52 Weeks of Me: Week 14 (Underexposed)

The "52 Weeks of Me" theme this week is "Underexposed." I had another very busy week so I only was able to snap my photograph a few hours ago while I was on the plane to Madison, Wisconsin. We were waiting to take off, and the plane was so dark on the inside, compared to the bright light coming in through the window. I thought it would be a good opportunity to grab an underexposed shot so I took out my iPhone and clicked away. Check out the Flickr pool to see how everyone else's shots turned out here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 13 (Overexposed)

I had a very busy weekend down in Washington D.C. with a couple of my high school friends, so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get a shot for the "52 Weeks of Me" project. This week's theme was "overexposed." There was plenty of sunshine on Saturday, so I snapped a pic of myself while we were taking a break in between touring museums. Check out the Flickr pool to see how everyone else's shots turned out here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 12 (Texture)

This week's theme for the "52 Weeks of Me" project was "texture." Originally, I intended to capture a shot of myself and add some snazzy texture overlays. I just couldn't choose a photo of myself that I actually liked out of the bunch. I decided to go outside to get better lighting. The kids and I were making shadows of the sidewalk with our hands and messing around when I noticed the texture of the sidewalk that was right in front of me! So I used one of our shadow shots to portray this week's texture theme. Check out the Flickr pool to see how everyone else's shots turned out here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 11 (Silhouette)

"Silhouette" was this week's theme for the "52 Weeks of Me" project. Wow, this was a difficult assignment for me. Ideally, it would have been summertime and I would have been able to go outdoors and take a beautiful silhouette shot on a beach somewhere with the sunset in the background. But since it is still winter and a bit chilly outside, I opted to try to capture a silhouette near one of the windows...from the inside. Unfortunately, I didn't like any of the shots I captured, but I picked the one I disliked the least (below). Hopefully next week will be a better week! Check out the Flickr pool to see how everyone else's shots turned out here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 10 (New Angle)

"New Angle" was this week's theme for the "52 Weeks of Me" project. I experimented with a variety of different angles and finally ended up choosing the shot below. It is amazing to see just how different a shot can be, just by changing the angle of the camera. It was a real eye-opener. And it definitely helped point out the angles of myself I don't like!! Haha. Check out the Flickr pool to see how everyone else's shots turned out here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 9 (Shadow)

Cara and Jessie's theme for this week was "Shadow." I tried to snap a couple shots outside, but none of them turned out the way I wanted. Then, as I was getting ready for a wine tasting we were going to last night, I spotted a patch of sun coming in from Tyler's window. I only had one shade drawn and the rest of the room was on the darker side. The exposure turned out even better than I thought it would because the area around the patch of light looked more black in the preview than it really was. Check out the others' shots in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 8 (Zero In)

Cara and Jessie's theme for this week was "Zero in." I had initially thought I was going to take a picture of my feet slightly resting on a scale and focus on the "zero" on the scale. Then I saw the lack of nail polish on my toes and I didn't feel like painting them (again, because I wait until the last minute) so I decided to go with something else. I was holding my lens cap and noticed that the way I was holding it sort of resembled a zero (a stretch, I know). Haha. And then the roundness of the lens cap formed the shap of an "O," in addition to the "o" in Nikon. So in the end, below is the shot I ended up capturing. Check out the others' shots in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 7 (Profile)

Taking a profile shot of ourselves was Cara and Jessie's "52 Weeks of Me" theme this week. Nothing like waiting until the last minute again! I snapped this shot a couple of hours ago by our dining room window...the only place that had some decent lighting. Check out the others' shots in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 6 (At Arms Length)

"At Arms Length" was Cara and Jessie's theme this week. I honestly thought it was going to be easier. I kept trying to hold the camera out at different angles, but I was having a hard time keeping my arms steady. I took this shot while visiting family this weekend, and of course I had to bring the heaviest lens to attempt this! Then, when I finally was able to steady the shot, I would check the viewfinder and see that my facial expressions looked weird. I ended up snapping the below shot in my last attempt. It was first thing in the morning...no makeup and hair not done. But it was one of the few with a more natural expression. Did I mention yet that I despise taking pictures of myself? :) Someone tell me why I signed up for this torture! Haha. Check out the others in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 5 (Daily Activities)

I know, I know....it looks like I cheated a little bit this week, but I have a good excuse! And besides, those 3 fingers are mine so I am technically in the shot. Haha. Anyway, Cara and Jessie picked "Daily Activities" for this week's theme. So here is my excuse. We just went live with a new computer system at my work and I was one of the suckers analysts supporting this Go-Live. The fun began last Friday night and will continue until mid February. I've been working the 7pm-8am shift since last week. Fun, right? Not so much when you're salaried. Anyway, I don't think I have done much of anything this week except monitor a queue, fix issues and try to get a nap in here and there in the off hours. Typing on a laptop has pretty much been my sole daily activity this week so that's the direction I had to go for my shot. Check out the others in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 4 (Focus on Unusual Elements)

I've got to be honest with ya.....Cara and Jessie picked a tough one for this week's theme: Focus on Unusual Elements. I decided to go about it in a different way. This project is about reflecting on yourself and sharing those things with others in the group. So I decided to share a photo I took of myself this week showing some likes of mine. (I love this shot because I am out of the center of attention and in the background) Hehe! One of the things I love to do (when I have time) is reading. Many who know me can attest to the fact that I usually can be found reading more "reference" type books on Photoshop or other general camera topics. But in the past couple years, I have tried to read different fiction books recommended by others, such as the Twilight and Janet Evanovich series. I really liked them! More recently, it was suggested I check out the "Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" series. I am only on the first one, but love it so far! Anyway, I thought to include this book in the picture as an "unusual element" of my usual reading collection. I also had to include my absolute favorite smiley mugs. They aren't your typical coffee mugs since they date back from the 70s. Plus, the fact that I collect smileys is an unusual element in itself! Whew...hope next week is easier! Check out the others in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 3 (Focus on the Eyes)

Cara and Jessie's theme for the 52 Weeks of Me project this week was "Focus on the Eyes." I just didn't care for any of the pics I took of myself this week so Cara helped me pick one. Thanks, Cara! A friend was teasing me, saying that I don't always have to smile in my pictures for the project. But it is sooooo hard for me!! Everyone who knows me will agree that it is not like me NOT to smile! I'm always smiling. So in the end, here is a picture I came up with while I was trying to just make a "straight" face. But, truth is I think I look a little pissed off or possessed (can't tell which) instead. Oh well...I tried! Check out the others in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 2 (Reflective Surfaces)

This week's theme for Cara and Jessie's 52 Weeks of Me project was "Reflective Surfaces." I had a little harder time than I would have thought. I looked in regular mirrors, driver-side and rear-view car mirrors, retail shop windows, etc. and didn't like any of the photos I was getting. I didn't spend a lot of time outside this week, so most of the shots I was experimenting with were indoors and I just didn't like the light. Then last night I was resting my head at the dining room table while the kids were coloring. I looked down, saw my reflection in the table and thought, "Last hope of getting a shot!" This is how it turned out below and you can check out the others in the Flickr pool here.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 1 (Traditional Portrait)

Well, another year has passed and it's time to make some new resolutions. Other than trying to exercise more, here are some of my 2011 goals:

1) Maintain a positive attitude...see the best in people.
2) Try to think of new activities/crafts to try with the kids to spend extra time together
3) Become a better (and faster) Photoshop user.
4) Keep taking photos on a regular basis to continually improve my skills.

I started early on my photography goals by deciding to participate in the 52 Weeks of Me Project started by Cara and Jessie. Now I can't think of anything a loathe more than self-portraits, but I promised Cara I would give it a whirl. If nothing else, I will get a few new Facebook profile pics to use! :) Below is my "Week 1" self portrait shot. This week's theme was "traditional portrait."

I also decided to start a 52 Week project called 52 Weeks of Photoshop Fun. I use Photoshop regularly to edit my photos, but I know I am spending way to much time each one because my Photoshop editing skills are lacking. There are some areas that I have become fairly good at using, but there are so many existing tools that I have spotted and have never even attempted to use. I'm going to try to choose a Photoshop tool/function each week and edit one of my weekly shots using that tool. Then I will post a before and after to demonstrate. Who knows how good the edit shots will turn out, but I'm hoping this project will help me become an overall better Photoshop user. Feel free to join the group, even if you don't want to commit to posting weekly. It would be great to see other before and after example shots to see the tools in action! For the theme for Week 1, I decided to choose Photoshop's "liquify" tool. After all, it's the New Year and many people will once again attain to be more healthy. Well until those pounds can be shed, I thought it was appropriate to give this tool a whirl since many people refer to it as the "digital diet." :)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Tyler!

My baby is not a baby anymore - Tyler turned 3 today! We decided to go out to dinner and let Tyler choose where he wanted to go. We had our fingers crossed that it wasn't going to be McDonalds or Chuck E. Cheese. He ended up picking Famous Dave's BBQ, which we thought was a bit odd, but then we took one look at Emily who was smiling and realized where the idea came from. After all, they do serve Kraft Mac-n-Cheese, Fries and Oreo cookies as a Kid's Meal - what's not to love, right? Anyway, we had a great time and Tyler opened his birthday presents. His favorite was Alphie. I can't believe they brought that toy back. I remember that when I was a little girl!

Some of Tyler's traits and "favorites" right now...

• Color - Yellow
• Movies - Toy Story, Nemo and The Little Mermaid
• Cartoon Characters - Spongebob and Mickey Mouse
• Foods - Clementines, Blueberries, French Fries
• Drink - Chocolate and "Pink" Milk
• Frequent Saying - "Nuh Uh" or "Yeah Huh"
• Tyler walks in Emily's shadow and mimics her constantly.....good and bad actions! :)
• He loves boots.  He was constantly wearing his rain boots and Emily's boots around the house so we recently bought him a pair of light-up Toy Story cowboy boots.  He loves them!
• He is a night owl like me.  Emily is always the first to fall asleep between the two of them. 
• Tyler is sooooo independent!  This is probably another trait he picked up from Emily.  Whenever someone tries to help him, he responds "no, I do it!"
• He is such a sensitive little man, and whenever you show that you are upset by something he did, he runs over and gives you a kiss and a hug and says, "I sorry, mommy."  He also randomly comes over and gives me a squeeze and says, "I miss you, I love you."

Team-Up Thursday: Fresh

Jody chose this week's theme of "fresh" and loved the natural light and "softness" of her shot of the peonies. I, on the other hand, went a different route because I just had to include the shot I captured of my daughter as the flower girl and the ring bearer being "fresh" to me at a recent wedding. They were standing there looking all innocent and I asked them to smile at the count of three. Just after I said "three" this is what I got! Take note of the lollipop and candy necklace. They had a candy station at the wedding for the little kids and the "kids at heart" so many of them, including these two, were on a sugar high. :)

Check out Megan and Melody to see more Theme Thursday shots.

Team-Up Thursday: White

We decided to capture the color white this week for our theme. White makes me think of weddings, so I chose a closeup shot of one of my brides' gowns for this week. I really like how it coordinates with Jody's image, which is also white on a black background. The chandelier makes me think of an elegant event, complimenting the wedding dress and the doves can also be linked to wedding ceremonies.

Check out Megan and Melody to see more Theme Thursday shots.

Team-Up Thursday: Shapes

This week Jody and I chose "shapes" as our theme. I love the colors in Jodi's shot! The earthtone bokeh background really contrasts the wind chime. I chose the flower bouquet that I captured at a recent birthday party I shot because it incorporated so many shapes: flower-shaped pineapples, circular melon balls, heart-shaped strawberries...the list goes on!

Check out Megan and Melody to see more Theme Thursday shots.

Team-Up Thursday: Texture

Jody and I had a very busy week and only decided on our theme of "texture" yesterday. Luckily, I'm a seasoned procrastinator and work well under pressure. :) We figured that since texture is everywhere it wouldn't be hard to grab a shot around the house last night. I love the way our shots fit together this week. There are obvious differences, like how Jody's shot portrays more of a "hard" texture and has several items in the shot compared to the "softness" of the blanket and my shot focuses more on a single shape on the blanket. I chose to convert my shot to grayscale (except for the heart which I left pink) and I loved how it coordinated with the rocks: most of them were gray, but a few have slightly pink tones. Even one of the rocks in the pic (toward the left-center) seems to have a heart-shape to it, but that may just be my imagination!

Check out Megan and Melody to see more Theme Thursday shots.

Team-Up Thursday: Pattern

Our theme for this week's Team Thursday was "pattern." I love the patterns Jody chose to shoot: very funky! I like the contrast between the black and white and color patterns. I chose to shoot a repeating pattern that was lined up by my daughter, Emily. They focused on this in class a couple months ago and ever since she points out repeating patterns wherever we go!

Check out Megan and Melody to see more Theme Thursday shots.