HipstaFifteen: Mother nature that green-eyed slut

When Good Ideas Multiply

For weeks I've been trying to come up with a 365 day creative project as well as contemplating my annual New Year's resolution. I made the deadline and had them both decided on when, yep day one, I'm already being over ambitious.

My resolution is to spend a minimum of fifteen minutes outside EVERY day. Besides when gardening, I spend surprisingly little time out of doors that doesn't involve going too and from my car running errands or dropping my little one off at school. So I just want to spend time being outside. I figure my dogs and I could use the fresh air, even when its snowing or windy and there's no sun to soak up. Plus I'm hoping that actions speak louder than words and my son will frequently join us.

Anyway this last week I tested the waters to see if it was likely I'd do the outside thing. Each time I brought my iPhone with me to time the event (you'd be surprised how long 15 minutes can be in the frigid cold) and decided it was doable. So there I was messing about taking photos with the Hipstamatic app while fulfilling those 15 minutes of time when in a moment of clarity I realized I could do this everyday. I love taking photos and there's no self imposed pressure to come up with a masterpiece... hello its taking photos with a crappy lens on my phone using an app that intentionally distorts, discolors and otherwise mars the images! It's so bloody fantastic. So just like that another project is born - interestingly before the first one has even taken off. Good times.

So welcome to HipstaFifteen the side project to my bug a day endevour. The pressure is off, so no doubt it'll be the success. ;)

Happy snapping.

Reinette
1/1/12

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Mother nature that green-eyed slut

I had an eventful week eight. I spent considerable time combating a stomach ailment which caused me to drop the ball on my bug-a-day project but I lucked out on this one. I happened to spend my fifteen minutes outside at daybreak before my body started mimicking the destructive winds that unsettled our night. I came out of hibernation Thursday evening to greet yet another blanketing of snow and capture that days image. I'm feeling better now but still subsisting on a diet of toast and milkshakes. So much for eating paleo.

That awfulness was bookended by a weekend class I was taking in printmaking. It was great to get out and about in other areas of the city. It made for some fun photos. I'm still balancing the desire to get out there, diversify and capture more interesting stuff with just getting out and being quick about it. Thus far I think I've been successful.

I'm noticing a pattern that proves to trust your instincts. More often than not what I've discovered is that my best photo for the day is the first one. Maybe not the first subject. But once I hone in on something that I take several snapshots of, I find that I choose the initial photo to post. Interesing I think.

I had an apiphany as well. I'm seriously considering that I could take up photography as a profession (after some schooling of course). I'm really warming to the idea. I hope I'm not deluding myself thinking I have 'the eye' for photomaking. Now if only I could find that pile of money I misplaced.

Cutting room floor (Week eight, days 50-56)