Shutter Sisters

imperfection

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October is officially in full swing. Amazing how it happens that time passes whether we’re ready or not. Expectations, hopes, intentions all come and go. Sometimes you meet them sometimes you don’t. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t do it all, let alone do it all well.

What has impressed me the most in the last year or so is how many of those best layed plans never pan out. Or maybe I shouldn’t say never, I should just say they don’t happen quite as timely, orderly, seamlessly as I always hope they will. I’m getting used to it I guess. It’s taken me a long while, but I’m beginning to better understand it and better yet, just accept it. This wasn’t always the case.

Perfectionism used to be an issue for me. Heck, I still grapple with it. But after a lot of work to tame that beast, and the separation of my worth from my work, I have slowly become more kind and accepting of myself. Over a year ago I had a personal “I am Enough” epiphany and that was a life-changer, I have to say! Self-kindness was the single best gift I ever gave myself.

Last week the amazing Brené Brown hosted a web wide Perfect Protest in celebration of her new book “The Gifts of Imperfection : Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be and Embrace Who You Are.”. The response was amazing. Our deepest desire is to kick perfection to the side of the road came to the surface as people shared what saying good-bye to perfection would help them say hello to in their own lives. It was so inspiring! My first thought was “Good-bye perfection, hello humanity.” And when I shared it with a friend she replied, “But you’ve always been human, even when you’ve tried to be perfect”. This is true. But working so hard to hide it helped, well, hide it. At least a bit. Even if for no other reason than to mask my imperfections a little. Now that I’m letting go and not working so hard to be perfect, I am seeing my many imperfections very clearly. What comes with that however is that everyone else can see them too. It’s now as if my humanity is pouring out all over the place; flaws, shortcomings, weaknesses, etc. It’s kind of messy. And uncomfortable. And as much as I am so relieved to finally embrace my imperfections, it’s not always easy to sit by and watch them be revealed to everyone else. Gulp.

Brene’s words struck a chord on this point when in her book she shares that choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect.

Bingo. It does take courage! That means, it’s not easy.

I know the only thing that’s going to make it a little easier is the knowing that I’m not alone. I know it’s saved me on so many other points, that this will not be an exception. It’s exactly why I can think of no better idea than to celebrate imperfection as a sisterhood! We need this. I need this! Let’s ban together and focus on the amazing, inspiring, authentic, real, beautiful side of imperfection. The more we point our lenses toward imperfection the more we’ll appreciate it, in ourselves and in each other.

We are going to use the month of October to do exactly that as we are partnering with Brené Brown, author of The Gifts of Imperfection : Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be and Embrace Who You Are in this month’s One Word Project. Let’s see what kinds of imperfect gifts you can find this month! Be sure to add yours to our OWP Flickr pool! We promise we’ll be sharing lots of inspiration and some super-fun giveaways too in honor of imperfection.

Let’s kick it off today with images so perfectly imperfect, they beg to be shared!

let’s talk tech

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Technology has become a near seamless part of our everyday lives. From our phones to our cameras to our computers (and beyond) we not only fully accustomed to technology, we are utterly dependant on it. And we don’t even think about it much anymore. Except when we can’t find WiFi or we are somewhere that doesn’t have good cell service (yes, there are still places like that). All this and yet, I am still blown away that many photographers now have never even shot film. They’ve never needed to. I’m not sure I’ll ever really wrap my brain around that! I am well aware that totally gives away my age, by the way.

For as much as I enjoy shooting the simple stuff…breakfast,  bubble blowing, bath time, etc…I love capturing slivers of technology. Everything from Wii remotes, iPods, DS’s to our new family iPad can be just as charming as any other “prop” from daily life.

Today, in honor of the brand new tech resource site, Cool Mom Tech (yet another brainchild of the clever gals behind Cool Mom Picks) we want to see images expressing your relationship with the technology in your life. Show us what you got and how you work it, technically speaking.

Picture Fall

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Mother Nature expresses herself a number of ways. The vast spectrum of the elements, her many creatures and a color pallet that no paint could ever match.

Each new season, a unique expression and however she feels, it influences everything. What we want to do, what we wear, how we feel; it all comes back to the whims of Mother Nature.

Why not let your lens lead you as the seasons shift again and we dive headlong into autumn where everything around us takes giant strides toward change and keeps our hearts aglow in gratitude and thanksgiving?

I invite you to join me from October 1- October 31 for my next photo-centric guided e-class called Picture Fall. What could be better than joining other shutter sisters for 30 days of soulful creative expression? I can’t think of much.

In celebration of my coming class and the bountiful beauty of the coming months, we’re giving away 3 complimentary registrations for Picture Fall. Just leave a comment here today to be entered in the random drawing between now and 9/16 at midnight EST.

And if you so choose, you can share on images boasting your favorite color from Mother Nature’s fall pallet and let’s get ready to Picture Fall together!

graphic nature

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When I first looked at this image I saw only the subject matter; my daughter in her new walking shoes and our camera shy canine on our evening gratitude walk. But there was something more that was drawing me in. As I studied the image, going beyond the subject matter, I noticed how frame was divided. Do you see it? Yep. There’s an uncanny perfect symmetry to the shot that was holding my attention.

Graphic elements like line, shape, repetition, etc. can be highly effective compositional tools in photography and more specifically, graphic symmetry can bring harmony and balance to our imagery.

Have you found balance in a photo you’ve captured lately? Share something where symmetry made the shot.

no use hiding it

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I got an email the other day asking me my opinion about how photographers find their own unique style of photography. Does one happen upon it eventually, perhaps even unknowingly after a certain amount of time behind the camera or should one have a vision in mind and work to achieve it?

It’s a really good question and one that has come up a number of times and although I don’t think there is any tried and true way to approach it, I do have my suspicions.

I know that over the years I have gone in and out of phases with my own work. I have seen my own preferences and personal tendencies ebb and flow like a creative tides. I’ve been thrilled with my work and I have been terribly disappointed by it. That’s only natural. But one thing is for sure, I absolutely, positively know that my most favorite images are those that come from shooting what I really truly love.

Allowing yourself to shoot whatever moves you, regardless the reason or the outcome can help you to really focus on what your true photographic passions are. It’s not always that easy when you’re shooting for clients but even still, during the shoot (be it for cash or for yourself) you can feel when it’s right; when you lose yourself in your art. And most likely your photographs will reflect that undeniable feeling of shooting your bliss.

If I really thought it was that easy, I’d just tell you to shoot what you love and the rest will follow. But, I know from years of doing this for both a profession and a hobby it’s not that easy. Being an artist of any kind takes even more than just passion. Even amidst great satisfaction and unspeakable joy, there are nerves and frustrations, disappointment and self-doubts to battle. Being a photographer takes time, energy, perseverance, patience and an internal force that drives you to want to keep going, keep challenging yourself, keep learning and keep expressing your own point of view. That stuff never goes away and it’s not always easy.

But, when you’re in your photo-groove, you know it. And when what you get in return are the photographs that sing of what you absoutely, without a doubt love to do. You can’t hide it. That’s when you see your passions shine and that’s when you notice your photographic uniquness emerge.

Have you discovered your favorite subject, angle, perspective? What kind of photography makes your heart happy? No use trying to hide it! Share it instead!

zoom zoom

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I consider myself a full frame photographer. I use my entire view finder when framing my shot not unlike a painter might use a canvas. I use it ALL. But sometimes, you just don’t have the right lens for the job and cropping becomes a must.

When I want to travel light, photographically speaking, I just take my camera body and one lens with me. Usually that lens is my 50mm Compact Macro because in comparison to my more versatile 24-70mm it’s as light as a feather and a whole lot smaller.

Unfortunately, what I’ve found on many occasions is that the 50mm just doesn’t always do a moment justice. Then and only then do I exercise the right to crop like crazy.

Exhibit A: The before AND after:

You tell me, how could I have possibly resisted a really big zoom in?

Do you have a shot that seems to only work with creative cropping? Share your zoom zoom.

doubled up

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I remember toying with double exposures back in college when I had access to a darkroom. I used my trusty and beloved Pentax K1000 (aka the Tank) loaded up with T-max and created all kinds of mysterious frames; ghostly, hard to decipher, black and white visions of strange lights and shadows overlapping in ways that made no sense in a kind of random visual poetry.

I’ve recently discovered that shooting into windows can offer a simulated double exposure effect without the film or nearly as much effort. Sweet artistic discoveries! Mind you, you’re not 100% in control of what your two subject matters will be in your frame, like you are with true double exposures but if you’re careful to really study both your subject and the reflection you can create the look and feel you want.

I have had great luck through hotel windows like above and also while window shopping. For me the effect has worked best when I’ve paid the most attention to what I’m shooting through the window. What ends up being seen in the window’s reflection is a little more luck of the draw as to what is behind you (frames on a wall or a parking lot).  Regardless, the results can be both disorienting and delightful.

I encourage you to try the technique to see what things look like doubled up through your lens. Share with us today something you’ve been reflecting on or in or through. Illuminate us.

communing with nature

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 “…deepening our emotional ties to nature is as vital to our well-being as the close personal bonds we pursue with family and friends.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Today, let’s deepen our emotional ties to nature.  Share with us a captured landscape, a scenic view or even a tiny vignette graciously and lovingly provided by Mother Nature. 

let’s dance

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Have you heard? Today is National Dance Day. I know! Who knew?

What could possibly a better prompt for a photo? So, how about it Sisters? You ready to have our own photo dance off today, right here? 

Let’s dance, rock out, spin, shake it, jump, twirl, get Dizzy, and snap, snap, snap, and then share your action shots with us.

all the right places

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I fell in love with shooting into the sun many, many years ago. Like, before I had ever even heard of digital photography. Some of you might remember those days. I recall the element of sun-shiny surprise to be intoxicating. No matter what event I was shooting I always fired off a couple of frames, lens pointed toward the sun. Whether I shot straight into it or just allowed the light to skim across my lens was no matter. It felt good t throw caution to the wind just to see what would come from it.

In those days, there were no test shots and nothing to double check to be sure you were getting the results you were hoping for. It was all good intentions and a lot of finger crossing. Fast forward to now, when you can experiment with any photographic technique with immediate feedback. I am even more invested in trial and error than ever before. Why not? There is nothing to loose. Not even developing costs.

I have been really focused on flare lately. It’s become an obsession. Where to put it, how to get the flare and the sunspots to work together, how to manipulate the shape of the flare itself. These are all questions that can’t be perfectly answered as using the light as a creative paintbrush  will always yield somewhat  inconsistent results. However, there are ways of getting a least a little more control of this illusive subject.

I hold closely the invaluable information that Sarah has shared here with us on flare and what Kristin shared too. It’s always nice when someone who has taken good notes, can shed a little light on things for us. Pun definitely intended.

Regardless of what we know or don’t know about flare, how long we’ve been working on it or how early we still are on our hunt to harness it, sometimes the photographic planets do align and we get a shot where the light shines exactly where it should. Insert heavenly voices singing together here.

Share with us that shot. The one where the light falls into place even better than if someone set it there themselves.

The beautiful belly above belongs to Superhero Andrea Scher.