Blog

Photo 52.2: Framed {week 6}

It's week 6 at P52.2 and we continue our pursuit of balance, this time between our subject and an object. Though in this case, my subject and my object are one and the same, and the people simply balance out the frame. This is no masterpiece, but some members of our household regularly give high fives to the doorman of this neighborhood fixture (est. 1933) so it pleases me to have a reason to feature Rudy's Pig.

Please continue over to Who We Become, and see what the rest of P 52.2 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 {The End}

One full year! We have officially made it to the end of Photo 52 and our exploration of light. I am so excited to say that I have not missed a week in this journey. Congratulations to my wonderful friends who have traveled with me on this journey. I think we have all come a long ways, but the photography is only secondary to the supportive friendships cemented over the course of this year of learning.

I had planned to use this final week to pick a favorite from the prior 51 weeks, but I got derailed by some new and very different favorites that I love and have to share. I had the honor of photographing an incredible dancer, choreographer and dear, dear friend: Catherine Cabeen. We met in elementary school and she is one of the few people I know who has successfully pursued and achieved her childhood dreams. I admire her more than she will likely ever know. And now you get to admire her too, because she is stunning and she makes magic with her graceful limbs. 

I will also note her patience: in honor of our light-inspired journey, I used her shoot to make my first foray into the world of off-camera flash. Always something new to learn.

Stay tuned for P52's next project which will debut in October. But before you go, please take a final spin around the circle, starting with my exceptional photographer and friend, Lisa Rigazio.  You can check out the very beginnings of the project here.

Stacey Leece VukeljLG2A9293008.jpg

Photo 52: A Play on Light {51}

In our final week on creative settings, I am back home and far from the lovely nature that dominated my shots this month.

While perhaps rather less beautiful, there is something I can't resist about shooting the city streets in the dark. And so, here are a few moments taken during a great night out with some of my fellow blog circle participants on the Lower East Side this week. I had to push my settings (a little grain, anyone?) and look for alternative light sources to give life to the image. 

We are in the final weeks of our P52 before we take a bit of a hiatus and prepare to launch a new project we have had in the works for a few months now. Be sure to take a spin, starting with the always incredible work by my friend Lisa Rigazio. 

Happy Birthday, Photo Blog!

It has been one year today since I launched this site and I am so glad that I took the leap. Having a home for my personal projects and a venue that demands attention and maintenance has helped keep me behind the camera regularly, learning and growing along the way. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of this little passion project. I hope I can continue to keep you interested in the year to come.    

While I did not shoot a particular image specifically for today, I have a few recent shots that might offer my local friends some sense of relief in the midst of this heat wave. My poor camera, I just can't resist dragging it into the water, especially the rain.

Today

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.

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. 

​

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!​