The picture doesn’t do it justice, it really is a cool looking lens.

Lensbaby description says this:

High refractive index, low dispersion, coated glass doublet allows tack sharp sweet spot

Um yeah. What that means in people speak is the lens gives you a window of in focus picture and the rest out of focus. It’s surprisingly flexible. Literally.

The lens body bends and gives. It can be compressed and bent in any direction. Area of focus moves accordingly. In case you’re still confused, the lens comes with an instruction book. I might add a rather upbeat sounding booklet at that.

Notice how the Guinness text is clear yet even the cap is slightly out of focus. Radiating out from that center, the photo becomes increasingly blurred.  Caps aside, this allows for some interesting portraits.

Spot on! by Tojosan, on Flickr

Notice the blur effect out from the center. Distance and angles play an important part in crafting the shot with this lens.

Click on the lens picture above, affiliate link, to buy yours today. Why get one now? Drastic price cut on Amazon for the Lensbaby 2.0 Canon EF Mount SLR Camera Lens (LB2C). Today it’s less than half the normal retail price.

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It’s less amazing if you know the effort behind it.  This picture started with a simple idea, me and the three penguins playing poker.

Seems simple enough right? It was until the idea of the big penguin showing Aces came to me. The trick then was how to stage it.

First thought on putting up the cards was a paper clip. Would you believe after 20 minutes of looking around the house, not one paper clip was handy. (Of course now I know where some are.) Sharon came to my rescue with a bobby pin.

Bobby pins are about the right size and do a fair job of holding things, sadly not much beyond the cards. Visions of attaching the five cards to the penguin’s hand were out.

Figure out what I should have thought of at first; photography is as much what I plan for you to see as what’s really there. Cards in the picture above appear to be in the penguin’s hand. Actually they are resting on the right foot.

The bobby pin holds the cards together, while the hand is gently attached to the leg by clothespin. Outside penguins I copped out on and just leaned the cards against them. It worked out well from the angle of the photo.

Things I consider missing:

• the kitty
• chips at each player
• the dealer’s deck

Photoshop was not used nor any other photo magic. All I did with this post capture was to crop it and auto-adjust in iPhoto.

How does this post tie into social networking? It was created with the intent of sharing on my social networks. This is not a ‘photo album’ picture. It’s not for immediate family and friends, not for coworkers, it’s for you, my readers, my followers, my connections.

Why? Because you deserve a bit of effort and a laugh. You’re worth the effort.

Recommendations? Comments? Creative suggestions? Feedback on social networking?

Give it up in the comments!

Find Todd Jordan.

this is not COD Magazine-Hilary McHone and Rick Baker

So a few years back I run across this lady on Flickr, Brooklyn Hilary. She’s crazy, funny, and has more energy than a room of kindergartners.

She’s still crazy after all these years.  Now Hilary has indoctrinated her rather artistic husband Rick and they’ve gone COD. COD Magazine that is.

I’ve grabbed a quick snap shot of their page. Just click on the picture and go. It’ll blow your mind or make you laugh. Either way, it’s great stuff.

Hilary’s primary project these days is History with Hilary.

Hilary McHone, photographer and projecteer, is co-winner of the People’s Choice Award. Held on the site, Artists Wanted, Hilary competed with hundreds of self portrait photographers.

It’s more than just a feel good prize. Hilary was told to keep it secret to till this week started but she now shares with us what she won.

As one recipient of the People’s Choice, I will receive a $1000 grant (very useful for my History with Hilary project!!), a publicity push, AND a show!! I will give you details on the show when I have them – it will be in NYC! I love excuses to go back there now that I’m living on the west coast!

Hilary’s portfolio can be viewed here:

www.artistswanted.org/BrooklynHilary

Hilary share’s first place with Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir. You can view her portfolio here:

www.artistswanted.org/rebekkagudleifsdottir

Congratulations to both of these talented ladies! If you haven’t visited, do so now. You’ll be glad you did.

NINJA’S UNBOXING

Best unboxing I’ve ever seen!

UCity Homes, a great new blog about University City in Metro St. Louis, kicked off a new article series today, Friday Faces.  Linda Bogie, skilled photographer, will be bringing us the faces of University City.

Linda has a special touch for candid photos. I’ve gotten a preview of some of the great shots to be shared, including my own that stars the series.  You won’t be disappointed.

A bit about the UCity Homes Blog from their site:

Nicknamed UCity by locals, the area offers historic brick housing, stable subdivisions and a diverse population. UCity is home to many different ethnic groups and offers housing to meet the needs of working class, middle class and affluent families.

Located midway between downtown and the western suburbs, UCity offers a short commute to residents regardless of where they work. The proximity to Forest Park, Central West End, downtown Clayton andMetroLink light rail, gives residents ample opportunities to experience the best of St. Louis’ culture and entertainment.

But UCity residents don’t need to leave their city when they are ready to have fun.

self portrait of Todd R Jordan - click to see on Flickr

It’s that time again; time to bring in a new year. I’m ringing in 2010 by taking the 365 challenge again.  Nanna J will be taking self portraits as well.

Help me celebrate the new year and the photography challenge. I’d like to give away a Flickr Pro account to one of my readers.

It’ll be simple. Leave a comment with a link to your Flickr profile and add me as a contact on Flickr.  I’ll randomly pick a commenter to receive the Pro account.

All comments must be in by Midnight Central Time on Sunday January 3rd. Random.org will be used to pick.

Granddaughters, Nanna J and I out for an evening walk.
Camera: Canon XTi

Flickr has a new social networking group, Social Networking Snapshots.

If you take pictures, screenshots, or videos and it’s related to social networking then this group is for you. All media types welcome as long as the topic is social networking or social media.

Have a tweetup? Attend a barcamp? Trying out a new Twitter client? Those pictures, videos and such belong in this group.

Since it’s about social networking, be sure to invite your social circle.

Cheers,
Tojosan – @tojosan on Twitter