Began with a flower, ends with a flower

My first photographic love will always be flowers and, if they are pink and they are peonies, well then, in my book that is a winning combination for sure! Good thing we are in peony season then, huh?  

I particularly like the unusual perspective and backlighting of this gorgeous blossom. Deliberate underexposure created the dark background, while a gold reflector highlighted that wild yellow center which otherwise would have been lost in shadow. This ranks up there as one of my favorite peony shots. Ever. 

“Take a Bow” (Pink Herbaceous Peony, Unknown Variety) Nikon D300, 105mm, F/8, 1/200s, -0.7EV, ISO 640

So, there it is, folks. The final Project 365 image!  

The concept seemed simple enough at the beginning…post (at least) one image every day for 365 days. Never could I have known the journey I would take!   

Here I am, 365 days (and 396 images) later, the task complete. Woo hoo! Elation abounds!    

Will I stop? Yes and no. I will not commit to posting an image every day for a year. Been there, done that. I firmly believe projects need a finish, otherwise, what’s the point?   

However, I have found that I do love posting my images and writing stories to go along with them, so I will be continuing with the blog. Hooray! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the people I have met along the way and am especially grateful to the ones who took the time to comment and encourage me to be a better photographer than I was. You guys are awesome!!  

As I look back over the year, I can clearly see that my skills have grown by leaps and bounds from that first day. I have become quite comfortable with all the equipment I am fortunate to own and I have been pushed to go beyond my comfort zone. Yes, there have been lows but more often, there have been highs. I couldn’t be happier with the body of work I’ve been able to create! 

My goal for the blog from this day forward is to continue posting images and commentary a few days a week. (To stay in the loop, I highly recommend subscribing to receive notifications of new posts via email). Creatively, I need a break and I want to get back to the days when shooting is something I consider fun and not a requirement. I’ve learned I need to find a happy middle ground.  

I hope you all continue to follow along, continue to inspire me with your images and continue to tell me what works and what doesn’t. Without you, I’m merely a girl with a camera and no purpose. What’s the fun in that?

Inches away

One thing this Project 365 of mine has taught me is to look beyond the obvious and see the potential in subjects that, in the past, I would have promptly dismissed. 

For example, spring cankerworms have certainly done their fair share of damage this season, which is a source of aggravation for any gardener. However, as an ‘enlightened photographer’ , I am now able to view them from a completely different perspective. 

"Inch By Inch" (Spring Cankerworm aka Inchworm) Nikon D300, 105mm, F/8, 1/250s, -0.3EV, ISO 400, Built-in Rear Curtain Flash, -2.0EV, Silver Efex Pro 'Split Toning' Filter

Plus, with my project finish only one day away, they are also very timely!

In my world of pure imagination

With as many blooming perennial plants I have in the garden, I am always amazed when a small annual grabs my attention! The light was hitting this Calibrachoa flower just right, making it appear like stained glass. 

“Torchlight” (Calibrachoa Hybrid Noa ‘Orange Eye’ aka Million Bells) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/13, 1/50s, -0.7EV, ISO 640

Now, if we can all imagine the tiny hummingbird sipping ever-so-sweetly from the bloom…

Just like that scene from Titanic

“My Heart Will Go On” (Gray Catbird in Birdbath, Dumetella carolinensis) Nikon D300, 1000mm (600mm w/1.7x teleconverter), F/6.7, 1/20s, ISO 640

Here we are at the ‘magical’ birdbath once again!

This time, a Gray Catbird takes a dip and seems to be re-enacting that infamous scene on the bow of the Titanic.

Queue the haunting melody…