Author: lauramchugh

It’s that time of year when Kale is in abundance, both as something to eat and as garden eye candy. These beauties were spotted outside some shops on a rainy day in Fairhaven Washington. The gear, Nancy’s, is of origin unknown.

I know – lime green is so 2008 or 2009 – but I’ve just discovered it and love it! I got a lime green case for my iPhone a couple of months ago, then my choice of colors for my new 2010 Keel’s Simple Diary by Taschen was lime green.

This is my 500th post on my blog. Still looking for more followers but it helps to post every day and it will make a nice book at some point too. My blog – slurped into a book by Blurb.

So, here’s a pile of lime green as a refreshing, crisp way to start the new year.

Goes well with tangerine, another good color.

I spent another few days up in Bellingham over the longish New Year weekend. I find so much inspiring to photograph up there. It seems the combination of Canada, the light (or dreary not-light), the sea harbor aspects and the fact that it is an older area (lots of overhead power lines, old buildings etc.) make it very inspirational for me.

Though I do not consider myself a photographer, I am starting to develop a better eye for composition and choice of subjects. I realized that I’ve shot almost 7,500 photos on my Canon 40D now. I’ve had it for about 18 months. I know that number of photos is squat compared to many professional photographers who shoot that many in about a week, but not being “pro,” I come from that somewhat scarce place of film photography mentality – limited shots (24 or 36 to the roll). I’m convinced that is one big reason I never got too far with film – the limit of 24 or 36 just paralyzed me.

So, I still forget that my limit is much higher based on the size of the card. I tend to shoot quickly when I see something that seems worthy, but if I have the time, I frame it, and think carefully before shooting. This may stem from the laziness of going through too many photos, post shoot, and my inability to throw things away. Ironic that now that I am nearly limit-less in my shots, I’m so much more careful with what I choose to shoot. Well, there is a balance in there somewhere.

Whatever the reason(s), I feel more confident and am happy to see some better shots coming out of my partnership with my camera. Happy New Year and here’s to me getting at least one really good shot every week.

I’m sad to announce that Nancy and I will be going to Photojojo #100, then stopping this photo challenge. Nancy has started another photo challenge, 4Women365 Days, for 2010. We’ll finish this challenge up with Photojojo #100, then switching all our energies over to that effort. I may continue to do a 2x photojojo challenge with someone else, if interested. I like the side by sideness of this approach.

So, for the next 20 days or so, they’ll both be up and running, and my challenge will be to use two distinct photos daily – one for each challenge. You can find 4Women365Days here, but don’t forget about this blog and this photochallenge.

Barbie (Nancy) pairs up with some 2009 Christmas holiday decorations in downtown Bellingham (Laura). Time to put away the party dress and take down the snowflake decorations. Bah humbug!