Shutter Sisters

A Slice of Life

By

It rained that day. We loafed around the lake house waiting. Waiting for the sun. Waiting to ski. It was our last day.  This image sums it up for me.

I rarely shoot wide and I rarely shoot slice of life, when capturing the essence of the true story is even more important than the lighting and composition. It requires patience and at the same time, a quick impulse. I get a little fearful when I share moments like this because they feel so personal. It’s a privilege to get close to people in their homes, and to share a few moments of their lives through honest eyes.

I had been soaking in Rick Smolan’s newest book, America at Home, that weekend as seen in my lap above. I met Rick many years ago and instantly became a fan of his work and unique approach to visual storytelling through the eyes of photojournalists from all over the world. America at Home is an amazing collection of images and words that will broaden your view of America and expand your definition of the word “home.” There’s a great interview with Rick on BlogHer by ClizBiz about the story behind America at Home that you might enjoy, and if you really want to be wowed by the power of photojournalism, check out his TED Talk: A girl, a photograph, a homecoming.

Now let’s see a slice of your life. Share a link to your image in the comments.

(And stay tuned for my interview with Rick about his life as a photojournalist.)

Comments

  1. Just about everything on my blog is a slice of life — something I’ve spent the past 240 days (or so) working on… My blog is a 365 photo a day journal, you see!

    http://lynlepre.typepad.com

    And I’m loving that book too! Lots of photo inspiration!!

  4. I love to see the slices of life too! It’s like a grand permission to feel what they feel..to endure what they’ve been having all the while.

    In this photo, I intend to snap the curious little girl’s photo..but the going-ons behind me captured my eyes too. That little big-eyed girl is my niece, the grandma lying on the floor is my MIL and the two boys fighting: one of them is my son. Simple life in a village in Malaysia.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/hliza/2651441997/

  6. Lovely photo and thanks so much for the link to Rick’s TED talk. It was very interesting! Something I can relate as I have Amerasian cousins.

    No time to hunt down a photo to share today though! Sorry!

  11. I love your photo, and I know I’ll love that book. I’ll have to check it out.

    I took this on my recent trip to Colorado to visit my brother and his family. It has my son before he changed out of his pajamas, and my sister-in-law while she works. I love how it’s just a moment of our time there. And I love how it shows this incredible house they’re renting in the mountains while my brother is stationed there.

    http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#21

  16. My shot is similar in that there was a book on my lap. This is my first share. Thanks Shutter Sisters

  22. I always share pictures of my everyday life, and even tiny personal moments. I never felt fearful about it before. Maybe I should… I don’t know.
    And what is it about watching other people’s daily life pictures that thrills us so much?
    Here’s a glimpse:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2780605296/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2780583278/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2755737412/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2743694277/

  25. Sometimes I wish I had photographed my father’s hands or my mother’s eyes. I’ve tried to photograph myself now for my boys, who knows if they’ll appreciate it when they’re older. But I’ve also tried to capture pieces of their everyday lives on my blog and in some of my flickr sets. It’s those moments that make up the lasting memories of my life with them.
    http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2591315591/
    http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2401501338/
    http://flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/2199012408/

  28. I got up early today to push through all the editing I had to finish and send off to the lab. When I was done, I stretched my arms and looked out my window to see the most beautiful puffy white clouds shining with the sun coming up from the east. Later, we’d have a sweet little tropical shower, but right then, they just sort of lingered in my window saying "Good Morning, Sugar!" Here’s a shot of exactly what I saw… no touch ups or bokets… no artsy smartsy… just straight up.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarjones/2797183789/

  30. Hello shuttersisters,

    a slice of my life. hmmm. tricky.
    ok. I get my daughter the first ready to have her pic taken, i position her where i want her – theres a lovely bit of light that’s just right there by her head. She is looking up at me just the way i want her too, i focus, finger on the button and …

    ‘kaboom’ daughter the second throws herself onto daughter the first. Both explode into fits of giggles and my finger goes down despite myself.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2796985515/

    Have a lovely day

    Nicky x

  33. I love photos that tell a story – at heart I think I’m more of a storyteller than a photographer. This photo is rich in story.

  35. I love the juxtaposition of the album in the foreground and the subjects of this photograph focused in the back. Beautiful.

    It’s been raining so much. I can’t wait for Fall to get here. C’mon Atlanta!