I did it again

I won January's challenge in our Flickr group, it was supposed to be an easy one to start the year - sunrise/sunset....but wouldn't you know it there was crappy sunsets - I never got up early for a sunrise (I tried it once and didn't like it much). Before the challenge had be posted I had decided I would start taking photos of the Glasshouse Mountains, I want to get shots that are not common and not taken from the same spot every time. I had a great shot of Mount Tibrogargan at sunset....but I posted to the group the week before the challenge was set.

Mount Tibrogargan

I tried a few spots at a few different times and was a bit nonplussed with my results. After being sick for a few weeks and then the rain came, I was feeling the pressure to get a photo in so I looked at the ones I was not that happy with. HWMBO stood over my shoulder and pointed at one and said that's the one to use. So I tweaked the colours - mainly lightning the foreground. I liked the photo enough to use as my cover pic on Facebook so did a lot of my friends it turns out, when I announced that it had won...no one but me seemed surprised.

The prize 'A sight boost to my self esteem'.... that's the official prize, for me it is a large boost. This is the winning photo and another few I have taken this year. I will not give up on my mission to get some good and different shots of my mountains.

Winning photo Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah

Mount Coonawrin 

Mount Nugungun 

WINNER.....

Yeah  ME....my self portrait photo won the monthly challenge for our Flickr group. Not only did it win, it won convincingly 29 points to second place 13 points.

It was judged by my peers so it may not be technically a good photo, I know a bit of my PS work is sloppy ***this is coz I am so new to it and basically lazy*** 

I am going to take nice photos of my girls and try very hard to get one of HWMBO and create the same photo with photos of the girls hanging up to dry, I will then print and give to Mum and the Monster in Law (MIL) for Christmas 
       ( Side comment -  gave MIL a photo last year of the Glasshouse Mountains, she asked my niece who studied photography if it was a good photo - then complained that it was not of her grandchildren like she expected. If she is not happy this year she can go to HELL)

Yesterday #3 and I went to Australia Zoo, I had asked a few other people to come with us, but as it was school holidays it put most people off. As I have been there a few times in the last 2 years it wasn't that exciting, I much prefer to have visitors to show around. Still #3 and I had a nice day together and she worked on her camera skills.

I really missed having my Chilean students with us as they were always so excited to see the Australia animals. There were a few baby koalas, I will post my photos on Facebook and tag the girls to ensure the see them.

baby wanted to play Mum wanted to sleep - considering koalas sleep 18 hours a day this is not uncommon

Taken though a thick glass wall - luckily relatively clean of finger and face prints

Tonight the girls and I are going to Riverfire - fireworks and music added to the laser lights, the finale of Brisbane Festival. I bought #3 a tripod and was pleasantly surprised at getting $15.00 discount (on a $40.00 tripod) I also printed my 'award' winning photo. to show the family who are coming tomorrow.

I am playing in PS at the moment to see if I can make some boring animal photos interesting..(not gunna get anything finished today - may revisit this post next week.