• Photography

    Street Photography {In the Dark Room}

    I like to think I’m brave but I’m not. At least not when it comes to taking out my camera in public spaces. Even at tourist spots, I get nervous when I pull out out my camera and start shooting. So this week’s theme for the 365 Project: 2013 Edition was particularly challenging. We had to go out and capture street scenes; impromptu pictures that tell a story. Basically, a moment out of a stranger’s life. So intimidating. For this first picture, I sat in the parking lot across the street from the gas station and started snapping away. I felt like a total creeper but I like the way…

  • Photography

    How to Create a Watermark Using PicMonkey {In the Dark Room}

    I’m not a professional photographer, but I play one on my blog. Hahahaha I kill me. The hubs says I’m only funny to myself and the girl I shared a uterus with {that would be my twin sister} but I think I’m hilarious. Anyway, for the longest time, I’ve been “watermarking” my images by typing text over the picture and then saving it. Tedious, I tell ya. And pretty inconsistent as far as branding goes. So I started looking for an easier way to “stamp” my images and, lo and behold, it was sitting right there in front of me all this time: PICMONKEY!!!!!! PicMonkey is by far my favorite…

  • Photography

    Post~Apocalyptic Bridge {In the Dark Room}

    My family and I are big fans of The Walking Dead. I’m not really even certain how this started because, initially, I was totally skeeved by all of the flying brain matter and snot streams now I’m all Team Daryl Dixon. We actually plan family time around this TV show ~ we root for our favorite characters, sigh loudly when the black guy dies, and sigh even louder when he’s replaced by another black guy. Seriously, what is with that? In a post~apocalyptic world are black guys nonexistent and black women endowed with some sort of mystical powers? Hey, Michonne, I’m looking at you; you freak me out but I’m…

  • Photography

    The Alley {This or That Thursday}

    This week’s theme for the 365 Project: 2013 Edition is “Tilt Shift”. I’m still fighting a lingering cough from my bout with the flu and bronchitis. For those of you keeping count, this is week 3 of “The Plague“. So going outside in 2o and 30 degree weather just wasn’t in the cards for me this week, so most of my pictures have been re~edits from the archives. From my understanding, in order for a tilt shift to be really effective, the photographer should be looking down on a scenic landscape when taking the picture. So that’ll be my goal in the near future, find a high point with lots…

  • Photography

    Chain Link {This or That Thursday}

    This week’s theme for the 365 Project: 2013 Edition is “Minimalism”. I’ve had a lot of fun with this particular theme because it’s challenging to focus on a single object and still try to tell a story. My inclination when trying to capture an image is to get as much into the picture as possible, this challenge has forced me to pay attention to color, detail and cropping. I’ve also tried not to do much editing, other than a bit of sharpening and, of course, cropping. You can see the rest of my images from the 365 Project: 2013 Edition by clicking here. I’m linking up with Deb for This…

  • Photography

    December Photo A Day {This Or That Thursday}

    Hi, everyone! This has been such a long week. Most of the students are gone, so work has slowed down significantly, making for long days. I’ve been spending it putting together work schedules for the student workers for next semester. And doing clean up work.  But, mostly, I’ve been counting down to vacation. How’re you spending your last week before Christmas? Day 13 Lights Old St. Vincent’s Church in Cape Girardeau, MO. I love taking pictures of old buildings. There’s something mysterious and romantic about them. Day 14 Something Green My favorite green eye shadow from Bare Escentuals. It’s called “Glamourista”. Sexy, no? Day 15 Outdoors   I love the…

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    December Photo A Day {InstaFriday}

    I had my performance evaluation this week. I was so nervous. Even though you kind of have a rough idea of how things are going, it’s still unnerving to sit there and listen to someone break your work down. I always expect the worst because I stress decisions. I always wonder if I made the right one. Or if there are things I could have done differently. I replay conversations and have to stop myself from calling, texting or emailing the person to clarify. I’m not sure where this lack of confidence comes from because I know I’ve accomplished a lot. And under some difficult circumstances: young kids, cancer, a…

  • Photography

    December Photo A Day {Instagram}

    Happy Saturday! Do you have plans for this weekend? Today, the hubs and I are hosting a few couples from our church for breakfast. Eep I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’m pretty nervous. We’ll be serving scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, French Toast, fried apples, and assorted juices. The men will be having a whatever it is that men do when they get together meeting while the ladies will be having an ornament exchange. I find this more than slightly amusing sense I’m not putting up a tree this year. Long story short, the kids decided they don’t want to decorate this year. Grinches. And decorating really isn’t…

  • Photography

    November Photo A Day {Instagram}

    cue the cheering crowds I did it! I did it! I took 30 photos for 30 days. I cannot believe I did it. Some of the photos have been less inspired than others but, you know what, it’s my life and I thank God for each and every day of it. Day 25: sky This is the view from my living room window, it never gets old. God is awesome. Day 26: in the cupboard One of my favorite dollar store finds, a coffee mug. Day 27: tree The Christmas tree in the library, decorated with book jackets. Creative, no? Day 28: vehicle My big and obnoxious baby. For the…

  • Photography

    November Photo A Day {Instagram}

    Time for another week in review, Instagram style. I’m so enjoying this Photo A Day Challenge, it’s fun to look back over the week and see all that’s happened. The prompts may seem random but it really requires a bit of creativity to capture memories… Day 18: happened this weekend The hubs made dinner for us: Hamburger Helper for himself and the kids and big ol’ hamburgers for me. This made me incredibly happy. Day 19: something awesome Can I get a “What? What?” The hubs made dinner two nights in a row! Pork steaks, rice and stuffing (he’s not much of a veggie man). Day 20: work/play Even with…