365 Project - Day 75

I love books. I used to enjoy spending hours in bookstores just roaming through the aisles reading book titles and leafing through the books on the shelves. I could waste an entire afternoon in a large bookstore years ago. One of my favorite bookstores was the BookStop in Houston, Texas. Such a fantastic store. So many books and no one concerned that I was there for 4 or 5 hours (as was typical for me). I always found something interesting to read or just browse, like the time I was strolling through the travel section and happened upon a random title about pygmies in Africa. I glanced at the picture on the back and realized I had seen the author of the book while visiting my parents when my father was with the Peace Corps. I inevitably left each bookstore visit with more books than I could possibly read, yet always happier and more fulfilled than when I entered the store.

I now have the bookshelf of my dreams. Well, really, I have dreamt of one of those massive bookshelves, stretching multiple stories high and requiring a rolling ladder to reach the top. Now that we have electronic books, however, that seems highly unlikely. I will settle for my cozier wall to wall, floor to ceiling shelves in our family room. I have tried to group the books and I have been thinking about a book photo for sometime, but struggled with pulling together the visual. I finally chose to gather a group of children's books and fan them. This is a bit of an eclectic collection of favorites, new and old.

Several years ago, I used to lead a youth group and at the end of the year, we would give the graduating seniors a book. Sometimes we would give a blank book designed to allow them to obtain "words of wisdom" and friendship from their friends and also to use as a journal and often we would give either the books Hope for the Flowers or The Little Prince. We also gave one I did not include in this stack, Oh the Places You Will Go. These books offer fantastic stories of life that are important to young adults on the cusp of living life on their own.

I know everyone is familiar with the popular phrase from The Little Prince, "what is essential is invisible to the eye." For me, it is important to understand this in context. This is a secret the fox shares with the little prince to explain why he will cry when the little prince leaves. It is a lesson that comes only after the once wild fox has insisted that the little prince tame him and when he does everything changes for the good. "One only understands the things that one tames." There are wonderful lessons like this in each one of these books.

My only regret in this photo is the flash was too strong. I'm not digging the shine on the lower volumes.

Today's photo: Growing Up Inspired

"During the change, it will seem to you or to anyone who might peek that nothing is happening - but the butterfly is already becoming. It just takes time!" From Hope for the Flowers




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
50mm
f4
1/250 (on camera speedlite with diffuser)

365 Project - Day 74

I am not fond of cold weather and cloudy days. It has been so very cold the last several days. We awoke this morning to a messy wintery mix which the boys enjoyed because that meant a 2 hour delay for school. I am unabashedly a warmer weather gal. Getting through winter in the northeast is a challenge repeated every year. My sister and brother in law have suggested that I buy a sunny winter villa that I can escape to when I start to visibly and physically resemble the gray days of winter. In the meantime, I try to find comfort in the beauty of the chill.

For this 365 Project, I went out in the evening for a minutes to photograph the snow. The snow had fallen a few days earlier and was no longer fresh, however, I still wanted to capture a cozy evening winter photograph. This is a photograph of the base of our Japanese Maple. It seems to be a perfect place for a bench, friends and a hot toddy - if you were one to enjoy that kind of thing on a very cold evening!

As a note, to brighten the snow, I used the on camera speedlite.

I hope you're keeping warm!

Today's Photo: "Meet you under the Maple tree"

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 1000
50mm
f1.8
1/250 (on camera speedlite)

365 Project - Day 73

I have seen a few photos of forks and knives and have this on my ongoing project list. My youngest son was intrigued by one of the photos, wondering what would drive someone to photograph a fork. That straightforward question drove me to put utensils on my project list. Since I still struggle with pulling together all of the appropriate pieces for a more complex photograph, I went with simplicity.

I began with my favorite fork and knife, an unusual and heavy set with clean lines. This is the silverware I purchased in Paris when my family left to return home after our international assignment. I remained on my own for several months, so there is sentimental value. I also chose a Laguiole knife set, another favorite and IMHO the best steak knives in the world. I selected these for 2 reasons: I love them and as a tribute to France given the activities this week. I love Paris and wish my fellow Parisians the best always!

I photographed several different positions and angles with these. This one of the knives in the center proved to be the one I preferred. I wish I didn't have fingerprints visible on one of the knives, but I like the reflections. It looks as though you can see the food in the reflection.

Best wishes!


Today's Photo: You are what you eat!

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Psalm 128:1-2




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 800
50mm
f9.5
1/180s (on camera speedlite bounced with diffuser)

365 Project - Day 72

I had a nice easy day, but the arrival into New York City shifted to a more harried existence. The taxi line was long leaving us in a rush and I had to walk from Grand Central Station (42nd and Park) to 53rd and Madison where we finally caught a cab for the last stretch. If you're not aware of why this was such a challenge, I have a broken leg. I walked on crutches on a frigid evening. I have a walking boot and I prayed every other step for a taxi to appear. I suppose the Lord felt that both my son and I needed a little exercise - hahaha! Unfortunately, that left us a few key minutes late for the show at 54 Below, but right on time to catch my younger son. It is just like God to be "right on time." Never mind what my timing might be - His is always, right on!

And, thinking back over the events of the past week, the blessings overflowed. A few minutes of minor suffering does not change that.

Without having a chance to settle in when we arrived at 54 Below, I felt a bit "off", but I learned from that. In the midst of my next harried experience (and I am certain there are more to come), I need to practice "mindfulness". I am confident that had I taken a moment to breathe and do so using my mantra ,"I praise thee and thank thee," I would have relaxed and grounded myself in 6 counts in and 6 counts out. Isn't it true that so much can be resolved if we would simply breathe?

Once again the kids were fantastic. This time, we were entertained by the Stars Cast and I was fortunate enough to capture a good portion of the show. Creating great photos at venues like this is a labor of love. I am addicted to ensuring that everyone looks the best they can in the photos I produce. So, I take my time often making multiple passes through editing. I try not to anguish over the ones that don't make it, and to rejoice over the surprises. This week, there were lots of photos in which to delight, photos of both kids and the professionals. I also worked to give as many people as possible a photo with the 54 Below sign in sight. I am pleased when they are happy with what they see. It is, after all, a key reason why I do this with pleasure. The other reason is because every photograph taken is a learning experience and I am better for it.

This is my son Brooks, who was Snug the Lion - "I'm not really a lion". He was selling it! His hands are blurry in this photo, but I still like this photo so much that I had to use if for today. I love his energy - you can practically hear him roaring.

Today's Photo: "I'll just roar now and then she'll run away!"

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9



EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
98mm (70-200 f2.8)
f2.8
1/90
(using a monopod)

365 Project - Day 71

Yes I know I promised that I had posted the final Christmas photo, but I just could not resist. As I shared, we have not had time to take down the tree and our ritual works like this ... My husband carefully removes all of the ornaments and arranges them by type and color on the dining room table. Then when I have time, I equally (nay, more) carefully pack them away. You might ask, "why by type and color?" It is so, because I am admittedly anal about how the tree gets decorated. I like for there to be a bit of randomness about the decorated tree and for that to happen, there must be order in the storing of the ornaments. Then when we decorate, we hang all blue ornaments at the same time; all French ornaments at the same time; all red ones and so on to ensure they are each equally spread throughout the tree. That's clear, right?

As I was thinking about what to photograph, I kept looking at the tree with its lights still blinking and behind it, the table filled with ornaments and I simply could not pass on one final opportunity ;-). You will notice that I did mess with the orderliness of things as I took the photo. I needed to add a touch of fun to the shot. Candidly, the photo did not turn out as exciting as I had hoped, but it was fun for me.

I shot this with my SB700 speed light on camera with the diffuser attached. The dining room chandelier was lit as well. It is amusing to me that at the start of this 365 journey, I was loathe to use a flash of any sort. Now, I have little angst about it.

Enjoy and Best Wishes.

Today's Photo: "Just 352 Days Until Christmas!"

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9



EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 400
50mm
f/4
1/250 (on camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 70

This is one of those photos that is on my project list. That is to say the subject was and still is on my project list. My immediate and extended family enjoy playing Monopoly with me. It seems no matter how far ahead I might be at any one point in the game, if they stick with it long enough, they will inevitably win. The best players I've competed with were a couple of French teenagers staying with us one summer. They were visiting from two different regions in France and they knew every minute detail of the rules. We argued over the rules and then I would double check and they would be right. It was tedious. They were, hands down, the best strategists we've played. Our first game together happened one evening when just the three of us were around. I thought this would be a simple, rather innocuous game for us to try. I was so very wrong. We played a long game. At some point, they chose to partner to build their wealth and collaborate against me. Then when it was clear that I was ready to call it quits, they felt sorry for me. I was their mom for the summer and this was what I would have expected from my biological children. They taunted me and we laughed and joked for hours. It was terrific fun for the three of us.

One of the reasons I like this particular arrangement out of all of the photos I took, is I'm enamored with the shiny cowboy on his horse on Boardwalk. Seems whimsical and illogical. Is it absurd? Perhaps this is a person who knows both where they are from and where they are going and is not timid about taking necessary risks to yield extraordinary gains! The blue cast is a happy accident, in my opinion. I neglected to change the white balance after shooting the show on Monday night and this is the result. I, frankly, preferred this "cool florescent" to the auto WB I chose for the rest of the photos. I believe it makes the game more inviting. I will be working on a few more of these photos over the next 300ish days, but this is a solid baseline.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: The Rhinestone Cowboy Wins

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." T. S. Elliott


EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f/5.6
1/250 (on camera speed light bouncing off the ceiling)

365 Project - Day 69

It's hard to say anything, but wow! Spending the evening at New York's 59 Below is the stuff that "dreams are made of." Anyone who is anyone on Broadway has performed on that stage and hung out in the intimate Broadway Supper Club. What a blessing for the children of Newtown to have the opportunity to do the same with their equally blessed parents proudly watching in awe.

The preparation, anticipation and thought of the event was a bit overwhelming and frankly, brought tears to my eyes. During the event, however, I was preoccupied with the combination of trying to enjoy the evening - truly living the moment - while at the same time capturing the moment on camera. I had not anticipated being one of the primary photographers for the event, but that is truly a pleasure for me.

As is often the norm, I took more photos than I care to acknowledge. I seriously believe my camera has a mind of its own, snapping away when I'm not in control. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic evening and I was fortunate to be one of the historians. Aidan was fabulous, as usual. And one of my high school friends joined us for an additional special treat. My cup runneth over.

Seriously, the only thing that would have made this evening better would have been a less ambitions lighting team. It was impossible to manage photographing a large group with my 70-200mm in this tight space with the lights changing nearly every few seconds. I was going nuts. Well, that and my son was on the opposite end of the stage. From my vantage point, he was always in the shadows.

I am nitpicking. It is hard to find anything to complain about -- I have a great life. I was thinking about that this morning. Sure, I want more - but I am so very blessed.

Wishing you an abundance of blessings!

Today's Photo: "The course of true love never did run smooth"

“If you love and get hurt, love more.
If you love more and hurt more, love even more.
If you love even more and get hurt even more, love some more until it hurts no more...”
― William Shakespeare