Sunday School: Shifting Focus

There's a lot going on right now in my life.  From work projects to a family vacation in our beloved Pacific NW to Cadence starting preschool at the end of the month, among other things.  Busy stuff, hard stuff, good stuff, fun stuff.  I've never been all that good at multi-tasking, so I'm having a hard time finding my focus these days.  In fact, stringing words together into a coherent post is kind of beyond my grasp right now.

Which brings me to the point of this week's Sunday School.  I've discovered that when you're on a shoot, and there's a lot going on and you just don't know what image to capture first, you can often get an interesting photo by shifting your camera's focus onto something that's not the actual focus of attention and letting everything else blur into the background (or foreground).  Doing a few shots like this may give you a clearer vision of how you want to document what's going on.  You may even find that what you're really interested in capturing is not what's actually the center of everyone else's attention.

Hmm...Maybe I can apply this little tidbit to my life right now.  Maybe what I need is to focus on something less obvious or even nothing at all for a while.  One of the things I actually like about the photo above is that when I stare at it, I feel like I'm zoning out, but in a really meditative way.   It's actually quite soothing.

Check out this uniquely focused and meditative photo by Amy Sahba, or this one by jennyhud and this one by Danisoul.  How about you?  Have you shifted focus lately?  Please share your images and/or stories.

Comments

[Secret Agent Mama / Mishelle Lane]

This one came clearly to my mind:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2770275497/in/set-72157606780391016/

We are Macedonian Orthodox and on a recent trip home to Buffalo, NY we had our youngest Christened. In this photograph, David had just been scooped up into the arms of our Priest, his Godmother watches on, and his Godfather waits. It was a sweet moment, and one that I am delighted to have captured so perfectly!

[steph]

Yeah. Talk to me about zoning out. Lately, I'm quite guilty.

This picture I posted today falls right into this post:

http://flickr.com/photos/ssicore/2834854331/

[Marcie]

Here's one with everything ever-so-slightly out-of-focus...much like my life at the moment:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=512

[shelli]

I'm so glad you posted that photo because I have a similar photo I took on a beach, and I wasn't sure if it was any good because there was only one small stretch of the ground in focus in the middle. I wanted more of the ground that was closer to my camera in focus, but I still like it a lot. I agree. It is a very meditative photo to look at.

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#26

[renee @ FIMBY]

My focus is definitely shifting, from carefree outdoor-intense summer to fall routines and school structure. September is most definitely a transition time.

My camera focus has still been on my (slowly dying) summer garden:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/2833339547/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/2834179494/

But my mental focus for sure has been on planning this next season of homeschooling for my 9,7 & 5 year old.

http://fimby.tougas.net/school_planning_starbucks

[elianne]

trying to focus and let it go, that's my life right now

http://zus.my-expressions.com/archives/10864_1427783206/307615

[MelodyA.]

Brilliant, and absolutely right you are.

Here's mine. I try to do it just to add another perpective. It seems kind of secretive to me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hipmommatexas/2836161634/

[Kathleen]

Well, I don't think this picture has much focus at all, but it encapsulates the feeling of the first day back at school. As a teacher and single guardian to a three year old, the beginning of the school year is including a few weeks of imbalance. The focus is shifting from fun, beach, having my camera with me all day...to morning rush, school days, and early baths. I'm sure it will fall into place, it always does. But I concur with the lack of focus!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2835381227/

[kristin]

usually the focus is always on the kid, but i like how this showed the power of the waves that day and he looking on in awe.http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2825851552/

[Jodyangel]

Here is a moment of time captured. I almost tossed this photo away.
But I'm glad I didn't..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2835753689/

[cotterpin]

I hear you- lately, I've been running around like crazy trying to figure out what to do next...

http://cotterpinhouse.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/looking-for-my-lost-head/

[Christie]

I like this one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enckline/2325385429/in/set-72157594207378201/

[ELK]

some days there is a shiny moment amid the lack of focus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2790863344

[Julie Alvarez]

I totally understand that changing focus feeling. And I think it's good for you, when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Here's mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2829324758/

[spencercasa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23196640@N03/2403884943/

i thought this was kind of funny after i took it and got a good look it, with my husband and daughter in the background.

[amy]

thanks for the shout out - i am glad you liked the photo!
i really enjoyed looking at all the other 'shifted focus' shots!

[Lu]

Balance and concentrate. That is what I am trying to do more of in my life right now. I am almost there, the road is rocky, but the adventure is so worth it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/522287321/

[NatureMama]

Just today, at this years Sternwheel Festival in Marietta, OH, I was doing a little focus play several times. I took the time to upload the photos that I took of a beautiful wooden canoe. Loads of fun playing with focal points. I mean to do it more often! Here is the Sternwheel set so far:

http://flickr.com/photos/naturemama/sets/72157607172994587/

[camerashymomma]

i know what you mean about it being meditative. i get that. sometimes adjusting my focus helps me clear my head. focus on the simplicity.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2838792296/

[Tracy]

yes! i love these types of shots because they really create a mood.

on a dreamy vacay: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/2585083739/in/set-72157605653458417/
my daughter nestled in her sling: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/2838817802/

good luck with your busy schedule sarah-ji. :)

[gkgirl]

i'm a little late but this one
fits, i think...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/geekink/2839856834/in/set-72157607176562354/

[spread your wings]

i love to throw the focus on something other that the original subject. this one helped me create the story

http://flickr.com/photos/shutterxdown/2708245780/in/set-72157606427290616/

[mika]

agreed... i'm going to have to try your strategy up above...

i've been feeling kind of unfocused and overwhelmed in my world of photography these days...

here's one that kind of embodies the idea of shifting focus...not so much in a blurry/sharp way, but more in a compositional way...

http://flickr.com/photos/msquid/2840673018/

[janet]

these aren't mine, but i love them...

http://teresagoff.com/blog/?p=67

[Rachel Parton]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/partonponderings/2790936700/in/photostream/

[Naomi]

Two out of focus:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2655412216/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2481970299/in/set-72157602729920166/