Another model

McKinney City Hospital - McKinney, Texas

I was just looking through some old photos that I have taken for work and found this one. Again, I have applied that model effect on this one. The building is so colorful in the middle of the green park. I took this in July 2004 when I took my husband on a discovery flight from Collin County Regional Airport. It was a surprise for his birthday and he got to fly the plane during the flight. A very exciting birthday present. I just sat in the back and took advantage of the flight to take some aerials of McKinney.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Let's go back to Luckenbach, Texas

Everybody's somebody in Luckenbach, Texas

Now if you're expecting a thriving metropolis when you visit Luckenbach, you need to think again. Boasting a population of 3, this is one of 2 buildings there. A combination of Post Office, Saloon and General Store, this building is 150 years old and is walk back in time.

As a photographer, I was taught to crop with the camera, so I have a hard time cropping my photos to odd shapes. But I had a long frame and thought it might be interesting to try to crop this photo. The old oak tree in the back was a part of the original composition, but I forced myself to crop the photo to nearly half its original height. I think it brought more attention to layers of signatures from visitors to the iconic Texas town.

I like what turned out by pushing myself to do something against my training.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Remember the Alamo

Alamo Village - Bracketville, Texas

Earlier this past summer, we took a trip to the Texas Hill Country and ended up in Bracketville and about 50 miles from Mexico. We found ourselves on the movie set of many famous westerns such as The Alamo with John Wayne, and Two Rode Together with Jimmy Stewart and Richard Widmark. Many famous people had walked the same western streets I was now walking. We were the only people there that day, other than the reenactors that sat waiting for someone to perform for.

The set was built in the 50s for the movie The Alamo and the replica of the Alamo is still there. It is quite impressive. If you've been shocked to find the real Alamo in the middle of a urban city, it is kind of cool to see this one, sitting in the middle of a field, with fortress walls around it. The way it should be.

I strolled the set and found some really cool things to photograph. This was the window to the prop building. I just took a couple of shots, and just moved on. But several months later, I decided to try some sharpening and adjustments to play with the rustic look of the adobe and the wooden spokes. I am quite pleased at what came out here.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Oh, Venus...

Venus Rising - McKinney, Texas

Lucky shot. I was working late on Monday and almost missed that beautiful sunset. I just caught the tail end, and luckily had my camera with me. All I had time for was this one shot of the First United Methodist Church in Downtown McKinney, looking west. Venus was shining brightly overhead

If only I had been 30 minutes earlier leaving work, I could have seen the red skies in all their glory. I bet it was beautiful.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

The eye can be deceiving

Model Civilization - Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings, Colorado

If you've never been to Mesa Verde, it is worth the trip. The Cliff Palace, shown here is very large in scale and is the largest cliff dwelling in America. That is why I like this vantage point. At first you swear it is a model, then you rethink what you are looking it. Without something to gauge your perspective, it hard to tell just how large it is and that is the fun of this photo.

I watched people at the exhibit stare at it for quite sometime. Glancing at the Storm over Mesa Verde photo that was displayed right next to it. They'd compare the trees, the windows, the landmarks to try to figure out what they were looking at. It was surprising the attention it got.

If you look in the lower left corner of the photo, the red dot is a person. The latters are probably 8-10 feet tall. The doorways are over 5 ft. tall. The average person 1400 years ago was only about 5'1"-5'4" tall. More than 100 people lived in this one dwelling. There are over 600 smaller dwellings in the park.

My friends are planning our next motorcycle trip back to Durango this summer. This just makes me get in the mood for vacation and more photos!

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Cotter Bridge Remix

Cotter Bridge - Cotter, Arkansas

Just playing with new software on my iPhone I came up with this "infrared" version. I really like the look of infrared photography and hope to get into it soon.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

The Mother Road

Rock Cafe Historic Route 66 - Stroud, OK

Historic Route 66 - Stroud, OK

I recently received a google alert that some Route 66 fans were following my blog. While I had already posted some New Mexico photos from the Mother Road, I thought I'd say a big welcome with some other photos taken from Oklahoma on a summer's day ride to Tulsa.

Talk about a ride through Hades! It was 108 degrees that ride that took us to see some of the kitschiest attractions that remain on the road. This was before my big digital SLR camera came to play, so these are just some shots I made of the ride with the Harley Owners Group from Allen, Texas using my point and shoot. Just playing around with the old toy camera effect to capture the nostalgia of the road trip.

Here are a few of our highlights.

Round Barn - Arcadia, OK

Blue Whale - Catoosa, OK

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Putting myself on display

Wednesday Night Special - McKinney, Texas 1986

I am getting pretty excited about my first photo exhibition. I have been gathering photos in preparation of the show and it is funny to see the progression of 25 years of photos. I guess my love of night shots and neon signs started earlier than I recall.

I remember taking this photo back in college when I worked as a photojournalist here in McKinney. I was driving down the service road of Central Expressway and spied this guy changing the daily special on the Holiday Inn sign. So I circled back and took a few shots.

I found the old negative in that same folder I told you about previously. I think I may have printed the photo once. Originally it was taken with black and white film. I remember hand tinting the print and then gave it to a friend who liked it. Never to see it again until now. But with the magic of computers, I was able to make it come back to life as I originally pictured in my head when I took it.

The old Holiday Inn sign no longer exists. The hotel has been sold to another chain. Holiday Inn has updated their brand and built a beautiful new hotel in McKinney. Ironically, some friends and Chris and I stayed there for New Years Eve. Little did I know a few days later I'd be reminiscing over the old Holiday Inn neon sign. Funny how that works.

I would like to extend an invitation to my followers and friends to come see my first show, Laura Smetak At Work and On the Road 7 p.m. January 31, 2009 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in downtown McKinney. Many of my blog photos will be on display as well as my work photos of McKinney.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Happy 2009!

Just wanted to wish all my followers a happy and prosperous 2009!

Not just another pretty face

Scooter - In Arkansas

I can't believe it has been a year since our "pup-pup" trip. It seems Deucey is still with us. I come across an occasional photo of her and just love to look at her sweet, soft face. My heart still breaks for her, but I know she is in a better place. She is happy, my dreams say so.

Our trip this Thanksgiving was a good bonding experience with Scooter. She's such a pretty dog. Since Deucey's been gone, she has changed. She is no longer the wildest child in the house. She is probably the best cuddler we have had. She has turned into a pretty sweet dog. I think she may have picked up more from Deucey than we realized.

Even Sydney says, "All she wants is some love." True.


©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Soaring with the Eagles on Turkey Day

Bald Eagle, White River - Bull Shoals, Arkansas

OK, the photo of the eagle came out pretty decent, despite it flying to the highest part of the cliff to get away from our guide who was calling to it. It had just swooped down to the river and caught a trout. I think he thought we were going to take it away. I had to use my zoom, plus really crop it in close. The trees were all grey, but I think all things considering, my first wildlife photo of a bald eagle came out alright. Pretty majestic birds. Then we saw five wild turkeys fly across the road on the way home. Isn't there a quote about that somewhere?

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Blogging iPhone style

My first mobile blog, thanks to Isaac. I hope eveyone had a nice holiday. We had tons of fun with our family in Kansas and several days trout fishing and camping on the White River. I will attempt to post photos from our trip.

We got to see a bald eagle swoop down on front of us and grab a trout from the river. He was pretty far away but I got a few photos. Will have to post these from home.

Cutie Pie

Summer Rose - 4 months

I didn't take this photo of my newest niece, but it is too precious not to share.

We are spending the holidays with family, so we wish you all the best during the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving and if you are feeling blue for any reason, just think of this little smiling face. It should cheer you up.

All photos on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

More Hot Air

The Kiss

Just another photo of hot air balloons. This is what they call a "kiss"-when two balloons touch in mid-air.

I figured you may need another pretty picture after reading about canned meat.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Potted meat and other weird-ass shit

As I mentioned, I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. You know, that feeling when nothing sounds good. You just wish someone would put you out of your misery with a .22 between the eyes. The flu perhaps...I don't know, but I am glad it's almost gone.

Last night, I found myself on a Wal-Mart aisle, which so happened to be the canned meat aisle. (Just the name sounds disgusting.) I was waiting for Chris to catch up, when I found myself staring at those tiny cans of potted meat.

I wouldn't exactly put potted meat on my list of comfort foods, but just days before my dad and I were discussing how my mother liked potted meat sandwiches and vienna sausage on camping trips and picnics. So as a comfort food, maybe potted meat just reminded me of my mom for few minutes.

As I examined the cans of deviled ham, and wondered why they still wrapped the cans in paper (and maybe even why they ever started the practice), I compared the prices. $1.44 for a paper-wrapped can of "Deviled ham" compared to 27-32¢ for "potted meat". Maybe it just looks fancier, but to the best of my recollection, they taste pretty much the same.

(Apparently Chris had fallen really behind as I had time for all this contemplation.)

I felt compelled to purchase that little can of meat just to feel close to my mom again. I figured the extra nickel would be well spent for the 32-cent Armour potted meat versus the 27-cent Great Value. Better quality meat maybe, or at least I hoped.

Now, I began to debate, did my mom eat it with Miracle Whip or mustard? Even being sick, it was beginning to sound kind of good.

I wasn't sure if I actually wanted to eat it, or if having the little can around would be my comfort. But I came home tonight and figured OK, I'll try it. I elected for the mustard combo on white bread. Not bad. It was comforting, like a little piece of my mom was here again.

As I sat and ate my little half sandwich of processed canned meat, my dog Scooter was going crazy, jumping around like she was on crack. I figure, basically, she thought I was eating her food.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Just a pretty picture

From the inside looking out - Hot Air Balloon

Needed to break up some of the text, so here is a cool photo I took of the inside of a hot air balloon.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

I feel like a dope - Napa's in California

Ok, I haven't read some of my posts for a while. I was just going back over a few just see what I wrote.

Back in the original post of Out of Africa, I made a "Napa" comment. I must have been crazy with fever. Sorry about that. I changed it.

No one had to point it out. I figured out my own moronic mistake. I had to just point out my supidity to the world. Claim it, bless it and release it.

No matter how right I am when it comes to arguments between me and my husband-I guess I can make a mistake here and there. At least I am woman enough to admit it.

So, forgive the mistakes in any of the posts...as perfect as I wish I was, I'm not.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Slacker

Sorry, I admit I've been slacking lately. I really haven't taken any photos that I am extremely proud of lately. Been busy at work, a little under the weather and redecorating a bathroom.

I was just taking a bath, thinking about what a slacker I've been, wondering if anyone is still reading this, and thought...Oh what the hell. I have a bunch of photos that for whatever reason I like and can't explain. Photos of people,who I have no idea who they are but just happened to be a shot that I like. Random shots of the clouds, a photo that didn't quite come out they way I expected, but like it any ways.

I have taken photos on vacations and trips. Passerbys and other tourist who just happened to be a head of me and in front the lens. And for some reasons of lighting, color, composition, or other phenomenon, I like the photo.

Climbing out of Mesa Verde, Colorado 2007

These ladies were ahead of me at Mesa Verde. They were climbing the ladder out of the dwelling ahead of me and liked the lighting in the photo. This was taken just after I took the storm clouds over Mese Verde photo below. It just seemed to be some really nice photos on that trek.



Clouds over the Million Dollar Highway - Ouray, Colorado

The sun peaking through clouds directly overhead. We were riding from Silverton to Ouray somewhere near a place called Red Mountain or something like that. You can see the peak of the mountain in the lower right. I just aimed the camera overhead and clicked. This is what came out.

On Deck - Cruise ship to Cozumel

Just exploring by myself at sunset aboard the cruise ship. This was after a day of snorkling and finally setting foot in another country - even if it was Mexico. It was a cruise with my sister, Tracey. I left her in the cabin (taking a nap) and I wondered around by myself. Guess I am glad I didn't fall overboard-she would have never known what happened to me.

Swim Deck - Cruise Ship Ecstasy

More People I don't know - On Deck

Self portrait 1 - On Deck

Another Self portrait - On Deck

This was taken just after the first self portrait. For some reason I like it. It is not the best example of composition, lighting , color but something makes me like it. It was really windy up there. This is the highest, and most forward part of the ship. I had to brace myself against the railing to keep from getting blown away. Just to show you how windy it was, just look at my hair being blown at 90 degree angle from my head, and my hair is not that long.

All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted (©2009 Laura Smetak), and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Fashion and history

Not to sound shallow, but who told Michelle Obama that would be the dress she'd like to be pictured in for such a historic moment? Really? Really.

Otherwise, Michelle has shown impeccable taste.

Wow! Is this what the 60s feel like?

I woke up this morning to a new world it seemed. As I dressed and thought about what happened last night. I had to think, Is this what it felt like when Kennedy was elected? Is this the same hope everyone pinned on JFK and his young family?

I couldn't help but walk a few inches off the ground when I readied for work. The world is looking better since I went to bed. I am happy for our country, and wish the best for Mr. Obama and pray for his safety.

Today I a post written by people that I assumed were intelligent beings. How in the world can these people remain so idiotic. They write that America needs to taken back by the Christians (and to hell with Muslims and Obama---REALLY?), and we need to pray for God's help.

Perhaps people are praying and God answered on Nov. 4, 2008. Just because he didn't give them the answer they wanted to hear didn't mean he didn't answer. I am not a very religious person. I am not a very political person, but I choose to believe that God doesn't answer idiots.

If you going to go out a limb for what you believe, don't you think it would be wise to make sure you're correct? No, not these people. They want to spread vicious rumors and keep them alive to scare people into believing they have God on their side.

WWJD? Hell, I think he would have done what I did...he would have voted for Obama.

As my friend the Token Liberal says, "I feel like we've been trapped in the back seat of a cab driven at high rates of speed through some bad neighborhoods by a drunken cab driver.

Last night, the keys were handed over to a grown up..."