light and dark

Lately I have been musing on the layering and juxtaposition of light and dark, both in my life and in my photographs. When the words fail and all the details are fuzzy, nothing better than a technique that calls for simplicity and focuses only on strong shapes.

How about some silhouette play today? Will you share your images of light and dark with me?

sunday school: mirror on the wall

Whenever I am on a photo assignment, one of the first things I look for in a space to get my creative juices flowing is a reflection of some sort.  In this case, I got lucky, and there was a long mirror that actors could use while getting ready for the show. I was able to frame the shot so that the actor and her reflection in the mirror were not only both in the photo but were also positioned in a way that balanced each other out.

What are some creative ways in which you have used mirrors in your photography? Please share with us links to your images so that we can be inspired!

focusing on connections

I had the pleasure recently of capturing two people in love, I was able to focus on their connection as they declared their love for each other. It was tough for me, having never photographed a wedding before. I faced some difficult technical issues but I have to say, the motto of this community kept me focused - “shoot from your heart”. A fellow shutter sister, my dearest kristin sent me a sweet message beforehand, knowing I was anxious about the huge job ahead “Just use that big beautiful heart to see with and all will work out perfectly as it was meant to be.” My own connections here online, were going to help me focus my attention and search for their story with my camera, I’m grateful for this support. I survived the wedding day, and thankfully have a collection of images, that capture the beauty of their connection and the happiness of the day.

As photographers I feel we seek out and focus on connections. We shoot the union between siblings and adult & child. Photographing touch and holding hands. There is attention paid to friendships, and generations together. We feel the love, joy, and silliness in images, that all focus on our need to connect as humans, or even with a new puppy.

We’d love to see any connections you’ve captured recently... maybe you’ve been focusing on shooting from your heart... please share with us and let’s celebrate the connections this community brings.


Focus on the Motion

At the front of this barbershop located outside of Kigali in Rwanda, there's a row of stylish, slender African men moving swiftly behind their clients seated in upholstered chairs. A steady beat of music carves the space into segments. But in the back, there's a row of curvy African women moving gently over their clients seated in upholstered chairs. Fluid conversation and laughter emit light. They soften the edges.

Let's get a glimpse of what's in motion today.

simply autumn

There would be no autumn if there were no leaves to fall.

It begins with the changes in color. Summer's vivid greens turn shades of gold and orange, some a raucous red, and then finally to crunchy browns underfoot.  We watch the show from our windows, our walks, and our drives.  It is a grand show indeed.  So much change in what seems such a short time.  An overload of beauty and a feast for the senses. Seems everywhere you click in the Shutter Sister pool right now you are bound to find images of autumn's bounty. 

On the ground.

In a little hand.

Up in the trees.

In flight.

A single leaf or a full carpet.

Let's all celebrate autumn's simplicity.  Have fun with it.  Maybe go outside and make yourself a leaf pile and jump on in!  Perhaps treasure hunt for the perfect leaf and make a leaf rub, or press it in a book to rediscover in seasons to come.  What colors and shapes are you drawn to? Do you search for the biggest brightest leaf you can find, or are you drawn to the small?

Autumn's show will be coming to a close up here in the cold north.  All too soon I will be surrounded by monotones and bare sticks. So today show me your favorite leaf shot. OVERLOAD me with all that glorious color that mother nature provides.   I can never get enough.