Tressie, Author at On Davis Time

The Best Camera is the One You Have With You

Posted on May 19, 2022August 30, 2024 by Tressie

When I first got into photography one of the first things I was taught was that the best camera is the one you have with you. These days for almost everyone that is a cell phone.

Yes, there are always going to be things that I will break out my big girl camera for. Sports of course, and professional portraits. But in so many cases I am loving the photos I am getting with my phone (and you certainly can’t beat the convenience). If you just happen to be driving down the road and the sun looks like this how could you not stop and take a picture?? This is just one of the many times I was thankful for my cell phone camera.

Cell phones are not just for landscapes. While you may not have the ability to have the flexibility you do with a ”real” camera, Moment Lenses can help you up your creative game. Here are some photos I took with my Moment Macro Lens with my iPhone 11 ProMax. (Note you will also need either a Moment Case / drop in lens mount, and/or a Moment Lens Mount to use them).

I upgraded to the iPhone 13 ProMax in December 2021 and haven’t yet used my Moment lenses with it, but here are a few of my favorite recent shots taken during my ODT Challenges. Maizie during the ODT Lights Prompt in January and the Chelsea Clocktower for the ODT Frozen Prompt for February.

Chelsea Clocktower reflection in a frozen puddle

For proof that you do not need the latest and greatest phone to get good pictures – check out this picture of a grasshopper that I took with an iPhone 4 and no additional lenses back in 2012. Still not sure why he cooperated, but I was happy!

There are times that I wish I had my professional camera with me, but I know that if I take the time to go get it the moment will be lost. So there are times I can’t take the chance – especially when you randomly encounter nature that is cooperating with you. How often do you get a garter snake or crayfish to pose??? Yes, both of these images were taken with my iPhone.

For the record (and full transparency) I do edit my cell phone photos, but I also do that on my phone. Most of the time with PS Express, as it is included with my Photoshop subscription. However I don’t do anything too fancy. Usually just brighten and contrast adjustments, sometimes clarity if needed. Snapseed is also a great editing app, and is free.

So in a nutshell – yes some cameras are better than others. But the best camera will ALWAYS be the one you have with you, even if it’s your phone!

Go to Hell (Michigan)

Posted on May 16, 2022September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Well enough people told me to Go to Hell, so I finally decided to do it. Literally.

And what better day to choose, than the warmest day of the year so far? 80 degrees in April? Whoa – it was meant for a day in Hell.

I’m normally a better planner when we go on trips, but this one was totally spur of the moment. My youngest son Bob and I grabbed our phones (and money for lunch), plugged in 4045 Patterson Lake Rd in the GPS and headed out with nothing more than the Hell, MI website telling us what to expect.

The first thing we noticed when we arrived is what a welcoming place Hell is. Everyone from the time we arrived to the time we left was extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive.

Which made us feel very comfortable walking through the Gates of Hell.

From there I tortured Bob with the obligatory pictures with the face cutouts.

We obviously couldn’t do everything there was to do in Hell because um…some of it required reservations and we didn’t bring anyone to get married to – yes, you can get married in Hell.

But we very much enjoyed looking at all of the art and humor displayed on the grounds

Spring is Around the Corner

We ate lunch at the Hell Hole which was excellent – they have everything from salads to burgers to pasties. We had burgers, but I’m really regretting not trying the pasties – guess I’m gonna have to go back.

After lunch we visited the gift shop where we bought the most amazing post cards, and mailed them from Hell’s official post office – they even get singed on the way out! I knew just who would appreciate my mail from Hell…

Once I spotted the Locks of Love Bridge, I knew there was no way I could leave Hell without locking Rob in – so now he is trapped FOREVER. I bought a lock at the gift shop, and they let me borrow a sharpie to write on it, but you can bring your own lock too – there were so many beautiful locks on the bridge!

Other things to do in Hell? Enjoy ice cream at the Creamatory at Screams (the ice cream was excellent), visit the Hell Saloon, play putt putt golf, be Mayor of Hell for a day, buy a piece of Hell and get a degree from the prestigious Damnation University.

Instead of those things, I took more pictures…because of course I did.

One of my favorite spur of the moment trips to date – would definitely go again. If you find yourself in SE Michigan you should definitely GO TO HELL.

Favorite Photos of 2021 by Month

Posted on January 1, 2022September 28, 2023 by Tressie

2021 was…interesting to say the least. I won’t go into a lot of detail because well, no one wants to hear all that LOL. What I will say is that after a lot of soul searching I am going to make a more concentrated effort to start moving forward with adding more things to my days that make my heart happy, and less things that don’t.

As I move into 2022, I am looking forward to more adventures, more creative pursuits, more laughter and more time with the people I love.

For now though, I will start with sharing my favorite photo for each month of 2021.

The interesting thing about these images is that they range from Selfies, to landscapes to macro to sports photography. I love them all the same regardless of whether they were taken with my DLSR, Mirrorless or iPhone. It makes me incredibly thankful for the strides made in cell phone cameras, and that I always have a camera with me now.

On a fun note – can you tell which of these images were taken with my iPhone and which were taken with a “real” camera (DSLR or Mirrorless)? Some may be obvious, but are they all? Hint: only 4 of the Jan-Dec photos were taken with a “real” camera, the rest were all taken with my iPhone.

Favorite Photos of 2021 - January Tressie and Maizie — JANUARY – me walking with my best friend

Favorite Photos of 2021 - February Frozen Bubble — FEBRUARY – my first time trying to create and photograph frozen bubbles!!

Favorite Photos of 2021 - March shell on Florida dock — MARCH – a shell on the dock in Florida

Favorite Photos of 2021 - April my favorite nature partner — APRIL – one of my favorite hiking and nature partners

Favorite Photos of 2021 - May getting fancy with my bestie — MAY – sometimes me and bestie have to get fancy

Favorite Photos of 2021 - June Rainbow over Chelsea Michigan. Photo by Tressie Davis www.OnDavisTime.com — JUNE – an amazing Rainbow over Chelsea, Michigan

Favorite Photos of 2021 - July a beautiful dragonfly — JULY – the most beautiful dragonfly (damselfly?) I have ever seen

Favorite Photos of 2021 - August Rattlesnake Gulch Colorado photo by www.OnDavisTime.com — AUGUST – I’m not a landscape photographer, but when you go to Colorado you can’t really go wrong

Favorite Photos of 2021 - September Blue eyed garter snake — SEPTEMBER – a garter snake POSED for me! And his eyes were blue!

Favorite Photos of 2021 - October blue eyed crayfish — OCTOBER – and just when I thought I got lucky with the garter snake, a Crayfish with blue eyes posed for me!

Favorite Photos of 2021 - November snow on a spider web — NOVEMBER – snow on a spiders web

Favorite Photos of 2021 - December Riley Davis #32 Albion Womens Basketball photo by www.OnDavisTime.com — DECEMBER – my #32 doing what she does

And a few extra pictures, just because I want to share.

Favorite Photos of 2021 — 1. Me flexing after climbing the mountains (thank you for the pic Amanda H) 2. The beach at Hotel Breakers Cedar Point
3. A slug on my shed porch

Living the Dream – Sandusky Segwave

Posted on October 22, 2019September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to get do what you love every day, and to share it with other people? I know I think about things like that a lot and am hugely inspired by people I meet who have managed to make dreams like that a reality. Jim at Sandusky Segwave is one of those people.

Backstory

After his first Segway tour with Capital Segway in Washington DC, Jim of Sandusky Segwave was hooked on Segways and began seeking out Segway tours as he traveled. Just a few tours later, he began dreaming of opening his own tour company.

Discovering that David Weller (Segaway Tours of Columbus) had opened and was already doing what Jim dreamed of, Jim called and asked if he needed help. With Segway experience and a flexible schedule, David happily welcomed Jim. Working with David in Columbus from 2010-2016 Jim learned the ropes and made strides toward his own dream.

In 2016 Jim found the perfect location – a section of the beautiful historic Sandusky State Theater. Sandusky Segwave opened March 1, 2017, with the Segways arriving in April. Sandusky Segwave is now in its third season of operation.

Sandusky Segwave

Riley and I arrived at Sandusky Segwave in September of 2019, excited to scratch off another bucket list item.

From the moment we showed up on the doorstep until the very end of the tour, Jim made us feel like family. We laughed. A lot. Sometimes at each other, but that’s ok. 🙂

I was a little nervous to step onto the Segway – this old lady has not had a great experience with hoverboards (don’t ask), but the Segway was much easier – especially with Jim’s instruction. After a few practice runs we were on our way.

As for the tour itself – we saw rainbows and bubbles, the boy in the boot and the floral clock, cemeteries, humor, history, and beauty all around. Jim was personable and engaging and the tour really went by much too quickly.

Sandusky Segwave earned the 2019 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, and once you’ve visited it will be easy for you to see why.

Riley and I are very much looking forward to visiting Jim again – hopefully next time for one of the new Cedar Point Segway Tours!

For more info including scheduling and pricing, please check out their website https://www.sanduskysegwave.com or call (419) 734-9283

NOTE: Sandusky Segwave is now closed, however the fantastic owners have opened Firelands Adventure Tours which I can’t wait to experience!

Backstory

Sandusky Segwave

Video Clips of our Ride!