2015 365 Photography, Week 2: "Low Light"

The challenge for this week is to take a photograph in a low light setting without using a flash. 

This lamp is one of the most hideous things I have ever seen.  I fell in love with it at first sight at an antique store in SE Portland.  James went back and bought it for me as a Valentine's Day gift, with the condition I not display it in a part of the house where company could see it.  It sits on my nightstand.  Once to his chagrin, it did make an appearance at bunco so I could show it off.

2015 365 Photography Project, Week 1: No Theme

This particular challenge has two options:  theme for the week (aka "prompt") or no theme.  The theme for the week was "sunlight."  Mother Nature, however, decided that fog and rain was in order for the Portland Metro area, so when it came down to the wire, I went with no theme for this week. 

This is the Rose City Park Presbyterian Church in NE Portland, taken January 11, 2015, taken with the "selective color" setting.

Camera Shy, Week 1: "Beginnings"

I decided that for this year, I need to journal the positives in my life, so I bought two journals:  one is a five year reflection journal, the other is to daily record an inspirational quote that goes along with how I'm feeling that day.

I found the bottom journal at DSW and thought it's slogan of "Every day is an adventure.  Wear the right shoes." was perfect for a journal in which I plan to write down words of encouragement and inspiration.

Photo Challenge, Week 1: Macro, Kitchen

I don't have a macro lens, but this is a close up shot I took at the Old Portland Hardware and Architectural Store of a bin full of old pastry cutters, or "Mashers" as I like to call them. #photochallenge.org

52 Days of Creative Exposure, Week 1: "Trinkets"

This was taken at a photo shoot with the Portland DSLR Photographers Meetup group at a cool store in NE Portland named Old Portland Hardware and Architecture, January 3, 2015.

Photography Challenges

When I set my goals for this year, it became apparent that I photography is going to be a strong focus.  I upgraded my camera last summer to a Nikon D5100 and since I bought it, I should probably use it.  In "talking" to friends on Facebook, I now find myself a member of five 2015 photography challenge groups!  As I post my photographs for each challenge on Facebook, I will be posting them here as well.  Four of the challenges are weekly; one is daily.  I will be using my Nikon for the weekly challenges and my cell phone (currently T-mobile MyTouch for the daily challenge.

The challenges for which I will be posting weekly are:

2015 365 Photography, which has themes or you can do your own thing.

52 days of Creative Exposure:  no themes, just post what moves you once a week.

CameraShy, which has themes.

Photo Challenge.org, which also has themes.

365 Photo More, which is the daily photo with no themes.

I'm excited to see how I do with fitting all these challenges into my schedule!

Plants, ducks and a puppy

Yesterday, I joined three other members of my women's photography meetup group for a photo shoot at the Chrystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland. I took just over 300 pictures in the two hours we were there. Below are the ones I like the best.

Suzy

I love this one.

"You put your left foot in..."