My 365@50mm Project

In October 2009 I started a photo project to take a shot with my camera every day using my 50mm lense for a year. I was pretty religious for the first few months, only “falling off the wagon” a few times, missing day here and there, but eventually, I starting missing larger gaps of time so that by now, almost ten months later (which should put me somewhere in the low 300’s for images), I am only at image post # 207!

I have come to realize - or resign myself - that it’s “all good,” as our son would say!! It is not so much about the “image every day” thing as about making images and, more importantly, making images you’re proud of or, at least, images that you shot to try something, a new technique, new angle, or....whatever.

One thing I have learned from this experiment is that it is better to have some focus (really, NO pun intended!) about what you want to shoot. I have tried topics or themes and they help. Now I’m trying “places” so that I am shooting things in the bathroom or, the kitchen. It is surprising what nice images - at least, to me! - one can get in unusual places. But, more importantly, it gives purpose to otherwise just random shooting.   

If you’re interested, check out my daily (almost!) posting at http://booz50mm.posterous.com. 

Trying MacJournal as Blogpost Client

I recently purchased MacJournal to use with the classes I will be teaching in the fall and decided to try out its feature which allows one to use it as blogging client. So this post is really just to test out whether it works with this particular blogging software and how the post ends up looking.

Trying Out Photrade.com

Sell photos on photrade | By billbooz

I have created an account with photrade.com where they offer 2GB of space for free, but also have pro accounts through which one can sell one's photos in a variety of ways. I have posted the 20 "selects" from the several hundred images I shot while in Seattle, Washington over last weekend. The one pictured here is actually my favorite and it was a spur of the moment shot before we got on the water taxi to go to a wedding across Elliott Bay on Alkai Point.

"From My Porch"

Trying to come up with other ways to purposely improve my photographic skill with my - relatively - new dSLR (Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi [actually Japanese version, the 'Kiss EOS Digital X']). The 'daily' photo thing is just not working! I have been inspired by Matthew Boyle, a young Scotsman who is documenting his experiences in improving his portrait-taking skills in his "100 Portraits" blog (http://www.100portraits.net).

So, my plan is to take image shots when I sit on the porch of a little house my wife and I own near Charlottesville, VA (U.S.A.) in Ivy. It's a side porch and the 180 degree view encompasses the upper yard, driveway, and street and railroad tracks that pass in front of the house. Pretty boring, actually, but it will be interesting to see if, besides seasonal changes, I can spark up shots with the occasional deer couple in the yard (should they dare venture there when I'm on the porch...unlikely), a male and female cardinal who frequently prance around on the walk way or a passing cyclist (a group of 10 went by together last evening!) or walker. We'll see...

Mirror Lake

Awesome! Caroline enjoys a swim in the lake below their new house. How cool is this, eh? A lot of hustling to get several truck loads of things moved to the basement of the new house over the weekends, but the Dabneys are making progress and by the end of next weekend, hopefully, will be all moved in, even if not all "settled" in! 

Taking a Walk

OK, slow starting, but this is a picture I took while taking a walk last Friday, returning to my house which is up this hill to the left. Very pretty street which is soon to be torn up for sewer pipe repair work. Hopefully, the trees won't be damaged!

Spring in Ivy

I am trying to get myself to follow the lead of many other photographers who have tried the "photo a day" routine. Just like my daily walks, though, it is hard to start, however, I'm sure, that once I commit and get into the routine, I can do it! We'll see...

It's late spring in Central Virginia and it is quite fun to see new plants blossom. Our little cottage in Ivy, west of Charlottesville is always surprising me with new things blooming!

France, Summer 2007

I need to get back into photo blogging!! Two years have passed since I first started this blog and I only put up a few pictures. So, here is one from this summer of the front of the beautiful house we rented (for the 4th time!) during July: Lei Pastres is an old French "mas" and is located close to the perched village of Bonnieux near Menerbes and Lacoste. Peter Mayle ("A Year in Provence") country!