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!

39. Complete another 365 project

This is my 3rd go-round with Project 365!

Project #1: Self Portraits - 2008/9

Project #2: Family Themed - 2009/10

Project #3: Family Themed - Started Aug 15, 2012

I started August 15 2012 and will take a photo a day, every day until August 14, 2012!

   

This project is a fun way to document a year. It's pretty amazing to see how much Skyler, Ryan and I change in a year! And it's a fun reminder to pull my camera out.

I have to give a "Shout-out" to my good friend, Meg. I have done the last two 365 projects with her, and we are encouraging one another along again this time! I think it's incredibly important to have a friend doing this with me - otherwise? I'd never be able to get it done! There are days where you nearly forget your photo and at 11:30 pm one of us says "Hey - go snap something!" or days where you feel like you've had three weeks of crummy shots and you want to quit.  So Thanks Meg! For doing this project with me! 

And for fun, a photo of the first 2 weeks! 

 

35. Shoot 10 rolls of film :: Roll 1

Last month, Ryan discovered three rolls of film that expired in 2009! He was about to throw them away when I explained the joy of expired film!! So he brought them home to me, and this past weekend I shot the first roll.

Unfortunately, it is expired - so out of 24 shots? Only 17 turned out, and out of those 17? Even fewer were worthy of showing to anyone...

But none the less? It was a lot of fun! I definitely recommend expired film to anyone!

The shots below? Are entirely unedited. Shot 8/2/2012 and developed at a Walgreens in Pueblo CO.

33. Fill my Memory Card on my Camera in one day

On July 9th, we took a 3 mile hike through Garden of the Gods with my friend Erica - our first trip to our favorite place in the world since the Waldo Canyon Fire. With my camera in hand, we hiked (slowly) stopping to snap photos as we went.

I filled my 2 GB memory card during this hike! (I know, 2GB isn't huge, but it came out to 474 JPG images for me!) And I've decided to share with you a few of my favorites!  (Click the collage to view larger!) And a set of my absolute favorites is available to view on Flickr - Just click here!

 

32. Document a "Day in My Life" with Photos

 While in Lincoln; I completed #32 on my list! A day in my life in photos! It was a fun experiment - although I think everyone around me was a bit annoyed as I snapped away photos of every little activity.

I'd like to do this again -- a normal day at home for Skyler and I. I think it's something that will be fun to look back on in a few years! 

If you want to see the collage larger?  (HERE)

Among my favorites?

Skyler at the Grocery Store! (She loves the little carts -- I wish we could find a store with them in Colorado.)

And Skyler playing!

I also liked Skyler's bedtime shot... (Gee - a lot of Skyler *giggle* )

And my favorite "artsy" shot was my headphones!

36. Take Photos in a Photo Booth

Number 36, Take Photos in a Photo Booth happened almost by accident! We were passing by one in Vegas, and Ryan suggested we stop!

I'm so glad we did, because they are the only photos of our whole family from our trip to Vegas!! (That's a whole different ordeal, really. )

But we did a few of the traditional "poses" from the Photo Booth...  I give this goal "Two thumbs up!"