Here Comes the Parade

Waiting for the annual
Holiday Parade to start
I was walking up and down
Main Street having some fun

ANTICIPATION SHOTS!

 Everybody loves a parade…..  I sure do

enjoy,

k

Be Free ~ Be You

One Word Project - using the word Free.  I was driving through downtown Laconia and I looked up and saw the leaves swirling in the wind above me.  Instantly it gave me that feeling of being "free" in a subconscious way and a smile came on my face that was a mile wide.
Free in an subconscious way ~ meaning I wasn't trying to feel free - I just had the weight of the world taken off my shoulders for that instant.  Later that day my friend Cathy assigned the word "free" in our photo project.  So I knew where I was heading but had no idea how to accomplish it in a photograph.

Sat on it for a day or two or three and came up with the idea to start with a photo of the compass over at WYC.  Every time I do a shoot there I am gravitated to photograph it.  This time I made an image using infrared.  Now came the hard part to try to convey that underlying freedom that I was feeling that day.

I set up white seamless paper and started working with long shutter speeds to create movement.  Chose an outfit that would move and flow with me as well.  Did a series of images and uploaded them onto the computer to see how things would mesh with my compass.  My first attempt worked fairly well.  I'll be the first to admit my compositing needs work but that is what this project is all about.  Trying new ideas and seeing if we can make them work.

The compass image was my base image and I composited two likenesses of me heading in different directions.  Once pasted onto the compass I reduced the opacity to further blend and make the final image more believable to the eye.

So at the end of the day ~ yes I feel Free.  It certainly doesn't mean that I don't often have the weight of the world on my shoulders.  But I can allow my moral compass to guide me along and trust that I will not be lead astray down the wrong path.

F  R  E  E  

Everyday we wake up with an underlying "why" to every choice we will encounter during the day.  We won't consciously think about what is propelling us towards one way or another.  It's an internal "yes" or "no" better described as our moral compass.
Be Free ~  Be You

enjoy,

k

Emily's Light Shines Beautifully

A great studio shoot with Emily bringing together multiple lights and gels to accentuate her warm smile.  Emily's ease in front of my camera is delightful.  Her personality takes center stage and she owns each look with poise and confidence.

For this setup - two main lights - balanced to highlight her beautiful smile as well as her flair for fashion.  Two additional side lights gelled blue to give her that extra effervescent sparkle.

For this second setup stayed with the two main lights - took away the gels and highlighted her curves and beauty in a softer more subtle fashion.  Casual Elegance - raw beauty.



enjoy,

k

A Beautiful Afternoon

With the warmth of the sun shining through 

as we round the corner into December and the coming of a new year.

We all have good days and bad days.  I'm thankful that this day was a good one filled with

conversations - thoughts - worries - dreams.  It's like the ripple of the water where they all follow one another like trained soldiers until eventually reverting back to calm. 

Had good conversation with my son when I got back home this afternoon.  A needed conversation.  The ripples will always be there - the water will get rough - but I want him to know I'll always be there to help him keep afloat in any way I can.

enjoy,

k

Realist versus Idealist

Both are prevalent in my work. 

I never quite know how things are going to "hit" me

I've learned over time…

that is part of the journey

and a most important part it is

The Landscape Realist:  Those times when you put forth the reality of what is in front of you

The Idealist Photographer:  When you attempt to make a photograph through feeling

You must always keep in mind that everyone's feelings will be different in nature…

take your path whether it is by choice or by circumstance

enjoy,

k

One Word Project ~ FREE

Been doing this project starting in the Spring of this year and have come up with some interesting photographs to accompany our words over the past eight months.

This is the first post on my blog that will not have a photo to accompany it.  It is my turn and I came up with the word Free.  It was just what came into my head.  I've had a few ideas floating around and I've written down a couple of concepts that I thought I could try but nothing has quite "hit me" enough to get cracking and make the photo ~ until this afternoon.

About half way through the afternoon I realized I "felt" free.  Just a feeling and it was a wonderful feeling.  We all saddle ourselves with stuff.  Stuff that weighs us down or makes us unhappy.  As much as we try - it just won't shake off.   This afternoon it shock off.  Now my job is to somehow photograph that feeling.  I have no idea, but honestly, I

can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring….

enjoy,
k

Make Photos that Make You Feel

Me and Cathy are at it again.  Our get togethers are as much about the friendship we share than they are about making a photograph.  Don't get me wrong we both want to make the photographs ~ but never does it take precedence over our individual inhibitions and friendship.  

I practiced with myself as the model before Cathy arrived and tweaked a lighting setup we could work on together.  Once Cathy arrived we had some "technical issues" that canned Plan A and we went to Plan B.  My photo was made with off camera triggered flash

Cathy's photo was made with a continuous light setup

We practiced on each other

During these sessions we talk about lighting, camera settings and adjustments to be made.  We compare ideas and work through problems.   But more importantly we talk about how we feel.  When you sit in front of someone else's camera you are giving them the gift that is you.  As a photographer I cherish that gift given and hold it with utmost respect.

Thank You Cathy for our honest conversations.  You have taught me more about myself than I had realized.  It's okay to say "no"  and it's okay to say "yes".  We must always respect one another's choice.


enjoy,

k

At the Cat Show

Whatever the Place 

Celebrate….   Meow!

enjoy,

k

A Most Special Touch ~ Grampa's Love

enjoy,

k

Magic Beans

Reality:  Green beans left on the vine

Imagination:  Magic beans that spread truth in the wind.

One Word ~ WIND

This is our garden in the front yard.  We've had green beans for the past couple of seasons and I've always looked at it thinking "there is a picture here".  Thank you to my friend Cathy for allowing me to find it.

How it came to be:  I liked the combination of the geometric pattern with the lingering green beans left hanging on.  I squatted down low and shot straight up giving the bend in the mesh some energy.  Wasn't quite enough energy for my liking so I shook the heck of the mesh and voila….
magic beans spreading truth!



enjoy,
k

A Summers' Breeze ….in November

A feeling of contentment and harmony  

enjoy,

k

Moved By Color

With the overcast sky today and a light touch of rain the fading colors of Fall could not have looked lovelier as the backdrop for Mariah.

One of the those times where the color moves you - and says Wow


enjoy,

k

So Much Color Out There….. but still I'm drawn to Black and White

Still so much Fall color out there today with mild temperatures made for a glorious day for family time.

The colors remaining into November is not the "usual" and there were plenty from these two sessions that will highlight the subtle colors of late fall.  

But for this series of images I was drawn to Black and White

A cleanness that I have always enjoyed bringing your focus 

directly to the interaction of my subjects.  

A lot of laughs - a few friendly jabs - creating sweet memories

I'm learning that as much as I enjoy color I am definitely a person that sees things as black and white.


enjoy,

k