Hey Mom,
Probably the most important thing I learned in camp this week is that I can outrun zombies. Now, giant spiders are another story. They can reach a land speed of 120 mph, I hear.
Okay, so my imagination is running wild but that’s what Camp MacMuffin, er, MacGuffin is all about.
I’ve written about the Minecraft experience that gave me a new appreciation for this boxy Neverland. For weeks, I wondered around accepting my fate that I would continue to die horrible deaths — eaten by zombies or giant spiders, drowning, blown up — until I could earn my “creative” wings and leave the temporary hell of Survivor mode behind. What Vsansing taught me, besides where to find safe haven and how to protect myself, is that there must be brave individuals who actually choose to live in-game in survivor mode. Residents of this ilk must enjoy this storyworld and the challenges it provides. I can understand the appeal.
The real lesson for the week was on photography and I’ll remember the talk around the campfire about how to take good pictures with any available camera. Norm tweeted something to the effect that a good photographer trumps a good camera. So I’ve gotten over my fancy camera envy and will focus with the one little lens of my Canon Sureshot 160 on being imaginative and limber in pursuit of good shots.
I was impressed also that Cogdog said that practically all of his shots are edited. Somehow, I had this idea that it’s a point of pride to present an unedited shot. Now I’m excited to explore GIMP and I’ve completed my first Visual Assignments:
Visual Assignment 595 
Slide Guy’s Mean Machine and Slide Guy’s New and Improved Mean Machine I learned a lot about creative problem-solving with GIMP from my friends. This one I’ll use as a yardstick for measuring GIMP progress.
Visual Assignment 13 
Jamfish — Sort of an averaging assignment. I use an image multiple times to create a new one.
Visual Assignment 560: 
Four-Square, Warhol-Style an assignment in which I edit a Warhol-style product using GIMP and generate another with an online tool, The Warholizer.
Visual Assignment 191: 
Demotivate Me — If a First . . . I poke a bit of fun at those who are are not highly effective with a demotivational poster.
Visual Assignment 347: 
Start with a Bang . . . My first and loud animated GIF. I’m working on a subtle, quiet one.
Vonnegut Assignment: The Story Shaper App My take on Vonnegut’s story shaper theory.
You’ll see below some samples of my media craft projects for The Daily Create this week.
I’ll try to do better about being on-time with these weekly letters. Know that no news means I’m having fun! Or was eaten by a giant spider 
Love,
********************
The Daily Create 147: Take a photo with stone, water, and clouds.
The clouds roll in . . . after a long, hot, steamy shower
The Daily Create 148:
Create a photograph today where some/all of your subject isn’t in focus.” Stella maris is Latin for “star of the sea.” This one is in the Indian Ocean on my globe. Thought of the compass rose because I often start out thinking that I’m clear on where I’m going but often everything goes foggy before I find my way. Such is life . . .
The Daily Create 149:
You Say Tomato; I Say Kumato
Thanks to Trader Joe’s, I’ve discovered kumatoes — European designer tomatoes that are sweeter than your typical variety and have slightly stronger skin so they ship and store well.
The Daily Create 150:
A Day in My Life, June 5
The Daily Create 149: Take a photo at six past the hour for an entire day.
Photos on the hour, ;06, from 3 pm to 3 am. Starring Ariely, my “predictably irrational” kitten.
The Daily Create 151:
Flight Feather Envy
The Daily Create: Take a photograph of something you are envious of (physical or metaphorical).
My alter ego can float to to the top of the stratosphere with her flight feather. Weightlessness has its benefits — physically and metaphorically.
The Daily Create 152:
A Place Time Won’t Forget
Saluda, North Carolina, alias Andy Griffith’s Mayberry.
Only dead giveaway is the market and grill sign.
The Daily Create 153: Take a photo of the oldest building near you. Add filters to make your photo look even older.
The Daily Create 153:
knot me
Who dressed the cables? The Daily Create: Take a picture featuring rope or knots.
I LOVE your Daily Create 148! It looks like a professional photo! What a creative idea it was to take that picture!
Wow! Thanks for the encouragement, Marcey. Guess maybe Cogdog is right about being able to take good pics with a crummy camera. I’m going to keep at it.