Inside My Shell

The Enchanted Forest

2012-02-12T15:03:00.000+01:00

She got lost in the forest.

A colourful bird lured her deeper into the woods and entertained her with her antics.

Then the bird flew away and she was alone again.

To be continued ...

2011 in Pictures (July - December)

2012-02-09T20:25:00.001+01:00

July

August

September

October

November

December

Prague (Diana Mini edition)

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000+01:00

I finally finished the roll of film with the last Prague photos. Some were seriously overexposed for some odd reason but with some of the others I'm quite pleased.

January Weekend, part 2

2012-01-25T08:20:00.000+01:00

I also used said sunny weekend to finish off the roll of film in my Diana Mini (same locations as yesterday's post).

Again, the neighborhood park:

And scenes from Sunday:

January Weekend

2012-01-24T21:17:00.001+01:00

I almost felt like a child on Christmas when I went to pick up the first film from my selfmade Twin Lens, giddy with anticipation and excitement. Did it work? Would there be any photos to share? It did! And I am pleased with the outcome. Focusing is a little tricky but most of the pictures turned out alright.
Lucky for me, we had a sunny weekend that was perfect for a test run.

These are from the neighborhood park:

And these from my walk around Schöneberg and Tiergarten on Sunday:

#26 Build my own camera

2012-01-15T17:53:00.000+01:00

Ever since I saw on Rhianne's blog how she built her own camera, I knew I wanted to do this, too. I mean - how cool is that to make your own camera?! So I made sure to include it on my 2012 list.

A few days into January, my Photojojo order arrived and I immediately went to work.

It took me more than the one hour the box said it would take to assemble. The english of the instruction manual is a little bit - how shall I put it? - "freestyle" sometimes. Plus the images were really dark and hard to decipher.

But I made it. In the end I had four screws leftover that were supposed to go somewhere (only I couldn't figure out where) but the camera seems to hold together anyway.

So I proudly present my very own self-made camera:

I have no idea if it work. The verdict is still out on that. I finished my first film today and in a few days we'll know more.

Good Reads

2012-01-05T20:16:00.004+01:00

I originally wrote this to go with a photo on Flickr. But then I realized it might be a good idea to write about a few of my favorite books in 2011 on the blog as well.
I don't have one favorite book but these were among those I really enjoyed reading. (Of course I enjoyed more than those but you can make the stack only that high - see all the books read in 2011 here)

Here we go, from the top:

fiction
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
I saw the movie the year before and liked it. But as it turned out, I liked the book even more.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
I read this while in Prague and it was the perfect place for this book.

Atonement by Ian McEwan
For some reason, I had the hardest time getting into the book (this was probably my 4th attempt to read it) but in the end I'm glad I didn't give up. The language sometimes just slayed me. (Like this sentence: "... moving gently through her thoughts, as one might explore a new garden.")

The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster
This reminded me a little of "What I Loved", maybe one of the reasons I liked it. Later I read "Invisible", also by Paul Auster, which disappointed me.

non-fiction
For the past few years I've been reading mostly fiction but in 2011 I added some more non-fiction books to my list. My history-loving geeky self is making a comeback.

The Body Project by Joan Jacobs Brumberg
I stumbled upon this book rather by accident - a lucky accident. It follows the subject of body image from Victorian times to the 1990s. It was interesting to read how fundamentally the attitude towards weight, physical apperance, menstruation and sex changed in just one century.

Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay
I partly read this when I was in college and was glad to come back to this insightful and compassionate writing.

Damit wir uns nicht verlieren by Sophie Scholl and Fritz Hartnagel
I don't think there is an English version of the book. The title loosely translates as "So that we don't loose each other". It's a collection of letters from Sophie Scholl (who was executed by the nazis at age 21 for expressing her opinion) and her boyfriend. Her biography had a huge impact on me when I was a teenager and I already knew a good part of her letters but this more extensive collection is fairly new.

The Beauty of Difference by Karen Walrond
If you ever read the Chookooloonks blog, you know this is good. It was even more dear to me because I've been trying to love my "difference" more this year.

37 in 2012

2012-01-02T19:59:00.000+01:00

(Last updated: February 1, 2012)

Doing 52 things in 2011 was fun but for 2012 I decided to tone it down a little and just have 37 items on my list. (Why 37? Guess how old I'll be in 2012 ...) Some items are leftovers from the 2011 list, some of the things I loved in 2011 (like buying fresh flowers every week) I'll keep doing but won't include in the new list.

1. try a new recipe a week - in progress
2. participate in a swap
3. host a swap
4. watch 40 movies I haven't seen before - in progress (4/40)
5. read 42 books - in progress (2/42)
6. spend a day in silent meditation
7. start a series of interviews on the blog
8. celebrate my sister's wedding
9. get a massage
10. an evening at Eßkultur
11. put more art in my journal
12. collect 1000 gifts - in progress (95 and counting)
13. do a photography project
14. sign up for Photo Meditations
15. don't buy anything for 30 days (except groceries) - DONE
16. get the Voigtländer Bessa fixed
17. make a picknick
18. make a quilt
19. eat healthy - in progress
20. take a day trip to the country site
21. go ice-skating
22. volunteer for something
23. (this one is private) - in progress
24. shoot more film
25. spend more time with God - in progress
26. build my own camera - DONE
27. be kind (to others and to myself)
28. schedule artist dates with myself
29. travel
30. embrace life - in progress
31. visit my brother and cousin in Nuremberg
32. (to be added)
33. (to be added)
34. (to be added)
35. (to be added)
36. (to be added)
37. (to be added)

Let's make 2012 a fabulous year!

2011 in Pictures (January - June)

2011-12-28T11:55:00.000+01:00

2011 was probably the year I took the least amount of photos ever since I got a digital camera. I don't know where this fatigue came from because I'm still in love with photography. Or maybe it isn't so much fatigue but disorientation. I have no clue where I want to go with my photography, what my voice is, what stories I want to tell, what makes a photo "me".
Well, the good thing about not taking so many photos is that it makes selecting two or three (or four) for every month easier.
Here we go - the first part of 2011 in pictures (I actually borrowed this idea from Susannah):

January

February

March

April

May

June

Cookie Palooza

2011-12-04T21:21:00.001+01:00

christmas cookies, December 2011, Nikon D40x

Yesterday I met up with a friend for some serious baking. We did six different kinds of Christmas cookies. I enjoyed this very much - even more so because last year things were so stressful that I missed out on the christmas baking fun.

Prague (Holga edition)

2011-11-17T13:34:00.001+01:00

I finally got my Holga film with the Prague photos back. Unfortunately those were the only ones that turned out well, except one (I must have accidentally put the Holga into bulb mode when I returned to Berlin).

Prague Castle

St. Vitus Cathedral

Charles Bridge

Vltava River (view from Charles Bridge)

Old Town Square

And the one non-Prague photo that was worth scanning:

Before & After

2011-11-10T20:07:00.000+01:00

I still consider myself very much a beginner when it comes to editing photos with Photoshop. Half of the time I don't know what I'm doing. But I'm learning. As part of my learning process I thought it would be a good exercise to participate in the Before & After blog hop (formerly hosted by Pixel Perfect blog, now hosted by These Prices).

This is the image straight out of the camera:

And this is the edited version:

Usind Photoshop Elements, I converted the picture into black and white. Then I increased the blacks, middle tones (is that the correct term? my PSE doesn't speak English) and lights (that's what I usually do - hit Strg+L and fiddle around with the sliders until it looks good).

Today

2011-11-06T21:43:00.000+01:00

Prague (Part 4)

2011-10-30T20:05:00.002+01:00

After we left Prague castle, we headed down beautiful Nerudova street where we leisurely stopped at some shops, including this lovely second-hand bookstore.

We then walked in direction of the Old town ...

... and of course one cannot stay in Prague without visiting the famous Charles Bridge.

After all that sightseeing we were a little bit worn out the next day but we still had some locations on our list we wanted to see. We started off at Old Town Square again ...

... but this time we turned to Josefov, the Jewish quarter.

We also stopped by the Museum of Decorative Arts to view lots of pretty things:

Prague (Part 3)

2011-10-10T20:32:00.000+02:00

Our destination for Monday was Prague castle, up on the Hradschin. Let me tell you: it's huge!

After walking around a little, we started with St. Vitus Cathedral (also of an impressive size):

Next stop was the Royal Palace where they keep the crown jewels and from where you have a beautiful view overlooking Prague:

This was followed by a visit of St. George's Basilica, one of the oldest churches around:

Then we strolled down the Golden Lane. Some of the little houses displayed how people used to live there while others had shops inside them:

After seeing all those sights, it was time for a little lunch break. For dessert we went to the Toy Museum which is also on the castle grounds:

Our day was not finished yet but I'll save the rest for another post.

Prague (Part 2)

2011-10-05T07:51:00.000+02:00

Prague, September 2011, Nikon D40x

The third day of our stay in Prague was a Sunday and we figured most of the places we had on our list would be very crowded on that day. So we chose to take the tram to Holosevice, a little further away from the city center. There we treated us to the art collection at the Veletržní Palác (no photos here) and had lunch at Bohemian Bagel.

Because the weather was so summerlike (we had about 30°C), we headed to the nearby Stromovka park and just chilled on the grass, talking, reading our books and dozing in the shade.

After dinner we proceeded to do what had quickly become a nightly ritual: a walk along the banks of the Vltava river.

Prague (Part 1)

2011-10-02T20:54:00.001+02:00

Vltava river, September 2011, Nikon D40x

On our first day in Prague, we just settled in, explored the area around the hotel and mapped out our agenda for the next few days.

The next day we started with Nové Město, the area closest to where we stayed (but on the other side of the Vltava river). We saw the Dancing House:

And other beautiful old houses:

The National Theater:

After browsing through a little market ...

... we then ventured into Staré Město, the Old City:

Prague Preview

2011-09-28T20:45:00.000+02:00

Prague, September 2011, SX-70

One of the reasons I've been absent from this blog lately was my long-awaited vacation. First I took a trip to Prague with my sister (see photo above), then I spent a few days in my hometown. Both of which was fun! Of course there are tons of photos - besides the SX-70 I also took my trusted Nikon, the Holga and the Diana Mini to Prague (observation: walking around with three or four cameras around your neck is a conversation starter or at least gets you a few looks).

Growing

2011-09-23T18:25:00.001+02:00

There is no way I could skip this week's Five Minute Friday: The theme today is "Growing" and my word of the year is "grow". Coincidence or not, this is a good opportunity to reflect on what has happened this year so far (as much as you can do that in five minutes).
The rules: Write for five minutes straight without editing your thoughts.

Go
I think I chose the right word for this year for I've been growing. A lot. Not in obvious ways. More on the inside, silently, gently but steady. Some buds and new leaves I can see, other I just sense. I know they are there, waiting to break through, to open up, to blossom. I notice how I react differently to the same old things. How my attidude is changing. Not always - more often than not I still fall back into the old patterns. But the change in me, it's there. Some of it is my own doing: the conscious efforts, the trying, the thinking, the reflecting, the talking, the sorting out, the opening up. But mostly it's God's work and part of my growing is just letting Him do his thing.

Stop

Hello Holga

2011-09-06T23:20:00.000+02:00

lake at the park, spring 2011, Holga 120N

For my birthday this year I got a Holga (I have the best friends!) and it took me six months to finish a roll of 12 pictures. I wasn't sure if the photos would turn out at all because the camera back accidentally opened twice (lesson learned: tape it shut next time). I'm so glad they did turn out! (well, nine* of them)

These first three are my favorites. But I like them all.

* actually it's 10 - I just noticed the lab didn't make a print of one of the negatives

Photoplay: Who, What, Where, When, Why?

2011-08-24T23:38:00.000+02:00

This month' Photoplay challenges us to find five photos that represent our history and answer the following questions:

1. Who made up your DNA?

old books, August 2011, Nikon D40x

My grandmother with her creativity - who can make something out of nothing (like dresses for barbie dolls from fabric scrabs).
My mother with her courage to go out into the world - who at 19 moved to England for a year while barely speaking the language.
My father with his love for history - who started taking me with him to excavation sites when I was just a toddler.
And many more. But most of all God who knit these genes together to create me.

2. Where do you come from?

sea shells, August 2011, Nikon D40x

I come from a small town near the coast. I come from a Southern German mother and a Northern German father. I come from ancestors that lived in the same village for more than 300 years. I also come from ancestors that moved around all over the country in search for work. I come from bakers, carpenters, hairdressers, mothers, housewives, factory workers, maids, shoemakers, ... I come from hardworking people.
These are sea shells I collected when we still lived close to the ocean. We often used to go on a Sunday afternoon. As much as I like living in the city, I really, really miss the sea sometimes.

3. What object is precious to your past?

clay birds' nest, August 2011, Nikon D40x

This nest of baby birds made out of clay when I was in elementary school. Growing up, I was constantly creating things - drawing, crafting, inventing games, getting my siblings and friends to re-enact the stories I imagined.

4. What memory resonates most deeply?

10 year old me, August 1985 (the summer we moved), photo taken by my Dad

Moving to another part of the country when I was 10 years old impacted my life most deeply. I lost my childhood home, my friends, my known world, my security and had to navigate in a foreign setting that redefined who I was.

5. What moment in history marks your childhood?

Waren / Müritz on my first trip to East Germany, March 1990, Perfecta 35E point-and-shoot

I don't know if 14 still counts as childhood but the Berlin wall coming down definitely was a historic moment that left a deep impression. I remember clearly growing up with the reality of two Germanys, the possibility of the Cold War turning hot and a reunion being just a dream, a far-fetched idea at best.And I remember the joy and the celebration when the wall came down (and being angry at my parents because they would not let me go to Berlin to celebrate with the masses).

Butterflies

2011-08-22T21:00:00.000+02:00

butterflies, April 2011, Nikon D40x

These images were taken at our last photo safari. I'll share the other photos from the set later but I felt the butterflies deserved a post just for themselves. Aren't they just beautiful creatures?

Scenes from my evening walk

2011-08-19T22:15:00.002+02:00

Tempelhof Airfield, August 2011, Nikon D40x

Flower Variations

2011-08-18T21:51:00.001+02:00

this week's flowers, August 2011, Nikon D40x

Just playing around with different edits.

D & E's Wedding

2011-08-17T21:53:00.000+02:00

D & E, May 2011, Nikon D40x

I felt honored when my former roommate D asked me to photograph her wedding. (Sorry for the length of this post.)

Fireworks

2011-08-16T21:29:00.000+02:00

Day Trip to Goslar

2011-08-13T16:44:00.000+02:00

Goslar, August 2011, Nikon D40x

We were lucky: The weather for once behaved like it should and we had a perfect summer day for our trip to Goslar, a medieval town in the Harz mountains.

View from the steeple of the Marktkirche:

And inside the church:

Kaiserpfalz:

Summer Flowers

2011-08-10T21:42:00.002+02:00

weekly flowers, June 2011, camera phone

My computer is not being cooperative tonight, so I'm posting this bouquet of summer flowers from my phone instead of the photos I had intended to share.

What The Water Gave Me

2011-08-09T19:53:00.002+02:00

What The Water Gave Me, December 2009, Nikon D40x

#40 - Visit T. in Gifhorn

2011-08-08T22:36:00.000+02:00

Gifhorn, August 2011, Nikon D40x

One item on my list for 2011 was to visit my friend T. in Gifhorn. I've known T. since my first year of college and we've been in touch ever since but so far I'd never visited her in the town where she lives now.

To start of the weekend, we sat in a cute little café (see also previous post) and took a walk around town.

We also visited the local castle.

On Saturday we took a little trip to Goslar together but that'll have to wait for another post.

Preview

2011-08-07T20:44:00.000+02:00

cake, August 2011, camera phone

I just got back from a wonderful weekend with an old friend. This is a little preview, taken with my camera phone (I need more practice! A DSLR I can handle but photography with my smartphone makes me feel like such a klutz). Expect more pictures to come once I have sorted through my photos.

Boltenmühle

2011-08-06T09:43:00.023+02:00

Boltenmühle, June 2010, Nikon D40x

Again, these are some photos from last year. A beautiful day spent in the countryside near Neuruppin.

Flower

2011-08-05T09:19:00.000+02:00

at the park, July 2011, Nikon D40x

Architecture

2011-08-04T10:17:00.000+02:00

GASAG building, March 2011, Nikon D40x

At the Zoo

2011-08-03T11:21:00.000+02:00

seals, July 2010, Nikon D40x

A few images from a trip to the zoo last summer that I hadn't posted yet.

Watching the seals was fun. Makes me wish to try some underwater photography sometime.

Not the most exotic animal, but my first pet was a guinea pig so I'll always have a fondness for these little guys:

We arrived just at feeding time for the hippos:

Summer, Art and Cool Drinks

2011-08-02T06:52:00.002+02:00

I heart a cold drink, July 2011, Nikon D40x

Yesterday I totally forgot to mention another cool thing that starts on August 1: Lis and Cowgirl's Art Bash (a.k.a. Painting with a Purpose)! Every week during the month of August they are giving away a piece of art they created together plus some additional goodies. All this to raise money for a good cause. This week they asked how we like to cool down in the heat. My favorite thing is to go for a swim but I always enjoy a cold drink, too (and I had a photo to go with that one).
Actually, the past few weeks have been pretty chilly and rainy, so there was no need to cool down over here. But there's still hope that summer will come back, right?

August Break and Five Years

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000+02:00

water surface, July 2010, Nikon D40x

Today is the first day of August Break 2011. I've been looking forward to this for a while now. Last year was a lot of fun and I discovered many cool new blogs through this. I plan to share a lot of previously not posted older photos again - August Break is just the kick in the butt I need to finally do that. I also want to create new images and who knows what else I can think of.

Today also marks the 5th anniversary of my first post (aptly titled "First Post"). Wow, five years already! Where did the time go? Back then I didn't know the first thing about blogging. I had only begun to read blogs a few months prior and I just started my own blog because my friend had one. Five years later, I'm glad I did. I reclaimed my creativity, I found a whole new community and I learned more about myself. I am looking forward to the next five years and I am curious what they will bring.

Making Pickles

2011-07-17T21:37:00.003+02:00

pickles, July 2011, Nikon D40x

When I went to the farmers' market yesterday, I saw that they had these little cucumbers* that are perfect for making pickles. So I decided on a whim to make pickles.

First you wash them thoroughly. Then you let them soak in salt water for 12 to 24 hours. Or in my case overnight.

The next day you get some jars ready. You wash the salt water off the little cucumbers and place them in the jars along with some spices:

I used dill, pepper, mustard seeds, tarragon, chili and laurel plus some shallots.

Proceed to boil a mixture of water, vinegar and sugar and pour that over the little cucumbers and spices in the jars until all ingredients are covered. Done.

In about three months you can enjoy your homemade pickles.

* I have no idea how you call these in English

Roid Week: Berlin

2011-07-15T20:29:00.002+02:00

Bode-Museum, July 2011, SX-70

Today is sadly the last day of this year's Roid Week. I could spend hours in the Flickr pool and fave probably every second photo. There is some amazing stuff in there, wow!

Unfortunately some of my polaroids look more like this:

Roid Week: Summer

2011-07-14T19:44:00.002+02:00

cherries, June 2011, SX-70

These are more recent polaroids. It's still always a little surprise if and how they will turn out. You never know for sure. (But then again, that makes it interesting)

Roid Week: Butterflies and Orchids

2011-07-12T21:28:00.003+02:00

butterflies, April 2011, SX-70

This one is probably my favorite of the ones I haven't shared before. I love butterflies and this shot captures the delicate nature of these winged creatures.

This one was taken the same day at the same location: the Biosphäre Potsdam (which is kind of a giant green house). I still have to post the other photos of that trip but culling takes forever (again).

Roid Week!

2011-07-11T18:00:00.002+02:00

selfportrait, January 2011, SX-70

It's Roid Week again and I've been saving all the polaroids I took this year for this occasion (not that I used my SX-70 a lot, shame on me!).

These two are from January. I really like the softness of the Color Shade film.

Gratitude

2011-07-08T19:38:00.000+02:00

It's time for Five Minute Friday again. The rules are simple: Write for five minutes straight without editing your thoughts. This week's topic is

Gratitude

Gratitude is something I have to conciously remind me of. It's almost an effort. While I'm not an ungrateful person per se, I tend to focus on the negative side of things. The problems, the not-there-yets, the difficulties, the struggles, my weaknesses and faults and flaws. The other side - and there usually is an other side if you look close enough - I often take for granted. The good days. The lightness, the joy, the strength, the grace, the support and encouragement. But when I do, when I focus on gratitude, something shifts. When I make the choice to see what I am grateful for, it makes all the difference. Where there was only darkness before in what I saw, there now is hope. I need to remind me more of that. I need to exercise my gratitude skills. And eventually it might even change my life. And I [have so much reason to be grateful].*

* words in brackets written after the buzzer buzzed

If you can't go ...

2011-06-19T22:34:00.000+02:00

... to the park, bring the park to you.

red shoes, May 2011, Nikon D40x

The weather this weekend was rather cold and rainy. So much for my plans to grab a book and relax in the park.

But then I remembered I hadn't shared these images from one of my last visits to the park yet and that cheered me up.

Home

2011-06-17T19:48:00.001+02:00

I thought I'd give Five Minute Friday a try. The rules are simple: Write for five minutes straight without editing your thoughts. This week's topic is

Home

I usually feel a bit torn about the question where my home is. Is it the town where I was born and lived for the first ten years of my life? Is it the town where I went to highschool and where my parents still live? Is it Berlin and my current apartment? Is it Northern Germany? Is it my friends, my family? Every one of those feels like home to me in a certain way but none is my home completely. Maybe it's because we are on a journey through our life, constantly moving, changing, evolving, growing. Maybe that's why feeling at home is always incomplete. Maybe home is our roots, our relationships, our history. I honestly don't know exactly what home is for me. Maybe it's where I am known and can be the person I am.

Oops. Time is up.

Photoplay: Colour

2011-06-15T08:59:00.002+02:00

blue touches blue, June 2011, Nikon D40x

This month's Photoplay focues on the subject of colour. The challenge was to shoot a series of images with one colour and then select eight favorites.

My first instinct was to go for red. But then, I tend to do that anyway. So I chose blue instead - with the intention to train my eye to see something I easily overlook.

I barely got eight images together (not all of which I'm satisfied with). I really wish I would've had more time. But I didn't want to miss this opportunity either so I made do with what I had available.

Mini Trip to Bonn

2011-06-13T19:26:00.002+02:00

water lily, May 2011, Nikon D40x

Last month I spent a few days in Bonn to check of items #47 (visit my friend T.) and #29 (photograph a wedding) off my list. More on the wedding photos later - still working on those.

Besides having a good time, we took a walk along the Rhine:

... said hello to Ludiwg van Beethoven and stopped by his birth place:

... visited the Poppelsdorfer Schloss and the little botanical garden that is attached to it:

... just talked and watched the strawberries grow:

... saw the Münster and had a quiet moment in the yard:

Diana Mini black & white

2011-05-29T20:50:00.002+02:00

C/O Berlin, September 2010, Diana Mini

I got my Diana Mini film #3 back from the drugstore yesterday. (I don't know how film #2 turned out - I sent that one away for the Photoswap last year but sadly I never got to see any pictures) This time I tried black & white photos - a quite different look than the first film but I like it, too.
The photos were taken between September 2010 and May 2011. Half of it I didn't even remember taking like these from the canal tour in Amsterdam:

Some images from my neighborhood park:

My backyard covered in snow:

Berlin subway station:

Trees, obviously:

And last but not least an image from my mini trip to Bonn two weeks ago:

After that the film jammed and I took it out though it wasn't finished yet.

A quick hello. And dandelions.

2011-05-08T22:08:00.002+02:00

dandelion, May 2011, Nikon D40x

I still haven't got the blog-more-regularly-part down yet but I'm working on it. So I'm just checking in. I hope you had an equally lovely weekend as I had. Sometimes a little sunshine, a good book, a park is all you need. Add to that a deep conversation, delicious food and good company and I'm all set.

I actually have images to share from our latest photo safari a few weeks ago. But I am still in the dreadful process of culling. That is always the most time consuming part of photography for me. And almost the hardest. Weeding out the badly exposed and blurry and unflattering shots is easy. But then I get stuck. When confronted with a series of photos that are all good and just slightly different, I have such a hard time choosing just one or two. It almost feels unfair to those photos I don't pick (I know that's silly but my mind sometimes is just that silly).
Right now I am down from 600 images to 300 and that's still too much. I hope I can make some progress before I leave for my little trip to Bonn this week. Because I know I will accumulate a lot of new pictures there (besides being in town for the first time, I am also photographing a wedding).

Easter Weekend

2011-05-01T22:34:00.002+02:00

easter eggs, April 2011, Nikon D40x (I actually made those when I was in elementary school)

I have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that we now have May when Easter was just a week ago.

I had a wonderful long weekend with my family. Here in Germany, Good Friday and Easter Monday are national holidays - no work and all.

My favorite parts of the weekend:
* the warm, sunny weather

* walking through my hometown

* yummy homemade food

* a friendly game of mini golf

* a little photo session with my sister and her boyfriend

* being greeted with "He is risen" on Easter morning

* the fact that my mom still makes little easter nests for us

Pieces of Spring

2011-04-20T20:36:00.002+02:00

blossoms, April 2011, Nikon D40x

Just some bits and pieces from the last couple of weeks.

Spring is definitely lifting my spirits.

And before I wish everybody a wonderful and joyous Easter weekend, here are some inspiring links:

This post by Azuree made me think.
Kat's beautiful post really resonated with me.
I never get tired of looking at Vivian Maier's photos.
The foodie in me loves I Married An Irish Farmer.

Random memory: Nice

2011-04-17T23:20:00.002+02:00

hotel patio, May 2006, Nikon F50

I have no idea why I remembered the patio of the charming little hotel in Nice today where we usually took our breakfast. But I did and I'm sharing and I'll probably be dreaming of homemade orange preserves when I go to sleep.

Photo Safari No. 12: Linumer Bruch

2011-04-14T22:55:00.003+02:00

Linumer Bruch, October 2010, Nikon D40x

It feels a little weird to post this now that spring is in full bloom. But I probably shouldn't wait another six months either, so here we go.
For our last photo safari in 2010 we took a little trip to a place about 45 kilometres outside of Berlin. Linumer Bruch basically is the surrounding area of a village with lots of water, little ponds mostly. Kind of a nature reserve, though not officially a wildlife sanctuary (I think). Anyway - there's nature and there's water.

Every autumn thousands and thousands and thousands of birds flocking south stop here for the night. Storchs, wild geese, cranes, various kinds of small birds - you name it. They all rest here before continuing your journey. I read that in 2006 they counted 72 000 cranes and 60 000 geese in ONE day.

After you park your car in the middle of nowhere, you walk quite a while to kind of a raised stand from where you can watch the birds.

See those dots? Yep, those are all birds.

I have never seen anything quite like this. It was a work of beauty. And everytime I think back to that day, it still amazes me.

Although I have to say: It's not easy to take photos. The light is low, the birds are far away and very quick.

As we walked back through the darkness, we couldn't see the birds anymore. But we certainly could hear them. It was some noise, I can tell you that!

Flare Finding Fun

2011-03-22T23:00:00.002+01:00

flare, March 2011, Nikon D40x

It certainly made my day when I discovered I was a featured member on High Calling Focus. I am also happy to participate in this month' photoplay, after having missed the last few occasions.

The theme is flare. So this weekend I ventured out in the neighborhood to find some flare.

There is a helpful little tutorial over here and I managed to get some shots I like.

Still I find it difficult to use flare more intentionally as an artistic technique. I guess I need to practise a little more on that.

Reawakening

2011-03-13T19:32:00.002+01:00

hyacinths & tulips, March 2011, Nikon D40x

For the first time in weeks I felt a desire to pick up my camera.

Before that ... I just couldn't be bothered. The weather has been perfect for almost two weeks, lots of sunshine and the long awaited arrival of spring. But nothing stirred in my soul.

I knew it was just a phase. That my creativity was simply dormant and some day would be awakened again. You can't go full speed all the time without burning out. Still I felt a pang of guilt because it seemed like I was wasting perfectly good spring days.

I am learning to be gentle with myself and to take the tides of creativity as they come.

By the way: These are this week's flowers (#50 on my list).

Growing Pains

2011-02-17T17:42:00.002+01:00

hyacinth, January 2011, Nikon D40x

As a child I frequently experienced growing pains. My shins would hurt, the soles of my feet and the undersides of my knees, whenever my bones were growing an inch or two. It was the kind of pain for which there was no remedy. Something deep inside my body nothing could reach to give some relieve. There was nothing to do except to just let go its course.
The older I get, the more I find that I experience growing pains on a non-physical level, too. It's never easy for me to progress from one stage of my life into the next. Growth for me is always a mixture of beauty and pain.
I guess that's the reason I've been so quiet here lately. My word for the year is "grow" and I'm in the midst of some serious growing pains. It's not a bad thing but it's also where a lot of my energy goes right now.
I don't know what kind of buds will blossom, what kind of fruit this will bear. Not yet. But I know it's the way it should be.

In the bathroom

2011-01-08T13:34:00.002+01:00

sink, November 2010, Nikon D40x

A while ago, my photo buddies and I decided to do a little photo prompt: Lock yourself in the bathroom for one hour and do 100 photos. My bathroom is tiny and has no windows, so it was a challenge.

52 in 2011

2011-01-05T23:09:00.011+01:00

(Last updated: December 31, 2011)

So, I have this little obsession with making lists. To Do lists, to read / watch lists, bucket lists, birthday lists - you name it. While I have created lists like this one before, I've never published them on my blog.

52 in 2011 (in no particular order)
1. upload my remaining 365 The Second Year photos (which in finished in July 2010)
2. open my own Etsy shop
3. give up TV and DVDs for Lent - DONE
4. declutter my apartment (already started the process in 2010) - DONE-ish (as in not finished but made significant progress)
5. learn how to use PSE properly - in progress
6. read 40 books - DONE (40/40)
7. finish the 52 weeks project and upload all the photos - abandoned
8. make a stop-motion-video of my 365.2 photos
9. go to a concert - DONE (Alela Diane)
10. start sketching again - in progress
11. pamper myself (i.e. get a massage, a facial, ...)
12. journal more - DONE
13. blog more regularly
14. watch 25 movies I haven't seen before - DONE (36/25)
15. travel somewhere I haven't been before - DONE (Prague)
16. learn more about the technical side of photography - DONE
17. update my blogroll - DONE
18. take out the sewing machine and sew something - DONE
19. organize my recipes - DONE
20. cook a fancy dinner for friends - DONE
21. get the Voigtländer Bessa fixed
22. do the AL program - DONE
23. grow spiritually - DONE (but always in progress)
24. participate in another swap - DONE
25. laugh more - in progress
26. worry less - in progress
27. go to the Berlinale - DONE
28. spend an afternoon reading in the park - DONE
29. photograph a wedding - DONE
30. see exhibitions - DONE
31. exercize regularly - DONE
32. participate in Roid Week again - DONE
33. eat healthy- in progress
34. write down some memories - DONE
35. visit A. in Schwerin
36. an evening at Eßkultur
37. buy a piece of vintage clothing - DONE
38. watch Mad Men season 4 - DONE
39. take a day trip to the country site
40. visit T. in Gifhorn - DONE
41. watch a silent movie at the Babylon
42. browse through a flea market and buy something other than books
43. take more portraits
44. do some more pages in Wreck this Journal - DONE
45. spend a day in silent meditation - postponed to 2012
46. reduce the size of my inbox
47. visit T. in Bonn - DONE
48. take photos with the Bessa
49. go ice-skating
50. buy fresh flowers every week - DONE
51. volunteer for something
52. grow (my word for this year) - DONE

I actually wanted to post this on January 1 but it took me that long to come up with the last five items.

Out in Black and White

2010-12-15T22:02:00.003+01:00

parking lot, December 2010, Nikon D40x

This is my entry for High Calling's December Photo Play. I didn't really do it justice - granted I saw the assignment yesterday and had only today to come up with something.

It was a welcomed nudge to pick up my camera again which I have shamefully neglected these past crazy busy weeks (same as this poor blog). Sure, I snapped a few pictures here and there. I always do that. But intentionelly heading out to find an image - I kind of forgot that. It simply got lost in the shuffle of tasks to accomplish and places to be and people to meet. I want to purposely look out for opportunities to stretch my creativity again. I want to see and not just walk by. I want to try new things, to learn, to explore, to experience.

PS:I apologize for all the comments I didn't leave and didn't reply to yet. I will get there eventually, I promise. Everything you say is much appreciated, please know that.

Selfportrait Sunday #30

2010-11-28T21:17:00.002+01:00

chop, chop ...,November 2010, Nikon D40x

5+1

2010-11-24T20:51:00.001+01:00

Um, yeah ... so my attempt at NaBloPoMo died halfway through. I'm starting over with an entry for High Calling's Photoplay (read more about it here).
The rules are simple:

Find 5 images from 5 different photographers.
Blog about what makes those images good.
Take a good image yourself after being inspired, and share it in your post.
Share your link with me in the comments at High Calling Focus for a feature in next Friday's gallery here at The High Calling.

This is my take on it. The photos were chosen from my Flickr favorites - and I had a hard time narrowing it down to just five picks. A good photo:

1. Tells a story

by Al Fed, http://www.flickr.com/photos/al-stan/4860190555/in/faves-inside-my-shell/

2. Pays attention to detail

by Ines Percovic, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojo-fire/3995210677/in/faves-inside-my-shell/

3. Plays with light

by Vien Rodriguez, http://www.flickr.com/photos/vienrodriguez/4812662202/in/faves-inside-my-shell/

4. Looks into the soul

by tovefreiij, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tovefreiij/3690015215/in/faves-inside-my-shell/

5. Mixes motion and emotion

by ~Fussel~, http://www.flickr.com/photos/14151113@N08/4860884027/in/faves-inside-my-shell/#/

It's a little intimidating to post one of my own photos after this. I took this a month ago on our latest photo safari but I haven't posted it before. Lack of time and ugly November weather held me back from shooting a new pic just for this post. But maybe inspiration will come to me this weekend.

Selfportrait ... Thursday?

2010-11-11T23:15:00.002+01:00

8/52, August 2010, Nikon D40x

(Couldn't think of a better title)

November

2010-11-10T22:22:00.002+01:00

apocalyptic trees, February 2007, Nikon Coolpix S4

Uninspired and short on time today. So another old photo it is.

Random Memory

2010-11-09T13:38:00.001+01:00

India, March 2005, Nikon F50

This is one of my favorite moments from my trip to India five years ago: Girls in an orphanage rehearsing for a play.

When you need a friend, I'll be there

2010-11-08T20:08:00.002+01:00

birds, July 2010, Nikon D40x

Just a little tribute to friendship and also a preview of the zoo photos I'll post soon(ish).

Selfportrait Sunday #29

2010-11-07T15:29:00.002+01:00

December 3, 2009, December 2009, Nikon D40x

Amsterdam Day 5

2010-11-06T14:54:00.003+01:00

Amsterdam, September 2010, Nikon D40x

I still owe the last batch of Amsterdam photos. So here we go:

My last full day in Amsterdam started off with a visit to the Anne Frank house. I first read her diary when I was twelve, so seeing her hiding place was a must-do on my list. No photos allowed there, though. But the house was right next to Westerkerk:

After that I strolled through the streets ...

... browsed the flea market on Nordermarkt ...

... and stopped by the little Tulip Museum:

And around the town a little more:

I still had some time on my hands and the Bijbelsmuseum was close by where I ended up. So I went inside.
First the beautiful garden:

The interior:

The Bijbelsmuseum is one of Amsterdam's oldest museums (founded in 1851). It mainly houses the collection of 19th century minister Leendert Schouten who had a passion for souvenirs from the Holy Land and Egypt:

(some where a little bizarre)

There is also a model of the Tabernacle:

And back on the streets:

I spent the rest of the afternoon with my friend A. - including a crazy bike ride to the library from where you have a beautiful view:

Last day of Roid Week

2010-11-05T22:18:00.002+01:00

first try, November 2010, SX-70 + PX70 Color Shade film

Last day of Roid Week and first try of the PX70 Color Shade film. At first I thought it didn't turn out at all because it was just a blueish-grey blur. That's why I took a second shot:

But to my surprise, after a while I could see something bearing a resemblance to my face in both shots. Given the crappy light today and the experimental nature of the film, I am actually satisfied with the outcome.

Roid Week: Thursday

2010-11-04T21:30:00.002+01:00

A., November 2010, SX-70 + expired 600 film

These are the last images of the badly expired 600 film I had in my camera. It is now freshly loaded with PX70 Color Shade and I can't wait to try that one out! I'm a little nervous about the shading part, though, because my SX-70 has a tendency to spit out the polaroids and they usually fall down before I can catch them. Makes shading the picture in the crucial first 10 seconds kind of nerve-wracking.

on my desk

2010-11-03T21:31:00.002+01:00

on my desk, September 2010, SX-70 + expired 600 film

I'm not a girl of many words these days. Continuing with Roid Week instead.

Memories of Summer

2010-11-02T22:52:00.002+01:00

memories of summer, September 2010, SX-70 + expired 600 film

Selfportrait Sunday #28 (late) and Roid Week

2010-11-01T20:16:00.003+01:00

17/52, October 2010, SX-70 + expired 600 film

It's Roid Week again! I don't know how much polaroids I'll actually be posting given the fact that I haven't taken that many lately (expired film takes the fun out of it a little). But I do have some I haven't shared yet and also I caved in and got some of the new PX70 Color Shade film (by the Impossible Project) last week. So there's that.

I am also contemplating participation in NaBloPoMo for the first time. August Break did wonders for me in catching up with my photos and I am a little tired of only posting selfportraits on Sundays just because I can't get my act together to do more. Still undecided if I really want to post daily this month, though.

Selfportrait Sunday #27

2010-10-24T21:20:00.002+02:00

Guilty Pleasure #2, August 2009, Nikon D40x

Just to clarify: My guilty pleasure is not make-up but to watch America's Next Top Model.

Selfportrait Sunday #26

2010-10-17T20:28:00.002+02:00

Day 95, March 2007, Nikon S4

Selfportrait Sunday #25

2010-10-10T22:24:00.002+02:00

autumn light, October 2010, Nikon D40x

I realize this photo (taken yesterday) is somewhat similar to last week's Selfportrait Sunday. I'm posting this anyway for two reasons: For one, I am so in love with the gorgeous October light and I just want to celebrate that. Secondly, I am trying to shoot more manually and this was kind of a practice shot for that (pic SOOC).

My view:

Amsterdam Day 4

2010-10-09T16:17:00.002+02:00

tulip bulbs, September 2010, Nikon D40x

I went a little crazy with the museums on day 4, so there are not that many photos. (Although, three museums in one day isn't that much, right?)

First up was the van Gogh Museum which I enjoyed very much. Such an inspiration!

This is the garden of Huis Marseille, a small but fine gallery for photography. It originally wasn't on my list of things I wanted to see (mainly because I overlooked it in the Lonely Planet) but I am so glad I went. They had some wonderful photos of Dayanita Singh while I was there.

Next I went to FOAM which was one of the things I definitely wanted to see. I must admit I was a little disappointed, though. The main reasons being that it was real crowded and the confusing layout of the exhibition. Still worth a visit.

It was really hard not to buy any tulip bulbs. Too bad I don't have a garden.

Amsterdam Day 3

2010-10-08T22:46:00.002+02:00

Amsterdam, September 2010, Nikon D40x

I'm still a little preoccupied with other things than my blog but I am coming out of my hibernation to share the next installment of my Amsterdam photos.

These were just from walking to Centraal Station in the morning. I started day 3 off with a visit to the Rijksmuseum. It was amazing to see the originals of so many famous paintings. To me it's always so inspiring and refreshing to see the works of artists.

After that some Poffertjes at the Cobra Café:

The original plan was to see the van Gogh Museum next because it's right around the corner from the Rijksmuseum. But then it was such a gorgeous September day and I didn't know how long that would last, so I decided on doing a canal tour instead. I didn't regret it.

It was beautiful!

And it's such a different perspective to see everything from the water level.

Sometimes looking up.

Going through bridges.

The rest of the afternoon was spent chilling at Vondelpark.

Selfportrait Sunday #24

2010-10-03T21:45:00.002+02:00

today, October 2010, Nikon D40x

I don't think I have ever posted a Selfportrait Sunday on the very same day it was taken. So this is a first.
I have been a bit quiet lately, mainly for two reasons: One, my vacation is over and I'm back at work. And secondly, I've been doing a lot of processing with my thoughts and feelings. Some things that have been on my plate for a while are becoming a lot clearer right now. Which is a good thing. But it also means I need some solitude to take it all in.
But let me assure you I am happy and at peace and so grateful for that. I hope it shows in this picture.

Today was the most beautiful autumn day. Here are some more pics from the long walk I took through the Tiergarten after church:

Selfportrait Sunday #23

2010-09-26T19:17:00.002+02:00

color me pretty, May 2010, Nikon D40x

Amsterdam Day 2

2010-09-22T13:51:00.002+02:00

Rembrandt's studio, September 2010, Nikon D40x

My second day in Amsterdam began with this view over the roofs while having breakfast:

My first stop was Het Rembrandthuis, the house where the artist lived and worked for several years.

A really interesting part (for me anyway) were the etchings. I love etchings and Rembrandt did quite a lot of them besides his famous paintings. So it was a treat that the museum does a little demonstration about how etching works.

The heart of the house was Rembrandt's studio:

Next I wanted to see the Joods Historisch Museum but it was closed due to Rosh Hashana. So the nearby Verzetsmuseum which recounts the history of the German occupation and the Dutch resistance during World War II (no photos here). Very interesting - but then it's really hard to bore me with history.
After that it was time for a break which I took in the café on top of the NEMO building.

You have a great view from up there. Unfortunately it was raining the whole day.

Walking back to Centraal Station:

Later that day I stopped by at the American Book Centre which was on my list of things I wanted to see.

Amsterdam Day 1

2010-09-21T11:43:00.003+02:00

Amsterdam, September 2010, Nikon D40x

My vacation slowly is coming to an end and I'm a little bit in denial that it's over soon. But it was oh so lovely!

I arrived in Amsterdam on a Wednesday afternoon. First I sat idly in a café with my loyal travel companion, Anna Karenina.

The place where I was staying the first two nights was right across the street from Oude Kerk.

After I got settled in, I took a leisurely stroll through the streets of Amsterdam.

Selfportrait Sunday #22

2010-09-19T11:52:00.001+02:00

At the park, September 2009, Nikon D40x

Magic Forrest

2010-09-16T12:51:00.000+02:00

shooting blind, March 2010, Nikon D40x

Give me sugar

2010-09-14T12:49:00.002+02:00

sugar bowl, April 2010, Nikon D40x

Selfportrait Sunday #21

2010-09-12T11:47:00.001+02:00

Against the wall, September 2009, Nikon D40x

Photo Safari No. 11: Gardens of the World

2010-09-10T10:39:00.036+02:00

Gärten der Welt Marzahn, May 2010, Nikon D40x

Our most recent Photo Safari - and the last one left to post - took us to a park called Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World).

There is a Korean Garden, a Chinese Garden, a Japanese Garden, an Oriental Garden and an Italian Renaissance Garden.

These were in the proximity of the Korean Garden.

The entrance to the Japanese Garden:

At the Chinese Garden:

... and the polaroid version:

In this lake was also quite a frog population:

I think my favorite was the Oriental Garden. You could daydream your way straight to Morocco.

Last stop: Italian Renaissance Garden.

Sunday's Clouds

2010-09-07T23:44:00.002+02:00

sunday's clouds, September 2010, Nikon D40x

Untitled

2010-09-06T23:18:00.002+02:00

light bulb triptych, January 2008, Nikon S4

No words today.

Selfportrait Sunday #20

2010-09-05T19:56:00.002+02:00

Day 300, April 2010, Nikon D40x

In concert

2010-09-04T22:14:00.002+02:00

Noa in concert, December 2008, Nikon S4

I rarely take photos at concerts because I want to focus solely on the music. This was an exception. I've liked the music of Israeli singer Noa for more than 15 years now. More photos here.

This doesn't have anything to do with today at all. I just felt like posting these.

Goodbye August

2010-08-31T13:30:00.003+02:00

end of summer, October 2008, Nikon D40x

I can't believe it's the last day of August (and thus of August Break). And from the looks of it, summer is also over. (But then the weather has been so crazy this year, so you never know.)
I enjoyed being a part of August Break very much. This month I posted more than in the entire year of 2009. Go figure! I plan to go on with ABC (August Break Continued), though I probably won't post every day - mostly due to the fact that I'll be out of town for a bigger chunk of September.

Hiddensee 2009 part 4

2010-08-30T13:01:00.002+02:00

Hiddensee, June 2009, Nikon D40x

Impressions from day 3 on the island.

Selfportrait Sunday #19

2010-08-29T20:40:00.002+02:00

faith, January 2010, Nikon D40x

Hiddensee 2009 part 3

2010-08-29T20:14:00.002+02:00

Hiddensee, June 2009, Nikon D40x

After our carriage ride, the weather cleared up again later that afternoon. My sis wasn't feeling well, so it was just Mom and me who headed to the beach again.

It was bliss, just sitting on the sand and watching the waves.

And after dinner, a beautiful evening walk:

Hiddensee 2009 part 2

2010-08-28T22:07:00.002+02:00

Vitte harbour, June 2009, Nikon D40x

On our second day on the island, we went out for some groceries and a little walk.

There are no cars on Hiddensee, so you see a lot of horses and bicycles.

Early afternoon we took a carriage ride to the neighboring village. The weather wasn't on our side, though.

As soon as we got to the village, it started to rain. What else to do than to pay the tiny island church a visit?

And back we went, the weather still very moody.

Hiddensee 2009

2010-08-27T23:58:00.002+02:00

Stralsund harbour, June 2009, Nikon D40x

If you read this blog for a while, you know I spent some wonderful days on the little island of Hiddensee in 2008. In 2009, I returned. This time with my mom and sister in tow.

This is Stralsund where the ferry took off.

I was missing the ocean today.

After we had settled in, we took a walk to the beach.

Don't you just love grass and water and sky? I could gaze at that for hours.

Pause

2010-08-26T21:59:00.002+02:00

Historiale, August 2007, Nikon S4

I think I exhausted myself a little with those last three posts. Today I'm taking it easy. Time for some introspection and quiet.

Dance

2010-08-25T23:49:00.003+02:00

jump, July 2010, Nikon D40x

She is a dancer. Even when she works in an office, she is a dancer. She just is. It's ingrained in her bones.

I was so very lucky that we could do this little photoshoot together. And what fun we had! (Thank you so much, N.!)

She was a real trooper doing all those jumps and pirouettes in the middle of a true heatwave.

This happens to be my 200th blog post, by the way. So I wanted to post something special. And this really was.

I don't know if you noticed - but this was shot at the same location as these photos. Looks a little different without the snow, doesn't it?

Dahlia Fever part 2

2010-08-24T20:00:00.002+02:00

dahlia, September 2009, Nikon D40x

No need for words today.

Photo Safari No. 8: Dahlia Fever

2010-08-23T23:13:00.002+02:00

dahlia, September 2009, Nikon D40x

Today someone said she needed a dahlia field fix. What better reason to finally post these dahlia photos?

They have been waiting to be shown for almost a year now.

For Photo Safari No. 8 we went to this big park called Britzer Garten in the south of Berlin.

Here they have this thing called "Dahlienfeuer" (dahlia fire) every year where they show hundreds and hundreds of dahlias.

Every kind of dahlia you can imagine - and beyond.

This one looked almost black.

I'm splitting this in two posts because for one uploading is incredibly slow tonight and I don't want to sit here past midnight.

And secondly there are this many photos - too much for a single post.

But how could I not share all of these?

More tomorrow then.