The past six months have been inspiring. Six months ago, I started blogging…soon after I bought my first DSLR in November (as a result of five years worth of unused credit card points). You see, before our wedding (October 2009), I felt trapped. Not trapped in my relationship with my husband, but I felt as though I’d trapped every ounce of creativity I ever had in a little box and stored it away for safe keeping. But why in the world would I store away my creativity? It was holding me down and preventing me from enjoying life as it was intended.
I remember one of my coworkers suggesting that I start a journal. Instead, I decided to start a blog…to share my life and my “creativity” with others. I also wanted to be able to grow as a photographer, and this blog was a way of tracking any lessons learned along the way. There are weeks in which I’ve gone simply mad trying to participate in various challenges…but I do all this in hopes that one day, photography will come as naturally to me as breathing…and that my focus will pay off…that is my purpose.
As a result, I have met so many wonderful people – people who have brought such joy and inspiration back into my life. To all of you that have been part of my journey so far, thank you. Not only have I gotten my creativity back, but you’ve given me a voice.
Alright, I feel better now – I felt that I needed to get that off my chest.
For the past month, I have carried a list of items around with me to photograph…all for the sake of the June 2010 Photo Hunt. Some of these items were more challenging than others, but I am overall, pretty proud of my work (and excited about the next challenge). I’ve shared only one of these photos on my blog before, and only one photo came from my archives. One of the photos is also being entered into this week’s You Capture Challenge (although I realize that several of the photos could pass for green – including my fountain shot…or even pass for hands). For those of you visiting from You Capture, I apologize for my entry being buried. Without further discussion, here are my items:
1. Hilarious Outtake
This is Nicholas, taken during our “play date” at the Rose Garden a couple of weeks ago. I rarely got a shot of him looking at the camera and in this shot, I think he had had enough!
2. Creative Crop
This was taken at the North Carolina Zoo last weekend. I love the angle of this female gorilla taking a break from the hot sun.
3. Sunflare
I took this shot in downtown Philadelphia as the sun was starting to set. I was initially going to share my shot of Maddie playing in the sun, but when I looked outside and saw the sun setting, I had to share this shot.
4. Sweet Dreams
I shared a similar shot earlier this week for the I Heart Faces theme, PETS. This shot was also taken at the North Carolina Zoo.
5. Work
I wasn’t sure what to photograph for this item on our list, then I looked over and saw my Blackberry. As a Gen Y person, I am always connected!
6. Play
This shot was taken during my series with Nicolas and Maddie at the Rose Garden a couple of weeks ago. This is one of the other children playing with his toy car. I love this shot.
7. Cookout/Picnic
For my birthday, two of my friends had a “cookout” at their house (well Rachael’s house) for me. We started out with a Shock Top beer, then ribs with scalloped potatoes and finally ice cream cake. It was delicious!
8. Transportation
This might be a stretch for transportation, but I think we should all be on a boat more often…especially during the summer. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to get out on the lake, but these folks look like they’re having a great time. I converted it to black and white for dramatic effect.
9. Money/Currency
I was running out of creative ideas for currency so I ran around looking for spare change (since I don’t generally keep a lot of money around).
10. A Fountain
The first time I went to the Rose Garden this year, the fountain was not running. The second time I went to the Rose Garden, it was in proper working order…which is pretty great, because I was able to capture this shot.
11. A Night Scene
If you’re from Philly, you’ll have to help me out and identify this tower. I looked out my hotel window and thought “night scene.” I was originally going to enter the shot of my birthday cake with my candles (I still love that shot), but decided this had a sense of drama and mystery about it. I like it.
12. B&W with Selective Coloring
I actually avoided this particular item because I’m not a huge fan of selective coloring (either that or I’ve been told that it’s not cool so I adopted that philosophy). Either way, as I looked through my zoo photos, I loved this shot of a little frog, but I thought the background was pretty distracting – so, thus a B&W with selective coloring emerged!
13. Something Old
The Bible is one of the oldest texts in history…and Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite scriptures. In high school, each student was asked to choose a quote to go in the yearbook by their name. I chose this scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans for hope and a future.” Whenever I’ve been a little down on myself, I have reminded myself of this scripture.
14. Something New
I shared this shot on my blog earlier this week. My friend, Caroline, gave me this necklace for my birthday. What you don’t see in this photo is the lens that took the shot (well, I took the shot, but you know what I mean). The other “something new” in this photo is my new Sigma EX f/2.8 MACRO lens!
15. Something Borrowed
Well, semi-borrowed. This is my mother’s college t-shirt. She graduated from Peace College in 1972 with her Associates degree. Twenty-eight years later, I started my first year at Peace College. I don’t recall when my mother gave me this t-shirt, but I do recall receiving it prior to my first year in college. It’s old and worn, but it is one of my favorite shirts. Unfortunately, she’s likely not to get it back…and I’ll let my daughter (if I have one), “borrow” it many years from now.
16. Something Blue
This is another one of my zoo photos, the polar bear. As I tried to capture this shot, tons of small children kept getting in my way (come on moms…get a hold of your kids already, just kidding). I remained patient though and I think it paid off. You can see that this polar bear was trying to snag a treat from the blue water.
17. Something Musical
Another stretch…but birds are incredibly musical. I also took this shot at the zoo. I don’t know what type of bird this is, but she (or he) is incredibly beautiful and is bound to have a natural gift for music – at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 🙂
18. Something Purple
I love the little hints of purple in this flower. I don’t know what they are, but I do love the texture, shape and color. And can we talk about that bokeh…yummy.
I’m also going to use the above photo to illustrate “green” over at You Capture (no need for multiple posts today). I hope everyone noticed the little blue bee in the shot. For more You Capture “Green” photos, go to:
I’m also going to use the above photo to illustrate “green” over at You Capture (no need for multiple posts today). I hope everyone noticed the little blue bee in the shot. For more You Capture “Green” photos, go to:
19. Something Yellow
Again, another beautiful flower. If you’re a flower person, can you tell me what these are? I only wish I’d taken more photos of these flowers because they photograph so well.
20. Something Scenic
This shot was taken from my archives. This is a shot of tranquil Anguilla…one of our day trips during our honeymoon to St. Maarten. We have not gone on vacation yet, so I didn’t have a current scenic shot to share (well, I just didn’t like any of the “scenic” shots). I have realized though that I really enjoy “filling the frame” shots, so I need to pay more attention to landscape shots – they can be just as beautiful and I may have forgotten that. Note to self!
So that’s it! What do you think? Do you have a favorite? Did you participate in this month’s photo hunt? I may actually take the next month off (we’ll see) – I need to get back to my Before & Afters (Salina, Denise…I haven’t forgotten you)…and maybe write a new tutorial. What do you want to know more about? – perhaps how to emulate the lens baby effect I’ve been adding recently? Just let me know and I’ll work on it.
So that’s it! What do you think? Do you have a favorite? Did you participate in this month’s photo hunt? I may actually take the next month off (we’ll see) – I need to get back to my Before & Afters (Salina, Denise…I haven’t forgotten you)…and maybe write a new tutorial. What do you want to know more about? – perhaps how to emulate the lens baby effect I’ve been adding recently? Just let me know and I’ll work on it.
By the way, don’t forget the Clickin’ Moms offer: now through July 2nd, I invite you to join me over at Clickn’ Moms. All you have to do is click the little button below, select a subscription and use the coupon code FRIEND to receive 10% off any subscription or use the coupon code LOVECM for 20% off a lifetime subscription. If you don’t like it…I do believe that you can get a refund (but be sure to read all the fun fine print). That’s it!
Have a great day!
