Friday, January 20, 2012

Project 52 -- I Dreamed A Dream

project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge my3boybarians.com

I'm linking up with Darcy--(click her Project 52 button above to see what it's all about!


This week's challengeI dreamed a dream


My photo:



Reason I chose this photo:

This week's challenge was a...well, it was a challenge!  I'm not a dreamer by nature, though I sure do have dreams.  But to take a picture of one of my dreams--to travel to France, for example--would be impossible because I haven't done it yet.  (That's why it's a dream!)  My 18yo son has done some neat stuff with my camera, but that's his fun, not mine.

Finally, the colder weather inspired me when I saw the empty fireplace and knew that that would be the shot.  Most of what's burning is paper (our wood was wet!), but the scene reflects a typical fireplace scene in my home.  I do love sitting and staring at the flames and letting my mind wander and ponder.  It's one of the few times I actually sit and just be still.  When I dream/think/ponder, it's usually about things I want to do or purchase when/if we can afford it (a trip or even a camera lens!), and I dream for my boys--their futures, wives and families, and such.  Our oldest has autism, and I dream a lot for him.  He's still home with us but we hope and dream that someday he will have a steady job and a fulfilling life.  I feel that my image reflects well my state of mind as I sit and dream.

The setup:

It was dark in our home, which is good because that reflects the feeling I wanted to portray of dreaming.  I used my tripod, since I knew it would be a slow shutter speed.  After several miserable attempts at a shot, I moved the tripod right behind me so I could reach the remote shutter without using the timer.  I also set the ISO high (1600), since I knew I wouldn't mind noise (again, the feeling of dreaming).  The above shot was in the first set of my second attempts.  It ended up being a matter of choosing one with a nice fire--though it is a little bright!  In post edit, I adjusted the white balance, did some other minor tweaking, and vignetted the image more than I usually do--again, to reflect the theme.

Camera Settings:
  • Canon 40D
  • ISO 1600
  • Manual mode
  • 17-85mm lens at 24mm
  • f4.5
  • 1/13 sec. shutter speed


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

Visit my website
Stop by my family blog
Like me on Facebook

12 comments:

  1. I love to sit at the fire, and ponder as well, there is something romantic in the flames, that gives me energy. I love your work, and like you I carry a camera with me everywhere. Happy Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really like your interpretation! Thanks for sharing your settings and process. I like to see how others think when shooting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i love how you interpreted the theme! lovely photo and great sentiment! thanks for stopping by my blog! :) love, kelly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I wish we had a "real" fireplace. Ours is gas and worthless. Nice shot

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks cozy! I like to sit and dream by the fire too...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh how neat...what a wonderful place to sit and think, dream!!

    Hope your day is blessed!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks great. I think it turned out wonderfully, and it's a great place to dream. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this picture. It is lovely to dream by the fire. It looks cozy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your interpretation of dreaming. A mothers dreams for her children, well, that's just amazing. And trips and lenses and all that, all wonderful dreams to have. I hope you every one of them comes true for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This week's prompt was a little difficult. I love the idea you came up with. The tones really set the mood (and warmth) of this shot.

    ReplyDelete