After attending a photography show in Toronto recently and watching slide shows and listening to presentations by professional photographers, some of whom have photo blogs online, it came to me. Why don’t I start a photo blog? An amateur throwing her favourite photos out there to see what the world thinks. And these aren’t going to be photos that have been edited to perfection because I just don’t know an awful lot about that yet. A little cropping, levels, and sharpening here and there, but that’s about the extent of it. So, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to try and post a photo every day (or so) and see if anyone wants to comment. I will try and give you an idea of the circumstances and what I was thinking at the time that I took the picture. In return, please feel free to tell me what you think of it. What could I have done to improve it and what editing would you suggest? I am totally open to criticism because I am hoping that this will be an amazing learning experience for me.
By the way, unless otherwise stated, all photos found here have been taken by and therefore belong to me. If you like one of my photos, I don’t mind if you use it for your own personal purposes, but I would really appreciate it if you could make reference to my name and my blog. If you want to use one of my photos for commercial purposes, please contact me.
Thanks and enjoy!
Cindy Taylor
photos from the loonybin 
Hi There Cindy!!! For motivation & inspiration have a look at your Liebster Award!!! **
Hi, Xandre, here I am enjoying another blog site you directed me to. I wonder if Cindy knows how to post her award? I’m still in the dark on that one. Maybe after work, since I’m not supposed to be spending anytime here while on the clock. It’s a just little “break.” 😉
Welcome to my blog SL Schildan!! I am glad you are enjoying it. I, too, take little “breaks” at work, so we have something else in common besides blogging. As far as posting my award I will definitely figure that out later tonight, but right now I am trying to fulfill my goal of finishing wrapping all of the Christmas presents. I will not stop until I am done!! LOL
Thank you from the bottom of my heart Xandre. I have to tell you – I am in a job where I get little or no thanks even after working there for over 23 years, so I am finding blogging so fulfilling because it is like a little community unto itself where everyone encourages and supports each other. I am having fun and learning so much. Thank you for making my day!!!
Hi Cindy. Thanks so much for nominating me for the Liebster Award!! It’s a very nice gesture, and I’m thrilled that you enjoy my photography. Like you said, it’s nice when someone other than yourself to give you a pat on the back. I appreciate it. I need to catch up on the rules for the award, and take care of those, but I do know that thanking you is #1. 🙂 So thank you again. And please keep your posts coming!
Best wishes,
Mabry
You are very welcome!! I really enjoy your blog, and I plan on keeping up my blog because I am really finding it a great deal of fun. It’s like one big happy family!!
Hi Cindy. I nominated you for the “Kreativ Blogger Award.” Here’s a link to the entry on my blog: http://lightscapesphotography.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/kreativ-blogger-award/
The “terms” of receipt are included in that post. I know that some folks see this sort of thing as a nuisance rather than an honor and, while I don’t feel that way I can understand why others might, so if you’d prefer not to deal with it, as far as I’m concerned, simply disregard the whole thing.
Regards,
–Kerry
What a perfect Christmas gift – I don’t know how anyone could consider it a nuisance to be honoured by their peers. Thank you so much Kerry!! I am the type of person who doubts herself all the time, so this award reassures me that what I am doing is worthwhile. I will definitely be passing this award on to other blogs, but you will have to bear with me because Santa will make the next couple of days very busy!!
Proceed at whatever pace works for you, Cindy.
Have a great holiday!
Hi again, thanks for checking out my blog, I love your pics, Toronto is an amazing place to get swept up in photography. Keep on taking pics and thanks for sharing your photos.
Thanks and I will be visiting yours for sure too. Have you ever considered putting a widget on your blog so that people can receive an email every time you post something? I always subscribe for emails of my favourite blogs. I an hardly keep up with my emails now, but it’s fun and inspiring to see what other people are photographing :).
We need to get you to add the Email sign up in your widgets. This way I can get yours straight to me email so i don’t miss a post. Especially your pictures to guess, I love those!
You know, it’s strange. When I set up this blog I made sure I added a widget so that people could receive an email every time I posted. Many people have signed up, but when I got your message I checked and the “follow” button was gone. It’s back now – thanks for letting me know!!
No problem! I know I’m terrible at looking the other way, this way is great cuz you shoot right to my email..Have phone will travel.
Hi Cindy. I stumbled upon your blog while posting a comment here, http://artismysanity.wordpress.com/
The “photosfromtheloonybin” caught my eye, so I had to check it out! Glad I did.
Thanks for visiting!! I have checked out your blog as well, and I must say your photos are absolutely magical!
Nice work, Cindy. I’m looking forward to your updates and new photographs.
Thank you so much Glenn. In some ways my blog may seem like it is all over the place, but I am trying very hard to keep it interesting and original by not sticking to the same subject all the time. I am so glad you are enjoying it! 🙂
Wow, I just subscribed to your blog, and your photos are incredible!! And you are a fellow Ontarian. I live pretty much half way between Owen Sound and Orangeville. Southwestern Ontario provides some amazing photographic opportunities doesn’t it?
Hi! I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the 7 x 7 Link Award! Thanks for such an enjoyable blog. Here’s the link: http://megtraveling.com/2012/03/09/7%c3%977-link-award/
Wow, thank you so very much!! Like I have said before, I only started doing this blog on a whim, never expecting to get so much positive feedback. I really appreciate this – more than you will ever know!
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it is nice to meet you new friend, Cindy Taylor! i love taking photos also. I am not a professional photographer but i do love getting shots of nature and people who don’t know i have caught them in motion. nice to meet you!
It’s very nice to meet you too and welcome to my blog :). I hope you enjoy my photos! Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Cindy, I don’t know why but I don’t think I ever read your “about” stuff. Was surprised you are in Ontario! My oldest, best friend is from Thunder Bay (originally Port Arthur). You Canadians just get to me I guess. Have I told you how much I enjoy your blog, and now your irreverent comments? Just thought I’d let you know. 🙂 Dor
We are your friendly Northern neighbours :). And you are just too kind Dor. You always make me feel so good about what I’m doing with my blog. Have I thanked you lately? Well, if not, thank you!!!!!
Love your site and how your camera views the world.
Thank you so much for visiting and for following me :). I really like what you said above – “how your camera views the world”. That’s a great way of describing it because I think each person has their own unique way of looking at the world around them and by photographing what we see, we get to preserve it forever!
Hi Cindy, found your blog via Kevin over at Behind the Lens Photography…have to say that your name TOTALLY cracked me up! 😀 I look forward to seeing your upcoming posts. 😀
Hey David, nice to meet you!! Thanks for visiting the Loonybin :). I am a sole female in a houseful of males, and it is definitely craziness every day, hence the name!! I hope you enjoy my photos :).
Great approach to displaying your photography, Cindy. I’ll enjoy viewing and commenting!
Hey Cindy, time to go digging through your image files 😀 I’ve invited you to give this a go. Your photos are more than god enough. Last thing, sorry about the short notice, it’s due by the 29th, but I just found out about it myself. http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/capture-the-colour/
It’s my great pleasure to award your blog with ” One Lovely Blog Award ” :–) please come and take your award here :
Hi Cindy,
Looking at your top frame, you’ve proven that you know how to handle your camera!
My current blog is rather new here, but it’s my intention på publish a photo feature on a different spot in Norway every forthcoming week. And you’re of course invited.
Thank you so much and welcome to my blog :). I will definitely check out your blog!!
Hi Cindy,
Nice to know that you were interested in Norwegian nature. When I noticed that you loved photography, I thought you might! Perhaps you might benfit by subscribing to my blog (if you haven’t done so allready), but I’ll leave that to you! There’ll be a new feature sometime today!
Looking forward to the new feature :).
There is on out now!
Congratulations! I’ve awarded you the Blog of the Year Award 2012! Check it out here: http://allthingsboys.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/second-star-from-the-right/
Thanks so much Arnel – I really appreciate this!! 🙂
I’ve always considered post-snap editing to be cheating things a bit.
I hope you aren’t a mean cheaty snapper.
I’m not mean at all :). I am a little crazy though LOL!! I really only know the basics of photo editing, so I just fix lighting and red eye and stuff like that.
I’m glad that I found your blog via TBM’s blog! I’m now following you to explore more of your posts. I enjoy taking photographs…I’m a point and shoot photographer:-)
Welcome to the Loonybin :). I have really had a lot of fun doing this blog and have met many wonderful people (including TBM :)). I am just an amateur photographer, but I am learning a great deal from my blogging friends which in turn is making me a better photographer. I used to post every day, but it started to become a little overwhelming, so now I just post whenever I have a chance. I hope you enjoy my photos, and I’m not off to check out your blog!
I like your sense of humor:-) Thanks for visiting and following my blog. Drum rolllllll… you are my 100th follower. I’m giddy like a child in a candy store:-)
Your 100th follower??? I feel so special :). Congrats!!
found you through Dan Traun’s blog…I noticed that you are from Ontario as am I, so I thought I’d say hello!!! Great photos Cindy…
Hello and welcome to the Loonybin fellow Ontarian ;). I am northwest of Toronto in a little blink and you miss it town called Dundalk. What part of Ontario are you from? I’m glad you enjoyed my photos. I haven’t been posting as much as I did at the beginning when I started my blog (life seems to get in the way), but I am going to try to post more than I did last year. Make sure you visit on Fridays for the mystery photo. We have a lot of crazy fun!!
Good Morning , nice to meet You and Your blog 🙂 Great posts, great ideas , pleasure to be here , i wish You the best,in free time see my little place too, Regards from Poland , EM
Welcome to the loonybin :). I’m glad you are enjoying my posts, and I look forward to checking out your blog as well.
I’m sorry to hear about your difficult week.
Thanks Steve :). My sister-in-law’s husband was in a very serious car accident, and he is extremely lucky to be alive. A car going in the other direction hit the shoulder and then overcorrected and ended up flying across into Ray’s lane and hitting him right in the driver’s side quarter panel, which meant that the entire front end crushed in against his legs. He ended up with a badly broken femur, broken tibia, smashed knee, 8 broken ribs, etc. etc. Since then blood clots developed in his lungs and he has been having trouble breathing. Anyway, they airlifted him to a hospital in downtown Toronto which meant a very long drive every day for his wife. My hubby took a few days off work to drive her back and forth since she was in no shape to go by herself, and I looked after their one year old baby girl. Ray is recovering now, but he has a long road ahead of him. I don’t know what is going on with this world, but it has been a crazy few weeks for accidents in our area, and they are definitely not weather related. Yesterday, very close to home, a woman with her 3 and 6 year olds in the car crossed the centre line and hit a dump truck head on. The woman and both children died. It’s getting to the point where I don’t even want to drive anymore :(.
I’m sorry to hear about this, Cindy, but it’s fortunate that you and your husband were there to help out.
That’s what family is for right? 🙂
Happy New Year to you and yours my friend!
Same to you my friend :). We just saw the new Star Wars movie which was an amazing start to our New Years Eve!!
Ooooohhhh…Great Idea!!!
Hello!
Had to write…are you far, far away from the fires???? I pray that you are…..xo
Yes, we are very far away – that is happening 3 provinces away from us. It is so very sad and scary though. People are losing everything, and they say they will have to rebuild the whole city! Now there is a wildfire burning in British Columbia too!! My heart breaks for all of them.
I watch all of the video on these fires and my heart also just hurts for these people…I pray for rain, but I understand that there is not much hope of that. I’m so glad that you are far away from that…keep in touch! xx
Hi Cindy, do you have another blog now?
Hi :). Thanks for asking, but no I don’t. I just haven’t felt much like blogging lately because I have been so busy with other things in life. There are just not enough hours in a day for all the hobbies I have when I work 5 days a week. I’m hoping I will get back to it one day, but in the meantime, I am still very much enjoying following other blogs such as yours :).