30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 30: Low or High Key Photo

So here we are at day 30.... I MADE IT! Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement, and even the nagging to make me finish! Ahh, it feels good. :)
I have learned a lot about my camera and have ventured to do things I've never thought of or have never taken the time to do in the past. And I hope you learned a little a long the way too! And one thing still is for sure: I love photography.

Love all you guys! Thanks for following.

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 29: An Overlay Photo

So this is an overlay photo.  I mean it obviously come SOOC (straight-out-of-camera... day one!) There was a brown vintage overlay and also a bokeh overlay (can be best seen in upper left corner and on scarf).  I know this may sound a bit confusing but if you just take a look through my blog I promise will begin to make a bit more sense! ;)

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 28: Something in the Air

This is one of the few times a shoot came out like I imagined! Yay!

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 27: Reacreate a Memory

Although this is just an old photo and not 'recreated,' the memory is still there. This post goes out to my dad...

I remember Sunday mornings when we would get up and make pancakes together and see what the pancake shapes looked like, I remember getting butterfly kisses before I went to bed, I remember long bike rides around town that always ended with ice-cream, and I remember the nickname you gave me - bug. You pushed me to do the things I was too afraid to do (like tubing behind the boat... when I was 8) and you were (and are) always patient with me. I love it when you listen to me, it's great to be heard, especially from you. You helped me mature into a young lady too many ways to count, but in some ways I will always be 'daddy's little girl.'

Love,
Bug

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 26: Photo with define color

Now that's what I call color! I bet you can't guess what this is.  Yes, I know it's hard... to me it just looks like something from 10th grade Biology class.
Hint: It's my brother's birthday

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 25: Two Photos in One

So here I was, late Saturday night realizing I still have a photo to do. Awesome.  I was going to 'cheap out' and take a photo of my piano or cat or something but instead I created a creative backdrop and set up the shot.  When I go photo-shoot crazy, the image I want to create in my head is generally totally different than what I come up with.  I have all these elaborate plans and then someway through the shoot new ideas pop in and the whole shoot takes a turn. I think I should have a cap on the ideas I'm allowed to have during a shoot. But I'm just letting my creative juices flow... right?

Oh and the backdrop? The shower curtain with a sheet over it.

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 24: Inspired by Another Photographer's Photo

My photo was inspired by this photo. Maybe winter isn't my enemy after all...

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 23: Rotated Photo - Upside Down

So I think that if I choose to do a photo challenge again it will not be in the dead of winter.  I literally took two shots for this because my limbs wouldn't jump anymore! :P

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 22: Photo with DOF

You may be a little confused on what to think while looking at this photo.  Trust me, this photo just makes me want to have cinnamon rolls - weird. BUT, I must explain myself.  This a photo using DOF- Depth of Field.  This was one of my first photography techy words I learned, so my family is very familiar as to what this is as I gave them Photography 101 on this any time I saw and example of this.  This just means that the foreground is in focus and that the background is far away and blurry, therefore creating a depth of field. (Got it, Mom?)

And what is that out of focus blob in the background? The Niagara Falls of course!  Cal and I went over to the Canadian side to look at this mighty river.  NY just didn't cut it for this photographer ;) No, we just were curious on Canada's spin on this huge mass of water and plus it was Cal's first time out of the country!

Here a bit better picture of the falls, ay?

So after driving half the day, battling the Canadian winter (it got a few degrees colder as soon as we passed the border), and doing a shift at work tonight, I am one tired pup. *Yawn* Night all.

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challege ~ Day 21: Photo with Reflection

What is that snazzy shoe apparel? Yup, you guessed it.... date shoes. Cal and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Pane Vino Restorante in downtown Rochester. It was our 'first date' in the summer... and I can't decide which season I like better.  All the trees were decorated with strung lights and the view overlooked the Genesee River.  Quite romantic, I'd say!  I wanted to get a picture but the car was quite far away and well, date shoes can only last you so long!

P.S. - I'm SO glad it rained today for this photo or I would have to get extra creative... I'm thinking like something involving a garden hose creative... ;)

- Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 20: Photo Dealing with Movement

This was taken at the Holley Falls, in Holley, NY.  One of the best known secrets of Holley... you go behind an old run down grocery store and into what looks like you going into a trucking company... but follow the road just a bit more and boom. you find this.  Two seagulls playing on a crisp winter day with a wonderful waterfall as a backdrop. 

Hope you all had a great Monday.

2/3 of the way!
-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 19: Natural Lighting

The winter sun and snow makes for the best natural light!


*Photo cred to Caleb Craft



-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 18: Inspired by a Film

Fast and Furious.

P.S. - I have wanted to drive as awesome as they do in the movie.
P.P.S. - I may or may not have tried to.

P. x3 S. - I have an amazing boyfriend.

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 17: Inspired by Favorite Song

Upside Down - Jack Johnson
Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Iw4_X9SF8&feature=related

Not my all time favorite, but I'm pretty sure I would never be able to choose!

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 16: Photo from Back

So I did something astronomical today. I went for a run.  Why such a big deal, you ask?
Well I never was a sports person. All through high-school I was the one who would work on art homework rather than play recreational dodge-ball.  Not only did dodge-ball hurt, I just really don't get the sense of competition that would drive some guys literally insane.
But, I did take up running. Keyword: did.  My mom and I would get up at 6:30 in the am and head out for our 2 mi. morning run.  I HATED having to get up, go out in the cold, and well didn't especially love running either.  But I felt great about myself afterwards, and that I guess was enough to motivate me to get up even before the sun thought it was a good idea. I then got arthritis in my foot and well, that honestly got me a way out. I pick it up every once in a blue moon, but I am just what you'd call a 'recreational runner.'

But here I am on a cold, wet, and nasty morning, and hey, I feel great!

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 15: Photo with Bokeh

Bokeh is a term to describe the out of focus area in a photo.  As a result of being out of focus, these circles are generally known as bokeh.  I have never tried to do this before (not organically), which is one reason why I'm glad I'm doing this challenge.  I must admit setting up and editing a photo after a long day at work isn't really ideal as say.. facebook and chocolate would be, but it's always good to push yourself a little. 
Celebrating day 15!! Halfway mark- maybe I will have that chocolate ;)

So... cup of bokeh anyone?

- Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 14: Misc Photo

So I had one of those moments.  That moment when you see something on the side of the road that you come to a complete stop and do an immediate U-turn to take a picture of it.  Never had one of those?  It happens to me quite often, actually. It's quite close to those who suffer from 'I must take an immediate U-turn for that garage sale' syndrome. So there I was, the crazy lady with the camera running down Ridge road trying to complete my day 14! Now THAT's devotion! ;)

- Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 13: Use a Prop in a Photo

I think I am a bit on a vintage binge, eh?

- Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 12: Close Up Photo

So this is what you would call a 'macro' photo... basically something super zoomed in and focused.  I bought this today while I was out antiquing with my mom.  I think this is my new fetish... anything vintage.. but especially skeleton keys!  It makes me think that there was a time where things were just plain more simple, and people had time to make the little things more ornate. Like door nobs. Or a klenex (aka handkerchief).  And when everyone spoke British! ;)


- Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 11: Photo with Rain

So ya it's sunny warm day with blue skies and I know you must be thinking, it rained?! Not at all. I instead had my boyfriend point a hose AT me (he was told just to make it look like rain, though) and we tried our best to do what only the Man upstairs does best... rain. So I am now soaked and my feet are freezing, but this day is done.

Hope you all enjoy your lovely Saturday!

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 10: Photo With a Quote or Phrase

Hoorah! I made it to day 10! And you thought I wouldn't make it.. well at least I didn't haha.  I must say I am enjoying the challenge, though half of these things I wouldn't even consider shooting and I am not much of a blogger.  Growing pains, I guess :)
This quote was by yours truly. One of my new years resolutions is to be chill.  I want to be able to easier let things go and be more in the moment.  Cause I mean if you think about it, life is composed of little moments.

Also- yes, this was taken JANUARY 6th, and it blows my mind. 50 degrees baby!

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 9: Photo About Hate

Maybe you've been here: someone has said something that hits your sweet spot to really tick you off.  You tighten your jaw and clench your fists.  Before you go somewhere or say something you may regret, take a deep breath. Don't turn to anger, cause that turns to hate. And hate takes a long time to erase.
Forgive and forget... trust me, it will make you a much more happy camper :)

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 8: Photo About Love

True love is infinite.


-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 7: Photo at Night

This is the good old Main Street, Brockport.  I just love it when they light up the trees for the holiday, it has that great old town feel.  One of my favorite things to do when I'm stressed about college or I just need to unwind is to shop the shops down these two streets and then make a final stop at Java's and enjoy a nice cup of joe across the table of a close friend :)  I'm all for supporting small buisnesses, though I myself am a broke college kid and starving artist and can't do much but window shop.  I hope to someday own a shop on some Main Street for people to stop in.  I feel like in here, in a little town's main street, when the sense of community and entrepreneurship is at it's height, when you know everybody and their dogs name and you get a "friendly discount," that "work" wouldn't really seem like a job at all.
Sigh... Someday.

P.S. - Yes, the light is green, but I made sure to look both ways before I crossed ;)

-Cathy

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 6: Photo at Sunrise/Sunset

No, I do not live near a gorgeous lake and I did not wake up to this lovely sunrise this morning.  I did another morning, however.  And since it's the winter and I haven't seen the sun for about 3 weeks (and today was no exception) I thought I would share this never before seen picture I took in the Adirondacks this summer.  But it's stuff like this that make the winter months seem a little longer and a little colder.  But the sun'll come out tomorrow! ...err.. soon! ...hopefully :)

-Cathy

30 Photography Challenge ~ Day 5: Self Portrait

So here I am. I thought a few facts about me would go well with this "day," since it is a blog and all.
Fact 1: I've lived in China
Fact 2: I hate sloppy joe's
Fact 3: I've never died my hair
Fact 4: I want to live near the ocean
Fact 5: I have seven toes. ah! I'm joking... gross!

Have a happy Monday!.. If that's possible ;)

-Cathy