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#100DayProject: Photography-Week Eight

The old grey donkey, Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, “Why?” and sometimes he thought, “Wherefore?” and sometimes he thought, “Inasmuch as which?” and sometimes he didn’t quite know what he was thinking about. -A. A. Milne

I’ve been feeling like Eeyore this week—lost in contemplation and not quite sure what any of it means. The further I dive into my creative endeavors, the clearer it becomes I have no idea what I’m doing. I need to learn so much. In the meantime, my kids, my house, and my yard need my attention. I feel rebellious, antsy, and unfocused.

Part of this uneasiness might be my 45th birthday approaching. I wish I’d kept writing when I had children or started photography years ago. The horrible sense I’m running out of time has been hanging onto me this week and it made writing my short story and editing my photos this week far more challenging. My confidence feels fractured, but not fully broken. The only thing to do is keep moving forward.

One word and one image at a time.

Thank you for following my journey and rooting me on. I appreciate it so much.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 100 Day Project, the concept is simple. You choose any creative project you like and do it every day for 100 days, sharing your process on social media using the hashtag #The100DayProject. This year the dates are Feb. 13-May 24.

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I’m far more productive away from home. I can’t run into the kitchen for another snack when I feel a lull in inspiration or start doing something like laundry or dishes. I love the coffee shop I’ve been writing at, but it’s near my daughter’s school about a half-hour from home. Next year, she won’t be there anymore and I’ve been seeking someplace close to home.

After a few misses, I’ve found it at The Fig Tree. If I close my eyes tight and imagine the perfect place to create, this place would come close. Artwork on the walls, beautiful bricks, comfy spots to sit, bookshelves, and a drink called Persphone. I’m here right now and I feel at home and inspired. Here’s my view, taken with my iPhone 13 a few minutes ago.

47 thoughts on “#100DayProject: Photography-Week Eight”

  1. Bridgette, your photography is beautiful! I love the bridge photo, it has such beautiful symmetry. I do understand how you feel. I’ve reached a point in this life where there are fewer days ahead than there are behind. It’s definitely unsettling. But you are still very young and have time to create and do the things you want to do. Need to do. Be positive, you are young! 🌹❤️🙏🏻

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  3. I certainly can appreciate vicissitudes in thought and feeling. I trust you’ll keep writing and photographing. Your writing voice and your photographing voice are valuable. And I enjoyed the visit with Eeyore, too!

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  7. That guy is making an ass of himself!

    I like the bridge especially, actually. Notice how the lampposts are disappearing into the distance? I’d have tried to crop just to that, and tried to lose the street sign. You say you know nothing, but that’s how we all start. You can learn the technicalities from books, though. Try pointing your camera upwards and photographing the stars! Or, the moon. Hint – you’ll need help 🙂

    45. ffs. I wish.

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      • That does look better! Thank you for that. Yes, it’s huge! I honestly don’t think too much about the sizes when I publish them. I suppose I should be. 😂 I would appreciate any guidance on what size is more appropriate.

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      • It shows all seeming to lead to the one point, I thought, Not just the lampposts but the rail of the bridge, also… are those bollards running along the edge of the road? But they’re all straight lines coming out of pretty much one origin.

        It’s nice to have such big images to start with. You can crop them right down and still be left with a decent-sized image.
        With road signs, it’s when you have them appearing to sprout from someone’s head that’s the worry 🤣 But there’s no shame in it – I’ve done that and that’s how we learn.
        Most of all I’m glad you’re still enthused with the camera. If you’re not looking at photos in magazines yet, and asking yourself how they shot that… you will be soon!

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      • I’ve joined a local photographer FB group and I am indeed intrigued by how they get certain shots. So many of the action bird shots amaze me! It’s so hard to catch them, I’ve not had much success at all yet. I might need a bigger lense at some point. I’d also love a macro one, close up shots might be my favorite.

        I recently got a subscription to National Geographic as well. Talk about inspiring!

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      • I collected both but in terms of providing inspiration, the fisheye beat them all. Anything animal mainly requires patience. Plus insider knowledge to know where you’re likely to find things. Ultimately it is down to luck but you can tweak the odds a little.

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  8. I’ve long been enamored of reflections-in-the-water pix, and your second photo is one of the best I’ve seen in some time. Bridges make excellent subjects in that regard, especially old covered brides in fall foliage settings. Keep up the good work!

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      • It just dawned on me that, if you want to photograph a covered bridge, you may need help locating one (they’re often off the beaten track on back roads). Assuming you live in the USA, if you care to let me know what state you live in (many states have none), I’ll be glad to provide the whereabouts of covered bridges in your area (if any). I’ve photographed hundreds of them in years past and know where they are (or, in some cases, used to be — I offer no guarantees because many have been lost to the ravages of time).

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      • Thank you! I love in Northern California and visit the Bay Area and Bodega Bay Area quite often. I’ll be headed to the coast of Oregon this summer as well to visit my dad. I did find a few covered bridges in his area last visit, but I’d love to find more.

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      • There are a number of covered bridges in Northern California, including one over the Merced River (South Fork) in Yosemite Nat’l Park and another about 40 miles west of the Park over the Stanislaus River at Knight’s Ferry (St. .Rt. 108/120)

        In the Oregon coastal area, the largest concentration of covered bridges is in Lane County, of which Eugene is the county seat. Here’s a website which will give you the info you need:

        https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/history-culture/covered-bridges/bridges/

        Happy covered bridging!

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  11. You are so talented. I understand the feeling. I am now facing 58 with more years behind than ahead. I put off my dream to raise my boys, now it’s my turn. But life often gets in the way, a full time job, my mom’s health, my own health, family obligations and writers groups, plus friends and all the other stuff that goes along with being an adult. It’s overwhelming. Like Eyeore, just keep moving and you will get there. Hoping 45 is a magical year!!

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    • Thank you so much, Sherri! My kids are teenagers and sometimes still demand a huge amount of my time-mostly driving them everywhere and worrying after them. I keep telling myself, it will never be the right time and do what you can now, but it is hard. I suppose that’s the thing, right? It’s always going to be hard.

      You have so much going on and yet you find the time to write and publish books. It’s inspiring!

      Thank you for your kindness and support. It means so much to me!

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  12. Bri, your photographs are always wonderful. Look at that beautiful flower 🌼, shining like gold dust hit by the sun. I love the spot you’ve chosen for your writing. And oh, it’s true, it’s aways tempting and confusing in the end to have too many irons in the fire, but as writers it’s our thing. 😄

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  14. “The further I dive into my creative endeavors, the clearer it becomes I have no idea what I’m doing.” That’s a great place to start as a creator, no preconceived notions or prejudices. It’s what we call in the Japanese martial arts the beginners mind. It’s powerful point to start from.

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  18. You’re definitely not running out of time but I understand that it feels like you are. One of my favorite sayings is “the only difference between you and someone who’s better than you at photography is the time spent behind the camera.” You will grow daily as you continue to shoot and learn. You’re not in a race with time but instead with the artist you were yesterday ❤️ keep going, let go of the regrets, and keep shooting! 🎉🎊

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