And On This Day...I Broke A Rule of 365

My very talented friend, Teri Argo, told me she tries to take her 365 photos in the morning to ensure a shot in good light. I talk about that same rule in Capturing A Photo A Day. It makes good sense. Photography is capturing light. Without it, things get tricky. Not impossible. Just means I have to get out a flash or bump up my ISO. Easy enough, but I really like the options natural light gives me.

Ian went back to preschool today which meant a full day of to do list items for me. Catching up on things I've left undone, from before Christmas, making appointments, sending emails, getting a little work done for the job part of my life. Suddenly, it was 430 and the sun was disappearing on an already dark and dreary day. I could take a dark and dreary photo of my workspace, but so not a fan! 

I ran outside in my new garden boots and snapped my snow peas. 

But seriously, not so much a part of my day. I could use it in a pinch if needed. Instead I captured hubby making dinner.  Something he does often. In fact, he claims I've only cooked 20 times in thirteen years. He is mistaken, of course! The only light was from the kitchen track lighting, daylight bulbs. A quick conversion in Lightroom did the trick. Rules? Oh, so easily broken! 

What rules are you breaking?

Choosing The Story Over The Photo

I'm a moody 365'er. Sometimes I choose because it speaks to me. Some days I choose the best photo. And days, like today, I select the photo with the best story behind it.

I shot his little finger pressing the C down wanting it to be my POTD. Hoping it would be perfect, knowing I was at a funky angle, too close to him, just didn't feel right. Since he has the attention span of a 4 year old, shooting fast was important. Keep in mind, I was also reading the music with him, holding him up on the stool, and adjusting camera settings (not to brag or anything).

He really wanted to play. He followed my every direction. Pressing the color coded key as I read them from the music. It was a very discernible Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The only photo that could possibly better capture this moment would be the look of pure joy on his face when he'd finished playing!

This was probably the best photo of the day, I'll include it for my mom. But as my husband said, "we'll want to remember the story of his first song. We've seen lots of his face."

Project 365 Photo Discovery - Make It Better?

I've discovered a few things while shooting a photo a day for almost two years. My most intriguing discovery? The fact my POTD is often the first photo I take. I'll see something, it will make me think that sums up my day or that really is nicely lit, shoot it, and then try four more angles, 

different light,  and different exposure to see if I can make it better.

I load the photos to my computer, view them in LightRoom and there it is. The first one. The ONE. I know it happened with this photo, and this photo, and this photo. Not every time, but definitely a majority of the time.

I love how working on this project has become a part of me. A part of my routine. I see things and think I must capture this. 

And this

They have the potential to become the picture of the day or just part of my life's visual journal. The visual journal so I can remember things like Ian not wanting to eat the popcorn because it was "too poppy."

What is your experience? Do you select your 50th? Or your third? How does it happen for you?

Selecting THE Photo of the Day

Some days my photo of the day jumps out at me, screaming, "pick me, pick me." Other days I have to beg it to appear. Nothing speaks to me. And other days, I just think. Okay. You work. Fair enough.

Today, Day 2 or Day 367, whichever way you want to look at it, was one of those, okay, you work kind of days.

So broccoli won out over my artichoke with new garden boots,

the amazing gift I received from a dear friend,

and the unfortunate card played by my brother during a game of Apples to Apples!

They all made me happy. Most of them made me laugh. They all sum up a part of my day. They all mean something. The broccoli is an accomplishment. I'm proud of it. So today it is the pick. You might see it again. As I'm sure you will also see the artichoke, the popcorn, and maybe even my brother!

How do you pick yours? Do you know when you take it? Or does it scream at you from your computer screen?

*****
The cool Ali Edward's 365 Overlay is available at DesignerDigitals. One for each day of the year!

The World Works In Amazing Ways

After spending most of December 2007 forcing my family to go places, see things, and be photographed so I could scrapbook pages, I won a Guest Creative Team Spot at DesignerDigitals. At the time I was excited to get LOTS of free product to create with, naively believing product was to be the best part!

In my first year on the Creative Team I connected with some amazing women, learned more about design, and bumped my photography up a notch or two. I loved it! It was my daily ritual to stop to go to the website, look at pages, leave comments, and play in the community.

Then last January I got the opportunity to go to Florida and meet DD owners, Katie and Randy Pertiet, and the rest of the Creative Team. Imagine more than 30 women from four different countries and numerous states carousing around Disney World. It was amazing to connect with a group who completely understand memory keeping, photography, and the need to capture the smallest moments of our lives.

On that trip I sat on the Magic Express bus next to Debbie Hodge. She asked what my photography intentions were. We chatted. She asked if I'd thought about teaching online classes. I was intrigued.  A few months later I launched Your Life Captured Through The Lens at GetItScrapped.

Katie and Randy asked me at almost the same time if I was interested in writing an ebook. Seriously?! A book? I was flattered and frightened. I selected a marvelous group of talented women to support me and was able to create Get Me Off of Auto.

And then...

The idea of tutorials came about. Shorter, step by step guides to helping people capture their lives. I've loved seeing the results people are achieving with it and the comments people are leaving about their success make my heart happy!

Today I'm able to share my second tutorial as my gift. My gift to say thank you. My gift to everyone for seeing something in my photos and encouraging me to share it with others.

The world works in amazing ways. So if you've thought about a Photo of the Day project, download my tutorial! Share with me a link to your photos and the amazing ways the world has worked for you!

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Edited 7/17/2010

The Photo of the Day tutorial is now available for purchase in the DesignerDigitals store. Thanks to everyone for leaving such great comments and being so supportive of my work! 

Starting the Year with a Photo Walk!

We kicked off the year with a photo walk. Four adults, two kids, five cameras, and a few hours! We started with a list of 10 things to find, my brother texted three more items to add to our list. We explored. Wandered. Discovered. A perfect way to start our year.

1. New

2. Year

3. 10

4. Hope

5. Create

6. 2010

7. Explore

8. Discover

9. Connect

10. Joy

11. Close

12. Electrical

13. Bike

I think we've started a new tradition!

My Favorite Images of 2009

Looking back over the year, it is filled with so many good memories. So many moments I'm glad I've captured. Here are my Top 10 Images.

10. Shea's Thick Brick Stout - Part of My Beer Documentation

9. Lance - One opportunity to grab him as he raced by. I'm proud of this shot!

8. Reflected Reflection - this took a few attempts to get it right, my favorite self portrait!

7. Justin's Ironman Finish - An amazing day, I could easily post 6 others from this day!

6. I was attempting a different shot but Ian did what he does best, exude personality and pull me out of my comfort zone! A One Little Word pick at Shutter Sisters!

5. The kiddo has the strangest ideas! He wanted to be a mummy. Dad obliged. Ian asked for photos! Perfect.

4. Hopscotch. I saw this right before it happened, I love that. It was a POTD on the Maternal Lens!

3. A bike ride to the Capitol, a wide angle lens and a boy who must perform!

2. The Essence of Ian - A good day, a balloon hat and great light...that's all I ask!

1. Discovery - This was different for me, but as soon as I saw him in the fading light, I knew the shot I wanted. This made Explore on Flickr but more importantly is a family favorite. It was also a daily click on Shutter Sisters, a HUGE honor.

I will continue to take photos everyday in 2010. Thank you for your kind comments and perspective. It simply boils down to not being able to imagine not having my life documented in such a visual way. I want to remember the details. And with a four year old in the house those details seem to be screaming by me at an unbelievable pace.

Thank you for sharing the last 365 days with me! Can't wait to see what develops in 2010!

What If I Didn't...

I've taken a photo a day every day this year and for over half of 2008. Every day. Without fail.

What if I didn't next year? What if I didn't pick up the camera as I walked out the door? What if I stopped wearing it as the accessory to complete my outfit?

I think about it sometimes. Contemplate what I would miss. Contemplate what I might experience, seeing the world through two eyes instead of a little black square.

Would I enjoy photography more? Would I begin to see the world differently?  Or would there be a deep unmet need burning at my very core?

I'm just wondering. What do you think?

A Letter To Santa

I asked Ian if he wanted to write a letter to Santa. He excitedly replied yes! I transcribed his words into an email to the big guy.

Dear Ian: (obviously some confusion here, but he is 4 and who am I to correct such cuteness)

I wish I had a toy bike.

Love, 

Ian

And then on second thought he got a bit more specific

real bike colored red and grown up wheels and grown up pedallers. 

and then again

dear ian:

we're not going to be home. 

and then he needed to revise again

dear ian:

love ian and we're going to be home tomorrow but not on christmas day.

that's it 

I hope his message makes it in time! 

Naughty or Nice, Four Year Old Style

There is a lot of talk around here lately about somebody watching. The excitement is building! He's asked Santa for a red bicycle. We'll just have to wait and see if the big man delivers!

POTD 122009

POTD 122009, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Things have been a little busy around here! Work, my first tutorial in the DesignerDigitals store, visits from family, and our annual Holiday party! So much to share! Today though, we are just relaxing!

On This Day, 13 Years Ago

I married the first boy I ever kissed.*

He is my best friend. He knows who I am and how I am and why I am how I am. And he still sticks around. With my crazy ideas. My sudden whims. My rules that last for about two days, only to be replaced by newer better ones.

He understands my moods. And that alone is a heroic accomplishment.

He truly wants only one thing in life. He would tell you if you asked. He would say it with complete candor. He just wants Ian and I to be happy. More than saving the world. Or growing our own veggies. Or reducing our carbon footprint. Or being the most amazing science teacher imaginable. Or anything.

And if I think about it too long, it overwhelms me. It is so pure and honest and real.

And for that I love him.




*and strangely, still feel funny admitting the kiss, knowing my mom will read this!

Invaded by the Christmas Alien

POTD 121109 - Christmas Alien, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Only Ian would grab lights and declare himself a Christmas Alien! I asked for a quick photo in front of the tree to play with a little heart bokeh, but gave up when he started to goof!

He does it well!

He then promptly asked, "are you going to give me $5.00?"

Ghost of Christmas Past...Revealed!

I've revealed the technique for my Ghosted photo in the DD Photo of the Day Flickr Group! 

And for the record, most ghosts don't smile :)

When The Boys Go To Sleep Early

Mom is left at her computer to play! Tonight I decided to play with my tripod and take some photos of our tree. I just love our mantle at Christmas and all of the memories each item has. My intent was to just take a few tree photos and maybe some of the ornaments. And then I started to play. This is the winter I master the low light in our living room. And, well, then I had a little too much fun!

Any idea how I captured this? Guesses? I'll share later!

I Love Everything In This World

POTD 120709 - Wish, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We had a good day today. Unexpected kind of good day! A quick trip to the snow, only 25 minutes away! We live in California!! Granted, Northern California, but we DON'T get snow. Sure Tahoe is a two hour drive away. But 20 minutes?! Cool. Seriously.

Ian loved the snow. But the best part? On our way home he announced, "I love everything about this world." When we arrived home, this tshirt was in the mailbox. My mom had great timing! He insisted on wearing it immediately and loved pointing to his approximate spot on the globe. (We'll work on geography next year!)

Thanks Mom!

He Loves Santa Claus

Funny how the boy who wouldn't get close to Santa Claus two years ago has completely embraced him this year. He doesn't hesitate. Asks for him. Waits patiently. Tells him without hesitation what he wants for Christmas. Says thank you.

Obsessed!

And this year, Santa is bringing EXACTLY what the boy has asked for!

And Santa will deny persuading the boy to want what he is bringing :)

Long Days Of December

Not every day of December is filled with snowflakes and bliss. Today was definitely a testament to that! I spent my entire day corralling a kiddo who wanted to climb everything, although he's never been a climber. He hit the ground countless times with a cry of, "I'm ok," which in our house translates to, "I've hurt myself but I'm not going to admit it." He dunked legos into a glass of water, just for fun. He gave me that, I'm going to ignore everything you are saying look, repeatedly. Stuffed silly putty into his sock and walked around in it. The silly putty and the sock are now in the trash, they were inseparable. Now he is asleep. And that, I must say, has been the best part of my day!

He's Gonna Find Out!

Credits at DesignerDigitals

Captured! Daily December, December 1

I love this project! Today we started what I hope becomes a tradition, a letter from Santa. It came with a small gift and a reminder he'd be watching. Ian was thrilled.

Credits at DesignerDigitals

I hope he doesn't expect another gift tomorrow!