It’s probably been over five years since I last used Photoshop. I even had a blog devoted to editing photos in Linux, which is possible but not nearly as feature-rich. As of this morning, I’m excited to announce that I’m back on board with Adobe! In addition to Photoshop, Lightroom is included with my subscription. The total cost is $10 a month–a steal in my opinion.
Here are 10 photos I took this morning around my neighborhood from 9:50–10:10 a.m. to test out Lightroom–of which I’m a first-time user–and Photoshop.
Missy and Pugsley sit on the stairs waiting for mom to come homeSunstars are achieved by stopping down to the smallest aperture, in this case f/22My (parents’) houseThe leaves on the deciduous trees in my front yard fall later than any of the other trees in my neighborhoodMail truck in my neighborhoodStop sign for leaving my neighborhood on Audubon RoadCrosswalk for the other entrance and exit in my neighborhoodPine tree between my neighborhood and the National Weather Service Forecast Office in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MinnesotaDoppler radar at the National Weather Service Forecast OfficeThe former house of the late U.S. senator Rod Grams, located along Audubon Road in my neighborhood. He owned all the land in my neighborhood before my family moved there in 1993.
This afternoon, my mom, my puggles, and I visited Centennial Lakes Park in Edina, Minnesota. These photos were taken from 3:13–4:10 p.m.
Walking labyrinth/meditation mazePrairie grassPugsleyMissyPugsley and MissyMissyMy mom and our puggles next to a Rotary International clock at the entrance
For my third outing leaf peeping this year, I visited Excelsior, Minnesota, with my mom and our two puggles. I took these photos today from 11:42 a.m.–12:11 p.m.
Small plane that started flying over the Excelsior Commons as soon we got thereScarecrow in someone’s yardLicks UnlimitedPort of ExcelsiorTommy’s Tonka TrolleyStaircase to a pierPier FourMissy, Pugsley, and my mom
Today, my mom and I drove to see my grandparents in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. I had not seen them in person since the pandemic started, though my mom had. It was nice to see them, since it seemed like it had been so long. The temperature was mild, it was sunny, and there was no noticeable wind, which were all perfect for hanging out in their backyard during the start of the Fourth of July weekend.
PugsleyMissyMy puggles, mom, and grandparentsPortrait of my momPortrait of my grandmaPortrait of my grandpaPortrait of my grandpa and grandma
June 1 is the first day of meteorological summer, which is based on the temperature cycle. But some contend the first day of summer is actually June 20–22, the solstice, which is based on the position of Earth in relation to the Sun. In any case, today’s blue sky and fluffy clouds look like summer. I took these photos with my phone.
Today, my mom, puggles, and I made it to Carver Park Reserve Off-Leash Dog Park (that’s a mouthful) in Victoria, Minnesota. This dog park is actually the only dog park we knew about after getting Pugsley, and it wasn’t for quite some time that we found out about all the other dog parks in the area.
According to the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder, now is the perfect time for fall colors in Victoria. However, fall colors this year are not as spectacular as other years because of the drought we had this summer. Nevertheless, it was a nice day to visit a dog park and get some photos.
Missy and Pugsley by a fencePugsley and I looking at each otherPugsley by a fence and entrance to the area for small dogs. Ours were the biggest dogs there.Missy and Pugsley take a break off the path to enjoy the smell of grassPugsley smelling more grass with my mom and Missy walking toward Lake Zumbra in the backgroundA nice portrait of Pugsley in the grassMissy walking over some fallen leaves on the path
On October 9 (one day before my birthday), I visited Stillwater, Minnesota, with my mom and our puggles. This was my first trip to Stillwater, and, boy, have I been missing out! It’s a beautiful, touristy city on the St. Croix River and Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
They were also having their Stillwater Harvest Fest at Lowell Park on the river, though I did not know about this until I got there. It was crowded and, I’m sure, relatively difficult to find parking (see where we parked in the last two photos).
Here are 19 photos I took today. All but the two from the restaurant, which were taken with my Google Pixel 4a, were taken with a Canon EOS R and kit lens.
My mom and our dogs after arriving at Lowell ParkPumpkin sculptureBoy on a bungee trampolineLine for amusement park attractionsMissy getting petted by childrenMy mom and our dogs by the St. Croix River with the famous Stillwater Lift Bridge in the backgroundBoat on the St. Croix RiverBlack Letter BooksPugsley and Missy drinking water outside a storeLeo’s Grill & Malt ShopA much bigger dog next to MissyFestive display next to outdoor diningChestnut Street and the Stillwater Lift BridgePatio for Domaćin Restaurant & Wine BarRoasted vegetables. Delicious!Where we found parking on hilly 2nd StreetView from 2nd Street
Today, my mom, my puggles, and I decided to visit Charles A. Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls, Minnesota, because it was the closest state park at peak fall colors according to the DNR’s Fall Color Finder*. It was a decent state park situated near the Mississippi River. These are the photos I got. (* Update, 12/29/2020: Because of today’s political climate, I am compelled to add that I don’t agree with the political views of the historical figure for which this state park is named.)
My mom and our puggles stand on a bridge over a creekMaple leaves in full flameMy mom and our puggles in the woodsMissy smiles amid a bed of pine needlesMy mom and Pugsley smile for the camera on a bridgeHere we are back at the entrance near the parking lotMy mom sits on a bench close to the Mississippi RiverSign for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
In photography, the golden hour is defined as the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Many photographers consider it the best time for photography, because of the pleasing, warm tones it engenders. I used to go out a few times a week at the golden hour to take pictures. More recently, I haven’t been as interested in photography, but this website is sure to change that.
This evening, I went out with my dogs, beginning an hour before sunset. These are the results.
Pugsley and Missy in the grassMissy stares pensively in the grassMissy flashes a smile for the camera
Centennial Lakes Park is a 24-acre park and man-made pond located in Edina, Minnesota. It’s my mom’s favorite park, so we went there with our puggles, Pugsley and Missy, this evening.
Missy and Pugsley pose for the cameraMy mom and puggles by the pondMy mom and puggles by the miniature golf course
