Exploring lighting and some black & white

Attempting to step out of my comfort zone just a tad a bit...I got a little carried away...but thats ok. Since my threesixtyfive group's theme for Sunday is "ghetto" lighting, I've been experimenting with such lighting...it's not as easy as some of my group members make it look! Anyhow, on day 73 I took it a bit further and ventured into the b&w realm and thought what the heck...lets try high key b&w....finally realized how FAR out of my box I had traveled!! Phewwwwwwww, that was scary!!
So, the photo on the left...after playing with the black and white, I thought I'd add a smidge of color and then a smidge of noise...what I like about it...it reminds me of the old "colored" photos, you know, the ones that were colored by hand ;-)
The one on the right...I ventured into high key...not really knowing much about it, just seeing a lot of it...so I am not sure that this is actually "high key" but anyhow...feels high key, probably from fear of realizing how out of my box I was. Anywho, I like it because I really stretched myself on this one and I kinda like my eyes here ;-)

Time flies

It has been awhile since I lasted posted here...not very good at blogging I reckon ;-) Ah well.
I've reached day 68 of my 365, well, haven't actually taken that one yet...but I will. Anywho, I'm proud of myself for sticking to it...I know...I know...I still have a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng way to go...but I am committed to this project and I WILL see it through!
Thus far, after completing 67 self portraits, I find that I am not quite as critical of myself as when I first started....but believe me...there is still plenty there! I've quite a few days where the thought of taking my own picture was not that bad of a thing....actually...even enjoyable! Who would have of thunk it...not me...thats for sure!
So, this picture...up above....ya, I know, it's all blurry....but I still kinda like it and I think it fits nicely into my current journey.....I'm there/here, but not that clear ;-)

Just over a month

Yup, just over a month's worth of self portraits

Some days are easier than others

Maybe I need a theme, seems to help some people

Of course, there are days when I have a few sp's that I actually like

So I have to choose just one, which can be challenging in a different way

Probably the biggest challenge though is not going "UGH" at a lot of my shots

So anywho, I have less than 11 months of sp's to go now....wooooohooooo

Not going to do amount of days just yet...thats like too many to think about

The softer side of me

Odd

As I continue on my 365 journey

Digging, exploring my creativity

Facing my insecurities

Embracing the DIA (dam it all)

Letting go

Feeling it out

Taking shots here and there

Reviewing them

Choosing a few

Narrowing them down

There are always a few that...

well...I see a part of me....

A part that I know exists...

but often thinks doesn't show...

then, I go over the pictures...

and there it is....there I am.

I really don't know what I was thinking

It seemed fun, ok a challenge too

Lots of other people said they didn't like being in front of the camera either

If they could do it...why not me?

Being inspired by the many...I hopped on board

Into day 9 now of "threesixtyfive" taking photos of myself...why or why?

The blotchy, wrinkly skin, the double ok maybe triple chin, droopy eyes...

oh boy! Ya, this is gonna be a piece of work!

I'm not a quitter, so I will continue...

Heck, I've only got what? 356 more to do!

Yay! Sort of?!

Art in the Barn is now over

My first art show

Got to share my fears with a fellow first timer/friend/family member

Both nervous and excited

After day one, now more relaxed, no sales

Day two rolled around the corner, a busy day

My fellow firster timer was preparing for her sons (my great nephew) 4th birthday party!

I went shopping in the morning with hubby, all the while thinking of the show

We gathered at the party and chatted a bit about the show, not knowing yet if either of us made a sale

Hubby and I left early, the show ended at 4 and the art needed to be picked up between 4 and 4:30

So off we went, anxious as can be

We were surprised to see how many cars were still there!

Very busy! Very exciting!

Got inside the barn, I looked around to where I knew my stuff was hanging and where LGD's stuff was hanging

My mother in law came along and said "You sold one piece and LGD sold 2 pieces"

I nearly fell over!!

What?! What pieces?! She told me my "Little Ossippee: The Fog" sold and that "Reflections" and she couldn't remember the other, sold for LGD. I was so excited, I grabbed my phone as I scoped over LGD's art work to see which ones said sold as I was calling her with the news!

I just got to her "Reflections" piece when she answered and I told her the good the news

We were both excited as she asked about my work too, and I told her I sold one piece

She asked about the second piece and finally I saw it, right next to "Reflections", her "Hello Sunshine" with SOLD on it!!! Oh wow!!!

In the excitement, I paid the 10% of sales for the historical society fund and was given 2 checks, apparently the same person purchased both of LGD's art! I didn't even look at the second check, which was mine. Finished gathering our art work and headed back to LGD's, heart pounding

Got to the house, everyone so excited!

I pulled out the checks, handed her her check and then for the first time, looked at my check....and ohhhhhhhhh...I was quite surprised to see who the purchaser was...none other than my mother in law! Oi! Kinda deflated my sails a bit, not to take anything away from her choice, as she said she really wanted that piece....but I really had to go through some feelings. Thinking, believing, all along that someone, a stranger, had so liked my work that they chose to purchase it! How exciting!! Then finding out, it was family. Was it a "just to support her" purchase? Was it because she knew LGD sold 2 pieces and I hadn't sold any??? Oi! So much to deal with...but not right now...off we went to Chili's to celebrate! It was a great time! Love being out with family!

On the ride home, I called my mother in law and we chatted. She said "I hope you don't think I bought it because of LGD's sales, I bought it before her pieces sold". I was relieved to hear that. I have now come to terms with it being a "support" purchase even though I know she "liked" the piece, somewhere deep inside I felt she was going to buy a piece because that is who she is...can't fault her for that...I'd be an idiot if allowed my pride to discolor this purchase.

So all in all...first time out...what an experience! So glad I got to share it with LGD! So amazingly happy to see her work admired and loved, so very much deserved. And for me, very exciting to hear people talk about this one piece, that did not sell, but was much admired...alas, it was not meant to be, this time around...hubby was/is very attached to this piece anyway. It was a great adventure and I would definitely do it again!!

Oh me Oh my

It has arrived, not so sure that I have

Our local historical society is having their annual "Art in the Barn"

My mother-in-law asked me if I'd submit some of my photography

Yikes!

I said yes!

Now I'm nauseous....

Red Saturday and Pink Sunday

Ok, sorry, I was on vacation and forgot the colors for Saturday and Sunday

So I went through my vacation photos for those days

and hunted for the appropriate colors...phewwwwwww

So, yes, I am late again...oh me oh my ;)

Friday Orange

On vaca without a computer, so I'm late, sorry

Color Week Thursday

New car needs a photo, perfect for black and brown ;)

More of my Thursday colors here

Green Wednesday

My favorite green :D

Wanna see more of my greens....

Look here

And for more greenery, look here and here

Light and airy

After a stormy afternoon

Things calmed down

It was the perfect time for bubble magic!

We had a super time!

First time out making bubbles and photographing them near water!

Worked out well and was tons of fun!

Beauty is never too far away...

Peace

Tranquility

Joy

Fullfillment

Love

All Embracing

On the road again

I never thought I'd be spending this much time with my nephew..

Alas...the photography bug has bitten him too...

Together, we explore the beautiful world around us

It is so wonderful to see him so excited and so happy

It's a special gift indeed

This photo was taken on our recent trip to the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, NH

Family Connections

Photography has opened yet another door in my life...

An opportunity to spend some one on one time with a wonderful nephew...

And share with him a tip here and a tip there in the photography realm...

We have gone, so far, on two photo excursions...

One with his first camera, a very simple point and shoot...

The second, with his new Canon advanced point and shoot...

He is learning all about patience and macro...

And loving it...

Our most recent excursion was to the zoo...

Hadn't been there for years and years and years!!!

Did we have a good time? You bet ya!!

I love taking photos and I love sharing special moments with my family...

Combine the two together...and it's a day I'll cherish forever!

Let it go

A piece of history, personal history that is...

Born here many years ago...

Mother died here 2 years ago...

From a hospital, to a nursing home...

I still hear the sobbing...

still feel the sadness...

So many elderly, so lost...

Hurting in ways of the heart...

Drugged to be kept quiet...

Just waiting...

waiting for it end.

Finally, it has closed...

Tadaaaaaa

They have bloomed! Or at least one of them has ;)

Everything is coming up roses....

well, ok...not exactly roses...but the wee flowers are popping up!

So excited to see more colors!

Warmer air!

Longer days!

Happy spring everyone!

Almost there....

Times are a changing...

Weather shifting...

Spring has arrived...

Feels like summer...

Love the new growth...

The green of Mother Earth...

The warmth of the sun...

The scents of the warmth of Mother Earth...

A time to grow...

The seeds have been planted...

The pods are reaching up...

Stretching...

Reaching..

Breathing...

Loving...

Being.

Another borrowed "meme"

Hey LGD, hope you don't mind...kinda borrowed this.
1.What's your name spelled backwards? eninnaej
2. What did you do last night? Watched Survivor.
3. The last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Microsoft updates.
4. Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? Ummmmm yes, bro talked me into it...didn't like it much...felt weird and tasted weird.
5. Last time you swam in a pool? Last year when we went on vaca with my in-laws
6. What are you wearing? Land's End ls top, blue jeans and sneaks
7. How many cars have you owned? Ummmm, me? Or me and hubby? I guess I'll have to say 4
8. Type of music you dislike most? Hard/Acid rock, gives me a headache and sometimes the heebee geebees
9. Are you registered to vote? Yes, in fact, I just voted today for town stuff.
10. Do you have cable? Yes, it is expensive but so far we are keeping it...may switch to satelite at some point.
11. What kind of computer do you use? It's an HP
12. Ever made a prank phone call? Ummmmm, no...I lead a very boring life in that respect.
13. You like anyone right now? Yes! Right now I like the road crew that finally fixed our driveway/road so I can finally get out and about!
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Hell no! Heights freak me out...falling from heights...well...heck...I don't even want to go there...nope, don't want to talk about it.
15.Furthest place you've ever traveled? Paradise Island, Bahamas
16.Do you have a garden? A flower/weed garden that will have to come out when we put in our new addition.
17. What’s your favorite comic strip? Oh goodness, really don't read the comics...as a kid, Charlie Brown
18. Do you know all the words to the national anthem? Ummmm, gosh, don't think so...most of them...but not sure all of them.
19. Shower, morning or night? Morning and sometimes at night too, if I played disc golf in the heat or bike riding.
20. Best movie you’ve seen in the past month? Pursuit of Happiness...was that in the past month...hmmmm probably not.
21. Favorite pizza toppings? Usually just plain cheese, ocassionally onions
22. Chips or popcorn? OMG, popcorn! Love popcorn!!
23. What cell phone provider do you have? Unicel, not many people I know use them, but they've been good to me and the service works for me too.
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? Smoked peanut shells??? I don't smoke anything or do you mean like smoke meat??? I guess either way...the answer is....no.
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? OMG, no way! But I was required to be in a fashion show in high school...God I hated that!!! Thanks for asking...now I'm reliving the awful thing.
26. Orange Juice or apple? I like both, but OJ, the juice that is, is usually in the fridge. My fav juice is white grape blueberry kiwi....mmm mmm mmm mmm good!
27. Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? Hubby
28. Favourite chocolate bar? yes please!
29. Who is your longest friend and how long? Goodness, lets see...theres Carol from grade school, we don't really see each anymore, unless by accident...um thats like....oh goodness, cant count that high...ummm, really, my best friend...my hubby...we have lots in common and lots not in common...pretty well balanced...married 21 years in May, one year dating, one year engaged, knew each for 2 years b4 he got the courage to ask me out...so, what 25ish years???
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Last summer, mm mm mm mmm mm
31. Have you ever won a trophy? Yes. Disc golf, second place...out of 2...LOL
32. Favorite artist? LGD, love her work! Whether it's painting or photography or scrapbooking, she's got the right stuff!
33. Favorite computer game? Dynomite
34. Ever ordered from an infomercial? Nope
35. Sprite or 7-UP? Don't see much 7-up anymore, though I hear they now have all natural flavors and I think no preserves...would like to try it!
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work? Oh goodness, yes! Grade school, 8 years...ummm work? Nope
37. Last thing you bought at the store? Flowers for photography
38. Ever thrown up in public? EEEoooooo, interesting question...the answer, no...but I have witnessed people puking on several occasions, in public.
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love? Yes please!LOL
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe one soul can recognize another soul instantly and bring about feelings...but love in the sense it is meant here...no.
41.Can exes just be friends? I think they can be civil...maybe a few can be friends...but for the most part...too much baggage in the way for friendship.
42. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? Oh my...my mom.
43. Did you have long hair as a young kid? Dang it! No. I wanted to sooooo bad...but hair really doesn't get long...it gets wide. :(
44. What message is on your voicemail machine? Ummm, something like, sorry we can't answer the phone right now, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can. Thank you and have a great day. I know...boringggggg!
45. Where would you like to go right now? Right now...I am happy to be here...we got sunshine and warm temps finally....loving it!
46. What was the name of your first pet? Are you kidding me??? Wow! Really working my memory here! Ummmm lets see...it was a hampster...gosh...how embarrassing...can't remember it's name...probably because the little bugger bit me once, when I was putting it's food in the cage. :(
47. What kind of back pack do you have, and what’s in it? Back pack? ummmm, got one for biking...it's got water, first aid kit, spare tube, tissues, my bike gloves, manual for my cyclocomputer....I think thats it.
48. Last incoming/outgoing call on your phone? Incoming, sis...didn't leave a message. Out going, hubby to his folks to let them know driveway/road was fixed.
49. What is one thing you are grateful for today? The sunshine, the warm temps, my driveway/road finally fixed, my hubby, my family...oh sorry...you said "one" thing...theres just so many...hard to pick to one! :)
50. What do you think about most? Don't "think" I think about any one thing more than anything else on any given day.

How exciting!!!

After 4 days of rain...we finally get some much needed sunshine...and OMG....the temps are so scrumpt!!!

Top that off with our driveway finally repaired!!! Well friggin' ay...I feel like I just won the lottery!!!

I am free to roam about...free to be me...free to just be

Ahhhhh Whimsical Wednesday....

Truly I swear...when I am stuck indoors for more than a day...my creativity just goes blllllllllllhhhhhh. Had all sorts of what I thought were great ideas for photography...tried them out....and poooooof...just didn't work the way I had imagined :(

Now, I can't keep skipping days here...so I must post something whimsical today...so one more try at being creative....and ta da...here it is....

News Alert.....

Be on the lookout if you live in Maine.

Reports of the "blob" wobbling around Maine have been reported.

Seems, right now, the "blob" is content to just wobble from here to there but some say the "blob", when aggitated or pushed just right, has been known to explode and leave one feeling a bit wet and gooey. It is best to leave wobbling "blobs" wobble...do not disturb.

Tuesday's Thoughts on Wednesday, hmmmmmmmm

Somehow...Tuesday's thoughts got away from me....and upon my computer...I did not key

So here I am today, Wednesday....as whimsical as it may be...I share my Tuesday's thought, a wee bit late...but shared from me to thee.



I love receiving comments on my photo's...it's always nice to know someone is looking and appreciating my eye's view and my (though somewhat limited) ability to snap a wonderful moment just right to capture the oooooo and ahhhhhh of it all. I recently received a comment from someone on a forum I often visit, which led me to her photo's on flickr, which led me to her favorites, which led me to another flickrerite.

Through her photo's I did roam...my goodness she's got talent...some very different photo's I did see. So much life and expression in her photo's...it was wonderful to see. And yet, oddly enough...the very photo which first led me to her...was her last photo for sometime. Submitted in mid March...she wrote her thanks to all the flickrerites who have shared in her life, her artistry and explained her need to take a break from the cyber world to re-join the 3rd dimensional world....as I read her words, so many emotions just came up..."how odd that I stumpled upon her last photo"..."why?" She spoke of making connections in the real world, not her exact words...I can understand that for sure....and at the same time...I became very aware of the connection to her through her photo's...a stranger...perhaps in a sense...in another sense...perhaps a kindred spirit?

So with all that...

awakened I became...

it may be a cyber world...

may seem detached in a sense...

but for every word sent into the public cyber space...

every photo published...

there are eyes...

there are hearts...

there are souls...

watching...

learning...

connecting...

separation....

I think not.

Whimsical Wednesday....

Wednesday already?! Time sure does fly!


My Wednesday arty play day has been interrupted by mother nature...it is snowing! Ahhhhh spring in Maine...you never know what you're gonna get!Alas...thanks to Dumpr I got to play artfully anyway! :D

Whimsical Wednesdays

For whatever reason...

these whimsical Wednesday's are getting

harder and harder to do...

I shall continue to push through...

come what may, I'm ok!

About the above photo's...

thanks to LGD...

I've got a new tool to play around with!

You can find it here

Love how the droplets

are still visible in the rose "ball"

and my car wash "ball", I think...

came out pretty cool!

Tuesday's Thoughts

I recently had a stranger choose one of my photo's as one of her favs.

I thought..."wow! Thats pretty cool!"

So I thought I'd like to check out her photo's...

but much to my surprise...

after clicking to view her photo's...

all I got was a message saying so-and-so has no photo's for you to view.

Well...bummm poooo!

I am assuming her photo's are not "public".

Ok...that is certainly her purogative...

certainly keeps her photo's safer than "public",

as mine are...

but I will admit it did bother me a bit...

she could see mine but I couldn't see hers...

I don't know...maybe it's just me...but it left a sour taste in my mouth so to speak.

On a lighter note...I am working on creating a new meme...

just got to come up with some more interesting questions. hmmmmmmm

Meme complete, can be found here

Whimsical Wednesday?...Maybe not so whimsical...

Cricks, cracks and crevaces...

Seeing them...

Healing them...

Moving forward...

Held captive no more.

Tuesday's Thoughts

Is it Tuesday already!! Goodness time flies!!

We are about midway through our birthday extravaganza! A birthday a week for about...close to 2 months! Thats a lot of celebrating and oh so much fun!!

I am blessed to have so many wonderful beings in my life; I love sharing in their lives, celebrating with them and being there to listen when needs be.

XXOO

Just "cram it"

The "cram it" method for photography is actually quite simple...best used for flowers. You simply put your camera on macro mode, choose your area of focus, cram your lense into a flower and snap away!

I learned about this method on DPS by Michael Brown...here is the link>

http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1100&highlight=cram+it

When using this method, I've found it beneficial to keep a clean lense cloth handy, to clean the lense every now and then from pollen.

Whimsical Wednesday

I got to keep it going...so here I am again...Wednesday...my arty play day!

I created this photo yesterday actually (Tuesday)...just in case I got too busy in my whimsicalness on Wednesday...so if I got more to post later today...I will.

About these photos:

I purchased some flowers from our local grocery store, to lighten things up here and for photography practice. The first photo, a macro, originally I was attempting to use the 'cram it' method, but it wasn't working out so well.

Photo2, same as 1 with hue and sat edits and then added an oil painting effect...what I like about it....the colors are inspiring and rich and the oil look...well, makes me wish I could paint this well! sighhhhhh

Tuesday's Thoughts

So much going on....
Got to let go...
Say bye to an old dream...
Hello to a new one...
Can I follow thru...
WILL I follow thru...
How long can I stay centered...
The voices pushing their way to the surface...
The doubts...
The fears...
I feel a light inside...
I cling to it...
Breathe into it...
Let it grow...
Let it lead...
A time to stand tall...
A time to be heard...
A time to celebrate the essence of who I am...

Whimsical Wednesday's

In my attempt to keep my creative side up and running and flowing nicely...I have created "Whimsical Wednesday's"...a day to just play around creatively....here is today's creative play:

A photo of snow taken last year, now recreated with special effects using PhotoImpact Pro.
I like the outcome! :)

Tuesday's Thoughts

I watched a repeat of Oprah yesterday, it was about women aging...and since my first post was also about aging...I thought I'd share my thoughts on the show.

Three women...50 and above...all looked great! Now...really...why do they look great? No facial wrinkles??? Hmmmmmmm. What bothers me the most...one was asked "is this what 71 looks like?" And she replied "yes, this IS what 71 looks like". 71 looks like that with lots of cosmetic help. It was shortly after her proud statement of 71 looking so good, that she said she totally believes in plastic surgery. Wellllllllll helllllllllllllllllo! It's not 71 years of age that we are really looking at...it's fillers, pinches, pulls, tucks, botox....yada yada yada...is it real? Might as well just wear a mask! If you are proud of your age...show it...don't hide it!

Every wrinkle, every crease in your body is a special moment in your earthly journey...it's a shame that in today's society these moments/creases are considered "ugly" and something to hide.

Thats my two cents worth.

Another "New Year"

My birthday, well, I consider it my "new year" and my new year started just a few days ago.

Aging...I like to think I am aging gracefully...still feel like a kid at heart...body...well, not so much. So, for this new year I have plans of eating a bit healthier, exercising on a more regular basis and continue my journey of self-discovery, peeling away the layers, letting go of self doubts...big plans...easier said than done...but I think writing it all down will help the journey along.

So heres to a great new year!