52 Week Project: Week 39

Week 39 was reacclimatizing to both work and home. The time change threw me off just enough but I think I adapted pretty quickly to reintegrating. Work, as usually, buried me a little bit so this week's pictures were taken today.

When I was at a local garage sale, amongst the things that I picked up that I didn't need, was a little collection of colored bottles. They're definitely antiques and most of them appear to be former medicine bottles. But they're beautifully colored glass, and I selected a handful to be photographed. I wasn't wholly satisfied with the light, but too lazy to take them outside in the sunlight. But that's where Adobe Lightroom comes in.

Here's the "winner" - it was a tough choice:

Runners up include the one that almost got picked and one I like a lot (abstract):

  

I can't believe we're 39 weeks into the year, and it's getting close to the time where I should start thinking about my next photo project.

Anyone have any ideas? Timely that this article came out.

52 Week Project: Week 38

Week 38 found me buried in work and then flying my way to San Francisco. I haven't been to SF in about 6 or more years, and I was going to celebrate one of my best friends from college getting married. She and I had lost touch in recent years, but it was really nice to catch up and renew the friendship.

A lot of time was spent either just being lazy with the bride and her now-husband, and our mutual friend who joined me in celebrating her wedding or working from afar. Sometimes it is nice to simply slow down. The bride and groom were generous enough to let us stay with them, so we spent a lot of time just chatting and hanging out with their two wonderful pups.

Most of the pictures I took that weekend were of her wedding, and while I took some fun pictures of the wedding locale, I LOVE this picture of the bride. I don't often use people in my projects, but I asked the bride's permission and she gave it to me.

So without further adieu, I give you J, the beautiful bride. What a beautiful wedding and a start to a wonderful marriage!

Congratulations, J, I was so honored to share your special day and weekend with you. I look forward to catching up when we are both less tired and drained! Lots of love!

52 Week Project: Week 37

Before I leave for a weekend in SF (with hopefully great photo taking opportunities outside of the wedding I'm going for), I thought I'd post last week's photo. I'm still pleased with the level of pictures that I'm taking this year. Still want to take formalized photo classes to stretch me even further.

Without further adieu, Week 37 - my fav fall St Louis event!

2012 Balloon Glow

The Balloon Glow associated with the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, a St. Louis tradition for 40 years, is one of my favorite events of the fall. It is worth the hassle of having to arrive early, the crowds, the expensive food, etc. All for beautifully illuminated balloons at dusk.

This year was glorious - partly cloud and crisp, and we were even treated to a beautiful sunset to boot. As always, it was fun and a challenge to photograph the glowing balloons and the crowd from my 5'2" height. I will always be challenged by my height and other people as obstacles.

Still, it never dampens my enthusiasm. This year, we chose to leave before the fireworks and they were done with the actual glow and I've got a new favorite parking place because my traffic pattern is completely opposite of everyone else's. It's definitely an event where you either go early or not at all, unless you like sitting in traffic.

Can't wait until next year!



























For the other 100 or so, see here.

52 Week Project: Weeks 35 and 36

After two weeks of 'mad' picture taking and the following photo processing, it was more difficult to pick up my camera again. I had to 'force' myself to get out and take pictures - nothing was going to be like the beauty of all of those national parks.

Still, a rainy weekend provided a chance for some great water-on-flowers shots:

Week 35:



Runners up:

 

Week 36:



Runners up:

  

Busy season is ramping up, but I hope to be able to continue taking shots! I've made it this far, I can make it until the new year!

52 Week Project Catch Up - Weeks 31-34

Week 31 - 1000 Cranes on Art Hill, Forest Park:

Week 32 - Mission San Juan Capistrano

Week 33 - A jaw-dropped white-tail deer in Yosemite:

Week 33 runners up - it was really tough to pick JUST one photo from a week's worth of natural beauty in National Parks:

  

Week 34 - Elkhorn Slough Safari:

Runners up: