New, x5 -- 1/365

A new challenge – starting another 365 project.

A new goal – more off camera flash

A new blog template – to go with the new theme

A new style – My first self portrait

A new technique  - First time with this lighting approach. 

Strobist info - Main light camera right and second light behind me.  Different power settings and light modifiers for the 2 shots.  

A Year In Review

As part of wrapping-up year one of my 365 challenge I’m taking an opportunity to perform a year in review by reposting my monthly favorites, along with the reason I selected it

Feb 2009 – Serenity

A tranquil location, beautiful blue sky, and being there undisturbed

Mar 2009 – They’re Back

Perfect timing. I caught him coming over the fence. It’s like he’s posing for the camera.

Apr 2009 – Inspiration

I learned a new lighting and setup technique

May 2009 – Chiclets

An all-time favorite

Jun 2009 – Burj Al Arab

A far off land, a famous landmark, a stunning photograph. June presented several good choices.

Jul 2009 – Dirty Ol’ Sneaks

The lighting

Aug 2009 -Liatris

The simplicity, color, and bokeh

Sep 2009 – Daisy Belle-RIP

The obvious choice. The hole created by her passing has not healed and she’s still missed.

Oct 2009 – Bubbles

Another all-time favorite

Nov 2009 – Thanksgiving

The softness, the lighting, the bokeh, but most important, its representation of family.

Dec 2009 – My Daughter’s Work

Because she’s got talent, she’s my number 1 fan, and it’s a great photograph.

Jan 2010 – Kiwi

Another month with several good choices but I really like my extension tubes and this was one of the better shots

Feb 2010 – Groundcover

It has an artsy flair, which is a quality I’m totally lacking. I wish I could acquire/develop it.

My 365 Experience

What a year its been!!! Some random thoughts in no particular order:

• Overall, I’m thrilled to have taken on this challenge and ecstatic over the fact that I completed it. It’s an accomplishment I’m proud of.
• Inspiration – Some day’s its soooooo difficult to find. It tends to come in spurts and you need to find it wherever you can. Some of my best inspiration and ideas came from my wife (Day 348), (Day 234), (Day 221), and (Day149) just to list a few of them. She deserves a massive thank you for her support, encouragement, and patience. Thank you Ana!
• It hasn’t always been easy, or fun, and there were times when I seriously contemplated just giving up (day 248). Getting past that was very hard. It was a costly mistake with the camera repair, replacement tripod, and filter. Enough for pocket wizards and then some.
• This is a time intensive, serious commitment. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I embarked upon the initiative, but I have only 1 regret – see day 248 above….
• Support and encouragement – This comes from many sources but my virtual community has been so important. Your comments, suggestions, and help have boosted my confidence, provided tutelage, inspiration, and a host of ideas. So thank you Alan, Lance, Tim, and so many others. Special thanks to my daughter Emily for allowing me to reuse her work and being my number 1 visitor.
• I feel that I am a better photographer then when I started.
• I’ve learned some lighting techniques and have come to really enjoy off camera lighting. I recognize the need to learn more techniques and approaches. I tend to repeat my approaches.
• Technique is more important than equipment. 85% of this is technique and 15% is equipment.
• Visit the DIY Photography and The Strobist sites regularly as they are an excellent source.
• I enjoy Photography 100 times more than Photoshop but you need some level of skill in Photoshop.
• I wish I had a studio, even a small quasi one because constructing and dismantling your setups on a daily basis is de-motivating.

WHAT’S NEXT

For tomorrow, I want to do a personal “best of“ series by month. I’ll pick 1 photo from each month and repost it.

Beyond that… I will continue and commit to another year. My primary goal is to do more with off camera flash and multiple units. I have the radio triggers, the speedlights, the light stand, and an assortment of other gadgets so why not put them to use. I fear that if I don’t continue all of these will simply collect dust. I’d like to get a softbox and other light modifiers so please make some recommendations.

BTW - we got 9 more inches of snow. NYC got 26...

Divine Request 365/365

More snow!!! I’m on the cusp of the 5-8 inches (13-20cm) and 8-12 inches (20-30cm). I’m hoping for less snow. It rained all day but has since changed over to snow. A good deal of the old snow was washed away today.

I can’t believe I completed the year. Tomorrow I plan to share some thoughts on my 365 experience.

Sunset From The Sky 364/365

The first shot was taken at 6:32pm, the second at 6:39 just before the plane entered the clouds and the final one at 6:50.

A Day At The Beach 363/365

To be young, innocent, and carefree. I had an opportunity for a tranquil moment to sit on the beach and watch this young boy chase the birds, collect shells, and skim rocks over the waves. It was 72 degrees (23C) with broken clouds but I had to go back to work…

Who’d a Thunk It? 362/365

Rocks buried below ground!!!! Next time you need a rock just look for the signs pointing the way. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself, this is too unreal.