365.72: Yellow Galoshes Make Rainy Days Fun

I didn't know what to title today's post. It was either this or Monkeys in the Rain. I've been wanting to do shots of AJB wearing her galoshes for awhile now. I was pretty impatient because I couldn't wait til sunset- which is the best time to take the pictures. A lot of the pictures came up with shadows on her face...

Here's another version of this photo.

365.71: A River Runs Through It

We were hiking in Penasquitos Canyon when we came across this little creek. Hoping we'll be able to follow it to see where it ends.

369.70: SOAR! Photography Exercise #1: Doing the Deeper Work

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost

I was hoping my first photograph for the exercise would have been a little better. Unfortunately, the trails were closed due to recent storms. (Is this ironic or what?!) I'm hoping to go back next week to get a better picture of a fork in the road...

I remember in high school debating what this poem meant. Was it inspirational? Was it full of regret? At the time, being young and with no real life experiences, it was inspirational- I wanted to take the road not taken. To find myself. To make those memorable life experiences. Did I make those experiences? Did I find myself? I'm not sure. I feel like I'm at the crossroads. I need to do something to change the direction of my life. I adore being a mother and a wife. I would like to think I'm fairly good at it. What I'm not good at is sitting in a cubicle. I have so much creativity to waste trying to build benefits (I emphasis "trying"). So here I am, at the fork...do I take the road that leads me to facing the blue walls because it is easy for the rest of my life? or do I do something hard and dedicate myself to something I want to be doing. To commit myself in bettering myself and my well being...its my choice, right?

(Yes, I know I'm missing my self portrait. Hoping to get one this afternoon to post)

Steps to Getting Out of the Corporate World

I'm tired of complaining that I'm not doing what I love. It's not my passion and I'm not excited to get up in the morning to start my day. I've read so many blogs about women who have chased their dreams and have been able to quit the corporate world and start their own business. Today, I stop complaining and start the process of chasing my dream so that it becomes a reality. Here's what I plan to do starting this moment...

1. Take pictures daily!
I may not be able to edit or post daily but using my camera on a daily basis will get me moving from an amateur to a pro quickly!

2. Edit a photo (or more) on a weekly basis.
This will help my sad, sad editing skills...and will also help me get familiar with Photoshop Elements that CMB got me for Christmas. :)

3. Join and be an ACTIVE member of Clickin Moms.
This is a community of mothers that have a passion for photography...there are amateurs (me!), hobbyists and professionals here. They offer tutorials, lessons and challenges so hopefully, becoming an active, participating member will help me perfect my skill.

4. Post a photo a month for critique!
Whether I post it on Clickin Moms, another photography board, or have a photographer friend critique something I have shot will help me see things from another point of view.

5. Read a photography book.
I've got a few for Christmas. They have a wealth of information in them!

6. Don't be afraid!
Nuff said...

7. Save up to attend Me Ra Koh's photography workshop in 2011.
Me Ra's story amazes me. I want to learn from her. I can save $75-100/month to get me face tme with her...

8. Follow along with Me Ra's Soar! blog.
A blog that will have photo exercises and assignments...




I want to be able to say "I'm a photographer" when people ask me what I do for a living. "I am a photographer." I'm going to ROCK this!!

365.69: Dealing...

When you ask Big Sister (Ating) AJB how she likes the new addition, you'll get a different answer depending on what's going on. Sometimes, its "I love him!!" Other times its "Meh..." Every once in awhile, I get no response. Maybe that's a good thing?! All in all, I think she's dealing with it pretty well considering this noisy little stranger uprooted her whole entire kingdom.

365..68: New Love

It's no secret that it is my dream to quit the corporate world to make a living from my passion- photography. I had the honor of taking photos of my sister in law and her fiancee at Balboa Park for their engagement pictures. My first "job"!! I wasn't paid, of course, but I still think of the shoot as my first one. One of these days, I will be able to charge for my services! While these weren't perfect, I was happy with some of them and I hope they were too...

365.67: The New Man in My Life

ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/12 sec
Aperture: 5.70
Photoshop Elements Action: Green Tea


The one that keeps me up all night...

365.66: Here's to the New Year and New Adventures

ISO: 200
Shutter Speed: 1/2048 sec
Aperture: f/4.60

I'm not going to resolve to post a picture daily...It's been almost two years since I started this. Things have gotten quite busy so I don't think I would be able to add a daily picture. I WILL do a weekly picture. That I can do...I think.

About the picture- this was taken on my photo scout for a location for newborn photos for my little one. I applied the Butterscotch Vintage that I found on the Coffee Shop Blog. Its an amazing blog with lots of very cool, very free actions you can download for your Photoshop Elements. I think this maybe one of my favorite vintage actions!