Okay, I’m not goin’ south (I just like that V.O.L song), but shouldn’t these birds go south. I still remember the first winter when I moved to Minnesota how strange it was that not all the birds fly south. I assumed they all did. Maybe they don’t have their whole time-share figured out in Punta Gorda, Florida (yes, that is a name of a town in Florida – look it up).

Photo skillz used: Dug up some old lomo actions I hadn’t used in a while. I find they help spruce up mediocre pics.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 12 Jan 10, 9.14PM CST.

When the 2yo and myself get booted out of the house we head to Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store and Trotter’s Cafe.

The 2yo, although he likes the train-who-must-not-be-named, loves the Brio trains, particularly the rescue vehicles.

So if you happen to be in St. Paul, MN at Cleveland and Marshall Ave, make sure to pick up some train tracks and a Choas cupcake (trust me) from Trotters.

Photo lesson learned today: White balance for fluorescent shots and reducing noise in Photoshop.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 11 Jan 10, 10.21PM CST.

I tried not to put the kiddos in the 365, but two things about this picture changed that. One, it was a good shot. Actually, the best one of the day.

Two, it struck me that he was born in that exact same spot a little over 6 months ago… in our living room.

We hadn’t planned on a homebirth, but he had other plans. Thanks to our very skilled doula, and a Mom that embraced the change, this little guy came into the world in the very same spot he is sitting… still blows my mind when I think back to it.

Strobist info: sb600 through a ringflash at 1/64 power.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 10 Jan 10, 9.10PM CST.

My Taylor 414CE guitar has really served me well for almost 11 years. I am still amazed by by the fact that the stock pic-up sounds as good as it does and that this bad boy can run along side all those other fancy guitars (Loudens, I’m looking your way).

Strobist info: sb600 at 1/4 power with a 1/8 CTO and omnibounce camera right and triggered by pocket wizards. Blue lights in the back are the stage lights.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 9 Jan 10, 9.12PM CST.

While listening to the Munson Bros Annual Mix, I heard the Boss tune “My Hometown”. Atlanta used to be it, but after, close to, 10 years in Minnesota and 6 1/2 years in my house, the Longfellow neighborhood in Minneapolis has become my hometown.

On a side note, I’ve been doing a lot of “runnin’ and gunnin’ for my 365 and I hope to get more focused and purposeful in my photography. But that’s what the whole 365 thing is for anyway. Here’s to accountability..

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 8 Jan 10, 7.29PM CST.

Although I’ve lived in Minnesota 10 years this February (crazy!), the Georgia boy in me will never understand being on a “frozen” body of water for any reason. Be it skating, fishing, driving, sliding, whatever… no thank you.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 7 Jan 10, 9.55PM CST.

I quickly made a lightbox today but in my haste missed some key points from the ideal. I forgot to cover all of the inside with white or reflective duct tape and forgot to have either on the top part of the box. So it’s no where near as even as it should be. Also I made a cardinal sin of not double checking my settings before shooting and shot at 400 ISO and used my 35mm lens. Not ideal for this type of shot. But considering I made the box, took and edited pics, and still got dinner on the table when the fam I got home makes me proud enough.

Setup pic here.

Strobist info: SB600 camera right through homemade lightbox at at 1/4 power triggered by PW2.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 6 Jan 10, 10.07PM CST.

I made a list a while back about a bunch of different photography things to do. So I dug it up to help with the next 360 days.

Here is the list:
light trails
bokeh
Jumping
Macro
bird
backlight
Photo Journalism
Long Exposure
low Key
High Key
Portrait
Self Portrait
Kids
Texture
Sunrise/Sunset
DOF
Landscape
B&W
Panning/Tracking
HDR/Bracketing
Low Light
Light Painting
Framing
Live Music
Fireworks
Industrial
Color
Silhouettes
TIme Lapse/Stop Motion
Miniatures
Patterns
Multiple self portraits in a shot
Picture in a picture
panographies
Minimalism
Reflection
Force perspective
Montage
Triptych
Infrared
Vanishing point
diptych

Study the masters:
Weston. Steichen. Arbus. Mapplethorpe. Adams. Doisneau. Cartier-Bresson. Avedon.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 5 Jan 10, 9.51PM CST.

With the myself, the wife, the 2 boys, and the dog, our 100-year-old house in Minneapolis is more than maxed out for space. So, as much as it goes against every fiber in me, we started moving some things to storage. Sadly this is looking really appealing as a “home office”. I wonder if I can get wifi here?

Strobist info: bare sb600 at 1/4 clamped with manfrotto super clamp in upper camera right triggered with Pocket Wizard II.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 4 Jan 10, 9.13PM CST.

I had a great conversation at Humble Walk about the rise and fall and rise again of David Bazan with Matt Maas, Nate and Ben Houge. I just happen to take a picture of my 5mo’s lion this afternoon to try out some alternate off camera flash setup… coincidence… yep.

Strobist info: SB600 camera left at 1/64 shot across to a silver reflector (5 in 1) camera right triggered with Pocket Wizard II.

Uploaded by Micah Taylor on 3 Jan 10, 7.21PM CST.