Tag: blogging101

2017: A look back and Thank You!!

What an amazing year!

For this blog post, I had already planned to do a bit of a look back at last year, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the WordPress Daily Post Photo Challenge of 2017 Favorites.

First, I’d like to express gratitude to all of the wonderful readers, browsers, commenters, who have made running this blog so much fun!  And, of course, a great bigh thank you to all of you who have participated in the Tuesday Photo Challenge throughout the past year; I never imagined that running this challenge could be as much fun as it is!

A couple of statistics to reflect the progress of 2017:

  • My fantastic followers went from about 1,000 to over 3,500!  That alone blew my mind (I had set my goal for 2017 at reaching 2,000).
  • Views of this blog grew from 26,000 to over 42,000 during the past year.
  • Number of views per blog post went from 47.5 in 2017 to 126 in 2018.

As I restarted the blog in January of 2016, it is the wonderful response and feedback from fellow bloggers and readers that have helped me improve what I post.  Also, I was humbled to be mentioned in WordPress’ Discover section for my 3rd post in a series about the Forum in Rome; this made a huge impact on the success of my blog.

As our trip to Italy was a big part of my photography this year, here are some examples…

Looking across the Forum
Looking over Massa Marittima
Fields of Tuscany
Looking over Volterra
Cupid and Psyche
Looking over the Valley
Connecting with neighbors
Alleys everywhere!
Looking toward the Capitol
By the temple of Augustus
View across Palatine toward Maxentius

Again, thanks to each of you for making 2017 a year of progress and growth!  I’m very much looking forward to pushing forward in 2018 and learning from all of you!

Have a wonderful and happy New Year!

Three Line Tales – Week 13

Civilized conversation

Welcome to Week Thirteen of Three Line Tales.

three line tales week thirteen, red kettlephoto prompt by Dayne Topkin – click here for full res version

Afternoon’s repast,
Shared moments of joy with you.
A warm tea kettle.

****

Thank you to Sonya of Only 100 Words for coming up with Three Line Tales.

The TLT rules are simple:

  • Take a look at the photo prompt and write three lines to go with it.
  • Your lines can be poetry, micro-fiction, micro non-fiction or just a really long caption – everything goes as long as it’s three lines long.
  • A link back to this post would be nice (it’ll make me feel obliged to swing by yours to read your three lines, and some of your readers might want to join in, too – the more, the merrier, right?).
  • Tag your post with 3LineTales – it’ll make it easier for others to find it in the Reader.
  • Read other participants’ lines.

Please check Sonya’s post Three Line Tales – Week Thirteen for detailed instructions.

Dragon’s Loyalty Award

Welcome to my lair!

Dragon's Loyalty Award

Dear Reader, begging your indulgence, I’d like to share with you that I have been nominated for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award!  As a small repayment for your indulgence, I promise that this is the last reward that I am posting.  As much as I enjoy receiving awards, I want to make sure that my blog stays on point, as much as possible, which means that I want to focus its content on you, my much appreciated Readers!

First of all, a great big thank you to Sherri, aka MysticalWriter, who thought me deserving of this award.  I have been following Sherri’s blog for quite a while and love her take on the universe and, particularly, her posts on crystals and minerals, which are extermely informative.  So go check her out at MysticalWriter.

Here’s the rules for this award, should you want to accept it:

☆Award Rules:

1. Display the award on your blog.
2. Announce your win with a post and link back to the nominator.
3. Present 6 deserving bloggers with the award.
4. Link your awardees in the post.
5. Write 7 interesting things about you.

Interesting Facts:

What could be 7 interesting facts about me?  It’s a little tricky; after all, what I might find interesting, might be mundane to you…  However, here’s an attempt:

  1. While I was still in elementary school, I learned to speak basic English from kids in a British family, who lived in a windmill close to where I lived in the Netherlands.
  2. I learned to read basic hieroglyphics, so that I could understand some of the writing on Egyptian artifacts that I saw in museums.
  3. My high school was closed to an excellent museum in Rotterdam, so I often spent lunch time looking at Dali and Bosch paintings.
  4. I have walked with a wolf, who accepted me enough to even lean into my leg and let me photograph her at eye level.
  5. I find moose amazing animals, who posses untapped grace.
  6. I have caught fish by walking through gullies in a part of the sea that falls dry at low tide, and feeling the fish wiggle underfoot.
  7. I didn’t see my first computer until I went to college.

My Nominees:

  1. (b)ananartista
  2. Rational romantic mystical cynical idealist
  3. One more shot please
  4. Lifelessons
  5. Cait
  6. Inside the red’s head

Enjoy!!

Another Versatile Blogger Award!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

1-versatile-blogger-awardI’m very grateful that I was nominated by Bikurgurl, whose Bikurgurl blog is truly awesome, for a Versatile Blogger Award.

First of all, go out and read Bikurgurl, as her writing, point of view on the world and overall outlook on life make her much more than just a gurl!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Rules (from The Versatile Blogger Award):

  • Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
  •  Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
  •  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
  •  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  •  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

Facts about me:

  1. As I was born in the Netherlands, I love licorice (Dutch licorice, of course)
  2. I find Japanese culture very intriguing and want to travel there
  3. I am owned by 4 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and a cat
  4. My high school was founded in 1328
  5. I love exploring areas where there are few people
  6. My favorite photographers are Rineke Dijkstra, Dorothea Lange and Cindy Sherman
  7. There are lots of areas where I want to photograph, when I’m independlty wealthy!

There’s the tip of the iceberg 🙂

My Nominees (go check them out!!):

  1. It Is What It Is
  2. PK Photo of the Day
  3. Tesserology
  4. An Insight to my Thoughts and Experiences
  5. Impromptu Promptlings
  6. Angela Murdock
  7. TSS Reviews
  8. Erhynireh
  9. Lita Doolan
  10. Musings of an Insomniac
  11. Holly’s OCA Blog C&N
  12. A Kinder Way
  13. kidscrumbsandcrackers
  14. CJ Bane & Pearl
  15. La vie en orange

Each of these blogs is as unique as the folks that write them.  The one constant is that each blogger is devoted to running a great blog, which shows in the quality of what they provide, and the honesty of what they write.  You’ll want to check each of these blogs!

Thanks again Bikurgurl!!

Sunshine Blogger Award – David Muñiz

I humbly accept this award (smiles)

David Muñiz of Chape Personal Trainer nominated me for this amazing award!  Thank you very much, David, as I am truly honored.  Go check out David’s blog, Chape Personal Trainer, for lots of inspiration, detailed explanation of exercises, playlist, meal plans and overall good cheer!

Sunshine Award

Are you following David’s blog yet?

What are you waiting for?

Award Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions from your nominator.
3. Nominate eleven other bloggers and give them eleven questions.

Questions for me:

  1. Favourite subject at school?
    Physics.  This is what I studied in college, as I knew it would be my major before I entered college.
  2. What 3 words describe you best?
    Intelligent, creative and driven, although the latter can sometimes take a detour.
  3. What is your favourite quote?
    The root of suffering is attachment.  This simple statement holds much wisdom and truth!
  4. Why did you start blogging?
    Share my photography with people and learn more about them and from them.  It’s a community experience that makes this fun!
  5. What aspect of blogging do you love the most?
    The interaction with fellow bloggers, who have taught me much and are a fun crowd!
  6. What do you feel is the most important takeaway for your readers (from your blog)?
    Look around yourself, appreciate what you see and enjoy it!
  7. What’s your favourite hobby (aside from blogging!)?
    Photography, as some of my readers might be aware 🙂
  8. Who is your dream dinner party guest (whether they are still alive or not)?
    Paramahansa Yogananda, who everyone can learn from.
  9. Where is your happy place?
    In meditation, as I float through levels of consciousness.
  10. How do you handle a stressful day?
    Play some guitar to relax and enjoy the moment.
  11. What was one of the most unusual experiences you’ve encountered?
    The first time that my spirit left my body during meditation.  It was a beautiful moment of extreme peace.

My Sunshine Nominees:

  1. Running Mountain Mama
  2. The Caffeinated Writer
  3. Flotsam and Jetsam
  4. Butterfly Sand
  5. Third Time Lucky!
  6. Ramblings of a Writer
  7. MUMSUMSUM
  8. JustBlueDutch
  9. Fleeting Muse
  10. Instamatic Gratification
  11. LisaPomerantzster: Are we there yet?

My questions for you:

  1. What is your best childhood memory?
  2. What is your favorite music?
  3. Where is your happy place?
  4. What was one of the most defining moments in your life?
  5. What do you like to achieve with your blog?
  6. What aspect of blogging do you love the most?
  7. If you could witness any event in the past or future, what would it be?
  8. What does a perfect day look like to you?
  9. What is your favourite quote?
  10. What is your favorite genre of fiction?
  11. What’s your ultimate vacation spot?

Hope you enjoy this!

Versatile Blogger Award

Another award? You’ve got to be kidding!

1-versatile-blogger-awardI’m very pleased that I was nominated by Ada of Gina’s Blog for a Versatile Blogger Award.

First of all, Ada is a truly interesting person (that’s why I read her blog).  She shares creative writing, art works, quotes that inspire her and others, and lots of other fun and inspirational content.

So, go check her out at Gina’s Blog and tell her I sent you!  You won’t regret it and might be a bit inspired after reading some of her posts!

The Rules (from The Versatile Blogger Award):

  • Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
  •  Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
  •  Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
  •  Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  •  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

My Nominees (slight rule break at 11…):

  1. Rose B Fischer
  2. Cover Your Book
  3. Shameful Sheep
  4. Sam French Photography
  5. Emmanuel Mema’s Blog
  6. Isabella Rose Photo Journal
  7. Middle Me
  8. Read Between The Lyme
  9. Nes Felicio
  10. Teacup Talk
  11. Olive These Words

Each of these blogs is as unique as the folks that write them.  The one constant is that each blogger is devoted to running a great blog, which shows in the quality of what they provide, and the honesty of what they write.  You’ll want to check each of these blogs!

Facts about me:

  1. I was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
  2. I came to the United States to go to college.
  3. My degree is in Physics.
  4. My ideal place to live is the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
  5. I started learning my first musical instrument, the guitar, 2 years ago.
  6. I have a collection of one-of-a-kind collectible toys.
  7. I want to spend more time on Iceland to photograph it.

There’s the tip of the iceberg 🙂

 

Thanks again to Ada!!

A (Tentative) Blog Schedule

It’s not cast in concrete, but it’s a good start!

As learned from Blogging101, part of a blog’s brand identity is established through the cadence of posts that are provided within that blog.  In all honesty, I have struggled with that aspect a little, which probably comes from my own lack of understanding of Dutch Goes the Photo‘s brand identity.  I felt a little bit, as in this image…

Centripete_MG_3897
Centripetal Force Equation

Luckily, some of my fellow Blogging101 students have successfully tackled the issue of creating a schedule, which inspired me to come up with my first schedule:

  • Sunday – Shot of the Week feature – this will usually be a shot that I took during that week, even though I have already violated that rule once…
  • Monday – Free-form post – posts on Monday will vary across a range of photographic items, which could be topical or throw-back.
  • Tuesday – Technical Topic – starting this week, I will kick off a series of TTT (Tuesday’s Technical topic) posts, for which I will be happy to take requests.  Some topics may require more than a single post to complete, so they could be across several weeks.
  • Wednesday – Wednesday Wonderment – these posts will focus on items that have amazed me in the past; some are simple, such as this past week’s Mushroom, whereas others will be more convoluted.  It’ll depend on where my mind takes me.
  • Thursday – Dogstar Thursday – this is my version of TBT, as these images will all be throwbacks to the days, when I photographed a lot of dog agility competitions.  I have a thousands of images, so there’s a bit of source material.
  • Friday – Free-form Friday – we’ll see where this takes us!  It may be food, strange collectible, custom toys (I have a bunch).  It’ll be fun!
  • Saturday – Variety – I’ll definitely include some photo challenges in here and will pick up some other items along the way.

As you can tell the schedule has plenty of flexibility built in, which is one of the items that I learned over the past week.  I figure that might work to my advantage, so that I’m not too boxed in, but still have enough regularly schedule items to not have to be uber-creative to come up with a new post.

So, Dear Reader…  What do you think about this?  Do you have suggestions?  I’m curious to hear how you have tackled this issue…

A Blogger Recognition Award!

What, me? Someone found my blog deserving! Blushing!

blogger-recognition-award

I am honored and humbled to have received a nomination for the Blogger Recognition Award from Ada of Gina’s Blog, which brings inspiration to an ever-growing readership.  She shares creative writings, artworks, quotes, life hacks, everyday inspiration and many more fabulous items that make you want to come back again and again; if you haven’t visited Gina’s Blog yet, go over there now and come back here afterwards.

Thank you very much, Ada for this nomination, as I wend my way from my little corner of the blogosphere (notice how I found a corner in a sphere…) into the world wide wonder of the web.  Over the past month, I have made progress with the help and encouragement of a lot of people that I have met through their blogs and mine; there is still a long way to go, but I think the bug may have bitten me!

So, here are the rules for this award:

Rule 1: Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Rule 2: Provide a link to the award creator.
Rule 3: Attach the award to your post.
Rule 4: Nominate fifteen other bloggers, excluding yourself and the person who nominated you
Rule 5: Write a brief story of how you started your blog.
Rule 6: A piece or two of advice to new bloggers.
Rule 7: Comment on the blogs you have named here to let them know you have nominated them.

How it began:

This blog has actually been around for 4+ years of inexpert blogging and inconsistent writing.  My original intent for the blog was to provide an additional outlet to get my photography known to people.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have a clue, nor did I stay after it, so that the only people that read my blog were my friends and fellow photographers who already knew my work.  A grand total of 721 views over the past 3 years sums it up pretty well 🙂

The revival is very much thanks to the Blogging101 course from WordPress, which gave me lots of good advice and an impetus to get my blog more together, and all the people that I met through the course and beyond.  A real cadence and sense of branding is beginning to emerge and I think it may be off to a good start this year!

Advice to New Bloggers:

Probably one of the best items that I learned over the past month is that you need to communicate, not just write blog posts!  Comment and provide feedback to other bloggers, start conversations and learn from each other!

Nominees:

 

 

These are some excellent bloggers who deserve your attention!!  Go check them out!

Thanks again Ada!

 

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