Appreciating Photography Tools – Day 1

Expand your thinking 'out there1-I am finally back to blogging, after almost 8 months away! I appreciate the experiences and people and places I’ve seen in these past months and right now I’m really appreciating getting back to some of my regular routine habits. This blog is all about appreciation and gratitude and while I haven’t been posting much, I do appreciate everyday. In the past few months, I’ve done less appreciating by writing it down, however, and I’m feeling the pull to get back to what I know for sure: writing it down makes it more powerful. So, in that spirit, I am committing to my Facebook group of 41 Days of Appreciating Rampages once again. You are all welcome to join! Today will be Day 1. I’ve decided to use this blog as my post there, so expect content here for the next 40 days. 🙂

Today I am appreciating the wonders of all the photography tools, and especially the free ones! I spent the past few days playing around with PicMonkey. The images on this blog post are some of my photos “enhanced and expanded” with PicMonkey. I love the ease of playing with the features, the ease in downloading the work to my computer, the amazing options that are absolutely free, and the FUN stuff they have on there!

PeaceI have always loved photography and remember the days when I  used a simple Kodak camera to document my experience studying abroad in Argentina. That little thing captured some pretty good photos.  But what was really exciting was my first  35 mm camera – a Pentax K1000 and I love that I still have it, use it occasionally and it still very much delivers!

While I love the the “old school” world of photography, I am really appreciating the digital world, too.  I get amazing photos from my Nikon, and even my iPhone, and instant gratification in “seeing” the work right away. Oh, and I can’t forget the “panoramic” tool on the iPhone5 – it’s just so cool to create with! Tools like Instagram are addicting, fun and creative, too! I really appreciate the convenience of digital photography with social media. Everyone becomes an instant photographer and we can “see” the world through their eyes.

I love how all of these tools allow people to create and share with the world. There is something magical about looking at beautiful photos and I love getting caught up in it. It’s as if the photograph takes me there. I can visualize about beautiful places I’ve been to or intend to visit, or remember how beautiful a simple little creature is through the macro photos of nature. This digital expansion of creative art is exhilarating!

See the light1

Rampages of Appreciation on Facebook

Ten days ago, I got inspired to create a Facebook group on appreciation. This morning marked my tenth day of posting. The group now has over 50 people in it and seems to have taken a life of its own. I love and appreciate that today! And this is my open invitation to anyone that wants to join us there.

While I chose 41 days to appreciate there, I have this feeling that the group is here to stay. People can join at anytime so some are just starting their Day 1 posts. And there’s no pressure or rules if you don’t post daily, but I will say that energy of the group is contagious! We are making some wonderful connections there, reading each others’ posts and uplifting each other through the amazing power of appreciation.

I’m finding it easy to post everyday (unlike here- LOL).

So everyone is invited to join at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/41days/