discover something new

I'm always hungry for a new discovery. A new learning curve, a steep hill on which to set my sights. Film photography does it for me, as do toy cameras and polaroids. iPhoneography provided that exploration too. You know the feeling, the "I can't wait to try this!" sensation that puts a skip in your step a few butterflies in your belly.

As we began our journey into self portaits last week with the launch of NOW YOU Workshops, many a great discussions were had about self portraiture. A friend shared a link to inspiration she found on the flickr blog about scanography ... and it got me really curious to try something new! The images I saw were so peaceful, in a strange sort of way. They were totally up my alley and I couldn't wait for some free time with which to play!

Scanography, n., the process of capturing digitized images for the purpose of creating art using a flatbed scanner.

The results can be so dreamlike or eerie, depending on your mood and what you choose to focus on. Many years ago, friends and I would make xeroxed copies of images similiar to this only with cool effects in black and white, but nothing prepared me for what I saw after I laid my face on my scanner bed this week! What a beautiful new (to me) discovery!

When I'm in a creative slump, it's best for me to jump into something new. To think outside the box and try to see in a new light or walk a new path of creating art. How do you get over your photographic slumps? What do you tend to discover with your camera lens?

This month we are rejoicing the month of May with all the exploration and discovery it brings. Share with us something that you have discovered in the comments today ... and throughout the month of May, be on the lookout for new discoveries! The Spring season helps us remember to see life with fresh eyes. Discoveries come in many forms and fashions, small or large. Enjoy this first day of May, along with the new one word, and be sure to add your discovery images to our OWP flickr pool.

shine forth

Photography.  It's all about light.  Even when broken down into it's simplest definition it is still all about the light.  If you don't know this already, the word 'photography' is Greek.  The definition based on the roots and prefixes actually means, "Drawing with light".  For me, that romantic idea was my spark. It's what started my passion for photography, for light drawing, for light collecting, light capturing, for light holding.  When we take pictures, we think about many things, but mainly the light.  Where is the sun?  Are there harsh shadows?  Is flash necessary?  But one of the things we need to think about is the light that comes from within you, and from within your subject. 

Inside every person is a light.  It may be just a candle, or it may be a huge bonfire.  But it's there.  The secret to creating beautiful portraits is to find that light and let it shine!  Look at your subject, and then see them with different eyes.  See the beauty in them.  And then find a way to manipulate that and capture the light, to store it in your camera.  Make them shine. 

Most of us are very practiced at this.  We understand beauty, aesthetics, and most of all, light.  Without even thinking about it, we are drawn to certain objects or people, enticed by something about it.  We may not even know what makes it so appealing.  Sometimes it may be outer light.  Often it may be inner light.  We are so experienced finding beauty outside of ourselves, that we never get in front of the camera.  It's hard to find your own light if you are always looking for ways to enhance others.  But there's also a light in you.  Your passion, your creativity, your love. Your desire to improve in any aspect of your life.  Your joy in living.  That gives you a beauty that  shines from the inside out.  It is greater and more pure than any makeup, surgery, or any other procedure can do for you.  You are beautiful!  The light within you absolutely glows!  I've never seen most of you, but I have seen your art.  Your light shines through in your photos.  It's part of the process that every photographer goes through when they push down the button and release the shutter.  They take a chance.  They share their light. 

There is a line from scripture that reads "...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations."

The necklace in my featured photo is one of my very favorites. It may look like a torch from far away, but if you look closer, you will see the profile of a woman's face.  It represents the light within us, and the simple beauty we can create.  This necklace reminds me to "Arise and Shine" and be an example through my actions and through my art. 

Please share any photo that you feel shows inner light and deep beauty.  Share it and allow yourself to shine!  You are talented, you are beautiful, you are loved.

Today I encourage you to discover your true beauty. Today I encourage you to shine!

Image and words courtesy of guest blogger Kelsey Schwartz.

magpie eye

Magpies are European birds that have a reputation to steal shiny things. I sometimes think I have a “Magpie eye” as I’m often attracted to photograph anything shiny, sparkly, silver or gold.

Whether its a piece of jewellery or sequins on a scarf or glitter or sparkles on the water; I'm all over it with my lens. These golden stairs and handrail caught my attention, as I walked into the tube the other day.

What do you notice today that is gold or silver and sparkles & shines? Please share what your "Magpie eye" sees.

space to shine

Clockwise from top left - Empire State Building in NYC, Nelson's Column in London, Water towers on the Highline NYC, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Sometimes the way to make a subject sparkle is to give the space to shine.

Using negative space to draw attention your subject can be really fun. When I approach a well known landmark, I like to mix it up a little, by using the negative space around it and have the subject peeking into the frame. The subject is still recognisable it’s just composed in a different way.

How about you? Maybe you'd like to create some space for your subject to shine? Do you ever play with negative space?... please share with us today.

sparkle and shine

Happy April everyone! Is it me or does the energy of the season seem palpable? I love this time of year and from what I can tell from the spring buzz, everyone else does too. Because we, along with Mother Nature are bursting at the seams with excitement, beauty, hope, color, growth ( I could go on and on) we've chosen to celebrate with two words for our One Word Project this month; sparkle and shine.

Whether you find your inspiration from the light of the sun, spring showers, morning dew, bursts of bokeh or fantastic flair, for all of April we encourage you to join us as we seek out everything that sparkles and all that shines.

I for one, will be singing this little ditty from Steve Earle all month long.

Help us celebrate spring and all the sparkle and shine you can find today for our OWP (and Best Shot Monday if you're so inclined) here in the comments...and all month long in what will be a very shimmering OWP Flickr pool. Your sparkle and shine just might be featured here! Fun!