Plan B

I'm taking a few days off later this month. These will be the first since my new job started in January. I've mentioned previously that my overall summer plans are in flux. So, where does that leave me?

Maybe a reshoot of some parts of California:





Or a trip to the beach:





Or more butterfly practice:



I can't wait for summer!!!

Later this week - something my Mom said.

My Inspiring Photography Moments

I came across a LinkedIn post that took me to a blog post. The post outlined various inspiring photography moments, so I decided to go through my portfolio and think of my top moments. I don't have 15, but I definitely have a few. I'm going to spend the next few days covering them. It's a good soul-searching exercise for me - and an escape from my job and its hours.

1) When it all started:



The day that I decided to really pursue this as a hobby.

2) The day that someone else believed in me:



I was on a photo safari (with Washington Photo Safari) and one of the instructors told me that she'd never seen anyone take this picture before, and that I should keep taking pictures. She was a professional, so it was a great day for me. :)

3) My first terrific macro picture:



More tomorrow!

Let's go Fly a Kite

Or take pictures of them in flight, that is. There's a specialized type of photography involving suspending my camera from a kite line - not for me.

It's something I've never done before - ever. This means this will be my dress rehearsal. Well, not today or tomorrow, but later in the month, during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival later this month. Yes, I'm going to brave the crowds and take my chances. I have a lot of considerations, including:

1) Lens? Probably my kit lens. Also my telephoto lens.

2) Filters? They don't work with either lens, so, I guess not. 

3) Camera settings? Most likely low ISO, very high shutter speed. As high as I can get it.

4) Goal? To take at least a few "money" shots. I want to focus on interesting shapes and colors. Possibly a few abstracts, since the chance of motion blur is high.

I'm not sure why I've never tried this before. I love colors, and kites are the most colorful objects I'll see in a long time - in March.

This picture plus a few kites would be amazing:



Or this:



Does anyone have a good dress rehearsal idea for me? I'll need to think of one. In the meantime, though, I remembered a great tip about working with fast-moving objects - and making them disappear. I'll have to share that with you tomorrow.

Point-and-Shoot Adventure

Most of you know that my camera is off in repair-land and that I bought a point-and-shoot, but haven't used it yet. Well, my time has come. My sister and I are going to NYC on Monday, and I have some big plans:

1) Take pictures of her - practice makes perfect

2) Experiment with the camera to see what it can and can't do

3) Remind myself that I CAN take good pictures with a point-and-shoot. Examples:





I'm on a 4 hour bus trip. I plan to spend the entire time getting to know my camera. After all, I should practice what I preach!

Have a great weekend! Till Wednesday!

Ugly/Pretty

Okay, I admit - I'm a huge fan of America's Next Top Model. Without going into too much detail about my obsession, I'll say that there is one theme that resonates really well with me. It's about “ugly/pretty”. What does that mean? Well, essentially, it means that even things with a less than a sunny/shiny/pretty context can still be pretty.

Confusing, huh? Well, I'll illustrate. Here is “pretty/pretty”:



Or this:



In both pictures the weather is great, the sun is shining, and life is good. The colors are nice, and they're just happy pictures.

Now, here is a classic example of “ugly/pretty”:



This was the night before one of DC's infamous snowstorms last year. I was in a terrible mood. I stood on my balcony and took dozens of pictures. I was surprised to see how well received this picture was, though. And, now that I think about it, I still focused on composition and telling a story - but it isn't the same happy story I like to tell. And that's a REALLY important message.

Compare it with this picture, which was also of the snow:



I think it's obvious (to me, anyway) from this picture that I don't like the snow. If I did, I think it would have come through, so to speak. Instead, this is just a generic picture of the snow with two people and a dog. Not bad, but others (as in people) have done much better.

I have to keep all of this in mind, as we head towards winter. I hate this weather. So, I normally don't take many pictures. However, I can't go six months (or however long it will be before the weather is actually civilized again) without taking pictures, so I have to balance between my emotions and reality.

In other words, if you don't think you like a subject, take a picture anyway. You may surprise yourself! Just stay true to your emotions, be realistic, don't forget your composition, and tell a good story.

Till tomorrow!

How it All Got Started

Just a picture, right? Not to me.

When I took this picture (and several others in my Carmel and Big Sur set), I was with my Dad, snapping pictures, and not really thinking much of it.

On the same trip, I took this picture:



... and I realized that I loved capturing beautiful memories.

Not knowing much about technique, I signed up for some basic classes. Digital camera in tow, I learned about aspects of photography which interested me.

This blog is a story of my constant quest to satisfy my love for nature, beauty, and creativity - in my view. You won't see any pictures of people in this blog, but you'll learn about what inspires me in my world, and how I've grown in the process.