Seasons of Change

As I write this, Spring has sprung on the coast of Maine. The last of the snow is melting, small sprouts of green are pushing through the wet soil in my gardens, and the songs of the returning birds fill the air. I don't do as much shooting in the winter, so the anticipation of getting back to my daily shooting routine makes me very happy!

I am looking forward to new subjects, new locations, and also some that I shoot every year. The challenge becomes photographing those things and places in new ways, and it is a challenge I welcome.

If you have a favorite shooting location, try shooting it at every season, the changes are wonderful!  I have a road near my house that I shoot often. I love seeing the seasonal changes, as well as the changes that occur at different times of day, and in differing weather conditions.

So, get out there and shoot, that's where I'm heading!

Happy Spring!
Kathleen

A New Lensbaby Optic!

I started beta testing a new Lensbaby Optic a few days after Christmas, and from the moment I started using it, I was hooked! It's been so hard to keep it a secret! The Sweet 35 optic is the first optic Lensbaby has created with an internal, adjustable aperture system and it's amazing!  All you need to do is rotate the dial on the front of the optic to change the aperture from f/2.5 through f/22.  You can easily see the size of your sweet spot of focus change right through the lens, no more changing magnetic aperture disks!  This is wonderful for fine tuning the sweet spot of focus, and getting just the right amount of blur in your photos. I like to work my subjects, so being able to shoot with different apertures so effortlessly is definitely an improvement in my workflow.

Though this optic isn't compatible with the Macro Kit (my favorite Lensbaby accessory), I found that I could get quite close to my subjects, about 7 inches away with my Composer lens and as little as 3-4 inches away with my Muse.  The 35mm focal length is also a change, and I found the wider view quite versatile for lots of different subjects. The optic is also compatible with the Lensbaby Scout and Control Freak models.

Here are some of the test images I made with the Muse:

Just when I think I couldn't love my Lensbabies more, they come out with something even better. I can definitely recommend adding this optic to your Lensbaby gear!


Happy Shooting,
Kathleen

Previsualization

There are times I can previsualize a final image long before I click the shutter. I see the image in my mind, and just need to find the right moment to make the image. Such was the case with the photo above.  This is a window in Harpswell's Old Meeting House (1757),  a building I pass by every time I go into town. Just before Christmas each year and for several weeks afterwards, electric candles shine in the building's windows, and since the building is unheated, there is often frost decorating the windows as well. For the last three winters I have been trying to make this photo, and it just didn't happen. Either there was no frost, the candles weren't on, or I didn't have my camera with me when I went by. But, last week my friend Zoe and I were on our way home from a shoot when we passed by the building. The candles were on, there was frost lace on the windows, snow on the sills, and the sun was going down. We stopped in and started shooting, and about 10 minutes later the caretaker came by to shovel the entrance so that he could go in and turn the candles off for the season! Talk about timing! He was kind enough to bring us inside and gave us a history lesson about the building too. Here is a shot of the inside, as well as some variations of the window shot- I always work my subjects!

The moral of this story? When you see an image in your head, shoot it! Don't wait for "the next time", seize the moment and make your photos. I am glad I did! :)

Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Favorites

Happy New Year!

I have been looking through my photographs from 2010 and trying to choose my favorite ten images. An interesting process, as I love many of the images for different reasons. Some I love because they make my heart sing, some because they are signs of new directions in my work, some because they were challenging to shoot, and others because they have personal value to me....  So, I am not necessarily choosing what others may see as my "best" work, but here are 10 images from last year that qualify as favorites for me, in no particular order...

 I am going to try and post more in 2011, now it's in print so I'll need to keep my promise. :)

Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Textures!

I have recently been experimenting with adding texture layers to photos, and I am finding the different looks I can create quite interesting. This can be done with images of texture that you have photographed yourself, or you can purchase them thru many online sites, and even download freebies from Flikr.

The textures I prefer to use are "Dirty Pictures" from Totally Rad (http://www.gettotallyrad.com).  The interface is incredibly easy, just a few clicks and I have an assortment of 21 texture choices added to my image, viewable in a thumbnail collection. I can scroll thru the samples and choose the one that best suits my vision. I can then customize the image to my liking, tweaking opacity, blending mode, etc. I downloaded the software, tried it on one image, and was hooked--- I sent Totally Rad a fan letter right away! The texture is added as a separate layer, so I can set up layer masks to control or remove the effect in certain areas if I choose to.

 I am working on a collection of  my own texture photos, (rust, peeling paint, moss, tree bark...) which I can add to the software. How cool is that? The software can also be personalized with my choices in defaults, favorites, previews... If you are looking for a simple way to add texture layers to your photos, you really need to try this. The wonderful people at Totally Rad have given me a 15% discount code to share with you, just use ppsop when ordering.

I love the way textures can add interest to photos, giving them a different mood and feel. Here are some before and after images:

Happy Shooting!

Kathleen

Lensbaby Scout

     Earlier this month, I beta tested the newest gem in the Lensbaby collection, the Scout. Scout is Lensbaby's first non-bending lens, and comes with the Fisheye optic installed. Because the lens doesn't bend like traditional Lensbaby lenses, fisheye images are always perfectly centered. The lens can focus as closely as 1/2 inch away from subjects,  and has a very smooth focus collar. It works with Lensbaby's unique optic swap system, so you can change optics for different effects. I love testing new products, and this lens was no exception. It's fun, easy to use, and a great addition to the Lensbaby lineup.

    Here are some of my test images, these were at f/4, which is wide open on the Scout, no aperture ring.

    These were all shot at f/16 for greater Depth of Field:

Happy Shooting!
Kathleen

Acadia

I spent most of last week in Acadia shooting with some great friends. It was wonderful to relax, laugh and take in the beauty of the area. After a busy summer, a few days with no responsibilities, surrounded by amazing scenery was just what I needed. Here are a few of my favorite images from the trip.

Before he flew back to Washington, Ron Goldman was kind enough to pose for a few genuine Fisheye shots. I used the new Lensbaby Scout, it's awesome!

I definitely need to spend much more time in Acadia, the park is huge, I am already thinking about my next visit!

Happy shooting,
Kathleen