The Weekend Lens

SATURDAY | Out in the yard in the morning. Anna worked on a Kiwi Crate box. Simon read and walked around the yard playing out Indiana Jones scenes. He re-filled the bird feeder. I picked up the dog poop and started weeding my vegetable beds and dreaming up stuff to plant. Nachos for lunch. Rode bikes and checked out a new park in the afternoon. The sun is shining. The sun in shining. The sun in shining. Leftover pizza for dinner. Dishes. laundry. Layout for blog hop. Aaron installed new hard drive. Watch Nanny McPhee Returns. Time change.

SUNDAY | Banana pancakes. Taxes. Reading (Anna = any Pinkalicious book, Simon = Indiana Jones, me = Country Living). Cheese sandwich for Simon. Noodles for me and Anna. Mediate arguments. Prescribe break time in their rooms. Text with Aaron. Drive to park with kids bikes in the back of the car. Play. Play. Play. Sit on bench with Simon at the park + hold hands + listen while he tells me a story about Adventure Time. Simon feeds Lily and George. Watch James & The Giant Peach. Steak + roasted Brussels sprouts & carrots + peaches for dinner. Anna helps with the dishes. Watch them chase each other around after brushing their teeth before being talked into a hug before bed. Anna looks through her usual 2 stacks of books. Simon reads a Star Wars book. I sit down to work.

All photos above were shot with my iphone 5.

I made a conscious effort this weekend to reconnect with that part of myself that sees through the lens - it helped that the sun was shining and the temperature warmer and we weren't stuck inside (so many things seem to be easier when this is the case). I've been feeling rusty and out of practice and un-inspired and just not really satisfied with my images lately (potentially a symptom of other things). I knew I needed to get back to what I know: composition, looking up, looking down, relationships, and really just be more intentional about it.

To give myself a bit of a boost I also decided to purchase and play around with Totally Rad's Rad Lab - a plug-in for use with Photoshop. I've heard Cathy talk about it before and must say that I really liked using it with these photos this weekend. I also purchased the PicTapGo app for my iphone.

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30 thoughts

  1. EE K says…
    03/11/2013

    Great photos. You are convincing me that I need an upgrade from the 4 to the 5...

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. dawn says…
    03/11/2013

    Ali, these are great photos and the writing is my favorite, straight from the heart. I love the connections you find thru your lens, always inspires me. Sounds like a perfect weekend and HOORAY FOR SUN SHINING, that is what I said this week too and it extended into our weekend.

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful post and pictures with us. Hope your week is a good one.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. anneberit says…
    03/11/2013

    Love the feel of your photos. It's so nice when we can be outdoors more than indoors. Looking forward to spring myself. Happy Monday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. libbywilko says…
    03/11/2013

    I LOVE my iPhone 5 too I only got it at the end of Nov so still practising my technique. I'm working on being more intentional with my photos right now(weeks and weeks of grey skies, Rain and mud here in Brisbane definitely dented my creativity). I love the photo of you and Simon on the bench...so sweet and wow his feet are nearly the same size as yours!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Cathy says…
    03/11/2013

    You'll love RadLab, Ali. Good stuff!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Paula Valentino says…
    03/11/2013

    I just love how you document and photograph the important things... I just love the photo of you holding your son's hand... it's those moments that really remind you how precious life is! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. kelsey says…
    03/11/2013

    Love the photo of you and Simon holding hands. In not to long, it may not be cool to hold your hand. At least you will have a photo to remember that deep inside he still does.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. alida says…
    03/11/2013

    Just love every one of these photo's (and words). They are a fresh view on your family life. Can't wait to see these in PL!
    Ps: I've also recently come to really value slower week-ends.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. simplypearl says…
    03/11/2013

    hi ali, as always, your blog is so inspiring. and i am soooo happy you were able to make your book Life Artist available as an ebook! i've been waiting for that! and i too love radlab and pictapgo. :) enjoy.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. designbyHektor says…
    03/11/2013

    Sounds like a really great weekend, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Cathy L. says…
    03/11/2013

    I love your photos, especially the one if you and Simon holding hands. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Lisa W. says…
    03/11/2013

    LOVING your "Weekend Lens" I always look forward. Very nice weekend for the kids and you, good good stuff!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. June says…
    03/11/2013

    What awesome snippets of your weekend. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Patti L says…
    03/11/2013

    I love Rad Lab. It has def saved me at times when images were just bleh. Totally can relate to the getting outdoors. I've seriously wondered sometimes if I need to live somewhere where there is sun everyday.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Jess says…
    03/11/2013

    That park is a great find - love the swing :) We spent some time outside this weekend too - so nice to see the sun! Loved seeing bits and pieces of your weekend....

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Jenny says…
    03/11/2013

    What Indiana Jones books is Simon reading? I have some Young Indiana Jones mystery books my boys aren't interested in. I'm not sure the reading level on them though. Let me know if you're interested in them. I love books, so I'd be happy to give them to someone who would like them.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/11/2013

      He's currently been reading the ones based on the movies but he might have interest in those - if you are looking to pass them along we'd definitely take them from you! Email me ali@aliedwards.com

  17. melanie says…
    03/11/2013

    very much digging those shoes of yours. need to go back and look on instagram of what you said they were as i think with all this house selling and moving stuff going on, i deserve a reward. ;)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/11/2013

      Those are good old saltwater sandals. Love them.

  18. J3SS1C4 says…
    03/11/2013

    Sounds like you guys had a very full weekend! I always love seeing your photos of everyday life like these. I definately get what you mean about being dissatisfied with your images... I've been going through that the last couple of months as well. I hope it passes for you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. orange gearle says…
    03/11/2013

    Always love these posts. My three year old loves anything pinkalicious, too. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Heather says…
    03/11/2013

    I always love your photos. Could you link me to your post about what iphone instagram filters or photo tweeking you use. I'm having difficulty finding it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/11/2013

      Hi Heather - I don't think I've done one because I don't usually do much at all. In Instagram I like "rise" and "valencia." I just bought pictapgo (app) this weekend and was playing with it - mainly using the "lights on" filter.

  21. Brooke says…
    03/11/2013

    Sounds like a lovely weekend. I love how you make the everyday sound awesome, because really it is and sometimes we forget that.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. anna says…
    03/11/2013

    the lilacs are blooming there!!!! 2 more months until ours start here! :)
    a

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/11/2013

      No lilacs just yet - some of the rhododendrons are in bloom.

  23. Amyd1971 says…
    03/11/2013

    Has Anna read Emeraldalicious yet? My 3 year olds review? "It was ok." And she's a super "liscious" fan! Nothing beats the original. I love your blog Ali. You are so inspirational to us all.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Mel says…
    03/12/2013

    I love your Saltwater Sandals! Reminds me of being a kid and of summer. My mother had me in those practically as soon as I could walk!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. kelly says…
    03/12/2013

    Hope you feel inspired this week! I have about 3 months of being uninspired; it's called winter in New England. I need sunshine to feel genuinely happy. Spring...and summer are coming soon. Cheer up, pretty girl. ; ) This past weekend, I was in Florida with my little nephew visiting my dad and was making an effort to take photos of "moments" that tell stories.

    Reply 0 Replies

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