Nectar & Light

above is a little peek of why i was in boulder last week.  i have become rather obsessed with science as of late and had been struggling with how i could create a link of this new found fascination with my own work.  an idea began to form and i contacted my dear friend chrissy who is finishing her master's in museum studies at the university of colorado.  with the permission of the natural history museum on campus, i was allowed access to the zoology and mammalogy collections - i spent a morning photographing and crushing harder on science than i ever thought possible.  the experience was laced with magic - opening drawers of specimens, carefully folding back each tag to find the flawless penmanship of  the collectors dating as far back as the late 1800's.  i held back tears - it was one of the the most fascinating experiences of my life and i am eternally grateful to the university and the collections manager who allowed me to be a part of their world - even for a moment.  there are nearly 50 photographs in this series and when i have confirmation on my hopeful plans for them - i will of course let you know...

in the meantime, if you love science - two new-to-me blogs that have seduced me:

the artful amoeba & creature cast

it was a busy few days... i can not begin to tell you the pleasure i found in packaging the books this weekend.  at first, as i began to wrap the first few in kraft paper, i had to question my sanity.  the technical precision of the perfect wrapping job is not something i can ever brag about.  so why in the world did i plan on wrapping all of these books like this?  but as the process continued, i felt an almost zen like state overcome me and i literally began glowing within.  it occurred to me, that i was wrapping little treasures for all of you - and it made me nearly giddy.  they started shipping this morning and i can not wait for them to arrive in your post box.

and finally - the photo trade.  this will be the last trade - i have loved doing this but 2009 was crazy and 2010 looks to be more so.  the theme, in honor of the season, is joy.  what brings you joy this time of year?  the perfect pumpkin pie?  baby mittens, the glow of a fire, the first impression of footsteps in fresh snow?  remember the rules, sign up here - i will be  accepting sign-ups only until friday, november 20th - partners will be assigned sometime on monday, november 23rd.  please post packages by 7 december.  it is very important that everyone refresh themselves with this post so that requests are formatted properly.  

take care friends and i will connect with you later this week...

xoox~jla

it is with much excitement that i bring you the news that adie loves polly is back.  adie and i {mostly i} will make every effort to post her polaroids every monday.  she has missed sharing her photographs with you so much... please give her a warm welcome back and i read every single comment to her - she just glows - thank you!  if you would like to see her work from last year, click here.

more exciting news... i will start taking sign-ups for the summer photo trade now.  if you are new to The Trade you can check out our rules here and catch up with us here.  so much has changed in the way we did things over the year last year, it is imperative that you read and comply with the posted rules.  we will NOT have a cap on the number of people who sign up this time around.  please sign up here and be sure to do the following {if you miss any of these steps, you will not be included in the trade}:

~ you must email your full name, mailing address and link to your flickr account.  yes, you must have a flickr account to participate this time around.  it makes it fair to all of those involved who take such care photographing their packages for the flickr group pool.  do NOT send your screen name, please send an actual link to your flickr page.

~ you must state in your email that you have read and agree to the rules of the trade as noted here. {again, please disregard the mention of caps on the number of sign-ups accepted}.

note that if you neglect to include any of the above requested information, you will not be assigned a partner in the trade.

*sigh* now that the formalities are out of the way - the theme is obviously... summer!  please submit your request by 22 june - you will be emailed your partner's information on 29 june.  packages should be posted no later than 24 july.  if you miss this trade, we will be hosting a holiday trade this winter as well.  have a wonderful time with this friends...

xoox~jla

our november theme for the photo trade sounds simple:  one.  but, truly it can be anything but.  the challenge is to photograph a single object in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible.  you must consider not only the subject itself, but it's surroundings and how they should compliment and highlight your chosen object.  do something unexpected - challenge yourself to look through the lens in new ways.

please remember the new rules applied to the october trade.  we are opening up this month to 40 participants.  i ask again that you when you sign up you send not only your name and mailing address, but a short statement that you have read and will be adhering to the new rules.  i unfortunately do not have the time to go back and double check those who signed up last month, so please just make it easy on me and note that you indeed comply with what you have read here.  if you are new - all rules must be read here.  additionally, please do NOT forget to send your address.  this month, if you fail to include it in your email, your slot will go to the next individual who signs up and provides all necessary information.

i have a pretty busy day and i may not be home to cut off sign-ups.  therefore, if you have been selected to participate this month, you will receive a confirmation email by tomorrow afternoon.  unfortunately, i do not have time to reply to all emails.

thank you friends, you have truly raised the bar with the october trade - your work was stunning, thoughtful and full of fall!

happy trading...

xoox~jla

 

good day friends!

as previously mentioned, we are going to be establishing some new rules for The Photo Trade over the course of the next few months.  we will be trying some different approaches to find what will ultimately work best - this will be an organic process as we look at the issues at hand - quality control and follow-through - as well as continuing to build a group of dedicated, creative and inspired photographers.

full details are here and must be read and adhered to if you would like to participate in future trades.  the most significant changes include limiting the number of participants, not permitting sign-ups from those who still have not fulfilled previous trades, trading with the same individual you are receiving from and most importantly, new quality standards.

i do want to thank those of you who have already been going above and beyond as well as those who have brought these issues to my attention over the last couple of months.  these guidelines may seem a bit harsh, but i was never concerned with the size of the group - i am much more concerned with those participating putting everything they have into sending a piece of themselves - a reflection of their creative genius - into the post each month.  if we are asking too much of you, you are welcome to excuse yourself from the group and we do wish you well.  for those of you up to the challenge, let's play...

this month, the theme is a rather obvious one, Falling for Fall.  the winds chant, the lights wanes, it is a magical season.  what do you love about Fall?  what warms you on cool october eves - what sets your heart aflame on crisp autumn mornings?  do you have a favorite Fall tradition?  tell us your story through a photograph or series of photographs - sign up here by 10 october.  you will receive your partner's information by 13 october and all photographs should be postmarked by 27 october...

*edited to say:  we are full for the month - i will be sending out confirmation emails this afternoon {tuesday} if you were one of the first 30 to sign up - thank you!

enjoy friends... jla

p.s. today is the last day for the buy one get one free offer here...

hello, hello!  i am excited to be celebrating the one year anniversary of fieryeyed photography on the 23rd of october.  in honor i would like to treat one of my readers to a 10x10 of their choice from the fieryeyed shop.  if you would like to play along, simply leave a comment on this post; i will collect names throughout the month and draw a lucky winner on the 23rd.  thank you all so much for your support over the last year and i can also promise some rather special weekly deals throughout the month of october.

in other news, there are to be some major changes to the photo trade.  i started this project as a way for people who were truly passionate about photography to come together and do something remarkable and special for each other once a month.  as of late, we have had some participants not keeping their promises to participate in a timely manner.  additionally, the quality {particularly print quality} and lack of care put into some of the mail has been questioned by some of our ongoing, dedicated members.  this of course applies to very few participants, however it has become a central enough issue among those who put a great deal of time and energy into their work, that i feel i must address it.  new rules will be posted with the announcement of the new theme - hopefully by weeks end.  i also want to personally thank those of you who continue to take the time and creative push to create wonderful images and share them with your partner - you define this group and i hope you continue to do so; i love that this group has membership at all skill levels - all it takes is a love for the art of photography itself.

have a wonderful day friends...

xoox~jla

*edited to say:  thank you to everyone who has commented so far! for those asking, more info on the photo trade can be found here and i am happy to say that this anniversary is for the shop - we shall have another {more spectacular} give-away on the nectar & light blog-o-versary in january!  xoox

 

just a quick stop in to post next month's theme for The Photo Trade.  for september the theme will be 'Still'.  focus on creating still life's that celebrate the simplicity and beauty of composition - i would love if you could take it a step further and challenge yourself to limit your compositions to one or two colors.

if you are new to The Trade you can check out our rules here and sign-up here through 29 august.  you will receive your partner's information by 5 september and should mail your photos by 19 september.

also, i am opening up future themes to suggestions so if you have one you have been dying to share, post it in the comment section for consideration.

thank you friends and happy shooting!

xoox~jla

hello once more - goodness, i feel like i am bombarding you with posts today - i suppose i am making up for lost time ;)

due to the insanity that has been my life for the last month, the photo trade is skipping july and heading directly into august.  so - what over 160 {!!} of you have been waiting for - the theme for the next trade is:  Eat Well - Live Well.  i would love for you to tell us a story through one of your favorite meals - the shot itself does not have to be a finished dish - it could be piles of ingredients such a fresh herbs - it could even be a stack of your favorite vintage dishes handed down from your grandmother - it could be a delectable breakfast at a favorite restaurant {as above} - the shot simply needs to tell us a story through the process of that holy ritual of eating.

if you are new to the trade be sure to check out our rules here and you can sign up herethrough 28 july.  you will receive your partner's details by 4 august and photos should be mailed by 18 august.

enjoy!

i would like to start by thanking each of you who left such warm and thoughtful comments on monday.  my heart goes out to each of you that has a family member serving our country - they are the most selfless individuals and i pray for them everyday.

the theme for our Trade in june is "Into the Light:  learn to love flare" - as simple as it states - shoot into the light and see what happens!  the photograph above was shot with a Polaroid - it tends to turn light into milky softness; other examples of light peeking through a compositions or shooting into filtered light can been seen here and here.

for more information and sign-up for this month's Trade, visit The Photo Trade site and if you are new to the Trade, please be sure to read our rules.

have fun with this friends!

xoox~jla

p.s.  see you tomorrow - and if all goes well - with a recipe! ;)

 

As Stana and I both have some travel throughout the last weeks of April, I am announcing the May theme a bit early this month: 

Losing Focus:  Find beauty in the blur...

Challenge yourself to see things a bit differently this month - I would like the main focus of your photographs to be {for lack of a better term} out of focus.  Capture something you love - a place, a person, a precious treasure - and transform it into a piece blurry beauty.

For more information and to sign-up, please visit the site, The Photo Trade.  If you are new to The Trade, please be sure to read our rules here.

xoox~jla

*edited to say:  i didn't realize how similar the last two photos are - both off set blurry flowers - hmmm - i think i like off-set blurry flowers.

I would like to start by thanking each and every one of you who has signed up to be a part of this exchange.  The response has been so wonderful and it makes me exceedingly happy that everyone is having such a good time of it!  Due to the rapid growth of the group, some guidelines have been set in order to streamline the whole process:

~The PhotoExchange is now The Photo Trade and it even has it's own home here;

~ I have enlisted some help from this wonderful friend - so if you see her responding to your emails or posts on the Flickr group - all is right with the world;

~ Because of the enormous time it takes to gather names and match partners from email, the Flickr group and Flickr mail, we will now only be excepting sign-ups through the website; additionally, we are unable to provide contact information on your partner {again due to time constraints}.  However, we have created a participant roster that you can check in on once you receive your partner's name - you are not required to include your own information to this roster, but it will make it a more personal experience for everyone if you do;

~ As we have yet to build a database {we are not that big yet}, it would be most helpful for you to include your full name and address each month that you join The Trade {even if you have participated before}; if we do not receive a mailing address with your request, you will not be included in that month's swap.  Unfortunately we do not have the time to reply to every request that is not properly addressed - so be sure to include it;

~ I have created a side banner for anyone who would like to put a link to The Trade on their site - if you would like it, please email me at [email protected]

~ I am no longer asking that you hold your own photos from the Flickr group.  We all have such busy lives and it takes some of us longer than others to scan or reshoot the photos and post them.  So please feel free to post the images you are sending as well as what you have received;

~ And on that note, please realize that this is an international affair - it does take some time to receive packages from the other side of the world - be patient my friends and I am sure you will rewarded!  And do not stress if you photo goes out a week late - you are having fun - remember? ;)

~ Lastly, we are unable to police non-participants.  Please understand that you enter The Trade at your own risk of giving and not receiving.  We have a wonderful group that is dedicated to this project, but in all likelihood, there will be people who forget, get too busy or packages that get lost in the mail.  If you do not receive anything after a month of the shipping deadline, please email [email protected] and she will pass on your partner's information to you so that you may contact them if you wish.

Thank you so much - these new guidelines will allow this group to grow and flourish - we look forward to building so many wonderful friendships through this project! 

Okay then, on to the fun stuff!  The theme for April is "A Faerie Tale Told".  A challenge this month my fellow photographers!  I would like you to interpret, however you see fit, one of your favorite tales from childhood; a nursery rhyme, a book, a faerie tale {can you guess the tale pictured above?}  The deadline for sign-ups is 4 April and you can sign-up right here.  Photos should be mailed by 18 April {or there about}.  As always, please send at least one 5x5 or 5x7 and be sure to post your photos to the Flickr group!

For general inquires regarding The Trade, please email [email protected]

Have fun friends - I truly can not wait to see your tales unfold!

xoox~jla