Week One

I have always been told that in order to become a good writer you have to practice everyday.  I feel that the same is true with becoming a good photographer.  While I don't have the time to put on my snow gear and brave the harsh winter weather everyday, I am challenging myself to take an hour or two out of each weekend to take pictures. 

There are two specific times during the day that are great for taking photos.  During spring, summer, and fall the general rule is that you should be taking pictures outside at either 5:00am or 5:00pm.  The sunlight at these times is the best for taking pictures in natural light. However, it is the middle of winter, so I have to modify the rule.  Rather than taking pictures at 5:00am I will try and be outside by 8:00am, and as winter slowly turns into spring I will wake up and get outside earlier and earlier. 

January 22, 2011 was the first day of my photography challenge.  The idea for this challenge came to me when I was woken up by the sound of my neighbor's alarm at 7:30am.  She went canning for Thon and forgot to turn it off.  This has happened two times now, and believe me, it is annoying.  After I got over my initial anger and frustration I climbed out of bed and looked out the window.  There was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining.  I put on leggings, jeans, wool socks, a thermal shirt, a hoodie, my winter coat, and my boots, grabbed my camera, and left my dorm.  The second I locked the door the idea hit me, "I'll challenge myself to get up early once a weekend to take pictures!" 

I was on my way to Old Main to take some photos when I stumbled upon a tree in which people had carved their initials and hearts all over.  The tree was in plain sight, on a sidewalk I had traveled enough times that I should have noticed it before.  Maybe it was in the absence of people that I finally noticed it. Who knows.  I stopped to take a few photos.  Here are my two favorites:

I was so distracted by the tree artwork that I almost forgot my original purpose.  Don't worry though! I got a picture of Old Main in the awesome morning light too:

At this point my hands were frozen, so I decided to walk back to my warm dorm room.  I passed through the hub on my way back, and it was completely empty.  I realized how peaceful this campus can be, as long as you are up early enough to enjoy it.  I think I am going to like this challenge, no matter how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning.