Superhero Photo Challenge: Mornings

By now many of you have seen the gorgeous book by Stephanie Congden Barnes and Maria Vettese called A Year of Mornings: 3,191 Miles Apart. It is gorgeous... and I haven't looked at mornings the same since opening it. Imagine that, a book that can alter the way you look at your life, every day. That is magic, and the power of great art.

Their collaboration began as a blog, each posting a photo from their morning, one in Portland, Oregon the other in Portland, Maine. The results are a collection of extraordinary diptychs, capturing a delicate, graceful and ordinary/extraordinary beauty.

In honor of this book, and to mornings, I offer a new challenge today.

How I know I'm home (mid-2009 edition)

1. On returning to the house, my first cup of tea at the kitchen table (which always has a full bowl of fruit on it, above).

2. Finally lying down in my bed at night.

3. The smell of nag champa incense.

4. Resting my head on Marcus' chest.

5. Sitting on our new swing at dusk! (preferable in concert with #4, above)

6. The smell of baking. Anything baking.

7. The sound of my daughter Alex singing quietly to herself in her bedroom.

8. Turning on the twinkle lights in our kitchen.

And you? These days, how do you know when you're home?  Bonus points if you share images of those cozy corners of your own home.

(And for those of you in the US,  have a great holiday weekend.  If you're traveling, come home safe!)

Superhero Photo Challenge: Black and White

Some photos just lend themselves to black and white. I love looking through photos after a shoot and deciding which ones have just the right combination of elements that makes for a good black and white image. Sometimes it's about contrast, other times an image has that dreamy, vintage quality, sometimes it's just trial and error, clicking back and forth between b/w and color.

How do you choose what images you will make into black and white? Let's crack the code on good black and white images. What makes for a beautiful shot? I want to see your favorites.

I found so many gorgeous examples in the Shutter Sisters flickr pool. Wow people. You are good.

The Real You

It's not everyday you get to be seen for the real you.

Sometimes your chance comes when you stand on a stage.  Other times it happens when you lay your head on a pillow.  No matter how it comes, that moment of recognition is all it takes to make you feel like a real star.

When was the last time you saw the real somebody when you looked through your lens?  Show us your shining stars in your pics today, and if someone by chance had the talent to reveal the real you, show us that photo, too.

Superhero Photo Challenge: Follow the pattern

For the superhero photo challenge this week, let's use fabrics and patterns in interesting ways. Use them as backdrops, photograph against vintage wallpaper, go bold with patterned clothing and color. Can't wait to see what you've got!