52Frames A New Technique Weekly Photo Challenge

The photo challenge this week was “a new technique.”  That meant we needed to come up with something we had never done before. So I researched different photo techniques and found “objects in ice” interesting. The hard part was coming up with something to put in the ice. I rounded up my first Madame Alexander doll (broken but a keepsake), some coins, and a fake bee. There were some interesting shots but I wanted to try something else. So we bought a bottle of distilled water to decrease the bubbles. Maybe ice cubes would be better? We cut some apple, watermelon slices, and added some grapes, oranges, blueberries and a single flower in to each of the six slots in the tray. The hard part was waiting for everything to freeze. It was a very messy and drippy affair. I think I took at least one hundred photos using macro and distance approaches, window sunlight and flashlight, arranging the cubes as best as possible even though they were sliding all over the counter. I really liked the image of the clustered cubes with a hint of coordinating color shining through the ice and going from light to dark. So the image was isolated on to a black backdrop and a composite photo was created. Some transparent puddles were added behind each cube to create a melting effect. It was an interesting process but probably not one I would tend to do again - unless there was a specific call for it for a weekly challenge. 

Thermador Refrigerator Water Filter Impossible to Remove

When we first moved in to our new condo in northern Virginia about six months ago from DC, we had nothing but problems with the Thermador appliances. The microwave didn’t work, the oven could not hold a temp above 350, the dishwasher didn’t dry the dishes well, and the refrigerator water filter was impossible to remove. The filter is also located in a very odd place so it is difficult to access behind the pull out freezer door. All of these irritants resulted in several service calls. The oven was eventually replaced because three repair jobs didn’t work. We ended up buying a small microwave so we could at least use the kitchen! Even the service man had trouble getting the filter removed after our building maintenance man couldn’t get it to budge. I started using extra dry on the dishwasher and that helped with the dishes. On the flip side, our LG washer and dryer are running perfect! So it’s been six months since we changed the refrigerator water filter and we are back to where we were - neither my husband nor I could get the darn thing out and no You Tube videos were helpful. My husband at least got it turned half way, but that resulted in no more ice. So I filled our old ice cube tray just in case. And rather than try to do something on the weekend we decided to wait until Monday to try again.  So he turned the filter back to its original position and the ice at least started again. I hope we don’t have to call Thermador AGAIN because we can’t get the filter out. I have never heard of so many problems with appliances although the ice cube makers never worked in any of our GE refrigerators. What should be a simple maneuver isn’t. I suppose things could always be worse.