I’ve spotted something odd and interesting off to my right every evening when I’ve let Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle out to the backyard of the Little Bitty my dear wife Karen and I share in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood.
When I received the Photo 101 lesson 19 of double from Cheri, I figured it was time to take my iPad Air out to the top step and take a shot.
Two blue light trees.
I knew my neighbor three doors down on the next street back presented a far-off target for iPad photography, so I zoomed in as far as my equipment allowed.
A little better blue lit trees.
Still, my vision of two blue Christmas trees still curiously glowing in this neighbor’s house on March 25 didn’t look quite so magical in my photo edit process.
On went my waterproof mocs and off I went across the still-snow-covered lot between my house and the neighbors to the right, hugging the fence line. I got as close to that holiday spirited house as possible, my head and iPad dodging tall fences and taller trees, in quest of knowledge. And a better picture.
Bad angle, apparently.
The ground level and proximity only blurred the subject.
Facts, however, I found.
What Karen and I have been commenting upon for more than three months is a single decoration hanging on the inside of one window. Apparently the lights are bouncing off a mirror inside our neighbor’s house and reflecting out a second window, to be seen again only from the proper angle — such as from our porch.
Our neighbor’s holiday house.
The situation, in this morning’s light, looks drastically different. Look hard for the triangular tree in the window facing straight toward the iPad Air.
Bob the Builder, sideways.
Finally, for the rotation portion of our lesson, I offer Bob the Builder apparently taking a nap on his stroll during the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade earlier this month.
Did you think it was two real objects of light in my photos? Which of the “tree” photos is your favorite, and why? What might I have done to capture the blue light more favorably?
Mark Bialczak 
Ooooo! A mystery! Ha! I like the first photo best Mark. The second shows more detail, and yet it doesn’t have the same “feel” – whatever that means. Bob the Builder is one honkin’ big guy – whew.
LikeLike
You had me fooled, Mark. I thought the blue lights were two objects. Great detective work. Thanks for clearing up the mystery. 😉 The first photo was my favorite – more ominous.
LikeLike
It’s all ominous to me, Judy. I’m glad you enjoyed my footwork. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I thought it was two blue lights. Okay, so the problem is that a camera cannot focus on all black or all white. And since it is black between the two blue lights, that’s why they are coming out blurry like that bottom shot. To remedy this, you need to focus the center of the photo on one of the lights. Now is where my level of expertise diminishes…. I don’t know how you’d fix this with an iPad camera. However, with a real camera, you would hold down the button half way while you focused on the blue light in the center, then while still holding down the button, you’d move the camera to where the black was in the center, then push the button all the way down to snap the photo. But of course, with your button being digital, that’s not an option. As such, I’d probably just keep one light in the center and take it that way, then crop off the other side later.
LikeLike
That’s a great tip, Rachel. Thank you. I had no idea!
LikeLike
As far as blurry blue pics, this is one good thing about technology and progress. Not spending $10 to develop that film. You can just delete, delete, delete.
LikeLike
But they gave me a story to tell and fulfilled my assignment, Kerbey. The ones I published, I’ll keep for sentimental value.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mystery solved. I had a nice laugh over that blue light.
LikeLike
Interesting and long-lasting, Aud. 🙂
LikeLike
A Reality Photo Mystery Show… I got my popcorn popped… start time?
LikeLike
Nobody signed up to hear my pitch yet, Nancy. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well shoot… I already ate the popcorn! But I can always make more!!! 😀
LikeLike
Always room for popcorn, Nancy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked the top picture the most MBM. Even though it was further, farther?, away it felt more clear. At first I thought it was 2 TV’s on in the house. I chuckle at you out there sloshing around trying to take pictures at night of your neighbor’s house….. SOME may not think that a good idea! 🙂
LikeLike
I was waiting for some alarm to go off, a dog to come charging out of the house, worst of all, MBC, to get skunked!
LikeLike
Okay, NOT that I would have laughed…..NOT that I wouldn’t have laughed…. but you have to admit that would have added to your story. And your delightful memory of this challenge.
LikeLike
It would have added to my “aura.” No doubt about that, MBC.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is brilliant!
LikeLike
Thank you very much, handikwani!
LikeLike
Love the first photo. And that you caught the reflection. If they hadn’t kept their decor up, you would never have captured it for us to see and share.
And if the tree lights are blue perhaps your neighbors are utilitarian and pretending they are lighted Easter eggs? Or not. . .
LikeLike
Yes, two holidays for the installation of one hanging triagle tree. I like your angle, Fannie. Let’s dip it in a cup of dye!
LikeLike
Cheers.
LikeLike
Photographic mysteries… as for Bob the Builder, he deserves a nap 🙂 So do I, come to think of it… lol
LikeLike
Photographic Mysteries would be a good cable reality show, right, Christy? Christy? Hello? Dang. Still napping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol I’m awake now zzzzzz 🙂
LikeLike
Poke. Poke. Poke.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i think they are alien cat eyes. that is my theory.
LikeLike
That is one really big and scary alien cat in my neighborhood. Is it playing with the bobcat, Beth?
LikeLike
it could be!
LikeLike
Ha! I picture you stealthily navigating your neighbourhood for these shots and it brings a smile to my face this warm, Thursday morning! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I was getting winter’s brambles stuck to my lounge pants PJs, Diana. Truth! 🙂
LikeLike
LOL – LOVE IT!!!!
LikeLike
So have you seen anybody going in or out of the house since Christmas? This could be a sinister story indeed… a possible episode for NBC Dateline?
LikeLike
I’d worry more if the ornamental tree was lighted in the daytime, too, Ros. … Uh-oh, what about timer switches? Hello, NBC …
LikeLike
Photos, light, glass – they’re all a mystery to me! I thought the original photo was something to do with police lights though 🙂
LikeLike
They’re going to arrest me for snooping into my neighbor’s house, maybe, Clara?
LikeLiked by 2 people
The second one is the best in somewhat capturing what was there. I wouldn’t have a clue of how to improve the image, hopeless with a camera. I’m more amazed that your neighbor still has his/her decorations up. These are recent pictures, right? Sorry for the brief rant, this is a pet peeve of mine.
LikeLike
I took the pictures last night, Marissa. Right?
LikeLike
You know, I did read the blog but I just couldn’t quite believe it…hence the questioning.
LikeLike
I wasn’t questioning you, I was questioning why it would still be lighted now. Like if the guy you wrote your funny poem about was still flipping that switch, I would say, all sarcastically, Right?
LikeLike
Oh yes, absolutely. You know my neighbors kept their decorations up until February and I have been known to make some passive aggressive comments as I passed by.
LikeLike
All those lights, that’s too much. This here is just one little triangle tree and its reflection, and it’s kind of pretty.
LikeLike
Oh, okay, when I come by I’ll keep my mouth shut!!
LikeLike
No, speak your piece by all means, Marissa. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, okay, you might want to claim that you don’t know me…
LikeLike
I’ll stand by my friend. No backing down on my part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How very loyal of you!
LikeLike
With that first picture, I am reminded of all of the great photography of alien spaceships they used to show on “Unsolved Mysteries” and “Sightings” back in the day. Is it really a mirror, or are we not alone? Let your readers be the judge…
LikeLike
Where’s Scully? Thanks, Bill. That thought was not alien to me last night. 🙂
LikeLike
Very pretty photos. I like the first photo best. I was wondering why a tree with blue lights at this time of year, then a wreath with a yellow ribbon. I’m taking a guess that possibly, a blue star mother? Yellow ribbon for a lost child in the war??
LikeLike
Good guesses, PJ. I don’t know yet if I really want to complete the hunt and knock on the door, or just leave it this way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame you.
LikeLike
Oh gosh, I don’t know diddly about photography. I’m still wondering why my cameras can’t see out the window with the same view I do, lol!
I like the first pic best, because it really does look like two trees. I had thought, at first, that the neighbor had a blue tree lit up in all of her windows!
LikeLike
You thought what MDW Karen and I have thought since stinkin’ December, Joey! This photo lesson certainly taught me something about assuming stuff. 🙂 Yeah, I’m glad I took this workshop. I started with a good eye and little knowledge about iPhone/iPad camera technology and technique.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A photo mystery! Very cool, Mark ….
LikeLike
I need to get a cable network reality show, Jim. Do you want to co-host? “Photo Mysteries with The Guys.”
LikeLiked by 1 person