suit

2011-09-18T15:04:00.002-05:00

Family reunions are are always fun. Playful cousins are enjoying a warm July day at Lobster Lake while wearing their swim Suits.

2 Things Challenge - Satisfaction/Old

2011-09-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time since I have posted something for 2 Things Challenge. Hopefully, this is what I need to get me out shooting again.

This is my Old 1964 Crestliner fishing boat. I don't use it much anymore, but the Satisfaction I got, sitting on a lake, rain or shine, will always stay with me.

Annual Guys Weekend

2011-07-10T20:16:00.000-05:00

Spent the weekend with two great friends. We went to Steve's new cabin on Golden Lake near Hatton, ND. Beautiful weather and an awesome dinner of a Bacon Bomb. Thanks for a fun weekend boys.

Casa Thompson

Stuffed Pork Sausage Loaf wrapped in Bacon.....

Weekend at Lobster Lake

2011-06-05T21:10:00.001-05:00

Spent a wonderful weekend at Lobster Lake (Alexandria, MN). The weather was perfect. Fishing was OK. All in all, a great weekend.

After dinner cruise on the boat.

Red light. Green light.

Splash and rays.

Long exposure on the boat.

Late night camper.

S'mores anyone? The coals are perfect.

Homemade Juicy Lucy burgers.

Nice little Pinot with dinner.

Wine under a blue sky.

Almost perfect sky.

Grainy view from shore.

View from the new deck.

A walk around Springbrook Nature Center

2011-05-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

Finally, spring has arrived in Minnesota. I got a chance to get out and walk around and play with my new camera a bit. Really nice area and can't believe I have not been here before considering how close it is to y house.

Spring Night at Target Field

2011-04-18T18:30:00.000-05:00

Saw the Twins play the Kansas City Royals on April 12th. Gave me an opportunity to try out the new e620 and the art filters.

Anthony LaPanta & Former Twin Roy Smalley

Denard Span & Delmon Young patrolling the outfield.

View from center field.

Minneapolis skyline in the background.

Mijares trying to pitch out of a jam.

Hrbek still has fans.

Pink & Green

National Athem.

Bert Blyleven finally getting the call to the Hall.

Grainy filter makes this look like Olde Tyme baesball.

Pop Art filter really accentuates the colors in the stands.

Duensing taking the ball to start the game.

Beautiful night for baseball in Minnesota in April.

Floral Arrangement

2011-03-11T21:35:00.000-06:00

Just playing with the camera again.

Winter Camping - Glendalough State Park

2011-03-06T07:38:00.000-06:00

Two buddies and I got away for a night to Glendalough State Park, near Battle Lake, MN. They have these cool little camper cabins that are tucked away in the woods and are quite comfortable. I also got a chance to play with my new Olympus e620.

Walkbridge over open water.

Camper Cabin. Pretty slick little place to stay.

My buddy Steve showing his cabin pose.

Dave checking in with the sweetie.

Danger! Thin ice!

Powdered Sugar.

Reeds in the wind.

River connecting lakes

Pop-Art filter on my new e620.

Sunset on a great day.

Beaten path.

Pinhole filter on the camera.

Photos from the rink

2011-02-15T20:21:00.002-06:00

Every Saturday morning, weather permitting, a group of old friends and new friends get together to lace up the skates and chase a rubber biscuit around a sheet of ice. Without this weekly get together, the long, drawn out Minnesota winters would unbearable.

2 Things Challenge - Abundant/Emptiness

2010-12-05T14:59:00.001-06:00

This weeks 2 Things Challenge was Abundant/Emptiness.

The housing collapse has drained a once ABUNDANT city budget, creating an EMPTINESS on an entire floor of the City Hall.

Abundant / Emptiness

2 Things Challenge - Sharp/Dull

2010-11-13T17:35:00.000-06:00

This weeks 2 Things Challenge is Sharp/Dull. When I saw the words, all that came to mind was pencils. I built a little box with an upper light and bounced an external flash for more fill.

Sharp then dull, sharp then dull, sharp then..........

Sharp focus on the tip, fade to dull background.

2 Things Challenge - Emerging/Satisfaction

2010-11-07T05:44:00.000-06:00

It has been a couple weeks since I have touched my camera. I finally got back into shooting with this weeks 2 Things Challenge, Emerging/Satisfaction. It was taco night in the Johnson household Friday night, so I decided to try my hand at shooting food. Below is a picture of a couple stuffed tacos with the the melted cheese EMERGING. Soon, I will have the SATISFACTION of devouring their goodness.

2 Things Challenge - Instant/Delay

2010-10-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

This weeks 2 Things Challenge topic is Instant/Delay. This week I actually took the picture, instead of using an old photo.

In the morning, my hatred for INSTANT coffee always
creates a DELAY in my caffeine satisfaction.

Just a few shots

2010-10-06T19:45:00.000-05:00

Early morning sun casts long shadows on a vacant floor.

Lonely stapler on my desk.

2 Things Challenge - Bumper/Crop

2010-09-14T21:21:00.000-05:00

Another 2 Things Challenge entry. This weeks theme words are Bumper and Crop. The two submissions I have are both from a car show that coincided with Pie Day in Braham, MN.

This is a cropped bumper from a 1953 Ford Pickup.

I believe this is from a 1959 Chevrolet Impala.

Weekend at Lobster Lake

2010-09-14T21:09:00.000-05:00

Spent a nice weekend at Lobster Lake (near Alexandria, MN) with my wife and dog. Didn't take a lot of pictures, but here are a few.

2 Things Challenge - Wooden/Eye

2010-09-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

This weeks 2 Things Challenge words were Wooden & Eye. While walking around the Great Minnesota Get Together (State Fair), there was this large wooden clown statue. The clown was very colorful and I especially love the blue in the eye.

2 Things Challenge - Stone/Stare

2010-08-29T07:46:00.000-05:00

For this weeks 2 Things Challenge, the subject was Stone/Stare. I actually have two photos I would like to submit for this subject. The first kind of meets the criteria because technically the statue is not stone.

This statue of Harmon Killibrew outside of Target Field
in Minneapolis is staring at the stone buildings
of downtown.

It is tough not to stare at the stone that
marks where your father is buried.

Canoeing the Rum River

2010-08-17T21:31:00.002-05:00

Foggy Morning Walking the Dog

2010-08-15T07:18:00.000-05:00

Got up yesterday morning and took my dog for a walk at a city park. It was just a beautifully still and foggy day.

Photo project for my nephews and dad

2010-08-09T17:46:00.002-05:00

My nephew Aiden turned 10 this summer and I got an idea (albeit not original) to do nameplate for him, his brother and my dad. I went around and took pictures of objects that looked like letters. Some of them I had to take some "artistic" license, but I think they turned out like I wanted. They all have 5 letters in their name, so that made the construction process a little easier.

The names are:

Terry

Aiden

Riley

Walker Sculpture Garden

2010-07-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am probably the last person in Minnesota with a camera that has never been to the Sculpture Garden at Walker Art Center. It was a beautiful day yesterday for a nice stroll and drive with the top off my jeep.

2 Things - Master / Control

2010-07-25T12:28:00.000-05:00

For this weeks 2 Things Challenge, the topic was Master/Control. This is one of my older photos of my nephew walking my dog.

Song of the Week (Dragon's Song by Blitzen Trapper)

2010-07-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

With one under my belt, here is my next attempt at this project. Getting the correct lyrics was tough and I still don't think they are totally correct. Either way, I really love Dragon's Song, and hope to catch Blitzen Trapper at First Avenue at the end of this month.

Dragon's Song

Make your way to the beat of the drum

Pray this day may be blessed as one

Make your way to the beat of the drum

Hold me tight in the light of the running sun

oh oh oh

The running sun

oh oh oh

The running sun my love

Yeah

Make your way to the crack of the guns

Up through the heat of the running suns

Treetops sway as they pray for the the wind and the rain

oh oh oh

Just what the earth can contain

oh oh oh

Can we take the blessed as one

Hands raised clap through the gathering haze

Let the sun burn through to the ancient days

You are half my heart set apart to the end of the age

oh oh oh oh

Make your way to the beat of the drum

Pray this day may be blessed as one

High winds race to the place of the dragon's song

oh oh oh

The dragon's song

oh oh oh

The dragon's song my love

Hands raised clap through the gathering haze

Let the sun burn through to the ancient days

You are half my heart set apart to the end of the age

oh oh oh oh

Song Of The Week Photo #1

2010-07-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

It took me longer than I wanted and it was not what I originally hoped to do, but I finally got the photo done for my first Song of the Week. The song was Whirring by Joy Formidable.

Disappointed in myself

2010-06-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

It has been a pretty hectic week, as well as pretty emotionally draining. Suffice to say, I did not get out with my camera at all this week. Hopefully, this will be a much calmer week and I can catch up on some of the projects I want to accomplish.

Song of the Week (Whirring by Joy Formidable)

2010-06-21T12:58:00.004-05:00

For the first installment of Song of the Week, I will be using the song Whirring by Joy Formidable. Following are the lyrics:

Whirring

This much delight, fills columns to new heights

All these things about me you never can tell

Colors burn bright

Take a picture so bright

All these things about me you never can tell

Make me sleep so badly, visible friend

Turn the dial on my words

I can feel them fall short

Turn the dial, chime along, chime along

Watch these hands pull apart

Turn the dial on my words

Love can't see, stay there

These steps shadow

Life's will, gone shallow

All these things about me you never can tell

Make me sleep so badly, visible friend

All these things about me, you never can tell

Make me sleep so badly, visible friend

Turn the dial on my words

I can feel them fall short

Turn the dial, chime along, chime along

Watch these hands pull apart

Turn the dial on my words

Love can't see, stay here

New Photo Project Idea - Song of the Week

2010-06-21T12:44:00.004-05:00

Since I started following the photo blog 2 Things Challenge, I have been trying to get out more and take more and better pictures. I feel I am still learning, with no formal training mind you, and want to continue to do so. Projects like 2 Things force me to think outside a comfort zone and put meaning behind a photograph.

Now that I have a little more desire, I have decided to start a new project of my own. Like 2 Things, I will have a weekly subject to photograph. However, rather than two words as the subject, I have decided to use music. At first, I was envisioning using my iPod to determine the song for the week, but I felt I would "cheat" at some point if I did not have any inspiration or did not like the song. So, I am turning to Minnesota Public Radio for inspiration.

Every Monday at 10 am, 89.3 The Current plays their song of the day. I will use Monday's song from that week and have a photo on this blog by 10 am the following Monday. If any followers would like to join me, I would love to see some of your interpretations.

2 Things Challenge - Fringe/Focus

2010-06-19T20:58:00.007-05:00

While walking around Fort Snelling today, I stumbled upon a feather. For this weeks 2 Things Challenge, I FOCUSED on the ends of the feather and cropped it to the FRINGE of photo. I have a color image, but I preferred the contrast of the black and white.

Said / Done (Poem)

2010-06-08T21:22:00.006-05:00

G od, I can't believe the word came out
O ur love was fading into the night
O bvious in thought, oblivious in action
D enial was all we had between us
B lame is equal and weighted
Y our silence tells me you agree
E ndings should end and not linger

Poetic attempt for this weeks 2 Things Challenge, Said/Done.

2 Things Challenge - Organic / Chaos

2010-06-02T09:14:00.002-05:00

This is my first posting to 2 Things Challenge. This weeks topic is Organic / Chaos. Dunes and ripples are created on the Organic beach, but because of the Chaos of wind and sand, no two "ripples" are the same.

Empty Bench, Empty Beach

2010-05-13T19:39:00.001-05:00

Empty Bench, Empty Beach, originally uploaded by pjoyn2000.

Just testing my blog settings.