November 01, 2010
October 2010 Photo Hunt: Unveiled!
For the past month, I have carried a list of items around with me to photograph…all for the sake of the October 2010 Photo Hunt. Some of these items were more challenging than others, but I feel really good about my work this month. I’ve shared many of these photos on my blog before, but I did want to save a few surprises. Without further discussion, here are my items:

1. In Disguise
1. In Disguise - Ashley Sisk
Is that a baby or a duck? Actually, remember this beautiful baby? Her mother found out that I would be in town on Saturday and asked if I would be interested in taking pictures of the girls before they went Trick or Treating. Absolutely! I’m just beginning to process those photos, but thought I’d sneak a couple of shots into the October 2010 Photo Hunt!


2. Crisp
2. Crisp - Ashley Sisk
The North Carolina State Fair offers plenty of fried food options, therefore, there is plenty of oil and grease to go around. Do you like your fries crispy? You’re in luck!

3. Fall Colors
3. Fall Colors - Ashley Sisk
Sure I could have shared any number of fall foliage shots, but the truth is that we have still not hit peak season, so I thought I’d re-share my favorite pumpkin shot taken earlier this month.

4. Jack O’Lantern
4. Jack O'Lantern - Ashley Sisk
You’ll remember that I don’t carve my own pumpkins…I monogram mine, but I do love this plug-in Jack O’Lantern that I bought at Target earlier this year. I was at Target yesterday…everything is on sale and Christmas stuff is already on the shelves!

5. A Shot from the Ground
IMG_6903 RS
I debated on whether I should share this shot or a shot of a leaf. I went with the shot above because I was literally on the ground shooting up, trying to get a bit of sunflare. It actually looks as if the sun is dripping on the leaf.

6. A Landscape
6. A Landscape: Ashley Sisk
I don’t normally enjoy spending extra time at the airport, but given that I was at the airport….and that I had my camera, I was thrilled to capture my plane coming into the terminal from the gate area. This also happens to be a tilt-shift shot taken with my new Lensbaby.


7. A Fall Tradition
7. A Fall Tradition - Ashley Sisk
Our wedding…now anniversary date happens to occur at the exact same time as the North Carolina State Fair. Last year, we were unable to attend because we were getting married and then going on our honeymoon. So, this year, I made a special request to go to the fair…see the animals…eat greasy fair food…and ride the ferris wheel. Also on that check list…take this photograph!


8. Books
8. Book - Ashley Sisk
Technically, this is just a book, but I spent a lot of time thinking about the composition of this shot and I’m pretty happy with it. Now, my husband wondered why I was carrying a green apple with me everywhere, but I think he’s gotten used to my unusual antics.

9. Dining
9. Dining - Ashley Sisk
Again…at the fair. I shared this shot a couple of weeks ago for Scavenger Hunt Sunday. This is my husband eating a fair sausage with all the fixins. Interestingly enough, he wanted one after visiting the pigs.

10. Child/Children
10. Child - Ashley Sisk
I was prepared to share this shot of Dustyn until I was asked to take pictures on Saturday of the girls. Emma and Frances were UNC cheerleaders. I asked the girls if they would show me some cheers so Frances started jumping up and down. It was pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

11. Faces Formed in Nature
11. Faces formed in Nature - Ashley Sisk
If you participate in Scavenger Hunt Sunday, you know that my first attempt at finding a face formed in nature was a major failure. It may still be a failure, but I tried out an action I found this summer from Lemonlight – click here. After playing around, I thought the center of the image looked like a face. What do you think? 

12. Tilt-Shift Photography
IMG_7744 RS
To say that I’ve been enjoying my new Lensbaby is an understatement. “Tilt-shift photography refers to the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras, and sometimes specifically refers to the use of tilt for selective focus, often for simulating a miniature scene.” Personally, I have not used my tilt-shift lens to create miniature scenes, but have used it for selective focus and to create movement in the photo. 

I had several photos to choose from for this category (I could have even used the shot I shared above for a landscape), but I chose this particular photo because I love the color of the sky and the way the light pours in. It also looks as if the branches are reaching up to the sun.

13. B&W with Selective Coloring
13. B&W with Selective Coloring - Ashley SiskI used this photo several weeks ago to represent “warmth” for Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I’m not a really huge fan of selective color, but I like this little touch of green that indicates that my seat warmer is on.

14. Bokeh
IMG_7768 RS 
I am really looking forward to using the star aperture disk that comes with my lensbaby for neat Christmas bokeh shots. On October 23rd, I was outside messing with my new lens…this was the outcome. I think it looks pretty cool and I love the starry bokeh.

15. Best Photo taken on October 23
IMG_7771 RSI’m not sure that this is my best shot taken on October 23rd, but by process of elimination (since I used my other shot above for bokeh), this is the shot I’m sharing. I mentioned a week or so ago that our first mum died due to the heat (and lack of water – it seems so simple, but I’m really terrible at remembering to water the flowers)…so, we bought another mum. This one is yellow and very pretty. I thought I’d also play around with the processing and framing. What do you think?

16. Something from the Kitchen
16. Something from the Kitchen - Ashley SiskI love the simplicity of this shot. This is one of our spoons. The last time I posted this shot, I received a number of comments that our spoons are really clean…or that it’s amazing they aren’t gnawed on, etc. Let me remind you that we have no children…let me also remind you that my husband is a clean freak. Furthermore, we have silverware that has never been used. Thus, a really clean spoon.

17. Something Vintage
19. Something Vintage - Ashley Sisk
I shared this shot yesterday. My mom collects antique children’s furniture (actually, she collects antique furniture in general)…she has this beautiful cradle in her store (she owns a children’s boutique). We had a great time processing this photo with texture and adding scripture. I love the way it turned out.

18. Something Creepy
18. Something Creepy - Ashley Sisk
I was totally stumped on this particular prompt. I don’t really celebrate Halloween with the exception of buying some candy and plugging in a store-bought jack o’lantern…so there isn’t a lot of creepiness around my house. I guess I could have photographed something at my parents’ house – my mom loves to decorate, but I didn’t think about it. Anyways, I used this shot that I took of Kitty Paw earlier in the month and turned her into a one-head, two-bodied creature. I think the texture made it extra creepy.

19. Something Golden
19. Something Golden - Ashley Sisk
The leaves in North Carolina take a long time to transition…I mean, let’s be honest, we still had 80+ degree temperatures this past week. However, the leaves on the tree outside my office do turn a beautiful shade of gold this time of year.

20. Self Portrait
20. Self Portrait - Ashley Sisk
I am really pleased with this self portrait. If you want to see more from this session, click here.

So, those are my interpretations for October’s Photo Hunt. If you want to see more, go to:

If you didn’t participate this past month, but want to participate…November and December will both have ten items each. I will continue to build these prompts into my weekly Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I’d love to have you participate in either challenge. Have a great week!

If you’re interested in participating in Polka Dot’s Photo Contest, click on the link below.
Life is Too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes
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