A Photo a Week Challenge: Something New

Because today is New Year’s Day, this week’s challenge is all about new things. Many people use ending of one year and the beginning of another as a time to throw out old habits or things and replace them with something new and hopefully improved, maybe a nice Christmas present. For our nephew and his family, this Christmas and New Years brought this little guy (number 6 for them). He is beautiful and sweet and the perfect “new” for everyone.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF SOMETHING NEW.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

This is also the topic for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: New.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Up Close and Personal

Last week’s challenge was about profiles. This week, it’s about getting up close and personal with your subject. Close ups are fun and challenging, whether you’re shooting a person or a flower. It’s important to make sure you are focusing on what you want to have in focus (sometimes a challenge when you are used to using auto-focus). It’s also important to pay attention to lighting. My subject was back-lit, so I forced a subdued flash to fill in.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF CLOSE UPS (HUMAN OR NOT).

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week challenge: Profile

I have a confession to make. I enjoy profiles more than standard portraits. I know that sounds a little off for someone trying to build a business as a portrait/wedding photographer, but it’s true. I think you get some of the most interesting expressions when your subject isn’t looking at the camera. Sometimes you capture a pensive look, sometimes something more mischievous.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO THAT INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE SUBJECT IN PROFILE.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week Challenge: White

In many cultures, colors carry significant meanings. In the United States, black is for mourning, pink is for young girls, blue is for boys, and white is for weddings. Though many brides will choose their “colors” for the bridesmaids, flowers, and decorations, white is traditionally reserved for the bride. It represents purity. What does white mean in your culture?

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO THAT INCLUDE THE COLOR WHITE AS THE MAIN COLOR OR AN ACCENT.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Enduring Love

Endure: remain in existence, last.

This has been a difficult week for my family. My father passed away on Sunday. He had suffered with illness for a long time, but he was able to stay at home and be cared for by my mother. For the last five months, nurses and aids from hospice came each morning to get Dad ready for the day, and at night, one of us children would go and help Mom get him ready for bed. Because we were fortunate enough to live close to my parents, my sisters and I were able to spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad. When he passed away, he was surrounded by his loving wife and family. This past summer, my parents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Watching my mother take care of my father showed me the type of bond that allows two people to endure the trials and hardships that come to every marriage. Because of their unshaken commitment and devotion to each other, Mom had the strength and ability to care for Dad until the end.

These photos were taken at my nephews wedding almost three years ago. I love the shot of Dad brushing off the seat before Mom sits down. I love the comfortable feeling they have together as they wait for the group pictures to be taken. This is something that comes with only long-term, for the long-haul commitment.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO THAT REPRESENTS A LOVE THAT HAS ENDURED HARDSHIPS AND TRIALS.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week challenge: Movie reference

You may recognize this castle, if you’re a Monty Python fan. This castle has the distinction of being every castle (EVERY castle) except the Castle Arggghhhh in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The French taunted Arthur and his men from the tower on the left. One of the windows on the third level was Herbert’s bedroom window from whence he shot the arrow with his plea (“To whomever finds this note…”). Terry Jones (one of the Monty Python boys) narrated the self-guided tour recording. Not only that, but it was also built by one of my ancestors, Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany (c.1340–1420). We love this castle.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO WITH A LINK TO A MOVIE OR T.V. SHOW.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week: Anticipation

If you ask a child, waiting is not fun. However, most adults have learned the value of savoring the feeling while waiting for something good to happen. In my research to be a good wedding photographer, I learned that most brides lament the lack of pictures of the couple kissing. However, I find the moment before the kiss is actually a better shot. You can feel the anticipation and joy in the moment. (And there’s the added bonus that the couple’s faces aren’t obscured by being squished into each other.)

This shot was taken at Heathrow Airport many years ago when I traveled to England with two very good friends. We were waiting for the rest of our luggage to make its way off the plane, onto the conveyor belt, and into our anxious hands so that we could truly begin our adventure.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO THAT SHOW ANTICIPATION.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Crowd

While in London, we caught a performance of The Comedy of Errors at the Globe Theatre. The show was sold out, but I was still surprised at how many people were willing to stand through the whole performance in the “groundling” area (our seats were under the covered area on the first level — amazing!). In most theaters in America, the groundling area is filled with seats and called “the orchestra section” and a seat there costs as much as in the first two rows of the balcony, known as the dress circle or lodge (depending on how posh-posh the theater is). If you’re willing to stand (albeit a few feet or sometimes merely inches away from the action on stage), the price of your ticket drops dramatically. However, this production was 2-1/2 hours long. Not for my feet. I snapped this photo during the interval (aka as intermission). The audience was well behaved and enthusiastic throughout the performance.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF CROWDS.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Livestock

While visiting Scotland, we really wanted to meet some highland cows (or as my sister calls them, “heelund coos”). And did we ever meet them. Our first encounter was with a small group of cows on the single lane track road we had to take to one of our hotels. There was a rather large cow standing in the middle of a bridge we had to cross. Not knowing if the cows are aggressive (they aren’t) or if this one would take it in her head to use her horns against the car (she didn’t), we proceeded with great caution. As we inched closer, she obligingly, but very slowly, moved out of our way. Later, we met up with a couple of heelunders near some standing stones (this picture is of one of them), and we soon had plenty of pictures of these beautiful animals.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF LIVESTOCK.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Bucket List

My husband and I recently returned from a two-week vacation to the U.K. We both have a lot of ancestors from England and Scotland (and Ireland, but that’s for another trip). Before we left, my hubby did a lot of family history research to find places that we should visit with family ties. Because of his research and the fact that he hadn’t been to Britain before, he found places he hadn’t realized were on his bucket list that became very important for him to visit and see (I think we made it to all of them). This was my second trip to the U.K., and I had a few of very specific places I wanted to go that I had missed the first time: Bath, Stonehenge, and the Scottish highlands. We made it to all three. Check, check, and check.

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF ACCOMPLISHING A BUCKET LIST ITEM OR THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE FUTURE.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ and “Photo a Week” tags.
3. Come back here and post a link to your image in the comments for this challenge.
4. Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.