The End

I have blogged each day in one complete year. 365 posts. Beginning September 22, 2009, I started this little blog adventure because I knew that I liked photography. I decided that I was going to blog everyday to show people my interest in the things all around me and my slightly eccentric perspective on life. Beyond anything else, I think the bottom line is that I did it. And quite honestly, I can't believe that I did it. Does time really move that fast? Am I really still in Tucson? Do I really take that many photographs (almost 5900 since I got this camera in May 2009). Is this blog really over?

The short answer is yes. It boggles my mind. It doesn't take a lot to get me all worked up and confused, but seriously, it is hard to believe that this blog has taken me through a complete year. I think that it was one of the only constants in my life over the last 365 days. The only thing I knew everyday when I woke up was that I needed to grab my camera and blog something.

I really learned a lot. Through the Lens has been a reminder to myself that putting your mind to something can really bring about results. Because I had this notion in my head that I was going to blog everyday, and I worked to make that happen, I showed myself once again that goals can be accomplished. Sometimes I lose sight of that... okay, often times I lose sight of that. But it has been fun to hear people ask me, "Are you still blogging?" It's been fun to reply, "Sure am."

I'm not the same photographer I once was. I'm definitely a harsher critic of my own work. I think that helps me keep learning and finding exactly what I like and what my style is, but it has been a frustration. Those moments when you take a good photograph and say, "Holy crap! That's a good one!" You know, when you just can't help but love that photo? Yeah, those are way fewer and much farther between. But I think I cherish those photos even more because I was able to find something, take a picture of it, and even please myself, which isn't very easy to do anymore. But it has been a fun adventure trying to capture new things in different ways and keeping this blog fresh.

The bottom line is that I still really enjoy photography. I think I'll take a little break from it just so that the next time I pick up a camera it can be a special experience. I love to pick up my camera and document things. This blog is evidence of that. But it'll be all the more exciting to get a photograph that I am truly proud of once I've taken a step back from the camera. This is the end of this artistic adventure. I know the future holds a lot more in terms of photographic potential. I look forward to those moments. I'll keep you posted on when I have those experiences. For now all I have left to say is thanks. Thanks for looking at my photographs as I try to call myself and "artist." Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Thanks for inspiring me to be a real photographer.

A special thanks goes to my friend, Kendle. This blog wouldn't exist without your suggestion to post the daily experiences in my life. It has been a great ride, and I'm glad you've been here to share this with me.

Enjoy my photos from downtown Tucson. I went there today and thought it was a fun place to photograph a few things as a last post here on Through the Lens.

:)

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Afternoon

Today everything was looking really awesome as the sun was sinking lower in the sky. I still really love the Mexican bird of paradise (particularly this post).

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Rays

Nature really is one of the best things to make a stupid day a whole lot better.

Bang

Nicole, Hank, and I went shooting today. It was freaking fun. That's all.

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Birthday Girl

A lot happened today. For starters, for Kendle's birthday I photographed some white spider mums. We had talked about this project a long time ago and I thought it was the perfect time to surprise her with a collection of photographs I had taken. I had to have one last round at a mum before I gave her the flowers at her little birthday get together. [photos 1 through 4]

Next, I helped Hank take some photographs (which I really hope turned out okay. I don't mind going out there again if they weren't very good...). At any rate, I took a few photos while I was on my way to the church, there, and on my way back. The desert was looking so good yesterday in the late afternoon sunlight. [photos 5 through 8]

Then I went to Kendle's party! We had a grand time. We are a funny batch of people, let me tell you. [photos 9 and 10]

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Kendle, let me tell you, I have wanted to blog your mum photographs so badly. The thing of it was, it would totally ruin your birthday present. Without further ado, here is my favorite photo that I took of the mums for your birthday project. (It's separate from the actual blog post because I took this on Wednesday.) :)

Prommin' It

View via limo. :)

Time Off

There isn't much to say about today. The weather was nice. I have been greatly enjoying Spring Break, and am happy to have four more days before I go back to school. For the first time in a long time, I'm reading books. As in, books just because I want to, not because they're required reading material. I am so happy!

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On the Doppler

Today's weather was kind of bizarre. Cold and rainy this morning, then ridiculous wind, and then a nasty haze that completely blocked the Catalinas and Rincons (note photo 1, which is facing east). Out of no where, come glimpses of sun. That's where the poppy comes in (photo 2). My dad picked some and brought them inside so that they don't all die in the wind. They're awful fragile. Anyway, bizarre weather today! Photo 3 is just there because I like it.

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Family Time

Okay, so these were from yesterday... but we had a big Baker family get-together yesterday in Camp Verde and I liked some of these. Anyway, Verde is about an hour and a half North of the Phoenix area, and that's where my Granddaddy lives. We had lots of fun.

While I was there, my cousin let me borrow her Canon Rebel DSLR and play with it. It was so amazing. These are from my little Sony (which I love), but wow. Seriously, I will have a big beautiful DSLR someday. Anyway, I had a great time with the family. I'm particularly proud of the tire track one. I really love it.

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Looking Up

With the sunroof open, I got a neat view of the powerlines.

Winds of Change

This morning was cold and windy. Loving it.