New ebook just released:

I just released my latest novel in ebook format on Amazon.com, Murder at Rendsburg Resort.

When a small band of vacationers arrives at the exclusive “unplugged and remote” mountaintop estate, no one expects what will happen next. But soon a guest is murdered, and the only means of communicating with the outside world is destroyed. Trapped in a remote resort with a killer is not what mystery writer Jill Pemberton had in mind when she booked her vacation. With the body count piling up and no one else to save them, can she help find the killer before they claim their next victim? A murder mystery that Agatha Christie fans will love, Murder at Rendsburg Resort provides plenty of engaging characters and satisfying twists right up to the final page.

Spiders

I found a plethora of spiders last night.  These shots aren't the clearest as I was forced to hold the camera in odd positions to get the shots.  However, I think you will enjoy them.  That is... if you like spiders:

 

If this one had been a bit sharper, it would have been a prize picture:

I liked the following because of the location of the web and the fact that this spider is fat from being in such a good location to catch prey - right below a light where the bugs fly at night!

 Cheers!

Christopher

Rainy Day Photos

An overcast shot of the U.S. Flag followed by two pictures of raindrops on windows:

 

Cheers!

Christopher

Downtown Opelika

This set of shots come from downtown Opelika, with the exception of this first one, which was taken from my office window:

 

These next two shots are of the courthouse.  I think these turned out particularly well:

This next shot was an interesting shot of vines growing up the side of an old building.  The colors of the bricks, the winter-time lack of foliage on the vines, and the old feel to it makes it an interesting shot:

And last, but not least, is what is almost my favorite shot of the day besides a slight flaw as the sun refracts off of the quartzite in the rock.  The 'rock on sidewalk' shot:

Have a great day!



Christopher

Outside!

My day job has me indoors from dawn til dusk these days.  Here are a few shots outside recently on some time off.  This first one is from the banister in front of my house.  I like the shadow off of the nail head and the ridges in the wood that this angle really brings out:

This next shot of a dandelion makes it obvious that sometimes even weeds can be beautiful:

 

Lastly, I like the way the sun illuminates this cobweb.  Notice the insect wing caught in it:

Have a great day!

Christopher

Cup and Leather Belt

Continuing on with the light-tent effect stills, here is an elegant shot of a simple coffee mug:

 

Here are two of a leather belt.  I'm still working on toning down the shadows with this technique, however, I actually liked the shadows in these next two shots.  In one the belt is cut off to the left - a big no-no unless you are doing this intentionally - which I wasn't.  However, I still like them.  I'm also noticing that my reflection and that of my camera appears in a number of these shots.  Details, details....

 

I really like the texture of both the belt and the shadows that this next photo brings out:

 

Have a great day!

Christopher.

Glasses

I've recently been reading the book Low Cost High Impact Photography by Steve Johnson on my kindle.  For all of you new photographers out there, it is a steal at 99 cents.  One of the techniques I'm learning from the book is how to take quality still shots with a light-tent effect (without the light tent cost).  Here are a few shots of some glass cups that I took using this setup.  I'll also include some shots of my water bottle as well:

 

 

 

I added some blue tint to this shot, which was a nice touch:

 

Here are the shots of the water bottle.  I like several things about this first one.  The off-center, off-balance feel it gives, the shadow is nice, and the angle of the shot making it appear that it is smaller at the bottom than it actually is:

 

 This one is straight-on: