Sunday, July 6, 2014

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 51 & 52 Update)

Week 51 - June 27, 2014
Week 51 - July 04, 2014

Current Savings : $1378

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

I just made the last installment (deposit?) a couple of days ago. *Cue in the confetti, applause, and the celebratory music.*

Aaaahhhh!!! I am now $1378 richer!!! But not for long since I am probably going to use that money to pay down one my credit cards. :/

I may change my mind on what I will be doing with the money since I won't be touching it until this Friday, July 11. I want the last $52 to sit with the rest of the money for at least a week before I give it all away. :(

Now that this has ended, what have I learned?

1.) I am capable of saving. There were times that this was hard particularly towards the end when I was putting away about $200 a month. But I was able to somehow make my budget work, which brings me to...

2.) I am capable of budgeting. Or at least prioritizing and moving my money around to meet the financial goals for the month. This was actually very eye opening to see how much money I have (or do not have) for the fun stuff. I still have a lot to learn. Newbie, right here...

3.) I am capable of committing. So many jokes, but I am not going there. I started this project with the hubster and the siblings, but I am the only one who stuck through it. Props to me! I can commit and follow through!
Sidenote: I know I have been slacking on my photography project, Project 365, but after this I am once again motivated.
(In my defense, I have kept up with the picture taking... for the most part... I just got a little lazy posting them. But I promise I will. In fact, I give myself two weeks to be caught up in everything Project 365 related. There. Now that I blogged about it, I can't break that promise. LOL.)

4.) If I put my mind to it, I can achieve it. Because of the amount of debt I had acquired over the years, it seems like my goal of financial independence seems unattainable. But completing this project gives me hope. I know it will take time, and it won't always be easy or pleasant, but I know that I will get there...

...which is why I will probably be using this money towards paying down my debt. I know most people do this so that at the end they can use the money to splurge on something they really want (Hello, Chanel bag!), but the truth is I can't think of anything practical I want to use this on. Throughout this last year, I learned to be more practical when it comes to spending. So, no... I won't be going on a shopping spree with this money (or anytime soon).

I could put it in my savings account but I would rather use it towards my debt. Plus, now that I know that I have the discipline to put money aside for the sake of saving, I will be doing this on a regular basis. Actually, my sisters, friends and I are starting another one similar to this, so even though this particular project is ending, another one will be starting.

On that note, Good bye 52 Week Money Saving Challenge! It was a pleasure and I will miss you. Maybe I'll see you again in the future. :)

xx,
Pamela

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 49 & 50 Update)

Week 49 - June 13, 2014
Week 50 - June 20, 2014

Current Savings : $1275

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

Two more weeks... :)

xx,
Pamela

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 47 & 48 Update)

Week 47 - May 30, 2014
Week 48 - June 06, 2014

Current Savings : $1176

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

One more month to go... Almost there. :)

xx,
Pamela

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Phenomenal Woman

In honor of one of the greatest authors and poets, Dr. Maya Angelou (April 04, 1928 - May 28, 2014), I will post one of my favorite poems by her...

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,   
The stride of my step,   
The curl of my lips.   
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,   
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,   
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.   
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.   
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,   
And the flash of my teeth,   
The swing in my waist,   
And the joy in my feet.   
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,   
They say they still can’t see.   
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,   
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.   
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.   
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,   
The bend of my hair,   
the palm of my hand,   
The need for my care.   
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 
Image courtesy of www.gandhiking.ning.com

Rest in peace Maya Angelou.

xx,
Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 45 & 46 Update)

Week 45 - May 16, 2014
Week 46 - May 23, 2014

Current Savings : $1081

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

I've been bad... real bad. I was in Illinois all last week and did not take a single photo for my "Photo of the Day" challenge. :/ I promise to make up for it. I plan on going to a park or something just to take a lot of pictures. Yes, a park, which means more photos of the trees! LOL.

xx,
Pamela

Monday, May 12, 2014

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 43 & 44 Update)

Week 43 - May 02, 2014
Week 44 - May 09, 2014

Current Savings : $990

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

xx,
Pamela

Project 365 - Day 29

Project 365 - Day 29 


Date & Time: Sunday, May 11, 2014, 5:06 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 42 mm
     ISO: 640
     Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
     Aperture: f/5.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
So, I made boo-boo. I didn't realize that my camera's ISO was set on 640 until I had uploaded the pictures on my computer, and noticed that they were grainy... so upsetting! Especially since I really like two of the photos I took... I mean they look okay until you enlarge the photos.

In addition, the pictures were all square... I must have accidentally change the photo size! And I wouldn't realize this until a few days later. Eh...

Such a shame... This is not the first time I've done this but the ISO wasn't set as high... I have to see if my camera has an option where it'll say the ISO right on the screen. It probably does but I just never noticed it!

Lesson learned. I hope...

*This post was backdated - originally posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 2:06 am.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Project 365 - Day 28

Project 365 - Day 28 


Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 6:29 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 26 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
     Aperture: f/4.7

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
The statue was that of St. Augustine. We attended a dinner that was held by Ventures for Good to raise money to help the children of Uganda. I actually took more picture so I'll post them in a separate post.

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 6:36 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 17 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This is a picture of some of the authentic Ugandan art that they were selling at dinner. They were also selling flowers/plants, and they also had a raffle drawing... all for a good cause! :)

*This post was backdated - originally posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2014 at 8:18 pm.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Project 365- Day 27

Project 365 - Day 27


Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 7:30 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 16 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I guess I am still a high from seeing The 1975 that I didn't take any photos the day after... :/ To make up I will post two photos...

This is a part of the photos I took Saturday, May 10. Please click here to see the post.

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 7:31 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 17 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This is a part of the photos I took Saturday, May 10. Please click here to see the post.

*This post was backdated - originally posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2014 at 8:29 pm.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Friday, May 9, 2014

Project 365 - Day 26

Project 365 - Day 26


 Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2014, 7:30 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 26 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
     Aperture: f/4.7

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Yesterday was The 1975 concert, which means I didn't (want to)bring my Panasonic camera to the concert. I did bring my pocket sized Canon so I did take pictures but not for this project...

So I'm going to use this photo for today... This is a part of the photos I took Saturday, May 10. Please click here to see the post. I purposely took a bunch of photos that were not event related because I knew I had some making up to do... :/

*This post was backdated - originally posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2014 at 8:33 pm.

-o-o-o-
Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Stan and Lea in NYC

Photoblog for May 04, 2014

Our good friend from France, Stan, came to visit New York along with his wife, Lea. I haven't seen Stan since we were teenagers, but he has not aged at all! It was so great to see him after all these years, and of course, to finally meet his wife.

We had brunch at my cousin's place, then decided to just walk around SoHo. We had plenty of plans for the afternoon, but after pigging out and having one too many Mimosa, we got lazy. :)



Thursday, May 8, 2014

Project 365 - Day 25

Project 365 - Day 25


Date & Time: Wednesday, May 07, 2014, 7:09 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 16 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
For Day 25 of this challenge, I decided to take a picture of my sister's CRX... and of course, more plants and trees in the background! LOL.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Project 365 - Day 24

Project 365 - Day 24


Date & Time: Tuesday, May 06, 2014, 6:16 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 14 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Once again, I should have increased my aperture so that everything in the picture was in focus. I keep forgetting! Plus, it's hard to see the blurriness of the edges when I review the picture after taking it. I don't usually notice it until I view the pictures through my computer. I guess I just have to be more mindful and stay on top of it.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Project 365 - Day 23

Project 365 - Day 23


Date & Time: Monday, May 05, 2014, 7:40 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 24 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This was taken in a semi-moving car. I know I'm much better at it, but I really need to improve my speed in figuring out the settings I need when taking a picture

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Monday, May 5, 2014

Project 365 - Day 22

Project 365 - Day 22


Date & Time: Sunday, May 04, 2014, 5:40 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 42 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec
     Aperture: f/5.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This picture was taken while walking around SoHo, NYC. We had some visitors from France and we were showing them around. More photos from this day to follow in another blog post. :)

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Project 365 - Day 21

Project 365 - Day 21


Date & Time: Saturday, May 03, 2014, 9:44 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 25 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 50 sec
     Aperture: f/4.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I decided to give night time photography another try. I used my tripod for this photo and the one below.

-o-o-o-
 

Date & Time: Saturday, May 03, 2014, 9:47 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 25 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 60 sec
     Aperture: f/4.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I think this image and the one above definitely came out sharper than the first one I attempted (Project 365 - Day 2). It could be because I had tweaked the sharpness and saturation settings.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Project 365 - Day 20

Project 365 - Day 20



Date & Time: Friday, May 02, 2014, 7:08 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 29 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec
     Aperture: f/4.9

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I once again forgot to make my aperture higher so that the edges of the photo are not blurred out. When will I learn???
-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Friday, May 2, 2014

Project 365 - Day 19

Project 365 - Day 19


Date & Time: Thursday, May 01, 2014, 7:23 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 19 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
     Aperture: f/11

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I walked around the neighborhood with my sisters and our dogs. I actually took a bunch of photos but chose this one as my "Photo of the Day." This may be my favorite one at this point in the challenge.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Project 365 - Day 18

Project 365 - Day 18


Date & Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 12:58 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 14 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
     Aperture: f/10

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
It was still a raining so I couldn't really take that many pictures outside- I didn't want my camera to get wet. I could have taken photos inside, but I couldn't see anything or think of anything I wanted to take a picture of.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Project 365 - Day 17

Project 365 - Day 17



Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 6:47 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 31 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec
     Aperture: f/5.0

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
It was drizzling all day so I wanted to take a close up picture of the rain drops on a petal of a flower. But I couldn't find any decent flowers, so I figured rain drops on leaves will have to do. Actually, I didn't have that much of a selection... Flowers should be blooming all over the place, but they are not. I guess it's all due to this weird weather we've been having. Can you believe I am still wearing my winter coat? :/

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Project 365 - Day 16

Project 365 - Day 16



Date & Time: Monday, April 28, 2014, 6:17 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 17 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/5 sec
     Aperture: f/4

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I spent the whole day cleaning, so I was sore and tired by the time I took this photo. I was going to take pictures outside, but walking was such a struggle that I decided to take photos inside instead. LOL.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Monday, April 28, 2014

Project 365 - Day 15

Project 365 - Day 15



Date & Time: Sunday, April 27, 2014, 12:04 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 42 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec
     Aperture: f/5.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Yesterday, we went to Macaroni Grill to celebrate my cousin's birthday. After, we went to a street fair, where I took a lot of photos. But instead of using one of those photos, I chose to use this picture of my sister, Phoebe, as the "Photo of the Day" since I haven't done one of a person. LOL.

I really like this one (the way she's posed), but the shutter speed I used was too high so the picture came out dark. I did increase the exposure when I was post processing, but as you can see , the picture is a little too grainy for my liking. :(

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Sunday, April 27, 2014, 12:04 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 42 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec
     Aperture: f/5.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Here is another one of Phoebe, taken mere seconds after the first one. I did use a different setting for this one. This one came out brighter than the first one but a little blurrier. The photos (this and the first one) were both blurry around edges, which was not planned, and was not how I wanted the shots to come out. I would have noticed it sooner but I had a screen protector on my camera, which pretty much made it difficult to see.

I have to remember to stay on top of my aperture setting in the future. Lesson learned.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Project 365 - Day 14

Project 365 - Day 14



Date & Time: Saturday, April 26, 2014, 7:39 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 28 mm
     ISO: 200
     Shutter Speed: 1/10 sec
     Aperture: f/4.8

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I was so drained that I spent yesterday pretty much sleeping on and off all day. I didn't have the energy to explore so I just used this angel fountain as my subject for the "Photo of the Day."

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Project 365 - Day 13

Project 365 - Day 13



Date & Time: Friday, April 25, 2014, 6:17 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 24 mm
     ISO: 200
     Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
     Aperture: f/4.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
After spending about a couple of hours at the Empire State Building, I was sure I was going to use one the beautiful photos I took as my "Photo of the Day." But as we were picking up our car at the garage, this building caught my attention. I knew at that moment that this was going to be the photo I was going to use. :)

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Friday, April 25, 2014, 2:54 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 33 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
     Aperture: f/9

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This was taken while I was in the car. :)

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Friday, April 25, 2014, 2:56 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 28 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
     Aperture: f/9

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This was taken while I was in the car. :)

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

I hope to post the rest of the photos I took yesterday within the next few days.

xx,
Pamela

Friday, April 25, 2014

Project 365 - Day 12

Project 365 - Day 12



Date & Time: Thursday, April 24, 2014, 6:25 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 15 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec
     Aperture: f/6.3

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I feel the need to apologize for today's "Photo of the Day." It's another one of the trees and plants. :/ But it would have been that, or another photo of the sun in the sky! We're going to the city today, so hopefully tomorrow's post will have photos that are more interesting.

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Project 365 - Day 11

Project 365 - Day 11



Date & Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10:19 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 23 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
     Aperture: f/5.0

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I considered turning this into a black & white photo, but thought better of it. I'm glad I didn't. I like the hue, lighting, and shadowing of this photo.

-o-o-o-


Date & Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10:16 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 20 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec
     Aperture: f/5.0

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This is pretty much the same as the photo above, but I just had to post it. :)

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Project 365 - Day 10

Project 365 - Day 10



Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 6:52 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 33 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec
     Aperture: f/5.2

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
It was drizzling on and off yesterday. I wanted to take pictures of the raindrops on the flowers but by the time I got out of work, it had stop raining and the raindrops pretty much evaporated. So really, the pictures were just of the flowers. LOL.

While taking pictures, a bumblebee actually started fluttering around the flowers. I tried to get a shot of it, but I was too slow. I guess I need to work on taking pictures of moving subjects next. :/

-o-o-o-


 Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 6:48 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 29 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec
     Aperture: f/4.9

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Comments:
I love the colors, but I wish the background was blurrier, more out of focus, or less saturated. The main flowers of the pictures are getting lost in the background. I could "photoshop" it to achieve the look I want, but I think I will save that for another blog post. Plus, I really wanted to get the shot without a major "photoshop" overhaul- maybe just a little tweaking here and there. I think I'm going to "retake" this photo in the future.

-o-o-o-

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 6:50 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 33 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
     Aperture: f/5.2

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Comments:
This is just a variation of the first photo. :)

-o-o-o-

Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Project 365 - Day 9

Project 365 - Day 9



Date & Time: Monday, April 21, 2014, 6:46 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 15 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/50 sec
     Aperture: f/3.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I decided to take photos inside since my last few ones were of the outdoors. I've noticed that I have been avoiding tweaking (inceasing) the ISO, which I really shouldn't because it does make a difference. During those times I was reading phtography blogs, I read in one of them that when taking a photo, one should consider the ISO first before figuring out the rest. I don't know if this a photography rule, but I agree.

-o-o-o-




Date & Time: Monday, April 21, 2014, 6:43 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 14 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
     Aperture: f/3.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Comments:
Even though I took photos inside, I still used the sun as part of my composition. I really like the shadow of the window's outline on the chalkboard wall.

-o-o-o-




Date & Time: Monday, April 21, 2014, 6:47 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 14 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
     Aperture: f/3.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0

Comments:
Another photo with the sun and its flare, but I really like how it peaks through the blinds.

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Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge (Weeks 41 & 42 Update)

Week 41 - April 18, 2014
Week 42 - April 25, 2014

Current Savings : $903

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net) - I'm just adding the red check marks as I go along.

xx,
Pamela

Monday, April 21, 2014

Project 365 - Day 8

Project 365 - Day 8




Date & Time: Sunday, April 20, 2014, 1:24 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 18 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
     Aperture: f/11

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Since yesterday was Easter, I thought this photo was perfect- the cross, the sun and its flare, the angle from which I took the shot... I think this somewhat makes up for the photos I took Saturday. I love the photos of Simba, but let's be honest, the composition is not the best. His cuteness made up for it though...

I originally wanted to take a picture of the actual church, but it was too crowded that it got crazy in the parking lot. With people leaving, and others arriving for the next mass, we just had to get out of there. Otherwise, we would have been stuck. But I guess God was on my side... He gave me the opportunity to be able to take this beautiful photo.


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Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Project 365 - Day 7

Project 365 - Day 7




Date & Time: Saturday, April 19, 2014, 7:18 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 31 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
     Aperture: f/5.0

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I'm not entirely happy with this photo... Actually, I am not happy with the whole set of photos I took outside yesterday. In addition to the different angles I took this photo, I also took a lot of pictures of the sky. But this is the best one out of the bunch, which says a lot.

It's entirely my fault, really. We had a gorgeous day, but I procrastinated and waited until early evening to take pictures. Plus, I really should have picked a different subject this time, but I wanted to try out taking of photos of the sky after I changed my sharpness and saturation settings. I don't think it made much of a difference, which brings me to the conclusion that those breathtaking photos I saw on Flickr were probably a result of post processing manipulation. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I am a big fan of photo editing softwares.

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Date & Time: Saturday, April 19, 2014, 7:28 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 31 mm
     ISO: 800
     Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec
     Aperture: f/5.6

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
Because I knew I took less than stellar photos, I decided to take photos of our pug, Simba... And I was right to do so, which is I am also posting this as my "Photo of the Day." This guy loves the camera. He knows when you are taking a picture of him, and would pose! That's what he did when I took this photo and the ones below:




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Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

Happy Easter everyone!

xx,
Pamela

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Project 365 - Day 6

Project 365 - Day 6


Date & Time: Friday, April 18, 2014, 7:55 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 28 mm
     ISO: 400
     Shutter Speed: 1/25 sec
     Aperture: f/4.8

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I had mentioned before how I wanted my images to be sharper, especially the ones I have taken of the sky. I was browsing through Flick, and saw photos taken with the same camera I have. The images were so crisp, and breathtaking- You can see the details on every single freaking cloud! UGH! I wish I could take similar photos. Now, I don't know how much post processing the person did, or if those were the results of really great photography, but I did notice when browsing through the Exif of the photos that he had set his saturation to "high," and his sharpness to "hard." Mine were set to "normal."

I wish I had known this prior to taking this photo, maybe it would have come out better. Plus, maybe it would have taken me less post processing time- not that I did a lot. Since I had started this project, I have not had the need to "photoshop." I have been doing just basic tweaking using the Lightroom software. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever skip post processing. Even professional photographers use and depend on softwares, such as Lightroom and Photoshop. But the goal is to not depend on this software/process so much, but to achieve the photo I want through the manipulation of the settings of my camera.

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Date & Time: Friday, April 18, 2014, 2:02 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 14 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
     Aperture: f/3.5

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
This was going to be my "Photo of the Day," until my sister told me about the beautiful sunset. But I'm posting this anyway. :)

So earlier in this post, I had said that I have not had the need to "photoshop." I was close to doing it with this photos- I wasn't able to capture the blue sky with my camera. Honestly, I don't know remember if there were clouds, but I wish that the sky in my photo was blue. Of all the shots I took, I did take one in "auto" mode, just to compare to the ones I took in "manual." The sky didn't come out blue in that photo either, so maybe that's just how the sky was. It was a bright day after all. Now, that I had changed the saturation and sharpness settings, maybe the camera will capture the sky in more detail.

Come to think of it, maybe I should "photoshop" this image. I am pretty decent (well, decent to good) when it comes to "photoshop"-ing but it wouldn't hurt to improve my editing skills, in addition to my photography skills (whatever I have anyway...) As mentioned earlier, even professional photographers use these softwares.

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Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela

Friday, April 18, 2014

Project 365 - Day 5

Project 365 - Day 5


Date & Time: Thursday, April 17, 2014, 1:55 pm

Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Settings:
     Focal Length: 33 mm
     ISO: 100
     Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
     Aperture: f/14

Post Processing Software(s): Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.4

Comments:
I actually didn't plan on taking this shot. We were on our lunch break, and were about to go back to work, when this happened... Katie, one of our Maltese dogs, refused to go back inside the house- she was enjoying the sun too much! Since I haven't taken my any photos for the day yet, I decided that this will be it. Now, I understand why one should always have his camera on hand, just in case a shot like this should present itself. I just wish that I had more time to play with the settings of the camera. We were running late, and once again, I was pressed for time. This time, however, I was much quicker in figuring out which shutter speed and aperture to use. I must be improving. :)

Here are a few more shots of Katie:





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Why am I doing this project? Click here and find out!

xx,
Pamela
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