inside outside upside down

How we view the world through our camera lens often helps us shape the world we experience in our day to day life. One of my favorite photographic perspectives is the simple act of reflection and inversion. This post processing "flip" lets my world become the abstract surrealist version of life that I often perceive in my imagination.

The morning I saw this image in the puddle reflection, we were both feeling something in the space between mother and son. It was a hug and a tug of parenthood and childhood. We were bridging a gap and it conjured up memories and old stories long forgotten. I wanted to document the feeling of this morning in a way that didn't show a particular expression, but instead, painted a picture of how I felt from our conversation.

Since I have a camera with me absolutely everywhere I go, my son is used to this fact even in his rebellion of it. I now find myself explaining my process to my son, as he is often the witness to my creative spark (and with reluctance to have his photograph taken these days) I hear myself telling him, "I'm focusing on your shoes, the details of your face with be lost in this puddle reflection." By talking outloud to him about my process it puts him at ease that I won't try to sneak in a picture of him unwillingly. This also gives him the ability to be part of it the process. So, when we view the final image, perhaps he carries that vision with him as he ventures out into his world. And the next time I see him gazing into puddles looking for another dimension, I will smile to myself at the future he might hold in his own imagination.

Do you seek reflections? Abstractions? Do you flip your images to create an optical illusion to wrinkle your brow with a millisecond of confusion? Show us how you play with photography by sharing your images in the comments below.

The 'Non' Pose

 It seems you can always find someone willing to do something different or silly for a photo.  For awhile, photos of people jumping on hotel beds seemed to be the thing.  So much so, they've devoted a whole website to it (I so know you're going to check it out!).  More recently, planking was the popular thing to do.  It's so popular, here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:

 Planking (or the Lying Down Game) is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. Both hands must touch the sides of the body. Having a photograph taken of the participant and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game.

I, myself, haven't tried jumping on hotel beds (well, not for a photo to be posted on the internet, anyway. Oh, and it wasn't me.  It was my kids, I swear) nor have I tried planking.  What I have recently photographed is people doing a 'non' pose, which usually consists of people (or person) standing still, arms down at their sides and not smiling.  It can be anywhere from one person or more.  You can even find a Flickr group for the 'non' pose.  I tend to like this one the best because unlike hotel bed jumping or planking, I seriously doubt there's much chance for being injured (though there's always a first time, I suppose!).

When I did the above prom shoot I explained to the kids what I wanted to do but I could tell by the look on their faces that they thought it was a strange request.  However, once I shot the photo and they saw it, they were quite pleased with it.  It's different, and I like it.  Or, as my girlfriend commented when she saw my photo, "Very 'Children of the Corn'-esque, but I like it!".  Hey, works for me. :)

How about you? Have any hotel bed jumping shots, planking pics or photos with uncoventional poses? If so, share away!  We'd love to see them. 

a happy accident.

This was not what I intended for this photo, but when I discovered it amongst the hundred or so shots I had taken, I quite liked it.  Sure, it's out of focus and blurry, but it has an etheral quality to it and I'm lovin' the bokeh goin' on.  Don't you just love it when you find an unexpected gem tucked amongst the photos you've taken?   So today, this is my happy little accident, imperfections and all. 

Today, share your little gem of a find with us, and don't forget this month's word is discovery.  So go.  Discover.  And be sure to add your discovery images to our OWP flickr pool.

for the love of lines

I often don't know how to get inside a photograph. Do you know what I mean? I stand on the edge of an event, a protest, a gathering... and I don't always know how to best jump in. What do I focus on? Where do I choose to look? It takes me some time to get comfortable and find my focus, narrow my view down to a few frames that tell the best story.

Photography is a powerful tool. We wield our cameras with the possibility to share perspective. When I am outside of my comfort zone {gulp!} I often don't know where to begin. The job seems too big. When I feel myself in this struggle... that's when I most want to push myself with my photography and break through those walls.

I am totally drawn to the old bricks of this port city. The age and weather begs to be seen and shared. I stare up at these buildings; covered with ivy, dripping with story. My feet freeze below me as I stand for a minute trying to figure out how best to frame the shot. Shooting buildings {for me} is outside my comfort zone. They just stand there unwaivering! No chasing needed, they are proud and strong and never blink. So why is it that they make me cringe?

I think figuring out your boundaries is a great step in improving your photography. I am constantly on the lookout for the learning curve. I like its steepness. I like being schooled; and depending on the day, coming away from an event with a memory card full of garbage is a good thing, albeit frustrating. It only forces me to try harder next time. To seek inspiration.

And so it is with me and buildings. I try to come at them from different angles. To find the love of lines. To create something abstract from brick and mortar. That is the challenge. And so I seek out inspiration in different forms.

Share with us today your perspective. What lies outside your photography comfort zone? How often do you attempt to shoot it? How do you begin climbing that learning curve?

reflections on self

 

We took a walk around a junkyard full of VW love. Rich with history, my heart felt full and happy. I was looking at the past, I was gazing at the future. On days like these, it's easy to find beauty in the rust and decay. I think about the stories these cars could share: the miles traveled, the backseat arguments, the flat tires. These volkswagons held lives and carried them from place to place, life to life. 

I'm drawn to shiny surfaces... and this day was no different. Glass reflects my own smile, it reveals the love I see before me and the peace I feel within me. Reflections are multi-layered in their storytelling. I'm drawn to the abstractness of environment and how I can place myself into it.

Today I challenge you to reflect on your self. Find a shiny surface, a looking mirror, a window pane, a storefront display... and insert yourself into it. Let your reflection tell us your story.

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Remember that with your comment comes the chance to win a very special September gift; a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Paper Coterie in honor of the Everyday Storytellers and our One Word Project this month; story.