I know that my blog is beginning to look as though it’s suffering from an identity crisis, but I promise that there is a method to my madness.
In my ongoing pursuit of making this space more reflective of me as a person, rather than me as a reader and cook, I enlisted the help of some friends of mine for suggestions on how to do that. They, in turn, suggested a photo challenge.
I have dabbled in photography for a few years now, having fallen in love with the incredible photographs of Ansel Adams when I was a kid. I figured it would be a very long time before I had an opportunity to try my hand at photography, largely because equipment was expensive. Of course, the odds of having access to a darkroom were also slim.
With the advent of digital photography, a world of possibilities opened up. I bought my first DSLR camera about three years ago now (I call it my “big boy camera”) – a Canon EOS Rebel XSi. It’s a good, solid camera – firmly in the “beginners” category as artistic photography goes. I’ve been very happy with it.
My photography challenge consists of a short list of ideas of places to take pictures and post my shots here on the blog. The list they gave me to start with isn’t terribly long, but it’s a good start. Plus, I was supposed to start this on February 1st, and as you can plainly see, it’s the 5th…so I’m already behind. Figures. 
For today’s entry, the instruction was to take a picture “in the kitchen”. The suggestions are purposely vague, forcing me to be creative with this. So here it is:
Wine glasses on the kitchen table. (c) Reese Marino 2013
I know that the shot is about as cliché as one can get. I’ve seen the shot of a line of wine glasses many, many, many times before. I liked this because you can kind of see my goofy self in the center of the stem there. It proves that even when I’m trying to be a bit more high-minded, I still look a little silly.
I’m going to try to do these “shutterbug” entries at least every other day for the month of February. Even though I have a list of what is now seven “suggestions”, I’m going to see if I can think of some on my own and run with it a bit. I hope you guys enjoy it – I think it will be fun!
From the “kind of related to this” file: I’m linking this post to Kallaydoscope’s “I love Tuesdays” – a project she created for people to talk about things they love. It can be anything, from as fundamental as your family to as random as your morning latte (though I consider that fundamental too). Go check it out – it’s a great way to add a little cheer to your day. 
Ooooo!!! Love this pic! I don’t think it’s cliche at all! Rarely do we get to hang out with the foundation of a glass. Thanks for linking up! This totally counts! Keep up the photography! Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you! I only thought it was a little cliche because this is the kind of thing that a lot of photographers do – amateur and professional alike. I felt like I took the easy way out until I came across this one in the set because you could see my reflection, which made me laugh a little.
I love this photo! At first (maybe because I’m blind) I thought it was a drop of water. I’m so excited to see what you come up with for the month!
It kind of does look like a drop of water – but those kinds of shots can be really difficult to get…split second timing and all. Glad you like it!
I love this photo! At first – cause I’m silly -I thought it was a shot of corn syrup being poured. Whats cool about this shot is not only is it pretty but its subjective to the people looking at it. Keep this up!
Wow, corn syrup – that is something I definitely didn’t see before! Glad you like it!
I like the out if focus glass behind the one in focus. Gives it a dream-like quality.
Great idea, I like that your blog isn’t limited to one topic. It keeps feeling new and fresh.
Thanks, Frances! I’m glad that people seem to not mind that I’m branching out a bit more. I think that sticking to only one niche is maybe just not for me. Some people are totally brilliant at it…I need variety for my little space though.
Beautiful shot! Most would have taken a shot of the whole glass or glasses, maybe with wine in it, but you brought up the artistic side of you. Great job. Idea: don’t forget the typewriter…..
Ooh, the typewriters! Good idea!
It may be a shot many photographers take, but you put your own spin on it with the reflection–fun! I’m here thanks to Kallay’s link-up, but I look forward to seeing more of your photography challenges!
Thank you! And yay for coming here from Kallay’s lovely site. Nice to meet you!
I love this picture. To me, it represents the very way a glass of wine makes you (er, me) feel: the feelings it unlocks — sometimes joyful, sometimes not — and how it creates ripples of thoughts and emotions. How it can make you see things from a different perspective.
Looking forward to seeing more of your pictures!
Thanks Sarah! My apologies for taking forever to “approve” your comment. I was logged out of WordPress for a while and didn’t even realize it.
True to form, I’ve managed to fall off the planet in the last couple of weeks, but I do have shots that need to get posted. It may have been a “February” photo challenge, but I plan to keep posting pics in the months to come.