Saying goodbye is never easy . . .

It was not planned this way but with the last post, I think it appropriate to say good by to my "365 Days of Reality"

I've been planning on changing my blog for a while. I had hoped to carry it out sooner, but now seems as good a time as any.

Please continue following my work at S.R.Marek Photography srmarekphotography.wordpress.com

I have also changed my photography site. The new site is: Srmarekphotography.com
I hope to see you there soon. I have immensely enjoyed the past two and a half years of posting and growing, personally, professionally and in my craft. I will always be grateful to my new found "cyber friends" I've learned from you and leaned on you. I hope to continue to grow my circle of friends. Thank you all!

R.I.P Violet Drummond

From the moment I took this photo, two days ago, Janice, my mother in law, loved it.
Today I dedicate it to her and her mother Violet.
Violet Drummond passed away at 10:00 PM

Baby BJ

Some of you have already seen these images but I wanted to share on my blog.

Baby BJ is a newborn who wants to act more like a toddler. I love taking pictures of newborns! Cute cute cute.

These were taken in my home studio with window lights and reflector only.


Today Elli shared this blog with me: Gardening gone wild He has an interesting project called Macro in a Mason Jar. My jar isn't large enough but it was good enough to get a couple of close ones. Next time I'll play around some more.

Low Key

and so I'm back, unable to change my hosting domain or blog accounts yet. Hmmm, grrr
today's challenge is Low Key


I was enjoying the sunshine today so I took a walk in my yard.

and the sun does shine in N.W. Indiana, sometimes

Thorns


Reaching

So frustrated with blogger. I had a lot to say and I did say it but blogger didn't like it so he threw it all away. I'll take care of you blogger!







to know more about these images go to Flickr

To what extreme's would you go for an image?

Do your families think your strange? Do you lose sleep hunched over your computer post processing and learning/reading photography related things?
Are you aware of the light around you at all times? You may be a little bit obsessed. Not to worry your not alone. There are a bunch of support groups around. This is one of them, Facebook Project 365, project 365 there is alot of support out there, but not to help you quit, only to make you better.

This one was a bit eerie. Night shot - hand held because my tripod broke. It's 15 degrees F out. I almost froze!
This was a little strange. Found it behind a church. We pulled up to take a picture of a window and this was behind the church. No fence, no signs. It felt weird so we left right away.



Lonely & cold - here's another park bench.


I haven't been able to warm up so I'm getting some hot tea! Enjoy your weekend.

Team-Up Thursday "New"

Well, you know I couldn't go too long without a challenge. Today's was definitely a challenge because of time issues. None the less I have completed and created a Diptych With Staci .
She took this beautiful classy image of her "new" cologne. I took a picture of Isabella's "new" toy.


How is everyone doing? Those of you who have completed your 365, are you still posting? Have you moved your blogs? Let us know we'd like to follow.

Oh baby . . .

I had an appointment with this little fellow tonight, but he had other plans. So we are meeting again on Saturday to try it again. We will blame it on the clouds again. Wish me luck.




Images Viewed by Jodie Otte

The first full moon of the year . . . maybe

Last night was supposed to be the first full moon of the year. My mother in law called me to tell me about it.
So David and I set out, tripod in tow to try and capture the first full moon of 2011. Again, no such luck, if you remember on the first we were out looking for the first Sun Rise of the year but it was too cloudy. Again, the clouds have won. So instead I tried a little night time photography. I've always been fascinated by Terry and Sasi's night adventures.
While out there in the cold, my tripod finally gave out! It's pretty old, and I knew I would be needing a new one soon, but I just wasn't ready. So now I'm in the market not only for a blog site but also a tri-pod. It's all part of the New Years Challenge. LOL
Twilight and a partially frozen lake

This next one was hand held - i'm surprised it turned out with that slow of a shutter speed, but it worked.
A lonely park bench
.
So if you cannot shoot what you set out to do just turn around and shoot something else. It'll all be fine in the end.
I had a couple of questions about my photography groups - these are local groups I joined just do a google search for "meet ups" and "photography groups" in your area and you should have the information you are looking for.

thanks for stopping by
I appreciate the comments.

Landscape photography . . .

One of my goals for 2011 was to join a photography group. I've accomplished that already. Actually I signed up for two photography groups. One of them is informal. Just getting together for meetups and such. The other is a bit more structured and is based on learning, sharing, participating and showing your work, as in contest(sigh). This is all part of the plan of continuing my photography education and growth.
Yesterday was our first meet-up. We got together in the state of Michigan. It was really cold! We had 9 (total) dedicated photographers who withstood the elements. We spent in excess of 4 hours walking and taking pictures. We walked in town and then went into a restaurant to warm up. Then we went to the lake/beach, then we went to a carousel house. It was so much fun meeting new photographer and making some new friends. I look forward to our next outing.



Pier Workers
please note that they are walking on ice. The Pier was completely frozen over with the waves still splashing over. I was walking on ice but it was not that narrow.








I haven't found a niche in landscape photography yet. I haven't studied it enough to figure out how to make them interesting, now give me a person and I've got that!
The Copper man. Is he real or not?


Read: 11 Surefire Landscapte Photography Tips

Images Viewed: AutoMatt

Helga Kvam

D-365 The end of a 2 year project

I am relieved and yet I have so many unanswered issues. I had planned on presenting my new blog and website today. That hasn't happened. I don't like change and although I've been unhappy, on a business stand point, with my website and my blog I've dragged my feet. Dreading making the wrong choice. I have switched over to Smugmug for my Photography Website but it won't be operational until the end of the month. Since I don't have that up and running I have a little more time on deciding what blog to use. It's between Wordpress and Typepad. I've heard positives and negatives about both. So, for the rest of this month, I'll be on this blog. I'll keep you posted.

I am not committing to doing another 365 day project, but I will probably post frequently. Scott Bourne says we should shoot every day, maybe even several times a day. It's the only way to be a better photographer. I intend on continuing the tradition.

Although this is my second year posting an image a day, the last year I've seen the largest learning curve. I've improved immensely and I attribute that to Tasra Mars Blog/Challenge.This was my article in September 2010

It all started about 3 years ago when I wanted a nice camera to take “better” pictures for my scrapbooking hobby, so my husband gave me a Nikon D-80 for Christmas. I shot in Auto Mode for the first year. One year later, I purchased a used Nikon D-300. I started a picture a day project/blog about a year and a half ago, with a group of photographers of all skill levels.
For the first year, I literally just took pictures. I had no direction, no guide and no plan. Pictures of everything and anything would make an appearance in my blog, once I even included my laundry. Most of these images were not very creative, just point and shoot, but I worked on learning something about photography every day.

On February 14, 2010 I came across Tasra Mar’s Blog in which she says that our photography will improve by 300% if we:

1.Take at least one picture a day.
2.Read at least 1 page in the camera manual
3.View other professional images every day.
That day I signed on – I took the challenge. Six and a half months later I have completely read the users manual for the D-300 and I have followed her recommendation to become a better photographer. I have also taken on a daily challenge (The Daily Shoot) in which they give you a guide line for your picture of the day. My learning curve has tripled in the last six months.

These are a few of the things I’ve learned in my photographic journey:

■We all need a little help along the way and it’s o.k. to ask when you are stuck, there are people willing to help.
■Challenges are good for growth, it makes you think outside of the box.
■I can study other people’s work, outside of a classroom setting, and find out what it is I like about it, then “lift” my own style and include what I have learned from it in my own work.
■The camera is only as good as the person holding it.
■It helps me grow faster when I share what I’ve learned.
■I have to have tough skin, if I want to continue on this journey.
■It will all pay off in the end…
I’m reading the book Vision Mongers by David duChemin and he puts into words what it feels like in my life every day.

It’s the calling, the passion, the vision. It makes me pick up my camera every single day, sometimes several times a day. It makes me look at objects/people and wonder how I can shoot it creatively. I do it because I cannot “not” do it. It may not always be my best but it’s my best for that day.

So I will continue to pick up the camera every single day, I will continue to take pictures because I cannot “not” do it. I no longer shoot in Auto mode and I see the world in a “different” light. I see colors, shapes, light and shadows. I see details. I have a greater appreciation for the world around me. I have found my passion and my drive.

I don't think I know how "not to take a picture" everyday.
My grandiose idea for my 365th post (2010) was a sunrise. What can be better than that on 1/01/11? We went to the freezing beach at 6:00 am, on our day off, and there was not sunrises to be had.



above the moon - it could be Venus. I thought it was a star but further research said that it was Venus. Who am I to argue.

I've been long winded today - so obviously not a goodbye - at least not yet.

D-364 Happy New Year's Eve

as we approach the end of this photographic year. . . .
we must decide which paths to take.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Buddha

We took a walk this evening in a town close to us, Crown Point, Indiana. It has a lot of historic building I had grand ideas of all of the slow shutter images I would take - but I forgot my tri-pod. What I did do was push my camera and myself to the max. Hand held I give you a dark alley, which reminds me of the likes of Sherlock Holmes.

Similar to Nikhils post the other day, which path will you take? Will you stay on the one you know, the one where everything is lit and you know the well worn path or will you venture into the path that is new and you know nothing about. Me? I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow, which officially ends my Project 365 for 2010. I guess we can find out together. What about you?

(something happens in transferring from photoshop to flickr - not sure why they get darker).
came across this lovely lady looking out the window at an antique store

On of my goals for this year is to tackle photoshop. I asked my lovely friend Alexis, who's a whiz, to teach me a few things that her and my daughter have learned. I sent her yesterdays image and asked her to make it look like an ad. Here is what she did.

You can find her tutorial here Challenge Accepted Step by step in layman's terms. Thank you so much Alexis, I love it.

HAPPY NEW YEARS - HERE'S TO A PROSPEROUS 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY YOUNGEST SON. I LOVE YOU AND I'M PROUD OF YOU!

D-363 Shoot like the Masters?

#ds410 The rule of thirds is a time-honored composition guideline. Put it to use today in a photo.

Ever wonder how the masters did their amazing photography before DSLR's? How they memorized their F-stops, ISO's and Shutter speeds without the convenience of checking their screens? I do, I've tried taking images with this camera and it's just so frustrating not knowing if I've nailed the exposure and focus. I'm grateful for DSLR's but I also wonder if I've lost the opportunity to "see" without the instant gratification of "seeing" right away.

David got this camera in the early 1980's. He learned about photography in those early years. He developed a knack for looking in an area and just knowing what numbers were going to work with the exposure he needed. I've tried to play with this camera, but film photography is a lot different than what I'm used to right now.
another boring High Key shot in the "home made" studio.

D-362 The common object

No light today for outdoor shots, I was just bored. When that happens I take a common/ordinary object and try to find a different spin on it. I took these macro shots. What do you do when you are bored with your images?
Daily Shoot
#ds409 Make a photograph with as soft a light source as you can find or create.
Macro shot, used a soft box and the budget on a studio shared a few post back.

Move over . . . there's a new Queen in town.

the colors got a little funny after transferring them to flickr

and a bonus:
While putting my Christmas stuff away I thought this one deserved a second look.
She's pretty old, but holding on really good.



This is a great article for sources of Inspiration for photographers.
Sources of Inspiration

Images viewed: Professional Photographer

D-361 Just keep shooting

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown


Yesterday's post were not exactly up to par so today, still working on something different, I have a winter path.

#ds408 Illustrate coldness in a photograph today

D-360 Just don't give up . . .

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

5 Day count down. What will I do? It's always hard committing to do something. My fear? That I will run out of steam by the time winter rolls around again. I am, however working out a plan and once I commit it to the cyber world, I'll have to stick it out.

I am so proud of all of my 365 project friends who have stuck this project out. It has not been an easy road, at least not for me. Today is one of those days where I could just say forget it, but no, I'm committed.

I thought today's challenge was food photography so that's what I did. Here's lunch
Curried beef chow fun. We took a little trip to China Town. Food photography is not my "thing." I'm not even sure how to make food look good, but I gave it a try.






After Nikhil's suggestion I went back and tried this image in black and white. I still don't care for it but it was worth a try.

Yeah I still don't think food photography is my thing.

Article read: How to Use Your Camera Flash at Night

Images Viewed: Dainel J. Pesta

D-359 Where to find inspiration

Here are a few tips to re-ignite your creativity, these tips always help me.
Take a vacation, LOL, o.k. if you can't do that then maybe you can . . .

-take a walk with camera in tow
- try something different, try shooting at a different angle,definitely try a new technique,something different to you.
- join a challenge
- take a picture then say to yourself, "how can I take it different" walk around your subject and try different angles.
- duplicate an image you love
- look at one of your images that didn't work and redo it.
- look at fashion magazines, travel magazines. Whatever genre you are interested in has magazines.
- take pictures of the details and the details only (get close and personal)
- take a picture of someone/something you love.
- try it in black and white
- take a photography class, if that not feasible try a photography book.
- let your friends inspire you . . .

I've been inspired to try some night time photography by Jo Garret at "Sometime between Dusk and Dawn " her whole 365photography project has been night photography
and Terry at "It's a GreytDay for a Photo" who has been cranking out beautiful night time images. I asked David if we could take a drive to the city, which is about a 30 minute drive for us and he was willing. So here is Chicago's (Illinois) famous skyline. Chicago is a beautiful city. I shot this from the planetarium across Lake Michigan. The sky had a strange color tint, like more snow is heading our way!
dailyshoot Daily Shoot
#ds406 What fuels your creative process? Illustrate it in a photo today.

Chicago, Illinois - Skyline on 12/26/10 15 degrees Fahrenheit, partly cloudy. Definitely a winter night at the Windy City.
Just amazing - the city never sleeps!


These were edited in Topaz.

There are a few more from this outing if you are interested in my Flickr Account.

I was asked how I set up yesterdays image. The Christmas tree. I initially wanted to try taking a pictue of the whole tree, like Elli did here, A Scrivnerburg 365
but I did not like the cluttered look of our CD Case behind the tree, so I had to find a different angle. Since I had to use a tri-pod, and since my poor tripod is like 50 years old, it won't hold my heavy lenses so I picked the 50mm which is nice and small/light. Put my camera on a tripod and focused on a closeup of the tree. I allowed some of the lights from the background to flow in.
settings were ISO 200, F/11.0, shutter speed of 2.5 seconds.
I had lights on the mantel, about 10 feet from the tree.
I just had to move around until I found a spot I liked.

Well, 6 more days to go for me on this project. I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

A great big thanks to Elli for featuring me on her blog and for her continued friendship for the past couple of years. Thank you my friend.

Reading Typepad Vs Wordpress
Jeff Korhan

D-358 Let there be Peace

Hope you've all had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS
We spent some time with our family yesterday at my In-Laws house and as usual it was a great time, awesome food, and wonderful people.
Today we stayed home and all of the kids minus one :( and my parents came by.
Nice relaxing day.

The daily shoot Dec 25, 2010
#ds405 Illustrate your idea of peace and harmony--or maybe just peace and quiet--today with a photograph.

The presents are disbursed, the house is cleaned and everyone has gone his/her own way. Nothing more peaceful than sitting at home enjoying a quiet evening, with candles and the last night of the Christmas lights.



I really like that these bulbs reveal a lot of my room. From a bookcase to the T.V. which was on.



If you love photography and it's ability to capture "moments" you'll love this story
Vivian Maier

D-356 & D357 Merry Christmas Eve

I took this picture yesterday for the Daily Shoot Challenge:
The daily shoot
Make a photograph of something metal or metallic today with an emphasis on how light interacts with the surface.

These are my Christmas Stocking holders, they sit on the mantel and they are made of metal.


I am such a mean mom. I made my family take a group picture. LOL
They actually co-operated because I told them to wear what they wanted. Color did not matter because I was converting to black and white anyway.

There they are. My beautiful immediate family. I think their personalities really show. I just let everyone stand/sit where they wanted. I would have preferred to move Isabella to someones lap and maybe change a pose or two, but everyone was happy and I didn't want to mess with that. I mean look at Isabella's face, she's actually smiling! Two shots and I was done,
but here are two out takes while I tested the lights
I think they are funny

Isabella claimed her spot and did not want to move.

D-355 What will we do at the end of our projects?

I know I've brought this up before, but what are you planning on doing when your 365 day project is over? I have 10 DAYS LEFT!
After the 10th day I will take a very short break. Maybe a week or so. I'll catch up on some sleep and spend some time with my family.

I've had several suggestions that maybe I should write some tutorials on lighting. I'm no expert on lighting but I guess we can learn some more together. Any other suggestions?
When you come to my blog, what would you like to see? Learn? share? I am open for suggestions. I'll probably start writing some tutorials if there is an interest for that.

The daily shoot
#ds402 Make a photograph of a circular or round object today.

See the tree reflected in the bulb? Part of my home is also reflected in there.

I had several to chose from today

The colored reflections are not lights, they are jingle bells that are reflecting light.


bulbs, beads, lights and icicles all make for great bokeh.

Empty


Halo, the bearded dragon was content riding around on my son's head


Images Viewed: Sandra Nykerk