Project 52: How Others See You

Final:

Runner Up??

My sister likes this one better because you can see a hint of a smile.. I think I prefer the close up shot to be the final because the image has more impact without the distraction of the background and book title.  So--hmm.. here's the runner-up I guess:

Being a bookworm..this is often how people "see me" :)

Happy Places

The last part of planning my new "workspace" was wanting to get something to hang over my desk.  I was hoping for something inspiring in one way or another-- a quote, an attractive piece of metal or picture, etc.  This is what I ended up with- a floating frame and I printed some of my older pictures that represent some of my "happy places."  A great bonus is that not only are these images "happy places", but when I look at them I also remember the pleasure I found in capturing them.

In other news: I needed to finish up last week's project "How others see you." I was telling my little sister last week how I wasn't happy with the end product of the self-portrait.  She gave me a fun idea.  I took 10 minutes yesterday after work to re-shoot.  I haven't edited yet, but I think I will find something that I like and will post that later today and be done with it.  The problem was, my Black and White, self-portrait- I just didn't pull it off with the quality that I wanted so I guess that's why it didn't feel right for the FINAL submission for the week's project.  This idea is more playful.

After I get last week's project posted, I think I will be taking a break for a week or two.  I want to carve out time to pursue learning in this.. yet there are many things pulling for my time right now.  I have 4 weeks left to finish off this school year well and that is heavily on my mind.  Additionally, I need to get things ordered and ready from the school so that I have materials to plan with over the summer.  It is also the first of the month--bringing all those responsibilities.  Annnd, I am trying to continue purging my house because it is wayyyyy overdue, but also to maximize a yard sale I will be having to raise funds for Robert's mission trip to Africa.  The cherry on top, is that I just invested some money in cleaning up our yard and I'm terrified that my neglect of it will result in a waste of all that money- so I'm trying to make sure little things get done that will make the most of what has already been invested.  And go the grocery store. And laundry. And plan some meals and cook- I have been slacking and wasting too much money on eating out. And laundry. Did I mention laundry? 

I'm seriously slacking. I have to work harder on learning. And, I can't decide which self portrait to choose for the theme! I don't like any of them for it! I hope I get out of this rut and move forward soon. Grr.

More choices

I really cannot come to a conclusion on this topic "How Others See You."  Usually in editing for these weekly projects I will finally stumble on one or an edit that I love.. I am not getting that this time around. Here's more choices.  I think I need to ignore this for a while and come back to it to see if I can make a choice.

One possibility

Not loving this but there are not many I can use from my shoot.  

self-portrait

The theme for this week is "How others view me." I have been thinking of doing a self-portrait with kind of a downward focus since most people are taller than me.  I knew it would be a challenge and in wanting to grow.. I was ready to tackle it.  But it is really, really hard.  I never like pictures of myself so I knew that would be a huge barrier.  On the technical side- it is hard to find a focal point and jump into it..if that makes sense.  I don't have studio lighting but was picturing a hard shadow/light line across the face in black and white- kind of a grunge, edgy look with negative space accentuated through triangular arm shapes leading to the face.  High hopes.  I thought if I could control the light and just use a single lamp with a daylight bulb I could get what i want.  I tried the bathroom with no windows but light was bouncing everywhere-- white shower curtain, mirror, light walls. Duh.  Then tried the hallway hoping the light would fall off behind me but that didn't work..then natural light in my bedroom.  So many focus issues, had the kids come stand in for me so I could focus and then kick them out of the way- but they aren't my exact height so it didn't always work well. I read up on Rembrandt Lighting and Short Lighting and looked over some diagrams.. no way.  Not even close.  Most frustrating was trying to use my flash unit that I got for Christmas.  I thought I could use that as my single light source bounced off the wall near the face.. it was so horrible and I still don't have the foggiest idea how to use it even though I have read the manual.

This was a bad project to try to do on a day when I am already low on patience and confidence! I finally stopped shooting and have yet to pull things up on my computer to edit.  I hope I find something to work with and can give it a twist that I like.  Phew.  Good thing I am on break today, though.  I have not spent time on my chore list at all!

Project 52: Just For Fun

Working on the project

This week's theme is called "Just For Fun." I have thought and thought about it.  I am sure I will have a gazillion good ideas next month, but I could only come up with a couple ideas.  At first, I pictured a my feet all nicely pedicured, toes in at an angle with a funky toe ring! JUST FOR FUN-- perfect! If I was going to wear a toe ring-that's exactly what I would be thinking as I put it on.  But..I chickened out.  I really don't want a picture of my feet- especially a close-up, on here and then printed in the book I am going to make when I am done!

Next, I thought-ok.. a cherry on top.  That will do.  So, I took the photos and then had the hardest time in post processing because I forgot to follow the "Rule of Thirds" when I was composing the shot.  In art and photography you are supposed to try to keep the subject in the crosshairs of a vertical/horizontal third if you imagine a grid over the image.  Of course, rules like that can be broken but typically, it is more visually pleasing.  So, I kept zooming in and trying to rotate the frame to get that stupid cherry in the right 1/3 but then I usually would have to crop too much off and not see the blue ice cream dish or it wasn't just right.....I finally ended up with this one and exported it, ready to upload to the blog but not LOVING it.  "Just for fun" haha- I went back into Lightroom and found a more pulled back shot..zoomed in and cropped really tight and also cropped SQUARE..and!!!!!!! found one I love! yay! It's so exciting when that happens :)

 So- here was the first run.. next post will be the final.

Made and printed this for my kitchen- and quite possibly, my forehead.

Work Space

Not a lot happening right now with my camera or even with editing.  There's been a bit of a lull in my motivation but I am sure it will return as it usually does.  In spite of that, I have been working on recreating a work space at home for editing.  I had been using an old computer armoire to house all my photography books, laptop, hard drive, etc and planned to edit there-- but it never happens.  Facing into that cabinet feels so stifling that I always go somewhere else.  You aren't supposed to edit in different places because the light changes and screen looks different.  Anyway, it is so far out of my area of expertise to decorate or rearrange-- but I am trying to make an effort and create a space that feels good and inviting (and also is a nice addition to my home.)  I found a red desk at Target that I love.  I hope I pull it off and don't end up just wasting money, time, and energy.

I can keep working on my Project 52 stuff and I have yet to work allll the way through my Lightroom5 book- but I want to grow more.  A year ago I was inhaling every book from the library in every spare minute.  Now- I am not as motivated.  I don't know where to go next in my learning and it seems some resources aren't good or relevant.

For Mother's Day- I think I am going to ask for: 1. Something good to eat. :) 2. A ticket for a NUTS game. 3. A 3 month subscription to Lynda.com- supposedly there are many high quality teaching videos available and you can watch as many as you want during your subscription.  Maybe that would help.

New Topics

I finished all the MCP topics that I had jotted down from the beginning-- so I had to go back to that blog and research some more.  The new list seems so intimidating! And, I am starting to wonder if all my stuff is looking the same and therefore, boring.  I dunno..  We'll see how it plays out, I guess.

New themes:

Just for Fun
How Other See You
Furry Friends
Princess for a Day
First Thing in the Morning
Window Light
Spring Fever
Need for Speed
Reflection
Enchantment
Make it Tasty
Crave
Hidden Objects
Nature's Finest
Sweet Relief
Get in Close
A Letter of the Alphabet

Project 52: From the Jewelry Box

Project 52: Childhood Toys

I was not excited about this week's topic and reluctantly completed the goal.  I don't love this image, in and of itself-- but I was happy to see a perfect histogram on my screen indicating a well-balanced exposure.  I also like the play of texture here.  I am getting more comfortable with a good starting point for certain conditions and where my settings should be.  I took about 10+ shots of this setup from differing angles..but this was the first shot, actually.  And, I did not do much to it in post-processing.  That's progress I am happy about.  I just wish it would translate to LIVE subjects. :)

Label

I am always attracted to wine bottles and wine labels--I have always thought wine bottles are so elegant looking.  Over the years I have tried to figure out ways to incorporate wine bottles into home decor somehow-- but since that's not really my strong point :)  I haven't come up with anything yet.  Today, I saw a wine label that seemed made for me.  I had to get it.  Given my obsession with barbed wire and how I seem to be drawn to it time and time again:

T and the Sunburst