Capturing the Warmth of a Moment in Sepia Tone

My daughter's been on an indefinite hiatus from piano lessons, yet just recently she expressed an interest in making music again to her teacher/grandmother. "I'm going to play in the recital!" she announced one morning after returning home from a sleepover at Mama Sue's house just a couple of weeks ago. And from that point forward (with no prompting from me), she practiced her "Christmas Waltz" each day to prepare for her moment in the spotlight.

It's a familiar cycle. The entrance, exit, and return of inspiration. The birth of a vision. And the decision to make it real. Acknowledging the need to practice and prepare for the moment when we're meant to stand in the spotlight. Assuming that courage will sustain us despite the presence of fear. I was so proud of her at this moment, I almost forgot to click.

Most of my favorite documentary moments are captured with my super wide 14-24mm lens because it gives me the ability to capture more than less of an experience. This image was shot at 14mm with an aperture setting of f/8 and ISO setting of 200. I used my Nikon Speedlight 900 and fired the flash to bounce off the wall behind me to balance the harsh light streaming in through the windows in the back of the room. Then, in Aperture, I applied a subtle amount of Sepia Tone (something I don't normally do) to soften the bright red Christmas dresses in the audience, and put more visual emphasis on the warmth and gestures of the moment.

Spread some warmth with your sepia tone experiments and discoveries in the comments.

Tell me a story

When I look at this photo, I am transported back to the exact moment it was taken. We went for a walk on Thanksgiving day around the abandoned streets of Houston and found ourselves in an empty sculpture park. Along the way, my 3-and-a-half year old nephew had selected a pine cone and a stick with great care. And as boys do, suddenly the pine cone and stick turned into a ball and bat.

My sister-in-law and I sat and watched as a 3-and-a-half year old welcomed two grown men into his world. All three were transported to another time, another place, another age and before they knew it, they had built up a sweat, playing stickball like there was no tomorrow. They laughed and howled as my sister-in-law and I cheered them on from the sidelines. The lone guard on site sat by quietly, seemingly annoyed by the disruption to his peace and quiet. When they lost the pine cone and the foul ball went into the stands (a.k.a. the bushes), the guard stood up, walked over to the boys, and handed them a new pine cone.

Thanks and giving.

That is what I see when I look at this photo. I see the story, one that could have been lost if not for my trusty iPhone. Since I was shooting with an iPhone, thoughts of ISO and aperture and shutter speed were irrelevant. What mattered in this moment was the emotion, the love, the story. Luckily, you don’t need a $1500 lens to tell a story.

To me, that is what photography is all about. It’s easy to get wrapped up in getting the “perfect” photo, acquiring the “perfect” equipment, and getting your exposure, composition, and white balance just right. But when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters to me is if the photo tells a story and if it transports me back to that moment.

I often wonder how much I would miss out on if I didn’t always have my camera with me. Whether it’s with my fancy camera or my iPhone, I am continually compelled to photograph these everyday moments. Photographing the seemingly ordinary provides me with a way to find magic and beauty in my everyday life. It slows down my rapid pace and helps me focus (literally and figuratively) on what’s really important.

Have you found this to be true? Today, share your perfectly imperfect photos – the ones that tell a story, slow down everyday life, and transport you back to a time and place that are meaningful to you.

Image and words by Honorary Sister / Guest blogger Darrah Parker.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a spot in the Slice of Life Project, a six-week photography e-course taught by Darrah in which she will guide you to capture YOUR everyday life in extraordinary ways. Class begins January 3 and will jump-start your creativity in the new year. Comment between now and Monday 12/6 for a chance to win.

Lens Love

October. The magical month. It has been a year since my photography took a huge lunge forward, last October. I will love this month forever! and it is all because of two marvelous creatures: the 50mm/f1.4 lens and the 50mm/f2.5 compact macro lens.

I knew I was missing something in my photographs. Something in the way I was able -- or more precisely, not able -- to translate what I was seeing into tangible results. I see details. Little pieces of light or shape or texture that catch my eye and draw me in. but I wasn’t able to convey what I saw.

I saw it in other photographs. In food photography, still life photography, in magazines, on blogs. A serene beauty in having all but the smallest piece of the image softly out of focus. Shapes. Colors. Hints of information. Dreaminess. 

If they can do it, why can’t I do it? What IS it?

You see, I used to be a photojournalist, and the pictures I made were all about spreading information. Not that photojournalists’ photos aren't artistic, they certainly can be. But the widest aperture I used as a photojournalist was f2.8. 

Having put photography aside for many, many years, I returned with fresh perspective, less of a photojournalist's hat on.

One day, it just clicked. Ohhhhhhhh, I need to use an even wider aperture for even shallower depth of field.

So last October, I bought the 50mm/f1.4. Then in June, I bought the 50mm/f2.5 compact macro. And my photography, and therefore my life, hasn’t been the same since.

Now I use these two lenses almost exclusively. I’m still learning what aperture works well depending on the subject, angle, distance from subject, all that. Sometimes I don’t get the focus point where I want, or don’t have enough depth of field. Sometimes I even remember to bracket. But often, I’m able to show what I see in a way that feels right. Finally! And I love that with both of these lenses, there are often stunningly beautiful surprises in the image that I wasn’t able to see through the viewfinder.

It’s true what they say, that it's not the equipment, it's the photographer. But having the right gear can help a photographer express herself and show the world her unique viewpoint, what and how she sees. And we all know how it feels when we express ourselves just as we intended. Magic.

Image and words courtesy of guest blogger/honorary sister Hillary Sloss of Eyechai.

daring

Sometimes you have to take risks, be bold, do daring. Because...because...it challenges you. It surprises and delights you. It makes you feel alive. Isn't that reason enough?

When you find yourself in a mode of doing all the right things, all the things you are supposed to be doing to go with the status quo, try taking a chance or two. Attempt to push the boundaries. Be assertive. Audacious. Over the top. Express yourself! What have you got to lose? A little excitement never hurt anyone.

In the name of all things bold and beautiful, we are thrilled to be featuring the splashy camera strap covers by Swanky Stitch. And because they know that making a statement is all part of what makes life interesting, they are going to be giving away 3 Swanky Stitch camera straps to 3 lucky shutter sisters. All you have to do is be bold enough to comment here between now and Sunday at midnight EST for your chance to be in the random drawing to win one.

Today, let's celebrate the wow factor! Reveal your daring! Show us what you've got in the name of expressing your wild side!

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Congrats to Angie Willis, Stephanie and Diane Schuller for winning Swanky Stich camera staps!

camera love

 

Diana. Brownie. Hawk-Eye. Rebel. Regardless their names, our cameras are trusted companions—microscopes, flashlights, paint brushes, pens, instruments, magic wands. They become extensions of who we are not only as photographers but as people. We look through the lens and see the world as only we can see it. Our view finders frame the art of our daily lives and those around us. Now more than ever, photography has become just another part of our human experience, so it would figure that the cameras themselves are as enchantingly eclectic as the artists that use them or the art they collaborate in creating. I find myself drawn to the way we use our beloved cameras; how we hold and carry them, sling them over our shoulder or wield them like conductor’s sticks. There’s a kind of intrigue there. And why not? The art is as much about the process itself as the end result after all.

This post was originally published in the first issue of LP Creative Humans Magazine, on sale now.

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For more on camera love, visit today’s post over at The Creative Photographers Series at The Creative Mama. They happened to be giving away an Epiphanie Bag over there today too...for the love of gear!

Have you taken a photo of your sweet gear? Share your camera love today! We're compiling a list of pet names for your camera. If you got one, share that too.