Living Outside the Stacks

This year, my interest in photography was piqued when I took a picture of the hubs while walking around downtown Wilkes~Barre, Pennsylvania. It was like something inside me came to life and I kept thinking I can’t believe I took this picture but I didn’t really take photography seriously as a hobby. I’ve since graduated from taking pictures with my cell phone to using a GE X500 to a Nikon D3100.

Over the past year, I’ve participated in many photography challenges (I even had a picture make it into the Top 5! Woo hoo!), started following a few photography blogs and tried to challenge myself to look at ordinary things differently. I think I’ve done a pretty good job and I look forward to seeing how much my photographic skills grow in the coming year.

The hubs and I sat down tonight and went through a year’s worth of photos to come up with our top picks. It wasn’t easy ~ some we liked for sentimental reasons, some we disagreed over and others we both loved. I hope you enjoy our picks:

1. Into the Light

I took this picture with my cell phone and it’s definitely one of my favorites. I just like the way the light is reflecting off the concrete. The blue and gray tones also get me. {BlackBerry}

2. Self Portrait

This picture placed in the Top 5 for Shoot. Edit. Submit. To say I was happy would be putting it mildly. I’m still trying to learn how to use the self~timer and take nice selfies, so getting recognized for my efforts was pretty encouraging. {Nikon D3100}

3. Burfordville Covered Bridge

I took this picture a couple of days ago when I was out with Miss 18. It’s a beautiful old wooden bridge that was built in the 1800s. I love the romantic setting, it kind of reminds me of the bridge from the movie Bridges of Madison County. {Nikon D3100}

4. Joy

I absolutely love this picture of my girls. My daughter’s face while she’s jumping just exudes joy. Every time I look at this picture, I smile. {Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS}

5. Coffee

The hubs picked this one. You’d think as the coffee lover that this would have been amongst my faves. I do like it ~ the coloring, the texture, the coffee… Really, what’s not to like? {GE Power Pro X500}

6. Gazebo

Can you believe this gazebo was in someone’s back yard? Seriously, if it belonged to me, my family would never see me. I’d have a trained helper monkey bringing me coffee. {Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS}

7. Boy with Flowers

I just love his face! {GE Power Pro X500}

8. Bridge

The hubs and I both like the perspective on this picture. Can’t you just hear the birds chirping and hear the leaves crunching under foot? {GE Power Pro X500}

9. Family Picture

A sentimental favorite. This picture marked the beginning of a new life for our family.

10. Chipmunk Eating Beggin’ Strip

Is this not the funniest thing ever? My dog left his Beggin’ Strip outside and a chipmunk pilfered it. {GE Power Pro X500}

I hope you’ve enjoying strolling down memory lane with me.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. Read more from this author