Project 365 Is Lovely but Not for Me

  What happened last year to my 365 Project has happened again this year.  It's not just that life gets in the way, it's also that I feel so uninspired.  So I'm switching to the 52 Project (One photo a week each week of the year).  I think that this will help me to be able to get an idea for what I want to photograph and allow me time to prepare myself for it. 

  My 52 Project will start this week and I will try to post each week's photo on Saturday's.

  Here's hoping this project goes better than the other.

Sara

Framing Keys & A New 365 Photo

  I FINALLY pulled my camera out.  It was feeling very, very neglected, especially since I promised to use it on Friday but didn't actually take it out until today.

  Anyway, I was feeling crafty after viewing this blog post on framing old keys.  I have had three keys from a necklace I purchased a while back parked on my dresser for a very long time.  I kept wondering what to do with them because I loved them but they were so tiny and I knew at some point I would deep clean my room and see them and think, 'really, I need to get rid of these because I have nowhere to put them.'.  So, after reading the post, I decided to try framing the three keys.

  After work today I went to Marshalls (I love all their floral, vintagey stuff) and looked for just  the right frame.  When I saw the one I purchased, I knew it was the one.

  Came home and began crafting right after supper. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done it.

  Here is the finished product as well as my photo of the day. 

  So, what do you think?  Give me feedback!! 

  Also, one of my goals this year was to complete 6 crafts.  So I've done one!!!! Yay for me.... =)

Sara

Living a Life of Richness {And What to Do When It's Not There}

  I know I continue whining writing about how I feel when I don't do my picture a day (365 Project) which I have been neglecting terribly this past week.  But I suppose that I continue writing about it because I really see the impact not doing it has on me.

  This week I've been incredibly lazy.  I mean, lazy as in I get off work, go home, eat supper, shower, then sit in my room watching a british show called Inspector Lewis and watching Cinnamon play and binky around my room. Then, I go to bed.  That's literally what I have done every night this week.

  Every day, I think to myself, "Sara, you need to take your picture of the day..." and then I get home and I'm so tired (and lazy) that I say, "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow".  And then forget about it til the next day when I'm nagged by that same internal voice once again.

  I'm not sure how to put into words what it does for me when I take my photo a day.  All I really know is that when I don't take it, my life seems, in a sense, not as brilliant or fulfilled.  I suppose that's because photography is what I'm meant to do.  What I love doing and when you don't do something that you love or are meant to do, you feel that void.

  So tonight, when I get home, the very first thing that I'm going to do is pick up my camera and photograph something!!

  What about you? Have you been going thru any slumps lately in any area of your life? If so, I'd love to compare notes!

Sara

New 365 Photos [Finally]

  I have been sick, am still sick in fact, since last Tuesday.  I have Bronchitis. Something I haven't had since my childhood.  It's been quiet the adventure. 

  It's so funny how when you are sick it feels like this huge dream state and that you won't ever get out of being sick but it will just last and last and last and you might die in that terrible, purgatoryish state between feverish imaginations and foggy, mecidine induced trances.  Yea, that's how I feel in the worst stages of being sick.  Am I the only one?

  Anyway, I've gotten some antibiotics and the last two days have been a little better.  I was able to pick up my camera today and it felt so nice in my hands!!!  I took a picture of several of the things that have been sustaining me these past few days.

December 19, 2012





  Yes my friends, these three items are only a few of the things I found very dear to my heart during these past very long days (and nights).  I am so thankful for medicine and for Gatorade and juice in general. And cough medicine!!!

This photo below is one I mentioned that I was planning in the post last Wednesday.

December 11, 2012

  This verse is one that resounds in my head almost every day.  It helps me to refocus on the Lord no matter what situation I find myself in.  I thank the Lord that He is there to guide us even when everything seems like it's going awry.

Sara

What I've Learned from 3 Days of No Photos

  Today is the fourth day I havent taken a photo.  I actually plan to take one today and I have the perfect picture outlined in my head.

  I just haven't felt like picking up my camera since Saturday.  And its OK.  I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

  However, I am realize a few things about when I don't take my photo a day. 

  1-The days don't seem quiet as rich.  It's almost like looking forward to creating that one photo is the icing on a rather plain, boring cake.  There are so many options and opportunities to be creative with the photo and when I don't take it it's like I'm a non-creative being.

  2- When I go to bed at night I don't really feel I've accomplished anything.  Whereas, if I MAKE myself take that one photo, even if I've neglected the rest of that day's "to do" list, I can go to bed feeling like I've done something.

  3- It's MUCH easier to take a photo a day if you have specefic events or special occasions that you're going to.  All during the Christmas holiday's, I was so busy with friends to visit, holiday lights to see, holiday baking, etc. etc that there was a constant plethora of interesting things to photograph.  Now that it's January, there aren't that many events going on.

  So, having a break from the camera is ok.  Like I mentioned above, I'm not going to beat myself up or feel like I have to start over on my 365 day journey.  I just have to know I can't stay in this place forever. 

Sara

PS. What about you? Have you taken on a photo project for 2012 and are getting behind or have skipped a few days?  If so, I'd love to hear your remedy for getting back on track.....

365 Project Photos Days 15-19

I have only missed two days this week on the project.  While I'm not proud of that, I am doing better than I did last time and I'm not going to stop or start over just because I miss a day here and there. 

So, here are the last few photos from this week....

January 1, 2012

  On Sunday night I went over to my baby sister's house and while I was there, made these Cake Batter Bites.  Well, long but funny (sorta) story: I really don't cook much at all.  So my sister just moved into this house and doesn't have much stuff to cook with.  I had to melt butter and I saw a glass bowl.  That's great.  Well, she doesn't have a microwave, only a glass stove.  So dumb me, I say, 'I'm not sure if it's ok to put a glass bowl on a stove or not but I'll be watching it closely and I only have one stick of butter, so I'll try it.'  Needless to say, it didn't end well.  I turned my back after stirring the butter and I hear a small explosion.  I turn and a piece of red hot butter flies into my chin.  Thankfully, nothing else splattered.  The bowl, however was in bad shape.  The bottom had just fallen out into a myriad of different pieces.  The stove was easy cleanup but the butter was EVERYWHERE on it. 

I now have learned a valuable cooking lesson: never put glass bowls on a stove (unless you're 100% sure that they're supposed to go there).

The Cake Batter Bites were delicious by the way.

January 2, 2012



  This was also at my sister's house.  I was seated on the porch watching the sunrise when I happened to notice this heart carved out of one of the railings.  I don't know who carved it or why but it made my morning.  Love=Everything.

January 4, 2012

  This is the front of my church at night.  I like the lights.  It reminds me of gaslights in paintings.

January 5, 2012

  I have been wanting to photograph these trees in a field on the way to my hometown for a very very long time but always made excuses.  Either I didn't have my camera, it was too hard to pull over, the light wasn't right, I didn't have time, etc.  But on Thursday night, the sunset was GORGEOUS.  An all cap kinda GORGEOUS.  And I knew the time had come to stop stalling and create something I'd been wanting to do for such a long time. 

  I was able to stop beside the road and have no one come up behind me for about 2 minutes, enough time to snap a few shots of these lovely trees.

  For post production, all I did was lighten the image a little and then use the Pioneer Woman's Define and Sharpen Action in Photoshop Elements 10.

January 7, 2012

  Today I had the opportunity to take photos of my beautiful niece Baby L (who was in her mama's belly in this post here).  Her mom wanted a photo of Baby L's feet with her hands.  This is the finished product.  Look how detailed her feet are.  God is a wonderful Creator.

Sara



Project 365 Photos & a New Year's Giveaway from Sara Vogt Photography

  Hi all, it is December 31, 2011.  Wow! 

  I don't have a lot to say so I'm going to post the most recent 365 photos I've done and then tell you about a cool giveaway from my company to you!

  December 27, 2011

   This is the moon lying in the branches of one of our Pecan trees =).  This photo reminds me of a storybook.  I think it's the rich color of the sky.

December 28, 2011

 On Wednesday I was in a very depressed state of mind.  I went shopping (doesn't that always seem to help?) and found the CUTEST figurines called Heartstring Teddies.  I looked them up online to see if I could find a website but wasn't able to.  Anyway, I found four very very cute ones with bunnies (and you know I'm obsessed with bunnies) at Ross.  I bought all four and this is one that just spoke to me.

 I missed two days of the Project.  One day I was just SOOOOOO incredibly tired it wasn't even funny and went to bed as soon as I walked in my door.  Last night I spent an amazing night with two wonderful girls and although I took my camera, it never felt right to bring it out.  I felt that if I brought it out it would detract from what was going on rather than enhance it.  Does anyone know what I mean? Anyway I'm back again today.

Here's today: December 31, 2011

  I bought these incredibly sparkly earrings (don't they look like the mirrors Snow White's evil witch looked into?) at Belk today and the more I looked at them wanted to take a picture of them with something dark silver or black.  I think I captured their charm and aura.  I plan to wear them tomorrow with that necklace.  Perfect for New Year's Day, right?

  Ok, so there are my photos.  I am excited to see what the new year will bring but also a little nervous too.

  On to other things.  Over at my facebook page, I am hosting a New Year's Giveaway.  I do this monthly (November was a Thankgiving Giveaway, December was a Christmas Giveaway).  This month the contest is very simple.  Just submit to me your favorite photo from this Christmas along with a short, sweet statement as to why and then, get all your friends to "vote" for your entry.  Whoever has the most votes at the end of the giveaway (January 22, 2012) will win a very cool, handcrafted creation from my crafty friend in Texas.  Please, go over to my facebook page and enter to win.  It's lots of fun and I'd love to see you there.

Sara

Bokah, Shaped and Otherwise

  Here are my latest two photos for the 365 Project.  I am trying to get the hang of bokah with Christmas lights so they're both of my tree....

  The first one I set my shutter to 1/6s (I'm not sure if that equals 1/60th or not but I think it does), had my focal length at 32mm, my aperature at f/4.8 and my ISO on 1600.  I like it but I had to go into PSE10 and lighten it so you could see the outline of the tree.  Before it was just really dark and I still think that it could use more lightening up.  I should have done that in camera.

December 21, 2011
                                                              

Also, can you tell that the top strand of lights blew?!  Oh, our tree is such a dysfunctional tree but it is ours so that makes it ok =)

December 22, 2011

  So, I created my own shaped bokah filter.  Here's how!  I am not a good craft person and the heart (can you tell the filter was heart shaped?) was slightly skewed.  I'm going to "perfect" this though. I went online last night and printed out some cute tiny shapes and will try them today or tonight.

  Camera info for this one was:
  Shutter Speed: 0.6s
  Focal Length: 55mm
  Aperature: f/5.6
  ISO: 1600

  I do like Christmas.  Although I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet (and Christmas is only two days away) and the lights are fantastic to try different photography tricks on.

  I'd love to hear/see your attempts at bokah at Christmastime.  Share some stories with me and if you have pictures, leave a link in the comments!!

Sara

365 Photos - December 17 & 18, 2011

As promised, here are my last two photos from the 365 Project.

Friday, December 16, 2011

  This arrangement of dishes and vintage jars in the background caught my attention almost as soon as I arrived at my baby sister's house.  As I took the photo I knew exactly the emotion and era I wanted to portray with the finished product.  I wanted to portray the olden days where dishes were white and plain and jars were important because they held so much of the necessary food.  I wanted to portray what some call "the good old days" in my head which is the 40's and 50's. 

  Honestly, all those thoughts weren't in my head as I clicked the shutter and captured this image but after post production, this is what I see in it now. 

  I love this image.  The composition, the slight noise and the arrangement of the plates....

Saturday, December 17, 2011

  On Saturday night, myself and my two best friends (one who is in college at a university in Buies Creek, NC) and the other (who is a married mom of three - as of last night when she gave birth to her 3rd child - a little girl!) were able (after two years) to get together.  We have a loose tradition of making a gingerbread house before Christmas.  So, we got together at my youngest sister's house (I should clarify - I call them both my sisters. The one who is in college is the baby (Sarah 3), the one who is married is the middle (Sarah 2) and I am the oldest (Sarah 1)) and made a very tiny gingerbread house!  Here is a picture...

   It isn't the most perfect looking gingerbread house but you know what?  It was made by us three and it's a symbol of keeping a tradition alive and how even though sometimes things seem like they will never change, they can and do!

  Anyway, back to the other photo.  Towards the end of the night, my Sarah 3 was feeling of my middle sister's tummy and Sarah 2 was trying to get the baby to move for us.  Then, Sarah 3 wanted me to get a photo of her and the baby.  I took this one.  At the time, it didn't make me very emotional but looking back at it now, it does. 

  No one but us three girls (young ladies now) knows what we have all been thru together.  Too much to tell.  I hope that Baby L who was born yesterday will have two (or more) wonderful girls in her life that she can say the same thing about. 

  Never underestimate the power of a loyal, stick with it friendship. 

  Sara  





365 Project - Beginning Again

  In my last post, I told how one of my best friend's giving me a little guilt trip got me back into the 365 project!  Today I want to share the images from my first two days back on the wagon!!!

  I would love it if you would give me feedback, dislikes, likes, what you would have done differently, etc on these photos.  Please, be nice but be honest! 

  Here is the photo from December 14, 2011

 
It is of my church.  Originally, the photograph was very bright with the colors almost too vivid for me.  So, I took it into PSE10 and added a few actions to it.  To me, it tones the colors down while giving it a vintage look.

Here is the photograph I took December 14, 2011

 
My mom, myself and an older couple from my church went to this really wonderful place called Meadows Village near Benson, NC.  They have at least 2-3 acres of nothing but beautiful Christmas lights, scenes from the Bible and an old country store where you can buy all kinds of candy, Ginger Ale (mild or hot), vintage signs and wonderful peanut or variety nut chocolate clusters.  Here is their website: http://www.meadowlights.com/!  Best of all, it's free, except for the train ride which is a whopping $2 a person (did you get the sarcasm)?  

  I didn't do much to this image except straighten it (in Picasa 3) and then crop in PSE10 and add a color popping action.  That's it =).

So, here are my first two images after getting back on the 365 Project wagon.  Hope you enjoyed them....

Sara

Guilt Tripping - When it's a Good Thing

  At the end of September, I found an amazing website called www.365project.org.  In a nutshell, you commit to taking one photo a day for a year and posting it on this site.  I HAD to do it.  I wanted to practice and grow my photography and begin thinking outside the box.  So, I set up an account and began (entheusiastically) snapping away and posting every day.  But as the days passed (really, it wasn't that many, maybe a week at the most) my entheusiasm began lagging.  Sure, I was still snapping every day (or every other day) and posting them when I could but my initial excitement was gone.
 
  My last picture was posted on October 3, 2011.  My friends, that was 2 months and 11 days ago. 

  Honestly, I haven't given the project any but a passing thought during the past two months.  But that changed when last night one of my good friends posted on my 365 facebook album, "are you still doing this? your last picture was October 3rd....."!  Bring on the guilt.....And, of course the motivation.

  So that got me thinking, I'm glad she made me guilty (not intentionally of course) because now I plan to pick up my camera today and begin the project again.

  Which brought up some more deeper thoughts.  We don't see guilt as a good thing.  Normally it's associated with something negative.  But when guilt leads you to DO SOMETHING or CHANGE SOMETHING in your life to a positive, then it's a good thing. 

  On the spiritual side, guilt and shame and sorrow over the wrong things you've done can lead you to repentance.  2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."  When God shows you that you have done something wrong and it needs to be changed and you follow God's recipe for forgiveness (1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) then you can begin living your life anew, in a positive way!

  Bottom line, I am thankful for my friend's unintentional guilt trip.

Sara