"Too Close" Tuesdays

I have 10 minutes before Glee starts to get this post up. =D

It is once again Tuesday so time for our macro shot of the week. I am enjoying slowly learning more and more about my camera and its capabilities, along with techniques for editing the photos.

My birthday is in 4 days. Then I will start my 365 project. I'm actually very nervous about it. I think it's going to be harder than I know. I guess we will see!

Here's the photo!

Enough

I feel like an artist again.

It's been a while, but I finally feel like it's in me once more. I had somehow lost it for a while, without my consent. I had been trying to stay inspired and motivated, but it just wasn't there anymore. But taking a figure drawing class and an advanced photography class has rekindled my love. I am surprised at how just spending 15 minutes doing gesture drawings can make me want to draw all day. And doing a late evening photoshoot outdoors can make me never want to put my camera down.

So last night, I roped Brian into going for a walk with me. We ended up having a photographic adventure, after I learned how to shoot HDR with my camera. He was pointing out shots that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. He was being an incredible assistant of sorts, and the night would have been so dull without him there. 

Here is my favorite shot of the night:

I never knew I had that in me. It is a huge confidence booster. Finally, I can tell myself that, yes, I am a photographer. And I am good enough.

"Too Close" Tuesday

Even though I have a reader count of, oh, 1 person or so...I want to start a weekly competition on my blog. I'm going to call it "Too Close" Tuesdays. I will post one macro photo of something fairly common, and you (whoever reads this) can comment and guess what it is. Starting today.

Now, I just want to be clear that at the moment, I have limited photography equipment. I shoot with a Nikon D3000, set to go with an 18-55mm lens (the one that came with the camera)...Recently, I read about how turning an extra lens backwards and shooting through it can create a macro effect. Since I've wanted a macro lens since the day I got my camera, I HAD to try this. The problem was, I didn't have an extra DSLR lens. So...I took the lens off my 35 mm film camera and HEY! It works!! I'm still very new to it, and am still trying to figure out how to hold both of them at the same time, but I think I'm making progress...

Well, anyway...Here's the first photo:

 (Hint: YUM!)

Sprinkles

So I'm sitting in my apartment and realize it's about time for supper, even though I'm not hungry. Scanning the fridge, I see some yogurt, spaghetti sauce, butter, and a few moldy peaches. Fail. Searching further, I discover about a cup of lettuce left over from tacos, and a handful of shredded cheese leftover from some other meal. Possible success. Sadly, there is no dressing in sight, and you just can't eat a salad without some sort of liquid topping. So I consider my options....grape jelly, maple syrup, freezee juice, and then...There it is, the cute little round yellow bottle. Lemon juice. Worth a shot, right? YES. Lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and a splash of lemon juice. Surprisingly delicious. Documented for a future time.

Anyway, today is my friend Lynzee’s birthday. Years ago, she was my best friend. One of my first friends. I celebrated her birthdays 5 through 16 with her. She turns 23 today. But this day got me thinking about how differently things are when we’re older. Now, birthdays no longer mean sleepovers and girly gifts. They no longer mean streamers and pizza and eating ice cream with a cake fork. They no longer mean halves of “BFF” necklaces and staying up late and talking about boys. How fun would it be to gather up all those friends again and have a “Happy 9^th Birthday!” party? 

Beginnings

Welcome! Not only am I welcoming you to my blog, but I’m welcoming myself, as well. This is my first blog ever. I realize I am a few years behind in the blogging trend, but I don’t mind. I don’t like doing things until I’m ready for them, and just now, finally, is my time to be ready. 

I suppose I could start with a little introduction of sorts. I am a student of graphic design and photography. After four years of studying graphic design, I still feel that I’m not ready or qualified for the field. I will be graduating in May with a design major and a photography minor. But, I must admit, I love photography more than I love design.

I live in South Dakota. I have a boyfriend named Brian. I have a wonderful family and the most precious 3 nieces and 3 nephews. I love indie music. I am a runner. I enjoy cooking. I am currently trying to learn Accounting. I drink more ginger ale than a normal person should. I am a PC (but when I have enough money, I will be a Mac.) I am an artist. And, oh yes, my name is Denise. 

Eventually, this little piece of internet is going to be the home of a “365 Project.” I will begin that when I turn 23 on October 2^nd. I think a photo a year for my 23^rd year of life will be an interesting and challenging project.

Here’s to beginnings, a note set to look back on and see how far we’ve come. 

Dustin's hand print on my parents' concrete sidewalk, done when he was a small kid. Mine is a few feet away. The ball is a in some ways a symbol of our brother/sister friendship.