i'm obsessed

Am I the only one that goes through phases—or maybe more appropriately, obsessions—in my photographic inclinations? A particular angle of interest, recurring subject matter or tiny detail of something specific that for one reason or another draws you in and urges you to recognize them? I’ve been in and out of different phases like this ever since I really got into photography. Some of my past focal fixations have included grain, blur, and toys. And don’t get me started on my passion for the blossoms and blooms that have not only piqued my interest but have held me and my camera captive for the last few months.

When it comes to capturing images of the details of my children, obsession is a mild term. With each passing day there seems to be something perfectly endearing to turn my camera toward. Right now, I’m all about my youngest daughter’s hair—her straggly, stringy, swishing, swooping, swinging hair. I am spellbound by the way it frames her face, wispy blonde strands getting caught up in her dark lashes, brushing her flushed cheeks. My urchin princess. I even cut it myself for fear some insensitive hair dresser might rob me of my photo fetish. See. I told you. I'm obsessed.

And you? I’m curious as to what you have been unable to keep your lens away from. Do you have a photo flavor of the month? Come on, show us your obsessions—we’re all friends here.

Comments

[vivienne]

this whole world of photography feels like one big obsession!

i am most definitely obsessed with blossoms too. how can spring do anything but inspire that! but i'm particularly obsessed it seems with a certain flower called the lentin rose...here's a few of the vast collection of lentin photos this spring has brought.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/missvivienne/2467923816/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/missvivienne/2357986141/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/missvivienne/2447062120/

[Marcie]

I've been completely obsessed this past month about redording every bud and its blossoming...but mostly - I've been obsessed by this male swan who is busy chasing the geese away from his nest.
Looking forward to obsessing about the baby swan cignets. Hoping they arrive soon.

http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/04/running-start.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/04/returning.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/04/on-your-marksget-set.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/03/skit-skat.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/04/prana.html

[nicky thomas]

good morning shutter sisters

obsessions well lets stick to the pg15's !!

kids, obviously, not just because they photograph so nicely but because they are always THERE!

i love portraits but i do obsess about getting the eyes in focus. I automatically delete any photo where the eyes are even slightly blurred. It takes a lot for me to use one that isnt' perfect. Here's one that escaped the cull.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2464142369/

doing project 365 has made me look around for things to photograph. Even stuff that would normally just pass me by and i've become a bit obsessed about photographing obscure things in my shiny black mixing bowl! :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2434341297/


Have a lovely day.

Nicky x

[cloudscome]

I am always obsessed with trees, leaves and flowers. This spring I've been taking tons of tulips and trees blossoming. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudscome/sets/72157604598027447/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudscome/sets/72157604499616921/

[Jen - Beebee Mod]

I would have to say my youngest is my obsession right now. I just love taking pictures of her and polaroids. You can skim through my stream and see these.

[mary]

Buds, flowers, leaves -- always a favorite subject

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9068078@N05/sets/72157601529462268/

[littlepurplecow]

I've been hopelessly obsessed with fuzzy caterpillars...

in B&W: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepurplecow/2437531763/
on trees: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepurplecow/2438351120/in/photostream/
and in glassware: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepurplecow/2404290366/

but moving along to green leaves these days.

[camerashymomma]

"my urchin princess." that's just wonderful tracey. i know what you mean, trying to preserve it for all times, for when she decides the hair must be short or punked or dyed green.

photo fetishes? that's awesome. i actually have a set on flickr titled 'fetish' since i'm always always searching out feet and shoes. ah, what's a momma to do?
this is my new favorite from the weekend:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2465851601/

i was also recently told by an old friend, "i'm glad to see you taking pictures of things other than his toys." ah, that's another fetish i'm afraid, and one i revel in for some reason. maybe grasping at moments from my own lost childhood?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2453698667/

wonderful post today!!

[Ginny]

I'd say my obession is pretty well documented. Who can resist cute little piggy toes?

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/05/shutter-sisters-obsession.html

[Maggie]

Taking pictures at the park. I can't take enough of them!

[megan]

i'm obsessed with my younger son's eyes -- i'm always grabbing him when i see nice light...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganmona/2442554461/

[lizziemarie]

Yes, I have found all of these to be true at one time or another.As always I am obsessed with this guy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2470258121/
and this one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2471082506/
and her too!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2471083090/ and of course blossoms http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2448948369/
and food and feet and...............more blossoms http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2428607088/

[Melissa (aka Photomom86)]

I guess I need to stand up and say, "Yes I have an obsession ~ PHOTOGRAPHY".

As all of us do, I love trying to capture the details of my children. As to try and help me never to forget anything. To try and hold on to all of the memories of their childhood.

Aside from the kids I seem to be obsessed with putting the pictures together. I don't know what to call them; collages, mosaics, diptychs, triptychs? What ever they are I love them. I think it's because they often tell a story.

Anyway, this is my obsession confession =)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/sets/72157604916368389/

[Tony]

I tend to do the same thing, no worries, it is fun

[Rachel Parton]

I'm all about the blossoms this time of year as well...

http://partonpics.blogspot.com/2008/05/merry-in-blossoming.html

[nyjlm]

I'm obsessed with clouds http://nyjlm-365.blogspot.com/search/label/clouds
plants
http://nyjlm-365.blogspot.com/search/label/plants
flowers
http://nyjlm-365.blogspot.com/search/label/flowers
and of course, kids
http://nyjlm-365.blogspot.com/search/label/kids

[Secret Agent Mama]

I find myself obsessed with lighting fixtures, dilapidated structures, old cars and trucks, and just old things in general.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2463472775/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2376711199/in/set-72157604353736068/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2376711399/in/set-72157604353736068/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2320879201/in/set-72157604353736068/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2274758422/in/set-72157604353736068/



.

[Mama DB]

Ok, not so much an obsession but I find myself reaching for the camera while my kids are pitching fits or grumpy sometimes as well. Is that wrong?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2387614707_692d9eb356.jpg

[laura]

My first comment here! I found this fabulous site yesterday and I'm totally hooked!

Anyhoo, my obsession is my daughter and trying to capture all the quirky things she does, like here:
http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/bored/

and facial expressions like here:
http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/strawberry-madness/

Do those count?

[misti]

I am obsessed with macro and flower. I want to see it all up close!

And lighting. The quiet evening light always makes me want to just absorb the moment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistilittle/2461638674/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistilittle/2468570663/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistilittle/2461639176/

[Lawyer Mama]

Oh yes. How many of us are currently obsessed with flowers? LOL! I've been trying to allot myself only 1 or 2 a week on Flickr though.

For me right now, it's water shots.
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2466184904/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2462813805/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2469104309/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2469925104/in/photostream/

75% of my current photos either have a body of water or fountain in them or involve my kids playing in water!

[kimberly brimhall]

I have really been into pictures with words lately...somewhere in the photo...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/got2bme/2439117096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/got2bme/2442873225/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/got2bme/2431926487/

[Jana D]

Taking pictures of my kids and all of the quirky, messy, tender moments they bring to life every day.

http://my-this-n-that.blogspot.com/2008/05/buggies.html

http://flickr.com/photos/24034340@N02/2404902218/

[Christy]

My daughter for one. I always have my camera with me, snapping pics of her, sometimes she isn't too happy with me either ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdwells711/2466907180/

Plus food! I have to take a picture of whatever we are eating. This one drives my husband nuts because all he wants to do is eat!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdwells711/2414411315/in/set-72157601502843904/

[star8278]

Yep, I go through stages too. Usually depending on the locations I shoot or the time of the year. Most recent obsession included buds like these:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2343219126_137f49dfa7.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2426342895_b8290defc5.jpg

BUT, for some reason yesterday I started a new obsession. Adding text of quotes to flower pictures. Check some out here:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2471146094_980e43abae_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2470133263_a90831f140_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2328705403_4643eff6f0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2328303179_8099f4fd17_b.jpg

[Jen]

Eyes. I'm all about eyes right now and making the "pop" out of a picture.

My niece has a brown patch in her eye. It's amazing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2465264183/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2466091556/

[Kate C.]

I'm all over the blossoms right now. I have to keep shooting them to prove to myself that spring is finally here!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherinec/2468232311/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherinec/2449555725/

[jordi]

aren't we all obsessive? I think it is part of being a photographer. that said:
graveyard angelshttp://flickr.com/photos/jordiw/sets/72157604918634441/

the eternal dog
http://flickr.com/photos/jordiw/sets/72157603886658401/

the boy cat
http://flickr.com/photos/jordiw/sets/72157603883145522/

and the girl cat
http://flickr.com/photos/jordiw/sets/72157603883141286/
and there are more...sigh

[katie]

she is a big obsession for me. i have hundreds of photos of her.

http://www.rusticstains.com/goshwow/index.php?showimage=316
http://www.rusticstains.com/goshwow/index.php?showimage=254

i also like red-winged black birds, a lot..even if they are spooky.

http://www.rusticstains.com/goshwow/index.php?showimage=156
http://www.rusticstains.com/goshwow/index.php?showimage=157

[Kathleen]

Gosh - did YOU hit it right on the head! Obsessions. Isn't it funny to look through your photos - your obsessions jump right out at you. My current ones:
Him:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2441352147/
Me (gah - does this make me strange?):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2462997520/

[Shelli]

Oh yes - I get obsessed. Of course, I'm obsessed with taking pictures of my son, but what mother isn't? I am obsessed with taking pictures of flowers, but that's because I don't take my camera beyond my yard very much. I guess my true photograph obsession lately has been putting the camera on the ground and snapping away at whatever I can find there.

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#31

[Lucy]

I am completely, unequivocally, doggedly obsessed with the skies of late.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2367204018/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2366983390/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2366982854/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2366982300/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2366145557/

[mamawithacamera]

I've started a project of eyes. I am on a mission to photograph 100 eyes. I have to control myself though..I almost freaked out the poor check out girl at the store the other day b/c her eyes were so pretty...

http://mamawithacamera.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-obsession-from-shutter-sisters.html

[Molly]

I've been in love with taking photographs of our dogs at play:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acertainslantoflight/2465691659/

[Bunny]

It's my daughter. She is just beautiful and I love to look at her, clean and sweet, or dirty and tired and sweaty, grumpy faces or pretty smiles. She captivates me and my lens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherbunny/2470716427/

[Naomi]

I've been obsessed with focusing on an object in close up (as close as I can get without losing focus), but also showing what's in the background.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2473549870/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2473549870/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2445088524/

[Naomi]

And this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2453483741/

[patricia]

i enjoy looking at all your photos, they make me smile :) currently i'm obssessed with shooting with a film slr. i started only last week and finished one roll. this one is my favorite from the bunch,even if it's all blurry: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patreesya/2463905240/

and, i'll always be obssessed with taking photos of small kids :)

[Sheri]

Yeah, I get the hair thing. Still trying to capture a perfect photo of my littlest's baby curls. But other than that, birds, birds, birds. Totally obsessed. Cannot stop.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/storygoil/sets/72157603728326139/

[jen]

I thought this obsession last year

[Kacey]

well, aside from photographing anything and everything...I'm into reflections. Big time. They fascinate me.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/04/30/in-a-reflective-mood/