Looking back on 50/50/50- and ahead too!

Yep, now that I've finished {FINISHED!} the 50/50/50 challenge I'll definitely be delving into some more of these kinds of projects (photo credited to The Pioneer Woman). Mmmmm! Chocolate!

And, of course, I'll be hanging out with my favorite guys in the world. This is G's first Christmas (he was born 3 days after Christmas last year) and I'm so excited! Even though I know he's too young to get what's going on or even to remember it, it just puts all those Christmas traditions in a whole new light.

And, maybe I'll even be doing more of this too!

I can seriously not believe that Christmas is 9 days away! Wooohooo! I'm hoping to have the Hubby home for the entire weekend, for once. Happy, happy!

And the day after Christmas, I'm making a trip to the mall to go shopping for some much needed clothes. Personally, the after-Christmas sales are the absolute best- even better than Black Friday. But that's my secret. Forget I said that. I don't want the mall to be totally jam packed while I'm there. I want all the sales to myself, thank-you very much! Yeah right, very funny.

As far as future photography plans go, around Day 25 of the 50/50/50, I remember saying something to the Hubby about taking the 365 challenge (1 photo, every day, for a year). He wisely (and because he knows me too well) suggested I finish the 50/50/50 challenge before I decide on anything new. Well, I've finished now and I'm pretty certain I won't be doing the 365. Maybe someday, but not in the year 2010.

But I am considering the 52 photowalk/drive challenge. 1 photowalk (or perhaps, photodrive, in my case), every week, for a year. I think that sounds a little more doable. Plus, what a great way to get exercise!

You may ask, "What's up with the sudden obsession with photography challenges? Why not just shoot?" Well, I like challenges because they force me to get out there and shoot, even when I don't feel like it. I learn new things, see things from a different angle and, overall, just helps my photography skills. Yeah, I know, I've got skills- you know like, nunchuk skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills... Sorry, couldn't resist the Napoleon Dynamite skills quote.

But, back to the point, photo challenges are just plain good for me and my camera. Eventually, when (if) I ever have my own photography business and have the regular challenge of shooting for other people, I don't think I'll need to set them for myself anymore. If that makes any sense.

I'll let you know. I'll be back here blogging in a little while, but for now, I'm going to take a few days off. A few days without touching my camera (maybe) and without trying to think up new blog posts. Maybe I'll be back before Christmas, maybe after, depending on if I manage to stay away from camera or not.

So, if I don't see you before then, have a very blessed and merry Christmas!

DAY 50! COMPLETION!

Yep, this looks like a relatively boring shot, but I happen to think it's cool. See? Look closely- I used a new editing technique. Something I've never even attempted before- a texture. Tell me what you think. I, obviously, think it's pretty cool, but maybe that's just because it's something I actually got right the first time. This technique is definitely something I'll be playing around with again. They can really add something to a shot, particularly in the vintage/retro realm.

I know, this may have not been the best photo to use it on, but I think it works, so so. And this was *blush* the only thing I could come up with to shoot today. I kind of wanted to finish this challenge out with a bang, but, after some late nights and early mornings, my brain is so weary and incredibly low on creativity. So my bang will simply have to be the new use of textures, thank-you very much.

I'll blog more tomorrow about what I'll be doing now that I've finished (did you hear that? I FINISHED!) this challenge, but for now, good-night!

Day 49 (T-MINUS 1 DAY!)

Day 48 (t-minus 2 days!)

Day 47 (t-minus 3 days!)

You know, this challenge never made the stipulation that the photos had to overly artistic. Just that it be 50 shots taken on 50 consecutive days with a 50mm lens. So take that, 50/50/50 challenge!

Yes, I had aspirations for a cool photo shoot with my cinnamon rolls, but by the time the two batches of bread and the pan of rolls were baked, my light was gone and my kitchen was a disaster. I hate days like that. And I knew, procrastinator that I am, that if I stopped to shoot the rolls, my kitchen would very likely get a slam-bang, halfway done cleanup job. So I stuck with it and am rewarded this morning with a clean kitchen. Quite lovely!

But I hadn't forgotten about my shot, so I thought what better proof of my excuse then a photo of my hardworking (messy) kitchen?

So here you are- kinda artsy if you think about it. See the way the line of the counter draws the eye? The way the bag of flour is set just so?

Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Day 46 (t-minus 4 days!)

Hubby told me last night that if I keep it up, I'll run out Christmas-themed things to shoot before Christmas gets here. I told him that I only have 5 (now 4) shots to take yet before I'm done with my challenge and, with the weather being so frightful and cold and wonderful, I haven't been getting out of the house much. So I have to be creative with what I have. Not that I mind the cold so much. I just mind getting G all bundled up and making sure he stays warm. Much easier just to stay inside and let him play his little heart out.

Day 45 (t-minus 5 days)

I think I could do a whole weeks worth of shots with just Christmas lights! They're so much fun and have so many possibilities! And look at the amazing bokeh they create in the background! Yep, fun, fun.

Today's shot is also the introduction of my new black backdrop,aka the black king size duvet set I scored on Amazon's Cyber Monday sale for $30, so yay me and yay that I finally have something I can use as a backdrop! Overall I'm pretty tickled with it. It does have one problem- it's extremely static-prone! Not sure what I'm gonna do about that- I don't really picture myself peeling kids off of it during a portrait shoot. Don't think their parents would be too impressed.

Anyone have any suggestions? Do I spray it with a little water or something?

Day 44 (t-minus 6 days)

The only thing I can think of when I look at this shot is the song 'Whiter Than Snow'.

1. 
   
2. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
   I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
   Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
   • Refrain:
     Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
     Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
3. Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
   Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
   To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
4. Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
   And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
   I give up myself, and whatever I know—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
5. Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
   I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,
   By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
6. Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
   Come now and within me a new heart create;
   To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
   Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
7. The blessing by faith, I receive from above;
   Oh, glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
   My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
   The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
8. Yes, I know, not very original, but I am so glad for that chance to be washed whiter than snow!

Day 43

I know- how cliche is this shot. Oh well, I love it. I love just because I'm childish and I love presents. Especially presents wrapped in pretty paper. Please ignore my Christmas wrapping paper that doesn't look like Christmas. It was Hallmark paper that I picked up for cheap at a discount store. And I love Hallmark wrapping paper for one reason- the graph/lines on the back of it. Yup, I'm so anal I can't stand paper that's been cut crooked or looks like it's been choppity-chopped. Those Hallmark lines fill my need for straight, orderly wrapping paper cuts.

But back to the whole wrapped presents thing. You will find that I very rarely throw a gift in a bag with some tissue paper. The only way that ever happens is if I am in an extreme hurry. I love the process of wrapping presents and the way they look afterwards. If I don't wrap gifts, I present them with some other creative adornments. Baskets, ribbons, pretty jars. When getting wedding gifts ready, I've been known to go out and buy ribbon that coordinates with the couple's wedding colors/theme. Never mind that idea hasn't followed me home and led me to buy coordinating Christmas wrapping paper. Yet. Maybe next year, After I've used up all the random stuff.

And the gifts in the picture? Yeah, I'm not finished with them yet. I need to tie some raffia around them and add some tags. The only reason I shot them before I was completely finished was because the light was fading very quickly. And I'd rather have decent looking presents and good light than totally awesome presents and no or artificial light.

Yes, giving and receiving gifts is one of my love languages and giving a gift that looks cool is more gratifying than receiving a gift. For me, to give is definitely more blessed than it is to receive. And I guess that's what Christmas is all about!

Day 42

Day 41

Got the idea for this shot from DPS's (Digital Photography School) Weekend Photography Challenge: Shoes. Not sure if I'll actually enter it as I've never figured out how to upload images to their boards, but regardless, this is my 'shoes' shot.

I'll probably be wearing these things a lot this winter. And yes, they are the true definition of clodhoppers. But they're warm and that's what counts.

Day 40

I didn't intend to take another shot of G and make it my 50 shot for the day, but the light was just too perfect. Love how it seems to make his blond hair glow! Yep, that's my kid- the little glowing angel! *chuckle, snort* Remind me of that the next time he gets into whatever it is he's not supposed to.

Actually, I was very blessed (spoiled) with a generally mild and easy-going baby. Until the 10 month mark, that is. Ever since then, it seems that his real personality is coming out of the woodwork. The little sinner (for that is what we all are, are we not?) is learning the fussing and whining gets attention, as well as whatever it is that was just pulled out of his reach. Uhuh. But, you know what? Like I mentioned, I'm spoiled. He's probably just your average kid now.

And look at this picture- angel, right? MMMMMMMMM! I'm gonna go squeeze him now, thank-you very much!

Day 39

My one and only Christmas candle. And it's almost all burned up. *sniff* And it's not even a Yankee candle! *sniff, sniff* Whatever will I do without a candle to last me the whole way to Christmas, much less the rest of the winter?! *hiccup, sniff* Sad, sad, sad...

Ok, I'm much better now, thank-you. I think anyway. Me. loves. candles. It's that simple. Especially during the winter and/or dreary, rainy days. Yes, I'm like most women- too many candles is a mathematical impossibility.

And no, I don't usually set my candles on newspaper. I just liked the way the light fell on it and the patterns and textures of the print.

Day 37

Yes. I know. Food. I'm in a food rut. Hopefully I'll get myself out of it. Tomorrow. Oh, and this is my first batch of Christmas cookies this year- yummy!

Day 37

Love this shot. Love the sparkle in his eyes- just a glimpse of the wheels that are always turning in his little head.

Although, to look at this shot, I wonder if he has a bit of a lazy eye. I get the exact same result when I shoot Hubby as well- it's more pronounced when he's really tired. And come to think of it, quite a few of Hubby's sibs have the same thing- not anything noticeable when just looking at them, but freezing their faces in a head-on, or near head-on, shot seems to bring it out. Actually, 2 of Hubby's brothers had one eye crossed when they were born. They've since had surgery to correct it and it's not something you think about if you've known them for awhile. Hmmm... Yeah, sorry, excuse my rambling. I posted this picture and it was just something interesting that I happened to notice.

Ah, just one more thing G got from his daddy. Seriously, everything about that kid- milestones, size, personality, looks- so much just like his daddy. Or, at the very least, Hubby's side of the family. Like someone told me once after looking at a picture of Baby G: "Better luck next time!"

Haha, I guess we'll see!