I have neglected my Project 52 for the past few weeks due to other commitments.  Which to me sounds like a bit of a cop-out so I plan to re-visit these weeks at some point.

Anway, that aside I jumped back in with week 24.  This weeks theme was "make it tasty".  An impromptu trip to Felixstowe with a friend provided the inspiration for this weeks theme.

Walking along the seafront we grabbed a portion of chips from outside the pier.  Since it was such a lovely day we walked a bit further to go and eat them sitting on the beach.  Next thing I knew, I was led face up looking at the sky, the chips were everywhere and I was covered in ketchup!  Once we had both finished laughing we cleared up {leaving a few chips for the seagulls} and rather red-faced walked further along the beach to another kiosk.  I was determined to get my shot!

Armed with the second portion of chips {which were actually far tastier} I set about taking my photographs.

I hadn't taken my Canon 500D with me, but my far more portable Canon Powershot SX210 IS which my Mum had given me.  This was my first real play-around with the camera.  I think it did a pretty good job.  The only thing that niggles me is how white the polystyrene tray looks, I think I am going to play around with this image for a while just to see if I can improve on it.

So here is my entry for Week 24.

I've fallen a bit behind with my blog posts ~ so much to do, so little time!
So, to fill you in.  I have continued to participate with the MCP Actions Project 52 on Flickr.  I am really enjoying being a part of this friendly group.  I am trying not to fall into my "safe" mode of using the children as my models, and trying to think out the box a little.

Week 19 ~ Window Light

I thought that many people would be taking portraits using window light {perfect lighting in my humble opinion} so I wanted to do something a little different.  I had grand ideas of going to our local mansion and photograph the silhouette of the Georgian windows on the lovely hallway floor, but try as I might, I just couldn't juggle the time to go.  Time for plan b.  Half way up my stairs, I have a lovely little window with a sun catcher attached to it.  I wanted to capture the pretty colours that fill my walls together with the shadow of the sun catcher itself.  It didn't happen.  I just couldn't capture the colours the way I wanted to as the sun wasn't hitting the catcher in the right way.  Instead, I chose to just photograph the sun catcher itself.  I am a little dissapointed as I feel I played it safe this week. 


Week 20 ~ Spring Fever

Oh I had some fun with this weeks theme.  I had the same reoccurring image in my head every time I thought of this weeks theme so it just had to be done.  I guess it shows my sence of humour.  Again, I was disapointed with the end image, I know it is very sub-standard.



Week 21 ~ Need for speed

I had so much fun with this weeks theme, and so did the children!  I took them to our local park and started snapping away at them on the swings, going down the slides, jumping.... well nearly every time they moved.  I came away with some lovely images but me being my over critical self I just didn't think they were good enough for this weeks entry.

We decided to go out for the day on Sunday.  I thought the break away from the house at the seaside would bring back some creative spark.  There was the usual last-minute grab for items as we headed out, and it wasn't until we were half way there I realised what that nagging "I've forgotten something" feeling was.  I hadn't bought my camera.  I shrugged it off and just enjoyed the day, when my Son went to climb the rocks he handed me his little camera to keep safe while he played.  Yay, I had a camera.  After a spot of rock climbing, we went closer to the water and I started playing about with my Son's camera taking photos of the waves.   Then my Son decided to go and paddle in the sea, and this weeks entry was born.....

I have been admiring the rustic old gates at the childrens school for a while now.  Every morning I would think to myself I really must ask permission to come and take some photographs of them. 

Today on our way into school, there parked at the school entrance was a lorry loaded with new gates.  The pretty rustic old gates are no more.  They have been replaced by cold hard prison style gates.

For quite some time now I have been telling myself that I should carry my camera around more often.  There have been many times that I have said "oh, if only I had my camera with me".  Lesson learnt.  I am going to make taking my camera with me as important as taking my phone or my purse....this means it will probably still be left on the side, along with my mobile phone and purse.  Hey, I can't be perfect all the time

Nicola x

I wanted a challenge to test the new skills I learnt whilst completing my course with the Open University.

Various photography friends on facebook had talked about project 365's and project 52's on Flickr, I decided that one of these projects could be just what I needed. 

So what are these projects?  There are various groups on Flickr that are participating in these projects.  The projects I have chosen lists a new theme each week (hence project 52) so I need to take a photograph within that week of that particular theme. I find that I tend to take photographs of similar subjects, so someone else deciding on a theme for me (I am hoping) will vary the subjects and style of photography.

I have started a little late we are now on week 18 (I know, where does the time go?).  This weeks theme is "First thing in the morning".  I had a few ideas for this theme.  I did think about waking the children one morning and snapping them as they were rubbing thier eyes and moaning that they were still tired, but thought that may be a tad cruel.  My next idea was to photograph them as they were either getting ready for school or on thier way to school.  Then it occured to me.  I am doing this challenge to try and widen the subjects I photograph and since the majority of my photographs are of mine and friends children this was going to be playing it safe. 

I woke early one morning and noticed the dew on the grass and flowers in the garden, so (still in my night clothes) grabbed my camera and started snapping away. Here is my submission for this weeks theme. 

Week 18 ~ Theme "First thing in the morning" ~ Dew on a bluebell