The 365-day Project that Took 8 Years (AND SOTC 365/365)

Have you ever gotten so intimate with a saskatoon berry? My yearly tradition of foraging a few cups of saskatoons from Edmonton's River Valley completed my SOTC photo challenge this past summer.*

I do love a good photo challenge. A few years ago, I turned a gratitude challenge into a photographic one; I spent the next summer hunting down instagrammable walls in Edmonton; and, I currently have an ongoing challenge to sit in a Red Chair in every one of Canada's national parks/historic sites before I die--with picture proof, of course.

My first photo challenge was a 365 project where I captured a photo of myself every single day for one year. As soon as that one was complete, I set myself up for a second 365 challenge--a photo each day straight off the camera (SOTC); no post-processing of any kind. However, 30 days in, I was struggling to keep up the creative juices. While the first 365 project was essentially photo documentation of my daily life, my Straight Off The Camera challenge was more about being able to work a subject or composition. But, you know what? Some days I just don't feel like taking photos. I doubt even professional photographers take photos every single day.

So I re-wrote the challenge. Still 365 un-processed images... with an open time line.

And so here we are.

That project started on September 1, 2012, and concluded July 27, 2020. The 365 project that took 2887 days.

I have to admit, I'm not sure if this challenge resulted in me creating more un-processed final images or not. As my photography has evolved, so has my "vision" for some of the images I compose--sometimes I create compositions that I fully intend to run through Photoshop before I even click the shutter.

However, my first love is capturing this big, beautiful world "as is"--there is a strong element of realism in my photography, and so I know my satisfaction with getting the shot I want fully in-camera has certainly increased, because sometimes the elements are against me! In this project, occasionally I got one on the first try. Other times, it took upwards of 20 shots to get the one I wanted. I also put concerted effort into capturing a variety of compositions to stretch my comfort zone.

My creative drive has taken a bit of a hit with the pandemic this year; as for so many people, my mind has often just been elsewhere. Nevertheless, I know that photography soothes my soul, and my camera is never far from my side. While I will be spending time this winter learning more about post-processing, there's nothing quite like getting it "right" in-camera. I know I will continue to stretch my compositional skills as much behind the lens as in front of the screen.

P.S. I am blogging less these days... the best way to keep up with my fine art photography is by following me on Instagram: @photosbygina.yeg.

* It also completed the life span of my camera, the shutter mechanism of which started failing minutes after this image was taken. Many digital cameras like mine have an average "mileage" of 100,000 shutter clicks. In seven years with that camera, I'm sure I reached or exceeded that. It is costly to repair the shutter when compared to the cost of a new camera body, so I upgraded to a similar but newer model. RIP Canon 70D.

SOTC 291/365

Just a summer morning in Saskatchewan...

#IAmGrateful 11 (Also, SOTC 260/365)

Sunset

Grateful. SO grateful. For the bright glow, the warm light, the rich and beautiful end to a day—regardless of what that came before. Sky and clouds and sun working together to create this artistic expression of physics that spills forth in several colours.

For the 4:30 winter sunsets that make the drive home less dreary; and the 10:30 summer sunsets that tuck my friends and I in around the campfire.

For the eyesight to see this daily splendour, regardless of where I am in the world; and the luxury of capturing it on a camera to hold onto forever and share—#IAmGrateful.

SOTC 206/365

SOTC 184/365*

♥






* Officially over the half way point!

SOTC 137/365

SOTC 131/365

For those of you who think I'm dangling precariously in the top branches of this tree, you're wrong. I love climbing trees, but my position is 10ft away on the lawn.

Gorilla pod + remote shooting app = awesome.

SOTC 130/365

I bought

a Gorilla Pod.

So.

Much.

Fun.

SOTC 109/365

You Almost Can't Tell He's Eating, a photo on Flickr by Gina Blank.

SOTC 108/365

"...the sunset, His signature."

-- Unknown

SOTC 107/365

Thistle Bud, a photo on Flickr by Gina Blank

In Loco Parentis

Several years ago (how is it several already?), N&S took then-infant A with them to the Angelman Syndrome conference in Whistler, BC, leaving me in charge of P&S for five days. I had the help of other respite providers and grandparents, but I was the main provider during N&S's time away.

I learned a lot of things about myself as a care provider that week. Respite in it's overnight, more long-term form is qualitatively different than short shifts a couple times per week, or even the natural routines I participate in now when I visit for an Aunty Gina weekend.

This past week, the other 'aunty', C, and I hung out with P in Saskatoon, providing respite, while the rest of the family took a much-deserved holiday in Maui*. I was very excited to spend my holiday time with my niece in this capacity.

The week was such a delight in so many ways.

• I enjoyed knowing that I had become so comfortable and familiar with Saskatoon--my second-home-city--that I could navigate to many spots without the aid of Google Maps. And as N said, "you know a place is starting to feel like home when you're running errands in it."
• I loved sitting out in "the Oasis" that is their back yard, sipping my morning coffee on the deck swing, and listening to the fountain trickle down into the koi pond. Don't get me wrong, I love my own back yard to bits, but theirs is no ordinary back yard.
• I loved having uninterrupted time with P. S&A are a delight to my heart, but it sometimes means that P becomes relegated to the background of activities.
• The weather--for the most part--was gorgeous. It meant sunny strolls, outdoor swims and water slides, bubbles in the back yard paddling pool, and many a meal in the late afternoon sun. Summer bliss.
• P's laughter is contagious like nothing else.
• My partner in crime this week, C, is a close friend, but we often have differing schedules that limit the time we get to hang out in Edmonton. So it was great to have uninterrupted time with her, as well. Plus, we make a great caregiving team together.

The week has also been a powerful learning experience, yet again. Among the sunshiney bliss of summer activities with my favourite twelve-year-old, this week has:

• Affirmed the value of two-parent families. By this, I don't mean to say that single-parenting isn't valuable or doesn't work--I am not undermining that dynamic at all. Quite the opposite, actually. Raising children is quite the task. Several times, C and I talked in awe of how N does it on her own when S is out of town on business for up to a week at a time. Where's the other adult to talk to? To share the load? To share the giggles? To give you a break? To help keep a sense of humour and a level head on the days when the diaper explodes, the child has pulled your hair half a dozen times, is refusing breakfast, and two loads of laundry have been washed and dried, all before 9:30am?** Single parents--especially those of children with disabilities--are my new heroes. I'm sure I could have done this week on my own. But certainly not as well. And I wouldn't have really wanted to.
• Re-iterated the necessity of subsidized respite for parents of children with special needs. Between home care and respite, N&S had something like 90hrs of funded care per month for P when they lived in Alberta, where respite hours are based on need.*** In Saskatchewan, respite is based on income. Given the relative affluence afforded by S's job, the family does not qualify for funded respite hours. While I appreciate that this approach attempts to ensure that families who struggle financially can still receive the care they need for their child, I have also worked with enough families to know that just because you make more money does not mean you need less help; nor does it mean you have the ability to pay out of pocket for the full amount of help you actually need.
• Made me appreciate even more this time of being single. Somewhere in the last couple of years, I recognized that I really am at true peace with being single in a world where marriage-house-children is still the expected path for women in their pre and peri-thirties. Perhaps I will be single for another year, another decade, or the rest of my life. I am okay with any and all of that. I have enough trouble brushing my own teeth every day. Perhaps I don't need to be responsible for brushing someone else's.
• Given me pause to consider the honour of being trusted to care for a child in this capacity. There are only so many people in a parent's world who they would consider to care for their child for a week. I feel as if that circle of people is narrowed when the child has a disability. I know I am aunty. I know I am considered family. But that doesn't mean I am not humbled yet again that I was trusted with one of their most precious people.

P often involves a lot of physical work and intuitive guessing. Paired with the right person, the right activities, and a space to balance that activity with rest, it makes for a lovely week--one I would do again in a heart beat.

* For those of you whose spidey inclusion senses are tingling as you read that, please put your judgement away. This family's story means that leaving P in Saskatoon on this particular vacation was a more meaningfully inclusive decision for the whole family than taking her with.
** That was Day 5.
*** The term 'need' sometimes being assessed a bit too conservatively by individuals unable to step into parents' shoes, but by 'need' nevertheless...

SOTC 58/365

Bachelor Button (SOTC 58/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

SOTC 54/365

Mid Bike-Ride Snake Hunt (SOTC 54/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

The Richness of Seven

She is 7.
And such a thinker.
In three hours of travel,
the conversation is rich.

We talk about the difference between
hotel
and
motel.
And hostel.

The falling feeling you get sometimes just before you fall asleep.

We talked about the 'incident'
of the family garage.
And what insurance is covering, and what it is not.
"Apparently..."
and she uses the word insurance in context!

She shares funny stories about her brother,
and I share a funny story about mine.

I share a funny story about her, too.

Giggles all around.

She asks what 'contaminated' means.
"Like when a baby poops in the pool, it gets contaminated."

She tells us that Santa brought her a microscope,
but the light didn't work
because the elves had to make more than usual,
so Santa gave Mom and Dad money
to buy a new one,
and he and Mrs. Claus are telling off the elves
for sloppy craftsmanship.

We talk about how each person has 46 chromosomes,
and what happens when you are missing bits of those.
Or what happens when you have an extra.
And what is cerebral palsy?

She spies a string of sodium orange lights on the horizon.
"Is that our city?"
"I... don't think so... your city is bigger. What is the population of your city, anyway?"
"I don't know what 'population' means!"
"It means the number of people..."

"Can I use your iPad?"
And away she goes.

It is quiet for a while.
...
"Are those the lights for our city?"
"I think so, Chica!"
"Yayyyyyy!"

We are home.
And who needs podcasts, anyway?

360/365

Ah, the tell-tail stains of berry picking. 


Mmm, saskatoons...

191/365

Tonight's dessert: saskatoon rhubarb crumble. Saskatoons complements of Hawrelak Park. Rhubarb compliments of my garden. It's like a pre-summer treat. :)

124/365

Arrived just in time for bedtime stories :)

123/365

Long overdue for some Saskatchewan love. T-minus 24 hours.

6/365

Went to the air show in Saskatoon today. Not something I'm generally into, but not a bad time at all; sunny skies, great picture opps, and hangin' with great people! P thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, too. (We also learned today that she is a Twizzler thief!)