Brrr ... Photo Hunt

Photo 190 - 192: As promised I went photo hunting today with my friend, Luca, and as I woke up and looked at the temperature outside, I realized it was 15 degrees. So I bundled up with a scarf, a hat, some gloves, and a down jacket, and headed out to the Brooklyn Promenade and Dumbo. I have to say, Luca and I were champs, because it was FLIPPING FREEZING! We ate and drank all day long, because we kept making pit stops every half an hour or so to de-thaw. lol But I got some great pictures, some great memories, and I even attempted some fence climbing. It didn't work out in my favor at the end, but at least I know I still have some mad climbing skills from my childhood - even though the flexibility is not quite there anymore.

Art Isn't Original?

Photo 188-189: What to say. Well, I heard something quite "interesting" yesterday. I was having a conversation with a painter - and I honestly use that term loosely - and he told me that art is always planned, and that no medium is left to chance, and no art is original. He also thought that photography was nothing but using photochop, and a person behind the camera is not an artist since they aren't creating anything new. As I resisted the urge to slap him into next week, I "demurely" disagreed, and yes, almost called him an idiot, but my tact/manners prevailed. I informed him that no matter what inspires you and how you choose to express yourself, it's in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes you see what's already there and interpret it in a different way, sometimes you imagine something and then try to capture it on canvas or in a print. I think true creativity comes from being open to your surroundings and then letting yourself be inspired - even by the smallest, most insignificant things. If your heart starts racing, your mind starts flowing and you're using your artistic eye, you're creating something unique, that's only yours. And "paint the numbers" is not art, unless you go outsides the lines. ;) That should have been one of my answers for Mr. Louvre. lol

My Blue Phase

Photo 185-187: I took Pedro with me today, hoping to be inspired. Along the way, I was happy to report some amazing blue skies peeking through some ominous clouds. After yesterday's torrential downpour, I was happy to see that I didn't need my umbrella today. Whew... Swimming home from the subway is really not a lot of fun. I pointed Pedro at some trees as well, the contrast there is just so pretty. But the coolest shot today (the third one) was as I was waiting for the train to take me into the city. The shadows and the turquoise bluish color just completed my little blue collage of photographs. I know, I know, I'm reaching, but I'm also trying to get creative, which is very hard when no one is doing anything, and I'm either travelling or just plain lazy. I do have my first portrait session this weekend. Let's hope I get some great shots in, and send me good photographer karma. I'm a bit nervous.

Help!

Photo 184: I have to make a confession. I'm running out of things to photograph and lacking inspiration. I need help... and no matter how amazingly HOTT this billboard is, and David can send that smoldering look my way any day, I need something else to photograph. The winter season is putting a huge damper on my photo opps and skills! Any suggestions?

A Birthday Weekend

Photo 183 + an extra one: So the picture below describes perfectly what I've been up to all weekend... forming my own Wii Rockband. It was my best friend's birthday (the lovely, growling redhead to the right), and we decided to throw a party... and throw down some tunes. Six hours later, six bottles of wine later, and the number of guests dwindling down slowly to only four brave souls left, we realized that we had found our calling, and we called ourselves "The Foreigners" lol

I did sneak out today after the apartment was cleaned, and all incriminating evidence was disposed of, to capture my favorite bridge in Brooklyn as the sun was going down.

&

"the V Bridge"

Ice Cream in January

Photo 182: Needless to say, I'm craving new material... perhaps a new location, event or even a sunny, semi-warm day that makes me NOT want to hibernate. At least I got to devour some ice cream, which doesn't help my figure, but made me extremely happy, in a sugary kind of way.

Random

Photo 181: Nothing much to report today, it's cold outside, and I'm planning my Egypt trip. Can't wait to ride a camel, float down the Nile and wander around in the Valley of the Kings. I don't really have much commentary on this picture, only a question. Who knows where this is??

Blue Skies

Photo 180: I am starting to resent the cold weather, I need some blue sky, some sunshine and some HEAT! I realize it's a pipe-dream for now, we have months of coldness ahead of us, but I can't help but hope. Here's a bit of blue sky to brighten your Monday morning blues...

Skiers' Village

Photo 177-179: Anyone jealous yet? Who is thinking fireplaces, marshmellows and a good book after a long day of skiing? How about I throw in some yummy cider, and I think the picture-perfect day of skiing is complete.

A Peak With a View

Photo 173-176: During my snowy adventures in a land far, far away (kidding!! I've always wanted to say that), I took a little gondola up to a beautiful mountain with Pedro safely stowed away in his backpack to avoid an early demise. I had already dropped him once in the snow, I wasn't going to do it again. SO, here are the images that were captured on top with one heck of a view, a beautiful sunny day to make me smile, and even better memories.

Mountains, A Little Snow and a New Year

Photo 169-172: It's a new year, a new page, and hopefully new pictures to go around. I've literally been unplugged for about two weeks now, no uploading, no photochopping, no posting. Pedro has been used and abused a bit though. He got snowed on, rained on, cursed at and praised, so needless to say he's been busy. I was home for the holidays with a little mountain/ski resort/breathtaking scenery action thrown in, and I came back with a few extra pounds, a few bruises (go figure), new experiences and personal insights, and some really cool pictures. It was a long road in 2009, and now that I am back in my city, I'm ready to start 2010.

I wish everyone all the best this year with health, love and happiness abound - we've all earned it and deserve it. And remember, "In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away."