Monday, January 13, 2014

Project: Create 1/26

Project: Create 2014

We're back this year with a new project designed to help us build more creativity into our photography.
Every other Monday we'll post our images, many of them taken with our Lensbaby lenses.
The effects of the Lensbaby can be somewhat subtle or quite dramatic.
At the bottom of my post, as well as in the post of the other photographers, is a link to next photographers images. Click those links to take a trip around our circle!

I've had this lens for over a year, but am just beginning to understand how many different ways I can use it and how many different results I can get from photographing the same objects.

This is going to be fun!
 







Thursday, January 9, 2014

Frozen Bubbles!!

With temperatures way below freezing, shooting frozen bubbles was fun challenge for a few of my friends, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and try my hand.
Thought I was going to loose my fingers due to frostbite, getting some of these.
I still have some work to do, but it was fun!

First attempt, but not frozen, yet!

Taken inside the porch, but still not frozen!
 

Past frozen..folding into itself!


Outside and frozen!
 

Frozen and cracked!
 

Day 2-All frozen!






Tuesday, January 7, 2014

It's 2014, a new year, a new beginning, a new journey!

No New Year's resolutions for me.
Gave 'em up a long time ago.
Instead, I try to think of the New Year as a chance to do things better. 
Do them differently.
Do them less frequently.
Do them more often
Not necessarily for a whole year.
Sometimes for a few weeks.
Sometimes one day
Maybe a minute.

Each time I do something better for myself or someone else, I make the quality of my life or someone's life better. 
I love that. 
 I love that my photography makes others happy.
Truth be told, I don't do it for anyone but myself.
It makes me happy.
It challenges me.
It pushes me out of my comfort zone. 

After not being able to pick up my camera last year for more than a few months, I'm anxious to get out there and shoot again.
There's a part of me that's giddy with happiness.
That's ready to be challenged.
To be pushed. 
To make my hopes and dreams for my journey through photography to change and grow and take me places, I never imagined I'd go!

To start this year, I'm continuing my journey with the Stacy Heap Vitallo, Faye Kingston, and Denean Melcher.  Every other week, we'll post to our blogs.  
No longer will it be called Macro Monday. 
 This year's project is "Create."
We'll try to use our Lensbaby lenses and post something creative!

In March, I'm headed to DC for a National Geographic Seminar on Story Telling. 
(a gift from my boys for Christmas!)
I'm hoping to broaden my ideas and perspective behind the lens!

I hope to continue to meet up with my friends and share my images here.
 
Stay tuned!

And just because I can't post without a image, here's a couple that I took while practicing with my Lensbaby. 
I hope to get lots of practice time with this lens.
I need it.
Big time!






Monday, December 30, 2013

It's just another Macro Monday! 25/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

Our final week for 2013.  
We started a week late and skipped last week due to our busy schedules.
We have plans to continue our circle into next year but with a twist on our theme.  
Stay tuned!

I thought it only fitting to finish out the year sharing a bit of my Christmas. 

An original Elf on the Shelf...it belongs to my husband and was given to him as a child!  He sits in our tree...


An ornament from our tree...
 

Sprinkles for the Cream Cheese cookies no one can seem to live without..
 

A snowman that greets me at the sink each morning...
 

The leaves of a pointsettia...
 

A keychain camera that sounds like a camera when you click the shutter and yes, that's my tree in the lens...
 

The next three are from a quick trip to Longwood ..
 



Thank you all for sharing in this journey with me this year.  I appreciate your comments and that so many of you have told me how much you look forward to seeing my work.  
I hope you continue to follow my blog next year and to check out the blogs of my friends who are joining in this project with me!

To see the final posts of the other three photographers start here with 
and click the links in each post until you come full circle!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, photography filled New Year!

Monday, December 9, 2013

It's just another Macro Monday! 24/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

WOW!  Week 24, almost finished!

This past weekend I took a brief walk through Longwood Gardens.  I was hoping to share some of those images, but alas, I've been banned from giving a "spoiler alert!"  
It seems that my preview of Longwood bothered some of fellow photographer friends up in 
Berks County.
You see, we had planned to go as a group tomorrow.  Unfortunately, there is a significant snowstorm predicted so it's been postponed until next week. 

Instead of flowers from Longwood, I'll share a couple of pictures I took for my Macro Madness Study Group.  The first is a first try at using something besides bugs or flowers. 
A common household object.  
My initial image is with correct settings and white balance.


 This image was created playing with the settings on my camera and my external flash!  What a difference a couple of clicks on a dial can make!



I bought this poinsettia just because it was blue, and had sparkles, and I thought it would make an interesting subject.  My expectations didn't quite live up my execution, but you can be the judge.


To continue around the circle, start here with Stacy Vitallo Heap and continue around the circle until you're back here at my blog!

Monday, November 25, 2013

It's Just Another Macro Monday! 23/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

This week's images come from a Macro Study I'm doing on my favorite photography forum.

One of my many favorite photographers is sharing his love of macro photography and the how-to's with a small group of us. 
This week's challenge was to use a different lighting source than you normally do...an off-camera flash, a reflector, a flashlight...whatever you could find.
Since I have an off-camera flash, but little experience with it, I decided to try that.  
These two pictures couldn't be more different in color and tone, but 
I like them anyway.



To see what the other three photographers, particpating in the challenge, posted this week
and click the link in each post until you end up back here.
The circle will, then, be complete.

Monday, November 11, 2013

It's Just Another Macro Monday-Week 22/26

Come take a walk with me through the websites of four photographers who are sharing their love of macro photography every other Monday throughout the year.  We shoot what we love, what makes us happy,  to hone our skills,  to stretch our minds and our imaginations, and because it's who we are! 

This week's post if from my favorite place to shoot macro. 


I spent the afternoon there last week with another group of friends who keep me inspired,
push me to further my knowledge base, and enjoy my hobby as much as I do!

I'm looking forward to my next visit already. Their Christmas display is amazing. If you get a chance, if you live within driving distance, you should go, at least once in your lifetime, but I can almost guarantee that you'll want to back!

Here are a few of my favorite. 








 

To continue around the circle and see what the rest of my friends found to share this week,