30. Shoot only black and white photos for a month

For as long as I can remember, I have been a hobby photographer. I've carried a camera with me since I was 15. Sure, that's easier now with Cell Phones, but I often carry my DSLR with me too. I have completed three "Project 365" projects, among various other photography challenges. So when I was making my 2nd 101 in 1001 list I decided to go a little crazy - I listed "30 days of black and white photography" as one of my projects.

The problem is? I didn't anticipate just how hard this project would be.

I was thinking "YAY! Artsy shots!" I love the texture that black and white can provide. I love the emotion it can put into some photographs. But what I didn't anticipate was how difficult it would be for me to snap a photo of my daughter running through a bouncy house and not being able to see the vivid colors of the giant inflatable. Or that I'd use pastels for my latest cross-stitch project and want to ask my friend if the colors looked ok. I didn't know my mom would mail me a beautiful afghan that she'd been making for me - yet I couldn't share the amazing colors.

It was a month of trying new angles because my normal shot didn't look right in black and white. A month of hunting out texture, or the perfect expression.

But it was also a month of playing with my camera in a way that I hadn't in a long time! I'd become complacent with many of my settings, and in black and white? (With my DSLR especially) you just can't do that. You need to make sure the blacks are black and the whites are white.

As I get close to writing my 3rd 101 in 1001 list, I find myself thinking about this project and wondering if I'll do it again. I think I might. Or something similar.

  

 

31. Sell a Photograph

I have recently sold multiple photographs - not in the sense that I'd originally hoped, but I have definitely sold!!

I did photoshoots for both Brandy and Ari in the past week - and both have ordered prints THROUGH me - so I not only took the photos but am printing the photos for them!

25. Create my own font - COMPLETE

It was far easier than I ever thought it would be!!

I used My Script Font to create it, and took about ten minutes! But now?? I can make awesome graphics in my handwriting (like above!)

94. Learn to Identify 5 constellations - COMPLETED

In the Spring of 2013 my friends arranged three different trips to the local planetarium for our kiddos! Besides just having lots of fun? I learned several Constellations!! (I can successfully pick out 6 on a clear night! Not counting the dippers!)

*Orion
*7 Sisters
*Draco
*Taurus
*Gemini
*Canis Major

29. Attend 5 live shows : Madrigal

In December 2012, my sister was the Queen in her college's Madrigal Dinners - I attended two shows! (And yes, I'm counting this as a live show! There was music. And acting. Dinner Theater counts, right?) 

Laundry List! (4 items COMPLETED!)

#1 Gave up Fast Food - April 2013 - I was nervous for this one! We eat a lot of fast food (a LOT!) But it was easier than I thought - and since April? We don't eat out nearly as often!


#10  Purchase Kitchen Aid Attachment - (This is NOT my photo - taken from Amazon! I ordered mine today!!)

#19  Have and Eye Appointment - 20/20 vision in June 2013

#73  Toss 101 items - What started as Spring Cleaning in the Summer (yep; I'm late!) of 2013? I ended up tossing or donating 75% of Skyler's old clothes and toys. Not to mention my hall closet worth of clutter as well! All in all? Far more than 101 items went!

37 - Childhood Photos

 The Park
The neighborhood park was a favorite growing up. The association hasn't updated the playground equipment (literally, not at all - one coat of paint since 1983 - probably since before then!) But Skyler loves to play when we go to visit Grandma and Grandpa! 

The Platte River between Lincoln and Omaha. 
Growing up, at summer camp (and otherwise) we would hike to the river, and a few times (pre-drought) we'd gone on canoe trips further north on the River.

My Parents Front Door
Oh how I wish I had an older picture - Growing up we had a bright orange front door. (The homes in the neighborhood were built in the 70's and the association had decided on the orange as the front door color. Luckily? Overtime, they did away with the orange and gave homeowners more freedom!

The Hospital (or? My Parents!) 
I suppose I wasn't really a "Child" when the hospital was a huge part of my life - I was 22. But we spent months (literally) in the waiting rooms/etc while my Dad went through his LVAD and his Heart Transplant.
And, well... my parents have changed over the years too!

Camp!
I was a camper at Kitaki from 1990 - 2000, and on staff in 2001, 2002.
This photo was taken at Parents Day during my kid sisters 3rd year on staff in 2011

Memorial Stadium
My Grandparents have had tickets in the North Endzone since the early 1960's, and we spent many a Saturday in the fall at Memorial Stadium. Then, in high school, my Job's Daughters group took over selling concessions on game days, so even more time was spent there! (And hey -what kid didn't LOVE laying on the 50 yard line during school field trips??)

 The Lake
My parents back patio opens up to the Dam for the lake, as a kid we spent a lot of time playing on the dam (sledding, bike riding, rolling down, etc) and as a teenager I spent a lot of time on the otherside of the hill playing on the park, walking around the lake and sun-tanning on the "beach".
This spot? Where this picture was taken? Is where I met my husband in 1997.