Sure, there seems to be a little alakazam in this image, but it's not Photoshop...I swear! Anyway, what really makes this a magical image is that it's WAY past quittin' time at work, and I'm so jacked up on media renovation ideas that I don't want to leave! Wow! Now, THAT, my friends, IS a magical notion. I'm over halfway done with my 28th year as an educator, and as I shared with my boss not long before this pic was taken, this is the first time in a LONG time that I've actually felt I have a real...meaningful... necessary purpose at work, and it's just SO encouraging to me. Actually, now that I think about it, that notion really isn't magical because I've been praying for some time now for my God to work things out for me professionally one way or another in His Timing, and I know that His Hand is in this. Praise God for Whom all blessings flow! Oh, and by the way, if you're still hung up on the "optical illusion" in this picture, I invite you to stop by ECCHS and see what kind of groovy vibe we've had going in this particular school library media center since 1976. ;) f/2.2 | 1/80 sec | ISO 500 (Nikon D7100 & Nikon 35 mm/ 1.8)
My Mama asks me all the time how much longer I'm going to color my hair. My sister asks me all the time how much longer I'm going to try to pull off longer locks. To be honest, I'm not sure. I know that my Mama's hair is a gorgeous snowy white, but mine might not be. I also know that I've had many hairstyles over the years, and I just don't think short hair is my best look. So, I guess my answer to both questions is this...I don't know exactly, but I do know..."Not Yet." f/2.2 | 1/30 sec | ISO 800 (Nikon 50mm/ 1.4)
Honesty Alert! I'm not lovin' how I look these days...even more than usual. Maybe it's the big bags/dark circles under my eyes. Perhaps it's the wrinkles scattered throughout my face and neck. I'm trying to remind myself that this is okay...my face and body are a direct reflection of the highs and lows I've lived through. I'm who I am because of those experiences, and I'm still here to smile about it. f/2.5 | 1/500 sec | ISO 100 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50mm/ 1.4)
Just wrapped up Day 4 of Spirit/Homecoming Week here at ECCHS..."Throwback Thursday"! So, I decided to throwback to a super-fun time in my life! I didn't have one single comment about my attire today. I definitely wasn't as "throwback" as the staff that came to work as 1920s Flappers (they looked incredible, by the way), but it sure was fun to realize that I can still fit into my sorority jersey...30+ years later! iPhone 6s
When I exercise, I know for sure that I'm going to sweat a LOT, hear plenty of snap, crackle, and pop, and be suffiently sore in various places, but I'm also know for sure that I'm going to feel better as a direct result...better physically, sure, but also better from a mental and emotional standpoint as well! f/5.6 | 1/80 sec | ISO 640 (Nikon D750 & Sigma Art 24mm/ 1.4)
Negative Space... a technique I use a lot when I'm photographing clients.It's basically the idea of leaving a lot of "blank space" in an image in order to give the subject increased attention. In this particular picture, though, the question is...Which is a more interesting subject to focus on... me or my reupholstered family heirloom? I know what my answer would be! :) f/3.2 | 1/160 sec | ISO 400 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
It's difficult for me to name one specific "beverage of choice". It really depends on the day...and sometimes the time of day as well! Mornings? Coffee...with plenty of cream and sugar! Throughout the day? Water with lemon (and a pack or two of sweetener...okay...fine!..."homemade lemonade"!) Special treat? McDonald's Coke, no doubt! However, on Friday evenings...particularly after a LONG workweek... there's nothing I look forward to more than a night on the back porch with my personal bartender. That guy makes THE best Strawberry Lemondrop Martini you'll ever enjoy! We like to call it Fresh-Squeezed Friday around our house, and it always gets our weekend kicked off to a great start! Cheers! f/3.5 | 1/160 sec | ISO 320 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
This is real life for me... hair pulled up (because I never know when the next hot flash is going to break out) and extra rolls around my midsection (because no matter how much I seem to work out, my body just ain't what it used to be). Real life also means that even though our kids have both left the nest, laundry still piles up....just not as many piles as before. f/3.2 | 1/160 sec | ISO 400 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
The older I get, the more "introverted" I become. Social events just aren't what they used to be....at least not for me. Just give me a good book or a few hours snuggled up with my husband watching Netflix and I'm good! f/2.2 | 1/80 sec | ISO 500 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
In this world of constant "selfies" I have to admit... this project is not getting any easier for me! Will I ever feel comfortable in front of the lens? I'm starting to think it's never going to happen! At any rate, here's my attempt at a "classic portrait" of myself. f/2.5 | 1/125 sec | ISO 400 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
This was a tough one. I don't know that I really have a "favorite cliche'". I looked up some examples, and I think this one allows me to use this image (plus I really DO believe it!), so here goes.... "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." :) f/2.2 | 1/100 sec | ISO 100 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/1.4)
There are plenty of things that make up my "evening routine", but one of my favorites is this...reading my latest book in bed. It helps me wind down. It relaxes me. Most importantly, it is like a nightly cleansing from my cyber-filled days on the job. Oh, and by the way, that lump to my right is my sweet husband who never complains when that lamp stays on for hours sometimes. He's easy-going like that...plus he can fall asleep <anywhere/anytime> in two seconds flat! :) f/3.2 | 1/60 sec | ISO 1600 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 35 mm)
There are plenty of things that mean "happiness" to me. This is one of my favorite ways to find joy... finding a $5 mirror at Target and immediately adding it to my ever growing photo prop collection. Then, on a perfect afternoon, grabbing that mirror & my camera and going on a photo walk to find the perfect way to use both at one time. :) f/2.2 | 1/500 sec | ISO 100 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/ 1.4)
I'm learning PLENTY from the "Portraits of Me" project. 1) It's not easy! 2) Backlighting is not a skill I'm very comfortable shooting...plus I think the sun was still just a tad too high in the sky. 3) I sure do have a lot of short hairs that are extremely unruly! I could have edited them out, but, hey, this is supposed to show the real me, right? :) (Also, if only that sunflare had been just a little higher...my not-so-great remote skills wouldn't even be a thing!) f/2.5 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 200 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/ 1.4)
From as far back as I can remember, my mama always insisted that I follow her lead and wash my face every day with a magical cream called "Noxema". I did that...even as a young girl...but these days, I use my beloved Clarisonic and my favorite Neutrogena foaming skin cleanser. The #1 tip I would suggest to any woman is NEVER go to bed with makeup still on! Always wash the day away and start with a fresh clean slate each morning! f/3.2 | 1/125 sec | ISO 400 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 35 mm/ 1.8)
No doubt that he's my Love! This is how we roll on Valentine's Day. Grilled steaks at our own table....with bare feet. (well, one of us, anyway...) ;) f/3.2 | 1/80 sec | ISO 1000 | Exp = +1.0 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 35 mm/ 1.8)
When I saw this week's prompt, there was no question in my mind what I would do for this self-portrait. Without question, I am strong because I lean totally on my Faith as a child of God. Not only do I read my Bible on a regular basis, but I write in it...underlining ...making notes! It's definitely a "lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." It is truly my instruction manual, but it's also my security blanket full of Promises that I cling to, and I would not be the "strong" woman I am without it! f/3.5 | 1/160 sec | ISO 1000 (Nikon D750 & Tamron 28-75 mm/ 2.8)
Another day...another workout! :) f/2.2 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1000 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 85 mm)
I had a difficult time with this week's theme..."personal style". I think I have a very eclectic style. One day I am all about a dress and heels, and the next you'll find me in jeans, boots, and a cute top. So, I just decided to go with my most favorite closet pick...stretchy yoga pants...a roomy top...and a big cozy sweater! If I'm at home on weekends, this is what I look like... :) f/2.8 | 1/50 sec | ISO 1250 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/ 1.4)
I'm really trying to make my health a priority this year. So, when I get done with work every afternoon, this has become "my view". I'm catching up on some shows in my Netflix list. f/2.5 | 1/200 sec | ISO 1250 | exp = +1.0 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/ 1.4)
It's January, and yet, our weather is kinda' crazy right now. One day snow is in the forecast. Later in the same week, I'm able to enjoy an hour reading my latest edition of Click on our back porch! Now, THAT definitely makes me smile! f/2.5 | 1/60 sec | ISO 250 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 85 mm/ 1.8)
One of my goals for 2017 is to get in the shot more often. It's just the two of us around here since we are "roomy nesters" these days. So, I'm going to go ahead and predict that you'll be seeing plenty of us together throughout the course of this project. The best part is...we really ARE this close....not just for pictures. :) f/2.8 | 1/125 sec | ISO 100 | Exp = +1.0 (Nikon D750 & Nikon 50 mm/ 1.4)
|
#PortraitsOf MeOne day, someone (my children, maybe?) might want to be able to look back and see some pics of their dear ol' Mama. I'm always BEHIND the camera...rarely in front...so... I'm going WAY out of my comfort zone and working on self-portraiture. It's not about vanity. It's about knowing my life means something, too. Archives
September 2018
|