May 9, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Twelve

“I cannot help but wonder how many of us walk through our lives, day after day, feeling slightly broken and alone, surrounded all the time by others who feel exactly the same way.” -Patrick Rothfuss, The Slow Regard of Silent Things

While waiting in line in San Francisco this week to hear Neil Gaiman speak, I struck up a conversation with an interesting woman dressed in beautiful shades of green. We talked of our love of Gaiman, but also of our own creative endeavors. It felt wonderful to have projects to talk about and to feel comfortable sharing my journey. Art allows us to connect through our shared brokenness and to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

I’m still new to calling myself a writer and photographer, but I’m loving this journey of creative self-expression. My photos this week mostly come from that overnight trip. I hope you enjoy them and have a wonderful week.

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.

Here are a few bonus photos:

April 25, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Ten

“The sea always filled her with longing, though for what she was never sure.”
-Cornelia Funke, Inkheart

I was fortuate enough to spend my birthday weekend at the beach. There’s a part of me that can only be filled by returning to the magic of the ocean. I feel introspective, peaceful and altered each and every time my toes touch the sand. This trip was no exception. The hours I spent walking the beach taking photos were some of my favorites in memory—just me and my camera. I hope you enjoy my selections.

Here are a few bonus monochrome images:

April 18, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Nine

“There is no exquisite beauty… without some strangeness in the proportion.” -Edgar Allan Poe

While out on a walk this week I stumbled across a field full of holes. This little guy poked out and I was able to snap a quick picture before he disappeared back into the ground. He’s got a torn ear, but I think it makes him even more interesting. Isn’t it true our flaws are what make us uniquely beautiful?

My birthday lies at the end of this week, as does a trip to the ocean, so I’m feeling a lot more chipper. We had some rain and the sky has been fantastically beautiful with lots of fat, fluffy clouds. I hope you enjoy my offering of photos and you have a wonderful week.

Here are two bonus photos from my iPhone 13.

My adorable nephew:

Full moon surrounded by clouds:

April 11, 2022 by Bridgette

#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.

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.

April 4, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Seven

“There’s nothing left except to try.” -Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time”

It rained last Monday and I missed the opportunity for some incredible photographs. I’ve been kicking myself about it all week. Hopefully, we get some rain and beautiful clouds again soon so I can take advantage of the moody skies and the reflective nature of puddles.

I’m trying out a new editing software recommended by my dad called ON1 Photo Raw. As a result, I may have got a little overzealous in editing my photos this week. I can’t quite tell if they are an improvement or they are overdone. I’d appreciate advice on what you think worked and didn’t work.

Here are two bonus photos I heavily/overly edited to get the feel for the software. While I realize they are a bit much, I had fun with them and wanted to share them with you.

March 7, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Three

‘Dear old world’, she murmured, ‘you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.’ —L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

The sky all week blossomed with fluffy white clouds and the trees erupted with color. I took a lot of photos and I’m finding it harder and harder to choose what to share here. I hope you like my five selections below as part of my #100DayProject. As a reminder, I’m new to photography and I greatly appreciate your feedback and critique. I have a feeling, like my father, this will be a lifelong passion.