366/366 - "Check!"

(F/8, 75mm, 1/160 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Last year about this time I was trying to decide whether this was the year I would check "Do a 365 Project" off of my bucket list.  As you can tell I decided to take on this project in 2012 and I am officially done.  I wanted to do this to learn different aspects of photography and improve my skills, such as lighting and post processing.  I still have much to learn but I can honestly say that I have learned more than I could have imagined as this past year unfolded.

Over this past year I have taken 4987 photographs, which means I averaged about 14 photos per day.  I would like to give a big thanks to everyone for all their support throughout this year. An even bigger thanks to Jim for some of his guest posts, pushing me to be more creative, and helping me throughout the year learning Lightroom and Photoshop. I utilized Jim's 365 Project from 2009 for inspiration and ideas when I was too tired to think. Lastly, a big shout out to Sue, Jonah, and Harper for their patience and being my subjects when I was out of ideas.

Over this past week I have reviewed all of my posts and it is quite amazing, uncanny actually, as I recall each photograph and what was happening on that day.  Some days were good and some not so good, and all those memories come flooding back. There were passings, relocations, weddings, family get togethers, vacations, holidays, and everything in between.

So the photo for today is my final self portrait.  I have done three of these on days 122, 244, and now 366.  

I hope everyone has enjoyed this as much as I did.  I won’t be posting on this blog anymore, so if you would like to continue to follow me or my future projects, then you should check out the links below. See you around the interwebs.

Twitter - @CyclePA11

Google+ - John Carenbauer

My Personal Blog - Other Stuff (This will probably get renamed soon, stay tuned) 

Professional Site - Pavé Photography

Professional Blog - Pavé Photography Blog

365/366 - "365"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

So I have had this idea in my head for a few weeks and if this was a normal 365 Project it would be the last photo of the year.  However, since this is a leap year there will be one more photograph.  For this photograph I took three separate shots and merged them together in Photoshop.  Jonah thought it was really funny that he is now a triplet.  One more to go!

362/366 - "Five"

(F/8, 24mm & 100mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

The photo for today is actually inspired by Jim's 365 Project he did a few years back (Jim's 365th Day Photo Link).  His last photo for his project was a self portrait of him leaning against the dice.  Counting this photo there are five photos left for the year, so the #5 is in white and the red numbers are my countdown.  

To achieve this look I took a macro photo of the dice, and then a portrait of Jonah reaching up to touch the top of the "pretend" dice.  After I had the two photos, I merged them in Photoshop and shrunk Jonah down to size.  He actually thinks the dice are giant since he is the same size.

357/366 - "Haircut"

(F/2.2, 50mm, 1/50, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today Harper had her 2nd ever haircut so it was a pretty big deal.  Before the haircut, which was scheduled just after nap, she was less than enthused.  After the haircut, she was jumping with joy and filled with sugar (lollipop).

353/366 - "Picture Time"

(F/2.8, 50mm, 1/25 sec, ISO 400, Canon 7D)

After school today Harper was coloring at the kitchen counter and announced to me that it was time for her and baby to have their picture taken.  She requested I get my camera and take some photos.  Considering I had no plans for a photo today and was going to wing-it, I was glad Harper stepped up to help me out.  I have thirteen more photos to take / post and most are already planned out conceptually.

348/366 - "Birthday Girl"

(F/2.5, 50mm, 1/50 sec, ISO 200, Canon 7D)

Today was Sue's birthday, you can ask her which one.  The kids and I took her out to dinner, came home had some cake, and then opened up some presents.  I told her yesterday that she would be the photo for today so she was prepared and a good sport about it.  Happy Birthday Sue!

338/366 - "Ernie"

(F/7.1, 100mm, 1/100, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Our Elf on a Shelf showed up on Saturday.  Jonah named him Ernie several years back and is very excited to locate him each morning.  Ernie is always lurking in the shadows watching the kids.  I took a portrait of Ernie and it took a couple tries to get the lighting the way I wanted it.  I think Ernie is "shifty" looking and don't trust him one bit.

335/366 - "Scary Eyes"

(F/5.6, 100mm, 1/200, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Tonight Harper was playing on the couch and asked me to take her photo.  I said sure and she told me she would show me her "Scary Face."  More like scary eyes.

330/366 - "The Green Family"

(F/8, 65mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Greg, Jess, and the kids came over today for a family portrait and some of the kids too.  This was one of my favorites from the day.

328/366 - "Three"

(F/1.4, 50mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 400, Canon 7D)

Today was Harper's 3rd birthday.  Hard to believe that she is growing fast.  It is also the day that Sue starts decorating for Christmas, and I was able to get Harper to sit down in front of a small Christmas tree.

321/366 - "Veteran's Day Assembly"

(F/2.8, 125mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 1600, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today at Jonah's school they had a grade school assembly to honor the student's relatives that are also a veteran.  Luckily for Jonah his Pappy is a veteran and was also able to make the ceremony.  After the ceremony the yearbook staff took a photo and I was able to grab one as well.

319/366 - "Pattern Overload"

(F/5.6, 75mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was experimenting with some light modifiers in the living room and as usual Harper was my willing model.  Unfortunately the pattern of the chair and the pattern of her shirt really don't go well together.

316/366 - "The Park"

(F/2.8, 130mm, 1/1600 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Due to the extreme weather conditions today, we completed the kids annual portraits with some outdoor shots.  Check them out at www.pavephotography.com/carenbauer2012.

315/366 - "Little Chef"

(F/2.8, 155mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 800, Canon 5D Mk II)

Jonah loves to help Sue cook and tonight was no exception.  Jonah's task tonight was to pick off the cilantro for the homemade salsa and guacamole for tonights fish tacos.

312/366 - "Leaving"

(F/5.6, 82mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was playing around with some lighting tonight and while I was in progress of doing this Harper was packing her backpack getting ready to leave.  When I asked where she was off to she replied "The grocery store." and before she set off I snapped this photograph.

311/366 - "New Candy"

(F/4, 55mm, 1/100 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

One of the fun things about all the candy from Halloween is that the kids get to try new stuff.  This is Harper's reaction to a 3 Musketeer (mint version) bar.

308/366 - "Annual Photos Outtake"

(F/5.6, 73mm, 1/100 sec, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

This morning I setup the studio in the garage and took the kids annual photographs.  This is one of my favorites and will probably never make it to print, so it will be considered an outtake.  Later when I was reviewing the photos Harper was looking over myt shoulder and told me that was her "grump" face.

306/366 - "Candy Please"

(F/2.8, 100mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 200, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was struggling for some inspiration tonight, so I told the kids that I would give them candy if the would smile for me.  Worked like a charm.

301/366 - "Owen"

(F/4, 105mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

This is Harper's friend Owen from her "old" school.  She misses him and we were able to meet up with Owen and his family at the annual Halloween Parade in Oakmont.  This was taken after the parade while all the kids were running around playing.  Owen was pointing out that there was a train across the river.

290/366 - "Six"

(F/5.6, 100mm, 1/320 sec, ISO 200, Canon 5D Mk II)

Hard to believe our little guy is six years old today.  Happy Birthday Jonah!!!