2021 by mcsiegle

2021

Wendy @farmreporter challenged me to make a collage of some of my favorite photos that I had posted in 2021. On my first look back through my project, I had the distressing feeling that all my photos were rubbish. On the second pass, I calmed down some and realized that, though they weren't prize-winning photographs, I did like some of them -- probably enough for an end-of-year collage. Last year I was inconsistent with my posting and there were a good number of blanks on a good number of the months. So I abandoned the idea of "favorite of the month" for each month -- not all months are represented here. Nevertheless, I have a baker's dozen photos here.

I had to include a pig shot and what better props than Welsh cakes? I also had to include the shot from my "fork" week that included the participation of the Pigmania crew. Katy's @grammyn stunt with her fork added the icing onto the cake. I have at least one photo made with my Canon DSLR on here, and my goal for 2022 has to be to set aside more time to get out that camera and use it. Tim @tdaug80 I see has already anticipated that goal and given me a challenge for this coming week that requires the use of that camera. My furry little "granddaughter" Nelo is in the upper left -- her attention fixed on something outside the window. The Dinosaurs are in the lower right -- one of the pages of my "Dino Comics" project they so kindly modeled for me. That was also a get-pushed challenge. I think I was only expected to produce one image, but it stretched out over more than a week.

What's represented here more than anything, is the sense of wonder at the beauty (dead bat excepted) all around me and fun in the creation of images and sharing them with you all (dead bat composition definitely included.) The fact that I started in May of 2013 and am still here, even when I get behind in taking and posting photos, is testament to the amazing community created here, and the friendship, creative talent, and photographic skill you all so generously share.

Onward further into 2022! (Note to self: fill in some of those holes in December, for crying out loud!)
@farmreporter Here is my 2021 collage. I hope you like it. Thanks so much for giving me that challenge.
January 9th, 2022  
I always think you put yourself down Mary and you have continued to do so here in your narrative. your creativity, originality and humour in your photos is ever present and the range of genres you have here in your collage is testament to your skills. FAVVED!
January 9th, 2022  
Looking back over a year is an interesting challenge and one that causes some retrospective analysis. I don't think you are fairly assessing it all as "rubbish" and you're right -- favorites are more important than any other metric!
January 9th, 2022  
Oh WOW, Mary!
This is absolutely awesome! A fabulous and creative collage.
It is really well thought out and executed with the great balance of differing sized photos.
And I can tell you took your time to choose out each photo carefully.
A FAV!
January 10th, 2022  
Like the others I disagree with your assessment of your talent. You have some remarkable photos and you are always willing to try something new. You have more creativity in your little finger than I have in my entire body and it shows in your photos. FAV
January 10th, 2022  
These shots seem to reflect the Mary I've come to like so much. You're creative, always thinking outside the box, you're friendly and smart and you really have an eye for subjects that I would never have even noticed. A great collage for your challenge.
January 10th, 2022  
super collage, the shots are really good. but what happened to the dinos?
January 10th, 2022  
Really great collage, those are all great images
January 10th, 2022  
what a great challenge and I like all the photos you picked!
January 10th, 2022  
Neat collage!
January 10th, 2022  
Far from rubbish! Great collage
January 10th, 2022  
@joysabin @edorreandresen @francoise @swchappell @summerfield @randystreat @grammyn @farmreporter @jyokota @30pics4jackiesdiamond Thank you all for your very generous comments. Oh dear, I didn’t mean that I actually think my photos are all rubbish. It was just that initial look back at what I’d posted, the realization that the camera I bought two years ago has seen so little use and most shots were taken with my phone. Also my playing around with special effects apps like “Hyperspektiv” is great fun and often results in some wonderful graphic images, but it can be a crutch—helping me to disguise or ignore a lack of real photographic excellence or full understanding of the principles and techniques needed to correct that. Many things I’ve posted I’ve been genuinely proud of. Thank you for confirming that and accompanying me on our common path of discovery and learning.
January 10th, 2022  
@summerfield If you mean the out-of-the-ordinary rendering of the Two dino’s in this image, never fear. No dinosaurs or Neanderthals were actually defaced in the making of Dino Comics. All the pictures I took for that series were then run through the ToonCamera app to enhance their Comic Book appearance. If, by “What happened to the dinos?” you mean what happened next, I refer you to the complete series beginning March 29 https://365project.org/mcsiegle/365/2021-03-29 and continuing through April 9th.
January 10th, 2022  
I can tell you really had a good time looking through the year's shots. And for good reason!!!!!
January 10th, 2022  
What a lovely collage of your captures. I love the computer and cookies image!
January 10th, 2022  
So many of your shots make me smile and the story telling that goes with them. Dino, pigs, bats and reference to Wales have been highlights for me during 2021.
January 10th, 2022  
Mary, I got a notification that you mentioned me in private photo. The photo it took me too is restricted so I can't see the mention.
January 10th, 2022  
@randystreat For heaven’s sake. Didn’t realize that was restricted. I think maybe I posted it but was too tired to write commentary and made it private until the next morning—then forgot to make public?
January 11th, 2022  
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