A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

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Foto Friday: Goodbye, February! Hello, spring!

February has come and gone and the 366 project still charges forward!

Goodbye, February.

A good month you were, when it came to photos for me.

I’ve completed another month in the 366 project. Though I hit a few lulls — those days where you just don’t want to or care about taking photos. But those were few and far between, thankfully. And I got the photos I needed those days.

In the end, not a bad month overall.

I tried a few different things when doing photos, I hit up a few events, did some long-exposure images and other things. I did use the iPhone a couple times this month, but it was just one of those things…

Also, I got some images I was really stoked with.

The thing about the 366 is people do it differently. Some people do it as a journal of their year — taking a photo of something during the day. I take it more as a photo project where I push forward with the idea of getting a photo per day. It may or may not be a larger part of my day, but it’s something I enjoy knowing I’ll do every day — take at least a few minutes out of my day to concentrate on photography.

I’m definitely way ahead of 2010 — my first 365 project. I’m not struggling. That year, the first few months dragged because I looked at it as a chore. This time, it’s an escape for a while to go get some good photos.

And, despite having an extremely mild winter, now we get into the month that brings us spring!

Below are five of my favorites from February, in no particular order.

At a skating ring in Sidney (February 18).

Gid's sap house (February 28).

Delaware Academy (February 23).

Trail marker (Feb. 3).

 

Cage match (February 25).

Remember, you can see all my 366 photos (to date) on the 366 Project set.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Foto Friday: What does the camera mean to you?

Though this isn't my go-to camera anymore, it's one that really helped me regain my love of photography.

I’ve had this chat with a couple of other photographers recently and thought it would be a good topic for a Foto Friday.

But what does your camera mean to you?

You don’t have to look at this as something with just a digital SLR. It could be your point-and-shoot. It could be an iPhone. Or a Droid. Or some other cell phone camera.

But what is the camera to you?

It it a piece of technology? An extension of who you are? It it something to create art? Or memories for Facebook?

It has to mean something if you use it.

Something.

So spill your beans here. Tell me what it is to you.

Oh, I guess I should share my thoughts about this, too, eh?

Sometimes, looking at a spot a little differently can give a photo a whole different feel.

My camera is an extension of me. No matter if it’s my Canon 7D or my iPhone, I look at it the same. It’s a way for me to create some sort of art. See, I was never good at art.

I can’t draw. (My father was an amazing drawer. I wish I had some of his sketches. Man, they were freakin’ awesome. I remember as a kid sitting next to him as he’d draw me something. Really wild.)

I can’t paint. I can’t sculpt.

But I love art. I own several quilts that my mother has made. Talk about art. Wow. I wouldn’t have the patience or the skill to sit through and do as she does — hand quilting. No way. I own many pieces of art I’ve purchased from street artists or elsewhere.

I can’t do that stuff. Never have been able to.

That being said, I can take a photo. Photography goes back several generations in my family. My grandfather (father’s side) was a big photographer (I own a camera he once had — still works. I need another lens for it though).

I feel I have a good eye for good images. I can frame things well. I like to get a little nutso with the way I do things at times and I’ll take chances. I look at things differently, too. That’s part of the camera.

Pointing it straight ahead and taking photos doesn’t always work for me. It can be boring.

So, I think differently.

Before snapping this shot, I surveyed the situation and set things up to get better than just a normal "pint" shot.

And, as I said, I do that with my normal stuff and with my iPhone. A photo to me is a piece of art. It’s not just a memory — though it is that, too — it’s art. No matter what you do with this piece of art, it’s something you’ve created.

The reason I say all this?

Anyone can snap a photo to create some memory. It takes someone more to create a piece of art that would look amazing in a frame and on a wall.

I take photography serious — to an extent. I like to set shots up. I like to take my time. I like to know what I am shooting. That’s why, usually, I like going out and shooting by myself. I don’t mind others being there or coming along to shoot as well, as long as they realize I’m not on a time limit and I don’t like to rush.

The camera is an extension to me. It means a lot to me. And it’s also something that helps me when times are tough. There’s always something out there to take photos of and that really can help you let your mind go free.

It also can depend on what you like to shoot.

I love shooting sports and when I do, I get into a different zone. I am always looking for angles or the right light or something else.

When I get away from sports, I’m different. As I noted above, I take my time. I set things up. I zoom in on some things or get a wider angle for others. I have a totally different thought process when not shooting sports.

That helps, though.

I’m happy where I am with my photos now. I love having confidence to shoot with my regular camera or the iPhone. I love knowing there is so much to try, test and experiment with.

So the camera, to me, is an extension of who I am. It’s something I love. (Several years ago, I was offered a photo spot at the daily I used to work for. I turned it down in fear that I would lose this love. Though it might mean I was still employed, I don’t regret the decision because I got to meet someone who became a close friend and I still love taking my camera with me wherever I go).

How about you?

Drop a comment below and tell me what the camera means, if anything, to you? A quick snapper? Someone who thinks about every shot? Someone who loves to spend hours with PhotoShop?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Snapshot Saturday: Feb. 18

Another blast from the past!

This would appear to have been taken at a wedding or something along those lines. But I’m not sure who or where. I imagine somebody will be able to tell and can put it in the comments.

Anyway, this is a Harmer clan shot.

A family group.

From left: My uncle Jim and aunt Jean; my father and mother, my uncle Phil and aunt Barb and my uncle John and aunt Louise.

Enjoy!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Foto Friday: 1 down, 11 to go

This is the image that started my 2011 Project 366 challenge.

One month down.

Despite swearing I’d never do the Project 365 challenge again, I’m in the process of doing it again this year. Technically, I’m sticking to my guns as this year is 366 days… but still…

Nevertheless, I’m going strong. When I did it originally in 2010, I sputtered. Though I got through it, I had times when I just didn’t want to do it and cashed it in. I took silly shots that didn’t challenge me.

This year, my goal was to challenge myself a bit more. Try and use the DSLR more than the iPhone or a point-and-shoot. To this point, I’ve stuck to it. I’ve only had one photo that I’ve used be from the iPhone. And even that comes with an asterisk. I had taken shots with the regular camera that day but then lost my memory card for a day or so.

Some of the things I’ve focused on so far for this challenge:

  • Seeing things outside the box a bit more and trying to find different things to focus on. Not everything needs to be the perfect photo — just make the setting what it needs to be.
  • Getting outside my comfort zone. In other words, not trying to focus on sports so much and going to other places and seeing different things.
  • Looking at things differently. Basically, I now can look at a pine tree and realize zooming in on the needles can be really cool. I’ve played more with depth of field and such, too.

I’ve also set aside time each day to go out with the camera. I’ll go for a drive and find inspiration. If I see something, I snap it and I’m good. I usually stop there. I also take notes and ideas for future days. I’ve found one place in particular where I could probably get a different shot a day for a full year. So if I’m not feeling it one day, I’ll go there, take a walk and find something.

In truth, being unemployed has helped because I can take a break from the job hunt and go for a walk with camera in hand. Or, as was the case one day this past week, if on an interview somewhere, I can go explore a little after the interview to find an image for the day.

I realize, too, that having done this before is truly helping me. I know what worked and what didn’t work last time around. I know how close I was to ending it several times in 2010. I stuck through it then and plan on sticking with it this year. I’m sure I’ll eventually hit that lull that is bound to come, but I’m prepared. I have ideas for that “just in case” photo to get me through a day or three.

Until then, I’ll keep plugging along.

What’s even better — in my mind — is I’ve had the photo posted the day I took it, for the most part. Though that’s not a “rule,” per say, it’s kind of neat to have it up the day it is representing. I’ve only missed that a handful of times, and that’s only usually by a few hours. Again, once I’m fully employed again, that might change a little, too!

And now, I’d like to share with you (in no particular order), five of my favorite shots from January.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan (Jan. 21)

Darren jumping a 4-wheeler. (Jan. 8)

Raindrops (Jan. 12)

MasterLock (Jan. 24)

Fierce timeout. (Jan. 22)

For those of you also doing the 366, how’s it going?

Have you had any issues? Photo block? What’s been your game plan? Feel free to let me know in the comments section below. One thing I’ve really found is that when doing a challenge like this, it’s always good to see how others are doing it and such. It can be an inspiration.

You can follow my 366 project at this Flickr set.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Snapshot Saturday: Jan. 14

Another blast from the past!

OK, last week I showed a sweet cop ride.

This week?

What we had as rides as kids.

I figure I am always putting photos of my family up or others, so I should be in a few. And I’m in this one. Sporting the jeans and a Geno’s shirt (which I had many of when I was a youngster). The other chap? Scott, who grew up down the street from me. Sweet duds and a sweet ride, eh?

Childhood really was a fun time.

I am in this photo... just not wearing a tank top, not wearing socks up to my knees and not popping a wheelie. But I am sporting a Geno's shirt... sweet.

As I look at this photo I just think about how, as kids, we didn’t have a care in the world. No job worries, nothing really. What a world. Things have changed. But it’s fun to look back, think and reflect.

Enjoy!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!