I started this project to push myself to do something artistic everyday. I thought I wanted an artsy blog that was separate from my life, to go back to the college zone where art for art's sake was enough. What it quickly morphed into was a diary of my life. I have a few creative or interesting shots, but most are normal routine peeks into my days: my family, my goats, my chickens, my students, my yard...etc and I that is okay.
It was an amazing feeling connecting my 'real life' family and friends with my 'cyber' family and friends. Both groups kept checking in and really encouraging me. It was knowing someone was out there that kept me moving forward and pushing myself. I now know what people's kids, pets and husbands look like that I have been talking to online for years. Extended family around the world have been able to check in on the blog to see that things with mom were going well, and they were able to catch Athena's prom and graduation as well as Kayleigh's wedding plans and Nathan's new job and car.
This project has changed my outlook in subtle ways. I think I have 'looked' at the world like a photographer since highschool when I 'caught the bug', however this project brushed the dust off and reminded me how much I really enjoy capturing images from different perspectives. It has also reminded me how much I enjoy looking at photography. I have enjoyed the journey and peeks into the lives of the other 365ers even more than I have my own. I have to say the RSS feed lets me keep up with some amazing photographers. Even when I don't always comment, I am always checking in and being awed by the new ways each person sees.
I love the art of photography, everything about it. I think I am even going to find a local digital photography class now to go along with the online one I added to my RSS Feed. I think the mems and the assignments help keep me interested. Getting more of those this year will keep me improving I think.
I grew a lot emotionally during the project. I got upset, with myself, for a lot of reasons this year. One I was going to start with a mediocore camera and save for a good camera. Since I had never used it for more than capturing family events, I had to spend a long time learning how to use that camera. Then 1/2 way throught the year I lost that camera and family circumstances made saving for a new one just about impossible. Using my old 35mm camera was cost prohibitive as well as way more time consuming given the extra steps needed to post. That left me with a very old camera with sticky buttons, no manual anything and pretty low pixels.
I was feeling sorry for myself for quite a while, then I started seriously missing the project. I started getting inspired again by all the great pictures being taken, so I returned to the old camera. It was what I had, so it was what I was going to make work. In time I did get pictures I liked well enough to post.
Just as I was readjusting, my family suprised me with the exact camera I wanted. Now I feel like I am starting over from scratch, yet again! This time I know my pictures should start coming closer to my visions. Finally with a DSLR, I am learning how to blend my film techniques with digital technology. In one month I have taken over 1600 pictures. I am happy with about 100 of them and I have learned something from the others.
I know it is a cliche, but it is so true for me...waiting until everything is perfect to do what you want to do is just another way of pretending not to fail. To do anything properly you have to be willing to fail. I tell this to the kids everyday, but I often forget to take my own advise.
For the coming year I need to figure out how to find the balance between an online photo diary and my need to create art. I need a place were I have to limit myself to one photo day because it makes me seriously edit and evaluate my work, but I also need a place to feel free to post 5-10 pictures to capture the day for myself, family and friends. I am not sure one photoblog will work. I have a week to figure it all out!
Thank you all for an amazing year and bringing back to life my photographic passions!
I, of course, had to use it to play with shutter speeds and aperatures!
Then I looked up and saw the kitchen elf cleaning!!!!
She wanted let me know she had come to bake (actually no bake) cookies and wasn't too excited that she had to clean first.
It was a fun day!
After reading the book three or four times, I had to finally call the nice patient tech support man. He walked me through all my questions. I took a picture of the first thing I saw after hanging up the phone.
Were hung over the blackboard with care,
Because, there is no mantle over the fireplace there.
I love the way my camera captures the sun and the sky. This is taken with the Av (Aperture Priority) and has no post-processing work. It almost looks like a blue and purple star of Bethlehem.
This is the famous lobby. Obviously, I need work on my long architectural shots because I am making their beautiful 3000 lb, 75ft tree look like it is falling down.
I told Dirk, someday I'll make one this big!
This was our hotel. I believe it was built in the 1850's.
This is the lobby. Not a great shot, but one of only a few 'long shots' I took. Mostly I did close up of the amazing details.
Juniper had decided that she belonged in my luggage. She did not want to wake up and get out so Dirk could put his clothes in. Hopefully, I will be back on Friday with lots and lots of beautiful pictures.
I took pictures during pageant practice today. I am always amazed at how the whole church works together each year to make this happen. Kids from infant to 18 are on stage, adults are singing, ringing bells, teens and adults build sets, run lights, play instruments..... moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles all chip in to make the magic happen. For more pictures check out leftovers.
While I was waiting for Nathan to get off work, I started playing around with long exposure night shots. Most were really terrible, but I kind of liked this one.
I know you all are probably very bored with goat pictures, but at the end of the day when I am going through all my shots, they are the ones that make me laugh.
I went to one of my student's volleyball games on Monday night. I thought it would be the perfect time to test out the motor drive and action setting on the new camera. I still had to push the ISO to 1600, but over all I was I please with the way the camera worked, however my action skills are very rusty! And I forgot to change the settings later when taking still type shots and they turned out grainy and a bit dark.
This is the resort Dirk will be performing at for the next two week. It is 2 hours away, so he will be staying up there all this week and most of next.
I really like this wreath. I got it for my mom for her birthday this year. She collects Nativities and this is an Advent Wreath that is also a Nativity. I fell in love with it when I saw it. The big angel in the back was a gift from someone else, but I like the way she over looks the scene.
This is/was my favorite wreath. It was a gift from Dirk. We have used it for over 14 years. I was even hoping it would be the one to pass on to my grandchildren. It got broken by a student on Wednesday. It was an accident, but somehow since there are so many big things going wrong this year that I have no control over at all, I am having a hard time dealing with the loss of this wreath. I 'know' I can super glue it and touch up the paint, however the idea of a broken circle makes me sick to my stomach.
I had given myself the challenge of photographing the symbols of the Jesse Tree for my Putterings blog, this was part of today's photo shoot. I didn't intend for the photos to crossover, but they may occasionally.
Blue
