Slowing down

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone."

~ Unknown

This past week I’ve been going through my photo archives and gathering my best images for a project I’m working on. Just when I thought I had enough together to get started, I went through them again. This time, I looked deeper. Because David DuChemin says...

“why turn your lens on anything else but that which stirs something in you?” 

Ugh, he always makes me think. I think too much already but I like how he nudges me into a different, more creative direction.

So, now I'm looking for my images that do just that, stir something.  My project folder of my best images is getting smaller and smaller with each pass through as I remove the ones that may be technically 'correct' and/or 'pretty' but don't move me other than being a "great capture."

I also realized I actually do understand my gear and the fundamentals more than I give myself credit for. I can see this in the evolution of my photography in my Flickr feed that spans the nine years since I went digital. I think I’ve been hiding behind a I-need-to-master-my-gear-and-the-fundamentals-to-move-forward wall.

Not that I have this craft anywhere near mastered. I have a long way to go and much more to learn. So much more. And this is one of the many things I love about photography; there will always be a lot to learn. It excites me and overwhelms me at the same time.

It's about time I really practice slowing down, take my time, think about what I want to say and how I want to express that through my photography before I press the shutter button.

Like a Boss

Some women fear the fire

Some women simply become it

~ r.h. sin

I’m looking forward to shooting a full-on headshot/portrait session with this beautiful being.

I took this photo of my daughter during her visit with me on Mother’s Day, just as she was getting ready to leave. It was a quick “test” shoot. We didn’t set up any posing and I was fumbling with my camera but I love how this just happened.

Walk outside, stand in open shade, turn, smile, or not, and shoot.

From what I’ve learned recently, this straight-on look is against all the “posing” rules. Oh damn, we broke a rule... and she rocked it, like a boss. 

Yes, she is amazing and yes, she is MY daughter. She is also a little sister, a big sister, an Aunt, a sensitive soul, a deep thinker, and SO much more.

She inspires me daily with her drive and how she owns whatever she sets her mind on.

I can’t wait to share more of her gorgeousness.

Let’s do this!

Shine on Sister!

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~ Marianne Williamson

I asked her what she wanted people to see when they look at her photographs. She said "my light."

I could see her light in my viewfinder as we proceeded with our ‘test’ photo session and I was determined to capture it to show her how much she shines. 

As I struggled with my camera settings, I tried not to worry so much about focus points, posing, light, the wind, you name it. I didn't get things technically correct and I know I have a lot to practice and learn. It's okay though. My goal was for us to have fun and capture her strength, humor, warmth, beauty and, yes, her light. 

When I look at these photos I feel I succeeded in capturing her essence. That is what this warm and fuzzy feeling means, right?

Of course, I was worried she may not like how they turned out; The photographer and the subject won’t always agree. And then, I witnessed her surprise when she saw her photos. She liked them! She liked how pretty she looked. She liked how “I” made her look pretty.

Ah, my amazing sister, she is so beautiful, inside and out, all on her own.  All I did was push a button on my camera. 

Stepping in front of my camera

What do you do when you want to practice portrait photography and your muse of the day reschedules?

Be your own muse!

That’s what I did last week. I figure if I can get the lighting, the camera settings, and some of the poses correct on myself, hopefully, it will help me greatly when photographing others.

I started by wandering in and around my house with my iPhone taking selfies while looking for the best light. Note to self: time to declutter, and wash those windows, again.

Found some good light outside - iPhone selfie

I ended up in my backyard in open shade with my Canon 7D on my tripod and my remote in hand. I practiced posing and talking to myself to get some natural expressions. Yeah, nothing unusual here. I am impressed at how I set up my gear and then managed to get front and center of my camera almost every shot. 

Second outdoor location set-up

This was fun! Well, whenever I get to play with my camera, especially trying something new, I get totally energized and in the zone. My happy place. 

Like a lot of people, I’m my own worst critic and it’s not easy looking at pictures of myself, but I did get a few photos I’m okay with.

Canon 7d self-portrait

I still need and want to practice, practice, practice. I gotta work on my muscle memory so I can eventually set-up and adjust settings as needed on my gear, with my eyes closed.

Still, lots of hesitation here about sharing these images and my rambling thoughts (always!) but,  I decided that I need to take the advice of this quote I found recently...

Darling, just fucking own it!!