Day 12 - Brush Lovin'

I find myself getting behinder than ever.  I need alone time to concentrate and it's been a busy couple of months. My goal is to catch up!

This photo was taken in the Lake Quinault Lodge in Washington State.  The chess set was placed by the window and I loved the light.  I used one of the brushes from my class.  Learning as I go.

It was a good, if not long day.  My sister and I drove to a memorial service which was about 3 hours away.  We decided to take the scenic route home and ended up much later than planned.  A good testament to a relationship is a long day of travel.  I believe we fared quite well.

The nice thing about traveling with a fellow photographer, is being able to pull off at any time to capture an image.  We did that - a lot.  

It was a good day.  

Day 8 - Start to Finish

I couldn't put together a still life.  This is about as close as I get.  I don't feel I have talent in that area.  I use things already in place.  I like this one.  The watering can is old and the treatment for this assignment fit it fine.   This photo was taken a year ago at one of my favorite nurseries.  I looked up quotes for gardening and this class is to help me cultivate MY garden so I felt like it fit fine, too.

The treatment used for this photo was vintage gradient.  The font is Rough Typewriter.

Fitting in is tough.  I'm pretty good at faking it.  Most of the time, I'm uncomfortable.  Maybe I spend too much time alone.  I like being alone, but it does make it tough sometimes.  It seems like I used to be comfortable and outgoing in social situations.  When I worked I had to do it all the time.  Maybe now that I am not working, I am unsure. Maybe I'm just out of practice.  Maybe it's too much Facebook.  Maybe it's not important to me anymore.  

What that has to do with Start to Finish is beyond me.  I started this assignment and I like the finished product.  I learned from it, but not sure when I'll use it.  It is nice to have in my bag of tricks though!

Day 7 - Choosing Happiness

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."  Abraham Lincoln

I do believe this to be true; however, today I found out Lincoln didn't say this even though it is attributed to him.  Well, I still believe it to be true.

I find I'm happiest when I'm in my garden or taking photos.  The potential is of what it can be is what I like.  When I take photos, I have big dreams of what they will be like:  no noise, clear, brilliant colors, great composition.  Then the doubt comes.  The happiness creeps away when I compare to others or when a shot I thought would be great, isn't.  But roars back in when I find I've taken one that is outstanding!  Vicious circle.  

I am going to stop comparing.  I am still going to analyze other's photos, but I'm going to learn from them, not look down on my work.  

I am going to choose happiness.  OK, I'm really working on choosing happiness.

I used kk-felicity for the texture on this photo.  

Day 6 - Let's Make A Storyboard

Some times I think I get more behind every day.  I'm trying to catch up, but seem to have trouble getting there.

Day 6 was storyboard.  Day 5, uh, eluded me.  I just am too boring to have a routine, I think.  Or to intimidated to show myself.  Probably a little of both, I suppose.

Here is my first storyboard which is actually more of a collage.

I do love hydrangeas.  I love the colors.  I love the textures.  I love the different types of leaves.  I love how they change from day to day.  I love that there are so many different kinds.  I love that I can't determine a favorite.  

I have more photos of hydrangeas than anything.  So that's what I used.  I am going to do a few more to get the practice.  Maybe I can figure out a cohesive line to actually make a storyboard!

Texture Tuesday - Textured x's 2

I've been on vacation and haven't had much alone time to do my assignments.  I'm working on catching up, but starting with my Texture Tuesday.  Here's is today's work:

This is the before photo:

The two textures I've used on this photo are kk-elevate & kk-sunkissed.  My text is called OLIVEOIL.

Two of my favorite things here.  The poppies and the sunshine.  It was a beautiful day and these poppies called my name.  I ran across the street and captured their beauty.

Texture Tuesday - Posie Edition

I have been struggling with my vision & blur assignment.  I'm working on the photos of my day in a life.  Slow.  Hard for me.  In the meantime, I did my Texture Tuesday:

I used two textures on this photo:  kk-organic and kk-reverie.  The clematis was originally white.  I am enjoying taking my flower photos and making more of them.  It's the personal stuff where I struggle.  

PLAY

Play is basic.  Play is important.  Play is simple.  Play is complex.  Play is educational. Play is fun.  Play is necessary.  Play is not just for kids.  

I need to play more.  When did I stop?  When it wasn't cool anymore?  When I got a grown-up job?  I know when my daughter was young, I played for a while.  Then I stopped when she didn't think it was cool anymore.  

I need to play more.  My physical health will benefit.  And my mental health will benefit.  I need to make walking playful.  

Uh oh...I think I might need a puppy.