What an odd sensation it was to be reading the newspaper over my lunch break today and come across my very own name in print, without even expecting it! In today’s Star Tribune Web search column, “Fun with photos,” columnist Randy Salas rounds up several photo-taking fun Web sites, among them, The Mirror Project:

The Mirror Project … asks contributors to submit photos of themselves as captured in reflective surfaces. The results can be winsome (Rollins Goetzel’s self-portrait in shiny sunglasses worn by his dog, Ojo), clever (Lynsey Barnett’s full-length reflection in a body-shaped mirror at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul) and breathtaking (Rebecca’s silhouette in a puddle reflecting leafless trees on Christmas Eve). I just wish the images were bigger.

There I am — Lynsey Barnett (my maiden name). The photo he refers to is here. Although the photo was taken six years ago (42 in Web years!) and I’d nearly forgotten about it, it’s proof that your internet footprints are around forever!

Digital Photography School (DPS) recently posted instructions on making your digital photos look like Lomo photography with a little Photoshop sleight of hand. I tried my hand at it and the excellent results are above — a close-up of a pot of hens and chicks on our deck. I’m not sure if this is even close to a “real” Lomo photograph, but I do like how it looks.

Enjoy more before and afters in the DPS group on Flickr.

A few weekends ago Roger and I finally purchased a long-time item from our wishlist: a digital SLR camera. We went with the Nikon D50 based on the recommendations from the experts at National Camera in Burnsville. Not only do they know what they’re talking about, but they also offer free classes with every camera purchase — we’re attending our first one in August (the soonest we could get in, the classes are so popular!). This camera really does make taking great photos a lot easier — in just a short time we figured out how to get the subject in focus with that soft, blurry(ish) background I was looking for. Check out some of the photos that both Roger and I took while hanging out in the house and backyard!

The installation of Ryan and Paula’s new deck was completed just in time for a Memorial Day weekend picnic. Check out the hilarity as we christened the new deck and kicked off the summer!