Friday, September 30, 2016

Value ~ Beyond Words


One Word Project - Soar

Again, one of those words I felt would be quick to come up with a concept to shoot.  A fun, uplifting, optimistic kind of word.  But the more I thought about it the more I couldn't nail anything down.  Didn't want to do a self portrait - did want to do a self portrait.  Was thinking I am three weeks post op and it would be a good idea to have a series showing the healing process.  Everything I came up with just wasn't quite right.  And I was all over the place on this one.  A ladder.... a feather.... muddy feet.... under water....  playing airplane...   Like I said all over the place!  So when the morning of opportunity struck I had to choose one idea.  This one came to me about 4 am when I woke up, therefore, it won the lottery for the day.  

I put a good amount of pressure on myself to come up with something that has "artistic value" within this project while at the same time trying out new lighting scenarios, new equipment, color arrangements etc., etc.   All for the sake of learning.   This is something I struggle with constantly.  It's so easy to fall back into the "same old" because a. it works and b. it's familiar.   


I hadn't photographed on this hand painted backdrop and wanted to give it a solid test.  Pink came to mind as a friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she was in my thoughts.... so I pulled out the pink chocolate canvas and matched it with a top that was as light as the feather I was using for my prop.  This feather followed me home from our recent mermaid shoot.


Then to the fun part of delving into the lighting setup.  I placed two Ice Lights gelled with pink slightly behind and to my left and right to give me separation and illuminate my backdrop.   The main light was a beauty dish facing straight on slightly elevated with a diffusion sock.  With reflectors I tweaked the fill and got myself into position but still things were off.  I was off-center not just in my position on the stool but in my head as well!


So instead of completely throwing in the towel I tried out another idea.  I was interested to see how this neutral set of colors would meld against this backdrop.  Decided to have a some fun with it and attempted dropping a feather just as the flash fired.  Well to say the least I amused myself for about 75 or so frames.

Maybe that's where the true magic lies.  Our "nests" can be defined as cozy and familiar but if we lift ourselves out of those nests and soar maybe just maybe there will be something special out there waiting in the wings.

SOAR

Post Note:  When we share our "one word" photos we've always made it a fun experience.  We select a time that we can both sit down and share together.  Not necessarily face to face time, typically it's a connection through the internet.  We'll talk about our experiences from the beginning stages to the final image.   The out takes and the misses are always part of the conversation.  This share instantly warranted a phone call.  The similarities to our individual photos was amazing and heightened the importance of our project.  This session will be chalked up as being meaningful beyond "words".


enjoy,

k


Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Understanding How You See


Some places you go are just so "full" of stuff that at first you don't really know what you should focus on.

Taking pause and walking through slowly let's you focus on fewer things and think about them in a slightly different way.

Odd, you could say or perhaps with just a slight tilt.

This old barn in Exeter was chock a block full of "stuff".  Old salvage items that had stories to tell from their early history.  Textures jumped out for me - seeing unique patterns and a roughness that was appealing in a dainty way.



As with any barn I've ever been in the light streaming in from outside makes the inside feel magical.  You could see this ivy trying to take a peek in to feel that magic and give life.


 These three frames hanging side by side brought Americana to mind.  Feels natural to join them together in that true spirit through double exposure.






enjoy,

k

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Through the Cracks

We spend a good amount of time out on our lakes.  Whether it be a kayak trek or a sunset cruise.
Each season offering a different perspective for these treasured bodies of water.


One season melds into another in a way that appears seamless.  Except for Summer to Fall.  This transition always feels like summer just drops through a hole and fall bursts on through.  Maybe that's why it's one of my favorite seasons!

Fall ~ through the cracks on your own terms.  Be bold - be assertive - let your gut guide you through!

enjoy,

k

Friday, September 23, 2016

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Putting My Work Out There

Close To Home   - click to view and order



I've published an ebook on infrared images I've been working on over this past year.

Check it out ~ let me know your thoughts.

Prints can also be ordered from this series.  Contact me at karen@karenbobotas.com

enjoy,

k

Monday, September 19, 2016

From the Depths

Personal projects come to me as a concept.  It will take quite some time to mull over in my mind and form into into an actual idea for a shoot.  From these ideas I build ~ putting things together that I think will mesh.  Pieces are joined by colors, textures and a look I'm hoping to achieve.

It's not an exact science for me - but rather a creative process.


Collaboration between model and photographer is the gel that seems to pull everything together once you get out "on set".


....and in this case some extra help from my assistant to "cue" those birds!


But most importantly we come away smiling from a day of friendship, laughter and fun through our creativity.

At the end of that day we hope to come away with a photo...

        Once she felt the Earth and Sky ~ she pulled from the Depths

To my girls - thanks for being my kind of crazy!

enjoy,

k

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Understanding


Support and Love


enjoy,

k

Monday, September 12, 2016

Boxers Rhythm

Had a complete "about face" with the word rhythm for our One Word project.
I was going to do a slow shutter speed image and portray body rhythm through the feeling of dance movements.  A photograph to be made with the sole purpose of speaking to the rhythm that is inside of each of us.   Instead my mind saw "boxers rhythm" as the obvious theme for this go round.  But these stitches were keeping me low for a few days and therefore a static pose won out.


I'm not one to give up
I did feel like I was beaten
Sucker-punched
But then again you didn't see half the fight

























Never start a fight ~


























but always finish it.

My stitches were the result of Mohs surgery for basal cell cancer.  I've had a bout with cancer prior to this and with my fair skin will most likely be facing more battles through the years ahead.

Have your skin checked.  Make annual checkups.  

enjoy,

k


Sunday, September 11, 2016

Seeing Things In Different Light

Spent a wonderful weekend on Cape Cod with friends.  Our last morning we headed over to Nauset Beach in Orleans.  It wasn't as colorful as the morning prior but the clouds definitely had their share of drama.  Played around with color images as well as infrared along the beach.


 The different shades in the water with the blue sky poking through the clouds added a softness giving more of a relaxing feeling in this version.


With the infrared taking away those colors it made the clouds look much more menacing than they were in real life.  Reminds me that so many things in our daily life can feel much more menacing than they really are.  Take each day as if comes and live each one to the fullest!


enjoy,

k

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

8 Years 32 Seasons

I love this photo.  It holds special meaning to me.  It was from the coast of Maine in Ogunquit back in 2008.  It was my birthday and the days venture brought me down to the seacoast for a beautiful summers day.




Watching these two young girls run into the water will always bring a smile.  It speaks of youth, carefree and the simple joys of life.

8 years and 32 seasons later this photograph continues to bring that smile.   Friends talk about "going back" to a place in time from their younger years.  I seem to always be the one that pipes up I'm happy where I am now.  It's not that I don't enjoy reminiscing; just no desire to go back.  

There is such joy in living   ....on to the next season!

enjoy,

k


 


Thursday, September 1, 2016

She Chose



Personal projects coming to light...

enjoy,

k

Necessity of Repair



enjoy,

k