MISSION 24 photo challenge

challenge: freedom

2010-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

It is my favorite holiday of the year coming up and what better way to get in an easy challenge than show us your photos for what you have done over the 4th of July weekend. FREEDOM is perhaps something we take for granted sometimes so lets do it some justice and post something about what that means to you.

Post by Sunday July 11th

Future Creator..

2010-06-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

I know I am late but I just could resist. This was taken on Fathers Day (I think). He totally love taking pictures now and has some of the most interesting compostions. We are starting the creative process early. This is my nephew Wyatt and he is 3 3/4yrs old.

Challenge: Joint

2010-06-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

This was a word I came across today and thought it might be interesting to get people's take on what it means to them. Joint could be for a lot of things more literal and noticable or perhaps not. Let's see it!

Post by Thursday July 1st

A girl's 2 favorite things

2010-06-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

Bling.
And shoes!

Canon 40D
SOOC
ISO 400
f/4

Practice in the Mudd

2010-06-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Our girls wanted to play in the mudd since the game got canceled.

So they practiced sliding ;)

Nikkon D60, iso auto

Challenge: Creative

2010-06-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Many of you out there are far more creative than me. Perhaps there is something creative that you like to do or you just have a creative idea for a shot. So do it and then shoot it and then post it. Also feel free to post word suggestions.

As always lets post by next Sunday the 20th by midnight PST.

Goodbye Three!

2010-06-10T04:22:00.000-07:00

I took my littlest out for a photo shoot to commemorate her last few days of being three years old.
She has learned so much this year, but I know this next year is going to go by so fast. And then kindergarten! I'm not ready!

2010-05-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

I took this picture right before we left and said good bye to Vegas! Who needs Paris when you have Vegas?

Quick goodbye

2010-05-29T21:01:00.001-07:00

So, I didn't take this picture intending to use it for this challenge, but it sort-of works. A friend of mine has these gorgeous cherry poppies in her front yard. They are a beautiful bright/deep red on the outside and a surprising dark violet inside. This one had only opened the day before and was already wilting.

Goodbye Spring

2010-05-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

I have REALLY missed this blog. I hope nobody takes it personal, I've hardly even been taking pictures of my own kids lately. Things are just a bit crazy- anybody want to buy a house in West Allis WI??

I actually signed up for a photography class a few months ago and finally attended it last week. Most of what was taught I already knew (thanks to many of you!) but I did learn a few tricks but mostly I got motivated to keep working on my photography. So here I am, resolved to jump back into it.... with a post of "GOODBYE", how ironic. I really hope this isn't really a goodbye.

Hello??? Anybody out there?

Come on guys, it's never too late to get back into something you love.

I LOVE these flowers. I had meant to take pictures of this flower bush in my backyard a few days ago when I noticed it was in bloom. Then when I finally did get my tush out the door with camera in hand I was momentarily disappointed to see that the flowers were dying already. I WAS sad, until I realized how beautiful and textured they had become, and how perfect the fallen petals were for creating some interesting bokeh.
I actually couldn't pick a favorite so I'll probably be posting more on my own blog later but this was the first one that caught my eye.

I used aperture priority (yay! me- no automatic)
f/4.5
1/30 sec
AND- I pulled out my 35mm lense. It's been gathering dust lately but now I remember how I LOVE it!

Challenge: Goodbye

2010-05-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

I figure this might be an interesting challenge. Things come and go and many of us have come and gone as well. Perhaps we can post a picture for Goodbye of our favorite one we took for m24 in the whole entire past. It could be a picture of something that you have done for m24 and havent posted or didnt make the cut. You could also just post what goodbye might me to you in any other way.

Post by Sunday May 30th at midnight.

Challenge: Diet

2010-05-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Maybe this is because of the last picture posted or cus Im on one but I thought diet might be an interesting challenge. Lets see what it means to you in any way literal or subjective etc.

Post by Monday May 10th at midnight! This way you all have an extra day besides mom's day!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all M24 MOMS and FUTURE MOMS!

Heavenly Desserts!

2010-04-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

When I get stressed, I need to blow off some steam.
And how do I do that?
By baking!
Let's just say that I frequently need to release stress.
And I frequently kick myself for it because the scale tattles on me later ;)

This is a Southern Classic - 7 layer chocolate cake with homemade fudge icing.
I can hear my scale screaming at me already...

Causing steam..

2010-04-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here in Idaho we are having some great thunderstorms. I was at my parents house yesterday and was fortunately to capture the sunset peeking out between the blanket of clouds and the horizon. (First time I saw the sun all day). The only problem is the power cord running right through the shot (bottom picture). Anyway, I wanted to remove it so. But the only time I can squeeze it in is at work (too much going on after work til Monday). So I uploaded to MS Paint and use the color picker tool and just slowly removed the cable. Not the greatest job (that will happen this weekend) but I thougth good enough to share. A couple of times I got so frustrated that I thought steam would come out my ears but I made it and thank heavens I kept saving every few changes.

I am also working on a rainbow if you want to check that out on my blog

Challenge: Steam

2010-04-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Perhaps cus this challenge blog has been losing some of it the last year I chose the word steam to do a challenge this week. I really hope you all get a chance to submit something this week.

Remember to post by Sunday May 2nd at 11:59pm PST

Borrowed Lens

2010-04-25T18:09:00.001-07:00

I shot a wedding for a dear friend of mine in January.
I borrowed a lens from a friend of mine (Canon 24-70mm). I had been wanting to buy it for a while, but figured I should test drive it first :)
The results were amazing!
I've borrowed it a few times since then and I plan to purchase it very, very soon!

I loved this particular image so much that I used it on my business card.

New Challenge: Borrowed

2010-04-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

I was looking through a list of words and for no particular reason this one stood out to me. Borrowed is the word challenge this week. I might prove interesting though I hope brings more responses than the last one. It is gonna be a shorter challenge so get on it right away!

Post by Sunday April 25th at midnight PST as always.

Over The Teeth and Through the Gums..

2010-04-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

I was out of town and just had the few moments to upload this. I knew what the challenge was and was so excited when my daughter presented me with this gem while vacationing!

DO NOT EAT

2010-04-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

We were gardening the other day and we trimmed the catus. We were talking about what to do with the leftover & thought about trying to cook them (kinda crazy but I saw it done on PBS) but decided against it.

Nikon S200 (p/s)

Stuffing His MOUTH

2010-04-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

For an escape our family went on an adventure this weekend to the coast. We stopped at Devils Punch Bowl for some picture opp, and got more of the creature pictures than of the Punch bowl. Apparently the squirrels love cheddar cheese-its !!!

Nikon D60

iso 2.2 , fstop 4.2 no crop and no adjusting

Challenge: Mouth

2010-04-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

I know this is going to sound odd, but it is late and I just yawned so mouth came to mind. So lets take a picture of what this might mean to you. Something you put in your mouth, something that is in your mouth, etc.

Lets post by Sunday April 18th at midnight!

Favorite doggie..

2010-04-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is my pound dog TJ. I rescued him last year on April 9th. This is my absolute favorite pics of TJ. Normally you can never see his eyes because they blend into his fur or the flash will cause them to yellow (and nothing I have found can correct the yellow and do a good job of it).

I did take the picture on Saturday and will probably post something else but I just wanted to show off my cute pooch.

Challenge: Favorite

2010-04-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone I havent gotten a new word up but Im going nuts with my class and for some reason decided to plan a family vacation to Disneyland at the same time. Needless to say Im sitting here in a hotel lobby in my jammies and crazy hair typing this challenge out. Good thing you dont get the morning breath with the screen :O)

Anyhow I figured we all could post something for the word Favorite. This could be a chance for us to get to know you all a bit better my seeing some of your favorite things. It could be your favorite thing like raindrops on roses or wiskers on kitten (insert laugh here). Or it could be something that was your favorite thing that happened to you this week or of the day etc.

Lets post by Sunday night April 10th at midnight PST

Easter: Flowers

2010-04-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile. I've kind of lost my photo mojo.

Signs of Spring

2010-04-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

An Unexpected Treasure

2010-03-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hiding in the top of my garage was this ancient box of treasures. One of my most interesting finds was this set of Depression rose glass. This is one of the teacups that I gazed at, wondering at it's delicacy and beauty.

1/40s

f 2.8

ISO 320

Simple cropping and lightening in Picasa.

Near Future...Wishing Not

2010-03-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

My daughter will soon be going to school for the first time. I kind of wish that it wasnt the case.

Some people think that taking the bus is like prison. The stigma of the short bus is somewhat like a prison I suppose.

Well if you are like me school was just a prison.

Challenge: choose your challenge

2010-03-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am sorry all the computer has been on the fritz lately and I have been out of my mind busy so I didnt get a new word up. Since we are halfway through the week just pick any previous old one challenge and post it. If you took a picture for one and didnt get it posted go ahead and use the old picture too.

Tasty!

2010-03-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

TexMex Lasagna - recipe here

Tastes Like Summer...

2010-03-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

We had a bbq here in Idaho. It was a warm 62 degrees. It was windy but it is SPRING!! We enjoyed flying kites and this made me so excited for summer. I didn't alter any colors and I just used the collage feature in Picasa to arrange them. YUMMY!!

Just a Taste

2010-03-18T14:32:00.001-07:00

Because that's what you do when you finger-paint with pudding!

Baby Doll

2010-03-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

I know this is late but I had a good excuse. I just got home from the hospital today and we have something new to play with!

Kyle Jason Gundersen

8lbs 12 oz

Born March 13 at 7:52pm

Challenge: Taste

2010-03-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

I was thinking back to when we did food and we had some good pictures and when I went back to look my mouth was watering a little bit. So I figured why not TASTE! Could be anything regarding food or something that isnt food that has a taste perhaps who knows. You show us!

Lets post by Sunday March 21st at 11:59PST!

P.S. Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all!

Toying With Me

2010-03-14T19:52:00.001-07:00

I have the blessing of having lots of toys (camera and now my blackberry), the kids have their toys, even park "climb toy". But mostly this picture is for the sunflare picture that seems to be toying with me. I sort of get and then Im totally off so it is just toying with me!

Let's Play Ball!

2010-03-10T13:43:00.001-08:00

Challenge: Toy

2010-03-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this could be easy or you could have more fun with it. Lets see what you come up with for TOY! It could be something that is your toy or a childs toy or something that you want to be your toy. Maybe it is something different, but you get the idea.

Post again by Sunday night March 14th at 11:59pm PST

Bedtime...

2010-03-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

Since my husband works until midnight, five nights a week, this is my night: a chilly bed, untouched on his side, lights on, and a book to keep me company. Naturally, night on those other two days of the week means...something else ;)

Night time glow

2010-03-05T00:42:00.000-08:00

The row of garages at our place.

i love the lights and how they glow.

Nikon D60

f stop4.2, iso auto/1.1

Challenge: Night

2010-03-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

For this challenge I wanted to do something abnormal. Most of the time for phtography we need good lighting so what if we chose the word NIGHT for this challenge. It could be a pic of anything at night or something you do at night or even something that you think of when you hear the word.

As always post Sunday night March 7th at 11:59PM PST!

Play Time at the Beach

2010-02-28T23:35:00.000-08:00

Our play time today consisted of us fossil hunting at the beach.

(we found about 10)

This is the side of the mountin that had the fossils in it, great weather today!!

We couldnt get to the agates, tide was coming back in.

Nikon, D60

auto, no flash,

Water Play

2010-02-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

"I'm not playing around, Miss L. You're in big trouble. You stay out of the cookies. Don't you grin at me like that...it won't work...oh, with those eyes and that grin...oooh, I love you!"
1/30s
f2.8
ISO 200
minor tweaking in picasa to even the light.

My favorite thing here, besides the grinning girl, is the one droplet ripple right between her and the soap. It just looks nice to me.

Mommies Play too!

2010-02-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

Man I have missed this blog! I don't know what my deal has been but I haven't really done much of anything with my photography lately but I really want to get back into it. I guess I could blame it on my giant belly and the possibility of popping any minute... but that's really not a good excuse. I'm sorry Mission 24! I'll try to be better.

Anyway, I know this isn't overly artistic or anything but it's actually a bit out of the box for me anyway because I always forget to get into the pictures myself. This was my son's idea. He put the "glasses" on me and pointed at the camera. I LOVE it! I think, as silly as it may seem, this might be one of my favorite pictures of us together.

f/4 , 1/60 sec, ISO200---- basically, it was on auto. I've got to get away from that!

playing = beautiful

2010-02-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

My niece Marlee and I were in the bathroom playing in a sink full of water. Of course I have camera and I am snapping away. She just happened to turn and I snap and it turned out beautifully (if I do say so myself)!

Take with a Nikon D50. I edited colors and focal black and white in Picasa.

Challenge: Play

2010-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

This might be quite easy for many people to take a shot of cus we all try and do this as much as we can in whatever way we can! PLAY. So literally lets go and have fun and take those shots for this weeks challenge.

As always post by Sunday Night which this month is February 28th at 11:59pm PST.

Glowing Rays..

2010-02-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

The weather here in Idaho can't make up it's mind. It has been high forties/low fifties for the past copule of days (that way above normal. Usually still in mid-high thirties this time of year). Clouds have been hanging around but it just makes for beautiful sights. I did alter colors a little (darkened shadows so you didn't see ugle brown on the ground). Taken with my old Kodak. Would edit out the wire but just don't have time. Need to get to sleep so I can get to work on time in the morning.

Glow: Blushing bride

2010-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

What bride-to-be (or new bride) doesn't glow when she puts this on for the first time?

Taking this picture was kind-of fun. I was playing around with my camera, and I had the blinds up in the bathroom window, with an overcast (but still bright, just not sunny) day outside. The white background is light and snow on the ground outside.

Taken with my brand new Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Stats: 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 400. I adjusted exposure a teeny bit, saturated color, and then threw a glow layer on in Picasa.

My glowing 6 year old

2010-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

I don't have a recent shot -- but here is one I took of my little girl in December.
Turning six was a big deal to her, as she finally got her ears pierced.
I love that little twinkle in her eye and the light from her candle. Too sweet!

The glow of a dying candle

2010-02-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted for a long time. But when we lost power last night I had the perfect opportunity to shoot some gorgeous "glow" shots. I took about 60 pictures of candles burning lower and lower... This one's my favorite. Very little editing - just cropped to get a better composition, and the tiniest bit of color enhancement.

Glowing Rays

2010-02-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

I used a huge tree to block the light right in front of me hoping that some rays would shine down on the otherside of the shore and give it a good glow. I didnt get the glow but I did get the sun rays coming through a bit here so I emphasized them with the glow settings in Picasa. Any CC is welcomed!

Challenge: Glow

2010-02-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Im quite excited to give the word for the new challenge. GLOW might be challenging but yet fun to see results from people. You can get a show of something glowing or of anything you want and make it "glow" with editing. Whatever you got lets seem it!

Lets post by Sunday February 21 by 11:59PM PST. Special thanks goes out to Melinda for the great word suggestion!

What I Think of

2010-02-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

It really has nothing to do with a bowl except that it reminds me of flowers floating in a bowl on tables for a variety of parties/receptions.

Challenge Reminder

2010-02-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to submit by midnight on sunday for BOWL! Anything that means to you. Looking forward to seeing what you got. Feel free to share your Super Bowl pictures too if you took any special for that!

Old Time Curlers

2010-02-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

This is late because I was having an asthma attack on Sunday night, when I'd planned on getting to 'fixing' my photos from my daughter's birthday celebration. (That's also why I don't have any Superbowl pictures...I was too busy trying to heave out a lung.) This was taken Friday night in prep for her 'Fancy Nancy' birthday party. (See my blog for more on that!)

I took this to picasa and after cropping, tinted it brown, then made the true colors come out by half. (If that makes sense...)

Challenge: Bowl

2010-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

I told everyone to save their pictures from what they did from there activities yesterday. Here is your chance to show us the best you got. Or perhaps you can show us what else the word Bowl means to you. Either way Im sure it will be super.

Lets post by next Sunday at FEB 14th at11:59PM PST again!

Grandma D

2010-02-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

This is my Grandmother. Back in the old times, I would see here at least 3x a year. Now that the family is older, it is harded to get back to eastern Idaho where she lives (I live in western Idaho and it is a five hours driver to see her). This was a simple candid shot of her but it is my favorite. And I admit I didt take this last year but being without a camera it makes it hard to do the challenges. Hopefully if time permits, I am going to get a Kodak point/shoot tomorrow or Wednesday so next challenge will be a current shot I promise.

Old Time Pose

2010-02-07T21:21:00.000-08:00

It isnt much but it is all I could manage with my sickness. This pose is perhaps as old as time so many people do it.

Oh, the delicious smell of a newborn!

2010-02-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

I had a newborn shoot a couple of weeks ago.
She was so tiny. So perfect. So new.
She made me wish I had another teeny tiny baby.

Babyhood is now considered old times, for me.
Our family is complete and we are pretty darn happy.

But, sometimes, you can't help but think of the old times - when babies are tiny, they need you so much, and you lose hours of your day just staring at the perfect little sleeping angel you've created.
Those old times are precious and fleeting.

Challange: Old Time(s)

2010-02-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a while since we had a challenge and I wanted to give everyone the chance to get back at it again despite decreased popularity to about zero! Perhaps you are all just waiting for the chance to do something great and I can give that to you.

In thinking of a word I thought old times when this challenge had many many entries each week. I was so grateful for it. It provided me fun times and wonderful things to do during a hard time. So here is to the OLD TIME(s) show us what that means to you! Im quite excited to see what everyone comes up with. It is quite a broad challenge so anything you think of for old time will work.

Lets post by Sunday night February 7th at 11:59PM PST. Thats after the Super Bowl for all you people who throw parties.

Hint - Take pictures and save them from whatever you do for the Super Bowl for the next challenge! ;)

Challenge is Something Different

2010-01-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

For this challenge I dont want anyone to take pictures unless they want to related to the topic. Since I have a new camera and it is fun/difficult to learn to do things I wanted to have everyone take a few minutes and post 1 thing they learned about their camera, settings etc. that really helped them. I can be SLR or Point and Shoot.

So for example if you really found a combination of f-stop and iso you really liked, etc. It can be anything. Maybe one or two paragraphs. The idea is to have a very mini tutorial to help each other with our cameras. If you want to post picture with it to show us you can, but it isnt required.

Please post by Sunday the 17th, by 11:59PM PST.

Back to the future...

2010-01-12T17:11:00.001-08:00

I know I am a few days late so I beg forgiveness...

Taken with Nikon D50, 1/60s, f/4.8. I confes to altering the color to fade it and add a more brown color.

Future

2010-01-11T07:31:00.000-08:00

I think there are two things in life that can never be re-created. Ever.
The joy of a bride. And the scent of a newborn.

Saturday, I shot a beautiful wedding.

This couple is so very, very special.
As I listened to their story, it gave me goose bumps. Literally.

Imagine falling in love with a boy when you’re 13. And you plan to marry at 18. Only, your mother so desperately wants you to go to college — and not get married just yet. So, you don’t.
And then many years pass.
Out of the blue one day, you receive a phone call that your boyfriend from your teenage years -who you’ve not spoken to since that time- has suffered the loss of a parent.
That love comes rushing back and without questioning it, you go to him — all the way from North Carolina to Kansas.
And you get engaged four weeks later; blissfully marry about 6 months later?
Can you imagine that?
Loving someone so much, for so long, that distance and years cannot keep you apart?

I was just so touched by this couple, their genuine affection for each other, and the absolute happiness that the bride exuded. From the moment I walked in this morning, she was giddy. Just absolutely giddy.

Her loneliness is in her past -- and only wonderful, loving, cherished moments will fill her future.

Future Flowers

2010-01-10T18:51:00.001-08:00

So im still learning with my new SLR but im most excited about it. Look at the improvement from my last few! :) Was on a walk today and realized that all the familiar summer/fall flowers were all dead and brown. These Camilles were the only ones in bloom which reminded me I have some on the porch still yet to bloom! My future flowers!

My Little Effort

2010-01-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

To make the future better... these are my new shopping bags I use when I go shopping anywhere and everywhere!

f/1.8, 1/160, ISO 125

Challenge: Future

2010-01-06T12:39:00.001-08:00

Alright everyone it is a new year. Perhaps you all have recommitted to take more pictures or lost weight, or do better at things financially, persoanlly, or even spiritually! Just remember you can do it and stick with it.

So here is to the Future and go ahead and take a picture of whatever it means to you. Perhaps that is something to do with your resolutions, perhaps it is a dream home/car. Lets see what you have for us!

Lets have it posted by Sunday Janurary 10th by 12:00am PST!

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you all caught the joy of the Christmas spirit be it from children, giving, present, tradition, football, food and religious meaning. It is a great time of the year for everything.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all! Hang on to your photos you took they will come in handy (hint hint) ;)

Homemade Giving

2009-12-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

This year, a few of the gifts we're giving are homemade or gifts of time. This particular one is a tree skirt for my sister in law. (I don't think she checks this blog, but if you do, Katie, please act surprised anyway.) It was a really fun gift to make, from a pattern my mom used for her own, and for mine a few years ago.

Giving Christmas Cards

2009-12-15T10:34:00.000-08:00

I took this on Sunday night. Only editing I did was to add the black frame and add text. This was using Nikon d50. This is my sisters family in an inpromto photo shoot so they can give/send Christmas cards.

NICU Holiday Bags

2009-12-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

The picture isn't the greatest but a group of Mom's here in FL who had preemies or babies who died, we got together to make holiday bags for families in the NICU on Christmas Day. The christmas card was designed by a little boy who lost his twin brother who were both born prematurely. We put in the bags christmas cookies, layettes, a camera (sometimes when you have a preemie you dont have time to get your camera to the hospital), snacks, water, chapstick, hand sanitizer, teddy bears, lotion, laundry detergent, note pads, pens, etc... We are very proud of this project. I have spent two months of my life in a NICU between our two boys and it was no fun. We're delivering these bags next week to the families in the NICU at varying hospitals in Jacksonville...

Challenge: Giving

2009-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas M24'ers!

In the spirit of the season and because I know everyone will be busy this next week I wanted to just slip one more challenge in and then take a break during the week of Christmas. It is a good time of the year to keep giving in mind so lets see what pictures you have for this challenge. Perhaps there are traditions you do or something you did for someone, etc. Show us what you think of the word.

Lets post by Sunday December 20th at 11:59pm PST. It is one day less than usual so get it in if you can then enjoy your Christmas!

Sitting Silent...

2009-12-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

This is a water wheel at the Gardner Village near Salt Lake City (there for a family vacay). Using the Nikon D50, I took this picture on Saturday morning and conditions were over cast and gray. I only increased saturation so you could actually see the wood. Because it is old wood, the color was a washed out gray which made it difficutl to see against the gray ice. recent family vacay. (Getting ready for this trip, Thanksgiving, broke camera, and busy schedule have prevented me from posting on recent challenges. Sorry!)

1/125s,
Focal length 18.0 mm
f 5.6

Challenge: Silent

2009-12-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

This time of year is a hussle and bussle so I figured a good word for us to have for a challenge would be Silent. Perhaps opposite of the word is what you think of or perhaps something that took deep thought. Lets see what you have in your minds!

Please post by Monday December 14th at 11:59PST. If you do have pervious challenge pictures you want to post for the last few weeks go ahead and do that as well.

Thanks Janelle for the word suggestion.

Busy: Working

2009-12-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

I have officially recovered from surgery!!! And boy did I hit the ground running. I have had four shoots in the last two weeks. One of them was going down to see the Christmas lights. This photo was too cool not to share. Everyone just looking up at the huge tree, and the only light was the tree. The only PS I did was cropping.
CC- is always welcome.

Gratitude: A real nativity

2009-12-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is so late. It's been a busy couple of weeks for me, but I really wanted to post this. My mom got me this nativity set for Christmas, but gave it to me on my birthday (11/22) to open. I love the Willow Tree brand and the simple figures, and I really wanted to get this nativity set, but there's no way. It would have taken several years, buying separate sets, for me to be able to afford it. I'm very grateful (1) that my mom was so generous and thoughtful to give this to me; (2) grateful to have a "real" nativity set now (the only other one I have is tiny -- small enough to fit in the mini zen garden we have); and (3) thankful for everything that a nativity scene reminds us of.

About the photo: I used flash, but I didn't want to. I'm using a camera that is a step down from what I was used to, and it doesn't have image stabilization. If I turn the flash off (which is generally my preference), my pictures usually turn out blurry. With the flash on, they're more washed out, but not so blurry. I adjusted color and exposure, saturated, increased shadows, and put a brown border around it.

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Busy Doing Yard Work

2009-12-08T18:53:00.000-08:00

Challenge: Busy

2009-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this is a word that describes this season or perhaps just everyone's life right now so lets share whatever you can think of. What keeps you busy, what do you do to not be busy, etc. It should be fun to see what comes up with

Lets post by Thursday December 10th at 11:59PM PST

Enjoy the Break

2009-12-05T01:28:00.000-08:00

I hope that you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday! I hope you all have enjoyed the extra time without having a challenge to do! Many of you have said that you have previous pictures to add. Go ahead and post them for any topic.

I will again have a challenge up Monday morning for everyone! Merry Christmas!

Leftover Shells

2009-11-30T03:58:00.000-08:00

I did a little bit of cooking for Thanksgiving this year - but not my typical amount. It was nice to spend time with family without the added pressure of cooking copious amounts of food. Instead, my extended family rented a beach house at Cape Hatteras.I took this picture Saturday morning when my girls, my husband and I went to the beach to search for shells. We found some perfectly whole shells -- but mostly were so battered by the surf that we only recovered interesting little bits -- little leftovers. Other beachcombers had gone through the piles of shells discarded by the ocean....but we still managed to find a few perfect, whole shells.
Just like our Thanksgiving meal, the leftovers were the best part. My girls were blissful and it was a absolutely beautiful day.

Challenge: Leftover(s)

2009-11-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

You still have till the 30th to get in gratitude but I also wanted to give you all a heads up on this challenge. Some people love to have leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. I know I enjoy a variety of things to do with the leftovers. So lets capture what you do. If you feel so inclined leave a recepie as well (not required though).

So finish off Gratitude and lets post our challenge for Leftover(s) both by the Monday November 30th at 11:59pm PST.

Grateful for Newborn babies

2009-11-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

I love newborn babies.. they are just so fresh from Heaven and so adoring and oh the newborn baby smell is wonderful. I have many things to be grateful for at this time of the year so this was a nice topic. I am thankful for my girlfriend who let me come over and to take pictures of her little guy.

Grateful the wedding is over...

2009-11-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

...and my life can return to just busy instead of insane. My brother in law got married this past weekend. A few more of the pictures I took are up at my blog.

This picture is of my in-laws watching the bride walk down the aisle with her father. I love the emotion on my MIL's face.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/60 sec, sooc. CC.

Grateful for Family

2009-11-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

...especially these three. And of these three, especially the on in white in the middle. Even though he was born 2 1/2 weeks early, Carson (who joined our family 2 days ago) is healthy and happy, as are both our daughters. What more could we, as parents, be grateful for? (Oh, and, he's the reason I didn't get a native picture up...give a girl a break!) ;)

Gratitude

2009-11-20T05:07:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my little boy who we almost lost at birth...he reminds us what is important in life each day.

Challenge: Gratitude

2009-11-20T00:09:00.000-08:00

This is the holidays and specifically Thanksgiving. In honor of the holiday and the significants behind it lets see what gratitude means to you!

With the holiday I want to give extra time for everyone to get this in so lets do it till Monday Nov 30th at 11:59pm PST!

please also feel free to post any photos you have and werent able to post for any challenge in the month of November as well during this time.

*another great word chosen by Melinda - Thanks!!!

Native Shroom

2009-11-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

They are native to every area all over and I swear im convinced that if you dont have them and you water anything too much they pop out everywhere. I actually took this with my cell phone camera which isnt great quality but sadly it is the best one I got this challenge which is even more sad.

Native: Tradition

2009-11-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

This is a rushnyk. It's a Ukrainian word that literally translates to "towel," and is pronounced /HROOSH - neek/.

My husband lived in the Kyiv, Ukraine area for two years before we knew each other, and became familiar with a native custom there. As part of the wedding ceremony, a rushnyk would be laid on the floor in the place where the wedding was held. The new husband and wife would -- on the count of three -- simultaneously step onto the rushnyk. Tradition was that whomever touched first was the head of the house. Inevitably, in any home where he asked who stepped first, both claimed credit. Before he left Ukraine, he purchased a rusknyk of his own, to have for when he got married. At our reception, he explained the tradition, and then we did it. Of course, I touched first, but if you ask him...

See my runners-up here, along with a full view of the rushnyk.

Additionally, though I took "grunge" pictures within the time frame, I didn't get around to uploading or editing them until tonight, and I think it's waaaaay past the statute of limitations by now, but you can see them here if you'd like.

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Native Roots

2009-11-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my cousin that I took for his Senior portraits. The thing that absolutely blows me away about this spot on the beach is this tree and its roots. It has been there for as long as anyone can remember, and its roots are gnarled and weathered.
But it still stands.
In its native sand, strong and unbreakable.
It's amazing to think about.

I am cheating a little bit --this picture was taken a few months ago with my Panasonic. But I haven't had time to take any pictures this week :( And I was feeling terrible about missing two challenges in a row. This is one of my favorite photos, and just wanted to share.

Naturally Native

2009-11-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Taken on 11/16 using Nikon. Loved how bright it was and the three colors of the leaves.

Greatly Grunge-y

2009-11-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

We're not going to talk about *ahem* who's bathtub this is or how it got this bad (or why it's stayed that way for over a week). But it definitely fits the bill.

Challenge: Native

2009-11-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

I guess I'm feeling quite festive for this holiday season. I also think it is interesting to see what people come up. Let's see what people come up with the word Native. I could be something relating to a home in a specific area, could be festive, or cultural. Let's see what you got!

Please post by Thursday, November 19th by 11:59PM PST.

Grungy Picture

2009-11-14T23:51:00.000-08:00

This is the neighbor boy who "helped" me take a picture of himself at night with my camera. The red is from a light on the camera before focusing happens and a lamp with a very odd shade on it that we got free. Thanks to grungy camera, picture and a grungy smile.

Seattle Grunge

2009-11-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

In all honesty I took this picture in early October when I was in Seattle. I just wanted to get a post in before deadline becasue my camera battery is dead (used up at Boise State Bronco football game vs rival University of Idaho. Broncos won by the way 63-25! GO BSU!!!). I figure I can change it out tomorrow after it battery is charged. Background on photo: I was in downtown Seattle going and saw smoke stack. I took a quick shot on my "normal" settings but I just turned off the flash. The night was overcast and the city lights were being refelcted on the clouds which outlined the stack. I have edited it some. I adjusted the lighting, and darkend the edges (using focal b/w in Picasa) to refuce the glare from the street lamp. I have posted before and after. (please be nice in comments as this is my first challenge post!)

Challenge: Grunge

2009-11-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

Im sorry Im a little late on getting this out to everyone and I missed the reminder for the last challenge for the emails so I will do better this week. Also if you want you can search on facebook for Mission 24 or become a fan on the right side here and I put reminders there as well! The more the merrier!

This word Im so excited for because of the ability so many have to turn things that arent so nice into very nice things! Or if you are like me and you simply were in that type of music and dress perhaps this is the word for you. The word challenge is Grunge. Perhaps your idea is something I wrote or something different! Lets see what you got!

Since I messed up on the days lets have it done Saturday November 14th at 11:59PM PST. The day is different again so look out and we will get back on track the next challenge for specific days!

*Another great word suggestions by Janelle

Look!

2009-11-10T06:02:00.000-08:00

I know it's past midnight. It's been a really rough week over here. When the challenge word came I knew I wanted to do something cool with the sun, since it's the brightest thing I can think of. And I was so excited when the opportunity presented itself at a family shoot on Friday. Sadly, it's been total chaos at my house ever since and I only just now got the chance to upload my picture. (please forgive me) My hellish story will be posted on my blog later today if anyone cares to hear it. I just could NOT not post this picture. I love it! Brothers, checking out a beautiful sunset.

OH! and this is SOOC- how awesome is that!

f/8

1/200 sec

ISO 100

CC always welcome!

Not a Bright Idea

2009-11-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

Testing out some things on my camera with a partly cloudy day and no bright ideas on what to take a picture of I just took a picture of the brightest thing I know of. Was going for some sun flare. Mediocre attempt at it but it is a nice set up I think. CC of course is always welcomed!

Bright Idea

2009-11-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

Well, it is for me, anyway. Since our baby will be born the first week of December, I'm fairly certain that I won't be able to get a whole lot of that last-minute Christmas stuff done. This is my Christmas List. Well, it's my list of people to purchase for, what they are getting, if I've gotten it, and if it's wrapped yet. *I strategically took this picture so it shows only my kids' sections; that way my family who look here won't get an accidental sneak peak. That's bright, too, right?

Featured Photographer- It's just me!

2009-11-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

My name is Megan. I am so excited to participate. I have been following M24 because of Melinda (friends from high school so long ago). I live in Idaho with my dog TJ, however I live with 5 miles of my parents and 3 of my sisters so life is very busy with family dinners and functions. I work full time for national trucking company as a trainer and customer service. I have always enjoyed photography. I don't do a lot of "sessions" except for family senior portraits or engagements.

I actually use two cameras. My camera is a Sony Super Steady Shot DSC W120 7.2 Mega Pixels. The camera that I covet (and try to steal) is my father's Nikon D50 (I think it is 7 mp as well). I LOVE that camera!! He has worked at Micron Technology for the past 29 years. The camera was a thank you gift at 25yrs and I pray my company is just as nice, but if they are not, I am saving up.

My favorite subjects would be niece/nephews. I love how innocent they are (at least the young ones) and capturing their love of life and happiness just makes me smile. I also enjoy nature. Flowers and water in particular.

My three favorite photos (that I can access from work):

This is my youngest niece Marlee. (taken with Sony)

A veggie stand at Pike Place Market in Seattle WA (taken with Sony)

Train Engine for Thunder Mountain Line in Horseshoe Bend, ID (taken with Nikon)

Challenge Reminder: Bright

2009-11-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

Last night for Bright for those who can and want to send a photo in. Thank you to all of those who have replied to the email if they didnt want the emails I have taken you off and will continue as requested. We did lose 3 people but we also have gained one just today! So welcome the newcommer and we appreciate the work past contributors have done!

Bright by tonight remember!!

M24 News

2009-11-06T01:12:00.001-08:00

As per suggestions I am attempting to reach out beyond google reader and facebook in an attempt to remind people of challenges in an effort to increase participation for posts. I dont want to guilt trip anyone just a friendly suggestion. So i created a mailing list of all the people who are set to contribute. Check your emails and if you dont want to be on the list follow the insturctions there and I will promptly resolve it and send 1 additional email to confirm it.

Scroll down for the challenge!

Challenge: Bright

2009-11-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

I was out of ideas so I asked my wonderful wife and she came up with something I dont find synonymous to fall at all. Bright seems like an interesting word to choose with photography and I hope it can push us all in what we think of or how we take pictures! Nothing better than to Bright-en things up a bit!

Lets post by Monday November 9th at 11:59 PST!

Autumn: Wind and leaves

2009-11-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

I liked a lot of the photos I took for this challenge, and had a hard time choosing just one. My kind and loving husband didn't like any of them. He actually said this was his least favorite, but it was my most favorite. I was sitting on the couch inside my warm house, watching the wind blow the leaves outside. I grabbed a sweater, some shoes, and my camera, and ventured outside. I took some pictures, but the wind had died down. It was blowing the leaves around, but only close to the ground, which was not obvious enough for a photo. So I scooped some up, threw them into the air above me, and took this picture. I like it because it shows the colors of Autumn, but it also demonstrates wind (even if I faked it). My husband's comment was just that the leaves looked like they were falling vertically, not blowing aimlessly.

You can see the rest of my photos here, though my husband said "they're not [my] best crop of photos." (Wow, he's getting kind-of a bad rap here, huh? I'm just making fun of him.)

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