Blipfoto

The challenge today was to create an image that represents Blip to me, and to write a few words about why this community is so special and so worth saving.  Well, for starters, you know that it's hard for me to write a "few" words, so apologies if this gets a little long and rambly...

And before I launch into the literary portion of this blip, I'd like to remind anyone reading this that it's important to pledge money to ensure that this community can continue to exist as  place for us all to share and store memories.  If you haven't already done so, please visit BlipFuture/Invest!

I was introduced to Blip 4 1/2 years ago by a fellow brain-tumor survivor who suggested that I might enjoy the challenge of taking a photo a day.  At the time, I was still trying to figure out what my post-surgery life was going to look like and how I was going to navigate around some of the unwelcome changes in my life.  Photography was providing me with some much-needed therapy.  So I figured...what the heck, I'll join this Blipfoto thing.

When I published my first photo here on 17 July 2011, I really didn't have any plans to commit to a photo a day.  So I missed my second day, but jumped back on board on Day 3 ...and haven't stopped for even one day since then!  Taking at least one photo a day has become something of an obsession with me for so many reasons...

...turns out I like the discipline of creating an image each day, of preserving a moment in time, a memory, a feeling.  I love going back months or years later and being able to remember exactly what was happening on any particular day in my life...from mundane to monumental.

...my photographic skills have improved SO much!  I've learned how to be a much better wildlife photographer, of course...but I've also learned a lot about macro, about landscapes, sunsets, still waters, moons, portraits and even Photoshop.  And you know what?  I still have SO much to learn!

...I love that people here have been so willing to give me help and suggestions to improve my skills, to share techniques and tricks, to explain how they created some of the amazing shots I see here every day.


...but most of all, I love the community of people I've come to know here.  I'm blessed to have made some wonderful friendships on Blip, both in the virtual world and in person.  I've shared drinks, meals, laughs, tears and many hours of photography with some of you and am so proud to call you my friends.  Never expected that all those years ago when I posted my first Blip...

It would be such a shame if this community dissolved.  I'd miss being able to stop by and visit places in the world that I might not ever otherwise see ... to see majestic landscapes from northern Europe, and stunning sunrises from Australia, to fascinating birds from Oman, and so many other amazing things.  I'd miss being able to hear stories and share moments.  

So, please, let's all pitch in and pledge what we can!

By the way, I found this template as a free download online and chose 150 photos that I've blipped in the last 18 months to create the collage.  Then a quick addition of text and it was done!  I know that there are ways to do this in PS, but I'm afraid that exceeds my abilities...

Hubs and I kicked off the new year with a 2-mile hike through the woods.  
Toodles,
Debbi

PS:  And just to prove that I have not broken my blip-streak, HERE is a photo that was taken today!  And, by the way, if you haven't checked out all of the wonderful images created for today, please see #PledgeBlipfoto