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P52.2 Framed {Week 27} - High Key

Merriam-Webster defines "composition" as "the way in which something is put together or arranged : the combination of parts or elements that make up something."

This month over at Who We Become, we are taking a step back from the more physical elements of our compositional study and focusing on other elements in the frame: creating mood. For week one, we are using high key lighting techniques to set the scene.

Examples of a high key technique can often be found in commercial work - bright images that have few mid-tones and even fewer shadows. Photographers may use this technique to create a sense of cheer or playfulness, or evoke feelings of youth. For my shots below, I think the brighter background and haziness of the light results in a dreamy effect and keeps the focus on my sweet subject enjoying a taste of Spring sunshine. 

Please click over to Who We Become to see everyone's images this week - the bright palate is striking.

P52.2 Framed {Week 25} - Conceptual Contrast - New Addition

This week on P52.2, we are turning our attention to conceptual contrast. Big and small, old and new...there are some amazingly creative examples over at Who We Become. In our house, "old" and new seemed the most appropriate as we welcomed the newest member of our family. Not enough words in the world to describe how much I love these. 

One {February 2014}

It's time once again for our One shot. Oh, February. I'm not sure this is one I will look back on all that fondly, mainly due to the lack of respite in the winter weather. However, we had two gorgeous days and they fell over a weekend, so I am posting a shot of our little bookworm, looking a little less bundled than usual. 

Please continue around our small circle, starting with my lovely friend Adele and a teachable moment down in Texas this month.  

P52.2: Framed {Week 20}

Over at Who We Become, our focus on perspective is coming to a close. This week, perhaps a more traditional interpretation of perspective: shooting from above.

This particular vantage point is one every parent is well acquainted with and holds a special place in our hearts. And in our household, now that we've got the big move behind us, next up is this little project. Evidence seemingly to the contrary, I can still see my toes. Big brother is not so sure he likes the idea but he has another few weeks to come around.

P52.2: Framed {Week 17}

Over at Who We Become, we are closing out our month on specialty lenses. I have to admit, I did not get as creative as my fellow participants this week. However, I did bring out a telephoto lens for some fun in the snow - I am more of a wide angle person, so it was fun to experiment with action shots on a longer lens and be able to see the expressions on the kids' faces so clearly. This was my kiddo's first time on a sled...I'm pretty sure he liked it. 

Photo 52.2: Framed {Week 9}

For the month of December, we at P52.2: Framed will be concentrating on lines. Leading lines, lines that are horizontal, vertical and diagonal, lines that are real and implied - our goal is to use these lines to effectively lead the eye to our subjects, or into, out of or simply around the frame. 

I am a big fan of lines and try to incorporate them into my photography often. Our theme this week was leading lines, and I chose to take a step away from the big drama available in the city's architecture and instead turn my lens on a slightly smaller operation. Please pop over to our collective website, Who We Become, to see everyone's beautiful work. I can already see that December will not be a month to miss! 

One {November}

Of all the things I have to be thankful for - year round, not just during the holiday season - my family is at the top of my list. This guy especially. He is a laugher and a lover and, increasingly, a hot chocolate aficionado. 

However, this has not been the easiest month for some of my dear Once Circle friends. Please make your way around our small circle and leave some love if you have a moment. Next up is Krista, our gentle soul out in Seattle.  

Photo 52.2: Framed {week 7}

This week on Photo 52.2 we went in search of negative space as a balancing element in our images. This could mean using negative space as the subject, or using the space in an image to otherwise balance the subject. Really, I think we all just had fun taking a step back and getting some extra room into the frame. 

My shots this week were taken on a trip up to East Aurora, NY - the soon-to-be permanent residence of certain grandparents we happen to be quite fond of. Small boy + big dog + nature = what's not to love? Here are a few of my favorites shot with negative space in mind. Please click over to Who We Become and see what the rest of my wonderful friends have found this week!

Photo 52.2: Framed {week 5}

It's a balancing act over here in week 5 of P52.2: Framed. Our goal this week was to create balance in our images using people. In the first image below, part of the balance is simply the sense of symmetry of the image whereas the second uses the figures in the background as a counterweight to my son and all of his "en route to a birthday party" trappings in the very immediate foreground.  It would work better without the scooter but so it goes. This was a challenging topic and one I intend to practice more thoughtfully in the future. 

To see what balance everyone struck this week, please head over to Who We Become, our collective blog.  

Photo 52.2: Framed {week 1}

Why, hello. What's all this?  

Photo 52 is back! After a month's hiatus, I am excited to announce that our talented group is kicking off a new 52 week project that I am calling Photo 52.2: Framed. There are a few more participants this time around, so rather than require a pass through a circle in order to see everyone's work, I invite you to visit our new collective website: Who We Become.   

Last year we embarked on a study of light. This year, we are focusing on composition. What do we choose to include in the frame? Where do we put it and why? Geometry, colors, lines, positioning....the list goes on and we can't wait to begin.

 For our first week, we used geometric shapes as a framing element. I can't say I'm leaping with joy at my inaugural efforts but I look forward to wherever this project will take me. Please click here to check out everyone's work in this first week of Photo 52.2! 

 

Photo 52: A Play on Light {46}

In this week's color study, my P52 circle focused on yellow and orange hues. While this would have been the perfect time for some golden hour images, small guy and I went in search of shelter from the scorching heat wave instead. In his first visit to a movie theater as a "big kid", we found some yellow lighting among the heavenly air conditioning. There was far less visible light in the theater than these images indicate - to get these shots, I had to push my camera settings and manually focus in the dark.  Fun to play, even if they aren't beautifully crisp. 

Next up, please check out the beautiful work of my friend, photographer and architect  Lisa Rigazio in Maryland. Her creativity this month has been inspiring and I can't wait to see what she and the rest of the circle come up with. Please take a spin!

Dipping My Toes {Film}

Earlier this year, I got a film camera. Because clearly what I need in life is a new project. I have found it to be fun and frustrating all at the same time, especially since I can apparently extend a roll or two out for a long time before seeing the results. Months in fact. I am not entirely on board for the funky and extremely varied retro tones in these, but here are a few initial film efforts (i.e. random shots of my kid), just for fun.  I have a lot to learn, but I am enjoying giving it the old college try.

Expired Porta 160, black and white conversions in Lightroom.

One {June}

Oh, June. Days of beautiful early summer (or around here, thunderstorms and humidity), the end of school, Father's Day and daddy's birthday...we bid you adieu. And, once again, it is time for the One.

Over the Father's Day/birthday weekend, we spent a fun day at the Red Hook Jazz Festival, a small fundraiser held in a community garden in Brooklyn. Our son's favorite group seemed to have been the "heavy metal" jazz (new to my ears), which is both entertaining and appropriate, considering his affinity for the "Mai-DEN! Mai-DEN!" hand gesture he has perfected. He stood at the front of the lawn, watching intently and occasionally throwing his fists into the air and dancing a bit. Then he returned to our picnic blanket and settled in to (unsuccessfully) practice the time-honored tradition of the berry toss: 

Please continue around our little circle to the beautiful and, for today's post, particularly electrifying work of my dear friend Sarah Zalan in Denver.  I am so very excited to have a trip planned to see her in the not so distant future!

Photo 52: A Play on Light {42}

Week four of directional light is something of a Hail Mary and I'm still not sure whether I came away with a touchdown or a disaster. But here goes nothing.

I didn't take a ton of images I felt worked well with our theme this week and had been debating what to use for today's post. Then, this afternoon, I found myself photographing an impromptu peewee football game in the sweltering heat and in one of the most challenging kinds of directional light: dappled. In the dreaded dappled light, you expose for the shade, and the sunlit patches are blown out. You expose for the bright spots and the rest of the image is extremely dark and there are harsh shadows on faces.  Added to my woes was my lens, a slower, longer focal length than I usually use, and an extremely fast, dirty and sweaty crew of much beloved children. Photography chaos, I tell you.

So, with that lengthy preface, here is a little glimpse into our afternoon in the park. But don't forget to continue on to my amazingly talented friend Jill Cassara when you're done!

Also, the priceless (and over-priced) group shot with a goat: 

Photo 52: A Play on Light {39}

Directional Light, Week One

I closed out last month with a portrait of our small guy, while bemoaning the chilly temperatures we were experiencing at the time. Apparently my displeasure was noted, because this week's similarly-composed portrait was taken in scorching 90F temperatures and pounding sun. Any chance we could just get a nice, comfortable 75F with a light breeze?

Directional light can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. I think of it as using a strong light source and shadows to accentuate a subject, but unlike our month on hard light, this is more about creating dimension or interest using the direction of a light source, so backlight or a softer side light would work as well. My fellow circle members are often a bit more articulate about the monthly description so I recommend taking a peek at what they have to say about it, in addition to their beautiful imagery.  

Here, my light source is midday sun and I loved the little "freckles" on his face created by the shadow of the hat, as well as the incredible light reflecting off the bright scene into his eyes. 

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Next, please check out the work of my dear and talented friend, Cheryl Sawyer. She has also been a hot child in the city this week, so please take a peek to see what she found to kick off this new month and continue around the circle!​

Photo 52: A Play on Light {38}

Welcome to week 4 of Photo 52's month of diffuse light. The weather this Memorial Day weekend ran the gamut and on Saturday, we kicked off the weekend with a celebratory indoor barbecue in order to avoid the downpour outside. Because nothing says "summer is coming" like corn on the cob and 40 degree temperatures. However, the window light was quite lovely and the corn matched my sister's kitchen chairs most conveniently.

Please continue around the blog circle and see what other lovely light my friends have found this week, starting in Indiana with my talented friend and mother of five, Erica Collins.