43/52 - Photo Project 2013

First of all, I have a new website (http://www.annkphotography.com) - think of it as a curated version of flickr. Some of the best of the best, per se, from over the years. Check it out, and let me know what you think. NOT a replacement for the blog, just a more refined view of what I've photographed.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. I was given the opportunity to second shoot for a wedding of a friend of a friend (and a colleague for a day). While we were waiting for the bride to show up at the shoot location, I shot some abstracts of the area around us:

Here's my winner - taking advantage of moving water and fall colors reflecting in a nearby creek:

And my runner up - goofing off while waiting for JG to set up the shot:

After 12 days in a row at work, I have a few days off of work. I think I might drive up to an hour away from St. Louis to do some good old-fashioned leaf peeping! 

42/52 - Photo Project 2013

I guess my season is picking up because the week goes screaming by and then, BOOM, it's Saturday and I haven't taken a picture. Lucky for me, I had a photo flood with my group early on Saturday morning. It was exceedingly crisp, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if the sun was going to come up at all (very cloudy morning).

We wandered around for a few hours before I had to head to work. I think I got some pretty decent shots this time. I purposely chose to walk around with some of the group versus drive. Living so close to Forest Park, it's often a photography subject of mine. However, I often drive through so yesterday was about finding a new perspective.

I found this beauty near the Grand Basin:

Close second - no filter used here:

And just a funny unexpected capture:

I should probably end this post by saying GO CARDINALS! Congrats for making it into the World Series and... bring it on, Red Sox!

41/52 - Photo Project 2013

Week 41 had a lot to do with animals, surprisingly. On the Sunday, I participated in the APA Canine Carnival where there were dogs, dogs, everywhere. Yesterday, I visited Grant's Farm for the first time in about 30 years, where I got to feed the goats and a llama. This time, however, I was old enough to enjoy an AB/InBev sample - surprisingly generously sized considering that Grant's Farm is free.

Though I took some good pictures yesterday, I keep going back to this one photo:



You'd think I'd choose one of my captures of the Purina show dogs or perhaps one of the more exotic breed canines that I visited. Nope, this little Westie caught my eye while we were waiting. He (or she) was so full of energy and curiosity. Kept trying to peek over the short fencing and just looked plain adorable doing so. I swear he wasn't posing for the camera but I totally lucked out with this shot.

There's a Sunday smile for you!

40/52 - Photo Project 2013

Well, this was yet another week with virtually no picture-taking. I was scrambling to take a picture on Saturday. I decided to do some macro shots of not-water-droplets, and here's what I came up with:



I took some great photos on October 6th but I'm going to a Photo Flood at Grant's Farm on the 12th - so those'll probably win... always nice to have TOO many photos to choose from!

Incidentally, red October for the Cardinals who are going to be facing the Dodgers soon! Thanks for the push, Pirates - you definitely made us work for it. LA, here we come

This fall I will be...

Borrowed from a friend of a friend - I saw this list on her blog and it inspired to me to write a rare non-photographic blog post:

this fall I will be…

Making : a baby afghan for M&L's baby - I can't wait until she or he is here!

Cooking : healthier food - maybe finally using that slow cooker, hopefully?

Drinking : apple cider - my favorite fall drink

Reading : books on my to-read list

Wanting : a new camera (either the latest Canon Rebel or 6D) - suggestions anyone?

Looking : at pictures that inspire me

Playing : the piano occasionally or board games hopefully

Wasting : time sitting and staring off into space (every once in awhile is healthy!)

Sewing : see "Making"

Wishing : for fall to last forever

Enjoying : any day off I get - they are going to be a rarity this fall.

Waiting : for Baby R!

Wondering : if I'll have a photo project in 2014 - what shall I do?

Loving : the crisp cool weather that is fall in St. Louis

Hoping : to work on my upcoming photography website in my spare time

Marveling : at the fall leaves

Writing : more blog posts, hopefully

Baking : cookies! I didn't do it last year so I should this year. Sugar cookies are my holiday trademark

Needing : to learn more about how to use Lightroom. I must be using about 15% of its capabilities

Smelling : fall air and fallen leaves

Wearing : sweaters and long-sleeves

Following: more St. Louis blogs - to learn more about where I live!

Noticing : Everyone's fabulous fall boots

Knowing : that someday I will learn that some problems can't be solved

Thinking : about where my next vacation will be

Feeling : peaceful

Bookmarking : wonderful reference articles at the Digital Photography School or recipes I want to make

Opening : the season at work - 13 shows (countless performances) between now and May! Plus about 7-10 others not included
in the official season referenced before.

Giggling : at Pippin's silly antics. This 10 year old is forever a puppy and I wouldn't have her any other way.

Practicing : how to calculate aperture and shutter speeds without too much thought

Well, you can see I'm planning on being camera-focused this year. I think I'm finally taking my photography more seriously. I have had more photographers (professional, semi-professionals and amateurs) compliment my work and encourage me to keep photographing.

Thanks for reading! When flickr stops being a pain, I'll have a photo post ready!

39/52 - Photo Project 2013

On Saturday, I visited Lone Elk Park in the outskirts of St. Louis County. It's a beautiful park with one hell of a hike (very nearly vertical to start, but it levels out later). We saw several deer, and a few turtles and butterflies but no elk to almost the end. Then, boom, elk EVERYWHERE. And fairly tame, all things being equal. (The deer would flee when we got near, but elk would just blink at us.)

It was a gorgeous day and I had wonderful company. Took lots of fun pictures but this is one of my favorites:

I got pretty close to this elk without endangering my life and it was worth it. A little darker in tone and composition than some of my photos but I'm happy with the result.

Getting close to the end of the project - I wonder if I'll do one in 2014?