Shutter Sisters

not to be forgotten

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Its precisely the time of year when we’d give anything for warmer weather, budding blooms, soothing greens, birds and bees. We been waiting, searching, pleading for spring to come and discovering all the signs, both large and small that she is one her way (if not already than any day now). We have been focused on this glorious seasonal inevitability for nearly a month now at Picture Spring and it has been an inspiring rejuvenation of the spirit!

But in the push for what we know is coming, are we overlooking other beauties around us? Are we forgetting something?

Today as a brisk wind commands me to keep my coat on, I look around and see beauty. Yes, my attention (and lens) is drawn to the lovely colors of our blooming rose bush and to jubuliant yellow dandelions as they poise themselves to turn white and willowy. But then there is also the slow letting go of winter. There is a quality and richness that is in the letting go, the passing on, and with that there is a reminder from our old friend winter;

I am not wholly gone yet. See? But soon I will be. And then, I will return, like I always do. Don’t forget me and the gifts I bring.

And so, I turned my lens to the last whispers of winter as she gently moves and indeed was reminded of her gifts.

Today, why don’t you do the same and see what discoveries await you and your lens. Show us what winter is saying to you as she goes.

the softness of morning

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Many of us wake each day to the immediacy of morning. Alarm clocks. Children up earlier than should be legal. Burnt toast on the way out the door to work or school. It’s all part of the “norm” and yet morning can be such a soft and quiet time of day when we have the luxury to listen, watch. wait; for the sun to rise, for birds to begin their songs, for the smell of a hot cup of coffee. To enjoy the calm and quiet of a world that is stirring before it begins.

And for as much commotion and dare I say chaos can come from traveling (packing, planning, trapsing, lugging) so too can come the kind of peace and serenity we only dream about. Waking with the sun when on vacation can be as delicious as sleeping in. When you wake to the softness of morning, the day is bound to follow suit.

How do you keep your mornings soft? Is there a vision of calm you can conjure up; colors, light, vignettes that start your day with the perfect peace? 

The Six Questions featuring Miss Aniela

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What an honor to have the amazing Miss Aniela here with us answering our 6 (OK, actually 8) questions.

If you didn’t know already, Natalie Dybisz is the brain and body behind the Flickr-famed Miss Aniela brand. Natalie is an extremely young and talented self-portrait photographer who, within the first six months of sharing her images and composites on the online photo sharing site, received more than one million views. Soon after, her Flickr popularity landed her on the cover of American PHOTO magazine and led to several international exhibitions, frequent speaking engagements with prominent names like Microsoft, and interest from book publishers and documentary producers. Natalie just launched her new liveBooks site and her images can be seen at www.missaniela.com.

I’m sure you’ll all be as excited and inspired as we are with her answers!

 

What’s the story behind this photo?

This image was shot in my living room. It is a composite, made from several shots, to create the illusion that I am floating along with an array of other objects. The objects were suspended by fishing wire, and in post-production I ‘hid’ my partner who was holding me in the air during a ten-second-timer dash.

I wanted to convey the idea of anxiety and disorientation. Partly inspired by Poltergeist, I wanted a chaotic scene where everything is not quite what it seems, where I am lost amidst everyday objects that have started to take on a life of their own. I wanted to convey an irrational fear connected with the anxiety syndrome, but do so in a way that was interesting, colourful and surreal.

What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film?

The appeal of taking images instantly and costlessly with a digital camera first motivated me to start, and the possibilities of post-production gave me further artistic excitement. Certain images I have taken have kept me aware of what my ‘spark’ is, and help me keep going. These images include ‘South by southeast,’ ‘Life on the downs’, ‘The aura’, and ‘The smothering’.

What’s your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy?

Yes, I think it does. I often find myself thinking that the thing we should all strive to be is genuine and honest, which will in turn lead to us being authentic and original. With art, I like to see artists try to express something truthful, from their own heart, without trying to emulate others to fit in. By constantly chasing their own (doubtlessly changing) self-truth, they will keep producing work that is real, engaging, and authentic. It might be only a ‘remix’ of what we have seen before, but it will endlessly and energetically keep ‘remixing’, which is in the nature of all art.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Lots of things inspire me, from films to paintings, to weird dreams I have, and memories of childhood. I have also been inspired by other self-portraitists on Flickr such as Bogna Kuczerawy and Rosie Hardy.

I browse other people’s work to get inspiration, but the ideas will come in slowly like particles of gathering dust in my brain, till the day I finally tackle the wealth of accumulated ideas and blow into the dust – hopefully for it to land and settle in a unique way again.

What would you say is one of your ‘signature’ editing tricks, themes or style? What do you think makes an image recognizable and uniquely yours?

People would remark on my ‘clone’ or ‘multiplicity’ images, such as ‘The escape’, where there is more than one of me in the frame. However, this is not my unique idea, just a technique I like to use. They might also comment on my other uses of manipulation such as my ‘trick’ images where I float, fly or levitate, which again, is merely a technique. I would say that I am happiest when I capture a form of ‘shape’ within the picture, whether straight-out-of-cam, or through compositing in Photoshop, where there is a distinct form throughout the frame that pleases the eye, such as in ‘The adjustment’. It is hard to scrutinise one’s own ‘style’ or even know whether it exists, but I have been told that I use quite a bold colour palette. The work I most enjoy creating is that which appears eye-catching and dramatic, but not overpushed, ie. an image must have something already captured within it to be enhanced in Photoshop, but that ‘something’ might well come out when images are combined in the post-production.

What aspect of your photography are you constantly working on, trying to improve?

I would say lighting. Lighting is crucial for all good photos. I think my best photos to date are those which have used lighting well, but having always used natural lighting, I might not have know exactly how it’s been achieved. I am trying to learn how to harness light more in the way I want. I have dabbled with studio lighting but am not yet sure what role it can play for me, as I have been told there is something about the ‘uneven’ quality of natural lighting in my work that makes it succeed. I am trying to find a middle ground between the controlled expertise of professional lighting, and the exciting wanton quality of illumination from natural sources.

Are there women out there that you consider your shutter sisters? Who, and why?

Probably the community of female self-portraitists on Flickr, namely the Female Self-Portrait Artists’ Support Group.

It’s a large group now, but it’s still a great place to discuss lots of issues both photography and non-photography related, with likeminded women exploring the medium for self-expression.

Thank you Natalie for sharing with us!

To take in more of Natalie’s photographic magic, visit her website or her blog. And of course, you’ll find her on Flickr as the ever-popular Miss Aniela.

i like dreamin’

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making a path

Although I’ve been personally pretty geared up for April, I know I am going to really miss March’s word for our One Word Project. With so many dreamy images in the pool and encouragement from our sponsor Mondo Beyondo, there was just something about this month that helped me keep me grounded AND at the same time kept my head in the clouds.

I think that’s the perfect scenario.

This shot by Sarah of Image Bearers pretty much expresses how I feel perfectly.

As we bid farewell to dream, and we awaken a new word for our project tomorrow, may we never stop dreaming. Share your dreamest shot today or link to a favorite from our pool. There’s just nothing like dreaming big together.

teaming up

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Sometimes, my creativity needs a little kick in the pants. OK, a big one, if we’re being honest. And sometimes, the best thing to get my photography juices flowing again is to find inspiration through the eyes of others.

In January, I was looking for something new, and the always delightful Melody from Hip Momma’s Journal suggested we team up. And voila, Team-Up Thursday was born! Each week, we pick a theme, and much like “A Year of Mornings”pair did, we each take a photograph, send it to the other, and post it as a diptych on Thursday for the world to see.

We aren’t the only ones along on this creative venture. Each week, pairs of photographers from all over play along with us, and their creations are nothing less than stunning. It’s reinvigorated me creatively, and there’s nothing better than looking over the diptychs created each week by pairs of women — some of whom know each other in person, others only on-line — and see where their minds and hearts and cameras have taken them that week. Even more, how interesting it is to see how, so many times, the camera sees things that seem to go together so well in a diptych, yet neither photographer had consulted the other.

Come along for the ride, why don’t you? Join us on a Thursday, any Thursday, and play along. If you don’t have a partner, no worries; we’ve been hooking people up week by week.

Even if you’re feeling tentative, please stop by our Flickr group and see what partnership and creativity can produce.

Images courtesy of Melody Abrahamian and Megan McCue. Words from Megan McCue. They are the talented tag team behind Team Up Thursdays. Go team!

observer or composer?

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In high school, my first photography class was fairly typical in its formulaic assignments – still life, panning, self-portrait.  While some tasks required a staged subject, most of the time I preferred capturing a subject in its natural state.  In college, my role became fixed; I was a photojournalist.  Documenting events, capturing leisure moments on campus – these were the goal.  Later, my career changed altogether and it would decades before I returned to photography in any serious way.  Like so many, the birth of my children spurred me to pick up my old SLR.

I still prefer to hide behind my lens, to be the observer.  I shift, I climb, I maneuver to get just the right perspective – or to stay hidden.  I wait to see what unfolds.  I have learned there are times to wait, and times to snap away.  Then I love to look and find what secrets I’ve trapped inside my camera.  To bear witness to the beauty, the drama, the heartbreak around us is a magnificent skill.

But I am awakening to the idea that I have secrets to tell.  In sharing them I must control more that my perspective.  I must manipulate.  I must stage my subject; place it in the light just so.  I must interject myself into the image.  I cannot hide.  I see many that do this so well, who in the composition of their images reveal themselves, their secrets.  Embarking on the 365 project, I have found myself pushed more and more into this role of composer … and I’m learning to embrace it.

What is your primary role as a photographer?  Observer or a composer?  Today, try wearing a different hat.  Show us your unique perspective on the world around you.  Or play a very active role in creating your art … and maybe share a little secret.

Images and words courtesy of Amy Bader (aka Life in Eden) who is also our gracious moderator-extraordinaire for our Shutter Sisters 365 Flickr group. Amy, you rock!

girl seeking adventure

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Although I haven’t seen the new Alice in Wonderland movie yet, I still feel like I have indirectly gotten Wonderland fever! And I know I’m not the only one.

Since I know that this community loves a good photo challenge I was thrilled to discover a fantastic (and fun) ideas for a photo challenge inspired by the fine folks of Shoot Experience. Everything they do over there is photography driven (yay!) and it all seems so cool but this particular project felt perfect for all of us. It’s called Shoot Portobello and it’s what they call a photo “story event” this time based on Alice in Wonderland. How cool is that??

Since many of us are waaaay too far to take a day trip to London, we’re going to play along from here in our own sisterly way. The big eventis happening on March 28th which will give you some time to muse on capturing your own images on this theme. Since we’re making up our own rules, there are no rules! Just shoot something, or a series of something, that is inspired by the classic (and trippy) tale of Alice in Wonderland and on March 28th we’ll all reveal our shots of our grand adventures! The event itself is geared toward teams working together so if you want to pair up or gather a team to play together (albeit virtually) we encourage you to go for it! The sky is the limit (just ask Alice). Something tells me this is going to fit in perfectly with our OWP theme dream too, don’t you think??

And if those of you that are close enough to attend (Xanthe…you out there?) can make it to the event, that would be amazing. How fun to be represented by a Sister! Let us know.

Feel free to pop over the the Shoot Experience facebook page and become a fan if you’d like to give them a sisterly pat on the back for doing such creative things with photography. I just did!

As for today, share with us any kind of adventure shot…anything goes and/or just let us know if you’re up for the photo challenge. We’re excited to get your feedback. And don’t forget to have your Alice in Wonderland shot(s) ready for March 28th. Don’t be late!

Our participation in Shoot Portobello is not officially affiliated with the event. We’re just kind of tagging along. But the folks over there are happy to have us so we thank them for that.

The Art of Motherhood

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Come to my house, the evidence is clear: I am a mother. I am proud of the evidence –

the tiara in the bathroom beside the lump of dripped and dried toothpaste,

the mismatched socks by the small trainers at the door,

the tired, rained-on teddy bear lying on the driveway stones,

the drawer of sippy cups and lids,

the DVD shelf with The Wizard of Oz and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,

the unevenly parked stroller with burp cloth stuffed inside the cup holder,

the brightly colored books in every room,

the kid-size garden furniture dotting my yard.

 

All visuals of my life, my motherhood.

I love being a mother. I never believed it could be this fun, this busy, this lovely. It has surpassed my dreams and become a lifestyle that I would choose again and again.

And it has fueled my artistic passions. I see the bits and pieces of motherhood about me and want to sketch it out for all to see. My camera takes it all in, stores it for the days in the future when all will be tidy and quiet and on my own terms; when treats don’t have to be shared, plates are not plastic and when I am not responsible for another being’s very survival.

In the meantime, I take and take, I take it all in.

How about you?

Do you, too, have those beloved shots, that visual evidence of life with your babies (human or furry). Why not pick your favorite and share it as a shout out to the world ‘I am mother’?  Oh I so want to see them! There are so many awesome photos here at Shutter Sisters and on the Shutter Sister Flickr site, I know you can do it proud.

Or this week, if you have not yet trained your camera on your topsy-turvvy kid land, would you photograph the version of motherhood in your home, car, neighborhood, your life? Please share! I look forward to seeing your world!

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I wrote my book ‘The Artistic Mother – A practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into your Life’ for Moms who want to get in the habit of fitting small amounts of art into their day. In the book I focus on my three favorite art forms: photography, poetry and mixed media collage and outline a 12 week workshop to create family focused mixed media projects. Trudy Callan has started up an online accountability group for women who are doing the workshop. Visit Trudy if you want to join in and bask in the friendly support of other Artistic Moms!

Image and words courtesy of Honorary Sister / Guest Blogger Shona Cole who is a mom of 5 under the age of 10, author of the new book ‘The Artistic Mother – A practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into your Life’. You can visit here at her blog ‘An Artful Life’.

Self-Talk

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Of all the many ways we use words perhaps the most important are the ones we use to speak to ourselves.  The conversation we carry on in our own heads, day in and day out is the most intimate dialogue there is. No one else will ever hear the things we say to ourselves. This can make that dialogue either very sacred or very scary. 

Once, many years ago while suffering post partum depression, I scheduled a call with a highly-recommended energy worker/healer. Even before we began she revealed that it was actually paining her to have me on the phone because of the way I had been abusing myself. I didn’t know what she meant or what to say. Over the next few minutes I was made aware of how destructive my self-talk had become. Although at that time I would have called myself a perfectionist, I didn’t realize at what cost and all of the sudden there I was, called out by a perfect stranger. She had heard (even seen in some other-worldly way) the conversation I had going on in my head. It broke my heart. It really did. And it changed my life.

It’s taken me a long time to travel from then to now and a lot of courage to share it. It almost feels like another lifetime ago and yet it still stirs up intense emotion. Thankfully, over the years I have replaced almost all of those old words with the new ones filled with the loving self-kindness I deserve. The same ones we all deserve.

It seems to be coming in droves lately; all the compassion, nurturing, support, and encouragement is everywhere I turn affirming that it’s time to embrace the truth that we are all worthy of everything we long for.

What we do matters.

We are worthy now.

We are enough.

Today, I encourage you to be good to yourself. Listen to your own inner-voice. Are you treating yourself with the love and acceptance you so deserve? No one else can do it for you. You are the one you’ve been waiting for. You are enough.

If you are so moved, let your pictures help do the talking. Capture your own self-talk in a photograph. Hearing it or even reading it over and over can only be good.

Farewell Kiss

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Oh that last kiss… just one more before he plopped the pacifer in the drawer and pushed it shut. A moment of pure bliss. No words required. Today, share with us a bit of pure visual bliss. Or perhaps a sweet kiss.