Pure Magic

Over the last few weeks I, like many of you have been shooting more than ever just to keep up with my 365 attempt and now, the One Word Project. And although it’s taken some adjusting to eek out time from my maxed out daily routine, I am finding the extra moments I am spending with my camera soulfully gratifying and creatively invigorating.

Shooting everyday helps keeps me accountable while visually translating my word opens my mind and pleasantly challenges me to keep focused on my intentions. The trouble is that now I’ve got all these photos to deal with. Uploading, processing, exporting, and more uploading can stifle anyone’s photo flow. I can feel a collective nod as I type these words.

I don’t have any grand answer to making these many steps any less daunting but I can tell you that if you can figure out a way to make them more efficient (or non-existent even) you’re onto something.

Enter the Straight Out Of the Camera concept (aka SOOC).

Remember the old days when you got what you got and there was no easy way to change it? It’s kinda like that. And although I wouldn’t give up my editing software to safe my life, I am rediscovering my appreciation for an image just the way it was captured. No enhancement. No manipulation. No nothing. Just you, your camera, and the subject at hand. And if all goes well some magic.

If I told you that getting back to the SOOC way of shooting is totally liberating, would you believe me? Are you willing to give it a go? If for no other reason but to take some of that editing time off of your plate? I’m not suggesting switching over completely. I love Lightroom too much for that. But perhaps just putting that little extra something into each shot...giving yourself a chance to love what you are creating as it happens, straight out of the camera.

Do share a favorite SOOC today and remind us of that kind of magic.

Comments

[golightly]

I'm actually trying to focus on SOOC shots during this year of daily picture and one word pictures. Here's one I took today but it's a little darker than I wanted (that's why I love Lightroom, too!) I should have bracketed it to see what I liked, I wanted the dimmer interior and greener exterior - just not quite this dark. Oh well. It's all about learning, right?

http://flickr.com/photos/16869615@N03/3251563879/

[Abbie Rufener]

If you look on 2/4/09 you will see my SOOC image. I took it 2/3/2009... the day of our first snowfall. The colors were beautiful and I love the blue sky.

http://mycorner.aminus3.com/

[claudia]

I normally delete stuff like this, today I actually liked this effect SOOC!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3251661345/

[Oliag]

Not only do I not have the time to do much processing -but I don't have much experience with it either...this pic is SOOC from today...another cold snowy shot!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3252682356/

[mary catherine]

i don't have time to edit these days--unless i'm being paid for it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycatherinehamelin/3247492305/

[Wanda]

Most of what I do is SOOC since I haven't yet learned how to do much photoshopping. This is a fun one of the elusive kitty who doesn't like to be photographed:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-photographic-mistakes-are-worth.html

But this is one of my faves:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-birthday-martinand-thank-you.html

[joanne]

this is actually very timely for me...in the last couple of weeks i have had far less time to spend at my computer but have really needed to have at least a little creative time to keep me sane...i have been looking at my photos in a whole new way...right out of the camera, resized and uploaded...no adjustments...no fixing...no effects...just posting them as they came off the card...and i am discovering an appreciation for what it was i seeing at the time...

yesterday's post with sooc pics to share...

http://breatheasme.com/2009/02/03/sunshine-on-my-shoulders/

[camerashymomma]

i shot this with you in mind, because you are ever inspiring!
SOOC on a mini photowalk during my lunch break:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3254001585/

[melody is slurping life]

Until my recent unexpected bloggy hiatus, we had been doing SOOC Saturday over at Slurping Life

http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/sooc_saturday/

We'll be gearing up to go again this weekend. Care to join?

[Jackie]

Funny, but this train of thought is exactly where I've been going lately. Since I discovered picnik it seems I have to fiddle with every photo, but it's terribly time consuming and has kind of taken the fun out of shooting. So I'm thinking better SOOC shots is the answer. Here's a shot before I started picniking:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22609510@N03/2426827652/in/set-72157604383105660/

[Julie]

I absolutely love this picture. It's gorgeous. And I totally agree. Sometimes photo editing is wonderful but SOOC is oh, so liberating!!!
Terrific photo!!