A precursory note: I've never written about photography, or my photographic process before, so this is new territory to me. I have a food blog that lends itself more easily to my sarcastic voice than photography would, though I'm not sure where that distinction really comes in. Food: Sarcasm. Photography: be a good girl.
Perhaps once the newness wears off, I'll find my natural vibe with this.
That said:
In the midst of all this polar vortex malarkey we've been having, there was a weekend day where the temperature hit 50°F, and I knew I had to go exploring. I found my way to the path I've been meaning to explore on the other side of town. The day was beautifully overcast, only a little drizzle, and the warmest it's been in weeks.
Photography helps me remember things. All the pieces of the day seem to fall into place if I have a visual anchor, along with the experience of creating it.
I went in to the park with a bag of silk ribbons, a length of blue velvet, some fake rose petals, and my usual gear. I had no idea going in what I would do, these were the least buried items in the maelstrom that once was my closet. I was merely looking for a particular place, tree, light, or come what may, to inspire something.
As if wandering around in what felt like spring time weather by comparison, alone in a new, beautiful place weren't magical enough; there were beautiful blue birds flying across the path. They were vivid blue enough where I first thought they were Blue Jays, but according to Google, they're a variety of Robin.
Perhaps once the newness wears off, I'll find my natural vibe with this.
That said:
In the midst of all this polar vortex malarkey we've been having, there was a weekend day where the temperature hit 50°F, and I knew I had to go exploring. I found my way to the path I've been meaning to explore on the other side of town. The day was beautifully overcast, only a little drizzle, and the warmest it's been in weeks.
Photography helps me remember things. All the pieces of the day seem to fall into place if I have a visual anchor, along with the experience of creating it.
I went in to the park with a bag of silk ribbons, a length of blue velvet, some fake rose petals, and my usual gear. I had no idea going in what I would do, these were the least buried items in the maelstrom that once was my closet. I was merely looking for a particular place, tree, light, or come what may, to inspire something.
As if wandering around in what felt like spring time weather by comparison, alone in a new, beautiful place weren't magical enough; there were beautiful blue birds flying across the path. They were vivid blue enough where I first thought they were Blue Jays, but according to Google, they're a variety of Robin.
These little guys were completely unafraid of me, and flitted about long enough for me to take out my camera and catch them in action. The next thing I came across was a stroke of luck as well. Sometimes things fall into place. You never know when, in February, as you're walking on the first warm day of the year, you're going to come across the one, oddly perfect pine in the middle of a field. A perfect pine that just so happens to be decorated as a Christmas tree, then left to the elements for just the right amount of entropy to kick in. I mean, how am I supposed to pass that up?
It even came complete with ornaments. By this time, I'd had another idea that I put on hold, and set to incorporating the elements I'd come across so far that day into one shot. Thankfully for the rain, I only had one curious passerby, but you get used to that over time.
The lesson learned here came to me largely when editing. This was a long one. I shot everything from a lot of angles, but I had done so in a) kind of a rush, and b) before I'd actually nailed down exactly where I wanted to shoot from. A lot of the scale became wonky, and expanding the frame became a bit of an ordeal. I did have a lot of fun with the editing, and overall with this piece.
I'm not one to gush, but it was, for lack of a better term, a freaking magical afternoon. Things fell serendipitously into place, and I enjoyed it completely. Even after all the digging through thorns, checking for ticks, drenching my socks (oh hey, my boots are cracked), and the sidelong glare of that one lady and her dog, I thoroughly loved the experience. Also, a large part of that park remains unexplored, so now I have plans for next time- and different boots.
As for the end result.
The lesson learned here came to me largely when editing. This was a long one. I shot everything from a lot of angles, but I had done so in a) kind of a rush, and b) before I'd actually nailed down exactly where I wanted to shoot from. A lot of the scale became wonky, and expanding the frame became a bit of an ordeal. I did have a lot of fun with the editing, and overall with this piece.
I'm not one to gush, but it was, for lack of a better term, a freaking magical afternoon. Things fell serendipitously into place, and I enjoyed it completely. Even after all the digging through thorns, checking for ticks, drenching my socks (oh hey, my boots are cracked), and the sidelong glare of that one lady and her dog, I thoroughly loved the experience. Also, a large part of that park remains unexplored, so now I have plans for next time- and different boots.
As for the end result.
Along with a detail shot of one of the birds.
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