May 16, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Thirteen

“You don’t have to stay anywhere forever.” – Neil Gaiman from The Sandman

Last night I wanted to see the “blood moon” eclipse. Nobody in my family wanted to join me, so I went outside myself. The houses, trees, and clouds blocked the sky and I couldn’t see anything. Normally, I’d have let exhaustion win out and simply gone to bed. Being an amateur photographer though, changed my mind. I really wanted to try and photograph the eclipse. It felt important to me.

I grabbed my camera and climbed into the van, pajamas and all. At the top of the nearest hill, I found every single parking spot taken. It seems I was too late to the party. Driving and driving, I couldn’t see the moon anywhere and the only places I found to pull over were blocked by trees and houses. Time was ticking away and I was convinced I’d missed my chance, but I didn’t give up.

I put on some upbeat music and followed any road with hills, trying to get as high as I could. Finally, at the very end of my window of time, I found an area with new construction. When I pulled in I found a lookout spot clear of trees and people, complete with a cute little bench. A beautiful breeze greeted me and I spent about 15 minutes taking photos and allowing myself to enjoy this rare moment of peaceful reflection.

Photography and writing are giving me permission to seek out beauty and magic for myself. It’s giving me hope I’m going to be okay when my teenagers leave home, a blueprint for what life after the busy day-to-day mothering has ended.

I’m so grateful for this journey.

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.

My bonus photos this week are those I took of the lunar eclipse. Although the photos aren’t the best, they are some of my favorites. The last shot was taken as I was walking back to the van, a quick shot I was surprised to find out later not only captured my entire face but also the peace of the moment.

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.

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:

March 21, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Five

“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up.” -Walt Disney

I was fortunate to spend the last week celebrating my nephew’s third birthday in Disneyland. There’s something remarkably beautiful about playing with a small child and seeing the park through their eyes. I found photography, however, a bit challenging.

The sunlight was harsh, people were everywhere, and I kept finding myself unfocused (figuratively and literally). As I sat down to edit my photos, I noticed my eye tended to be drawn upward. Please let me know what you think of these images, and if you have a gallery of your own Disneyland photos I’d love to see them. Feel free to drop a link below.

Here’s a bonus photo of the hotel at sunset:

March 14, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Four

“Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove. Dance me to the end of love.” – Leonard Cohen

For as long as we’ve lived in our home, the doves appear each spring and build a nest above our front door. Right now they are in the building phase, but soon the mother dove will take her spot on the nest and stay for several weeks. Her mate will remain close by, bringing her food and keeping watch from our young peach tree. One morning I will come outside to find the delicate white eggshells laying on the doorstep and I’ll hear the little squeaks of new hatchlings. Some things in life change, but these returning doves are a beautiful constant I look forward to each year.

I had a busy week but still managed to take photographs each day for my #100DayProject. I’m getting used to the weight of the camera and I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting things to capture. When I sat down to edit this week, I paid more attention to the rule of thirds and the horizon line, thanks to some much-appreciated feedback. I’m open to more, so please feel free to either leave a comment below or email me directly at bridgettetales@gmail.com.

I find myself drawn to black-and-white photography and it unearthed a memory of working on the school paper in college. I was the editor and sometimes, on deadline, I’d help in the development of the photos in the darkroom. I never learned all the nuances of getting the right balance, but I found the entire thing magical. Perhaps one day I’ll try my hand at film photography and developing, but for now, I’ll focus on learning how to use the tools I have. One step at a time.

Here’s a bonus photo I captured with my iPhone 13 of the mosh pit at a death metal concert I attended on Thursday night.

I’ve seen mosh pits before, but perhaps because of Covid and social distancing for the last few years, it felt like I was witnessing it for the first time. Here’s my attempt at capturing what I saw through poetry.

stalking he makes the circle
bigger
like him
round in center, spread out
drawing them like to water
pulsing
with beat
spiraling blood, bones take flight
primal animal, panther stalking prey
bumping
soft bodies
feeling hot screams inside, outside
hoard moves like one, many
growling
in throats
fast sweaty motion, fires erupt
sounds end, light erases shadows
panting
with vigor
stumble toward night, shape transformed

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.

Week One
Week Two
Week Three:

Here’s a bonus photo captured with my iPhone 13 of my sweet nephew who turns 3 on Saturday.

February 28, 2022 by Bridgette

#100DayProject: Photography-Week Two

“I could be blindfolded and dropped into the deepest ocean and I would know where to find you. I could be buried a hundred miles underground and I would know where you are.”
— Neil Gaiman, American Gods

Last week I spent a few days along the Northern California coast and had plenty of wonderful sights to photograph with my Olympus OM-D. I’ve selected my five favorite images below as part of my #100DayProject. I’m fairly new to photography and appreciate feedback and advice.