Sisters Share

Kate and I are all geared to share with all of you on the big radio show tonight via Blog Talk Radio. We’ve selected a few questions from the list that we will be answering but we also want to encourage you to call in to ask anything else that’s on your mind. Or just to say Hi. We’d really like that. Don’t forget-the women who posed the questions we ask on the air will be getting $50 at Snapfish. Yay.

So, here’s your official invitation:

What? Tracey and Kate talk photography and Shutter Sisters on Bog Talk Radio with Kristen Chase of Motherhood Uncensored.

When? Tonight, Wednesday from 6-6:30pm PST (that’s 9-9:30pm EST.)

How? Tune in and listen. Or, to be a part of the program you can call in or use the handy chat feature online.

Why? Why not? It’s not everyday you actually get to hear the voices of your internet friends. Am I right?

And since sharing is the theme of the day, I want to send out a big thank you to Jill of Blue Poppy Jewelry for allowing me to share the above photo. I had the pleasure of shooting for BP and I just love this shot of my sister friends. And these rings pictured (which will be available on the site in Early May) as well as her others. Beauty.

And if you are so inspired, feel free to share a link to any photo you’d like today here in the comments. We’ll just call it a free for all day of sharing! Sound good?

one sweet shot - april 2008

 

A few years ago I had the pleasure of virtually meeting Sheri Reed of Mamazine. We were both blogging for ClubMom at the time. Since then we have had our share of online collaborations and I have grown to adore her. I know, I know, I haven’t even met her in real live person yet. Such is the nature of Blogville. None the less, through her poignant words and her totally fresh and inspiring photographs, oddly enough, I do feel like I know her. Don’t you love when images speak volumes about a person? I have been eager to gush about Sheri for quite some time and when I saw this delightfully and intriguing shot of hers, I couldn’t resist featuring it for this month’s One Sweet Shot.

And here’s a list of more links that should keep you sufficiently busy on this fine Sunday:

Camera Shy Momma is honoring another shot by Sheri (storygoil). Great minds Meredith, great minds.

Anna is honoring this shot by Nanako Koyama.

L. Michelle is honoring this shot by Lanne at Life Blogged.

Jenny Rebecca is honoring this shot by lawatt.

Ruth of Sparkle Thots is honoring this shot from valska.

Aimee of Greeblemonkey is honoring this shot by gorgeoux.

Strawberrygoldie is honoring this shot from BeeBee Mod.

Maggie of And the Duck Said is honoring this shot of Carrie’s at Barely Controlled Chaos.

Rachel is honoring this shot from Amanda Yeager.

Paige B. is honoring this shot from CherryVanillaStudios.

Stephanie is honoring this shot by n.elle. (sorry this one was wrong but has now been corrected)

Nicky Thomas is honoring this shot from JustMakeIt

Sarah Ji is honoring this shot by Mama Rosa

and Amanda is honoring the shots in this post from Polkadot Photo.

Thanks everyone for playing along! Have yourself a sweet Sunday!

on the radio (uh oh)

We ask a lot of questions around here at Shutter Sisters. What inspires you? Are you up for a challenge? What images would you like to share with us?

I think it’s high time we give you a chance to ask us a question or two.

On April 16^th at 6pm PST, Sister Kate (it makes me giggle when I get to call her that) and yours truly have been invited to join the lovely and very clever Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored on her Blog Talk Radio podcast where we will answer your questions live on the air. Crowd goes wild.

Here’s what we’re proposing—you offer up your questions here in the comments and we will pick a few that we’ll address on the show. If we choose to use your question on the air, we’ll be sure to extend a little token of gratitude (gifts TBA) if that’s any incentive. *

So ladies, fire away. What is it that you want to ask us? We’re all ears.

* edited to announce that our little token is a BIG gift card to Snapfish. We've got 3 - $50 cards for the lucky winners! YAY!

out of the office today

the right light

My entry into photography began with a passion for portraiture; brides, babies, families, and eventually my own children. Because I was shooting soft and subtle subjects, I had to develop an eye for soft and subtle light. Since my photo training didn’t go any further than Photo 101, I had no idea how to use artificial light (aka a flash of any kind) and therefore had to learn how to achieve my desired results using natural light whenever humanly possible. After much trail and error and working at fine tuning my eyes to see the light (I swear I am not trying to be cheesy) I can now say that I’ve got it down.

So, why then did it not occur to me that the same rules can apply when shooting other subjects?

As I have turned my lens to the beauty of natural elements (flowers, trees, found objects) I guess I found myself in a similar light learning curve. As I was figuring out what worked and what didn’t, what I liked and what I didn’t, I wasn’t even falling back on the techniques I had already worked out. It wasn’t until I shot this blooming agapanthus that it clicked. I never tire of that pun. Why did this shot come out so well (with no photo editing needed at all) when other attempts on other days didn’t? The answer was simple. I shot the image in the late hours of the afternoon during the delicate light of dusk. The light was soft and my aperture was wide open (by default I might add as the camera was doing it’s best to gather as much light as it could under the dimming circumstances) which usually creates the perfect alchemy for an exquisite photo of any kind.

As I have taken my new/old lesson to heart, my nature photos have dramatically improved. I’m not saying you need soft light to capture lovely flower pictures. You don’t. But today, I challenge you to try treating your nature photos more like portraits. Schedule a session or two with the blossoms and blooms that are waking with the warmth of Spring. Be mindful of the light and try to flatter your subject as you would a dear friend. Relax and enjoy yourself and watch your nature photography bloom.