Looking for Inspiration...

2 things about me for today:

1 - I am inspired, humbled, and occasionally frustrated when I see the AMAZING photos  that are out there in the world! 

2 - I want to do some kind of photo project to help me improve my photography.


About viewing photos - first of all, I have been introduced to the website 500px and I don't think my life and my attitude about photography will ever be the same...  seriously, my world view, photographically speaking, has just been adjusted.  I joined the site in order to browse, but I think it will be a long time before I post anything there!  It was beautiful, extraordinary, and down-right intimidating!  WOW!


About my own photography - I have been pushing myself for the past year and it shows.  If I go back and look at my photos from a year ago and the most recent shots I've taken, there is definite improvement. 

Slightly over a year ago...  April of 2010

Last week...  June 2011

Last Summer

This Summer - so far...

I'm stuck in a strange place - I'm both encouraged and frustrated by my photography!  I see improvement and I like it.  Yet I see where I want to be and I'm SO FAR from it.  I guess it's something like your Freshman year of college (university).  They say the first year is so you will know how much you don't know.... or something like that.  Well, I'm there!  I have SO far to go!

In my constant effort to improve, I have decided that I definitely want to try a 52 week project.  The idea would be that I would post a photo once a week.  The question I now have is how do I want to do this??  I've seen projects like this where the person takes a self-portrait every week - which does intrigue me....   I've also seen places where there is a list and each week you take or create the next photo that is on the list.  That really sounds about my speed at the moment. 

I want to push myself, but I want to be realistic.  I want something that will challenge me, yet not so much of a challenge to set myself up for failure (which is why I will NOT do a 365 at this time in my life!  haha!)

So - do any of you have suggestions??  Have you done a project 52 or a 365 that you enjoyed??   I'm looking for things that will drive my creativity and really make me think.  Do you know of lists or photo challenges out there to participate in? 

Thank in advance for any suggestions or advice!!!  :)

Much love!
Tiffany

Goal Check - August 2010

School starts back up in a week here in our town which means I must go back tomorrow.  It is with a heavy sigh that I both look forward to a new school year and the excitement that it brings as well as look back over a terrific, relaxing summer.

I had a few goals for myself and my family this summer.  An important aspect of setting goals is occassionally looking back to see if you have achieved these goals.  I must check to see if I'm heading in the right direction or if I need to make a course adjustment.

Well!  I think it has been a good summer for my goals!  I didn't know if I would be able to stick with blogging on an almost daily basis, but I have!  I would also have to say that my goal of learning how to use my camera has been a success!  I still have MUCH to learn, but I'm much further along than I was at the beginning of the summer. 

Let's demonstrate, shall we??

Taken in May 2010:



Same location taken in late July 2010:

Taken Early June 2010:



Taken Mid June 2010:



Taken Early August 2010:

So now the next part - where to go from here....  I want to set a goal that takes into account where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go.  I also want to set a goal that is reasonably attainable and give myself a time limit.  If I don't, I may just procrastinate!

I think my next steps will be to work through the rest of the buttons on the camera.  I have been learning about them - and using some of them, but I haven't been blogging about it much.  I also want to make a priority of taking pictures during the school year- so maybe planning to take at least one shot each day...  I would like to get together a portfolio of my favorite shots - and would like it to equal more than 20 or so!  There are several photography courses I would like to take, but that will have to wait until I have more time (and money - I need to buy a new(er) car first...) 

OK - So let's articulate and be specific.  My photographic goals for myself for this Fall semester of school are:

* Continue to take photos - at least once a day!

* Continue to work for that "perfect" landscape shot.  (That's actually a little vague, but I want it so badly that I'm keeping the goal for now!)

* Continue to learn all the buttons on my camera and blog about them - ALL of them!

* Take photos that demonstrate each of these buttons.

* Work for the best possible image SOOC!  The less color/lighting/cropping corrections needed, the better!

* Organize and categorize the photos I currently have on my computer.  Dump the garbage and make a file for the best ones - have 50 "best shots" by Christmas.

* BACK UP ALL MY FILES!!!

* Don't worry about more Photoshop for now.... use what I already know, but don't spend too much time trying to do new things there.... spend what time I can get with the camera.

* Work on making others (the people I take pictures of) feel more comfortable about getting their picture taken.  You can't get a relaxed picture of someone who is nervous about the camera. 

As I look back over these goals, I think they are where I want to head.  What I don't like about them is that it will be hard to tell if I've achieved them.  They are somewhat subjective...  Even so, I think this is what I'm going to stick with.  

Sometime over the Semester break in December, I will revisit these goals and evaluate my progress.  Again, just like at the beginning of this summer, you are more than welcome to join me for the ride!  I'm so pleased that several of you are following along and encouraging me on my photographic journey!  Your company is both comforting and motivating!!!

Much Love,

Tiffany