Monday, June 21, 2010

My 365 Project is ... COMPLETED!

Photo 365: Today is a special day - the last post for my project... picture #365. I did it - I actually took and posted 365 pictures in one year to the day. A year ago I read about this 365 idea, and thought, hey why not try to take a picture for one day for the entire year? It was exciting, a new challenge, but I never thought how the project would take over and change me as a photographer, an artist and even as a person.

I did a little off roading in Alaska to get that perfect shot of a mist-covered bridge, rode a camel to capture the Pyramids, climbed security fences to shoot graffiti, and learned how to use a tripod and shoot amazing firewors. I saw colors, shapes, people and places through a lens, and everything around me changed with that. You see images and ideas where you never think to look, and learn so much more about your surroundings and the magic that is a city, a field, a beach and even an empty baseball stadium. Speaking of baseball, I was hit by one (twice), braved a snowstorm to find snowmen, and apparently stalked dogs throughout the city - all in the name of photography. I got lost in Lake Tahoe, looking at the water and beautiful scenery as a thunderstorm was rolling in. I walked around an old castle with perfectly groomed gardens and saw my city - NYC - from every angle that you can think of. I look back now and remember chasing down watertowers all over the city, riding a ski lift up and down to get the mountains just right, and learning about the rule of two thirds. I remember shooting my 100th picture, and how amazed I was that I got this far already, and then scared at the same time, because I still had 265 pictures to go, and it seemed so far away. Most important, I am thankful that I had this awe-inspiring, breathtaking, exhausting and fulfilling experience. There were times when I just didn't want to pick up Pedro anymore, because I was pictured-out, and I didn't want to go out and look for another image, but I dragged my sorry butt off the couch, and went outside anyway. Why? Because this project important to me, I had something to prove, and I'm a competitor, and didn't want to fail . I persevered, with some not-so stellar images (i.e. those long, dreary days in January), some great shots that I'm very proud of, and Pedro a little more used and abused but still my steady sidekick. My project is done, and I'm sad, but feel very accomplished. I did it!

Here's a last image (for this project) that I absolutely adore. I hope you like it! And always remember, no matter what the goal is - big or small - embrace the challenges and obstacles, because if you put your mind and heart into it, anything is possible.


P.S. Stay tuned for my new "100 Moments in Photography" project. Project365 inspired me so much (along with the book, Half the Sky), that I decided to do a fundraiser... for what and why you'll have to just wait and see. I'll keep you posted and will sharedetails in the coming days, but needless to say, I'm very excited about this new step for a good cause.

- FIN -

Sunday, June 20, 2010

HAPPY Father's Day

Photo 362 - 364: Today is Father's Day, and Candice, Guy and I went to Philly to spend the day wandering around the Italian Market getting ribs (and Yak steak), smelling the flowers and getting foot massages. Well, Candice and Guy did... I squirmed in pain just looking at them. Ugh... too much pain, too much pain.

I hope all the great dads out there have a fantastic day, especially Guy, who deserves all the love in the world for being such an amazing dad to me and Candice!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Go Phillies

Photo 360 - 361: I drove down to Reading this weekend to spend time with the Fam for Father's Day and went to see the Reading Phillies play a hometown game. They won in the last inning (yeah!) and we got to see some of the prettiest fireworks I've ever seen. Pedro was of course by my side (MINUS a tripod), so I balanced him on a contraption made up of my purse, two stadium seats and a soda cup... for a tripod. Go figure. Here's what I captured, that's the best I could do due to the circumstances I've found myself in AGAIN...

Friday, June 18, 2010

Love in New York City

Photo 359: I've never actually seen this "Love" landmark, but stumbled upon it the other day, so I couldn't resist. It's corny, but I had to. hahaha The hopeless romantic side came out in me, but in my defense, Brandon makes me giggly and mushy... so it's HIS fault. lol It's still pretty cool, and definitely one of the images everyone thinks of when they think NYC iconic images.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Florida Lighthouse and Sailing

Photo 357 - 358: Last time I was in Florida, Brandon and I visited a beautiful private lighthouse. We missed the tour, but Pedro's telephoto lens still was able to get up close and personal. It's only the second lighthouse I've posted during the project timeframe. SO I'm pumped!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

No Image Left Behind

Photo 353 - 356: I've been going through all of the pictures I've taken and photochopped over the last year, but never found a reason to post. Here are some leftover images I love, and now that I'm almost at the end of my project, I wanted to make sure they weren't left behind.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Up High

Photo 350 - 352: One of the best things to do in New York City in the summer is to have a drink on a rooftop bar whether it's at night or in the afternoon after a great day of roaming around museums and little shops. Who knows what you see when you look up high.

Monday, June 14, 2010

A Manhattan Reflection

Photo 348 - 349: We (Brandon and I) strolled around Manhattan this weekend, and went to the MOMA to see the Henri Cartier-Bresson photography exhibit. It was amazing. What a talent that man had. I want to get some of the prints that we saw for the apartment. :) After the exhibit, we made our way down to the little courtyard garden, and people watched a bit. It was a beautiful day, and the reflections in the windows were crystal clear. Here's the view you have when you look up ... and over. Pretty cool, no?

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Little Green Goes a Long Way...

Photo 345 - 347: This will be the last post before I upload some more shots that I've been taking, but I needed to throw little green into the mix, and of course a stairs that lead nowhere... No idea who put it there or why, but it makes for one more oddity in this fantastic, scary, serene and odd site.

Friday, June 11, 2010

A Ray of Light

Photo 342 - 344: Archways are my favorite types of architecture to photograph. Granted, these aren't "pretty" due to the graffiti, but they're definitely interesting and they frame nature trying to break through. And nature isn't the only thing trying to break through, just look at the sunbeam... I couldn't have staged it any better.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Beauty Amidst Ruins

Photo 339 - 341: Hm... Looks a little scary, no? lol But here is the fence I climbed, and the shrubs I escaped. It's amazing how these grounds seem to set themselves apart from the rest of the neighborhood. Birds chirping, leaves blowing around and bees buzzing, but surrounded by these ruins.

"But two miles more, and then we rest!
Well, there is still an hour of day,
And long the brightness of the West
Will light us on our devious way;
Sit then, awhile, here in this wood--
So total is the solitude,
We safely may delay.

These massive roots afford a seat,
Which seems for weary travellers made.
There rest. The air is soft and sweet
In this sequestered forest glade,
And there are scents of flowers around,
The evening dew draws from the ground;
How soothingly they spread!

Yes; I was tired, but not at heart;
No--that beats full of sweet content,
For now I have my natural part
Of action with adventure blent;
Cast forth on the wide world with thee,
And all my once waste energy
To weighty purpose bent."
-- Charlotte Bronte

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Graffiti in Nature

Photo 336 - 338: We all know about my fascination with graffiti in all shapes and sizes. Here are some more to add to my collection with a total of five now (to see the first, click here, and to see the second, click here).

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Iron and Wood

Photo 332 - 335: What is it about a little sunshine thrown in, and all of a sudden it changes the meaning of the picture? It was great finding all of these iron shots all around the building and courtyard. Strong giants among the ruins... Makes me want to live in a loft and hang these pictures. lol

Monday, June 7, 2010

A Watershed on LI

Photo 330 - 331: After getting a tornado warning, climbing a fence, fighting off bugs and spiders and then chit chatting with a very nice police officer about trespassing (kidding lol), I made it back home with these photos of the old and abandoned Brooklyn Waterworks. I loved this site... the weather was perfect, blue skies spotted with clouds, and a little spray paint to give this burnt out landmark a little color. Needless to say I was in photographer heaven. I'd love to do a cool portrait session out here, but when I mentioned that to one of my coworkers, she thought I was insane. lol I just KNOW that the right person with the right dress would equal amazing pictures. I'll be posting all week about the great shots I found at this site each with its own angle and edge.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Watertowers: Round III

Photo 327 - 329: I'll be off in a few minutes to grab some shots of the Brooklyn Waterworks since I procrastinated yesterday, but I found some more watertower pictures that I didn't post either. Is this becoming habit? Hm... I have a few weeks left with Project365, and I definitely don't want to slack off now. It's easy to do that though since I'm sooooo close. I realize I won't achieve my total 365 photos, but I'm pretty darn close. *glow* I blame the incessant winter in NYC... AND I missed two huge snow storms where I could have dug myself out and conquered Central Park and Prospect Park for some great shots. Oh well, excuses aren't gonna cut it. Let's see what the next few weeks bring. :)

FYI If anyone has some good suggestions about discounted (less than $20) photo books, let me know. I'm trying to get a coffeebook going with some of these images (about 200 images) to jumpstart my fundraising project. It's a long story, and I'll get into more detail later, but I want to sponsor a young student in Cambodia for a year. I was so inspired by Half the Sky that I thought, hey, why not? I'm almost done with Project365, so why not put these images to good use... If you haven't read the book, please pick it up. It was amazing, haunting, life-changing and so inspiring that I couldn't put it down - I laughed and cried on a subway every day until I finished it. lol

Friday, June 4, 2010

Ooops... More Lake Please?

Photo 325 - 326: I shot, edited and posted some more Lake Tahoe pictures last week... but oops I forgot two, so here are the stragglers. My bad! I don't know why that happened, but I corrected my little snafu (sp?) and continue with my photo hunt this weekend. Long Island + Brooklyn Waterworks here I come. Can't wait to see what shots I see. :)

These pictures remind me a little bit of Hallstadt in Austria - minus the sunshine. I can't wait to go back and see it with a little sunshine thrown in. When Candice and I were there in 2008 we froze, got rained on and were just absolutely cold. All the wine and schnitzel helped though! lol

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Ciao Beach Amore!

Photo 323 - 324: I'm back in NYC missing FL already. Here are a few night shots we captured strolling around on Hallandale Beach. And let me just add that if I EVER tell anyone that carrying around a tripod is too much work... hit me. Seriously! This was another instance where I really should have had my nifty - yes I said nifty - tripod with me, because finding a flat and stable surface on a beach that lets you capture the perfect shot isn't always the easiest thing to do. Hm... reminds me of my aggravation at Luxor Temple in Egypt. No tripod either! I sense a trend here. lol