It's a Dandy!

Description: close up of a dandelion, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: It is one of the best close ups I have taken with my amateur digital cameras. No fancy zoom lens necessary here! Just patience and lots of effort to get that perfect, clear, non-blurry shot. I have to say I am very proud of this one :)

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

All Aboard!

Description: pier and Eureka boat, San Francisco, CA

Why I like this photo: I really like everything about this photo because the pier sign really fills the frame of the picture. What I don't like is the stupid cardboard cut-out sign in the bottom of the photo. I didn't even realize it was there until reviewing my photos later. Oh well.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Guarded Walls

Description: Guardtower at Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA

Why I like this photo: I like the tilted angle of this photo, yet despite that, it retains some symmetry from the walls and windows. This penitentiary is a great place for photos as everything has a kind of eerie feel about it. Everything is run down and some things are in a bad state as you can see with that broken drain pipe.
Overall, it's a really cool place to visit.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Jack Be Nimble

Description: Close up of some playing cards on a table; my grandparents dining room table, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: So yeah, I started getting tired of the tree bark stuff, mainly because I couldn't find any more pictures of tree bark. This one I just love because of how close up my camera zoomed in on the cards. I think it's cool that the jack's eye is kind of peeking out too :)
You may be wondering why all of these pictures are coming from my time spent in Minnesota. I'm not really sure, maybe I happen to take better pictures there or something. It's a mystery to me too. Maybe I was using a better camera back then. Anywho, enjoy and as always, feel free to comment!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Tree Bark Series #5

Description: Looking through a wheel at a tree; Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: Ok, you have to admit, the tree bark looks like an eye right? I don't even think I noticed that little detail when I was taking the actual photo. It looks so cool though and I just love it, you can even see an eyebrow!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Tree Bark Series #4

Description: Curly tree bark, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: Again, it shows the beautiful curls and the top of the tree.  I just love every part about it with the moss and curls and leaves. Hopefully I'll have a chance today to get some shots here in Pennsylvania so the series isn't limited to pics taken in Minnesota!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Tree Bark Series #3

Description: Some tree bark that has naturally curled around itself; Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: Well just look at it. Isn't it so cool how the bark has curled and everything? Then you have the random moss and stuff growing on the tree and the blurry background. They really bring this photo together, don't you think? Just when you thought tree bark couldn't get anymore interesting!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Tree Bark Series #2

Description: A mossy tree with curling bark, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: This is one of my favorites in the tree bark series because I love how it curls on the side. The moss just adds a nice touch as well as the trees in the background.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Tree Bark Series #1

I'm kicking the Tree Bark Series off with these couple shots of...you guessed it...tree bark!! Yay! Who doesn't love some good shots of tree skin? Seriously, there's something about trees, you can never take too many shots of them. Ah ... maybe it's just me...

Description: a dead, miserable, chopped tree; my grandparents house, Duluth, MN

Description: hey look, it's the same tree! Just from a different angle and now you can't see the chopped off top of it! Duluth, MN

Why I like these photos: I'm proud of the close ups of the bark and the bluriness of the background. If you haven't noticed, I like the blurred background look in my photos. Don't worry, there will be more coming in the tree bark series so stay tuned!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

A Grey Day

Description: Lake Superior, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: Not only does it bring back fond memories of my trips to Minnesota where my mom would take me to Lake Superior to freeze in the water, but it reminds me of today.  This morning, I woke up and saw the fog and grey sky and dreariness and this picture just seems to capture that mood to me.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Love Is All Around Us

Description: LOVE sculpture in Love Park, Philadelphia, PA

Why I like this photo: Well, February is the month for love right? With Valentine's Day and everything coming up, I was searching my pictures for something to represent that. I'll admit this picture isn't my favorite, but it was one of the few I could find. I'll have to go back and take a second sometime in the city of brotherly love.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Look Up

Description: Looking through the trees at my Grandparents house, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: I love taking photos looking up at things because it gives a different kind of perspective. I guess this picture doesn't really have a focus, but I like how you can see the light illuminated behind some of the leaves.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Magnolia's In Bloom: Eager for Spring Again

Description: Magnolia's blooming in spring, Villanova University, PA

Why I like this photo: It reminds me of spring like many other photos of flowers. Sometimes all of this winter weather can be depressing and cold, looking at this cheers me up a bit. We all need a little sunshine and flowers to brighten up our days!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Under the Bridge

Description: Underneath the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: I'm actually not sure why I love this. Maybe it's the symmetry, maybe the closeness of the bottom of the bridge to my head while I was taking this, maybe the neat little houses on the right side. I can't quite tell, I'm just somewhat proud of this photo. It's interesting to be underneath a bridge, try it sometime.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

An Icy Light in the Water

Description: North Breakwater Lighthouse, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: I like how the water's surface is so calm and horizontal in the background. I am also a fan of not centering my photos so I really like the fact that the lighthouse, typically the main focus of a picture, is off to the right, almost out of the photo.

Description: North and South Breakwater Lighthouses are both visible, Duluth, MN

Why I like this photo: I like the alternate viewpoint showing the lighthouses from a distance. Finding the wooden posts was a bonus! The one thing I do remember is how cold it was being right by the water, during wintertime.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

A Garden Remembered

Description: Some cherry tomatoes growing in my Mom's ex-garden; San Ramon, CA

Why I like this photo: It reminds me of spring and summer when things are growing and fresh again, renewed from the harsh winter. Sadly this garden no longer exists having fallen prey to groundsquirrels, voles, and various other critters.  Looking on this picture I can reflect back to a time when we grew our own tomatoes that thrived in our own miniature, self-sustaining garden. This didn't really affect me though since I hate their taste... Actually, now that I think about it, tomatoes are probably the last vegetable I would choose to grow in my own garden. Well, at least they look nice...

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Blue and White Hyacinth

Blue Hyacinth

Description: A blue Hyacinth flower; taken on Villanova University's campus, Villanova, PA

Why I like this photo: First of all I love how the light shines on the flowers and I have to say I was quite proud of myself when I snapped this one. It was during the spring when we had Easter break so practically no one was on campus. Which was a good thing or they probably would have seen me squatting in the dirt to get this photo.


White Hyacinth

Description: A white hyacinth flower; taken on Villanova University's campus, Villanova, PA

Why I like this photo: I love the white flowers as well and looking at them just reminds me of springtime.

It took me forever to figure out which types of flowers these were because I have no knowledge of horticulture at all. Let me know which one you like better. I think there are pink and peach-colored varieties as well although I'm not sure we have them on campus.

Stephanie, The Shutterbug

Two Ocean Views Through A Peephole

View #1

Description: Taken at the Sutro Baths ruins along the coast near San Francisco


View #2

Description: Another view; taken at the Sutro Baths ruins

Why I like these photos: I couldn't decide which one I liked more so I just decided to put them both up! I really like the rock when it is framed by the rock ledges. On it's own it wasn't that exciting, but looking through this little peephole just adds something. On a side note, I was practically on my stomach trying to take these pics because the peephole was low to the ground. No shame!

Stephanie, The Shutterbug