And did people play along… I’m happy to say we had over 200 members in our Flickr Group!  Now, not everyone posted, not everyone commented but we still had a following and it felt great.  But what was even better than the number of people who were intrigued with the idea, were the people who, week after week, shared their photographs.  And they didn’t just share images.  They shared their voices – kind words, encouraging comments, critiques – oh there were so many wonderful comments!!!  I looked forward to not only seeing what other Challengers had captured but I longed to see what words they dropped in the boxes below.  And I have to say we had one helluva group of folks checking in weekly.

But when we closed out the year, we closed out the WPC {2011}.  Bitter sweet.

My goal for the weekly challenge has always been to push myself.  Granted, you don’t get something great every week.  Sometimes just finding time to take a photo is a challenge in and of itself.  But the times you think something up, roll up you sleeves and actually pull it off – those are the ones that count most.  The ones you pat yourself on the back for.

As much as I’d love to recount every week, I’m not going there.  It would be extremely boring and I’d lose the five people who read my blog.  I instead went with a mosaic (just like last time) – it shows the different thoughts and different perspectives I’ve experienced throughout the challenge.  And, also just like last time, some fun facts about my challenge photos:

• 6 photos include my doggins
• 4 include friends and family
• 7 photos include my fantastic co-workers
• 6 are self-portraits
• 8 of them are food focused
• Taken at home: 25
• Taken at work: 17
• Taken in another country: 1
• Taken in a bathroom: 1

Thanks again for another wonderful Weekly Photo Challenge!  If you’d like to see all 52 posts, click {here}.  And if you’re looking for a weekly themed challenge for 2012, check out this Flickr Group by amysuda.  I’m going to try my best to keep up with them!

Here is my black & white:

What has two eyes and is black and white all over?  The BDD!  And since she’s my most cooperative model (when puppy kibble is involved), I felt obligated to have her close out the WPC{2011} since she fit the bill.  I had this same photo converted to black and white but it seemed a little rhetorical… and the color photo looks more like her… more cute and cuddly.  However, it doesn’t make her less deaf.  (She’s a good dog.  I just wish she could frickin hear.  But alas, no Christmas miracle this year.)

Don’t forget to check out the WPC Flickr Group – being that it’s the final week, I’m sure there are some goodies to look at.  I’ll be leaving the Flickr Group open until the end of January – if you fell behind on the list but wish to catch up, you’ll be able to still share your images [and I know we’ll be happy to view them.  Thank you to all who participated.  If you posted weekly, only posted a few or just followed a long, you made this a very fun challenge this year!

Here is my stillness:

After all, it is that time of year.  With a tree full of lights and a dark room, this gave me the chance to play with settings, trying to find what I liked best.  And I recently set up my camera for back-button focus – I still haven’t gotten the hang of it but me thinks this could be a blossoming relationship.  I just need to figure out how to change my focal point faster for metering.  Well… I think that’s right… actually, it’s too early to think, forget everything I’ve said so far.

I’ll be visiting the Flickr Group later today and I’m hoping to see different takes on “stillness.”  It can be photographed in many different ways and I’m excited to see what everyone else cooked up.  You should be too.  Next week is our last week, Week 52.  I cannot believe the year has flown by like it has but that’s life.  Our final subject is BLACK & WHITE.  Good luck, have fun, expand your mind, happy snapping!

Here is my pink:

I’ve been wanting to do a self-portrait.  It’s been awhile.  I needed one.  Even though I rarely like what I look like in photos, I definitely needed one.  (I may have wanted to employ my remote… maybe.)  And while I had no fantastic ideas for a self-portrait, I decided that “pink” would be it.  I don’t own a lot of pink but I evaluated all pink-ish clothing in my closet and this sweater was the winning bid.

I was also winning with taking a five minute break at work.  White walls, decent light – it makes a difference, my friends.

OK, so make your way to the Flickr group – from the quick glance I’ve taken, there’s some interesting photographs this week.   We only have two weeks left with the WPC{2011} and I have a hard time believe we are that close to the end of the year.  So next wee, Week 51, we’ll be capturing STILLNESS.  Interpret it as you will.  Good luck and have fun – can’t wait to see what you share next week!

I had zero ideas what to photograph this week.  Zero time to brainstorm.  Zero time to come up with anything fun.  But I did have a party to go to…

Here is my fantasy:

A fantasy… a dream come true… a table full of cookies at a Cookie Swap.  A bit of a stretch?  Maybe.  But it was as close as I could come to any kind of fantasy this week.  And I have to admit it was a tasty one.

Don’t forget to link on over to the Flickr Group and see how every one else photographed this week’s subject  I’m interested to see if props were used or if editing played a part in their “fantasies.”  Moving on to next week, Week 50 – HOLY BANANAS WEEK 50! – we’ll be photographing PINK.  A color challenge should be welcomed with open arms after this week.  Good luck and happy snapping!!

Here is my sadness:

It was the last piece, y’all.  I had made a new dessert, Cranberry Macadamia Bars, and they were a hit at Thanksgiving.  They were a hit when I got home too.  So when it came time for the last one to be consumed, I photographed my “sadness.”

A stretch?  Maybe.  At least I was happy as it was going down.

OK, so make your way to the Flickr group – I’m interested to see what the other Challengers photographed.  And I still have the Challenger Roll.  I haven’t updated it in a while because the number of people submitting leveled off but there are some good reads to flip through.  We have 48 weeks down and making the move to Week 49.  Our new subject will be FANTASY.  Oh boy.

Here is my black:

After scrounging around the house for something that was “black” but still “interesting,” I settled on tubes of lipstick.  This isn’t the first time I’ve set up beauty products in the light box.  And it probably won’t be the last.  But I can say it’s not my favorite.

There’s a lot going on.  Reflections on the black plastic, glare off the metal – all of this light makes it feel softer than it really was.  That could also be blamed on all the fuzz that’s hanging out.  I never even thought to wipe down the lip stick tubes.  Until this very second.  Boom.

I’ll be making my way to the Flickr group and you should join me.  Because the Challengers are awesomo people who take awesomo photos.  Trust me.  We’re moving onto Week 48 and… the new subject is less than stellar but still on the list.  We’ll be photographing SADNESS this week.  I’m sure there will be some serious photographs but I think a few clever ones will slip their way in as well.  Good luck to you!

Here is my silhouette:

Actually, that’d be fabulous co-worker Lauren’s silhouette.  Thank you for helping, milady.

The clock tower in our office has wonderful light.  Three huge windows, white walls, white tile, mirror to reflect – it’s quite nice.  I’ve had many a mini photo shoot in the clock tower.

I can’t wait to visit the Flickr group to see some fantastic “silhouette” photos – I can only imagine what my friends across the pond came up with!!  And comment – we love comments!!  Now we look forward to Week 47 and our new subject will be BLACK.  With the weeks winding down, we have to get another color out of the way.  And if it’s black, so be it.

Good luck and happy snapping!

Here is my mischief:

I was posted on the couch, minding my own business with a doggin in my lap.  Chase, to be exact.  And then the hubs strikes.  He drops to the ground and starts a full-on claw war with Chase.  Her motor was going 100mph.  And I had to put the whole thing on pause so Mike could go get my camera.  Because if this isn’t mischief, I don’t know what is.  I kind of can’t wait to see what everyone photographed over at the Flickr group!

Onward and upward, next week is our 46th week of the photo challenge.  Time is flying, that’s for sure!  And our new subject will be SILHOUETTE.  This will be a fun one… that requires a little more technical thinking.  Good luck to everyone and happy snapping!!

*sad face*

But luckily, I had a save from the weekend.  Forgive me for the cheesiness I’m about lay down here.

Here is my half:

Or… two halves.

Friends of mine married over the weekend and I helped document their day.  And the chapel they tied the knot in had this book.  A wedding services book.  Signed by both the bride and groom.  Two halves.

OK, I know I know.  This is cheesy to the max but it works.  And I already had it.  And I did take it within the week it was assigned.  So how ’bout them apples?

I can’t wait to check out the WPC Flickr Group – I haven’t had a chance to glance at it yet.  You should go take a glance too.  Week 45 is now in our presence – our new subject is MISCHIEF.  And I had trouble with “half. “  Meet you back here next week!

That last one was a little harder than I thought.

I had so many photos to choose from.  I had wandered from room to room in search for something blue.  All lovely in their own regard but one just made me smile a little more than the others.

Here is my blue:

A handmade banner that spells out “shutterboo.”  In my logo’s font.  In my blog’s color.  A gift from Wendipants when fate had her land at the Louisville International Airport in May.

It was extremely thoughtful of her and I was surprised that she put so much effort into making something for someone she’s never met.  But I love it.  And it hangs across my shelf that holds my shutterboo goodies.  (Some may call them marketing materials… I call them goodies.)  It’s not just a reminder of what I’ve created for myself this year, but a reminder that people, especially people like Wendi, like to love bomb.  And love bombing is a good thing.

It’s also a reminder that I felt so dumb for only having a bag of modjeskas to gift to her.  Way to make it special, Brooke. Although to be fair, modjeskas are pretty fabulous.

Don’t forget to check out the Flickr group – I always smile when I see so many people are still pushing through the challenge.  A year is a long time.  A photo each week is harder than you think.  And we’re keeping at it on the regular.  Now we move on to Week 44.  And our new subject will be HALF.  Me thinks I need to put on my creative hat and have fun with this one.

The blog gods are shining down on me for five minutes.  I must take advantage of it!

My thinking cap was broken this week.  And I didn’t even attempt to take a “square” photo until yesterday.  But I’m pleased with what I got.  All thanks to the random things you find lying around an ad agency.

Here’s my square:

Lots of squares.  Two squares on top of more squares.  I’m telling you, between the fabulous co-workers and the stuff we have in this place, the office is a land mine of goodies.

As I was trying different POVs and DOFs, I wasn’t happy with the shadows the bright light was creating.  But once I got it on the big screen at home, I immediately went monochromatic.  And I dig the black and white.  This week was kind to me on the WPC front.

Head on over to the Flickr group with me.  Leave a few comments.  Make some folks smile.   And for Week 43 our new subject will be BLUE.  Good luck and happy snapping!

I tried a couple of different things this week and none of them spoke to me.  Traffic has been a headache on Main Street (which I cross every morning and evening) because of the Sherman Minton Bridge closure and I took advantage of it.  But it wasn’t good.  If I could have gotten into traffic, it would have been better.  But I had no spotter.  And I don’t play in traffic unless there’s a spotter.  That’s one of my rules.

So I tried again on another downtown street.  It was a no go as well.  If only I could crouch between the cars…  And then a try on the expressway when I a passenger.  Nuh-uh.  Too back-seat feeling, not the kind of photo I wanted.  And that’s when I looked at the hubs in the driver’s seat.  *light bulb*

Here is my traffic:

The angle may not be the most pleasant but it’s a spin on the subject.  Sitting in traffic.  Waiting in traffic.  Trying-to-be-patient-but-still-have-that-bad-ass-look-on-your-face-like-you-mean-business in traffic.

I also happen to be a huge fan of his beard.  So I like the scruffs he’s got going on in this picture.

Head on over to the WPC Flickr Group with me to see how others captured “traffic”.  With so many people from all over the world, I can’t wait to see some street shots!  There’s also the Challenger Roll if you feel the need to exercise your mind this evening.

On to Week 42 and capturing SQUARE.  And that’s all she wrote.

Here is my technology:

We have a tablet.  It’s the newest tech-thing that lives in our house.  And it’s quite handy.  The hubs uses it for work when traveling and reads books like a champ.  I use it for cook book apps.  And playing Angry Birds.  I know Angry Birds is so last year or two years ago or however “old” it is but by golly, I like it.  It’s fun.  It’s challenging.  And I’m actually pretty good at it.  So guess who won’t stop having fun in 5 minute spurts?  Or 20 minute spurts.  Whatever.  Let me see you put it down.

Go check out the Flickr group to see how everyone else photographed “technology”.  I’m  hoping there are some goodies in there!  Next week is the 41st week of the challenge – we’re moving right along and these last 12 weeks are going to fly by!  All you really want to know is our new subject will be TRAFFIC.

Good luck, have fun and please don’t play in the traffic.

Like my laundry room and kitchen sink, this week’s photo falls in the slacker category.  The days got away from me.  My plan was to take my “green” photo at work because I can usually find inspiration in the office (fabulous co-workers and all).  But I was way too consumed and it slipped my mind.  So when I got home yesterday, I pulled the old “find something green and take a picture of it” stunt.  Oh yeah, I’m that girl.

Here is my green:

I like green.  I own a lot of green.  I wore a green jacket yesterday.  My adorable key fob Abby gave me is green.  I have pops of green in my clown-colored purse.  And this was the first and only green I pointed my camera at.  Disappointing?  Sure.  But at least I can say I didn’t miss my own deadline.

Check out everyone else’s “green” photos at the Flickr Group – there’s some goodies.  Eyes on the future, we’re rolling into Week 40.  WEEK 40!!  Next week is October!!  How does this happen!!  Anyway, for Week 40 we’ll be focusing on TECHNOLOGY.  It’s everywhere – think outside of the box and push yourself.  I’ll definitely try to do the same.