52 Week Project 2012 - Week 4

This week was so tough to decide on. Yes, it was a work-consuming week and I didn't take most of these until yesterday but it was a fun time. A fellow photo blogger and better photographer than I took a great sunset photo of trees in Tower Grove. I knew that when I got to the shadows topic that I wanted to try to emulate it.

I will tell you that the 'Thorny" picture below was an ever-so-close 2nd place. It almost made first. It was a really tough decision.


Runners up:



And one that didn't quite fit the topics, but I still enjoyed:

#33 - Complete!

33. Get over my fear of needles and join the Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and maybe save someone’s life.

Friday evening, I drove over to Wash U and got registered and swabbed! I've obviously been meaning to do this for awhile - but a colleague and I discussed it recently and it renewed my interest in attending a drive. Luckily, there were about 7 in the next month or so - but Friday's was the most convenient - both time-wise and locational-wise.

It only took a few minutes and a lot of paperwork - but now I'm officially registered and hope that I match someone in need.

I am looking forward to getting that phone call or email some day! I'll keep you posted!

Update #2: Task #5 -Visit All 50 States

See older lists here and here

Not much progress, but I knocked some off when working on other list items. I'm amending the visit to a visit of decent length - i.e. not just eating food at a rest stop or just driving through. If I have spent some significant time there - then that counts.

I really need a road trip! And seriously, how have I not knocked off Maryland with the number of times that I've been to the DC metro area???

States I've Lived In: (4)
California, Indiana, Missouri, Texas [note: "lived in" means stayed for a period of longer than a show contract; and not necessarily tied to a contract either]

States I've Worked In/Already Visited: (22)
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming

States I'm Already Planning On:
Washington, Oregon ('12), Wisconsin ('13)

States That I Still Need To Visit: (21)
Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia

52 Week Project 2012 - Week 3

This week was a busy one for various reasons, and I didn't get the chance to take the photos that I really wanted. When I had originally put together this randomized list of topics, I was looking forward to writing. But right now my handwriting is atrocious and not fit for photography.

This was the next best thing. My favorite sprinkles - non-pareils - certainly count as tiny, do they not?




I'm looking forward to better photos/subjects soon. And time to take said pictures. Also hoping to have full use of my formerly smushed index finger as well.

Runners up:

52 Week Project 2012 - Week 2

This week, I chose doors as my theme. This door (one of 3) is located on a building right next to where I turn to go to work. I've been wanting to take this photo all week - and finally had the chance yesterday (Saturday) when Mom and I went to visit the Loop Ice Carnival. It was warm-ish weather, considering the last few days - and the ice sculptures were at a slow melt.




Hoping to continue on the project! Only a little straightening required - and I've learned how to take pictures with my ring finger - an unnatural position - especially from within a mitten.

A Bump in the Road

I've hit a bump in the road in my project... maybe.

I fractured my middle finger fingertip of my right (dominant) hand. Incidentally, the self-same finger I broke during my first 365 project, 2 years ago. I also managed to bruise my index finger at the same time - and now I have two fingers out of commission.

I'm hoping that it won't interfere with my photo project, but it might. I've taken a few shots here and there, but tomorrow will be my big outing - the Loop Ice Carnival - complete with wintry weather.

I had to buy a mitten today because the fractured finger is super-sensitive to the cold... and this winter weather isn't going anywhere fast.

My middle finger is out for 4-6 weeks and the index finger, hopefully less.

Hopefully I'll have some great images to share!

52 Week Project 2012 - Week 1

Here we are - my first post of the week. It was, as predicted, an incredibly busy week of work for me. Luckily, I had some nice photo opportunities available to me on Friday so I had several to choose from last night.

I chose Topic #3 - reflection as my theme because several other topics were not applicable, especially since we had an unseasonably warm week.



Here's to 51 more photos!

Photo Project 2012 - 52 Weeks!

Two years ago, I attacked a 365 project for one year of my life - literally - birthday to birthday. Just yesterday, I officially finished my modified 365 project for 2011 - the details of which can be found here.

I really enjoyed working on the project, and found myself satisfied with the flexibility of lenient guidelines that I had laid out. I found myself with many more pictures that I enjoyed, but still, I did not like every single photo in the project. While I have changed jobs, my work is still time consuming. I don't always have the freedom to take a photo every day.

I was struggling on deciding on a project for 2012, vacillating from ideas such as St. Louis Iconic Alphabet, or a smattering of interesting topics. I also really want to learn more about my camera(s). If that requires me taking a class, then so be it. I want to move myself off "P" (Program). I know how to use Av (Aperture Priority) and Tv (Shutter Priority), but I don't always start there.

I decided that a 52 week project was the way to go - and that posting the best photo of the week would be a great guideline. But still, I faced the quandary - how much do I define it? Do I assign myself themes specific to the week, or do I pick 52 topics to cover over the entire year?

I decided tonight, that a happy medium could be found. I combined several different 52 week project themes from 2010, from various sources. And I came up with this:



So here are the few rules for myself:

1. Items must be taken from Jan 1, 2012-Dec 31, 2012.

2. Take at least one photo at week. Hopefully take several to choose from and post the best one.

3. There are 4 different topics to choose from to help guide your photography.

4. Post the best picture at the end of the week, on the designated Sunday.

5. Photos can be taken with the Digital Rebel XSi, G12 or iPhone.

6. Photos can also be enhanced via Photoshop, iPhoto or other programs. This is an effort to expand my photographical horizons.

Wish me luck!!