Weekly Hindsight and Photo 365 - Day 30 (Parcheesi)

Day 30 (August 2nd, 2010)
Title: Parcheesi

Continuing with my Games subject-matter, our friends Amy and Luis brought over a classic game this weekend: Parcheesi!  Not only that, but it was an antique version that really had a LOT of character.  You can see more of the Parcheesi shots at my Flickr site. 

Day 30!  I have made it a month!  When I started this project, I really thought that I might last 1-2 weeks and then it would slowly fade away.  I am pleasantly surprised to say it has done the opposite!  I am enjoying the project even more now than when I started!  There are certainly days that are tougher than others and sometimes I'll be sitting at the computer, looking at the clock blinking at me: 11:45pm and thinking, "I've got 15... plenty of time to shoot something.  Then edit it.  Then upload it.  Ahhh!!"  But, its on those days that I really try and stretch myself and not give up.  Even if I'm a tad late getting up the photo, I just do it!  I'm very proud that this week, I really tried to shoot different subject matter than my normal super-macro stuff... True, I kind of went to the extreme other end of the spectrum with super-telephoto shots, but at least I'm trying! 

For anyone who is thinking about starting a Photo 365 project (or any Photo X project), here is some insight that I've picked up from my first 30 days:

1: Shoot every day!
2: Try mixing staged scenes with un-staged (re: "snapshots") to really stretch your skills/comfort level.
3: You don't need a big space to do staged photos.  Sometimes any flat surface will do!  In one setup I did, I just used a piece of white canvas draped over a lawn chair to make a pedestal.
4: Take pictures of everything!  Take pictures of things that you think are "common" (ex: making dinner, doing dishes, making coffee), but try and take the picture from different angles, use different lighting, try and get weird effects, anything!  Just shoot!
5: Shoot every day!  (Yeah, I know I this is a repeat, but its important!)

I'm looking forward to the next 30 days, and I hope that my work continues to improve! 

My artsy tasks this week were mostly all completed, but with varied results.

1) For my weekly photoshop projects, I did complete all three, but my collage really needs work.  I think I'm starting to get the hang of layers - and yes, they are the most bestest thing ever!  I did do another selective color picture this week (Aces), and I really liked how it turned out!  I highly recommend trying it; it can turn a bland picture into something that "pops". 

For this week, I'm doing another multi-layer project and going to try my hand at a HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo. 

2) For the video I'm working on, I finally got the script/idea solidified and its progressing nicely.  I'm going to do some voice-over and sound effects work this week as well as some green-screen shots (first time - woo!)  I hope to post the video here (and just about everywhere else!) when I get it done and I would love feedback and comments!

3) For the website... I tried to do some updates/editing, but the webserver (AT&T... sigh) was being grumpy and would not let me upload my changes, so that's my project for THIS week: Find out why AT&T is so special. 

4) Bonus Task: We purchased a sewing machine this weekend, for some other art projects, but I was playing with it and I had quite a bit of fun (lets just say, I can make a very near straight-ish line!).  I have a few small projects in mind, that while silly, I think will be fun.  I'll post my finished work here once I am done (and don't be surprised to see a macro-shot of a sewing machine sometime this week!)

Lastly, I want to thank those of you who have commented to me (either via email or in-person) on the work that I've been doing.  I do really appreciate all the comments and input that you have provided.

335 more to go! 

Anthony

Photo 365 - Day 10 (Old Domino #2)

Day 10 (July 13th, 2010)
Title: Old Bone Domino's, Picture #2

I'm posting another domino picture because yesterday when I posted the first picture, I asked Theresa: "Do you know how to play dominoes?"  She replied: "Stack them up and knock them all down?"  This made me a bit sad, for that is not "playing" dominoes, that's "playing WITH dominoes".  To play dominoes, it a fun game of strategy, mathematics, and a smidgen of luck.

(Random Story Alert)

When I was a kid and I mean, KID (like 6-7), my dad used to play dominoes with my uncle and their friends in back of the house, in what was known as "dad's lair".  We kids weren't really allowed back there (lots of things we could have killed ourselves playing with), but there would be times when they were playing that my dad would let me back there just to watch... as long as I was quite and didn't touch anything.  I didn't.  I just watched them play for hours talking about sports, woodworking and whatnot.  Finally, one day my dad got up to go get more beer (ginger beer for me), he asked me to play his hand.  I was stunned and thrilled.  I took his seat with a sort of reverence.  Sort of like the captain of a ship giving the wheel to a lowly deck hand.  I gulped, shakily look at each 'bone' and waited my turn.  When it got to me, I carefully placed my bone and called out "fifteen".  The guys laughed and thought it was "cute" that I knew how to score.  About 5 min later, my dad returned, the hand was over and I had scored 50 points (which for a single round is pretty good).  After that, they would let me play (again, as long as I didn't talk and didn't touch anything... except the dominoes and to pass the bottle opener).  Dominoes was the first real "game" that I fell in love with, and although I've played many hundreds in the years since, it is also still my favorite. 

(End Random Story Alert)

Well, Theresa reminded me that many people play with dominoes rather than realize that are for an actual game.  So, I thought: "what the heck!" and I took a picture for those poor souls who are missing out on the TRUE fun of those little tiles.  Enjoy!

Photo 365 - Day 9 (Old Domino #1)

Day 9 (July 12th, 2010)
Title: Old Bone Domino's, Picture #1


These are an antique set of bone and ebony dominoes that a friend got for me years ago.  They have been very well loved, but they are still amazing to hold and play with.  Although they are small, they are heavy and when you spin one, it really spins with enthusiasm!  I tried to keep this picture pretty large, so you can try and see the details of the domino more clearly (click on picture to see a larger version).