View allAll Photos Tagged ChooseHappy
Once again After a couple of rainy, dull days, I reach back into the digital-dust-covered files to find an until-now neglected image and give it some love. I had taken advantage of an early morning wander through downtown Grimsby, Ontario while still staying within the parameters of the then-required, Covid induced social responsibility to avoid people contact, I came to the corner of Main Street and Ontario Street. The low, early morning sun provided some luscious light that projected the shadow of the stop sign on Ontario Street onto the pastel-paint-scheme bricks of a local child-oriented-merchandise store at 2 Main Street West, The Happy Baby. Thanks to the Covid levels of traffic, essentially none (not that it is intense under normal conditions) combined with the very early morning timing, I was able to take my time and stand in the middle of the street to capture this image in pastels. Life in Spring of 2020 as well as the signs in the windows. The shop closed in August 2020, sadly, and after standing empty for some time, was reincarnated as a coffee shop (ironic, given the Happy Baby had itself replaced an earlier coffee shop) and the pastel walls were painted over in black. - JW
Date Taken: 2020-04-15
Date PP: 2025-08-21
(c) Copyright 2025 JW Vraets
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Tech Details:
Taken using a hand-held Nikon D800 fitted with an AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm 1:4.0 lense set to 120mm, ISO100, Daylight WB, Shutter Priority Mode, Matrix metering, f/7.1, 1/100 secs. PP in free Open Source RAWTherapee from Nikon RAW/NEF source file: set final image size to 9000 px wide, apply Tone Mapping as well as Dynamic Range Compression a default levels, use the Graduated Filter tool to brighten the shadow in the bottom left of the frame, use the Tone Curve 2 tool in parametric mode to darken the Shadows ( window frames), increase Contrast as well as Chromaticity in L-A-B mode, boost Vibrance, slightly decrease overall brightness by setting Exposure Compensation to EV-0.12, sharpen (edges only), save. PP in free Open Source GIMP: use the Levels tool in Auto mode and shift the midpoint to the right/darken a little, use the Curves tool to lift/brighten the top half of the curve, sharpen, save, scale image to 6000px wide, sharpen, save, add fine black-and-white frame, add bar and text on left, save, scale image to 3100 px wide for posting online, sharpen very slightly, save.
I have been spending some of my time during the recent prolonged dull, grey winter days, watching YouTube videos related to street photography. Notable among the current crop of people featured in these videos were Sean Tucker, Evan Ranft (both heavily biased to the more architectural plus light shape images), Samuel L. Streetlife (interviews and walk-abouts with various good street photographers), and also the classic street photographers (whether-or-not they called themselves that) like Vivian Maier, Bruce Gilden, Joel Meyerowitz, and many others. Thus inspired, I headed out to the mean streets of downtown Grimsby, Ontario to capture life. One location I liked was at the corner of Ontario and Main Street(s). There, a store oriented to children’s products had painted its side wall in pastel bands and then applied inspirational slogans onto the windows. One window carried the slogan, ‘Choose Happy’. I had passed this may times and, given my street photo self education, I had mentally visualized an image of that sign with a person walking by. After three attempts, the first two of which lacked the necessary people, I finally got the combination of appropriate sunlight on the wall and a person walking by. The result made me think of a so-called thought bubble above of a person in a hunkered-down, dissatisfied mood. And yes, I realize street photographer purists generally do not shoot in colour but in this case it was part of the atmosphere. Besides, I like colour (if you hadn’t noticed by now) - JW
Date Taken: 2020-02-22
Tech Details:
Taken using a hand-held Nikon D800 fitted with an AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm 1:4.0lense set to 120mm, ISO100 (Auto ISO), Daylight WB, Shutter Priority Mode, f/5.6, 1/250. PP in free Open Source RAWTherapee from Nikon RAW/NEF source file: crop a bit off the top keeping the result to 4:3 aspect ratio, set final image size to be 7200 px high, slightly increase contrast and Chromaticity in L-A-B mode, enable Shadows/Highlights tool and recover highlights significantly to manage the bright sunbeams and also recover a bit of shadow detail in the window, very slightly reduce vibrance, sharpen (edges only), save. PP in free Open Source GIMP: slightly modify the tone curve by pulling up the top (approx) 25% to smoothly bring up the brightness of the wall and get a look more like the bright sunlit street as I recall it, slightly boost overall contrast, use the dodge/burn tool to dodge/brighten the highlights in the lettering in the window, sharpen, save, scale image to 6000px high, sharpen, save, add fine black-and-white frame, add bar and text on left, save, scale image to 2048 px high for posting online, sharpen very slightly, save.
The other day got up early in the morning to grey skies but after breakfast, the sun came out and the skies cleared. I wanted to capture a few images I had previously scouted under less favourable conditions. Given the lighting conditions, I decided to visit one of my go-to spots: the corner of Main and Ontario streets in downtown Grimsby, Ontario. At that time of day, the Northwest corner is lit up by the brilliant, hard, sunlight. The building at the corner (sadly a Covid casualty) provides a nice background with the pastel diagonal bands of colour as well the signage. Then simply wait. As expected a pedestrian came along heading in my preferred direction and, with a square crop in mind for the final result, I captured this. Always great colours in hard sunlight and a bit of a classic street photography style result. - JW
Date Taken: 2020-11-28
Tech Details:
Taken using a hand-held Nikon D800 fitted with an AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm 1:4.0 lense set to 78mm, ISO100, Auto WB, Matrix metering, Shutter Priority mode, f/8.0, 1/400 sec. PP in free Open Source RAWTherapee from Nikon RAW/NEF source file: set final image size to be 8000px high, crop to a square format, brighten image overall by setting Exposure Compensation to EV+0.47, enable Tone Mapping at default levels, increase contrast as well as Chromaticity in L-A-B mode, increase Vibrance, boost black level slightly to ensure very dark shadows, use the Shadows/Highlights tool to recover highlight details and colours, sharpen (edges only), save. PP in free Open Source GIMP: use the Hue-Saturation-Brightness tool to boost the saturation of the wall colours, select the sign top-centre and boost its contrast, use the dodge-burn tool to dodge/brighten the person’s glasses as well as the ‘highlights’ of the very dark coat, sharpen slightly, save, scale to 6000px high, sharpen slightly, save, add fine black-and-white frame, add bar and text on left, save, scale image to 3000 px high for posting online, sharpen very slightly, save.
Hello my beauties & Happy Pride Month!!! ️🌈✨ (I’m so sorry for being away for so long, I’ve had so much going on I have unexpectedly fell into a hiatus.
Introducing the #ChooseHAPPINESS Sets. Let’s get into these bold sheer crop tops, paired with vibrant sheer tights & a sexy thong to go under them. (Crops come with affirmations & can be worn with nipple piercings underneath them.) 🌈☁️✨ Fatpacks includes several colors including a few exclusives inside. Mix & match up a cute crop with some loud & radiant tights/thongs! ❤️💛💚💙💜✨ (HG, Legacy, Kupra & Freya) Demos available inworld as well. (Link in Bio... or search Glitter Bunny for TP)
Beyond Layers Day 7 is about Choosing Happiness,
This is my choice :)
I visited Donna hay shop on Monday and was allowed to take photos in the shop, I just adored these beautiful flowers, they can grow anywhere with just minimal care needed, I didnt buy any (I'd brought too many other things )
But I did think they would look beautiful turned into a Texture image
If you would like to make your own I have something similar saved in Pinterest to try, pinterest.com/simb/arty-crafty-ideas/
Be careful crossing the road! Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, Islington, London EC1.
Project 365 - 204/365
Coca Cola billboard seen at Birmingham International Station.
I was on a Virgin Trains Pendolino that I caught from Coventry (on my way back to Birmingham from Nuneaton, via the Nuneaton to Coventry branch line).
all for one. one for all
#choosehappiness
Seen from coach C on board Virgin Trains Pendolino 390016 - Virgin Champion.
LOLA Day 60
October 5, 2014
I really need to stop leaving my posts to the end of the day because all my creative ideas have started to fade away with sleep beckoning my name.
Today we spent I'd say about 80% of the day outside playing and it was amazing!! Although I have to admit, leading up to nap time is not my favorite. I dread nap time and the fight that comes with it. I get anxious and angry that I am dealing with an angry toddler by myself. This weekend was the first time that I actually realized that I am now a single mom. This is my life now. Unfortunately there are a lot of stereotypes of a single moms and for some reason I just presumed that because I am a single mom now that I would follow those stereotypes. WRONG! E and my's life will be what we make of it, and it is going to be full of fun, love and happiness. And yes of course dirty diapers, sleepless nights, trips to emergency but that is all part of the journey.
That is the great thing about all of this, I get an opportunity to completely redefine myself, what is important to me, and where I want my life to go. We all of course can do it at any time, but right now I have the perfect opportunity to do it. I ask myself questions about what truly makes me happy, what would I do if I won a million dollars (I still am not sure what my answer to this one is), what is important to me, what will I regret in life if I don't do it, what will I look back on in my old age and be thankful for. It's those types of questions that help me refocus when I am sad or upset or angry or all of the above. I get to decide who I am and what is important to me. It is an amazing feeling, making these big important decisions for you. I for far too long have put other's hopes and dreams ahead of my own, Sacrificed what was important to me for them. Yes there is always a give and take in this world and giving back is one of the most gratifying things you can do, but it needs to be in the right context. It can not take away from your happiness and your life.
You get to choose your life and what makes you happy and what makes you smile. The opportunity to learn and grow is always there, you just need to let go of whatever it is holding you back and do it. Have fun and remember if it doesn't work out, that's okay, you tried and know it's not for you, but now you won't always be left wondering.
This week ask yourself, what am I passionate about? What makes me happy and feel free? When/what makes me feel completely 100% who I truly am to my core, like I am where I belong?
Photo - We spent some time at what will be the new park by our new home today. it was so great and is just another confirmation for me that I have made the right decision. In this little house labeled lemonade stand E gave me some ice cream (rocks) and coffee (more rocks). It was all delicious!
Quotes for today:
*“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...”
― Susan Polis Schutz
*She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails. -Elizabeth Edwards
*We have to choose joy and keep choosing it. - henri j.m. nouwen
* you will never be happy comparing your every day to someone else's highlight reel -shared to me from AGB
Spending some family time with Granny at the Treasure Island Drum Circle! This was Daddy's first time swimming in the ocean with his Mom. India and Brubba built sandcastles, played in the waves and enjoyed another awesome sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Beach days like this, filled with love and new memories, are just so special. India Rose is so happy to have a grandparent here visiting. Such a beautiful start to the summer! #Florida #family #beachdays #happyplace #choosehappy #getoutside #beautifulworld #dearindiarose #saltlife #drumcircle #treasureisland #nature #gulfofmexico #ocean #sunset Thanks for watching Dear India Rose! If you enjoyed this video please support our channel by hitting SUBSCRIBE. SHARE our family with a friend and drop a LIKE. Much love, from our home to yours.
DSC_0139 - LT320 - LTZ 1320 - Wrightbus New Routemaster - Arriva London South (Coca Cola; #choosehappiness ) - Westminster, Park Lane 08/06/15
Wishing you all A relaxed mind, A joyful spirit, A peaceful soul, A healthy body, A heart full of love and happiness and A home filled with laughter and warmth each day this year ~ Happy 2010!!! May this new year be one of your best ever :-*
Wanted to start my New year with a shot of my favorite flowers (SOOC except for crop and frame)...They are called Nargis in hindi and Narcissus in English...they look so pretty and smell so divine!! =) I choose happiness this year.