Framed White Burlap

Once again, I see a project and love the idea.  Implementation is another story.  I would rather take pictures and dream than put the FINALity to an item.  

When I stopped by a thrift store, on my way home, I spotted some white burlap pieces, silver play cups, napkins, table cloth, and tulle ribbon stuff.

I have been sitting on these awesome canvas stretchers and knew the white burlap would have a purpose.

Another one of my projects is painting the two frames white with interior chalkboard paint.

What makes a good image?

Often, my attention is directed towards a photo and I am asked, "Do you think this is good?"

My number one, first response is, "What is the purpose of the image, what do you hope to accomplish with the image?"

Photography really is about purpose.

Example:  Photo 1 could be used several ways.  Focus on the plant while maintaining a morning soft feel.  Photo 1 has no value if the purpose was to get details of the farm.

Photo 1

Photo 2 is only valuable if this is the only picture of the farm that exists.  It would be remarkably better if I had moved over two feet and avoided the blurred plant blocking the view of the farm.

Photo 2

Focus plays a major role in developing purpose.  I took both of these images on purpose to demonstrate how focus helps to see your purpose and accomplish your own intentions next time you are out shooting.

Color Preference?

Sometimes, I capture an image that strikes me so well I dare to play with several edits.  Photographers are constantly pulled between color and black and white.  We live in a world of fun, creative ideas to enhance our lives.  One lesson in my photography class was to examine the work of others and find out what we like,  what part of the image speaks to us, what does it say, why do you see that, and do you like it?  Below are some examples of edits that may or may not do anything for you.   The image was taken on an early morning bike ride in Georgia (U.S.).  I love the color

And thought immediately of this scripture and edited below.

Just for my own curiosity, I used a black and white filter.

LOVE!!!

Then, I thought of different purposes and ideas which brought on the below edits.

I love them all.

Even the green!!!   

All images are the property of Sharon Brewer.  I hope you enjoy this post.

More on the Photo Shed

This week, I have been trying to focus on my photo storage shed.  My photo props need a home, and the Gracious Oaks need a storage area for wedding decor.  Last month, maybe the month before, I turned one corner of recovering the outside of the shed.  I am using gray pressure treated fencing that I bought from a friend's leftovers.

Today, I turned the other corner.  Steve watches the project from afar, being careful to let me make my mistakes.  After all, this is not his project.  Today, my arm was really wanting some muscles to hammer in the nails on the siding, but I managed.  The exercise is good for me, and the shed is coming right along.

I have so many projects going on that I feel that I never get anything done.  But I do.  I tell myself that anyway.  Sometimes, I complete a small project on purpose to prove to myself that I can finish something.  

Last weekend, I was able to see little Darcy again.  Two weekends in a row.  She is growing so fast.  She tries to talk and communicate with me but the second I turn on the video she is MUMS THE WORD!  Steve was able to sneak in last week and get some conversation with her.

Guntersville Has Art!

If there is an outdoor store anywhere around, my oldest daughter can feel it in her bones.  Christina  loves the outdoors and all the wonderful accessories that go with looking great while you hike, ski, bike, or boat.  Recently, my daughter and I were traveling from Huntsville to Gadsden and had to stop at Guntersville Outfitters. 

We shopped, tried on some clothes, and took our time before we paid for our selections.  We spoke with Dylan about summertime fun and her art projects.  She directed our attention to the display of wonderful art that she had for sale and smiled.  You could tell she loved each piece,  Artists are like parents; each work is a part of themselves. 

 

I loved the artist's sweet personality the moment I spoke to her.  The prices were amazing, and my daughter has artwork in her home that will always take her back to this time and place.

Dylan, it was a joy to meet you! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to have you in our lives always.

A Father's First Prayer ~ What do I do now?

This is one of my favorite birthing room pictures.  Minutes before, with tears, this dad watched his daughter's birth.  From the excitement of seeing life being brought into this world to the overwhelming task of what do I do now, every father will face this same dilemma.  

At every turn, there will be the doubts, the not-so good days, the failures, the successes, the accomplishments, and the ever hanging question in your mind, am I doing this right?

So, when this father was given the instruction to change her diaper for the first time, I snapped this shot.  Thankfully, a nurse was kind enough to give a step by step guide to the task. 

To me, this picture is more than a father facing the simple task of caring for a baby.  Somewhere in this moment is a father asking the Heavenly Father for guidance. "You gave us this precious little baby, please give us knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to know what is best.  Help us to trust you for the patience and calm when we do not have answers."

Photo Challenge

This week, I was challenged to do a set of 12 shots using the Sunny 16 Rule.  The Rule states that on a sunny day you can shoot at F16 using an ISO and shutter speed that mirror each other. Example ISO at 200 would give you proper exposure at 1/200th shutter speed.  So, I go out and walk around my yard to see if I can learn anything.  Well the clouds mix with the sunshine and that, in itself, throws the rule off.  Determined to learn, I venture on. adjusting a few settings.  Then, I come to this awesome subject. I put aside the learning to get the image.
Sunny 16 Settings ~ F 16  ISO 200  SS 1/200

Aggravated at trying to figure out a "RULE" and not getting anywhere, I pop my camera over to the P (professional) and grab the image.  I LOVE and I mean LOVE the colors and excitement going on down in the center of the acorn husk. The raindrop is leaching a natural oak dye into the bowl. Anyway back to the challenge.

P settings ~ F5  ISO 200 SS 1/400 

I learned and know and understand the Triangle of settings.  I am slowly coming to understand the lenses and the effect of the zoom and bokeh and such that goes into an image. 

I also know how to get what I want out of an image if given enough time.  PURPOSE is MORE than HUGE when it comes to images.  Focal points, light, Depth of field are more to me than subjects I read about in a magazine or a tutorial.  

So, I walk around a little bit more to get the Sunny 16 completed, snapping interesting subjects.  The clouds make for challenges. 

Once I am at the computer (NO EDITS ALLOWED), I download and go to read an article on the Sunny 16 RULE.  http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1565/the-sunny-16-rule/   I found it interesting, but I also understand WHY the rule is going away. TECHNOLOGY and PURPOSE.  The society is no longer dependent upon RULES to get an image to serve their purpose.  Rules become more like guides. the Sunny 16 is in my opinion a basic starting point to ALL the weather rules.  If you shoot in snow . . .  If it is cloudy. . . and so on.  I will ever be grateful to my photography teacher for the care and attention she put into our class.  The assignments may have been more of a curriculum than the teacher, but she put care into helping us understand what each element could do.  She is the reason my camera is a tool.  I USE MY CAMERA,  The camera does not dictate to me what the purpose of the image is.  My heart tells my mind what I want and my mind uses the camera.

That being said, here are the other images with the settings. 

^ f 16  400  1/400 V

 From the point on all images are F 16  200   1/200

I tried to only shoot when the sun was it's brightest so I could stay on the F 16 setting.  I need to read up on this rule more to better understand how to move away from it to get to my purpose.  I tend to shoot more portrait/detail which lends itself more to the open F stop.