2011 project: daily everyday life photos

Canon EOS 500N, Kodak press chrome 100

If you noticed the answer to question number 37 in this post, you got a little tease of what my new project is - and the title of this post gives it all away.

Now that the dinner project is coming to an end*, I wanted to start a new project that can easily be shared in this space. I decided on the same kind of project that I did in 2008; daily diptychs from January 1st to December 31st 2011.

My plan is
- to take a least two photos every day (note to self: kill your darlings!)
- to post one photo to my Flickr every day
- to post the week's seven diptychs here on Hei Astrid every Sunday
- to add date and location for the photos as the only text

Does anyone else plan a similar project?


Happy new year everyone! Here's to a fabulous 2011!


*The Dinner Project Blurb book will be launched within a couple of months.

answers, part V

decoration on my mum's christmas tree

Here is the fifth and last batch of questions and answers from the giveaway:

41
Rita asked:
I love your "Everyday Stories" and the daily outfits. Do you care about clothes, style and fashion, or you just grab something to put on everyday?

I'm glad to hear that. I never thought of it as showing my daily outfits though ;-) I care more about style than fashion, and I always try to not just grab something in the morning to wear.

42
Lisa asked:
Where do you find the I shoot film participants?

Mostly on Flickr.

43
Janelle asked:
Astrid, what do you see yourself doing five years from now?

Hopefully I’m a mom, still working as a writer and maybe even more as a photographer.

44
Pernille asked:
If you were to choose one country you could visit, or go back to, which country would you choose?

I would love to visit India, where I have never been. And I always want to go back to Italy, where I have been several times.

45
Vigdis asked:
Who is your favorite photographer(s)?

There are several photographers I admire, for example; my sister Mari, Lori, Charlotte, Alison, Lars, Molly, Ashley, Brian, Lara, Michelle, Tom

46
Norma asked:
What do you consider the best part of any day?

Mealtimes.

47
Sonja asked:
I'd like to know if there is any place you could choose to live, where would it be?

I already answered this; number five here.

- - -

Thank you all for participating in my giveaway. I had fun getting to know you better and answering your questions.

the reflected proof

Everyone who knows me, know I’m an organized girl. Therefore it is no surprise that my photo archives are neat and tidy. Each folder is labeled with date and appropriate keyword(s). Folders containing film photos are also labeled with type of film and camera.

I picked up a new film from the lab today; an expired Kodak Press Chrome 100 slide film. (I have only found this source about it online.) It seems to be a beautiful film and I'm mostly happy with the results of the roll, but I think the fact that it is expired makes it grainier than it should be. It has been a little while since I finished the film, so it bugged me that I had forgotten which camera I used. Before I got the Minolta SRT 101, the answer was easy; 95 % of the films were shot with the Canon EOS 500N. Now I have a feeling the Minolta will take its place. When I saw this end of the roll shot I found peace of mind ;-)

Edit, replies to comments:

Kitchu:
Shooting slide film is not different from shooting "normal" film. All films have different capabilities when it comes to color tones, grain, sharpness etc. In my experience slide film have a superb ability to capture light.

Kevin asked:
Do you scan your own shots and if so, what scanner do you recommend. Also, do you use Lightroom or Aperture to organize or is it with your standard operating system?

I'm lazy; the photo lab scans my films. I have no clue about scanners. I do not use either Lightroom or Aperture; I use my own manual folder system. I name folders with date first and then keyword, for example "241210 Christmas Eve". That way the folders are sorted chronologically. Folders are then sorted into months and years.

answers, part IV

christmas beer tasting at my parents' place

Here is the fourth batch of questions and answers from the giveaway:

31
Shafina asked:
If given the chance to photography any subject, anywhere in the world - where would it be and why?

Good question! Light is my muse, so I would travel the world to shoot different kinds of light.

32
Delia asked:
My question is what the best meal you ever ate/made?

I already answered this; number 15 here.

33
Emily asked:
What has been your favourite 'moment' today?

Seeing the morning sun shine on the red poinsettia and the white and green amaryllis bouquet on the dining table in my parents' livingroom.

34
May asked:
What would you want as your very last meal on this earth?

I think the food itself would not be so important, rather the company.

35
Claudia asked:
I would like to know what is the trigger that make you take a picture? Do you plan your shots or is it a decision of the moment, a sudden inspiration?

I hardly ever plan my photos. Light is an important trigger, so are colors and random moments.

36
Emma asked:
What is your favourite thing about Norway?

The nature.

37
Julia asked:
Will you ever (well, not EVER, but in the near future) join a " A photo a day project" or "365days" or "Year In Pictures (YIP)" and start taking pictures on a daily basis and upload them?

Yes. (I did it in 2008 and made this book.)

38
Daniela asked:
What is the goal of your life? (I know is an hard question, but also a simple one..I will answer to this saying my goal is to FULLY LIVE my life...and you?)

My goal is to be happy.

39
Hege asked:
Do you have a secret hobby that you haven’t mentioned on your blog?

I don’t think I have mentioned that I love playing board games.

40
Lauren asked:
What is your favorite novel?

I already answered this; number 30 here.

answers, part III

my parents' livingroom

Here is the third batch of questions and answers from the giveaway:

21
Kitchu asked:
Do you have any regrets in life or is there one thing you wish you had done differently?

I wish I had done a student exchange year abroad.

22
Karlova asked:
What is the color of your garden now?

I’m not at home in Bergen right now, but I think our garden is pretty white of snow at the moment.

23
Tanja asked:
What do do like most about Bergen?

It’s a beautiful, charming city with close proximity to beautiful nature.

24
Frau CowTown asked:
If you could add 1 thing to your life what would it be?

A baby.

25
Anne Marie asked:
How did you and Sølve meet? And was it love at first sight?

We first met at a scout camp when I was 13 and he was 14, and had a very short fling. We met again later when he was on leave from the military service and I was a happy (and slightly tipsy) russ on May 15 1998. It was not love at first sight, but we became a couple on May 31 the same year, and have been together even since.

26
Ida asked:
Have you ever lived anywhere else than Bergen?

Yes. I was born at Ørland, then we moved to Randaberg, Moss (where my sister Mari was born) and Sandnes. I moved to Bergen in August 1999 to study, and have lived there ever since.

27
Lizzy asked:
I would like to know which artist or musician really inspires you.

No one in particular.

28
Essi asked:
What languages do you speak? What language you'd like to learn most?

I speak Norwegian and English, and a tiny, tiny bit of German. I would love to learn Italian because it’s such a beautiful language and country.

29
Kathrin asked:
Do you have a pet? Did you ever have one? And if you had one, what would it be?

Here is my answer.

30
Nadja asked:
How did you and Sølve meet (I already know the answer, but it’s such a cute story.)
What is your favorite book and why?

I already answered this above (I didn’t leave anything out, did I Nadja?)

I’m not sure what my favorite is now (I don’t read as much as I’d like to), but my favorite when I was younger was Anne of Green Gables. I remember it as a fascinating story, I longed to have red hair like her.

MK shoots film

Why do you shoot film, MK?

I shoot with film because it kinda makes my boring photos looks so good :p The graininess, the color & saturations different films produce makes each photo unique. To me, even blurry & under-exposed film pictures seems pretty :)

With digital cameras, I often waste a lot of time taking different shots of a single object but when I shoot with film, it's just one shot. No re-shooting!

I'm having a whole load of fun testing out different films now and I'm hoping to get another vintage camera to take some black & white photos. Oh. one more thing. I l ove the shutter sound :)

You can see more of MK's photos on Sleepwalking in Tokyo.

the dinner project, week 51

Monday December 20: at our friend's place whilst helping him renovate his apartment: Dolly Dimple's pizza take out

Tuesday December 21: Astrid's home alone dinner: rice with butter (a guilty pleasure)

Wednesday December 22: at our friends' place: tagliatelle served with baked salmon with bay laurel, Jarlsberg cheese and cured ham, plus a citrus chives dressing

Thursday December 23: at my in-laws': a Christmas style buffet

Friday December 24: at my parents': a traditional Christmas Eve dinner of pork ribs, boiled potatoes, Brussel sprouts, red cabbage and a special kind of Christmas sausage, served with beer (red wine for me since I don't like beer) and aquavit (photo above), dessert: cloudberry cream with krumkake

Saturday December 25: at my in-laws': a traditional Christmas dinner of pinnekjøtt with boiled potatoes and mashed swede

Sunday December 26: at my parents': halibut with boiled potatoes and carrots, sandefjordsmør (a sauce made of butter, cream and parsley)

answers, part II

my mom's collection of Santas

Here is the second batch of questions and answers from the giveaway:

11
Silvia asked:
Of the many things how the internet has influenced our life, what aspect do you value most?

Inspiration to become a better photographer. I joined Flickr in May 2005 and was overwhelmed with all the beautiful photos I saw there. Looking at other people’s photos has definitely taught me a lot and I think it has made me a better photographer.

12
Katherine asked:
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you live?

I already answered this; number five here.

13
Christine asked:
Is your house (flat) EVER messy?

Yes, of course it is. But I prefer a tidy home, so it’s not messy for long.

14
Inga asked:
Do you believe in god?

Yes.

15
Jenna asked:
What is the best decision you've ever made? And also, what's the best dinner you've ever had?

To become Sølve’s girlfriend in May 2008.

It is impossible to answer this. I have had so many wonderful meals; both because of the delicious food, but also because of the lovely company.

16
Danielle asked:
How did you get into photography?

My dad has always been an eager photographer, so I think he inspired me to start shooting. I got my first point and shoot camera when I was 10 years old, and ever since then I have been a happy snapper.

17
Whitney asked:
If you were going to move, where would you want to live next?

I already answered this; number five here.

18
Hanna asked:
What is your favorite food?

Pizza is high on the list.

19
Stephen asked:
What's your favorite childhood memory?

I don’t think I have one favorite; but I remember well the joy of being on summer vacation with my family in Denmark and having fun in the pool all day long.

20
Diana asked:
Which travelling you will remember forever? What place has impressed you ever so much?

Svalbard and South Africa were equally exotic and impressive.

answers, part I

Christmas Eve at my parents' place

Here is the first batch of questions and answers from the giveaway:

1
Gali asked:
Have you ever had what you would call "the perfect cupcake/muffin"?

The chocolate cupcake from Magnolia Bakery in New York was great, but I’m also pretty pleased with my own chocolate cupcakes. Still I think the best muffin/cupcake experience I’ve had was with the muffin I bought at Borough Market in London in June. It was some kind of berry muffin, freshly baked and lukewarm.

2
Hilde asked:
What are your Christmas wishes?

Well, now that Christmas Eve has passed, I know what I got and I’m super happy. But I didn’t really wish for much; I have most of the things I need and wish for.

3
Ana asked:
What do you do when you have a creative block (if you ever had it...)?
What usually makes you laugh?

Oh yes, I do have creative blocks, especially when it comes to my writing. I’m not very good at dealing with it actually, but I try to remove all distractions, get some fresh air, some good food and then just do it.

I’m a bit embarrassed to say this, but America’s Funnies Home Videos always makes me laugh.

4
Kevin asked:
Do you plan to have children? Why or Why not?

Yes, we do plan to have children. For me, having children is a natural part of life.

5
Reya asked:
If you had to move away from Bergen to any other city of your choice, where would it be?

New York was an amazing city which I would love to explore more by living there for a while. But realistically I think my hometown Sandnes or the neighbor city Stavanger is where we would move. Our parents live there and lots of our friends.

6
Camila asked:
When you think of Brazil, what is the first thought that pops into your head?

Carnival, samba and beach life.

7
Shokoofeh asked:
Have you ever had doubts about being a blogger? in other words; what is your biggest reason to own a blog?

No, I have not had any doubts. Well, by the way, I do. Sometimes I feel like I spend too much time in front of the computer and blogging (and Flickr) is the main reason for it. On the other hand, I love photography and I really enjoy sharing my photos with others. I also enjoy sharing random inspiring finds with others. I think those are the main reasons for my blogging.

8
Lorena asked:
You are one of those people that you give much importance to each of the elements in your home. I mean, at first glance. You think watching your home I can see the reflection of your personality? Or Do you think a home is to be comfortable and useful, but nothing else?

I think a home in general should be all of that; a reflection of the owner’s personality, comfortable and useful/functional. I feel like my home is all that. And yes, I do care about each element in my home.

9
Jodi asked:
Do you like winter?

Yes. But I do sometimes get sick off the darkness.

10
Satu asked:
What are you reading currently and which norwegian writer or book would you recommend your readers?

Right now I’m reading a book called “Gjeld” (debt) by Torgrim Eggen. I would recommend “Out Stealing Horses” by Per Petterson.

and the winner is

My sister Mari, who is sitting next to me in our parents' livingroom, has picked a number between 1 and 47, which was the total number of participants in my giveaway.

The lucky number is 26 which is Ida's comment. She wrote:

What a wonderful give away.

Have you ever lived anywhere else than Bergen?

I'm Ida. I've lived in the US for the last 4 years but moved back to Denmark this summer. Also, I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and I'm so happy I did :-)

Congratulations Ida! I forgot the book at home in Bergen, so I will send it to you in early January. Please email me your postal address.

It has been snowing all day in Sandnes, so with the white landscape outside the Christmas mood is complete. My parents' home smells of delicious Christmas dinner (ribbe) and now it's time to dress up.

God jul everyone!

Soon

It is already 1 pm here in Sandnes, so the winner of the giveaway will be announced very soon. By the way, I am posting this from my dad's iPad. It is such a fun toy! I want one too!

it has started

We drove from Bergen to our hometown Sandnes last night, so now the Christmas joy and madness have started. Bring it on!

Don't forget the giveaway. It ends tomorrow, December 24, at noon CET/GMT +1. I will be back and announce the winner then.

al fresco dining V

Canon EOS 500N, Agfa Precisa 100

Fresh shrimps on white bread with mayonnaise and lemon juice, troublesome wasps, intense hydrangeas and light rain in the garden in late August.

For the record: it's snowing. PS: Giveaway!

I like this

There is absolutely room in my wardrobe for this wonderful wool shawl from Norwegian Berg & Berg (via D2). This red one is a beauty too.

Atem Books

These two beautiful books arrived at my home yesterday. They are filled with fantastic photos by Lara Alegre and Ana Cabalerio, published by the Spanish independent publishing house Atem Books.

winter light

- in our apartment in later November.





Minolta SRT 303, Fuji Superia X-tra 800

PS: Giveaway!

pre-Christmas Bergen

This is how Bergen looks like these days when I walk home from the office. There is just a little less snow than in these shots, that were taken earlier this month. Nice, isn't it? So, are you ready for Christmas yet? Händel's Messiah, a blazing fire and red tea lights are putting us in the right mood tonight. And in a couple of days we pack our bags to drive home for Christmas in our hometown Sandnes.

Do you have any favorite tunes to put you in the right holiday mood?





All photos: Minolta SRT 101, Kodak Portra 400nc

confession

I love flowers! And I'm clearing out my film 2010 archives for photos I haven't posted yet. So, here is some pre-Christmas flower galore for you.


February: Canon EOS 500N, Fuji Provia 100F


March: Canon EOS 500N, Agfa Precisa 100


April: Canon EOS 500N, Fuji Velvia 100F


May: Canon EOS 500N, Kodak Portra 160vc

June: Canon EOS 500N, Fuji pro 160S

June: Canon EOS 500N, Fuji Velvia 50

June: Canon EOS 500N, Kodak Ektar 100



December: Minolta SRT 303, Fuji Superia X-tra 800

Which one is your favorite?

PS: Don't forget the giveaway! The winner will be picked on Christmas Eve (Friday).

Kristina shoots film

Why do you shoot film, Kristina?

well, i could make up a long and elaborate story of how i thought about photography for a very long time and came to the conclusion that film was the one and only medium worth wasting one’s time with if one were an artistic soul, but that would be a ginormous lie. really, it’s been a coincidence – no less and no more. some years back, my aunt moved places and gave me her old praktica LTL, a heavy, big manual camera. i started shooting film with varying success, which partly may have been due to me not really knowing what i was doing, and the added challenge of going all manual. but it was love, from the very first day. it’s been a big learning curve, in which i’ve benefited most from getting things ‘wrong’. like travelling to venice in the middle of summer and shooting with film that should really have been used indoors on a winter’s night - everything i shot outdoors looked faded and washed out. after my initial embarassment though, it turned out i liked the effect. i guess what i’m saying is: film has made me appreciate those happy and less happy accidents. it has made me more patient. and it’s for the first time that i feel i’m learning without fearing imminent judgement, i can just play and see where it takes me.

p.s.: my latest camera crushes are my nikkormat EL and a pentax ME. and i’m very much hoping to own a medium format camera some day soon. i should really tell santa, or whoever is in charge of these things.

You can see more of Kristina's photos on her blog and her Flickr.

the dinner project, week 50

Monday December 13: tortillas with beef, lettuce, onion, guacamole and salsa

Tuesday December 14: Dolly Dimple's pizza take out

Wednesday December 15: nachos

Thursday December 16: Astrid's home alone dinner: rice with butter (a guilty pleasure)

Friday December 17: lasagna (photo above)

Saturday December 18: entrecote, roasted amandine potatoes and gravy

Sunday December 19: lasagna leftovers

Sunday breakfast

Minolta SRT 303, Fuji Superia X-tra 800

Sunday breakfast some weeks ago whilst my parents were visiting. Today it's just Sølve and me, so we had our regular müsli with a Sunday treat; plain yoghurt with fresh blueberries. What did you have for breakfast this Sunday?

PS: Don't forget the giveaway. Only five days left!

everyday life

December is filled with beautiful blues, yet I want to hibernate in Anna Emilia's snow house whilst waiting for the magic to happen.

life with dog

Hama kept me company in the kitchen whilst I made Friday night lasagna.

After five days of being a dog owner* I have learnt
- Hama makes me smile and laugh
- she makes strangers on the street smile
- she makes strangers on the street come over and talk to me
- she makes me more playful
- she smiles
- dogs have personalities
- dog snacks can be mistaken for raisins if it accidentally gets into your morning müsli...

*I have taken care of my friend Jakob's shiba Hama whilst the floors in his bachelor pad are being sanded. I have never before had a dog - or any other kind of pet. Gold fish doesn't count.