These past seven days are exactly why I need a project like this shake-it-up series. Every day was filled with things to do and tasks to accomplish but working through each item that needed my attention meant I had very little time for creativity. Usually I end a stretch like this feeling grumpy about the lack of any fun time but this week I took a different approach so instead of spending 10 minutes complaining about how busy I was I spent 5 minutes standing still looking for something interesting to photograph. Even though I know I live in a pretty part of the world it’s hard to appreciate what you have in the middle of a crazy day and this project is shaking up my old habits, reminding me of the great things I might be taking for granted.
The week started with another sunny dog walk compliments of the warmest winter I’ve ever experienced in the Pacific Northwest then Monday morning I snapped this photo of some pretty red lanterns celebrating the Lunar New Year. Tuesday was a big day for our family as Ryan and I sat down to fill out his High School registration form. I can’t believe he’s almost 14 but after we finished he asked if we could go down to the waterfront and watch the sunset together so I know he’s still my little boy at heart. Wednesday was a true test of this project as I only had a few minutes before an evening meeting and realized I didn’t have a photo for the day but instead of giving up I walked through the front yard and saw new green growth one of our mini mugo pines.
Every spring I buy new primroses for our pots and every summer John pulls the faded plants and throws them in the compost bin so we can replant with annuals. I think it is a waste of perfectly good plants however it looks like this cheery yellow flower survived the carnage and graced us with a flower Thursday morning. Friday saw me back in Downtown Seattle and since I didn’t want to take another traffic shot I decided to step into the bus tunnel running underneath the center of the city. I like to think this huge ticking clock counts down the hours until the end of the workweek. Saturday’s photo is an image that didn’t come out as I hoped but I like it anyway. These long, curving branches are covered with moss and in our early morning light they remind me of giant arms reaching out from the ivy covered tree trunks. I don’t think I would have deliberately processed this frame in black and white but now I quiet like it… I’ll just have to go back another day to capture all the green.
Each photo is straight from Hipstamatic’s “shake to randomize” function and posted without any additional editing. If you like a particular combination and want to try it at home just click on the image to see the lens and filter used. I’ll be back next Sunday with 7 new photos and maybe even a few new favorites!
Northwest Frame of Mind 
Can I say AGAIN how much I love this project? I especially like the clock shot. Very moody.
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It’s so nice to hear comments like yours, Andra. Thanks!
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It’s hip to be hipstamatic! Love the photos and the narrative you added. Best wishes to your son who is entering a wonderful time in his life — I taught high school students for nearly 24 years and loved it. Looking forward to your next batch of hip photos!
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Thanks, Rusha! We are all looking forward to Ryan’s next 4 years. it’ll be another adjustment but we’ve heard nothing but great things about his high school and it’s nice to hear how much you enjoyed your 24 years teaching. 🙂
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Great photos and love the shadows.
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Thanks, Ruth. 🙂
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Love this hip photo, Lisa!
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Great news, Amy thanks!
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Such a lovely and varied collection, Lisa. I really love the last one. 🙂
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I’m glad you like the last one, Sylvia. It’s funny when something comes out of the camera so different from what I see in front of me but surprises like this keep my days interesting. 🙂
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I have missed out on this whole Hipstamatic thing, Lisa … Is it like an Instamatic ?
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You’re right, M-R. It’s supposed to recreate the film/instamatic experience in a digital format. 🙂
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It certainly LOOKS fairly like the continuity instamatics I used to take – although vastly better quality !
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The flowers looks very happy to be out and about now that it’s spring in the northern hemisphere. Love it how you’re determined to get your photographs. Good way to practise photography too 🙂
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They look happy to me too, Mabel. 🙂
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I love this project, Lisa! So great to see snippets of your daily life in a weekly summary. The shake it up feature just adds to the interest level. Awesome!
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Nice to hear, Nancy! Taking at least one daily photo is pushing me in a good way and a weekly recap is so much easier to post than each day so it’s great to hear you’re enjoying the project. 🙂
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My fav is the last one, the forest shot, you have an eye lady.
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Well, thanks Tony!
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I have to read more on Hipstamatic. I have to admit I don’t know much about it.
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Let me know if you give it a try, Bebs. 🙂
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There’s a lot to like in all these photos, but my favorite is the first, with your shadows. The sunlight on the grass makes me happy!
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Sunlight on grass makes us smile too D’Arcy. 😊
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That last picture is very cool.
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I’m glad you like it. The dramatic light/shadow effect was a fun surprise. 🙂
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Amazing what you can achieve when you ‘have’ to! Hope this is a more relaxed week, Lisa 🙂
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It’s off to a better start. 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement!
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lovely of gallery of photos! the last one looks dramatic! 🙂
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It’s funny how a spot I walk past 3 times every day can look so different after a few clicks with my phone. Thanks!
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What great idea to take a picture every day for a week, love it! Also loved the ocean front picture with the red grass, what a view!
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I’m happy to hear you like this photo a day each week idea. 🙂 The ocean view is one of my quick “go to” places for a nice view from the car in the winter. We can bundle up and still walk on the beach but some days the car feels just fine. 🙂
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[…] to randomize” project and while I eventually selected a black and white image of the a large clock for my recap post I’ve been waiting for this week to share my favorite color shot looking […]
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