Mari's 365 Photos 2010

Here's my February collage. I'm enjoying the Daily Shoot challenges.

Today's challenge: "Sunday challenge: Make a photo that invokes or communicates happiness to the viewer. Make 'em feel it, not just see it!"

The color in these flowers certainly made me feel happy today. I am ready for spring, and tired of winter!

Today's challenge: "The horizon can be a strong composition element. Make a photograph that emphasizes the horizon today."

I wasn't really able to get a good horizon shot until we headed to the MCI airport to come home. By the time we reached the airport the moon was already up.

Jean' Christmas Cactus was beautiful when we were in Kansas City for the weekend.

Today's challenge: "Negative space can be just as important to a composition as your primary subject. Explore negative space in a photograph."

I really wanted to get outside today for this challenge. However, today/tonight are parent/teacher conferences at my school, that means I won't see daylight today!

Today's challenge: "There is often a conflict between traditional and contemporary. Make a photo that shows this tension."

This didn't take a lot of thought as it is a topic that comes up frequently at our house concerning our newspaper subscription.

Today's challenge: "Monochrome photos don't have to be the result of processing or desaturation. Find a monochrome composition and shoot it."

This challenge made me laugh when I decided on my subject. I asked Joe what color I could paint, and he said anything but beige.....I painted beige!

Today's challenge: "Squares and grids surround us in our built environment. Focus in on some squares today and make a photograph."

The sun came out today - so I even got a shadow!

Today's challenge: "Backgrounds are tricky. They can make a subject stand out or distract from it. Make a photo with a good background today."

I found myself looking up some things for trips to warmer climates today.

Today's challenge: "An old adage in photography says if you want to improve your photographs, move closer. Fill your frame today!"

Today was the CITEL snowshoe day. On this day, we take all of the Aussie exchange teachers here in Colorado, to Estes Park, a point higher than the the top of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest point in Australia. We put them in Snowshoes and off we go. They all make it to Nymph Lake the first lake on the trail. The hardy make it all the way to Emerald Lake, 1.8 miles and an elevation gain of almost 700 ft.

I took this on a steep part of the trail between Nymph and Dream Lakes.

Today's challenge: "Symbols can be simple, ornate, plain, or colorful. Make a photo of a symbol that represents or stands for something else."

This mug seemed like a good place to start with today's challenge.

Today's challenge: "Frames outline the focus of a subject. Make a creative photo with natural framing: windows, doors, trees, borders, etc."

It was too cold and wet to be walking around outside to figure out this challenge today. So on the way home, I just pulled off the road, and took a few shots to play with using the car mirrors as my frame. This worked pretty well, I might have to experiment with it more.

Today's challenge: "Fragility conveys tension. Make a photo today of a person or object in a fragile state."

I tried for quite awhile to get this little guy to balance on either end....it just was not to be.

Today's challenge: "Things are always a-changin'. Make a photo that offers a snapshot of something being built, fabricated, or assembled."

This is the new high school being built directly across the lake from where we live. In many ways this high school symbolizes change for the Adams 50 school district. The district will close both of their current high schools and send all students to this school. This high school will also be a Career Academy Model high school, one of only a few in Colorado, a huge change in thinking for that.

Today's challenge: "It's Presidents Day in the U.S today. Make a photo with a patriotic theme for the country you call home."

Like a few others participating in the Daily Shoot challenge turned my lens to the "purple mountain majesties". I can't help but feel a little patriotic on those days we have a clear blue sky and a fresh dusting of snow in the high country.

Today's challenge: "Sunday (Valentine's Day) challenge: What is love? Make an interpretive photo today."

Joe and I met seven years ago on Valentine's Day, so today is a special day. I already had plans for the summer, that included an extended stay in Scotland. Joe came with me for part of my stay and we were married while there. Love is wearing a Kilt for the first time on your wedding day!

Today's challenge: "Odd or even: Compose an image with an odd or even number of subjects today, and make a photo."

I spotted these two Adirondack chairs at the mall today. While the sun was trying to come out it was just a little too cold and windy today for anyone to be using them.

Yesterday's photo was my new car. It is only fitting that today's photo is Joe's Jeep. I put this Jeep up on Craigslist this afternoon about 3:00pm. At about 3:10, Joe's cell phone started ringing!

The first person who called came immediately to look at the Jeep and he bought it. So by 5:00 pm, we became an all Volvo family.

While Joe did not have this Jeep when we got married he still is saying it is the last piece of bachelorhood he had, and it's now gone.....he says if he's driving a Volvo, he might as well move to Boulder!

Today's challenge: "We often get stuck in a rut of always zooming to the longest focal length. Break out today by making a wide-angle photo."

This is as wide as I can go....and I took the opportunity to share my 'new' car I got last night! It really isn't new - it is a 2001 - but it is new to me.

Today's challenge: "We all have some sort of hobby or favorite activity. Make a photo that shows something you enjoy doing."

Joe and I enjoy travelling, and it plays a big part of our lives. This is my 20" bag that I can live out of for 2 weeks! We never check luggage any more.

Today's challenge: "Franz Kafka said "Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old." Make a photo of something beautiful today."

My great-niece, Layla, is such a cutie, and her curls are ALL natural....I had to take her photo today.

Today's challenge: "Pet photos are such a cliche, but they're also cute. Make an interesting photo of a pet today."

We don't have any pets, but we happened to be in Kansas City for the weekend, where several family members do have pets. Xena was wanting in from the snow outside.

Today's challenge: "Practice storytelling today. Look for 3 images that tell a story, and make a set of photos that go together."

Andy & Joe doing a little planning for London in June

It was a grey day when we arrived in Kansas City. We had a littlle family birthday shopping to do at Barnes & Noble before all of the parties started. This bench outside the store caught my eye. As grey as it was (and cold too) there was still some melting going on.

Today's challenge: "More fun on a Friday: Make a photo that goes with the title of a movie you've seen, interpreted any way you like!"

Okay can you guess the movie? No it is not Wall-E.

Today's challenge: "Contrasting ideas engage the mind. Make a photo today that tells a story with contrasting elements."

This seems to be a contrasting part of my life on a regular basis.

Today's challenge: "Make a "sharp" photo today any way you interpret it, either tack-sharp focus or a subject that is sharp itself."

Today's challenge: "It's Groundhog Day in the U.S. Make a photo that illustrates whether it's more like winter or spring where you live."

This is what I call our 'Brown' season here in Denver. Not winter, or at least not winter all the time. We've really had no snow since Christmas. We've also had a week of mid 40 degree days, so not quite warm enough for things to take off yet either.

Here you can see just a few green blades of grass poking through.