Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Apr 10, 2012
Why I Won't Have to Switch to an iPhone...
As those who follow me on Twitter may have noticed, I'm quite excited that Instagram is finally available for Android devices! You can find me there under my usual handle, dsbrennan. Please let me know in the comments if you're an Instagram junkie - I'd love to find some new folks to follow!
Oct 19, 2011
How Braving Bad Weather Pays Off
It's pouring here right now. I am warmly wrapped up, still in my pajamas, with a steaming mug of my husband's home-roasted coffee. The perfect rainy day scenario, right? But I'm daydreaming... about throwing on some boots and a raincoat and going out to take photographs.
An inner voice is saying, "But the weather is terrible! I'll get wet and cold!"
That voice is totally right. But the thing is, sometimes it's the dramatic weather, the kind that no one else would bother going out to shoot in, that gets me the best results. The photos that no one else has, because they didn't go (and to be fair, usually it's the photos I don't have, because I didn't go). There's no good light to speak of today, but lakes are probably foggy, and the wetness draws out the saturation of the autumn colors...
So I may pull out the boots, the jacket, an umbrella to protect the camera (I'm wishing I had this one), and go out. Or maybe the siren call of warmth and comfort will win and I'll stay in. I guess you'll have to check back tomorrow to see which has prevailed. :-)
An inner voice is saying, "But the weather is terrible! I'll get wet and cold!"
That voice is totally right. But the thing is, sometimes it's the dramatic weather, the kind that no one else would bother going out to shoot in, that gets me the best results. The photos that no one else has, because they didn't go (and to be fair, usually it's the photos I don't have, because I didn't go). There's no good light to speak of today, but lakes are probably foggy, and the wetness draws out the saturation of the autumn colors...
So I may pull out the boots, the jacket, an umbrella to protect the camera (I'm wishing I had this one), and go out. Or maybe the siren call of warmth and comfort will win and I'll stay in. I guess you'll have to check back tomorrow to see which has prevailed. :-)
Oct 13, 2011
Advice for Aspiring Photographers
When you get an urge to go take photographs, make it happen.
Today I craved a moody ocean shot, feeling inspired by the music of Emily Barker and the gorgeous cinematography of Wallander. I nearly let excuses win, but in the end decided to head to a new coastal spot in Rhode Island. After working at my day job, I drove 50 minutes to the site and got there shortly before sunset. I stayed until after dark (and frankly would have stayed longer if there was enough light to focus the camera by). By then I was tired and hungry, and still had errands to run that I had put off in favor of going shooting.
It was worth every moment.
So go, carve out the time. Make room in your schedule, your life, your day. See what you can do with twilight on a cold, wet day.
Whisper Me Words
Today I craved a moody ocean shot, feeling inspired by the music of Emily Barker and the gorgeous cinematography of Wallander. I nearly let excuses win, but in the end decided to head to a new coastal spot in Rhode Island. After working at my day job, I drove 50 minutes to the site and got there shortly before sunset. I stayed until after dark (and frankly would have stayed longer if there was enough light to focus the camera by). By then I was tired and hungry, and still had errands to run that I had put off in favor of going shooting.
It was worth every moment.
So go, carve out the time. Make room in your schedule, your life, your day. See what you can do with twilight on a cold, wet day.
Whisper Me Words
Oct 5, 2011
A Challenge: What Doors Will You Open Today?
We all have skills, talents, and gifts. One of mine happens to be photography, and I have chosen to use it to make a career for myself. Building this artistic business is a constant learning curve. Sometimes the efforts that I work so hard on seem to flop completely, sometimes they create new opportunities. Sifting out what works and what doesn't is a huge part of this journey.
There is one thing that definitely doesn't work - doing nothing. We are meant to share the talents we are given. I can create as many photographs as I choose, but if I don't put them out there in the world, they will go nowhere, they will inspire no one. They will collect virtual dust in the bowels of my hard drive, doing nothing positive in the world. And, without sharing this talent, I cannot create a life and a career that I love.
It's up to me to tell people about my work, to submit it to blogs or agencies or galleries. It is up to me to not just sit there and wait to be "discovered".
What doors will you open today to share your talents (whatever they might be) with the world?
Durdle Door
There is one thing that definitely doesn't work - doing nothing. We are meant to share the talents we are given. I can create as many photographs as I choose, but if I don't put them out there in the world, they will go nowhere, they will inspire no one. They will collect virtual dust in the bowels of my hard drive, doing nothing positive in the world. And, without sharing this talent, I cannot create a life and a career that I love.
It's up to me to tell people about my work, to submit it to blogs or agencies or galleries. It is up to me to not just sit there and wait to be "discovered".
What doors will you open today to share your talents (whatever they might be) with the world?
Durdle Door
Sep 30, 2011
These are the kind of things that keep photographers up all night...
I have a dilemma. I really, really (really) want to have a huge, loose (i.e. not stretched over a wooden frame) canvas print made of one of my feather photographs. There are two problems with this.
1) I'd have to choose one image out of the several feather photos I've created
2) It's quite expensive to have a good quality, archival, enormous (40"x60") canvas printed - let's just say I'd sell these at retail for $750
(click on the image to view it larger)
This is one of those times when I really wish I had a crystal ball with which to glimpse the future. Will a huge canvas print appeal to buyers? Would it sell at that price point? Will my husband roll his eyes if I fall in love with it and want to keep it for myself?
I have to admit, I am secretly hoping that one of you reading this is in the market for a gorgeous statement piece... just so I can see it in real life and not just in my own head. (While I am very good at visualizing things, sometimes I just want to see and touch a final product.) Heck, I'd even sell the first one at half-price, just so I could do it.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this kind of risk-taking. Is it worth going for something big and bold that's calling my name, despite the expense?
And which image would you choose?
1) I'd have to choose one image out of the several feather photos I've created
2) It's quite expensive to have a good quality, archival, enormous (40"x60") canvas printed - let's just say I'd sell these at retail for $750
(click on the image to view it larger)
This is one of those times when I really wish I had a crystal ball with which to glimpse the future. Will a huge canvas print appeal to buyers? Would it sell at that price point? Will my husband roll his eyes if I fall in love with it and want to keep it for myself?
I have to admit, I am secretly hoping that one of you reading this is in the market for a gorgeous statement piece... just so I can see it in real life and not just in my own head. (While I am very good at visualizing things, sometimes I just want to see and touch a final product.) Heck, I'd even sell the first one at half-price, just so I could do it.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this kind of risk-taking. Is it worth going for something big and bold that's calling my name, despite the expense?
And which image would you choose?
Aug 10, 2011
August Break, Day 10: Farewell Friend
My D5100 arrived today, and my old friend the D70 has officially been retired. It served me well, over the past 6 years and 50,555 photos. I will miss it.
Aug 6, 2011
Mar 7, 2011
Tilt Shift, Oh My
I've always been a big fan of tilt-shift photography. But after watching the gorgeous, amazing, stunning, can't-get-enough-of-it Henley race scene in The Social Network last night, I decided I'd try my hand at creating some faux tilt-shift images.
My first attempt is not perfect, the line of focus needs to more accurately follow one plane, rather than going straight across the image. But it sure was fun!
Below is the original photograph (roughly cropped to the same size for better comparison). I normally don't share my straight out-of-the-camera shots, I think they can detract from the mood and magic of the final image. But in this case I thought you might enjoy seeing the difference!
My first attempt is not perfect, the line of focus needs to more accurately follow one plane, rather than going straight across the image. But it sure was fun!
Below is the original photograph (roughly cropped to the same size for better comparison). I normally don't share my straight out-of-the-camera shots, I think they can detract from the mood and magic of the final image. But in this case I thought you might enjoy seeing the difference!
Feb 25, 2011
A Little Anthropologie Love
Today is an exciting day... the grand opening of the Garden City Center Anthopologie in Cranston, RI. Before this store opened, the closest Anthropologie was about an hour away in Massachusetts. Now, with only 18 minutes between us, I am in a dangerous predicament!
In honor of this very special occasion, and inspired by this blog post from my archives, I've put together a little inspiration board by combining on of my photographs with some pieces from Anthropologie. Doesn't that Albino Blue Jay look like it belongs there?
Sources:
Albino Blue Jay (by yours truly) - 30x30 or 8x8
Pen & Ink Violas via Anthropologie
Banda Chaise via Anthropologie
I'm hoping to stop by and visit the new store this weekend. Maybe I'll see you there?
In honor of this very special occasion, and inspired by this blog post from my archives, I've put together a little inspiration board by combining on of my photographs with some pieces from Anthropologie. Doesn't that Albino Blue Jay look like it belongs there?
Sources:
Albino Blue Jay (by yours truly) - 30x30 or 8x8
Pen & Ink Violas via Anthropologie
Banda Chaise via Anthropologie
I'm hoping to stop by and visit the new store this weekend. Maybe I'll see you there?
Nov 9, 2009
Gotta Make Hay While the Sun Shines...
... as Suzanne of Arts in RI has often said to me, you've gotta make hay while the sun shines. I felt the need to do something creative this afternoon, and had a little still life studio already set up in the dining room, so I went with it.
'Lantern', 'Azalea', and 'Oak', respectively:
'Lantern', 'Azalea', and 'Oak', respectively:
Aug 4, 2009
Aug 3, 2009
Natural History at Audubon
32 Eggs
There were boxes and boxes of donated egg collections - waiting to be identified and catalogued...
There were boxes and boxes of donated egg collections - waiting to be identified and catalogued...
Jul 30, 2009
Save the Bay - Free & Open to the Public
Want to enjoy some cool bay breezes on a hot summer evening, sipping wine and nibbling cheese while enjoying some of Rhode Island's best ocean-inspired artwork? For free?
Well, Save the Bay is hosting a mid-way viewing of the annual Artists for Save the Bay exhibit and you should head to Providence and check it out. Artists from throughout the state (myself included) have work on display for you to enjoy. A portion of the proceeds any sales goes to support Save the Bay and the great work they do protecting, enhancing, and restoring Narragansett Bay. (So going not only ensures a good time, but also good karma.) You can get a preview here.
Here are the details:
Extended Gallery Hours Thursday, August 6th from 5:30 – 7:30pm. There will be wet paint, wine and cheese, and a few new pieces. The event is open to the public at no charge to attendees. The show ends August 28th.
Save the Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, Rhode Island 02905
(map)
Well, Save the Bay is hosting a mid-way viewing of the annual Artists for Save the Bay exhibit and you should head to Providence and check it out. Artists from throughout the state (myself included) have work on display for you to enjoy. A portion of the proceeds any sales goes to support Save the Bay and the great work they do protecting, enhancing, and restoring Narragansett Bay. (So going not only ensures a good time, but also good karma.) You can get a preview here.
Here are the details:
Extended Gallery Hours Thursday, August 6th from 5:30 – 7:30pm. There will be wet paint, wine and cheese, and a few new pieces. The event is open to the public at no charge to attendees. The show ends August 28th.
Save the Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, Rhode Island 02905
(map)
Jul 28, 2009
Summertime, and the Living is Easy
Have I mentioned how great the folks down at The Good Earth are? Today I was able to take some photos on their property. My main focus: a beautiful New England meadow full of wildflowers. I brought along the Polaroid, figuring this would be the perfect place to use it.
Queen Anne's Lace
Queen Anne's Lace
Jul 27, 2009
Jul 23, 2009
Jul 22, 2009
Hump Day Happiness
Ready to bring a little happiness into the day? I am.
Here are some of the things I'm grateful for today.
1) My blooming Flanders poppies, blowing in the breeze
2) Super spicy salsa
3) Blueberry blue paint
4) Scoring a great deal on a Danish modern armchair over the weekend
5) Pandora radio
How about you? Any happinesses to share?
Here are some of the things I'm grateful for today.
1) My blooming Flanders poppies, blowing in the breeze
2) Super spicy salsa
3) Blueberry blue paint
4) Scoring a great deal on a Danish modern armchair over the weekend
5) Pandora radio
How about you? Any happinesses to share?
Jul 20, 2009
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violet! This rainbow was so broad and beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen such a clear purple in a rainbow before.
Glacier Rainbow
Glacier Rainbow
Jul 17, 2009
Jul 14, 2009
Home in Rhode Island
Well, as you know I've just returned from a vacation and friends' wedding in Montana. We had such a good time seeing sights and visiting with some of the best people on the face of the earth. It's always hard to leave them, but it is good to be home. It seems we've brought some actual summer weather back with us - two whole days of sunshine and warmth!! So, after spending some time storing away the luggage and travel things, I took a break to give our sideboard a little summer facelift.
Here's what you're seeing: candles in jam jars, big dahlias from the garden, mums to root and replant, a fabric mushroom I just can't get enough of, a terrarium filled with Logee's plants, smooth white stones from Moonstone Beach, vintage gardening/houseplant books, brass quails, and our Phalaenopsis orchid.
And, even though they didn't quite fit in with the dahlia bouquet, I couldn't resist snipping a few of these little beauties and finding them a home in the guest room...
Hope you're enjoying your July!
Here's what you're seeing: candles in jam jars, big dahlias from the garden, mums to root and replant, a fabric mushroom I just can't get enough of, a terrarium filled with Logee's plants, smooth white stones from Moonstone Beach, vintage gardening/houseplant books, brass quails, and our Phalaenopsis orchid.
And, even though they didn't quite fit in with the dahlia bouquet, I couldn't resist snipping a few of these little beauties and finding them a home in the guest room...
Hope you're enjoying your July!
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