There and Back Again
I spent time recently in The Big City, doing a project. I knew it would be demanding and that I'd need something else to do--probably not a writing something, and probably not a reading something, but a something-something.
What I came up with was a photography project. Insert standard disclaimer here: I'm not a photographer. I have a little digital camera because my iDevice isn't powerful enough to have a good camera. I love to take pictures of where I live--it's beautiful. I've created calendars and games and puzzles (and business cards) that feature my pics, for Christmas gifts.
But I'm by no means a "real" photographer.
That said, last December, when my husband and I were navigating his health issues, I found it extremely helpful to have a "photo-a-day" project to think about.
So I made up one for this trip, too. I came up with a week's worth of "prompt"-type words (all sort of vaguely related to "autumn") and took pictures here one week, and in the city the following week.
The words: leaves (2 images: one here, one there), light (3: 1 here, 2 there), colours (3: 1 here, 2 there), brisk (2: 1 here, 1 there), comfort (2: 1 here, 1 there), message (3: 1 here, 2 there), and grateful (2: 1 here, 1 there). Note to self: Brisk??
In any case, I was so grateful to have this semi-creative personal project to work on in odd hours. Living in a place where "nature pictures" are so easy to take, I often find myself wondering how many more times I need to "click" a sunrise or sunset or cloud or loon or leaf. Putting a few parameters on a project (but seriously, "brisk"?) is a great way to define a playspace.
I'll do it again.
What I came up with was a photography project. Insert standard disclaimer here: I'm not a photographer. I have a little digital camera because my iDevice isn't powerful enough to have a good camera. I love to take pictures of where I live--it's beautiful. I've created calendars and games and puzzles (and business cards) that feature my pics, for Christmas gifts.
But I'm by no means a "real" photographer.
That said, last December, when my husband and I were navigating his health issues, I found it extremely helpful to have a "photo-a-day" project to think about.
So I made up one for this trip, too. I came up with a week's worth of "prompt"-type words (all sort of vaguely related to "autumn") and took pictures here one week, and in the city the following week.
The words: leaves (2 images: one here, one there), light (3: 1 here, 2 there), colours (3: 1 here, 2 there), brisk (2: 1 here, 1 there), comfort (2: 1 here, 1 there), message (3: 1 here, 2 there), and grateful (2: 1 here, 1 there). Note to self: Brisk??
In any case, I was so grateful to have this semi-creative personal project to work on in odd hours. Living in a place where "nature pictures" are so easy to take, I often find myself wondering how many more times I need to "click" a sunrise or sunset or cloud or loon or leaf. Putting a few parameters on a project (but seriously, "brisk"?) is a great way to define a playspace.
I'll do it again.