religious reflection

My life has been fairly busy the past week, but I can't reveal yet what I've been working on. Since winning last week, I hadn't even had my camera out to work on Reflections, even though I was very excited for it. Saturday, Alex and I got up early for the March of Dimes. It was a long 6k because I pulled some muscles at the gym last Wednesay but we made it :)

Some of my plans for Reflections didn't happen due to sore muscles, bad weather and Alex working late for a deadline.... here's what I did manage to come up with tonight when he got home...

i wanna be a rockstar....

Last night we went to Downtown Alive, which is kinda like a block party on Main Street every Thursday. They close off the street, there's a band, beer/wine, and a good time is usually had by all - both young and old :) I had my camera with me so I grabbed a couple of shots :)

squirrelly

I found this friendly little guy on Tuesday afternoon when I was out trying to get the perfect self portrait shot. At first I was kicking myself because I didn't bring my 70-300 but he was so curious that he let me get close enough that I really didn't need it :)

be inspired

I had some pictures from yesterday that I was planning to upload for today's blog post, but while I was doing some research for a project I'm working on (more on this to come in later posts), I came across this powerful, inspiring video and I had to share it with everyone.

be yourself

I found it hard to come up with a self-portrait that showed all of who I am, so I have several different shots that show different parts of who I am......

Go take a hike!

Last Friday, Alex and I went hiking with several of his co-workers up Paris Mountain. Now, I'm not a person who absolutely loves going hiking and strenuous up-hill climbs but I do love the spectacular views that usually accompany such strenuous exercise. I was a little disappointed with the view on Paris Mountain - it's obscured by trees at the top and most of the way up the mountain as well. But I was able to grab this shot - at the one spectacular view I did find about halfway up the mountain.

Photojournalism at it's finest

I read somewhere that the best way to become a good photojournalist was to go to a public place and watch people. Grab your camera, a long lens and watch. Here are some of my most recent photojournalism shots. I think I'm making progress - thoughts?

Fresh Landscapes

One of the things I value most in my group of friends is our ability to call each other on our sh!t and how (for the most part) it's not taken offensively but as constructive criticism. Recently my friend Andrea called me on my obsession with the "close crop". Which is true. I know it's true. It feels more intimate to me - up close and personal. BUT, I also recognize that it's important as an artist (and as a person) to stretch the boundaries. So last week when I went out shooting, I purposely tried to embrace the wide angle. Most of these are for her - with a few up close and personal for myself.

How'd I do?

circ du soleil

We went to the beach on Saturday with my friend Sarah and her husband Hal to celebrate her birthday. We spent the first few hours enjoying the sun and sand at the beach and then went into Historical Downtown Charleston. I put emphasis on the Historical because every single village, town and city in South Carolina has a sign inviting tourists to check out "Historical Downtown Fill-in-the-Blank". But Charleston is a historical city. Hal tells me that the civil war started off the coast of Charleston and there were definitely some beautiful old buildings.

When I saw that this weeks challenge was circles, I was stumped but as soon as I told my trip-mates, we started seeing circles everywhere. They were a huge help! Here were some of my favorites :)

Candy Kettles

Life Savers

Cannon Balls

City Grates

Fencing Circles

Spare Change

Plant Markers

Prized Circles
Alex came up with a way to help.

Finished products.Nuts and Bubbles

Peeled Circles

The Groens from a distance
Up close and personal with the Groens
Circ du Soleil - also known as Fire Ball Sun

And last but certainly not least - "Studs" from Nashville...