Saturday, March 14, 2009

My One-year Blog Anniversary

Yes, it's been one year since I first posted my number one entry at Yankee-in-Belgrade. Many things have transpired in my life since then, good and bad, but among the good are you, my many cyberfriends I've met through this blog and visiting others. In your honor, I invite you to have a glass of (cyber) wine on me.

This is my very, very first photo I took way back in 1973 with a screw-mount Praktica SLR camera I bought while living in Paris. My former boss helped me choose it, after I kept bugging him by showing him photos in magazines and saying, "I want a camera that can do this!" I loved my little Praktica and miss it. I was a complete novice when I got it; I'd take a photo (film, remember?), jot down the aperture, speed, and distance, then compare the results when I got either the contact sheet (remember those?) or the photos. Would you believe I even snipped individual negatives, thinking it was easier than keeping them on the strip??

This photo was taken in my apartment in Montmartre the same afternoon I bought the camera. I only had bread and wine (Paris!), and quickly put together this still life. (You can see that I didn't "do windows" at the time...)

Here's to you!!

33 comments:

ninja said...

I'm having cyber beer with you. Congrats!

Tash said...

Hearty congratulations on your 1st year! Wishing you many, many good things that you will share with us for many more posts to come.
Sounds like you were living a dream of a life in Paris and creating beautiful photos from the start.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Congratulations Bibi. This image shows as I have always suspected you are a photographer at heart. A good image is ageless. I share with you virtually a glass. I appreciate you must have mixed feeling on the year, but for me you have opened my eyes to a world we rarely glimpse in the West.Thank you so much for making Belgrade a daily part of my virtual life.

Richard Lawry said...

Happy Anniversary! I always enjoy your blog. It's like having my own little window into a far away place. Thank you.

An Arkies Musings

~Cheryl said...

Congratulations! My hat's off to you; here's to another terrific year!

Shell Sherree said...

What a romantic story and photo to share on this momentous occasion ~ and I love the design of the iron or whatever is on the other side of the window. Happy anniversary and bottoms up, Bibi!

Mim said...

What a lovely story and a great picture. It does sound so romantic to live in Paris and take pictures. Congrads on your blogaversary!!!

Thib said...

Happy anniversary, Bibi!
And congratulations for this very first shot, which is brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blog's 1 year anniversary, Bibi!

Long may it continue to provide an insight into this city we've made our home with people all over the world!

Adam

Alexa said...

Congrats to you, Pat! And this is a wonderful, evocative photo—amazing, really, considering it was your first attempt with a new SLR. I'm toasting you virtually, and looking forward to doing so for real when you're here in a few months. (We'll have to compare notes on how we (mis)spent our youth and lived on wine and bread in Paris!)
Am also looking forward to the next year of your great photos and charming commentary -- thanks for sharing with us.

soulbrush said...

and here's to you dear bibi. i have so enjoyed seeing your brilliance for so many months now. see my award for a new award 'sister'.

Virginia said...

Bibi, what a dear friend you have become this year. It's a bittersweet celebration for sure. This photo is so wonderful. It makes me ache for Paris. You are the master of the still life! Here's to many more wonderful photos and happy days.
V

Chuck Pefley said...

Bibi, I love the look of this image! Very gritty and bohemian, which of course was the life you were enjoying in Paris! Ah, Monmartre ... what a rich environment! I could be happy there if only they didn't speak French -:)

Congratulations on your anniversary. A milestone along the continuous road of commitment. Bittersweet indeed.

Thanks for opening a new bottle and sharing "old wine" with us.

Thérèse said...

What a nice way to celebrate your first blog Anniversary. A very dear photograph with all the memories between then and now.

MuseSwings said...

(clinking glasses) Congratulations, Bibi! The picture is beautiful! The windows have much more character when left to their own resources. Mine are busy collecting character since the last washing. Looking forward to another year of your wonderful and inspired photos!

Debby said...

Congratulations, Bibi. You have a remarkable gift in your photography, and I thank you for taking the time to share it with the rest of us poor schmucks.

Belgrade Daily Photo said...

Congratulations on one year! You have been so consistent with your posting you truly deserve an award. :)

Saretta said...

Congratulations Bibi! Your first photo was excellent and you have kept up your standards! Looking forward to many, many more!

Marianne said...

Well, Pat, you've passed a milestone, a full year of evocative, beautiful, interesting photos. I remember when you were writing and talking about starting the blog.
I admire your stamina and self-discipline, as well as creativity.
Thanks for these photos and I'm looking forward to the years ahead.

Kim said...

What a treat it is to see this early shot of yours. You've always had the eye!
Here's lifting a glass to you and all the adventures and background that inform your eye now. Thanks for taking us to Paris today via the Way Back Machine. . .and on film!

Happy, happy blogoversary. Here's to your next year of images!
-Kim

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I hope your blog continues to bring you as much joy as it does to the rest of us.

Branka M.

Maria said...

Hallo Bibi, congrats your blog anniversary! Cheers, I'm having a mug of coffee with you :)
Cheers, Maria

Ramblings From Spain said...

Congratulations on your 1st year of blogging! I've only recently discovered your blog, but love your artistic photos, and the things I learn. Cheers! x

Ramblings From Spain said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jill said...

Congrats Bibi. Wonderful still. The best to you.

Tea Time With Melody said...

Congrats on your anniversary post! Keep it going.....

Unknown said...

Congrats on one year! I hope to make it that long with mine... I'm also hoping to have space for a darkroom in Paris so I can make my return to film!

USelaine said...

I'm a bit late to the party, but I want to add my congratulations and best wishes. Your very first photo is marvelous! Blessings to you, and to little Bibi.

Denton said...

Happy Anniversary Bibi and congratulations. I enjoyed my cyber glass of wine with you.

raf said...

Yep, it's all there in the first photo. A natural. The camera work in your wonderful blog reveals that story all the time. It's one of the reasons that the Yankee in Belgrade is one of the very best blogs in the CDP community. Congrats to you, Bibi! Ziveli!

Petrea Burchard said...

Bless you, Pat. This photo shows your talent even then. I'm glad you stuck with the blog, through what I know was a tough year. May the coming year bring you blessings.

Becky said...

Wow! Another stunning image...and done so beautifully so many years ago with a camera few today would use. You have a gift. And I think one's first camera is always something to remember.

Mine was pink. I was 6.

SPRING FASHION

 This is a post that would be better in color, but maybe not. These colors were soooo pale.