It turned out to be a simple suggestion from a fellow photography friend from my Continue the Momentum Zoom Group, a group of students who had taken Laurie Klein Classes together during the start of Covid. We started as a study group, but decided to “ Continue the Momentum” after class was done. July of 2020 was our first meeting together as a new group, no longer students together, but now online photography friends. During our meetups we each send in three to four images to talk about and ask for guidance/suggestions for our images from the group.

Six months later in December of 2022, David asked me “Why don’t you post these images on Instagram?” Honestly, I had never thought about it.

Once January 2023 rolled around, I thought I’d try David’s suggestion. I found a Photography Loop to participate in–a Photography Loop is a group of photographers who post their images once a week under a titled heading. It took me three weeks to figure how to submit properly. I finally posted my first image (see below); I was so excited that everything worked perfectly! A couple hours later though, the Group Moderator sent me a DM politely asking me to remove my image from the Loop! She stated it “Did NOT fit within the monthly theme!!!” I was furious and removed the image and my myself from the whole Loop entirely.

So I went searching for another Photography Loop to participate in, and I found one! It was called Fused By Me – Fridays! We are a group of photographers that do double exposures images. They are wonderful! This group has supported and guided me through the whole process. I thoroughly enjoy creating everything about creating images with this bunch of amazing photographers..

Our hashtags are: #fusedbyme #fusedbyme_2024week26

This turned out to be my first 52 Weeks Photo Project in 2023. Below are just a few of my images

Most of my images were processed on my iPhone using the “Blend Editor App”. I start with one image on the first screen, then I add a the same image again on the second screen, moving around the base image to find something that I like. Next, I use the Opacity Slider to find something pleasing to my eye. There are filters just below the slider as well, if you want to try those first. Usually I don’t use them, because I like what I have created with the basics. Then I save the image to my camera roll. Super simple! Afterwards my image will be posted on Instagram.

My Instagram:  @moneybaum

Mony Baumgartner