2010

I need to begin a photo project that will help me to focus and play and grow. I'm rolling around some possibilities.

I miss spending time here.

Glad to be back

I'm glad to be back after the great computer crash of 2009. Here are some things I've been doing:

Lost

My computer died- but here's what I was posting when I lost it (Nov. 4th):

But I end today remembering, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." MLK

Singing in the Sun

Create.

Friday I blew off all of the things I "shoulda" done and took pictures instead. It was the perfect--dramatic pause--perfect fall day and I am so glad that it's how I spent it.







More Photos Here.

Sometimes... sometimes it's good to just walk away for a day. Leave the worries- the things that are bogging you down and making you sad and instead CREATE. It doesn't chase the sadness away for good- but it does offer a needed reprieve.

Thanks for being here.

Dreary Photos

It was a cold, dark, dreary day in the woods today. But it was better than many days because I got out and took some pictures. I got out. And I took some pictures.

They're dark and dreary and a little boring, but they are pictures, and today that is something to celebrate.







And you? What did you do today?

My 8 year old...

Clay is 8. Its hard yet easy to believe as it's impossible for me to remember life before him. 8 years ago he was so round and had the longest, softest hair you've ever seen. It stood straight up. They called him Spike.

And when he wasn't screaming like a velociraptor he was a quiet observer. The same holds true today, although today he is angular; long limbed and flexible. His hair is longer. We call him Freak.

Happy Birthday to my boy, and happy anniversary of the day we became 4. 4 with a twinkle in our eye.

Selective coloring

This sweet little thing was at the hurling match over the weekend. I loved the expression on her face but hated the ugly background. The danger of candids. I had no time to move and needed to capture the shot. I used selective coloring (a technique I am not very fond of ordinarily) to help mask the ugly background which was ruining an otherwise sweet shot.

Her colors? Are hers alone. I did not boost or do any post production on her soft pink sweetness.

I have a blog... and Nancy has a birthday

My brain had forgotten (about the blog, not about the birthday). Which is a bummer because when I started this photo blog it was in hopes of helping to lift me up when I was down. I forgot. Even when some of you were reminding me. You know I've been blue. Blue, blue. Yuck blue. Yawn blue. A blue quite unlike the photo I'm posting below. That blue brings me a feeling of warmth. I crave that blue.



Speaking of lifting me up, and speaking of warmth, it's my friend Nancy's birthday today. She's the kind of friend who hears you- who hears me when I'm silent and spreads a warm blanket of peace and acceptance when she speaks and when she writes.

Nancy, you are so giving and I am thankful for you today and every other day. Happy birthday.

Lucy

Ahhh...

Bo*ring

I took a handful of exceptionally boring pictures today. I brought the kids to the playground at Aidan's new school. I brought my diffuser, but the kids have taken to looking at me with disdain when I try to get them to actually cooperate for a photo.

PROOF:



Most of my photos are candids, so figuring out how to manage the diffuser is proving to be tricky. Tomorrow I am hoping Rob will act as my assistant!


And just because I am a fan of pokadots:

Gifts

When I reconnected with a high school friend on Facebook I had the good fortune of catching up with a long lost friend, which was and continues to be lovely. I mention it here because it was at that time that I was introduced to the work of a photographer I've come to admire a great deal.

My friend Melissa's little brother is an extremely talented guy who has developed a uniquely recognizable portrait style. In 2007 he began a project wherein he took 365 portraits in as many days. They are spectacular. This one is one of my favorites and I look at it often. This one takes the breath from me. And this one makes me laugh. I love to look at the variety within the project. Then I like to look at his portfolio here, too. Different.


Where was I? My friend showed her brother some of my photos, he thought I needed a diffuser/reflector kit, and so he bought me one. He could've shot me an email suggesting this. He could've passed a message through his sister. But he ordered it for me and sent it. This is one of those moments for me. I feel thankful and inspired. I feel committed to learning to use it- the kit- and inspired to get better.

And to pay it forward.

___ ____ ____

I learned a bit while playing with my new toy today. It's easy to use it to make bad pictures:



And some pictures can show potential- potential to manipulate available light to make a prettier picture:




And some pictures can come out looking kindof pretty:






I am thankful to Bill, albeit slightly intimidated. Which is a little funny because last time I saw Bill he was a high school sophomore. And here I sit just trying to muddle my way through; lucky on occasion to capture a good moment in a pretty way, and wanting to get better.

You Capture: Peace

This time of year I feel peace with the sand beneath my feet. In the dark of winter, I call upon the memories of the warmth of the sun on my face and the water lapping my toes. I will always live near the water. Always.









Don't forget to visit more PEACE posts. They can only make your day better. Here are the list of participants this week.

Best shots:3 of 1

Visit more great shots:

Weekends

Even in (or especially in) busy weekends I am surrounded by the loveliest things:

Cousins

Walking together...



Posing together...



Building together...



Talking together...



Being together...