3 - Eric

Eric is a real life superhero.

We often joke that if we can't find him, then he must be out somewhere doing good for the world. He has spent time here in the US, in Guatemala and in Africa doing public health volunteer work. He is currently in his 4th year of med school, and for two of his elective rotations he will travel back to Guatemala and Africa for more do-good-ing! The other day there was a blood drive on our block. Naturally when he got home that night there was a cotton ball taped to his arm.

It is an honor to count him among our friends. That my children look up to him is like icing on the cake. The incredibly kind, selfless cake.

2 - Me

Focal Length: 50mm

Shutter Speed: 1/160

Aperture: f/2.0

ISO: 200

Flash: Not Fired

Not much to say about this one. It's just me.

1 - Miss Denise

Focal length: 50mm

Shutter speed: 1/60

Aperture: f/2.5

ISO: 400

Flash: not fired

This is Miss Denise. She was an easy choice for my first face. First off, I see her at least four days a week at the Y, where she mans the front desk. She is a lovely woman who radiates warmth and happiness all around her. Knowing she'll be the first person I greet most days (aside from my own family) gives me motivation to get out the door. The kids simply adore her, and when she's not there they pout. If they ever encounter her somewhere other than the front desk, their little faces light up and they run to hug her legs, something they can't do when she's behind a desk.

When I was first thinking about this project, she was one of the people I knew I was going to ask to participate. I'm so glad she said yes. Thank you, Miss Denise!

Declaring My Purpose

Hello there. My name is Amy Jo. Perhaps you know me from The Cheese Party or the Philly Moms Blog, or maybe you've just happened here by accident. However you arrived, welcome! This blog is different from my others in that is has a singular purpose: to photograph 50 faces with my 50mm lens between now and December 31, 2009.

I've been shooting for a little over three years now, and I see this project as a way to help my advance both my love of photography and my skill as a photographer. I have zero formal education in photography, which is something I hope to change in the next year. I shoot with a Canon Rebel XTi and about a month ago I bought a 50mm f/1.4 lens. Which is when the seeds for this project were planted.

I don't claim this idea as my own. I do, however, claim all of the rights to the photographs on these pages. I love sharing, though, as long as you ask! I also love company, so if you are so motivated, feel free to participate as well. Let me know in the comments or by email and I'll keep a running list in the sidebar of all participants.

These first few shots are ones I've already taken and are mainly being posted to test the blog formatting. Once I start posting the 'real' faces I'll number them.

Ya'll come back real soon, ya hear?