Adieu

It was a pretty nice day for a row. This was taken at 1 p.m. and the lake was still pretty smooth. But this post is about a hiatus.

When I signed up almost six years ago, my primary purpose was to learn how to use my then-new dSLR. To the extent that I have been curious or interested, I have done that. (Point-and-shoots have become more sophisticated, too, and I think I have learned how to use my Nikon AW110, too.)

Then came a desire to document and learn about the insects and other critters that visit our home and garden. Through BAMONA and BugGuide, I have done this, and I will continue to use those resources.

Visits to one of the campus greenhouses has sparked an interest in plants and that will continue with contributions to an online plant-photo database, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_owner.pl?owner=T.M.%20Mitchell

In the beginning (way back!), photography (for me, at least) was a way to document a family's story. I have fallen woefully far, far behind in this endeavor: the last photo in a photo album was when our younger daughter graduated from college. That was 7½ years ago.

When I talk to young parents, I ask them about their photos of their kids. Some of them are getting their images into photo books, photo albums or scrapbooks. But one mom in particular told me that she has thousands of photos of her three children. Where are the photos? In her phone. Will her kids have any permanent, visual record of their childhood and the family's vacations (for example)? I wonder.

After 2,103 daily posts (2,132 – 25 "fillers" – 4 "no-photo" days) and four no-frames days in the last week-and-a-half, it's time for me to stop taking photos just so I'll have "something to post," and get my family's story up to date — out of the "ether," so-to-speak, and into books.

I thank all 365'ers who have taken the time to view my posts and taken the extra time to leave comments. I have learned much from so many of you and for that I am most grateful.

1 year ago (“Well whad'ya know — red tea!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-10-31
2 years ago (“Somebody missed a branch a few years ago…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-10-31
3 years ago (“Campus, on a rainy day”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-10-31
4 years ago (“‘Boo!’”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-10-31
5 years ago (“Post-Halloween”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-10-31

[ IMG_3569S120x48Utm :: f/6.3 :: 1/400" :: ISO-200 :: 55mm ]

[Maggiemae]

Super flat water to get this gorgeous photo! I think if you have the time, books are a good option. I still have things called photograph albums which are really falling to bits but our grown up family just love them!

[Maggiemae]

I'd have to add - is this photo totally level, do you think? If you were an Ace member here, you could fix it using picmonkey!

[Thom Mitchell]

@maggiemae The problem with phones and data cards is obvious: what hardware will connect-to, or read, these media decades from now. I have found digital to be convenient in some respects (including immediacy), but seriously lacking in others. And if people snap lots of photos and don't do anything with them to establish some permanence, then there is little lasting value in my view. :-\ So I'm embarking on establishing some permanence for those photos that I hope posterity will value.

[Thom Mitchell]

@maggiemae It's about as level as I can see. The far shore is not straight. The shore is closest behind and to the right of the boat. Going to the left, the shoreline recedes slowly and then quickly to the left edge of the image. I use an ancient version of Photoshop for editing, including some minor rotations, but this one was "good enough," I thought, without rotation.

Thanks for all your visits & comments, Maggiemae!!

[GaryW]

Great shot Thom! Man! I'm going to miss your photos AND your comments on my project. You always have a different perspective and for that I am VERY grateful!! I wish you well in our endeavor to get your family's story up to date. I hope to see you back someday! Until then...farewell.

[Thom Mitchell]

@thewatersphotos Aww, thanks for your kind words, Gary. I will miss the connections I made with the many people whose projects I followed and who faithfully followed mine. But I need a break from the daily grind and some time to get my mojo back. I may stop in and comment from time to time even if I'm not posting—

[Joanna kate]

Good place for a row okay, it's like glass there. All the best Thom. !!