Project 365 - January 29-February 25 (weeks 5-8)

Project 365 Version 2011. I now have 8 weeks complete and into the 9th. I took your suggestions last month and chose a few favorites from the month and made them bigger for you to see. I am ready for month three! There were a couple times this month I lacked motivation or didn't feel very creative. But I pulled through...I WILL complete the year!! ♥

**While these are all from February, I break it up by weeks. That is why Feb 26-28 are missing, they will be in the next set.

Project 365 - January

Project 365 - January's photos!! As some of you know, I started my first Project 365 last July. I didn't miss a single day, and I loved it. But in December, I struggle between whether to complete that Project, which would end in July 2011, or start a new one January 1. In the end I decided to start fresh, and complete a full 365 Project from January 1-December 31 2011. For me the most amazing parts of this project are

1. The improvement I see in my photography by practicing everyday.

2. The way it opens my eyes to the beauty all around me. I look at everything so differently, noticing things I may have otherwise missed.

You can see my Project on Flickr HERE.

A Little Sunshine

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine -

and shadows will fall behind you."

-Walt Whitman

I was inspired today by the prompt in Tracey Clark's Picture Winter class. Although we had some rain and cooler temperatures, Tuesday I awoke to an absolutely beautiful day. The sun shone bright, crisp clean air, and not a cloud in the sky. Everything was still covered in droplets of water from the previous day's rain, catching the gleam of the sunlight and sparkling like jewels. The backyard had been transformed overnight and the plants and flowers stood tall boasting their beauty.

{Project 365 Day 4}

I began to think about the magnificence of the sun in the most primitive sense. The word could not survive without it, allowing humans and nature to thrive. But it also brings out the best in people, and is used as a synonym for cheery, happy, and bright.

Tracey's prompt involved finding something to photograph that mimicked the colors and or shape of the sun. While sunshine is not in our daily lives, both physically and metaphorically, we can do our best to create our own. Some days are cloudy and gray, some are happy and some are sad, some are productive some are frustrating. But encouraging ourselves to find a little bit of sunshine in some form or another can keep us going. I am working hard to find those little moments, people, and places that light up my life, and surround myself with them daily.

{Day 4 Picture Winter - "A Little Sunshine"}

Breath of Fresh Air

New Years Day 2011. Woke up to a chilly but beautiful day. We wrapped our cold fingers around mugs of homemade lattes, silently perking up with each sip. Still in our pajamas, we threw on jackets and hats, and took a stroll along the path above the beach. Clear blue skies, crisp air, and a quietness that comes with the reflection of the new year. We passed a few pensive others, I like to think their heads were stirring with happy memories of 2010 and intentions for 2011.

January 2nd, I awoke to stormy skies and feeling hopeful for what is to come during this year. Excited for the goals I have set for the year, and for the ways in which I hope to make a great year for myself. Today I was focusing on really taking everything in and appreciating every last little bit of my life. When a negative thought popped into my head, I pushed it out of my mind and took a deep breath. I reminded myself that sometimes it as simple as taking a breather, focusing on the positive, and telling myself everything will be okay. I hope this will become a habit.

Overflowing

{Picture the Holidays - Day 7: Express Yourself}

How are you feeling today? What is your body saying? Your mind?

Now interpret those feelings into a photo.

Overflowing. I saw this fountain and it perfectly encapsulated my feelings. Overflowing with thoughts, ideas, creativity, and things to do!

{Reverb 10 - Day 7: Community}

Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise in 2010?

I have found an incredible community through Shutter Sisters, an online community of women who share my love and passion for photographer. There are daily postings of inspiring photos and words, and encourages creativity, trying new photographic tricks and new ways of approaching a photo. I bought their book, an extension of what is shared on their blog, and they also led to me to find Project 365 - taking photos every day for one year. Everyone I have met has been so friendly, helpful and really given me that feeling of community. It led me to find Tracey Clark's online photo classes Picture Fall and Picture the Holidays. Stumbling upon this community is what reignited the flame for my love of photography, and really encouraged me to practice daily. I can truly say it has enriched my life, and I will continue involving myself in this community as we enter 2011.

Thankful Day 6 & Day 7

Thankful # 6: Photography & my camera

Thankful #7: Shuttersisters.com & Project 365

The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.

-Dorothea Lang

I am so so very Thankful for photography, and even more specifically the Shutter Sisters. When I picked it back up again earlier in the year, I was at a very low point in my life. Having such a hard time dealing with my back pain, feeling physically incapable of being productive, and no hobby to speak of. When I stumbled across the Shutter Sisters blog and discovered the Project 365, I was so inspired. Inspired by all the beautiful photography of the women who write the blog and the photography of people from all places taking and sharing their photography daily. Inspired that a group of women (and a few men) come together every day to share inspiration. And the project gave me purpose. It makes me feel I am doing something, and I have that feeling of accomplishment back.

I love what a photo holds. A single photo can freeze a moment in time, capture an emotion, capture a feeling, capture beauty of the natural world around us.One aspect of photography I have always found to be so intriguing is you can give multiple people a camera, and tell them to shoot the same thing, and you will get different photos with varying perspectives and point of view.

I have noticed how much taking daily photos has changed the way I see the world around me. I notice details I never saw, paths I never noticed, and unexpected beauty everywhere around me. Taking pictures everyday I see changes...changes in seasons, in nature, in weather, in people, and places. I love focusing on the little details and finding beauty in places you would often overlook.

I am still learning and growing every day. But mom was right...practice does make perfect. (Well maybe not perfect...but it sure makes a difference!)

Many have shown up on my blog, but here are a few of my favorites so far...I am on day 128.

You can see the rest of my 365 Project here.