Colour day is the first prompt for October and it is orange.

Try to think of composition by putting the orange on a third.

What can you find that is orange? It's not usually too hard in October!  

“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”- Heraclitus

Change is all around us, but especially in nature. My husband and I are regular bikers through these marshes. We watch as Nature changes the landscape, subtly but predictably as a clock advances the hour. On this day, we saw the seedheads of the rushes maturing, a sign that the seasons were changing.

Look around. Find a subtle change in your environment that marks time. It might be a plant, an animal, the weather, at the store, or in your house. Happy hunting!

One Man's Trash is another Man's treasure. Search for some junk today. I found a nice pile at the dump! You might find some in your garbage can, shed, dumpster, or at the junkyard. You may keep a stash of junk just to photograph it. Have fun searching!

At this time of year, whether Autumn or Spring, you see lots of water droplets everywhere, usually first thing in the morning.

Try and find some natural droplets, if none are around, because it is unseasonal warm, then create your own, with straws in a glass of fizzy water, or get the hose out to create some.

What water droplets will you find today?

It's time for our 10th seasonal photo! If you've been taking yours in the same place each month, you've probably noticed both the subtle and predictable seasonal changes in your world. If you haven't been to the same place every month, no worries—snap a picture of your day. 

You know Fall is here when the tundra swans start arriving in large numbers on the Outer Banks.

It's that time of year when candy is everywhere in anticipation of Halloween trick-or-treaters.  I find myself caught between buying it too early and running the risk of "indulging" or waiting too late and all of "the good stuff" is gone.  A similar dilemma comes in how much to buy.  Too little and we run out of candy before we run out of trick-or-treaters.  Or, too much, and I am forced to eat it to keep it from going to waste.  I think the moral of the story is not to overthink and just indulge this month!

How do you indulge?  Do you have a favorite Halloween candy?  

You need to get out your macro lens. Don't have one? Use the one that is on your phone.  

This orchid isn't that big, but the inside of it looks like an angel!

What can you show us, that you wouldn't necessarily see without getting in extremely close?

I enjoy finding my still-life subjects just as they are. It challenges me to study the elements from different angles to create a pleasing composition rather than manipulate them. It also keeps me alert for subject matter. On leaving the grocery store, I was drawn to this colorful pumpkin display that cried “Hello Fall!” so clearly. 

Is there a welcoming fall display nearby? You might find it while shopping, at work, or right on your front porch! 

Have you ever played that game at the Fair called Whack-A-Mole?  You know, the one where the mole pops out from the concealment of the box and you have to hit him over the head with a mallet before he pops back down.  My reflexes are not quite quick enough to be any good at this game!  

I chose this photo as the mole is concealed or hidden in the box.  What will you come across today that at first glance might be concealed from your view?

Heirloom - an object belonging to a family, something of unique value handed down from one generation to another, or an item surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest. 

My mom received these hand-embroidered pillowcases at her bridal shower more than 55 years ago and recently passed them on to me. I love that they are from my Grandma Jordan and the cute "Mine & Yours"!  

Don't just share your daily photo...share the story of your heirloom, too!

How about trying a little abstract photography today?  Get creative and let your imagination run wild.  Find an everyday object and see how you can use your imagination to turn it into an abstract photo.  You can use any number of apps to help you out or you can get creative in camera.  

This photo is a reflection of tree branches in a building with mirrored windows.  I liked the abstract feel it gave to my photo.  Give your imagination a workout today and see where it takes you!

As a community, we are spread across the world. Some of us are just starting to see the leaves change and some of us may be at the end of the Autumn color. And still, some of us are just entering Spring time! Show us the colorful trees where you are in whatever season they may be.

What do you do every morning?

My breakfast here consists of a cup of tea and a plate of soft-boiled eggs. I put the teapot into the photo to have an odd number of items to help. It's best to photograph odd numbers when possible.

Show us maybe what you have for breakfast, what exercise you do, or what book you read every morning.

Macro photography is all about taking the time to appreciate the little things and getting up close and personal. One of the things I absolutely love is going on a leisurely photo walk - it's such a relaxing activity. It only takes a few minutes to explore the flora and fauna around your house, yard, neighborhood, or maybe a nearby park.

When you find that detail with potential - zoom in and fill the frame!

Today is a blank canvas for which all of the other prompts have prepared you.

Keep your eyes open and have fun!

Capturing images from a birds-eye perspective can be a unique way to highlight architectural details, showcase nature's beauty, and emphasize interesting shapes and patterns. It's also perfect for snapping pictures of food and flatlays. Just make sure to keep your camera level to avoid distortions or skewed objects.

I'm excited to see what you’ll discover when you look down! 

I think this is just about the most perfect prompt for this time of year in this part of the world. The fall brings about such beautiful colours as the leaves start to change.  Mid-October seems to be the prime time for capturing the best that fall has to offer. If the leaves are turning where you live, grab a photo and show us the beauty in your neck of the woods.

If it's not leaves, find something else that might be turning in your world and capture it. 

Leading Lines are one of the most effective tricks in the photographer's tool chest. Taking a photo with leading lines draws in the viewer. Their eyes follow the lines directly to the subject or right out of the frame. What can you find with leading lines today?

I find drawing these mini mandalas relaxing.  Though they are small, three to four inches, I draw them freehand with no rulers or compass needed.  Drawing the repeated patterns and embracing their imperfections is a path to relaxation for me.

Is there something that you enjoy as a means of relaxing that others may find tedious or even stressful? With today's photo, share something that you enjoy doing to relax.

The noun "foliage" refers to leaves — either individual leaves or the collective leafy canopy of many trees or plants. 

I think of foliage as a gateway to Earth's beauty. We are heading into the fall season where I live and the colors will be or are already amazing. Let's find some foliage today. It can be green, red, orange; brown, or in any combination.

Oh, those crazy, creepy Victorians! Look up the Romantic Period of the 19th century and you may be surprised that they romanticized death. (Follow link. It's a bit graphic.) When you’re done with your homework assignment, choose whatever symbolizes “romantic” to you! I chose to use these languishing roses. Getting in touch with my Victorian-style romantic side, I guess!

Taking great night photos can be tricky. Adjusting the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed can be daunting. If the thought makes you feel overwhelmed, consider using Aperture Priority mode. Simply select a wide aperture, and you're all set. I’ve found this mode works best when capturing still objects such as a skyline and landscapes. However, if you're including moving subjects at night, it's best to utilize Manual Mode. This allows you to make precise adjustments to the ISO and shutter speed for the perfect shot.

Remember, there's no harm in playing around with your settings! It might take a few attempts, but night photography can be pretty fun.

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October.  It's the time of year for family gatherings and awesome meals.  It's a time to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  We are so blessed to be able to gather with our family to celebrate.  I always try and capture a photo of all of us whenever we get together to share a meal.  It's important to me to capture these moments.  You just never know what tomorrow might bring.

Gather whoever you are around today and grab that photo.  Who makes up 'all of us' in your world today?

Think out of the box today! It can be something as literal as wearing glasses.... or photographing eyes.  It can also be a vision you have!  Don't overthink it!

It is Challenge Day and our task is to capture some of those ghouls, ghosts, and goblins that lurk at this time of year before they escape!  You will definitely need a tripod to accomplish this.

Capturing the Great Ghost Escape:

• Find a location where ghosts like to hang out.  At my house, it was in the hall.
• Spot your escaping spirit.  If the ghosts are elusive, find a human friend who is willing to help you impersonate a ghost.
• Camera settings are tricky with this and will likely take some experimentation.  The important thing is that you need to use a very long shutter speed, at least ten seconds.  It is easiest to shoot in low light.  If, however, you want to try this outdoors during the day, you'll definitely need a ten-stop Neutral Density (ND) filter.  My camera settings were SS 10", f//10, and ISO 400.  I had very minimal ambient light.
• Place your ghost in the scene.  Once you press the shutter, you'll want them to stand as still as possible for half the duration of your SS.  Then they need to escape from the frame as quickly as possible.
• This may take several attempts.  Play with your settings until you get the image you want.
• If you are feeling like a ghoul yourself today, set the timer on your camera and float through your photo!
• Most of all, have a little fun!

This is why I am the straggler in a group because I stop to take photos, though usually not of myself!

Today is Picture Me Day, so you should try and get yourself in the photo. Show why you are the straggler, or show why others are stragglers, but remember to include yourself in this photo.

I’ve never met anyone who could resist my homemade cinnamon buns including me! For that reason, I don’t make them often!

Anything that tempts you? Go on and photograph it. Then see if you can “Say No” to the indulgence right in front of you!

When taking photos of critters, pets, kids, and sometimes spouses, it's important to approach with care. I happened to notice this little green lizard perched on the windowsill staring down at me; I had to ever so slowly raise my camera and snap a photo before he scurried off!  

Show us the something or someone you approach carefully! 

Do you have words that you just love?  For me, "swirl" is one of those words.  It just makes me happy!  So many things swirl and twirl.  What will you find?  Whatever it is, I hope it makes you smile.

This statue stands in the lobby of our city hall.  I love the way the colours just swirl all around the statue.  

Today is Technical Day and you will have to stretch your creative muscles! (I can already "hear" the collective groans.) Have you ever heard of free lensing? 

Freelensing is "exposing an image while the lens is removed from the camera body".  You can get the same effect from free lensing as some of our Lens Baby lenses. Selective focus is achieved by hand-holding the lens close to the sensor and moving the lens to get the effect you want. 

You will need to be very careful. Don't do this outside on a windy day!

1. Choose a subject. The easiest subjects for the technique are flowers or other objects that don't move.
2. It's best to put your camera on a tripod, then remove the lens and play around with focus. 
3. My subject above was taken with my 50 mm lens removed from the camera.
4. You'll probably want to use your viewfinder so that you can adjust the lens accordingly.

Happy Halloween to those who observe.  Today is our monthly Where I Stand prompt.

I love to run, but I can't keep up with my normal routine during the heat of the Texas summers.  In September, I get back to my regular training schedule with the goal of running a 10K pumpkin run on Halloween.  Do you have any goals set for this time of year?  Fall cleaning or planting?  Holiday preparations?  Exercise?  Baking?  Photograph where you stand with regard to setting, working toward, or achieving a personal goal.