Summary

Anne Bonfert reflects on her challenging December through a 52-week photography project, finding solace in nature and photography amidst personal struggles and the windy conditions of New Zealand.

Abstract

The web content describes Anne Bonfert's experience with a 52-week photography project during a difficult December. Despite facing personal challenges and the relentless wind in New Zealand, she uses the project's prompts to seek joy and rediscover her smile. The article highlights her interpretations of prompts such as "Under the Weather," "Home Alone," "Double Exposure," and "Self Portrait," through her lens, capturing the essence of her surroundings and emotions. Bonfert's work showcases her resilience and the therapeutic role of photography and nature in her life, culminating in a self-portrait that captures a moment of freedom and happiness.

Opinions

The author views nature and photography as sources of joy and healing during tough times.
Anne Bonfert considers "home" to be a place of personal solitude and connection with nature, rather than a physical structure or influenced by popular culture like the movie "Home Alone."
The windy conditions in New Zealand are seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for the author, affecting her work schedule but not deterring her from enjoying her free time outdoors.
The author embraces the concept of "home alone" as a positive and fulfilling experience, emphasizing her contentment with solitude in nature.
Bonfert playfully interprets the "Double Exposure" prompt, considering long exposure photography as a form of double exposure, but adapts to the challenge of capturing the moonlit landscape due to the long daylight hours in New Zealand's summer.
The self-portrait prompt leads to a creative and exhilarating experience, with the author choosing to capture herself skydiving above the clouds, symbolizing a break from life's constraints.

DECEMBER

The End of the Year in a Challenge

52-week photography project

**My December. Looking for light in the darkness...** | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

It’s been a difficult month for me but between moments of tears, I try to find my smile again. Nature and photography are two of the things that bring me joy and so I forced myself to find pictures for the last of this year’s photography prompt.

49. Under the Weather. Interpret that as you will.

Under the weather, most people will refer to rain. Or storms.

How about wind?

It describes my time here in New Zealand the best.

It’s been windy.

Every. Single. Day.

While the wind often interferes with my working schedule, I don’t let it get involved with my free time. I head out no matter what the wind does.

And if it blows my hair in the face. I just sit there.

**On the 45th Parallel Walking Track overlooking Lake Dunstan and Cromwell.** | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

50. Home Alone. Like the movie, or not.

I have an understanding of home. Not so much about the movie. I don’t watch movies. I don’t miss them either.

What is home?

To me, home is wherever I am. I don’t need much to feel at home. A body of water is perfect. A paddleboard to go out on the lake is even better.

And then I’m home alone. Just me. Surrounded by nature.

**My perfect understanding of home alone. I don’t need anyone with me here to be happy.** | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

51. Double Exposure. Don’t think twice, it’s all right.

My first thought was long exposure. Get a picture of the stars. Long exposure is in some way double exposure, isn’t it?

But then you know it’s summer in New Zealand, stays light until midnight and the sun rises at 4 am again. At least that’s how it feels. So when should I get a dark sky?

When the moon’s out.

**An almost full moon reflecting in Lake Poaka.** | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

52. Self Portrait. Shoot yourself. Avoid the foot.

Now that was a tricky one. Why should I avoid the foot? Not sure, but I listened.

After strapping a stranger to my body, I pushed myself out of the aircraft, and heard him screaming in free fall all while I was smiling looking at this thin layer of clouds.

Do you see the snow-covered peaks of the Southern Alps?

Click.

**A work-related self-portrait.** | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

This is a prompt response to Rodrigo S-C’s photography challenge of Full Frame.

52 Weeks Photography Project

The December Edition.

medium.com

Read here other participants and their prompt responses:

Barb Dalton with “I’m Done and Dusted!”

Aaron Paulson with “52 Week Photography Challenge: December”

Lauri Novak with “52 Weeks Photography Project”

John keeler with “52 Weeks Photography Project”

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