Friday, January 1, 2010

Theme Day: Changes

On January first, 2008, my husband drove me through the hills above the Rose Bowl Stadium during the football game so I could try to get a decent shot with my Olympus SP30. We finally stopped on the Holly Street Bridge where I took this photo.
Never mind that we never got close enough to give the Olympus a chance. Never mind that I didn't have the faintest idea how to get a "decent shot." Inspired by Paris Daily Photo, I was determined to begin a daily photo blog about the Paris of the Pacific, even though I wasn't a photographer and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I posted the photo and Pasadena Daily Photo was born.

After two years of daily blogging I've learned about photography, become a better writer and discovered that Pasadena is infinite--I'll never photograph all of it. I've also met more wonderful people than I can count, on the web and in person, and I can't thank them enough for their contributions to Pasadena Daily Photo. I begin my third year of PDP with enthusiasm, open to what new changes may come my way.

Yesterday I returned to the Holly Street Bridge to try my Canon 20D on the same view.
Happy New Year! May all your changes this year be for the better.

Click here to view how other City Daily Photo bloggers have addressed the theme of Changes today.

42 comments:

Keith said...

Wow! What a difference in those photos. Happy Daily Photo Anniversary and Happy New Year Petrea!

Dina said...

True observations, Petrea!
Through blogging we become sharper, brighter, and more feeling, like our improving photographs.

I went back to January 2008 to see how PDP was born. So funny to see your first few posts with zero comments. So glad we, your fan club, discovered you quickly. Life would not be the same without you.

Shell Sherree said...

Happy New Year, Petrea, and congratulations on your blogoversary ~ thank you so much for your charming combination of sensible with the occasional silly, and for helping me to know your beautiful Pasadena as I never imagined I would.

Jilly said...

Your second birthday! Many congratulations on your always interesting blog. I can identify with you in becoming a better photographer and also in meeting so many new friends, some in reality and some via the Internet and all so valuable. You are one. Best wishes to you both and Boz for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2010 and yes, a creative one too, which I know, for you, it will be.

Julie said...

Well done as you enter your third year of blogging. It is fascinating all the changes that your life undergoes once you open yourself up to the possibility that other bloggers may just be as genuine as yourself rather than some creep out of a chat room.

Petrea, May I wish you and John, health and happiness,as we journey into twenty ten.

Thib said...

Happy New Year, Petrea!
And happy anniversary to PDP Jr ;-)

Virginia said...

Oh I'm so glad I got to come to your 2nd Birthday Party!! Your blog is always a delight and I know what you mean about all the fabulous people you meet doing the Daily Grind, I mean Daily PHoto! I told Eric just that last summer when I had my papal audience with him. He reallly started something didn't he!!

Keep it up my friend. Now.....pass the cake.
V

Anonymous said...

Holy smokes!

Whatever got you into blogging, I'm forever grateful. You're a constant, amazing delight.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, everyone. I guess blogging's not for everyone but it's definitely for me (and from this list of comments, for most of you, too). A couple of your comments are about to become my new screen-savers. The rest will be on my bulletin board.

Those first posts: what few comments I had were mostly from my relatives.

Laurie Allee said...

Petrea, you're an inspiration and the reason I started blogging! Happy 2nd birthday to PDP, and happy new year to you and yours. XOXOXOXOXO

John Sandel said...

I'm proud of you for turning this into a community, where most blogs wizen on the virtual vine. Blogging in these early years of interconnectivity is like radio in the days of cat'swhiskers … which means you're like a lonely geek in Ottumwa patiently broadcasting to the mostlyempty airwaves …

Not sure what that means.

Anyway.

It's charming and noble that you've stuck with it. And look at the appreciation from around the world! Archæologists are your pals! Paris? Bahh.

BTW, the change on the San Gabriels, in your photos of today, is startling. Can't recall what time you shot the first photo, but the tree shadows suggest diffuse late-morning or early-afternoon light—where the latter shot has raking light, which throws the hills nudididity into, um, relief.

But, still, anyway, nevertheless, the foilage which has gone is plain to see. Except that it's gone. You know what I mean. I mean I love you.

Desiree said...

Damn straight! Happy new year!

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Laurie. You, too, Desiree, happy new year to you both.

John--regarding the photos: misty weather then, better zoom lens now. Yeah, you can really see where the greenery ends and the forest is gone.
As for charming nobility: You drove me around that day. You continue to indulge me. You make my work easier (everything is easier in twos, as you say). I love you, too, but not for those reasons.

Amy said...

Happy New Year and Happy blogging anniversary. A photo a day for two years?? Absolutely amazing. And it really is a fantastic way to improve photography and writing. Practice...well you know that cliche. ;)

Thanks so much for showing me Pasadena. I will live there. One day, probably when I don't work in West LA.

I look forward to seeing even more of Pasadena in 2010.

Unknown said...

This is great!
Happy New Year, Petrea!

Katie said...

Here's to a wonderful new year and many more delightful and interesting photos and stories from Pasadena! Congrats on starting your third year of blogging -- you're truly an inspiration. My best to you, John and Boz!

Cafe Pasadena said...

I woke up to wish you a Happier New Year, PDP!

From the photos, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

bitingmidge said...

Happy New Year! I like the "infinite" concept, it gives me hope that I won't run out of stuff in the third year as well!

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

Bellis said...

Happy New Year, Petrea, and thanks for giving me something to look forward to every morning.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Happy new year, a lovely photo (the second one!)
:-) It is clear that you have mastered your camera!

Three Rivers Daily Photo

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

this is a great post and reminds me of how much my photography has improved because of starting my photo blog site. it is amazing how much we learn about our city and our photography when participating as city daily photo bloggers. Congrats on your anniversary for three years. well done. Happy New year!

Petrea Burchard said...

Wow, thanks for the lovely comments. Yes, move here, Amy, we've got room for just one more!

John Sandel said...

… "biting midge" …?

Eric Tenin said...

"even though I wasn't a photographer and I had no idea what I was getting myself into" You bet!

Well Petrea congratulations on your second anniversary - and thank you for being so loyal to PDP (well I mean Paris Daily Photo!).

I really would love to meet you one day, whether in Paris or in California.

All the best for the new year ;-)

Kim said...

Happy New Year and Happy Blogoversary, Petrea! Congratulations on your very fine blog's anniversary and continued happy trails as you explore and show us your lovely Pasadena. I am so glad for your wonderful presence in our blogging community. You add such spice and perspective and I'm sure I speak for myriad fans when I say how much you are appreciated!
Best to you 2010!
-Kim

from cali said...

Happy New Year and second anniversary!

Petrea Burchard said...

It's a red letter day when I get any comments, and so many! But I admit I blush when Eric Tenin stops by. Thanks, Eric, I'd love to meet you, too. Honestly, I prefer to meet you in Paris but wherever it works out is fine.

For those who don't know, Eric began Paris Daily Photo on March 11, 2005. From it sprang the City Daily Photo Blog community. There are now 1122 members worldwide.

A visit from Kim in Seattle is also a joy (would love to meet you, too, Kim). And from Cali in--well, Cali. When are we going to get together, Cali? Soon, I hope.

Chuck Pefley said...

Life, like blogging, is all about change ... and growth. Congratulations for finding the courage to take the first step and then to continue along the path a step at a time. Filling two years with daily material is a lot of work ... I know, because I, too, am about to begin my third year as well. I look forward to seeing more changes in the days and months to come.

Happy New Year, Petrea!

Louis la Vache said...

Bonne année, Petrea!

Ms M said...

Congrats on your blog-o-versary -- you do a stupendous job! And it's fun to see how photos improve and evolve over time; nothing like practice :)

Have a very happy new year!

Sarah A said...

We enjoyed Pasadena today for the Rose Parade. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Dina said...

Wonderful how much love a photo a day generates!

Lori Lynn said...

Congrats on your anniversary Petrea! Great post for Theme Day. Best wishes for continued success with your terrific blog and Happy New Year!
LL

Kate said...

Happy New Year to you, too. And, happy anniversary; isn't it wonderful to be able to document progress?!

USelaine said...

Wow, wow, wow! What they said!

Two years, and counting, of daily blogging is a tremendous achievement. I'm so grateful to Eric for devising this community, which allowed us to make all these connections. All my good wishes to you as you sally forth.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, thanks, and more thanks. The community is why we do it, don't you think? At least it's one of the main reasons.

I recently read a blog that described the blogging world as "constant snark" or something to that effect. He obviously wasn't a photo blogger.

IamMBB said...

We never know what change will bring. It's fun finding out.

from cali said...

I too hope we meet soon!

Diana said...

Well, all due respect to Bill Bogaard, but I'm not sure Pasadena qualifies as the "Paris of the Pacific." However, in the early 20th century, it was actually known as "the Athens of the West!"

Petrea Burchard said...

Diana, it seems to me I've read that somewhere, but I can't remember where...maybe at the Pasadena PIO's blog. It makes sense, with our climate.

Thérèse said...

Happy Anniversary Petrea!
Even if I don't leave any comment on your blog I come and have a peek at your blog often.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Thérèse, thank you for stopping by. You're welcome any time, whether you comment or not!