127/365 – May 7, 2009 – Are you feeling lucky?, originally uploaded by .dr4gon.

No access to Lightroom right now, so this is straight from the backyard to flickr.

Oh yeah, today May 7, 2009, marks my 1 year anniversary with my camera. I still think of it as my "new camera." 🙂 Ironically, I bought it at Circuit City which is no longer around. Quite a shame. I’m glad I’ve learned so much and have enjoyed using it. I think I have come quite a ways in a year’s time. Remembering back to the first few weeks, I was using AUTO mode and now I’ve progressed to aperture priority and at times, full manual. I’m also learning how to use light more effectively and some strobing techniques. At first (on AUTO mode), I was frustrated by the lack of nice looking pictures but I soon learned how to control the camera and capture what I envisioned.

126/365 – May 6, 2009 – Bouncy, originally uploaded by .dr4gon.

Busy day.

Was digging aroudn my desk for an eraser and happened on this rubber band ball and I thought it would make a nice shot! It was made by my dad a long long time ago.

HBW.

125/365 – May 5, 2009 – Cinco de Mayo, originally uploaded by .dr4gon.

On to a happier subject, it’s the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo. I really have no idea what it is , but I do know it’s not the independence day for Mexico. Apparently it’s a day where 4,000 French were defeated with the help of the US, so now we’re buddy buddies which is all good because the more celebrations the better.

Regarding the shot, this is another hand-painted clay figure I got from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I threw in a red book as a backdrop which resulted in some pretty nice contrast with the blue and other colors.

124/365 – May 4, 2009 – Are You Ready?, originally uploaded by .dr4gon.

So Macro Monday‘s theme this week is "In the Moment" and at the moment, everyone (the media) seems to be going epidemically crazy with swine flu, so here’s a face mask to represent the hysteria. Personally, I think things like shutting down schools (or entire districts) for 1-2 weeks, locking down hotels for 1 week with 300 guests and employees inside, and the VP Biden telling people to avoid subways and planes a bit over the top. People, just use your common sense and wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick, etc…

4 May 2009 — As of 18:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection (WHO).