Self portrait

Self portrait - #40/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

I notice that a lot of photographers take self-portraits and since I wasn't too happy with a limited choice for my daily pic, I set up the tripod and tried to apply some tips I've learned from sites like Digital Photography School. I tried a few different poses and compositions, but decided this one was the best, technically and I was happy with my smile and the look in my eyes. The most difficult aspect of taking your own picture is focus, especially when you're working with quite a shallow depth of field as is the case here. I decided to keep the camera on autofocus and I used a remote shutter release. The one feature of my D80 I did use which I don't think I've ever really used is selecting the specific focus zone - in this case top-medium-right, which I hoped gave me the best chance of getting my eyes in focus. Lucky I didn't have anything between my teeth !

K on Blue Ice

K on Blue Ice - #39/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

Blue Trains

Blue Trains - #39/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

Your table awaits

Your table awaits - #38/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

Da Gianni e Maria Trattoria on St. Clair West.

Olympic Heights

Olympic Heights - #37/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

An athlete performs during the Olympic torch ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square.

DJ Hero

DJ Hero - #36/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

It was my son's 13th birthday today and we bought him DJ Hero, the new interactive music game (Playstation). Similar concept to Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but very different music content. I really like it (although my wrist is already sore after just a few turns), probably because I used to DJ (campus radio, CKMS - U Waterloo) and had aspirations of club DJ'ing over the years. Plus I enjoy the beats from hip hop remixes. Music has always been a big passion of mine (fighting with photography for my attention these days) and I was always the one making mix tapes in the day...and that's where I got my alias PJMixer.

Mark

Mark - #35/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.


Mark is an old friend of mine and when he asked for a co-pilot for his Holiday Helpers (www.holidayhelpers.org) deliveries a few weeks ago I jumped at the opportunity to do a little for those less fortunate than us this Christmas time. We had a great morning and made 4 deliveries of trees, decorations and gifts to two families and 2 young single mothers.