Decor

Of course Rachel is an expert at making another man's junk into another man's treasure! She has some excellent stuff, and great ideas. I found these rod iron thingys at the store the other day and my wife decided to hang them to give a look of a faux headboard. It kind of works out.

It isnt the greatest picture but it reminds me of her! Thank you for all your advice, help at late hours, talks and encouragement. You truely are one of a kind!

Rachel Tribute: Calculator

I'm glad we can use past photos for this challenge.


I chose to use a photo that I took back in April for the challenge word "One." It was a word that I chose (in honor of my daughter turning 1), but I was having a hard time thinking outside the box of an idea to shoot for the word. This photo reminds me of Rachel for several reasons:

• She suggested photographing a calculator, which this obviously is.
• Way back at the beginning of the year, she taught me that I could still take good photos (up-close ones even) with "just" a point-and-shoot. This photo shows detail, texture, and focus. Before Rachel, I didn't know about the macro/flower function.
• Rachel encouraged me to not be afraid to edit. This was one of the first challenges I started editing pictures for.
• Rachel's pictures always have great color in them. This is a really great blue.

I really liked this photo when I took it, and I never got a chance to use it. so I'm glad I do now.

CC

Challenge: Tribute to Rachel

I think we would all agree that Rachel is a wonderful woman in all apsects of life. I have personally learned so much from her. So for the challenge thing of it as a chance to post something that reminds you of her, something you did together, learned from her, etc.

I know that people are busy as well as I so for this challenge it will be ok to post something that you might have taken a previous day! Please give it till Wednesday night September 16th at 11:59pm! That is almost a whole week!

Blake's in charge...

Officially turning this blog over to Blake. Thanks for taking over. I hope you find a way to make it go again and be the inspiration that many other people need.

I am sorry for letting so many of you down.
Rachel

The end.

I have really struggled with what to do with this blog. It was going SO WELL until I went on vacation this summer and was gone for a month...then it seemed everyone else was on vacation...then it seemed that things in everyone's life sped up and the posting just slowed down. WAAAAAAYY down.

This blog was my baby...this was my place to come for inspiration...to help me better myself and to embrace the photography aspect of life that I love.

But now I feel like I am dragging around a dead weight.

This blog takes work. And it's not something I can do on my own. The reason I felt it was so successful before was that so many people participated. We had a good schedule, that people took part in...it wasn't a one person show.

I have gotten so busy with life. I have had some really hard things happen, as many of you have, and emotionally am just not on my A game right now...It's really frustrating to try to get back up and go again and then not have people participate or even have time to post myself.

Maybe it's a better idea to just let things be and not try to push what clearly isn't going to work anymore...at least not with me in charge. I just can't dedicate the time and attention I could before.

I am up for suggestions if anyone wants to take over...or wants to help transition this into a different kind of photography blog...but as for me, I just need to bow out now.

Thank you all for participating while this lasted...

Multipurpose Machine

So my rededication kind of needed a re-rededication so here to a new M24 machine. For this challenge the machine is me. My "domestication" is expanding since I am using pretty much any cooking machine in the house now. Im finding it isnt too bad to cook though everyday could be a drag. Thank goodness for left overs. As always CC and more here!

Challenge: Machine

I cant wait to see what you all have in store for this one.
It just popped into my head and thought it would be a fun word for all.

HOMEWORK....what do you guys want to know?

Hey, just wondering what some topics are that you would like to learn more about as far as photography is concerned...I want to start our homework assignments this week...and want to make sure I am covering things you guys are interested in...

So, let's hear it!

Challenge: me

I know this is SO late. I took this in plenty of time to get it posted, but then ran out of time to do so. But it was really important to me to have more people participate on this challenge, even if they were not all on the first day.

So I decided to post anyway.

Have you ever noticed that when you look in a spoon head on, you are upside down. That very much describes ME right now. I feel like I am trying to look like head on---and yet I feel so upside down. :) Just can't seem to get it together...

CC please...aside from the fact that my spoon is kind of spotty. :)

Me: Simple daisies

I wasn't going to do this challenge partly because of my camera, but partly because it's hard to sum yourself up in one photograph, even if a picture is worth 1000 words. This afternoon, however, I saw this vase of daisies sitting on my TV console, and realized that they were perfect for this challenge.

Daisies are a simple flower. They're pretty and cheery, yet understated and not the "go to" flower. They require more thought than just heading straight for the rose bouquets. I like their simple beauty. They're applicable for this challenge because I think of myself as mostly a simple girl. I don't need my husband to bring me roses; daisies would be nice every now and then (though I bought these for myself). I don't have fancy clothes or fancy home decor. I didn't need a fancy wedding; the mantra my husband and I kept repeating was that we wanted "simple elegance." So I guess the daisies work well for ME.

A Whole New Me...

Wow. This challenge was SO hard. I have taken a picture for all of the last few challenges, but lack of time and a busy schedule hasn't allowed me a second to post. I made a promise that I would NOT miss this one...but, still managed to miss the deadline. I was very thankful for the extension!


For you to understand why I chose to take a picture of my leg muscles, you would have to know that it's been almost a year to the date that I made the decision to finally take some time for ME...to schedule time every week where my concerns didn't revolve around my kids, my husband, chores or my work. A year ago, I joined a boot camp that meets 3 times a week, and have remianed strong to my commitment. As a result, I am a whole new me...internally & externally. Since it is hard to photograph my inner changes, I took a picture of my calf muscles...which were non existant last year.

ME - Serenity (I need some)

This was a picture taken at Daytona Beach right after I had just bought our Nikon D60. Im a novice and am just having fun.

me.

I know that we are supposed to take them WITHIN the challange time, but i arranged them as such for this challange...there is no way that i can label me into a picture. BUT the majority of who i am involves my brilliant son and my job shooting weddings. this wedding spread i arranged for a canvas, and the ones of cooper i am going to turn into a beach bag! lol. all the wedding shots but 6 are from this summer. :) lindy

EXTENSION

Don't forget that at the request of several of you, we've extended this challenge another day. Let's say Friday night at midnight is the new deadline. I am excited to see what you all come up with!

ME!

As I was pondering Me, I decided to show you the things I love. I love to cook, hence the knife and cutting board (my husband thought the knife was ominous). I also love Rachael Ray and (collecting/reading) cookbooks in general. The golf ball is because I love to golf but also because my favorite thing about golfing is I do it with my hubby! We get four hours to ourselves! The binky represents by daughter and the matchbox car my son! So - that's me in a nutshell!

cc always welcome

Who am I?

This one really got me thinking. Who am I? A wife, a mother, a daughter, sister, friend? But I'm more than that. Since this challenge was given I have been a cleaning lady, a chef (OK maybe a cook would be a better word, but dinner was really great!), a nurse, a quilter, a gardener, a teacher, a personal shopper, a comforter... the list could go on and on. These things combined make me who I am, and I do them all with my hands. What my hands do each day defines who I am. Me.

Taken with the timer on my camera next to a window for natural lighting. Cropped and a vignette was added.

-cc-

The New Me

O.k... this is a great topic since I am a new ME! After years and years of neck, shoulder and back pain because of large "girls", I had a reduction last week and feel 100% better! ( After a horrible recovery) While in surgery my sister bought me this cute bra, something I have not been able to wear since I was a teenager! Sorry if this if offensive to anyone but I am so happy, my confidence has sored, my clothes fit so much better, I have no more pain. We were asked to take a picture of what is you, ( or me) or how do you feel about you, ( me) and I can tell you all that I feel great and look forward to some fun shopping and a great life.

Back in the saddle...a challenge: ME

Hey everyone....

I know, I know...no challenge over the weekend. I plain forgot...lame, huh?

So, let's just back in the saddle and keep on this journey. Just a small detour, right?

I am hoping this challenge will be a chance for some self-reflection...some soul searching. For me, the seasons changing always puts me deep in thought about changes I want to make in myself...

And being September 1, and one day closer to the official start of fall, I say it's a good time to start that thought process.

So let's see it...your take on YOU. How can you show how you feel, or your thoughts? What would show who you are?

Challenge: ME (not ME, but you... hehe)

Let's see those pics! In by WEDNESDAY NIGHT at midnight.

:)

Just Sharing...

I know this is totally against the rules, but things have been too crazy for me to participate in the challenges lately... I took this photo driving home from out of town yesterday, and felt so lucky to be at the right place at the right time, and wanted to share with all of you. (Rachel, you can remove this if you want! :)

A little less rain....

...and a lot more SUNSHINE is what we are needing around here. Been a rainy week...
CC PLEASE!!!

LESS....needs more pictures

Okay everyone. Let's add one more day. I know that I actually HAVE taken pictures the past few challenges and then haven't been able to get them in on time.

Let's give everyone a little extension if you want to get your picture in for less.

IN BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!

And let's get the comments rolling... :)

Less: Camera-less

Obviously I'm not 100% camera-less, because how would I have taken this photo otherwise? However, my good camera is broken. It's a Canon Powershot, and I got a "Lens error. Restart camera" message. My lens is permanently extended. I've done a little research and found that this is -- unfortunately -- common and unfixable. So I'm back to using a not-super-great camera, because I can't afford to buy a new one right now. Here's how not-super-great my substitute camera is: you can buy it brand new on Amazon fo $79. Yeah. :(

CC

Less to do

So, this isn't the best shot, our living room has HORRIBLE lighting and I didn't feel like getting the flash out ( I was being super lazy!) because of that it's pretty grainy because the ISO was so high. The concept was that tonight when I go to bed I have less to do than when I got up. The table has flecks in it and they are really obvious because of the graininess and our walls are yellow so they reflected it all over. I was going to shoot food again, so I changed my idea since both of the other times I've shot food.

cc please!

Less Time

Do you fell like you have LESS, and LESS time with your kids?? My daughter started preschool, which leaves me with only one child at home for a few hours each day. I feel like with all my kids, they grow way to fast.

This isn't the best picture, but the only one I got. I've been really bad at picking up my camera lately. I hope I can get better at it!!!

p.s. check out the catch light I got in her beautiful brown eyes!! You can see my front yard.

Less than my best

I've been feeling less than my best lately. I'll spare the personal details here. As for the photo, I cropped it, but no other processing beyond that. I metered on a point that would under-expose myself, then hit the timer and ran.

CC always welcome.

One less...

...kiddo at home to play Candy Land with me. Yesterday was the first day of school and I miss this sweet little face (and her sister's too!) so much! Aren't kindergartners the cutest little things ever?!?

My settings were off on my camera, and it's just so grainy, but I didn't get anything better today and I really wanted to submit!

-CC-

Challenge: Less

Well, we've done "more" -- why not "less"?

Please post by midnight tomorrow!

Homework...

Hey everyone. I have been thinking about some ways to liven things up again after our lull of summer. :) (I know, I know...you are probably all so sick of me THINKING)

I had this idea last night and figured we would give it a shot.

I loved having the tutorials, but I found it was hard to get people lined up to do it on a regular basis. HOWEVER, being a photography blog, I think everyone has something to offer and contribute regardless of their experience level.

SO--I thought it would be fun to put a general topic up to study up on for 1 week. As you learn something, even one little tip or part that stands out to you, leave a comment under that topic. That way as we are ALL learning little things, we can have places to put our knowledge that we can keep at our fingertips for either looking back to refresh our knowledge or helping others learn what we have.

FOR EXAMPLE:

in a post titled COMPOSURE

Comments would say things like:

RACHEL H:

Before you snap the picture, imagine your picture area divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The intersections of these imaginary lines suggest four options for placing the center of interest for good composition. The option you select depends upon the subject and how you would like that subject to be presented.

ELAINE:

You should always consider the path of moving subjects and, generally, leave space in front of them into which they can move. So don't put a runner in positiong to run right off the picture. JOHN: Just as it's usually best to place horizons off center, it's also best to place verticals off center. MARY: I found a great article on this! http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html

That way we can have goals and focus, and everyone will hopefully take part and be able to learn little tidbits about photography themselves--regardless of the camera you have. :)

What do you say?

Hey, Batter Batter

What luck. While lounging in my chair at the lake I spotted this little scene, where the leading character was none other then a green bat.

The thing I love about these challenges is they really stretch me to take pictures of things I normally wouldn't. I was so focused on snapping pics of my wee ones that, if not for the challenge, I would have missed the cool lighting and fun set-up of the bat and balls. Anywho, CC welcome.

Sorry, I switched my picture out. I started noticing the last version was rather on the cool side.

Red Cardinal on Green Foliage

This little guy is right in front of my kitchen window

keeping me company while I am having breakfast.

Mean on Green

I'M BACK! I've missed this so much- I am really excited to get going again.

Can you say Heebie Jeebies!?! I spotted this guy perched next to my house from the ROAD. The picture doesn't really do justice to his enormous size but I do like how well blended the background turned out. I think I'll name him George. More shots of George found HERE.

f/5.6

1/500 sec

ISO-250

Focal- 300mm on my hubby's telephoto

CC ALWAYS WELCOME!

CHALLENGE: Green

Okay, so the last challenge was a bust! Only a few pictures, darn it! I will have to try that one again because I actually DID take one to post, but didn't get it in on time and I think there are so many wonderful interpretations for it. But thanks to those who DID participate.

I am going to start highlighting our feature photographers again and get some of the other things up and running. My daughter just started school (kindergarten....wipe a tear!!) and I think we are settling into a little routine now...so I am hoping we can bring back a lot of wonderful things this blog has been missing.

For this challenge, let's see some GREEN.

What does that word mean to you? Lots of ways to interpret and show this!! Let's see it! In by tomorrow night...let's see those pictures and be sure to comment!

Colors of School

Every year when school arrives I become a giddy school girl myself. I LOVE school supplies. The smell of a new box of crayons, filling up a backpack, organizing and re-organizing new supplies. Ahh... It's wonderful. That was one of the things that I looked forward to when my daughter became old enough for school.... buying new school supplies.

CC

School of Spirit

This place is definitely a school to me. It struck me even more this week, as my sister in law got to go here for the first time yesterday, and will be married here tomorrow. It truly is a place of great learning!

Shutter speed: .003s

Apurature: f/7.1

ISO: 125

Took it to picasa, warmed, added saturation, and cropped some.

Also, since I gave that teaser....oh, about a month ago, I'll spill. ;) The baby in this belly of mine is a BOY! I've got a lot of learning ahead of me for that, too!

Zzzzsearch

Given that my last semester of my Bachlors degree was Research Methods and given a similar topic to these books I feel that the title is in order. But school/research come to mind. CC always please!!! And as always see the rejects :)

The Backpack

When I think of school the giant, tacky, brightly colored, plastic backpack (like the one my daughter picked out this year) always comes to mind. Maybe it's because when I was little, picking out my backpack was the highlight of back to school shopping. Yup, the larger and tackier the bag, the happier I was ;).

CC

Challenge: School

It's getting to be that time of year...and I thought it would be appropriate to see everyone's take on SCHOOL.

What does this mean to you? How does it make you feel?

Let's see those pics--turned in by TOMORROW at midnight! :)

"Wasting" TIME

Sometimes I wish I was two again, where the only care in the world was how

many circles you could make dipping a newly picked flower in the lake.

Where "Wasting Time" was absolutely, perfectly wonderful.

SummerTIME...

It's time for a Nap

Today was my family reunion...and at the end of the day, this is what everyone looked like...worn out from the long day and ready to sleep! I wanted to add a tint to it because i wanted it to feel "caught in time" I love photos like that when you want to "freeze" time.

My photos aren't looking as sharp small as they do when you click on it and look at it larger...am I saving my photos wrong? any tips...

thanks. CC is Always welcome on any of my posts...that's what I'm here for.

taken with a Nikon D700 , Iso 200, F8 at 50