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Friday, July 17, 2015

Who would have thought ...


I am almost never without a camera.


I took the photo above last weekend with my iPhone while Steve and I were enjoying a romantic dinner at a local restaurant.


I snapped this photo with my little Canon Power Shot D10 while showing family around town.


Most of my photos are taken with Steve's Canon Power Shot SX50 HS.


Before blogging, I didn't have much interest in photography?


It is embarrassing to look back at my very first blog post and the pictures I used.


That post had only 2 photos - taken at night, with poor quality and I didn't even edit the photos.


But, through blogging, 


I began to understand a little bit about framing a photo, color, lighting, etc.


As my photos improved, 


people started writing positive comments on posts about the photos.


Those comments encouraged me to work on my skills


 although I still have no idea what I am doing.


I am enjoying this new hobby of staging photos


and really looking at the world around me.


So today, I did something I never even dreamed of doing.


I entered 5 photos in the Ventura County Fair.


The Bluffs 


Bee At Work


Carol's Garden


Green Gate


Matilija Poppy


Who would have thought that I would ever enter a photograph in a contest?

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54 comments:

  1. StaceyJuly 17, 2015 at 3:51 AM

    You go girl!

    You don't realize it but YOU encourage others to be more creative and see the world that way. I have never considered myself to be very creative..in fact I'm working on a post about that. To see things through your eyes helps me in that respect.

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  2. SusieJuly 17, 2015 at 3:54 AM

    Carol, I love that you have entered a contest for photography... I love all your pictures. Even your first ones. :):) I just enjoy seeing everyone's lives thru their pictures. Since blogging , I always wish I had my camera whenever I see anything of interest. :):) Blessings to you, hope you are doing well. xoxo,Susie

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  3. Castles Crowns and CottagesJuly 17, 2015 at 4:14 AM

    My friend, I hear you, oh dear, do I UNDERSTAND!

    There is so much here. When I look back as well, when I see the photos I was taking, the content I was writing, who knew that today I'd be writing poetry, attending poetry classes, even having a poem published (this fall) in a magazine? And who would have thought that like YOU, I am now never without my Canon Rebel T2i!!!! Over the years of blogging, I have shortened my writing content all by instinct; never did I know I was evolving into a more concise, poetic format. And thanks to Instagram, I am now building up the courage to take my own photos and use them on my blog. Yes, one never knows where passion, consistency and acquiring of skills will take you.

    LOVE that shot at the restaurant! GORGEOUS!

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  4. Kim July 17, 2015 at 4:21 AM

    Fabulous Carol, congratulations on jumping in! They say that blogging leads you down paths you never imagined. I have found that to be true, looks like you have, too! Have a wonderful weekend wedding!!

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  5. FlowerLady LorraineJuly 17, 2015 at 4:24 AM

    Congrats on taking the step to enter a photo contest.

    Your photos are always lovely and inspiring and I thank you for all the work involved. No one would know that you don't know what you are doing. That's what you say, but that's not what we see.

    Have a lovely weekend with Steve ~ FlowerLady

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  6. Vicky HuntJuly 17, 2015 at 4:25 AM

    Yay! I was wondering about that the other day! The photos you selected are stunning!!! Best of luck! Also, have a beautiful weekend.....it is wedding weekend. Right? Enjoy!

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  7. UnknownJuly 17, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    And you SO deserve to win - that hidden talent has come busting out of the gates with blogging - your photographs are amazing Carol !!!
    That bee one is simply amazing !
    Good luck girlfriend !
    xxx

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  8. Miss MerryJuly 17, 2015 at 5:21 AM

    Your photos are just lovely! Good luck at the fair!

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  9. UnknownJuly 17, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    Wow, it's great to see how much you've learned by seeing the early photos and those you've entered in the contest - they are all awesome and I bet there's a ribbon for you. Good job!

    Mary

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  10. podsoJuly 17, 2015 at 5:57 AM

    You expressed well one of the joys and benefits of blogging. We all have learned so much and often learn from each other! I hope you win!

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  11. ANNEJuly 17, 2015 at 6:28 AM

    Good luck in the contest!!! I love that "Bluffs" photo. For someone who doesn't know what she's doing, you're doing just fine!!!

    I've grown so much in so many ways through blogging. So happy I took on the challenge of writing a blog!

    Happy weekend Carol! xox

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  12. bobbieJuly 17, 2015 at 6:43 AM

    YAY for you, my friend!! I love your photos ~ please keep us posted!

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  13. Ricki TreleavenJuly 17, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    Your photos are fantastic. I'm photography challenged. My art teacher is making me paint from my own photos now....no more Pinterest cheats! :/

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  14. Tania PelletierJuly 17, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    I think your photos are awesome too! I love that bee at work one, it's my favorite! :o]

    Tania

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  15. Linda @ A La CarteJuly 17, 2015 at 7:01 AM

    I always had an interest in photography but never thought I could do it. Blogging changed that for me also and having a good camera (given to me by my good friend and photographer Carter). You have done amazing work, I've slacked on the photos but think it's time to get back to it!

    Linda

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  16. MelanieJuly 17, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    I am so glad you took the chance and entered your photographs! You just never know unless you try, right? My photography has improved greatly since I first started blogging, too. And I never even had an interest in photography until a couple of years ago. My son (a photography and fine arts major) has been instrumental in sparking that interest, too. I'm such a slacker though...I still haven't learned how to use the DSLR camera that he gave to me except for the automatic setting.

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  17. UnknownJuly 17, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    Your photos are so gorgeous!! You really have improved so much. I know nothing about photography, I think I get lucky every now and then with a pretty shot. Good luck at the contest - how exciting!

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  18. LindaJuly 17, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    Your photos are so beautiful and captivating! I, like yourself, didn't have much interest in photography before I began my blog in February of 2012. However, and sadly, I lost my camera in May of last year and could not afford to get a new one but this has not discouraged me from blogging, thankfully, and I enjoy sharing things I like with my readers. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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  19. Rita C at PanoplyJuly 17, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    You go, Carol! I don't even want to look back at some of my photos, ugh. And what's worse is still taking/using photos, knowing they are bad, but hopeless, given the light and equipment available (I speak mostly from my experience when shooting photos in our antique mall spaces - just horrible lighting conditions). Best of luck with your entries! I love the Matilija Poppy.

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  20. Ivy, Phyllis and Me!July 17, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    Good Afternoon Carol, It is lovely to catch up with you. I smiled when you talked about your first foray into photography, because I was the same. I didn't realise I could enlarge photos and I certainly did not know about PicMonkey.... but it is fun looking back and seeing how much I have improved, even if I do cringe when I look at my original photos. I have to tell you something. I recently visited my daughter in India and she took us to a lovely hotel which provided a buffet lunch. I chose this and that and put it on my plate and Natasha said 'Mum I can tell you are a food blogger, look how you have arranged your food on the plate'..... so it seems, without knowing, blogging has become a part of my everyday life.
    Your photos are lovely and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. I adore the Matilija Poppy with the bee coming in to land on the stigma.... it is beautiful.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  21. LaurieJuly 17, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Way to go, Carol! You do take great photos! Hope you win something in the contest. I love the Matilija Poppy and bee. And I love photo number 4. If it was in a line-up of photos and I had to choose which one was yours, I would immediately know....It has you written all over it.

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  22. cynthia lee designsJuly 17, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    Your photos are beautiful...hope they do great at the Fair.
    ~Cindy

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  23. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJuly 17, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    You certainly have come a long way, but your pictures were pretty even back then. How exciting to have some of your photos entered in the contest. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if one or all of them won an award.

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  24. ReneeJuly 17, 2015 at 4:46 PM


    great photos to enter. Your pics are always great. Good luck.

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  25. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 17, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    Good for you. Hope you win a prize. I love your photos.

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  26. Canadian ChickadeeJuly 17, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    These photo are lovely! Good luck with the contest. I agree that the computer is a wonderful tool. I have a facebook post, where I write little essays (200-300 words) about this 'n' that. Nothing big enough to ever get published anywhere - sadly, there is no market for this type of stuff. But it's what I like to write best, and the computer has given me a chance to write these mini-essays. xoxox

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  27. JewelsJuly 17, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    I hear ya about first days of blogging - I look at pics and realize how far I have come - I will never be a professional and most of mine are with my iPhone but I definitely take much more thought into it and really try only to post ones I feel good about! Thought I have to say yours top anything I have done LOL. Good Luck with your entries - they are all lovely...

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  28. Celestina MarieJuly 17, 2015 at 7:11 PM

    Beautiful photos Carol. Good Luck in the contest. I know you will do well. Have a great weekend.cm

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  29. SarahJuly 17, 2015 at 7:23 PM

    Carol, your photos are definitely blue ribbon winners. Good luck. Glad you entered some of your excellent photography.

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  30. Burlap LuxeJuly 17, 2015 at 7:34 PM

    Love your photos, and I hear yah with looking back on oldies.... I have used an iPhone photo here and there, but having a T3i canon was tricky getting the menu of pixels just right, the colour and shot with the vibe you are after.

    Your photos are true winners, ones you can be proud to post.

    She the winner soon.

    Xx
    Dore

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  31. JunkchiccottageJuly 17, 2015 at 7:53 PM

    This is so great Carol. I am so proud of you and your pictures are certainly winning quality. Love the flower and bee shots you caught. Have a wonderful wedding week end. I am sure you are taking lots of pictures. Enjoy my friend this big important moment in your lives this week end.
    Kris

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  32. Joy JunktionJuly 17, 2015 at 8:35 PM

    Well, your photos are gorgeous and I'm sure they will be well received! Blessings and A Wedding Too! Cindy xoxo

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  33. Jackie and Joel SmithJuly 17, 2015 at 9:02 PM

    They will be winners! Love that you entered them in the county fair! But where in the world do you find the time to do all that you do???? Hugs, Jackie

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  34. My Garden DiariesJuly 17, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    Such a cool post Carol! You rock! Those photos you entered are amazing! How neat to look back and see how far you have come! Just a treat my friend! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Nicole xoxo

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  35. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJuly 17, 2015 at 11:03 PM

    It's still something I long for... blog worthy photos!
    I'm just not a photographer... ;P
    Your pictures are lovely. I figured you were always that good!
    I hope you win a ribbon. ;) or...whatever the prize is.

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  36. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseJuly 18, 2015 at 12:51 AM

    Your pictures are really beautiful and I think it's a great idea to enter a contest. I agree with you that blogging does encourage us to develop new skills.

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  37. Lesley UKJuly 18, 2015 at 3:09 AM

    I love your pics, and I sincerely hope the judges do too. The very best of British luck. Blessings

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  38. Pamela GordonJuly 18, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    I think your photos are always beautiful - although I didn't see your very early ones. ;) There is always something to learn with photography. All the best in the photo contest.

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  39. CynthiaJuly 18, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    Good luck with the contest. Super photos. I think you'll do well. Have a super wedding weekend

    Cindy

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  40. Helen PhilippsJuly 18, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    Your pictures are certainly very exciting ones, Carol....I love the things you style and the way you see the world. Like you, I enjoy photography more and more, thanks to blogging. I wish you lots of luck in the contest!
    Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  41. KellyJuly 18, 2015 at 2:06 PM

    I love the photos you entered in that contest! Good luck to you and I hope that you win. I feel the same way about photography. I used to not pay as much attention to my photos before blogging. Now, I have a very nice camera and have learned many tricks of the trade to improve my photography. It takes time but it sure makes a difference!

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  42. Daytona DamselJuly 18, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    Your lovely pictures inspired me to think about lighting and framing in my pictures of quilts for my blog. My problem is I see great photo ops but never have my camera when away from home. I need to get in the habit of taking my camera where ever I go.

    Debbie

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  43. handmade by amaliaJuly 18, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    I'm so proud of you, putting yourself out there. And rightly so! Your photos are great. I'm traveling down the same road, blogging has improved my photography no end and completely changed the way I look at the world.
    Amalia
    xo

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  44. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJuly 18, 2015 at 10:04 PM

    For not knowing what you are doing, you sure are fabulous! Love that you entered them. They truly are works of art! Love your photos and you have a fabulous eye as to what to shoot. I need a few lessons from you. My first posts didn't even have a photo. lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  45. Pat's PatchJuly 19, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    Good luck with the competition. Your photos are fabulous. X

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  46. chateau chicJuly 19, 2015 at 3:51 PM

    Your photos are pretty spectacular, Carol!! Having such fabulous subject matter is also a plus. Do let us know how you do!
    Mary Alice

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  47. Diana SealJuly 19, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    You go girl! Your pictures are amazing!
    Good luck in the competition!

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  48. Jessica@CapeofDreamsJuly 20, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    This is so exciting! You have a great eye and I love your photographs. Looks like there's more than one artist in the family.

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  49. Down by the seaJuly 21, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    This made me smile as it follows my experience with blogging and photography! Good luck with the competition I'm sure you stand a good chance. Your poppy image is fantastic! I love the image and setting of your romantic meal the reflection is fantastic. Sarah x

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  50. RueJuly 21, 2015 at 8:45 PM

    They're gorgeous entries, Carol. Good luck!

    It's funny, even when I stopped blogging I still took pictures. Not as many as I did when I was posting, but I still tried to capture the moments. I was rusty though when I started up again and still don't think much of my pictures, but they'll do ;) Oh and even after blogging on, off, and back on for almost a decade I still have no idea what I'm doing lol

    xo

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  51. Lowcarb team memberJuly 24, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    I always enjoy looking at your photo's ...

    All the best Jan

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  52. Lowcarb team memberJuly 24, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    I always enjoy looking at your photo's ...

    All the best Jan

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  53. Mobile App DevelopersJuly 31, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    I am extremely impressed along with your writing abilities, Thanks for this great share.

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  54. CarlaAugust 5, 2015 at 8:46 PM

    LOL I didn't have one picture in my first blog and maybe one on the second. I need to go look now that I say that.
    I'm impressed. You take beautiful pictures for someone who had no interest in it prior to blogging.

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