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Lifestyle Photography Class -- Assignment #4

So, here we are, on our final assignment for my Lifestyle Photography class with the amazing and talented Brooke Snow.  I'm so sad to see it end!  I have learned so much the past month, though I know I have much more to learn (not the least of which, according to my husband, is to learn not to get so frustrated so easily)!  The other ladies in my class are all so very talented -- I've learned a lot from them, as well.  I look forward to practicing with my camera, getting more comfortable with it and with the concept of telling a story with my photos, rather than just taking the "say cheese" or "smile" posed pictures.   

 

Week 4

Part One: Thematic and Conceptual Shooting

This week we want to focus on telling a story in a single image and intentionally creating a “message” with the image.  

My sweet husband, Mike, who is supporting me on this photography journey, is nothing if not an outdoors-man!  He absolutely LOVES to be outside, in nature, whether warm or cold, sunny or stormy, day or night.  We had gone up to Park City today to finish up my assignments, and just enjoy a beautiful spring day together.  I captured this as he was standing on a bridge, overlooking a small stream that was swollen and fast-running with our rather impressive spring runoff!  I have the camera balanced on the rail or the bridge, looking down at him.  I love the bokeh, and the leading line pointing directly to him. I think this picture portrays enjoyment and relaxation.  I would love to know what feeling you get from it!  Does it tell a story for you? 

Part Two: Getting in your pictures

Post one self portrait image.  Set the timer, use a remote, or hand the camera to someone else.

Yes, dear hubby got to be behind the camera on this one.  And can I just say, barf.  I mean, he took a great picture, I just wish I wasn't in it!!  :/  I don't like having my picture taken, because I'm SO not photogenic!  But, as a scrapbooker, I do realize the importance of not only being behind the camera, but also in some of the images so future generations will know who I was, as well, like it or not!  

Many thanks and much love, again, to Brooke and to my fellow students.  I have learned so much from all of you!!  I wish you well on your photography journeys, and hope we can stay in touch!  Namaste!

Lifestyle Photography Class -- Assignment #3

Oh, my goodness!  This was the difficult week, as we were home for my brother-in-law's funeral; however, I was able to spend time with my sweet great-niece, which gave me my great decisive moment, as well as visit one of Wyoming's natural wonders -- Pathfinder Dam, which, when overflowing, creates a 200 foot waterfall.  I had fun this week trying to find contrast and capture it in my photos.  I hope you enjoy them!

 

Week 3

Part One: Conceptual Contrast

The contrast of subject elements within our frame, such as big vs. small, wet vs. dry, dark vs. light, man vs. nature, old vs. young, or a million other options. Please post three images.  Your contrast can be the same in all three, or it can be different, but I want to see your creativity with the use of Point of View and make sure you use the Less is More principle by having nothing but the story in the picture. 

Free vs. restrained

Near vs. far, dark vs. light, left vs. right

Man vs. nature 

(ie., the dam is man-made, trying to hold back the force of nature)

Part Two: The Decisive Moment

The Decisive Moment is that rare moment in which the composition of a photo and the message or emotion of the scene reach an apex. Shoot something meaningful to you that you love.  But you only get three shots.  How does this limitation help you consider composition, point of view, framing, and of course, the timing of your image more than the ability to continuously fire?  Please post your ONE favorite of the three shots.

 

Trust me, this was a very decisive moment!  Miss Penny, my great-niece, is at that age where she's afraid of strangers, and is definitely a mama's girl!  Getting her to stop crying, much less smile, while I was watching her was nothing short of a miracle!  LOL!  But, she LOVED my camera, so I got lucky.  We had been playing peek-a-boo, and then went for a little walk outside, stopping by my truck to get the camera.  When we came indoors, I put her in her boppy (this little C-shaped pillow), and waited.  Playing peek-a-boo, once again, this time using the camera, I was able to finally get a little smile!   For this, waiting was worth it!  :)  Isn't she gorgeous?  

Thanks for checking out my pictures this 'week.'  :)  One more post to go!  As always, comments are welcomed -- please let me know what you think!  Namaste!

Lifestyle Photography Class -- Assignment #2

So, with everything going on in our lives the past couple of weeks, I am WAY behind on my photography class homework!  Tomorrow we submit our last week, so you'll be seeing three posts in quick succession as I rush to get everything in.  This Lifestyle Photography class, taught by Brooke Snow has been absolutely wonderful, but BOY, do I still have a lot of learning to do!!  I'm getting more and more comfortable shooting in manual, but this lifestyle concept is completely new to me.  I find myself frustrated when I have a specific idea in mind and it doesn't pan out.  Need to work on that!  Anyhoo, on to my second week of assignments!

Part One: Point of View

Shoot something/someone you love to photograph and take your best shot.  Now… look at that shot good and hard.  Create 20 more images from a different Point of View. Please post your first shot (the initial reaction shot) and your 3 additional favorite perspectives. 

For part one, I chose a trip to one of our local libraries, as I love books and have loved to read since I was a small child!  I was in just one small portion of the library, as I didn't want to intrude on anyone -- but it just happened to be this little nook with this amazing wall of windows!  Perfect for natural lit shots.  So, the first picture is one of one of the aisles of books; the others are from different points of views, including framing and an aerial perspective.  

 

Part Two: Less is More

Photograph a scene (with or without people).  Now break that scene down into as many smaller scenes as possible, reducing until you can’t reduce any further.  Please post your first shot of the scene and 3 additional shots from the reduction exercise.  

For part two, I went to our local farmer's market.  This was one of those examples I talked about above where I had a very specific shot list in mind, and then had most of them 'shot' down, as there weren't very many veggies out yet!!  I was so frustrated, as I had envisioned lovely pictures of ripe fruits and vegetables for my  "smaller scenes."  Instead, I ended up with a few that were perhaps more telling of the actual farmers market, which also includes an arts and crafts market, as well (my favorite!)  It's also the only place I've seen that has valet bicycle parking!  :)

Anyway, thank you for looking this 'week,' and I appreciate any feedback you're willing to leave!  Namaste!

Lifestyle Photography Class -- Assignment #1

Week 1

Part One: Character/Details

With the concept of a shot list in mind, pick a “character” you would like to document.  Write down what details you could photograph to tell their story, and photograph those details.   Please post 3 character “details”.

Detail #1 -- small scale

Detail #2 -- small scale

Detail #3 -- small & large scale

Ok . . . can you tell who my character is?  ;)  (Hint, it's not my husband! LOL!)  I'm not sure I did this assignment right, Brooke.  My bad, I left my tutorials until the last minute, and then panicked about what I was going to do.  Then, with the weather disagreeing, yet again, I was hard pressed to get a few good photos in outside!  I won't make that mistake next week, I promise!  The only thing I can say is, these are definitely NOT images I would normally take to define my "character," although they are probably the most telling images I can think of!  The last image I said was both small and large scale, because of the basket full of toys as well as the yard that my "character" plays in.  Can you have both?  

Anyways, if I didn't do this correctly, I apologize!!   
 

Part Two: Character/Conflict

I want you to capture your character with the element of conflict.  Think about using the idea of “environmental” photography to help tell who your character is.  In essence, you want to capture your character either doing something, working at something, or in the midst of a visible emotion. Post 1-2 Character/Conflict images.

(Again, because of the weather, I was limited on photo time and light --my bad -- so I only have one "conflict" image).

My conflict image:

Good side lighting though, huh?  :)  

My "character" is one of my babies, Sydnie.  The above pictures are their leashes hanging by our door; their food & water dishes; and their toys in their basket, as well as our backyard, where they love to play.  My conflict image is of Sydnie playing with her new Nylabone.    I wanted to get one of the two of them play tug-o-war with their rope, but it started pouring rain, which made us come inside, and also darkened my house too much for indoor photos!  SO . . . . this is as good as it gets!  :)

My composition isn't the best, either, so again, I'll apologize!  May try to resubmit photos for this week if we have a make-up week!  Thanks to all for looking!