The Paustenbaughs

52 Fridays: Patterns

This week at The Bloom Forum our theme for the week is patterns.  I was a little late to the game, so I'm not technically in the circle, but still wanted to participate with my photo.

This photo has a couple of different pattern meanings to me. 

I love the pattern on this headband because it can go with so many different things.  I bought it just before we moved and it's my go to headband now!  The pattern really reminds me of a 70's afghan, hence the retro feel of the photo!

The other pattern meaning is the constant wear this headband gets now that we are living in a subtropical, EXTREMELY humid climate.  Even this straight haired girl is having hair issues and I end up with this headband by the end of the day!

Now head on over to Erin Dahl who was late to the party with me!!

52 Fridays: Framed

This week on The Bloom Forum we have 7 photographers taking part in the 52 Fridays weekly circle.  This week's theme is Framed.

As I looked through my photos from the past couple of weeks (just now I might add-a little late!), I wasn't quite sure what take I wanted on this week's theme.  My mind kept going towards the photography sense of the word, as in framing your subject with the surroundings that you're in, making a frame around that person. 

Then I stumbled on this one I snapped at the beach last week as I walked around taking photos and I knew it was perfect for me:

I would love to get some photos of the girls in front of this abandoned yellow building some time!

Now head on over to Emily Remmick's blog to see what she came up with this week!

52 Fridays: Up High

This week from The Bloom Forum we have 8 photographers taking part in our circle.  This week's theme is Up High. 

I knew exactly what I wanted to do for this week and luckily time cooperated with me.  Here on Okinawa there are lots of rolling hills (not good for running!) and points that you can see over the buildings and out to the ocean from an easy vantage point.  Just up from our house is a giant hill that leads to no where, but once you get to the top you can turn around and see this:

I love that you can see out over the small town and nearly to the ocean!  Beautiful!  Of course there are other more beautiful hilltop areas, but this is like our own little oasis behind our house.

Now head on over to Faye Kingston and see what she has captured for this week!

52 Fridays: Red, White and Blue

This week at The Bloom Forum we have 10 photographers taking part in our weekly circle.  This week we are celebrating all that is red, white and blue.

Of course being a military family, we are surrounded by red, white and blue.  This last month we have had several ceremonies to go to for our family and the red, white and blue pride was shining through.  I love the hoopla of military ceremonies and every single time the color guard makes my heart swell with pride for my husband, for the military and for our country.

Now head over to Liza Hall to see what she has in store!

52 Fridays: Bokeh

This week there are 9 photographers taking part in our weekly Bloom Forum 52 Fridays challenge.  This week our theme was bokeh.  Bokeh is essentially the out of focus, or fuzzy area of a photograph.  Many times it is behind the subject, but you can have bokeh anywhere out of the plane of focus of your image.

I took a few photos that I was feeling rather "meh" about.  I went through some other photos from this past weekend at Hamahiga Island and found this one that I liked a whole lot better.

 Around a lot of the beaches here in Okinawa there are man made sea walls and mini beaches within larger beaches.  It's really cool and some have larger waves than others.  I used this wall as a prop to get a photo of all the frolicking of the other beach goers!

Now head on over to Erin Dahl, Memphis, TN to see what she has this week!

52 Fridays: f/1.8

This week there are 13 photographers from The Bloom Forum to participate in our 52 Fridays challenge.  This week our theme was to capture something at a 1.8 aperature.  I love shooting at 1.8 with my trusty 50mm lens! 

This week I had something else in mind when a visitor came to our front door.  Here in Okinawa there are tons and tons of snails and there are snails on steriods (as witnessed below)!  We have been fascinated by them and this one has become our official outside pet!

Now head on to Cathy Kuhlman, Philadelphia, PA to see what she has captured!

52 Fridays: Movement

I'm so happy I've only had to take one week off from The Bloom Forum's  52 Fridays photography circle.  I really wanted to participate last week, but living in a hotel with what seemed like 800 meetings to go to just wasn't possible.  But I'm back this week for week #23 and our Movement theme.

The direct light was killing me, but this photo was my absolute favorite for this week! 

We are all beach bunnies, and the fact that we are now on an island and literally minutes away from great beaches makes us all extremely happy!  We found this gem just 5 minutes from our house and the girls were beyond excited.  Here in Okinawa, most of the beaches have minimal waves, which makes Ella the most happy.  We are all in our element now and soaking it up.

Now head on over to Faye Kingston, Miramichi NB Photographer to see what she has for this week.

Happy Friday!

52 Fridays: Winged Creatures

This week from The Bloom Forum our group of photographers is taking on winged creatures.  This week we are traveling and transitioning over to Japan, but in the midst of all that some winged creatures essentially placed themselves in my lap to be photographed!  Unfortunately I didn't have "the big camera", but did have my phone.  Not the same, but with a bit of photoshop and picmonkey effects, it's at least suitable for now.

Those little ducklings are some serious cuteness!  We went to the park one afternoon since it was so nice and these little darlings came right up to us.  As you can see the mama was not too happy with them and especially with us, but we enjoyed them while we could!

Now head on over to Amy Ames, NC Photography to see what they have in store for today!

52 Fridays: Slow Shutter

This week The Bloom Forum has 10 participating photographers in our weekly theme for capturing photos each week.  This week's theme is Slow Shutter speed with a Long Exposure.

I have to admit this is the hardest to date!  This is something I've been wanting to try, but have never gotten around to doing it.  I think I need to keep trying!  I nearly didn't participate/post this week, but I figure I can't learn if I don't try, right? 

So here goes.  Slow shutter speed for the girl who never stops moving, especially at the playground:

Now head on over to Jenny Singleton Frisco, TX and take a look at their takek on this week's theme!

 

52 Fridays: Vintage

This week we have 12 photographers taking part in this week's The Bloom Forum weekly theme.  The theme for the week is Vintage and I knew exactly what I wanted to photograph when I saw the theme.

I just got vintage camera last month from a small shop in Indiana when I went to visit my family and I'm in love!  I'm dying to get another one to start adding to a collection of one!

Now head on over to Faye Kingston, Miramichi, NB to see her take on the theme!