love life

 

Every time I try to write about Kal, I sound like a crazy groupie. It's probably not far from the truth. I've been adoring her work for years for the way she combines fine art, with graphic elements, and WORDS. I LOVE the way she sees and communicates, whether she's using a paintbrush, a camera, or a paper bag. Today's post is by (my favorite) Kal Barteski.  :)

Hey Shutter-Sisters. You don't know me. My name is Kal Barteski and I would expect you should think three of four times before taking photography ideas from an artist-but, I wanted to share two holiday-happies that a non-photographer thinks about when lugging around a camera.

First, I don't think about taking photos. Whether I'm using a camera or a paintbrush-I don't think so much about the tool as I do the idea of creating art. Magic even. That's right- a camera is simply a tool used to capture shadow and light - the magic is in the taking.

Second- I don't think about taking photos. I think about watching and catching memories and glances and those little words between what's happening and the invisible music between the hearts in  the shot. Because to me - the very, very best photographs are the ones we cherish - not for the fashion or the beauty, but for the message.

You can find Kal's blog with everything she's been working on here. She's having a holiday special on her Love Life books. It's such a good deal, I purchased ten of them as gifts this year. So go check it out, and leave a comment to win one today!

Comments

[anna]

Beautiful capture!

[KaraB]

I love Kal! She inspires my attitude!!!

[Stephanie Fox]

You really can see the adoration in the photo. Great shot.

[buttercupyaya]

First: thank you for introducing me to Kal. I just got lost in her blog. In a very, very GOOD way.
Wow.
Secondly: Thanks Kal! for the fantastic reminders. Too often I catch myself not enjoying what is going on around me because of the contant pressure I put on myself to "Get a good shot darn it!" I am learning to live outside of my lense, and my lense is NOT suffering for it at all. It's been the best thing I could ever do-for myself and for my photography.
and lastly: I would truly love life with this book! :)

[Kelly]

Dropping a comment to bid for a book. :-)

[Kathleen O.]

Thanks for introducing me to such a talent...her work is beautiful!

[chris]

Absolutely beautiful. :)

[norah]

It is very rare that I buy books anymore - however, this is a book that I would buy :)

[Steph Wiese]

I agree! Catching moments in time!

[Deanna]

I'm a fan of Kal's too! I started reading her blog when she was giving her "pencil crayon" tiplits.... So much talent!

[Jessica]

Very nice. :)

[Lila]

I LOVE life! :-)

[NTE]

That's such a sweet way of putting it: I try to catch those in between moments, but often feel like I should conquer the technical aspects before I try to be artistic. Sometimes it's nice to have the reminder that it doesn't have to be that way. Nice to meet you Kal!

[laura - dolcepics]

Thank you for introducing Kal to us! Love it!!

[Heather]

great blog you have here. and what fun giveways!

[Celia]

Beautiful! I love the art, and even more, I love the purpose behind it! Very Merry!

[Lisa]

I love what you say about just capturing the moment, however the capturing happens.

[Kelly]

love love love it!

[Heather]

Hi Kal. It's nice to meet you; I'm Heather.

Your outlook on photography? Perfection. :)

[bleachusd]

Pick me?

Thanks for the tips! Until my grandfather passed away, I thought so much about angles and light and all those things that the photography books tell you to think about. I critiqued my photos so much. Then, he passed away and none of it mattered. If he was in the photo, it was cherished. And now, I just take the pictures.

[stella]

well I must say i could definitely do with a bit more love in my life ;)
x

[nikkole!]

wonderful...

i like to think of capturing feelings and moments.
a way to stare at the feelings and moments and build more from them.

[~Kristina]

GO! Kal is sensational. I hope maybe one day she will truly understand how many lives she has changed. I know she's sure made a difference to mine :)

[karin]

gentle reminders to just *go with it* are so so so so good for me .... overthinking is just ONE of the magic pixie dusts that is sprinkled on all moms when they deliver that first angel baby .... i'm guilty for 9 years! (more like 40 ... but it sounds better that it's ONLY 9!) ;)

[shelli]

Love her thoughts. Beautiful photo!

[claudia]

cool work, thanks for the link!

[victoria winters]

i really need to win something.

[Elaine]

Thank you for introducing me to this artist. Earlier this afternoon I was thinking about what makes an artist choose a particular medium (or media) to express her/his creativity. To me {collector/patron/admirer of the handmade}, the answer is as interesting as the work of art.

I love this philosophy of taking photos. Perhaps because I'm a SLR newbie, I'm trying to learn how to use this tool "right". I'm going to try to think more like Kal.

[elizabeth]

I just found her blog and love it! I've been looking at the book but of the people I'd buy gifts for, I'm the one that would appreciate it most, and it seems rather too indulgent to buy myself a gift this time of year. January, I think, will be a good time to do so. :)

[Lana]

whew. that was close i thought maybe I missed it! I love Kal, I kinda feel like a creepy stalker too, as she's the first thing I read every morning. I am *so not that way* about 99.999% of the world. I asked for Kal's book for xmas, but since my husband is quite computer ignorant (but he's cute.. really!), He doesn't know how to do it with me actually doing it myself. I said to just forget it. LOL. So.. *crosses fingers*

[emily]

Great advice as I set out to try to finally take our Christmas photos this week.

[Elaina]

Good reminders on the tips! Thanks!

[lizzy]

i find her perspective very refreshing.

[Rachelle]

I'm so behind on gift getting, help me.

[Michelle S.]

Amen. I love getting to the point in photography where I'm not constantly preoccupied with HOW to make the camera capture the story but at just enjoying the capture.
p.s. I'm doing "Cans for Comments" on my blog. :)

[t does wool]

amazing talent,love the books~!

[darlene]

oh ... her work is lovely :) what a perfect introduction to her work ... :)

[rachel]

the book looks great!

[Kyla]

What a super precious photo!

[Angie]

:)

[jodyangel]

I can't wait to cruise her site!! Thanks SS!

[sandi]

Wow.. awesome stuff! :)

[Emilyt]

Food for thought! I'd love to learn more about Kal.

[jag]

What a great photo... thanks for the giveaway!
jag xox

[SusanH]

I know - isn't her book great! I don't have my own - yet?

[Tracy]

lovely photo and inspiration!

[Toni]

I love the idea of catching memories and glances. Something to work on.

[lora]

count me in! =)

[mamie]

i always love finding inspiration in new places and kal's blog did just that. thanks.

[Sue]

I am a Kal groupie, too. The way she writes just blows my mind ... man, she can really kick butt with words, can't she? I'd be delighted to have her book and, trust me, it would sit in a place of honor in my home. Bring it on!