Friday, January 4, 2013

52 Photos Week One


I signed up to participate in Sally Russick's 'Focusing on Life: 52' photos because I thought it would help me become a better photographer and force me to blog more regularly.  Each week we will receive a photo prompt--our first one was waiting in my email on New Years Day.  I was so excited to see what our assignment was, and then the excitement quickly turned to horror. Our assignment is to take a self-portrait. I've never liked having my photo taken so this was definitely a challenge for me, and I quickly started thinking about ways I could complete the assignment while not really showing my face.

My 'office' desk faces the front of the house, and often I can be found chin resting on my hands and looking out the window. So I set up my camera on the porch in hopes I could catch a shadow of myself through the glass.  Of course I had to use the self timer and run back inside before the timer went off (yes I can hear you laughing at the thought).  But it didn't work. Between the window screen and the reflection off the glass you could only barely make out the image.  So on to plan B.

This time I decided to take a photo of me from the inside looking out.  You can just see the outline of our front porch and you might even see a bit of snow. 
This photo is OK, but not really what I was looking for. On to plan C.


In this photo I used the Picasa Pencil Sketch, still trying to not actually show myself.  While it does the trick hiding most of me, it still isn't what I wanted, and it sort of is a cop out. On to plan D.


So I decided to buck up and just do it.  Here's my final photo, the same as the above, cropped and without the pencil sketch effect.  I look like I'm  frowning a bit.  I might have been since things were not working out like I wanted, and because I have much to learn when it comes to taking photos.  When my husband reads this he will tell me all the things I could have done to make it work, instead of just pressing the button and hoping for the best!  I just need to find my manual, and try to make sense of it. 



Despite my misgivings about our first assignment, I'm looking forward to exploring photography with Sally for 52 weeks.  Check out Sally's blog to see more photos of all the participants.

40 comments:

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

Alice, you're much braver than I could ever be! I never post photos of me online. I feel like I have to keep a bit of privacy and that I can't cross than line. But, I do need to have some photos taken of me in the process of making headpins (for a shop that sells my work) and I've not figured out how to frame them up yet. If the shots focus on my hands (eek--they look ragged), I should be o.k. but I worry how bad they'll look. Decisions, decisions...

Mary Lamoray said...

I have to say Alice that i like the one of you looking out the window...I like the composition and the light outline of the porch...it looks pretty cool to me :) I may have to look into joining this project...get me out of my box and help me to also blog more too :)

kimmykats said...

Oh laughing can just see you running back and forth! I think we will all be on a wonderful journey!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Haha! I am laughing because I am participating, too and I took 127...yes...127 photos of myself and I was disgusted at all 127! You did a wonderful job and I am proud of you!!!!!

Bobbie said...

The mind movie of your first idea made me giggle, mainly because if I tried anything like that, all of the photos would only show flailing arms and legs as I fell spectacularly trying to move quickly....

It's great to have a face to put with the friend, and I really love the photo of you looking out to the porch.

Can't wait to see what unfolds over the year!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Alice,
I really like the one of you standing at your window gazing out into the world and pondering. The one of you sitting the chair reading your magazine done in pencil sketch is pretty cool and all I see in the other picture is a beautiful lady.
Therese

Anvil Artifacts said...

Great job! Looking forward to the other 51. :)

Lela said...

What a good project...good for you!

aneri_masi said...

The first one is really good! And I like the pencil sketch too :)

Glad you did so many different ones!

PipnMolly said...

The peaceful dreamer gazing out the window gets my vote. Makes one contemplate what you are thinking and who you are.
Your bead magazine face looks angry. I get the impression from your comments and blog that you are rarely an angry person. Brave of you to share these with us. Kudos.

Mystic Indigo said...

Awesome series of photos and the little stories behind them! The foggy photo is wonderful...and the pencil sketch is fun..but I really love the full on frontal!! Great job and we are going to have a lot of fun doing this, as well as learn how to tweak our camera skills!!

Tanya said...

I love that first picture. I love your outline against the window. I do like the others as well. I can often be found among my beading magazines as well. :)

Beti Horvath said...

I really like the silhouette looking out the window. Your other pictures are very nice too. Thanks for sharing your process.

Islandgirl said...

I like the first photo best too! Does the magazine have anything good in it? I don't get that one!

Mellisa said...

I'm so impressed with your dedication to facing the challenge theme head on and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone! Thank you for sharing your photos :)

Todd said...

Although we argue regularly about who took what good picture, I will take no credit on these or offer any suggestions. The creativity and subject make for a great result on a tough project.

I don't comment often on your post because I have your ear whenever I want but it should be known that your husband is very proud of and impressed with the views you have on life.

LU!

Courtney Breul said...

Both beautiful. I do love you looking out the window, you look very happy and peaceful!

Shel said...

I like them all! The pencil one is cool - never trid that before! I actually love the one of you looking out your window,..so reflective and such a great perspective on the self-portrait assignment - awesome!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

I am glad you kept trying even though you weren't happy with the way the pics turned out. Though I do love the first one with you looking outside. Can't wait to see what you do for your next 51 pictures.

Lishak said...

It looks like we have the same couch! :) I really love the first one, though. I love that it's something you like to do...creative! The wintry scene from your porch is beautiful! Great job!

nbeltane said...

Love the first photo of you looking out the window. very creative

Nicole from http://instagrampad.wordpress.com

Jenni said...

We are all our worst critics! I think you did a great job.. and you clearly tried lots of ways to make it work for you.. I think it was quite a difficult challenge really, especially for those of us who would rather not be so exposed. I love the window shot which talks to me of contemplation....or dreaming etc.
jenni

Annette said...

I love the last photo because it captures the frustration you were feeling. I'm glad this first week is over!

Bits of Learning said...

Wow Alice! did you put some work into getting a selfie. All the photos are beautiful! Thank you for not jumping ship when you saw the first prompt, it great to see your beautiful face, even if you are frowning just slightly. :)

AntiquityTravelers said...

I love the picture of you looking out on the porch ... really wonderful effect, but then so is that pencil sketch - very cool! Great process and series of pics - well done!

Anindita Basu said...

Alice, I love this post of yours and the way you took all these different routes. The pencil sketch is such a cool idea. Great pictures, all of them.
I really give you kudos for being so consistent with your blog.

Take care and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friend.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is a fun project, Alice! I love to have a face to go with the blog! Self portraits aren't easy...mine are always in the bathroom mirror lol!

Laura Twiford said...

I enjoyed reading about the process and really liked the one of you looking out the window. I found that most of the ones I took of myself made me look angry no matter how I tried to relax until I finally just picked a relaxing pose on the couch and let go!

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Plan B worked out beautifully! It shows you in a quiet moment; a lovely reflection of yourself. Very intriguing.

I used a self timer for our Christmas photo-it was hysterical trying to run back in place and keep my dog still(she was in between me and my husband).

I am looking forward to this fun photo adventure!

Lola said...

I think that first photo beautifully encompasses "Alice Dreaming." I look out the window often and can feel the peace of it through your photo. I also love that last one ... that thoughtful face is one I often wear when working through something. Both of those photos are honest and beautiful.

Karen Williams said...

It's good knowing that I wasn't the only one going through one thing after another, trying to complete this assignment. Sally really set us up with an true challenge straight off the bat.

And I love all of your photos. The one of you at the window 'dreaming' and the two of you facing the camera head on. Beautiful!

A Polymer Penchant said...

You look far more serious then I ever would have imagined in that last photo. Very nice all the same. I confess I like the first with you staring off, imagining something grand I'm sure. But I'm happy to put a face to the name so I'm glad you shared them all! This will be some fun!

@maggiezlenz said...

Lovely! I especially like the one of you at the window.

Sandi Volpe said...

I love the way you approached this assignment and I am happy we got to see your face studying your magazine, but really love the photo of you looking outside.

CraftyHope said...

Wow, what trials you went through to get the photo. I'm so glad you went with the last one. Now I can put a face to you!
You do look like you are mad at that issue of Bead Trends though. I know you were just trying to concentrate on getting a photo so it make me giggle a bit.
I'm so glad we all did this!

HundredColors: Art, Design and Photography by Sumi said...

Wow, not one, not two, you found 3 options to do this.. I am indeed learning a lo...t from lovely talented ladies around me.

My Life Under the Bus said...

I thought you were saying to yourself , " WHy aren't I in this damn magazine??? lol You did great so many of us were not excited about taking ourselves. I am always taking the kids etc so almost NEVEr get IN the photo...and I'm happy with that lol - You did great! XO

Claire said...

love all the photos! must have a play with the picasa sketch - i love the effect! thanks for stopping by :)

Anonymous said...

Alice you did an awesome job on your self portraits! I love the one of you from the back. We can encourage each other on being photographed for our families. :)

Cyndi J said...

I'm happy to see the face behind the blog even if you weren't happy to take the photo!