Yin and Yang

 Sometimes I feel like I have bipolar disorder when it comes to photography. I have two great loves, nature macros and people portraits. In many ways they seem so different, but when you really start to dissect it, maybe not so much.

Partially because, when I shoot people, I end up all up in their faces, in their eyes, trying to catch the intimacy of the moment. I don't go telephoto like many photogs do when they are shooting people, because they don't want to crowd their subject and make them feel uncomfortable. For better or worse, I use a shorter lens and crawl around, up, down, and on top of the people I am shooting. Luckily most of the time they are children, who seem to tolerate my antics better than adults. I make faces at them, or in desperate times, even pull out the silly noises from behind the camera.

All of which I don't have to do when shooting nature. When I am rolling around in the dirt, I enjoy the silence. The calm. The fact that I have to control my breathing to be absolutely still since I don't use a tripod when shooting very close macros. It almost becomes meditative. Zen like. Peaceful.

Such different experiences, but both essential to making photography such a rich part of my life. The laughter and the peace. The yin and the yang.

Thanks to Aimee aka Greeblemonkeyfor being our gracious guest blogger/honorary sister today and for sharing her perfect photograph and words with us. Aimee has also offered one of her stunning 2009 calendars from her etsy shop today for our giveaway. Leave your comment for a chance to get your hands on it! It's one beautiful way to keep track of your New Year. And be sure to visit her blog for yet another super sweet greeblepix contest this month.

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

have a nice day! your words are always so interesting!!!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/

[Marcie]

Stunning image. Love how you've captured the remaining leaves in the ice. Here's one of mine - a cobination nature and 'portrait' photograh: - :-)
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=625

[Vanessa]

an interesting observation and a great photo!

[Becky]

Your words are peaceful. Zen Like.

Beautiful photograph!!!

[Kimberly]

I love the details in the leaf. Simply stunning.

[laura - dolcepics]

Great article Aimee~ I totally know what you're saying!

[Joanna Kostrzewa]

Beautiful photos, please count me in! *^v^*

[Shirley]

I just discovered your blog and love the photography. The leaf is beautiful. Nature sooths.

[Kacey]

A macro lens is so on my list for Santa this year! Your photography is lovely!

[Puna]

I have a macro on my list too!

[Bunny]

Love your work Aimee!

[jenney]

I do mostly portrait work but you're making me want to try nature "macro" shots now. I need some "zen" moments these days. =)

[jag]

LOVE photo calendars!! :-)
My bi-polar photography seems to swing between nature & the mundane (ie. beauty of the ordinary). Fun stuff!
xox

[Sandra]

love this post and gorgeous photo!

[marcy]

very nice photo, it would be great to have a calendar of beautiful photos to inspire me

[Traci]

i love her work! happy tuesday!!

[lisa]

Yum!

[camerashymomma]

lovely post! and beautiful photo. i must be bipolar too, macro nature and portraits are my love too!

[Grey Street Girl]

I *so* agree with you. Photography has become my therapy. It's such a zen feeling. You said it so well.

[Julie]

Great photo of the leaf! I'm itching to get outside and shoot. It's been raining for two days.
julie

[Kathleen O.]

Lovely photo...I want to be more confident when shooting portraits. Sometimes its hard to let go and be myself, especially when it's someone I don't know well...Food for thought here today!

[Liz Dager]

yay yay!

[abbey]

fabulous shot!!!!

[nadia]

beautiful pictures

[Lila]

What a delightful visual you created with your words...I am so smiling! Your photograph is spectacular!

[Cheryl]

Great photo. :-)

[glittersmama]

I really enjoyed this post.

[Molly]

I can use all of the inspiration that I can get. Thanks for your great site!

[Sue at nobaddays]

Great post Aimee! And oh! To be in line to win the last photo calendar? How exciting1

[Karen]

Love your work, k

[charlane]

I admire someone that can do nature macros handheld - I don't have the hands for them. That is someone truly at peace and at one with the world around them.

[sandi]

Beautiful photo!

[lizzy]

that image is gorgeous. i love how you see the darkened veins as if their crackling through the ice, although the ice is mainly around the edges.

[Jodie]

I just love the intricacy in those details!!

[kristin]

great post aimee. i too try hard to control my breathing and movement with the macro, good to know i am not the only one in the dirt trying not to blink or shake. . xo kristin

[krista]

i just love this site!

[Dennylyn]

Ah,those moments in the dirt sound so familiar. But all so worth it.

[AppleTree]

I love the comparison.

[merrymishaps]

Great post, and great photo (as always)!

[schmutzie]

I am such a fan of your work, Aimee. Believe me, it would be an honour to win a calendar filled with your photography.

[Stephanie Fox]

Everyone needs a calendar this time of year.

[Lori]

I love people's faces too, but have become dissatisfied with my results. I'm going to have to try climbing all over them.

[Karen]

I'd love to have one of your calendars - I love your pics!

[Christian aka Xtian2dot0]

I love the Greenlemonkey! That was a beautiful and fascinating post. I hope I am lucky enough to win the calendar so I can enjoy your visions of natural beauty all year long. :)

[Jennifer]

I'm so new to photography, but my macro lens and nature are already my faves.

[Erin]

Great post!!! I too love a variety of different photography styles.

[Emily]

Beautiful photo! I've always enjoyed looking at nature close up!

[Kelly]

lovely lovely work! beautiful!

[canadacole]

This was so beautiful and echoes what I feel exactly! Thank you!

[Steph Wiese]

I never thought of it like that before, but you are so right! You have to be very aware of your breathing when not using a tripod and doing close up shots - wow. Well, I just think Greeblemonkey is a fantastic site so I'd be thrilled to have her calendar in my home!

www.stephwiese.squarespace.com