The Photographic Parsnip

Afternoon snacks for me are either rushed, I-need-something-salty-and-crunchy-right-now popcorn or strange concoctions that I throw together based on something I've seen on Pinterest or some strange fantasy I have in my head of making something delicious and healthy and wonderfully snacky with little to no effort. Today's snack was sort of a combination of both. I've become obsessed with all things pumpkin and spice this fall, and I set out on a mission to create a snack that wouldn't become the first of two suppers but would incorporate my pumpkin spice love (and use up the rest of the pumpkin in the fridge). I wasn't entirely sure what the end product would be, but I'm not unpleased with the result, and I think next time it will be even better. PLUS, IT'S NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY. And I didn't even do that on purpose. Pumpkin Trail Mix Cookie Dough Bites 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup oat flour 1 tbsp peanut butter scant tbsp hon...

I've had some big changes in the past few months. This whole year is and will be full of changes. My mom has been telling me the past couple months that I am like a "new Parker" that she has "never seen before." Of course, I initially didn't want anything to do with that way of thinking, because I just wanted to hold onto the past. Lately, though, I've come to realize that I kind of am a different person. The changes combined with stepping through the gate into adulthood have made me feel more like myself than ever. I feel very Parkerish. I'm not Parker as defined by anything or anyone else. Just Parker.      I feel free, in a way. I'm still bound by timelines and deadlines and all the things I'm a part of, so free isn't exactly the right word. There is a whole giant world wide open to me, though, with so many different opportunities to be whatever and whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do and go wherever I want to g...

This is a bit of cleaning up and completing the requirements of the assignment; these pictures aren't related to each other, really. Focus and the rule of thirds are used in this photo along with the angle being from the side to show the detail of the baby succulents.  succulent farm Location:  Beardstown Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  focus This photo uses flash to bring out the bright pink color and smooth, shiny texture of the smoothie.  peppermint green tea and ALL of the fruit Location:  Beardstown Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  flash I used black and white on this photo for a moody effect.  post parade musings Location:  Jacksonville Time:  late morning Technique:  black and white This photo is a head on portrait that I used flash for, which made the colors warmer and more vibrant. my mother after her final performance of Pearl's Place Location:  Beardstown Time:  late aft...

This photo uses digital zoom to make the sign and pumpkins in the background the only things in the frame (and to better read the sign).  advertise Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  late afternoon Technique:  digital zoom I used focus and leading lines for this photo to bring out the detail of the closest pumpkin.  curling pumpkin Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  early afternoon Technique:  focus, leading lines I put a black and white filter on this photo to make the ordinary objects seem much more dramatic.  coffee + Canon Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  early afternoon Technique:  black and white My sunglasses both created a frame for this photo and changed the coloring of the subject, casting a darker, warm brownish tone on the bicycle and picnic table.  lean Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  framing I used an upw...

Last week, I visited University of Illinois for the School of Music Fall Open House. I've been on campus quite a few times now, and it felt great to be back. It's beautiful there, and there are lots of good opportunities for picture-taking. This photo uses an overhead angle and leading lines so that the only thing in the frame is the tabletop and a bit of the wallpaper in the background, keeping the antique look the focus.  bedside Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  night Techniques:  overhead angle, leading lines For this photo, I used exposure to darken the image and bring out the shape of the light bulb to let it stand out against everything else. lumos Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  night Techniques:  exposure, lighting I used symmetry in this photo and put the focus on the finial so that it looks bigger than it actually is.  ornamentation Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Ur...

I love oatmeal. It's so comforting and filling, and there are so many different ways to make it interesting. I had oatmeal for breakfast for five days in a row, and each day was a different experience. The first was this superfood cereal, and the second was the McDonald's variety on a rushed morning of a golf meet. The latter three were the ones I photographed. Oatmeal #3 was photographed from a slightly diagonal overhead angle to capture the (really delicious) green juice in the background, but with the focus still on the oatmeal itself, in all its nuts/seeds/dried fruit glory. morning at Starbucks Location:  Starbucks, Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  semi-early morning Techniques:  angles, focus Oatmeal #4 was photographed from the side to draw attention to the jar itself (with the measurement markings) and the oats, milk, blueberries, and toppings within. my first ever attempt at overnight oats(!) Location:  chorus room, Beardstown...

I first noticed the sky when I lined up this shot, for obvious reasons, but the camera focused on the dirty window instead, giving an air of pensive mystery.  dusty clouds, dirty window Location:  between Virginia and Beardstown Time:  evening Technique:  focus I used exposure for this photo to capture the colors of the sunset and make that the focus rather than the interior of the car, which becomes a simple dark frame for the real subject.   homeward Location:  between Virginia and Beardstown Time:  evening Techniques:  exposure, framing The panoramic setting worked the best to capture this entire scene (although no photo could completely capture the beauty of this lake and the gorgeous morning it was), and the water's reflection of the trees creates symmetry within the shot.  reflection Location:  Spring Lake Country Club, Quincy Time:  early morning Techniques:  panorama, symmetry