I need your help, Members of the Commentariat.
I'm going to enter the DCist Exposed contest, but I can't decide which three photos to enter. I have them narrowed down to a few in this set, but I'm being indecisive (surprise).
Your comments are always welcome - please and thank you!
January 4
A good answer to get those annoying blocks out of the way.
Glad we got to see it before it closed...
Glad we got to see it before it closed...
January 2 & 3
This isn't going to be as easy as I thought.
I had planned to take a year's worth of pictures, starting New Year's Day. On January 2, I wound up getting home from work and just doing my typical evening thing. Unfortunately, one of those things tends to be drifting to sleep in front of the TV, so before I knew it, the day was gone - and photoless.
That led to a weird rush to catch up January 3. My Dear Husband was also home (rare for Saturday), and that led to a division of my attention. I kept looking for things to snap while we were out running errands, but I just couldn't see any shots like I usually do.Another photoless day.
Surprisingly, screwing this up has shown me a couple of things:
1. If you fall off the wagon, get up, dust off, and get back on.
2. Don't try and force things if you've gotten behind. You'll just block yourself.
3. When a block or obstacle presents itself, acknowledge it. Ignoring it won't make it go away.
4. Planning helps. Try scheduling practice time.
My next day starts at 0730, January 4. That's when I'll be jumping back on this project.
I had planned to take a year's worth of pictures, starting New Year's Day. On January 2, I wound up getting home from work and just doing my typical evening thing. Unfortunately, one of those things tends to be drifting to sleep in front of the TV, so before I knew it, the day was gone - and photoless.
That led to a weird rush to catch up January 3. My Dear Husband was also home (rare for Saturday), and that led to a division of my attention. I kept looking for things to snap while we were out running errands, but I just couldn't see any shots like I usually do.Another photoless day.
Surprisingly, screwing this up has shown me a couple of things:
1. If you fall off the wagon, get up, dust off, and get back on.
2. Don't try and force things if you've gotten behind. You'll just block yourself.
3. When a block or obstacle presents itself, acknowledge it. Ignoring it won't make it go away.
4. Planning helps. Try scheduling practice time.
My next day starts at 0730, January 4. That's when I'll be jumping back on this project.
The Loaner Camera - part 3
Before I packed the D60 to take it back, I did a quick run around Brookside Gardens. The area's first hard freeze was a couple of days before, and I got some nice images as a result.
Definitely worth it, to say I have at least used a DSLR.
Now - how to get one I can keep...
Definitely worth it, to say I have at least used a DSLR.
Now - how to get one I can keep...
The Loaner Camera - part 2
I took the camera with me on a visit to my relatives in Upstate New York. My sister took me on a nice tour of downtown Rochester, and I got to see my aunt & uncle too. It was great seeing them and my nephews and cousins.
It's good to take advantage of those opportunities when you can, because you never know when they'll come again. Hopefully, in the spring, gas will still be affordable and I can go up again.
It's good to take advantage of those opportunities when you can, because you never know when they'll come again. Hopefully, in the spring, gas will still be affordable and I can go up again.
The Loaner Camera - part 1 (complete)
I've just updated the Loaner Camera 1 set with the rest of the keepers from that first day. The resolution of the camera let me do some nice crops - they feel very Georgia O'Keefe.
Thanks
It's a good thing that Thanksgiving follows my birthday. It helps me get out of my irritating, annual hyperintrospection. It’s like the calendar says what my loved ones start saying behind their eyes, “Jesus, you whiny pain-in-the-ass. Isn’t there anything about your life that doesn’t suck?”
Why, yes – yes, there are several things, actually.
Here are a few things that I am thankful for, both large and small:
Why, yes – yes, there are several things, actually.
Here are a few things that I am thankful for, both large and small:
- My Dear Husband. I truly mean “Dear Husband” without a smirk or snicker. I used to think it was goofy and corny when people thanked their spouses during acceptance speeches. WTF did they have to do with it, I thought. Now that we’ve spent approximately 40% of our lifetimes together, I can’t imagine where I would be without him. He has stood fast when others have taken off running – and that alone earns him my eternal gratitude. The love I get is a gift-with-purchase.
- My Mom. She has been doing great over the last two years taking care of her health for herself, and I’m very proud of her for that.
- My Dad and Stepmom. My relationship with them has grown tremendously over the years, and I consider myself lucky to have three parents.
- My brothers and sisters. I started with one, then got three more, then another one in my messily, wonderfully, blended family. Whether by blood or marriage, whether we grew up together or not, they’re mine. I'm particularly glad my baby brother (which he will be even when he joins AARP) is home and safe.
- My nieces and nephews. It has been amazing to watch them grow into the people they are, and it all happens so fast. I like giving them a respite from their parents – and vice versa.
- The rest of my family and friends. I have the good fortune to say they are too numerous to mention, and I am grateful for every one of them. They keep me sane (no small feat, as many of you know) and give me perspective when I need it (which tends to be often). Life is a long road trip, and it's good to have people to share the ride with.
- My Job. Let’s be honest – it’s still a job. If it weren’t, I would call it my Fun and probably wouldn’t be getting paid for it. However,
1. I have a job, and lots of other folks don’t,
2. It pays for the things that make life manageable, and
3. When I don’t have to deal with the other Random Assorted Bullshit (RAB), I like teaching. When I haven’t taught a class in a while, I get cranky until I can get in front of a group again. It’s good to help people have a better 40 hours a week. - Our house. It has the right amount of room for us, and has lots of room for company. It has made me a political activist (who would have thought?) because sometimes you have to fight for what’s right, even if it’s your own recycling bin.
- My photography. Look – nobody is going to be analyzing my work in an Art class. But I’m learning… and that process alone is something pretty good. A teacher needs to be a learner too, and the images help.
Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.” To do that creative thing is something else that helps me stay (reasonably) sane. - Legalized drugs. Caffeine, alcohol, and (rarely – sorry, dear) nicotine. All in moderation, each for their own purpose.
- The Internet. It sounds stupid to give thanks for the Internet, but I am. I’ve been able to find all sorts of folks that were lost to me through Blogger and Facebook. Facebook has been great for those feeling-kinda-crappy or squee-I’m-so-excited moments, and just staying connected despite time and distance. I can wish for things on Amazon, read a favorite writer on TelevisionWithoutPity, and download Foo Fighters onto my MP3 player. (Current fave: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace)
And the best thing I can do on the Internet - I can show my photos, write stuff down, and hope that these musings aren’t in vain.
Thanks for sticking around for 700ish words – and enjoy the holiday.
((HUG))
The Loaner Camera - update
Well, was fun while it lasted.
The Loaner Camera had to go back yesterday, and surprisingly, it wasn't as hard to let go of as I had expected it to be. I had a blast with it, but keeping it would have been incredibly selfish. Life can indeed be short, but it can be long as well, and you have to be able to live with the choices you make. Keeping that camera would have been a big betrayal to my Dear Husband. Given that he has put up with my astonishing amount of emotional crap over the past sixteen years, he deserves better from me. So - off it went. I'm looking forward now to earning one I can keep.
I wound up not going to NMAH, because DH wants to go with me. Hey, he's interested in going to a museum, so I can definitely wait until we can go together. Instead, I spent my last afternoon with the D60 at Brookside Gardens, shooting the winter that's creeping into the landscape. There were some roses in various stages of bloom that got freeze-dried at the recent first frost. There's an abstract beauty to them that I'm really looking forward to showing you. The ponds are starting to ice up, too.
Sorry I've taken so long in getting images posted. Since I didn't use the camera's software, I have to process everything through Photoshop Elements. This has proven more time consuming than I expected, but I should have some goodies soon.
If you want to find out when I've posted the lazy way (my favorite way) click the Subscribe To button on the right side.
The Loaner Camera had to go back yesterday, and surprisingly, it wasn't as hard to let go of as I had expected it to be. I had a blast with it, but keeping it would have been incredibly selfish. Life can indeed be short, but it can be long as well, and you have to be able to live with the choices you make. Keeping that camera would have been a big betrayal to my Dear Husband. Given that he has put up with my astonishing amount of emotional crap over the past sixteen years, he deserves better from me. So - off it went. I'm looking forward now to earning one I can keep.
I wound up not going to NMAH, because DH wants to go with me. Hey, he's interested in going to a museum, so I can definitely wait until we can go together. Instead, I spent my last afternoon with the D60 at Brookside Gardens, shooting the winter that's creeping into the landscape. There were some roses in various stages of bloom that got freeze-dried at the recent first frost. There's an abstract beauty to them that I'm really looking forward to showing you. The ponds are starting to ice up, too.
Sorry I've taken so long in getting images posted. Since I didn't use the camera's software, I have to process everything through Photoshop Elements. This has proven more time consuming than I expected, but I should have some goodies soon.
If you want to find out when I've posted the lazy way (my favorite way) click the Subscribe To button on the right side.
Sometimes photobloggers need sleep
So today, I just didn't feel the leap out of bed that would have gotten me Downtown today. Fortunately, the weekend has two days, and I can visit the NMAH tomorrow.
Today, I shall update the blog - tomorrow I shall play.
Today, I shall update the blog - tomorrow I shall play.
The Loaner Camera - part 1
Some recent events have left me feeling a little more carpe diem than usual. My birthday combined with the sad passing of an acquaintance not much older than me reminded me of something important. Our time in this world is borrowed at best. I've been trying over the past year to purge the regret out of my life, particularly regret for the road not taken. And, as is typical when I have an emotional reaction to something, I took impulsive action.
On Halloween night, I got my hands on a Nikon D60 with two lenses. I can't keep it - it's a loaner camera. I won't get into the details, but with the economy what it is... let's just say it could be grounds for divorce. (To be clear - I do NOT consider that a desirable outcome.)
Using this camera over the last three weeks has been amazing. When I put everything together and held the D60 in my hand, it felt like it had always been there. It was so perfectly balanced, like Domingo Montoya built it himself.
I went out that weekend to my favorite haunts - the Aquatic Gardens, the Arboretum and Brookside Gardens. Here are a few snips of what I shot - there'll be more in the next couple of posts.
My time with it is ticking down, and I'll have to return it this weekend. I may jump on a Washington Photo Safari on Saturday after going to the American History Museum for the big reopening. I'm sure I'll head out to Brookside one last time Sunday morning, too.
I've learned so much in the time I've had with this camera, that even though I have to give it back - it's been entirely worth it. As Ferris Bueller said, "It's SO choice - I highly reccomend picking one up, if you have the means."
On Halloween night, I got my hands on a Nikon D60 with two lenses. I can't keep it - it's a loaner camera. I won't get into the details, but with the economy what it is... let's just say it could be grounds for divorce. (To be clear - I do NOT consider that a desirable outcome.)
Using this camera over the last three weeks has been amazing. When I put everything together and held the D60 in my hand, it felt like it had always been there. It was so perfectly balanced, like Domingo Montoya built it himself.
I went out that weekend to my favorite haunts - the Aquatic Gardens, the Arboretum and Brookside Gardens. Here are a few snips of what I shot - there'll be more in the next couple of posts.
My time with it is ticking down, and I'll have to return it this weekend. I may jump on a Washington Photo Safari on Saturday after going to the American History Museum for the big reopening. I'm sure I'll head out to Brookside one last time Sunday morning, too.
I've learned so much in the time I've had with this camera, that even though I have to give it back - it's been entirely worth it. As Ferris Bueller said, "It's SO choice - I highly reccomend picking one up, if you have the means."
Narcing out the foreigners
So, just to make today a little more interesting, there was a fire drill this morning. The morning's training had already been fairly shot with my learners trying to get their timesheets done - this was just the nail in the coffin.
So everybody's huddled across the street, and there's a group of nicely dressed young people holding up cameras, taking pictures of the crowd, and speaking a language that was NOT English or Spanish. I had my back to them, and one of my learners pointed them out to me.
I pointed them out to uniformed Diplomatic Security who made them delete the pictures.
Let me be clear: I support the Photographer's Rights.
However, one of the few constants in my nature is that I am pragmatic.
Here's why this situation was different:
So everybody's huddled across the street, and there's a group of nicely dressed young people holding up cameras, taking pictures of the crowd, and speaking a language that was NOT English or Spanish. I had my back to them, and one of my learners pointed them out to me.
I pointed them out to uniformed Diplomatic Security who made them delete the pictures.
Let me be clear: I support the Photographer's Rights.
However, one of the few constants in my nature is that I am pragmatic.
Here's why this situation was different:
- This was an emergency event. A few people knew it was just a drill, but most did not. September 11 started as a fire drill.
- People were wearing their Government badges. Granted, they should have removed/covered them, but they had just exited the building.
- The photographers were people wearing Visitor badges. Their escort should have told them to knock it off. When you're a guest somewhere, don't act like you own the place.
- Visuals of an evacuation from a Federal building equal actionable intelligence. Maybe these people wouldn't have tried to blow up the building, but how do I know who looks at their MySpace or Facebook page?
Should you be able to take photos of Union Station? I say yes - too many people have seen it for it to be a secret. Should you be able to take photos of an evacuation of a Federal building? I say no - that's limited access information that could endanger people's lives.
I'm sure I did the right thing - I just wish this irritating twinge of guilt would go away.
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