Friday Feature: Pantone's Radiant Orchid

This is old news by now, but the 2014 Pantone Color of the Year is Radiant Orchid. Like many people, I was a much bigger fan of emerald last year. I prefer small touches of light purple. But it's still an amazing color when used just right. Here are just a few beautiful radiant orchid picks from Etsy. Enjoy!

Pantone 2014 Radiant Orchid Stripe Ceramic Mug by MaryBethGoodwin

Enjoy Pantone's Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid in Resin and Real Flowers: Purple Hydrangea and White Baby's Breath by SpottedDogAsheville

Infinity Scarf in Radiant Orchid Chevron by DaisyFayeDesigns

Upcycled (Unused) Cabinet Door into Radiant Orchid Chalkboard Frame with painted Cast Iron Drawer Pull for storing your chalk by messymimi

A7 Radiant Orchid Purple Envelopes - 5.x5 x 7.25 inches (5 1/4" x 7 1/4") - Quantity 25 by haSupplies

RADIANT ORCHID / MAGENTA Velvet Long Bolster Pillow 8x27 by theBolsterQueens

Radiant Orchid, Bridal Shower Invites, Wedding Shower Invitation, Peony Flower with stripes, Printable or Printed by alittletreasure

How do you feel about radiant orchid?

O is for Other Photographers

Are you ready for another round of Alphabe Thursday? Let's go!

Last time I wrote about taking pictures of other people for the letter O. You can check out that post to learn more about why I enjoy taking pictures of people that I don't know. Today I'm focusing specifically on other photographers. Since I got an SLR, I find myself noticing (and photographing) cameras and camera gear wherever I go.

I'm Not a Pilot, Brady Street Festival, July 2013

 

I'm Not a Pilot, Whitefish Bay, August 2013

Milwaukee County Zoo, October 2013

Harley-Davidson Museum, November 2013

my friend Steve

Adam Novak, my brother's wedding, November 2013

Self shot at my brother's wedding, November 2013

Check out what the other Alphabe Thursday participants posted for the letter O this week right here!

photo outtakes

Welcome to another round up of photo outtakes! I think that it's really important to discuss the fact that I take a ton of photos to get a few gems. Also, while I keep improving my skills, I still make a lot of mistakes.

 I really love the fuel sign, but this picture is pretty boring.

The inevitable auto focus fail.

The inevitable blurry kitty, although this shot still makes me laugh.

This shot isn't just an auto focus fail. It's a big blurry mess. Thankfully I did get a shot of these plants that I really did like.

Dizzying angle.

Totally shadowed. I could recover a fair amount of the image post process, but isn't worth the effort for a shot that's so dark.

Overexposed.

Product photo fail. You would think that I could nail this shot every time, given how many times I've taken it over the past six years, but sometimes it still doesn't work out so well.

Another ridiculous angle.

It was the wrong time of day to nail this shot. There was way too much glare.

 

Don't be afraid to share your outtakes every once in a while. It makes everyone feel better.

February in Milwaukee

Actually February in Milwaukee this year has been much like December and January with massive amounts of cold and snow. We were pitifully grateful to get a couple days of more typical February weather last week with 30+ degree temperatures and sunny skies. I found a little time to get out and enjoy it.

 

If you're ready for a change of pace and some pictures without snow, check out what this area looks like in late spring.

photo share: Benihana's

Most of the photos that I took during the week of my brother's wedding this fall were of the wedding or other wedding-related events (surprise, right?). One of the nice things about being in Chicago all week was that Jake and I had a little time to enjoy the city on our own. Among other things, we took an unscheduled night to go to Benihana's. I'm sharing pictures from that night here today. Enjoy.

Do you ever take pictures in restaurants?