Roses--A Special Moment

Special moment on a special day.

 



At Dusk Last Night

Taken with iPhone4 last night.  Recently, I ran across an iphone photography contest and decided to experiment to see what I could capture in different categories using my phone.  So...here we go... my first attempt.

 

After An All-Day Rain

The Rough Sketch

Some photographers stress the importance of sketching out ideas before shooting, so I decided to plunk myself down and do it too.  Everyone works differently, however my question is:  "Why sketch before shooting?"  Why draw when you already have the image you want sitting in your mind?

Perhaps the sketch helps choose lighting, camera angles, the placment of people, props, composition, etc.  Or, sketches may be helpful when sharing ideas with prospective clients.

I probably won't be sketching before shooting unless (for some reason) it is absolutely necessary, but I have to admit:  Drawing was fun. So...

If drawing a pre-shoot sketch helps you plan, then...by all means...do it! 

 

 

 

Glimpse of Fantasy

SUNSET 

Web with Dew (Black and White)

Wanted to change web with dew image to black and white the other day, but didn't have the time.  So...here it is:



Sunset Window

SUNSET



A Wonderful Morning!

Bob discovered this fabulous web this morning.  We grabbed our cameras (of course).  I am so excited.  For years, I have been looking for a web drenched with dew.  Wow...what a find!

 

 

Ran out again wih macro lens to capture beads.  Web was almost invisible.  Finally, found it.

 







Not My Thing--Doing It Anyway

Sunrises and sunsets are not really my thing.  I started shooting them every day (a New Year's Resolution) to keep myself photographically busy as I grappled with my father's Alzheimer's and finally his death.  I am so glad I set this goal (although I haven't always been able to shoot every day).  Photography gets us out of ourselves as we focus on other things.  Through photography we heal.  We start seeing again (often in new and different ways). 

Now, I am feeling more like myself and am getting ready to do still life images.  I love still life.  They tell a story.  They can evoke deep and/or superficial emotions and meanings.  I am so looking forward to returning with fresh eyes and instincts.  This may be my time to visit the Shadow Side of Self--an exploration into the psyche.  How cool is that?  An adventure!

Hooray...Journaling Again and Loving It

I used to write in this online journal every day sharing images, adventures, thoughts, ideas, quotes and discoveries.  Then, a dear friend began doing every thing I was doing.  Now, one would think this would be complimentary and fun and at first it was (I suppose). However...after a while, copycat (shadow) behavior is annoying.  I mean really...no one wants a perpetual shadow.  The problem is that by being a copycat, the copier stifles his (or her) own ability to have an original, transforming thought.  Copying becomes a way of being--a habit.  And...the copier becomes boring with nothing new to add to the mix. 

Thank goodness I woke up, distanced myself and temporarily stopped sharing.  This, I think, was a somewhat unfair decision.  I like to share.  So, now I choose to let the unseen "shadow" folks eat my dust.  I have too much to do.  And...time is precious and not to be wasted on nonsense. 

So...here we are again.  It is time to resume sharing what I learn, the books I read, the places I go and the things I find along the way. 

If any folks, decide to be shadow copiers, so be it.  Their loss. They are only hurting themselves.  Being inspired is a good thing.  Copying, on the other hand, leaves much unstated in what turns out to be a half-ass replica by, or of, someone else. You can only be yourself.  A copy never has the spark and sparkle (or the soul) expressed by the original. 

Better to be inspired.  Be Yourself!  Do the Work.  Learn your Craft, then......Grab an idea...  Run with it....  Transform it....  Push it forward--Do something fresh and new.  This is how one's "style" emerges.  Put your heart and soul into your creation and do something that excites YOU!  Then, any praise received is honorably deserved.  You will create something that is truly your own. Go for it...do it.

Suggested Reading:  Any photography books by Brooks Jensen (editor of LensWork).  Mr. Jensen talks about deeper levels of photography (beyond settings) and the creative process.  Available as e-books at www.amazon.com

Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon.  Available as an e-book. 

Suggested Learning Site(s):   www.creativelive.com

* * * * * * * *
Random Thoughts and Topics:
Knowing the Techniques, clicking the shutter, or picking up a pencil without any training, thought, planning or feeling, does not a good image make!
Know the Camera, Lenses, Techniques
Explore your Dark Side through your art.
Express/Share/Evoke Universal Feelings.
Use a Combination of the Senses.
Mix and Match (Color Wheel, Josef Albers).
Art and Abstracts (Leonardo Neirman)
Movement and Composition
Mood
Simplicity
Read-Learn-Do
Improvement (Practice) and Experimentation (Risk)
Sharp, Sharp and Sharper
Sunrise/Sunset

Had A Fabulous Time At The Gem Show

Wonderful time at gem show this weekend.  I saw some rare things and learned a lot.  Ajoite was discovered in Ajo, Arizona.  It is quartz crystal with light blue deposits.   These deposits are found in the point of some quartz crystals.  The reason this ring was made is because the crystal it came from had a damaged point.  

AJOITE (AH-HO-ITE)