I'm tapping into my creative side. Part of it is sticky.
I recently came across a 30 Day Photography Challenge with a specified list of what to shoot each day. Being that I have a pretty good amount of free time, a DSLR, an interest in taking pictures, and a need for purpose, I decided to accept the challenge. I'm planning to keep track of each day here and will begin Day One as it's own post. I'll put the short story with the picture. Here's the long story of Day One:
Self portrait is Day One's task, so I spent some time reading about tips for taking such a photo. Of course, I was looking for inspiration and ideas. I'm barely an amateur, so I needed to figure out what other people have done to get my creative ball rolling.
In order for the photo to be personalized, I came up with interests and spaces nearby me that may be applicable. I concluded that ice cream would make the perfect partner. However, ice cream doesn't have a long shelf life, and as I previously stated, I'm far from an expert as taking photos and without a tripod.
Instead of making a big deal out of this project, resulting in putting it off and having nothing to do with my day, I decided to get out of the hotel to make the most of the hot afternoon. Foreshadowing here, in case you missed it.
A perk of being a zoo volunteer is free admission, so I slung my camera bag and purse over my shoulder and journeyed down the street to visit the park under a cloudy sky. The real reason for the trip was to practice taking general pictures and then start the photography challenge tomorrow or possibly Monday. OK, the "real" real reason was to have some purpose and a plan. Either way, I was at the zoo, sweating and thankful for the short periods of misty rain.
After taking some fun pictures of the gibbons and lemurs, I kept thinking that a twist ice cream cone from the concession stand would be a great prop for my self portrait. I had already had a cookie at lunch and actually didn't want any ice cream, extremely unusual for me. Still, I walked around near the snack bar for a while trying to find a good place to take a self portrait at, since there are groups of people and kids in every corner. Taking a self portrait looks pretty weird, and I was trying to find a secluded spot somewhat near the snack bar.
After 15 minutes or so, I decided to go ahead and at least get the ice cream cone for practice. It was going to cost a whopping $3.50 (I get a 20 % discount), and keep me occupied for a while longer (something Jeff is a major supporter of). I got the vanilla and chocolate cone and was excited that it came with a red and white stripped wrapper, adding some flair. I purchased the cone and frantically tried to get to a place where I could be somewhat alone but my first couple of choice locations were teeming with kids. Drip.
With my ice cream cone melting fiercely, I started to lick it while trying to maintain it's swirly pattern. An empty bench was spotted just as a large drip fell from the cone and landed on my thigh. The ice cream was beginning to pool in the waffle cone. Time was running out. Drip, drip, damn heat. I sat on the bench, took of the purse, camera, camera bag, and my sunglasses. I realized that I had the wrong lens on the camera at this point and almost gave up, as another big drip fell on and down the front of my tank top. Argh!
One-handedly, I managed to get napkins out of the front pocket of my purse and clean up the spilled goodness. Many licks later and some amazing juggling, I had the lens switched. Of course, this is when several small groups of visitors are in my general vicinity. Can't they tell that I'm in an ice cream photo shoot crisis? Driiiiippppp.
Finally, I manage a few clicks of the camera before the thing is melting all over the place. It not only dripped on my hand and arm but also on the camera strap. Lovely. The waffle cone is all soggy. Sad! I am ready to part ways with it this icky mess but no trash can is in view. I loaded up and worked my way nonchalantly past kids and teens, which was difficult to do as a lone visitor with a very melty ice cream cone, dripping on my left foot and shoe. At least four year-olds have an excuse or a mother nearby with Wet Ones.
The trash can got a sweet treat, as I dashed by, headed for the restroom to clean up. I had to walk nearly halfway around the park and was sticky the entire time. I absolutely HATE to be sticky. I can handle wet, muddy, dusty, sweaty. I can't stand to be sticky.
I cleaned up in the bathroom as best I could and made my way out of the zoo. What a circus.
I checked through the pictures on my computer and felt that there were a couple of useable shots. After the fiasco of taking them, I'm even more inclined to make use. So, I've decided that there's no reason to wait to begin the challenge. Today is officially, Day One of the 30 Day Photography Challenge.
