Sally at The Studio Sublime asked who would "focus on life through one photo a week" with her? The idea is to create a photo collage of an entire year. Each week being an exercise in looking at your life, your surroundings in a new and unique way, and then capturing that moment with a single click of the camera.
So week 1, our first photo inspiration prompt was to take a self portrait. AaAaRRRRRrrr ... I'm pretty sure the neighbors down the block heard me on that one. Don't get me wrong. I love snapping pictures. I have hundreds of them. Of my kids, my jewelry, my travels .... but of me? not a one. In a word: crap-ola.
Al-righty then. I tell myself to 'pull up my socks' and get on with it. I decided to think of this more artistically. To create a portrait that is more a depiction of me. I prefer to be behind the camera.
Yes, that is my iPhone. I recently talked about needing to upgrade my photos ... and there you have the reason. As lovely as my little phone is, it's time for a big girl's camera.
Yes, that is my iPhone. I recently talked about needing to upgrade my photos ... and there you have the reason. As lovely as my little phone is, it's time for a big girl's camera.
This is me. While I love to create jewelry; big, bold, artistic jewelry, I don't wear it. Jewelry creation is more of an artistic outlet for me. To express design, and to study history or culture of another place and time. I'm just a geek that way. If I wear any jewelry; it is one of about 3 pair of earrings. These are my favorites; a simple Tahitian pearl. I do; however, get completely giddy to see other people wear my jewelry. It still amazes me each and every time when someone likes my pieces enough to wear them.
I will be back next Saturday with another installment of Focusing on Life, and every Saturday there after. You can find my building photo collage on Pinterest.
I struggled with Week One, too! i wish I had thought of your idea! :). i must say, the pictures you post-here and on Etsy- are beautiful! Cannot believe they are from your phone! See you next week!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea - I look forward to your weekly installment with great anticipation!
ReplyDeleteGood way of thinking =)
ReplyDeleteI loved how you styled it and it does show your artistic talents, too!! I too, only have a few pieces that I wear...favorite earring and necklace are it!! Looking forward to our photo challenge!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! This'll be fun! I'm the one that uses (hogs) the camera, so there aren't that many photos of me. This would be quite a challenge for me.
ReplyDeleteOh my Cynthia! You create such beautiful jewelry...I do know how you feel about others wearing and loving your work. This is going to challenge us all!!
ReplyDeleteI don't like photos of myself either! You came up with a great solution and it's very artistic too! I wear bracelets and that's about it but it thrills me to see others wearing my jewelry!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun photo! It seems like most of us are camera shy and I love how it's .. Well .. You. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I know how beautiful you are and you really need not hide your beautiful face, but since you did, then I gotta say~I love that phone cover! Very cool! I know lots of jewelry designers who are like you and do not wear what they make. Creating it is completely separate from wearing it. Those earrings look like they have great swing!
ReplyDeleteCool interpretation of the prompt, although at first I was a little sad that you covered so much of your face. But then I realized that we get to see your spirit and your mind through your jewelry creations...so we already know how beautiful you are!
ReplyDeleteI just submitted to photos and came out frowning or squinting in every one, it feels unnatural to be in front of the lens, know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteLike what you said about getting giddy seeing other people wear your jewelry!
I so don't want to be in front of the camera either. We were thinking along the same lines with our self portraits.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, that is so me. I HATE being in front of a camera and have only a few favourite jewelry pieces. I even skip my wedding ring on occasion.
ReplyDeleteGreat conceptual photo. I went with that idea too and it was just as difficult for me as taking a pic of myself. Seems most of us struggled with this one. Look forward to seeing your next pic.
ReplyDeleteThat orange design on your phone is so you! Interesting about your jewelry - I on the other hand do actually wear my own pj's and use the bags ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove that phone cover and your creative interpretation of the challenge! I so wish I had thought of that!
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of your phone!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, great take on the prompt! I'm sitting here laughing because I didn't realize how many people were cursing me when I sent out the prompt until I started reading everyone's posts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea. Your self portrait made me smile. We are our own worst critics.We all know you are beautiful, well because you are our bloggy friend and you share yourself and your beautiful work with us. Happy New Year wishes and thank you for sharing at the hop. I hope you will stop by again soon. I posted the new giveaway! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo!!! I felt exactly as you did when our first assignment was revealed. I'm glad it's over and looking forward to the next one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for admitting you don't like to wear the jewelry you make. I've held that same secret in since I started making jewelry five years ago. I'm glad I'm not alone. For me, it's an outlet for my creativity.
Looking forward to next week's assignment.
I think we all struggled with this week's photo but like you said we all sucked it and pulled on our big girl panties and got it done. I love how you took your self-portrait, awesome idea! I also don't like to wear our jewelry (don't wear jewelry at all), but I love to make it. I am glad someone else does the same thing :)
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh as I almost put a picture of me behind the camera also. That is where I am most comfortable. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteI love the essence of you in your photo. The earrings are beautiful and like others have said in lies the beauty of you. One day I will meet you in person and will get to see your beautiful face.
Therese
Cynthia - love the shot!! I can completely relate to the 'jewelry wearing' thing. I make it and only wear certain things over and over,...but love seeing others in my designs! Glad to 'see' you along for the ride this year, I think it's going to be a fun one!
ReplyDeleteYowza!! LOVE the design on that phone!! :)))
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun challenge! Love your photo...but I hope you'll show us more in the future :)
ReplyDeleteWow sounds like an amazing challenge. I love your self portrait and your iphone cover is sweet!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea for a challenge! I look forward to seeing more installments in this series.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot - I very nearly did the same thing but couldn't find a mirror in a light enough spot...I dislike being in from of those too! Really looking forward to seeing your contribution over the weeks.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to look at it. I hadn't thought of that....Oh well, mine is up....I do love the jewelry. Will be interesting to see how our year unfolds....
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh! I wish I would have thought of that idea. Love the photo! Very artistic!
ReplyDeleteLOL nice phone cover. Next week will be easier and not quite so personal.
ReplyDeleteI love the artistic bent of your self portrait! What a great idea... This was a hard prompt, wasn't it? But a good one too!
ReplyDelete(and I love your iPhone cover...)
i do think that there was a collective sigh when we all got the email that it was a self portrait. Great take on it
ReplyDeleteNicole from http://instagrampad.wordpress.com
What a fun idea...but, I am not one who likes to have my picture taken either! Still, it is only one!
ReplyDeleteThis was a tough challenge indeed. Your solution was a creative take on it, but I was hoping to see your face. . .oh well maybe another time! ;)
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the self portrait! This sounds like a fun project, have fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I have no photos of myself either. I like your artistic version of your self portrait! I look forward to your weekly posts.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired
Great photo! I agree with Christine, I like the phone cover!...and the earrings!
ReplyDeleteHey, come out of that hiding place, Missy ;)
ReplyDeleteRight, like i am one to talk, lol ;-)
Love the cover! And those earrings...pretttty!
You have a lovely ear! And phone cover. Very artistic interpretation of a self-portrait.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing where your lens takes you! Hope you get your wish of upgrading from phone to camera soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat picture ;o) LOL!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I wish I had a IPhone! Love the casing! I struggled with this first project to. I am not one to take photos of myself. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. We can't see you in the picture ( mirror) but can hear you and feel who you are from your art. Lovely. Looking forward to know you more from 51 more shots. Happy New Year. Dita
ReplyDeleteToo funny, and fun! Behind the camera - that is where most of us like to stay, isn't it? I think this is going to be a fascinating journey.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of phones, I use an iPhone 4S for most of my photography. I used to use a digital, but am pretty pleased with the iPhones quality.
Creative photo! I love those simple earrings. I am the same way about jewelry and wear very little! It is much more fun to create and have others wear what you made.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you could have written this post about me... Heck I have dark brown hair, it could be me back there lol. Maybe another prompt along the way will get us a little bit bigger glimpse
ReplyDeleteLOL we are all such a big bunch of Mary's I love your solution lol XOXO, Patty
ReplyDeleteGreat job I know we are all glad we are done with this week!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this photo! And what a great idea to build the collage on Pinterest. I may borrow that idea! :)
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I joined this blog hop a little late, but am so ready for it. I thought I wrote your blog post for you. It is SO me. Can't wait for the next installment!
ReplyDelete