In the Company of None

Nikon D600
f/22
Photoshop CC, Lightroom 5

This could probably be considered my absolute favorite time of the year. I absolutely don’t mean to sound like I do not enjoy the company of others, or that I don’t want other people to enjoy this beautiful place I am fortunate enough to live in, but the pre-tourist time of year is like heaven for me.

What drive’s you?

Nikon D600
1/125 sec. at f/16
ISO-320 and focal length 58 mm
Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC

I am back in another rut, blame it on the weather, whatever. But I am sick of it and working on some exercises to be more proactive about coming to terms with my creative muse. I know that it isn’t her that is failing me. I am the one that is not caring for my muse. Brooke Shaden‘s wonderful book, “Inspiration in Photography“, which I was so excited to get when it came out, has been sitting on my nightstand for ages. Yesterday I started making time to read it. I am still early on, but there was a section about defining your passion, and it got me thinking. Rather than thinking about what I would do if I could do anything for a day, which I know, I would be shooting with models and wonderful wardrobe, props, perfect lighting, weather etc… I would most likely be in a forest, possibly near in, on a river. It was when I got to the specifics that I got lost.

Baby Steps

Nikon D600
1/40 sec. at f/11
ISO-2000 and 40 mm focal length
Lightroom 5.2, Photoshop CC, Define, Perfect Effects

This image is one that I have been thinking about capturing for some time. I have always been fascinated by stories. I guess that is what drew me to decide to major in English in college rather than art. There are so many stories that have touched me throughout my life, but I think as with many, it is the fairy tales of my youth that bring the most vivid memories. Especially the dark ones. I think that fairy tales are our first indication in life, that not everything in the world is warm and fuzzy.

Keep Yourself Open

Nikon D600
1/200 sec. at f/10
ISO-320 and 35 mm focal length
Lightroom5.2, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects, Define

Today’s post is about remaining flexible and staying open to inspiration throughout the creative process. I do believe that it is important to stick to your vision. That spark that sent you out in the field to capture a particular image. However, it is important to remember there is a difference between staying true and just plain being stubborn.

Leaving the Past Behind

Nikon D600
1/100 sec. at f/16
ISO-320 with a 34 mm focal length
exposure bias -1.3 step
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects

So today I think I would like to touch upon inspiration and how I develop inspiration to make a conceptual image really tick. With a painter in the family I was always jealous that she was able to start with a clean slate while, with my camera, I had to work with what was already there. It used to make me feel less creative, like I wasn’t actually creating anything at all, just copying what was in front of me. Thus the draw to the type of photography I am doing now. I now feel comfortable in calling myself a creator because I now create not what I see with my eyes, but what I see with my mind’s eye.

Still Spinning

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects, Define

I just can’t seem to keep a grip on everything  this summer. Every time I think I am about to get my priorities straight and my scheduling under control The operator starts the ride back up. And yes, I pretty sure I am on The Zipper, pictured above. You have this sense that you can control the movement of your car, but in the end it is going to do its own thing. All you can do is sit back and enjoy the chaos of the ride.

Raindrops on Roses & Whiskers on Kittens

Nikon D600
1/40 sec. at f/20
ISO-200 and 35 mm focal length
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC and Perfect Effects

Last night was one of those times when a nanny like Julie Andrews would have come in handy. While I was out scoping tonight’s shoot location I was stung by Sir Granddaddy of all hornets. I am still in pain, and I usually don’t have a problem with stinging bugs. I USUALLY prefer bees and hornets to black flies. Not this one. Phew it was a stinker and boy does it smart. So today’s ponderings are about happy thoughts and things that make us feel good like pink balloons and pretty girls dancing on a summer’s day.

Preparing for Lift-off

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects

Today finds me very excited about the future. I love it when I schedule a new shoot that has been cooking in my head. The hands on building of the vision is becoming a large portion of the creative rush for me. I finished gathering the props yesterday, and I have drawn out a basic outline of location today. I also set up a model and scheduled the shoot for tomorrow. YAY!

Do It With Feeling

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects, Define

I have been reading a lot lately about seeking inspiration and organizing your ideas before the shoot. This post is not to debunk the importance in that, but there is also something to be said about leaving room for the idea to develop on location. Flexibility is a huge part of my arsenal. Especially when scheduling models. I have more often than you can imagine set up a model for a stormy moody shot only to wake up to beautiful blue skies and vice versa…

Making New Worlds

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Perfect Effects, Photoshop CC

So many things are bubbling through my brain that I would love to share. It has been an exhausting and exiting few days. But I will contain myself and stick with one thing at a time. Setting up this shot was such an incredible experience! Bringing my own world to life was surprisingly empowering. And well, the solitude of the location was just what my soul needed to prepare for the shoot.