RXA

As you all know I have a panel of 10 random photos from my flickr account appear at the top of each blog page.

I have been watching this row more carefully recently as I was hoping that one day it would display 10 self portraits from my 365 days project. I have not been forcing the issue by constantly hitting refresh, it finally just happened.

Click the thumbnail for the full size screen grab.

In order:

Day 62 – Touch; Day 2; Day 36 – Time for Thought; Day 50 – !05 yaD; Day 38 – Talk Like a Pirate Day; Day39 – That time again; Day 44 – It must be Tuesday; Day 4; Day 12; Day 19 – A “smile”

I am really enjoying the 365 day project. It IS a challenge as I want as few throwaway shots as possible. Sometimes the timing, situation or the fact that someone has a bowl full of strawberry crepe sauce and ice cream on offer causes the project to be temporarily lowered on the priority list.

But so far I have managed to shoot and upload each shot on the same day. There has only been 3 photos that I would change but as I can’t I won’t fret about them. As I mentioned recently, the comments and concerns I receive from others if I haven’t posted by 9pm (my time) is quite humbling.

My shots are branching away from the typical “arms length” portraits which I am very pleased about. I have met the wonderful L who is not only making sure I keep to the time frame but is happy to be included and has never flinched at any idea I throw at her, no matter how bizarre. She has also suggested shots I have used. You are a continual wonder and an amazing motivator L.

I do hope the recent abundance of flesh is not making you throw up. I’m not going to say that it’s the last or the most you will see. The whole aim is to take my shooting to a new level. If I make a few people nauseous on the way, so be it.

One aspect of this project I really enjoy is when I wake up in the morning , I am almost always thinking about what I will do for my 365 shot that day. It takes over your thought process.

A fellow project member who I have been watching has just finished his 365 photos. It’s a weird experience as I am used to logging on in the morning to see what he had uploaded overnight. I guess I’ll cross that void one day, providing I haven’t lost my mind. I seem to be losing everything else at the moment.

Raw

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos
One of the things I find fascinating about flickr is you never know which of your photos will have the most impact on others.

This is a sentiment shared by a few people I know and it always surprises us which photos get the least & most comments. I guess it really does come down to personal taste.

My case in point is this photo of L. It still remains one of my favorite photos of her. There is nothing special to the composition, it was captured at a totally natural moment and I love the way her hair falls on her face. The towel slung over the head is a bonus. Her expression is not forced, it is as natural as she is. This is a pure and natural look of a beautiful woman. To me this is a winning portrait photo.

Yet this photo has received only moderate views and no comments. Most of my photo’s attractive a few comments (often before I finish adding descriptions) and it always amazes me which ones do not get any.

Obviously I am emotionally connected to this photo as I am with any photo I take … and I would not be telling the truth if I said I was not more emotionally connected to this photo than most, therefore I see it in a different light.

Another example: David has a photo of a Major Mitchel Cockatoo that has had over 1000 views (and climbing). He has no idea why this of all photos is streaks ahead of the rest.

Just wanted to write this down as I find it both strange and funny.

Update (19.10.7): Someone has asked that the photo be included in a flickr group called ‘Beautiful Women’. Nice to know someone else has good taste.

… where my mobile phone is at the moment.

If you have called or sent me a message since 2100 (9pm) on Saturday night I have not seen/heard it.

As those who follow my Flickr feed (especially my 365days project) will know I have recently begun seeing someone.

Whilst you will get very little of out me about this person on this blog (to protect the innocent) there is one aspect I find especially fascinating for the effect it has had on me. Her house has no broadband.

Whilst normally the thought of this would cause me to go into anaphylactic shock, it has been quite an interesting sensation to spend time away from the tubes. I do spend a lot of time online, what with Flickr, Facebook, my various websites and email, so to spend seven or eight hours awake and not online is quite a new experience.

Of course it goes without saying that there is a dial-up connection for the mandatory uploading of self portraits and even when I suggested that I upload a recent shot the following day I was told quite emphatically that it was important to keep going as I was. So the photo in question was uploaded the same day as it was shot, like the 52 others before it.

Signing off now as I really should think about going to bed as it is midnight and I have a very busy weekend planned including a gig, dinner with friends of L and a trip to Melbourne with other friends.

I’ve had several conversations, emails and questions recently regarding the openness I display on this blog.

I’ve always been reasonably transparent about my activities and thoughts (and this is the kicker) WHEN I share. It’s almost a blog mantra that writers chant “Do not assume you know me from my blog”.

There is a lot I share but easily twice that I don’t. My partner (if I have one) will be protected as this blog is about me, not them … I will mention them occasionally but the information will be sparse and filtered.
I don’t know why I am writing this but I guess I am answering a few questions I have had.

My blog is for me. It serves two purposes. It lets my family and friends know what I am doing and what’s going on in my life. The primary reason is it gives me something to look back on over time.

Ok … rant over … if any of you made it this far … well done.