365 Project - Day 103

"Next to God, thy parents." William Penn

I received a phone call this afternoon that my 82 year old father is in the hospital. So, it was a delightful treat to speak with him this evening and hear his laughter. That smile and laughter are among my favorite things in all the world. My father is a very funny man, a prankster. He kept us laughing, often to the point of tears while we were growing up. I can vividly remember snorting beverages at the dinner table from laughing so hard.

I pray for my father's supernatural return to perfect health.

Best wishes.

Today's Photo: His smile!

"A father’s goodness is higher than the mountain, a mother’s goodness deeper than the sea." Japanese Proverb





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f5.6
1/10

365 Project - Day 102

I saw a Facebook posting today that read, "New England Closed Mondays Please Call Again!" So appropriate for yet another snow day! I meant to bake cookies today, but got distracted with another Creative Live broadcast (though this time a free recording). I continue to dream of Spring and since that is the case, I am compelled to deliver another flower photograph. I think, much like a rain dance, I am going to keep posting flowers to make drive Spring weather. I can't remember the last day we did not have snow on the ground. The good news is shots like this, using window light, are easier to take because of the reflection off of the snow, but I would rather have sunshine any day!

"Winter is on my head, but eternal Spring is in my heart" Victor Hugo

This lily is delicate, beautiful and pink. Pink. In my opinion, the primary color of Spring. I shoot these flowers in my dining room. It is a large room, but it is full of stuff. I use the room, however, because it has fantastic navy blue walls that serve as a wonderful back drop. As I was shooting today, I was unnerved by the painting on the wall that crowds my space. I finally stood back to look at the painting I had purchased more than 17 years ago and had been ignoring. It is a beautiful floral painting with many colors and a dark background. The reason why I was having spacial challenges at the moment I stepped back to look at the painting was because I was photographing a larger eclectic arrangement of flowers. I used that moment as an inspiration for a later floral - when Spring truly arrives. It was a reminder, though, of how much I love florals.

Best wishes.

Today's Photo: Until Spring!

"Despite the forecast, live like it's Spring." Lilly Pulitzer




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f/11
1/3

365 Project - Day 101

I am excited about the remaining 200+ days of this project, knowing that I have lots to explore, learn and develop. One of things I have discovered in the last 100 days is that I have a preference for portraiture/headshots of youth, event photography and flower photography. Sort of an odd mix. I am trying to determine how that melds into a single objective, or not. The unfortunate thing is that they are all costly, naturally! All requiring very different kits, naturally!

I am committed to stretching, growing and achieving excellence. This is no longer about taking 10,000 photographs or spending 10,000 hours on this passion. It is about doing exceptionally well, which will require time, sacrifice and faith. I am reminded of my former CEO's quote, "growth and comfort do not coexist." Ginni Rometty Along the way, I will remain focused and "Cast all [my] anxieties on Him because He cares for [me]." 1 Peter 5:7

So, it won't happen everyday, but as often as possible, I will select photos that illustrate new skill development. Today, I selected the combination of my favorite format, old fashioned B&W and grainy in still life. While I have been working on stills for several weeks. Shifting to B&W and incorporating the apple's shadow in the photograph is an important distinction in this photograph. I also believe the tones and details are improved in this over others. While the subject doesn't meet one of the 3 preferred categories above, developing talent in B&W, natural light and still photography will strengthen my abilities in all 3, regardless of subject.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Nourished by faith

"If I had 4 hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend 2 hours sharpening my axe." Abraham Lincoln




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f6.7
1/8

365 Project - Day 100

"If God had granted all the silly prayers I've ever prayed where would I be now? Someday we will be more grateful for the prayers that didn't get answered than the ones that did." C.S. Lewis

What a remarkable 100 day journey this has been. When I initially thought about the 365 Project, I did not imagine the challenge in front of me. I thought that simply taking a photo every day and posting it somewhere should be simple enough. As I began that first day, however, it felt strange just to posting a picture. I was compelled to say something about the photograph and the words, though difficult to come, needed to be more than "here is my photo; I took this because; this is the EXIF." I had more I wanted to say. I didn't know why. I am convinced that God was stirring me, unbeknownst to me at the time, into a greater service. Frankly, had I understood at the time, I might not have started. He knew, however, that I was committed to the project the first day I created this blog, but I think he also knew I wasn’t keen on the written blog. I got a little help the next day. A broken leg changes your perspective in a really big way, if you let it.

Society does a lot of self-checking after the first 100 days. Let's look back at what I have accomplished in the first 100 days of my 365 Project. While I have been on crutches for 100 days, my life and this journey have been about so much. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 I have often been anxious that I would exit this time with a fully healed leg, yet as the same person that fell down the stairs that day. To me, that would mean I had wasted 100 days.

In 100 days, I have taken 8,615 photographs! A normal day for me has been 20, with my high of 1200ish (70 cast members) and my low of 4 (at the gas station). I love that those were my bookends. Both were huge tasks to tackle. Only 20 days were actually shot away from my house. I've had very few days that were total failures, but have had a couple days when only 1 or 2 photos were worth processing. And, one of my favorite photos remains the one I took immediately following my fall, before I realized I had broken my leg. I was in pain and limping, but I was on a mission. Shortly after taking that photograph, I realized it was time to "be still." It is important to me to acknowledge that I managed my way through the first day or two after the fall with help from a small event on Light Stalking. I shared a photo I had taken earlier in the month as my first posting into their Shark Tank, a critiquing forum. I received lots of excellent constructive criticism coupled with lively banter. I was distracted during that time and I am grateful.

I have been incredibly fortunate during these 100 days. I rested and attempted meditation! I have had time to learn, to laugh, to love and to live, with little distraction, except my camera (and Lightroom). I have experimented, discovered and grown. I have come to understand the possibilities and limitations of my lenses. I believe that less is more and even less is better. And, some days, I just draw a creative blank. I am my biggest critic (which is nothing new) and one of the best feelings is to take a second look at my daily photos and think, "maybe that wasn't so bad after all." I have developed new skills in headshots, studio lighting, silhouettes, flower photography and still life, though not an expert, I'm making huge strides. My speed light is now my friend, whereas before it was a stranger. Christmas bokeh and event photos are much easier for me. I successfully created guidelines and taught ISO.

I am fearless!

I want to come back to the headshots. When I was shooting the cast photos, I realized I wasn't interested in only taking a good photograph. I personally had a dual purpose: 1) in the few minutes I had with each child, I wanted them to feel important, beautiful and talented in a way that was unique and special, and 2) I wanted to create a photograph that made them also feel so when they saw it. I had less than 5 minutes with each person. I was in a non-weight bearing cast and I was shooting 5 to 18 yr olds straight through without a break. It was impossible to deliver on this - but I wanted to come as close as I could. I wanted a sweeping victory. I felt God commanded it from me. We don't always get to choose our circumstances, but we always get to choose our attitude. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

So, I will wrap 100 / 365 with this: I have selected photos to post both because I think they are among the best of the day and because they suit my message. When I embarked on this project, I didn't expect to become a quote hoarder, nor did I anticipate the Lord to taking over, but He is in control and again, I am grateful. Amen.

I often joke that I am the only person reading my blog. Now, I feel I am being pushed to ensure there is broader circulation. I am praying I'm ready. This could be why I spent 100 days with a broken leg!

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O Lord, endures forever." Psalm 138:8

Blessings to you and yours!


Today's Photo: Perfected Perseverance

"And, when you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Paulo Coelho




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f8
1/180 (Paul C Buff Einstein Strobe)

365 Project - Day 99

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9 This first 99 days has been a fascinating combination of learning and stretching as I work through this process in the best possible way given a difficult situation. I am happier and stronger than I was 99 days ago, for certain. I know I have potential for far more than I believed 99 days ago. And this work, this passion, was never about impressing others, but about finding a path to helping others. While that hasn't come full circle yet, I feel more encouraged.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 I am sometimes frustrated that the mission of helping others using this creative is not clearer, but I know that it is a work in progress and will come at the proper and appointed time. Until then, I have been granted this amazing time of patience, healing, reflection, development, gratitude and most importantly time with my family. And, that is huge. I am convinced that there will come a time when my world will be crazy busy again and I will want for a return to this solitude. So, for now, I cannot wish this away. I must enjoy and learn from and through it.

Until that time, I am thankful for the incredible life I am living - every bit of it. And, I am thankful for the one that is on it's way as "God weaves together all the circumstances of my life into a beautiful tapestry." Such an awesome way to think about it, right? "Enter with the password: Thank you! Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him." Psalm 100:4.

Praise God!

A note about this photograph - I chose this for 2 reasons: 1) its heavenly / upward tilt and 2) as I mentioned yesterday, in the run-up to Day 100, I chose (though unplanned when I shot these photos) a photograph that illustrates a new technique. So, while I have been shooting floral for a few weeks, the processing for this is different. I saw a reference to a photographer who shoots monochrome and creamy tones with his florals. I looked as his work and it's lovely. I tried to imitate to suit my taste, a little less creamy and a little sharper. (NB - I will add his name - need to research)

Best wishes.


Today's Photo: Until Then

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f8
1/2s

365 Project - Day 98

While I did less today than I had planned, I may have done more than I should have. I am making excellent progress in healing my broken leg, but I spent too much time standing on it today and it hurts.

We had a photography club meeting this evening, designed to allow people who have new cameras to join us and learn more about the fundamentals. We had a larger turn out than expected. Yay! I co-staffed the ISO table and had a ball. It was fun being in a leadership role and helping people again. I had forgotten how good that feels. Plus it was nice to test my skills.

My approach to today's photograph, therefore, is about skill. Given I am nearing the end of my first 100 days in this project, I felt I should select a photo that demonstrated knowledge of a skill I did not have when I started. And, while this photo was taken 2 days ago, I am selecting not my favorite or the best photo of the day, but one that that illustrates a new technique (and is a decent photograph as well).

My husband was kind enough to shovel the walkways, including a few paths for me. I walked out into the backyard on 2 solid for the first time in over 2 months. It was liberating, albeit cold. I was confined to a few snow shoveled paths, but that was enough for me. I have taken photographs of the sun before, but have not managed to capture a starburst. I had to properly position myself and ensure the sun was positioned slightly behind the trees to capture this. Success meant setting my mind on the possibilities, not the probabilities.

When I was working, I often pushed my teams to think about the art of the possible. In doing so, we could abandon small minded thinking and move on to create much stronger solutions for our clients and partners. We would also collaborate with colleagues to innovate new ways to solving complex issues. It often meant that we accomplished more than folks believed we could and sometimes we surprised ourselves. One of my favorite poems on the art of the possible is Emily Dickinson's, "I Dwell in Possibility". I should note that I have a less insular, more literal interpretation of the poem! I think it's a brilliant take on the extension of a person's world when they dwell on possibilities - it creates many new windows and doors; opens up a world in which the best of everything is possible; the sky is the limit with blessings from heaven; you do what you have been destined to do. Ah hah!

Best wishes!

Today's photo: Bursting forth with new possibilities

"I Dwell in Possibility" by Emily Dickinson

I dwell in Possibility -
A fairer House than Prose -
More numerous of Windows -
Superior for Doors -

Of Chambers as the Cedars -
Impregnable of Eye
And for an everlasting Roof -
The Gambrels of the Sky

Of Visitors - the fairest -
For Occupation - This -
The spreading wide my narrow Hands -
To gather Paradise -





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 100
50mm
f11
1/180

365 Project - Day 97

My children are delightful, funny, creative, talented, wise, energetic, kind, beautiful, brilliant and exasperating! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A child is a curly, dimpled lunatic." And, I am proud to say that have two of those.

Most believe it is a lucky break when a photographer has children and pets. They have ready subjects to photograph and thus to practice with any time. This is simply not true for me. I have beasts that absolutely do not wish to accommodate my requests for sitting for photographs no matter how I might bribe them. I try nearly once a week to coerce them into a photo session and fail every time. This time was different. We were snowed in and they were getting bored. They had seen my Rembrandt style self-portrait taken immediately following my time in Creative Live's Studio Lighting 101 course with Lindsay Adler. (Can I say again that this is one of the very best training sessions I ever attended? You can't help but learn. Fabulous!!) I suppose they thought it looked okay, but they still refused the first few times I asked. They knew I would persist, however. This time I was armed. I promised to deliver the harshest possible photograph with minimal light (well, they are teen boys). I promised only shadowy Rembrandts, split light and profiles. I promised I would take only 15 minutes of their time. I promised they would have the coolest photos ever! Yeah, I was on a roll and they bit.

I set up a small makeshift studio in the basement with the Einstein strobe and dug around to find my silver reflector, which before the class, I had no clue how to use. I had originally planned on using my tripod, but Lindsay doesn't so I put it away. I had also thought about trying to build makeshift barn doors for my speed light, but felt I was overcomplicating things and adding more light when the objective was as little light as possible.

As we got started, the boys were each a mess, cracking jokes, texting, shifting in their seats, making odd faces and doing everything except sitting still in the chair. I kid you not, they are the worst possible clients. I would rather a 2 year old over my own children. One of the things they complain about is how long it takes for me to finish a photo shoot with them -- no wonder. I cannot get them to sit still long enough to get started and get through the shoot. Once they finally settled in, though, a funny thing happened. I started to show them the photos on the back of the camera and they became more agreeable. When they realized they were actually going to get what they paid for (their payment being stillness and silence), I had their undivided attention. No phones, no squirming, no joking. And for that payment, I delivered a new set of social media profile photos. That's how happy they were.

Looking back on that session, it would have been easy for me to get really agitated with them. I must instruct and discipline, yes, but yelling at them only agitates me, not them. They are in their own world. As much as I would prefer to have obedient children who always succumbed to my wishes as soon as commanded, that is not what I was granted. I have children with huge, wonderful minds of their own. If I am patient, we will come together, eventually. I know we were made for each other. So why allow them to make me crazy?

Best wishes!

Today's photo: (a daily double) To each his own...

"Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." Psalm 127:3