July 26, 2011

Week In The Life 2011 | Monday Words + Photos + Observations

Week in the Life™

NUMBER OF PHOTOS FOR MONDAY | 131

So I wasn't really sleeping when I took this photo. I did just wake-up and I had strategically placed my camera on my bedside table to take some sort of shot first thing. I'm wondering if this is what the kids see when they tip toe (or stomp) into our room in the mornings.

Here's a look at some of my other favorites from Monday:

NOTE: I just updated to Lion yesterday (new Mac operating system) and it's not making friends with my scanner. I'd planned to scan in my Daily Sheets for today but ended up just taking a photo instead. Once I get the scanner running I'll scan them in and share them here.

PROJECT OBSERVATIONS

Doing with this project with two kids in the summer is a whole different ballgame. I need to get a bit more strategic or I just need to let more things go. I'm also still a bit out of sorts from being gone recently - today was the first day that felt semi-normal in awhile.

I find that I'm taking less photos than I have in the past. I'm not sure if that's a result of doing this project so many times already and knowing that I can't use them all (I still recommend taking more than you need just so you have choices when it comes to putting the album together). EDITED: I wrote this earlier in the day. When I actually uploaded the photos there were still over 100. It's really less about the number and more about simply capturing pieces of your day.

VIDEO | Something new for me this year is adding in a bit of video. I took a few random videos on both my camera and my iphone yesterday and I think what I'm going to do is put it all together into one video at the end of the week. Any one else shooting any video along with your still images? I started an iMovie project and I'm adding little snippets as we go throughout the week.

This project is a really great chance to get more photos of yourself (remember what I said yesterday about your story being important). Use your self-timer, get a remote, set your camera on the ground, pass it to a co-worker/friend/kid/spouse/parent etc and ask them to take a few of you too. Experiment - that's how you learn what you like, don't like, etc. I know I've found that the more I shoot the more comfortable I am with my camera and the more apt I am to try something a little different the next time (or rely on an old favorite).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Don't worry if your first day didn't go according to plan. If you only took a couple of photos - no big deal - start fresh tomorrow. This project is not supposed to be "just another thing on your list" so if it's feeling that way maybe doing it another week is the right choice for you or maybe it's an opportunity to adjust your attitude. This project does take a certain level of commitment and awareness as you go through your day.

Also, if you are feeling like your life is boring consider adjusting your perspective. Think about what you wish you knew about your Mom or other loved one - even if they could tell you about their life at a specific point in time it wouldn't be as detailed or as fresh as you have the opportunity to document your own life right now.

SHARE YOUR DAY ONE

Would love to have you include a link to your DAY ONE of words and photso here. Please link directly to your post vs. your general blog link. Thank you!

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Comments

77 comments

Jul 26, 2011 9:27am

Loving this project again this year! Here is my Monday post: http://jenniferhignite.blogspot.com/2011/07/witl-monday.html

Jul 26, 2011 9:27am

One question Ali, for your shots indoors with low light and a high ISO, do you use any sort of noise reduction software or action on those, or just let them be?

Jul 26, 2011 10:51am

I just let them be - sometimes I'll make them black and white if they are really off color.

Jul 26, 2011 9:52am

love your idea of video...that is my hubby's area & will have to get him to participate in this with me this week. this is really fun!! great Monday shots :)

Jul 26, 2011 9:55am

ohmygosh, ali... you look amazing in the morning. could you share some skin care tips? (sorry, i couldn't help myself from asking, i know this is not that kind of blog)
love all your photos, specially the ones of simon and anna at the dinner table. and the ones featuring lily - so happy to see her, too!
and the observations at the end are priceless.
thanks for the inspiration!!!

Jul 26, 2011 9:56am

Thanks Ali! I had fun with pictures yesterday. Not as good with words. I had to smile when I saw yours. I took a similar pic of my shoes, but my feet were in them. Thanks for sharing.

Jul 26, 2011 10:18am

Ali - loved that you captured some video/s. I also did with plans to incorporate it into my documentation this yr. Thanks for sharing your plans w/ your video. Definitely my fave added part so far this week!! We were also traveling home from vacation (ie, "holiday" here) yesterday so it was a bit crazy and I have very few pictures, but I have lots of notes and am enjoying the idea that I am starting the week with a few less photo days and ramping UP (with photo volume anyway) instead of DOWN as the week progresses :) I found last year I took tons on a few days but not enough on many others. Trying to balance it a bit better now that we are home from vacation :) I also realized I don't take great photos (I have a little point and shoot and that's it.) I am finally OK with this cruddy photos after seeing last year's come together into the album. Less worried about the quality given what I click with and the speed of my subjects ;) lol
Heidi

Jul 26, 2011 10:23am

Here is mine which I just showed some photos.
http://fonmee.blogspot.com/2011/07/week-in-life-2011.html

Jul 26, 2011 10:24am

Your images are great. What full and happy looking Monday it was.

Jul 26, 2011 10:25am

i didn't take a single shot yesterday. oh well today is another day!!!!we are getting ready to go out of town so i am debating if i should chronicle the preparation ??? then i thought it might be fun to see just what it takes to leave town for 10 days!!!

Jul 26, 2011 10:37am

Ali, Your encouragement and lessons in this project mean so much. i love how looking at the commitment, my attitude, and overall positively engaging in this project is what life is all about. A lesson we sometime forget is shift the attitude and all falls into place. Your photo of setting a timer has made me want too experiment. Do all point an shoot camera have a time? Guess time pull the manual out. Have great story day and look forward to your post.
Blessings hugs,
Sharon

Jul 26, 2011 11:07am

You look great waking up Monday morning! I have taken pictures upon waking up but not while "sleeping" and now I will. Thank you for the reminder to take as many pictures through out day. I only took about 30 something keeping in mind that not all photos would be used.

Jul 26, 2011 11:48am

Day one: found that my camera wasn't charging properly as i was using the wrong charger - only a handful of pics. I love these day in a life projects!

Jul 26, 2011 11:54am

I agree with so many people too. The summer has kinda thrown me for a loop and the lack of routine makes me think that there is not much happening through out the day!! but i will keep snapping and i look forward to putting this album together and seeing what it will look like! I am also looking forward to using my OLW for the year and including it into the week!! thanks for all your inspiration!!

Jul 26, 2011 12:43pm

That first picture - of you "sleeping" - made me laugh. I did something similar back in March, while I was at my parents' house for the weekend. I placed the camera, set the auto-timer, and laid my head back on the pillow...and click! It's been interesting to see people's reactions to that picture. Especially when they find out it's a posed picture, not one someone else took of me. But to me, it did exactly what I wanted it to...captured the sense of rest and good sleep I always get when I'm there.

Happy Tuesday! =)

Jul 26, 2011 12:50pm

I thought I'd do a slideshow at the end of the week with all my pictures, but didn't think about doing video yesterday...that's a great idea....I'll try to start doing some little clips! I am wondering what music would be good to go with the slideshow...any ideas? :)

Jul 26, 2011 12:56pm

I love that you took a photo of yourself right after waking up! What a great idea! I need to remember to take more photos of myself today. :) I'm having a lot of fun with this - thank you!!

Jul 26, 2011 1:04pm

my little group of friend is starting tomorrow (Wednesday) so we can encourage each other to not abandon it half way or send each other texts to "take a picture now!" Can't wait to get started :-)

Jul 26, 2011 1:22pm

Your photos are so nice! And inspiring! I am taking all of my photos with my camera phone and am really enjoying that. Thanks for this project, Ali!

Jul 26, 2011 1:43pm

I love the phot of Simon & Anna looking through past layouts. My kids do this on a regular basis and I need to take pics of them doing it. Thanks for the glimpse into your day.

Jul 26, 2011 2:04pm

I took about 100 pictures yesterday, deleted half, put 20 into a slideshow on my blog and that felt just about right. Not sure how I'll use them yet, but am thinking of video too as at one point yesterday I really wished I was recording my 2 year old's story of her day for her dad!

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