Find Your Eye: Journey of Fascination - Creative Breakthrough

Thinking, digging deep, puzzling, researching, studying; those are some of things I’ve been doing for the last few days. I've been trying to write my photo journal for Kat’s Find You Eye: Journey of Fascination course. Our assignment was to look for creative breakthroughs in our photography. This was tough for me, really tough. First, I got hung up on the word creative. I struggled with the idea of my photography being creative.   So, I looked it up the definition.  I have no idea why, but I love words and love to look them up in the dictionary.

 

creative:

• relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, esp. in the production of an artistic work
• characterized by originality and expressiveness

See that word "original" that was my problem. When I think of creative I think of someone who has  an original idea and proceeds to produce a specific result. My photography ideas don't seem original to me. When I try something new, it’s usually because I’ve seen another photographer’s work or read about it and wanted to see if I can recreate it. Then, I reread the definition and saw the words "involving the imagination" and "expressiveness." While I was in the dictionary I also looked up breakthrough.

 

breakthrough:

• A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development

Put them both together and you have "an important discovery involving imagination or expressiveness."  Now this I could relate to. I have made a few important discoveries with my photography. Maybe not sudden or dramatic, but important none the less!

 

I would say the very first breakthrough was shortly after I began this bog. I was taking an online journaling class to help with my scrapbooking. It was suggested that we start a blog as a way to practice writing. It didn't take me long to realize there was a whole big world of photography out there. My desire was to take photos "like that!"

Another break through came when I discovered photography classes. I started out with prompt classes and then moved to deeper classes like Kat's Finding Your Eye series. Later, I also took a macro photography class. Not only was I learning about photography and my camera, but I was blessed with meeting many online friends who have a big influence on my photography.

With the idea of discovery in mind, I selected six images from my inspiration folder that I was especially pleased with and that showed growth in my photography. I studied these images asking myself some questions.

 

What was I doing at the time?

All but one of the six images were taken during times that I was participating in classes, challenges, or blog link-ups. It seems class teachings and viewing the images of others gives me the extra push I need to improve or try something new. As you can imagine during these specific times I was spending a lot of time with my camera.

 

Was I creating something specific or was it accidental?

Half of the images were taken trying to accomplish something specific by experimenting and half were taken when I was trying to improve photography skills.

 

What made them special?

The results of learning something new and improving photograph skills doesn’t always turn out well. The images I chose were special because I accomplished what I set out to do and I was pleased with the results. I do believe that I would be able to recreate them again.

 

 

There’s one thing for sure if you take one of Kat’s courses, she will make you dig deep and think! That in itself has improved my photography in many ways. Kat has shown me how to put my heart into my photography.

 

The Final Post ~ Find Your Eye: Journey Of Recognition

When I first began this series of classes, Find Your Eye: Photo Courses With Heart and Soul, I’ll admit, I did not understand what that meant. Then, you ask, why did I take the classes? I’ve followed Kat’s blog at Kat Eye View Of The World for a while. Her images, through so different from mind, appealed to me and touched me. There is something special about them. Her images made me wonder, think and imagine. Kat said her images were taken from her heart. I wanted to know what that meant. I wanted to see if I had the heart of a photographer.

So, my journey began. What I’ve discovered is amazing.

I've discovered the reason why I love photography.  My favorite images are macro (up-close) shots of nature. I’m seeking details that my eyes can’t even see. So why do I want to take photos of them? Is it only out of curiosity to see what the stamen of a flower looks like up close? I don’t think so; I could find that on the internet. No, it’s something entirely different. When I upload images to the computer, I see the amazing wonders I’ve captured. It makes me excited, a little breathless, and stunned. This beauty was created by a loving God for his pleasure. He shared that creation with us to enjoy. That is what touches me and changes my life. Photography has made me slow down, look closely, and see the beauty of creation. Photography has made me grateful every day for the gifts God has given us.

I’ve discovered I create art and that I am an artist!!  It took a lot of thought and soul searching before I could finally say this. This class has given me confidence in myself and in my photos. I feel for the first time that I am a photographer and I’m also brave enough to call myself an artist. I realize that art doesn‘t have to hang in a gallery to be called art. Art is what you create when your heart is involved.

I’ve discovered what it means to shoot from the heart.  My photos are an  expression of what I see and feel. Now, when I find an intriguing subject I take the time to compose a pleasing image by observing it from several points of view and looking for the best light. Knowing if I do these simple things, the image will be the best I can create. I want my photos to express a sense of awe and gratitude.

Taking these classes has changed not only my photography, but my life. I think differently, I see differently, and I photograph differently.

"The voyage of discovery

consists not in seeking new landscapes

but in having new eyes"

Marcel Proust

A Series of Seed Pods

The final lesson has arrived from Kat. Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration has come to an end. Thankfully she has a wonderful blog that will keep me inspired. Our lesson involved looking through our photos, trying to find a common thread. It could be the subject, the light, or our point of view.  These common treads connect the images into a series, a group of like photos. Although I haven't really thought about series, I find after reviewing my images that I have several. The largest would  be my photos of mushrooms. I always look for them when I'm out walking. I'm fascinated with their delicate structure, their amazing colors and their varied shapes. When I see a mushroom, anywhere, I want to capture it. I may take 20, 30 or even 50 photos trying to get the shot that appeals to me; the shot that makes my heart soar.

Lately, what has captured my attention is the seed pods that are only seen as the flowers wilt. Each fall, I see gorgeous trees, leaves, and autumn flowers. Never before have I noticed the seed pods. The pods that hold those tiny seeds, that when scattered will reproduce new flowers. Their shapes intrique me...round, oblong, and I've even found some that are perfectly square. Since they are my favorite, I have several images of them!

Now, as I walk along in the woods I'm always watching for seed pods. I give credit for this new eye to Kat. She has helped me open my eyes to things I've never noticed before. She has helped me appreciate the beauty of our world.

Negative Reactions To Art

(this quilt was made by my Grandmother)

We all have different reactions to art. When looking at art we may like it, not like it, or we may be unaffected by it. In Kat's Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration she asked us if we've ever had a negative reaction to a piece of art.

I knew immediately a piece of art that repulsed and irritated me. While wandering around an art museum I saw a fabric wall hanging called Acid Dandy by China Marks. Marks used an industrial sewing machine to applique and embroidery on various fabrics.  She calls them “sewn drawings.“ To me, it was the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.   I'll try to describe the piece. The blue background had daisy clouds in total contrast with a grotesque head that had red-rimmed eyes, a huge nose,  plaid teeth in his paisley mouth and his tongue was sticking out.   It was hideous looking, almost violent.

 

To have someone take the beautiful art of embroidery and quilting and create such a piece really angered me. It was more like “how dare she?” I just kept staring at it in disbelief.

Why did it bother me? It was rather ugly, so being repulsed wasn't an uncommon reaction. But, I was irritated, even angry. What brought on that strong feeling?  To me the gross head on the quilt seemed irreverent. If it had been a painting, I would have thought it was ugly,  but I wouldn't have been angry. Her work was totally opposite of how I view embroidery work and quilts. When I think of traditional needlework I think of home, warmth, love, and family. My Grandmother and my Mother embroidered and quilted. I enjoy creating small quilts to use as wall hangings. Needlework to me is beautiful.

This assignment made me think about my reaction.  I realized that this was not a quilt as I know quilts. It is the way she expresses her art; drawing with a sewing machine on fabric. I read her web page; she loves what she does. She is very talented to able to create such an intricate design. From experience I know how hard it is to machine applique and embroidery. Now, instead of seeing something that offends me, I  appreciate the work she puts into her art.  I may never like her style of art, but I can be more accepting.  Art is a personal thing and we all create and see it differently.

(this image was taken at a local quilt show)

Movie Time

When we watch a movie we remark on the captivating script, the exceptional acting, or the great music. Rarely do we realize how much cinematography has to do with the success of a movie.

In our assignment this week for Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration, we were to chose a movie to watch which is recommended for it’s cinematography. I’m not big on going to the movies and I don’t own a lot of movies. I was glad as I looked through the lists Kat provided that I found one I did own “The Phantom Of The Opera.” You know the story, the love triangle between Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom. I’ve seen it several times. I know the plot and the ending; therefore, I was less likely to become absorbed in the story and could concentrate on the cinematography.

John Mathieson, the cinematographer in this movie, has been nominated for several cinematography awards for his work. The cinematographer, also known as the Director Of Photography, is responsible for all the visual elements of a film; composition, lighting, camera motion, and anything the audience can see. He also determines color and depth-of-field, which means how much of the shot is in focus and how much is blurry. He controls when the camera zooms in and positions the people and objects in the frame.

In the opening scene the first thing I noticed was the camera‘s point of view. The camera’s focus went from landscape to street level zooming in on the feet of Raoul, then zoomed up to capture his face. Scenes were filmed from many angles, from high above in the top of the theatre looking down, from the floor looking up, and several times the camera focus was floor level. At times the moving camera caused the scenes to swirl. There were many shots where the camera did not hold the traditional horizontal line, it was angled for a more dramatic effect.

The lighting was the easiest to observe. Along with the music it set the mood of the scene. Except for a few scenes the movie was shot inside in a time period before electricity. Candlelight was used throughout the movie. The light inside the opera house was golden and beautiful, creating side lighting and shadows on the actors faces. The light in the labyrinth was dark and haunting. It was sometimes brightened by the water in the underground canal that cast reflections on the walls, ceilings, and faces. One scene where light was creatively used was in a scene where Raoul and Christine sat in front of a back lit stained glass window. The lighting coming into the room was soft and beautiful. The colors in the window reflected on her white dress and the floor creating an atmosphere of romance.

The use of color intrigued me. In many of the costumes and sets black and white were predominate with splashes of red creating dramatic effects. The contrast of red against white was used; a red rose and blood against white snow and her red cloak against her white dress. There was contrast between white and black; white dresses and black tuxedos and the white mask of the Phantom and his black clothing. Even the notes he send were written on white note cards with black edges, sealed with his red wax stamp.

Other composition rules were used. The rule of thirds -  I especially noticed this when there was a close-up of a single actor or when a certain object was the focus. Symmetrical framing - Actors were framed by staircases, sculptures, walls, archways, and stage curtains. Depth of field -  Since it is a movie about a stage production, there was background activity that was blurred just enough that you could see what was happening, but it didn't distract. Hundreds of candles were effectively used in the backgrounds, creating pretty candle bokeh.

The importance of how the cinematographer composes each shot makes me more aware of how much composition and lighting is of utmost importance to a good photograph. This inspires me to take a little more time to compose the shot, become more aware of light, seek a unique point of view, and creatively use color before clicking the shutter button.

Art or not? Artist or not?

In the newest assignment for

Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration

Kat asked us some questions.

What is art? What is an artist?
I wanted to go to dictionary and get the definition, but, we’re not supposed to do that. The definition has to be our own.

My definition of art: it’s very hard for me to explain, but art makes me feel something. I can go to an art museum, and to me, it’s not all art. Some pieces or works I just look at and pass on by. To me, it’s the works that my eyes linger on and the works that create emotions that are art.

My definition of artist: those who create from their heart and as a result share a piece of themselves in their work that can be felt.

Are you creative or just an observer?
I’ve always enjoyed being creative, trying different hobbies. I’ve dabbled in a little bit of everything, crafts, ceramics, painting, home decor and cross stitching. Now, my creative outlet is scrapbooking. I’ve thought of these activities as just crafts, not art. My opinion has changed recently. Now, I realize that these can be works of art.

Is photography an art?
I see photography as an art. A photo is a creation captured through the lens of a camera. The photographer has to use light and composition to create a pleasing image. It can be a snapshot of children playing or a capture of a gorgeous sunset or a simple moment in time. When the photo evokes emotion, to me that is art.

Are you an artist?
That’s a very tough question. A question I didn’t have a quick answer for. It’s overwhelming to think that some of my photos would be considered art!! I’m just getting used to the word “photographer!” When a follower on my blog called me a photographer. I was stunned. That one word encouraged me to dig a little deeper and work harder on my images. It gave me new self-confidence. But, artist? That word intimidates me. I’d be self-conscious using it.

As I searched my images looking for photos that might be worthy to be called art, I discovered that, yes, I think these are art!  I realize that if art is the heart and soul of an artist being expressed in any medium, then, yes, I am an artist!  As I capture images I’m trying to convey the deep love I have for my family or the love I have for God’s creation and it’s glorious details. Remember, to me art is something that evokes emotion.

I think I would feel better if I said "I'm a “budding artist.”  I’m a beginning artist, just learning to open my eyes and my heart and share a little piece of myself through photographs. On occasion, I do think I get it right!

The Lowly Rag

Before you think I'm crazy, let me explain why I'm taking pictures of car wash rags. Our  latest assignment for Find Your Eye: Journey Of Inspiration is about "point of view."  I remember the first time someone commented on one of my photos saying it had a nice POV. I had no idea what that stood for.  So, what do we do when we want information...we Google it. The position, direction and height of the camera define the point of view of a picture. You can change the way a subject is perceived by changing the camera position.

In nature I experiment with POV a lot. I love to get under a mushroom and see the details or behind a flower and take the side we rarely see. One of my fellow classmates decided to just use an ordinary object (hers was a tin can) and find a view that made it lovely. She did it. She took some great photos. I decided to follow her example. Since it was raining I went looking around the house for something to photography. I spotted this brightly colored roll of rags and proceeded to experiment.

I like the lines in this view.
They curl around from the center into forever.

This one I like the shapes.
They look like little triangles all standing in a row.

Of course, there has to be one macro shot in the bunch.
Who knew a knot could be so interesting!!
I like the lines this view created in the background.

There was something relaxing about taking photos of rags. I had fun. I took thirty-one pictures of rags!! Maybe I enjoyed it because there was no pressure. When I take a picture of a flower I want the photo to come out stunning. But, when I took the pictures of the rags I concentrated more on the lesson. Thanks, Deborah, for the great idea!!  They are not "beautiful" photos, but they are interesting.

My Photo Style

There are many things that inspire us to keep taking photos. One of them is our shooting style. I didn’t know I had one until I received the latest assignment from Kat’s Find Your Eye: Journey Of Inspiration. It makes sense that how comfortable we are with our camera influences our photography.

I travel fairly light. I carry a small bag, camera, spare battery, extra memory card, cleaning tools, notebook and pen. Although I have a large photo bag and two extra lens, I rarely take them with me. I have a tripod, but to me it’s just annoying…adjust this, make legs longer, adjust that, swivel this…too much trouble. I’m disappointed in that, I’ve found that I’m too shaky to hand-hold the camera with the zoom or the macro lens. I do keep practicing at home, maybe it will get easier!

I’m a morning person, which is a good thing since I love the soft morning light. I prefer outside light, but I do have a north facing window that gets fairly good light. As I look at images from others and even some of my own, I realize how important light is to a lovely photo.

I love being outside, so it's no surprise that my best photography is of nature. Many of my pictures are taken on our property and in the neighboring woods. But, also love to go to parks and gardens.

I love to just carry my camera. I rarely leave home without it any more. But, I’m equally excited about photo excursions. I find I get excited when I’m making a special trip just to take photos or when I’m out looking for a shot to fulfill a photo prompt. I give thanks to Kat for this!! She is the one that pushed me out of my comfort zone and into seeking new and wonderful places to take pictures.

I haven’t really settled on a style regarding what I like to photograph. I enjoy documenting everyday moments, family events such as birthdays, Christmas and outings with our grandchildren. I enjoy grabbing my camera and just going for a walk and I enjoy photographing with intention. Photo prompts and link-up groups are fun and keeps me looking for new things and fresh ideas. They also give me a chance to see other photographer's images. I enjoy trying to recreate the ones I really like. The image above is an example of being inspired by another’s work. I contacted her and she graciously explained how she achieved the shot. Then I gave it a try! Trying to recreate an image I like is a great learning tool.

I began my journey with a point and shoot and I still use it. It’s small and easy to tuck in my purse and takes pretty good macro shots. When I bought my first dSLR camera I started in auto and then began to learn manual. I find that with my grandchildren it’s always on auto. I don’t want to miss a moment just because I’m adjusting the camera settings. In my nature photography I go both ways right now. Most of the time I let the camera do the work. I use the auto+ and program mode a lot, because they give me more options. I also like to use the scene selection for landscape, sunset and macro. I am working on manual and practice using it on my excursions. If I had to pick between manual and auto right now, I would probably chose auto. At this point, the camera knows a whole lot more than I do!!

I’m usually alone when I’m taking pictures. Not necessarily by choice, I don’t know anyone nearby that has the same interest. If I’m with someone who doesn’t understand my photography, I feel uncomfortable and even embarrassed. I feel like others think I’m silly or weird! I also feel rushed since I hate to have someone waiting on me. Being with others with a like passion is fun. My sister and I have taken several photo days when we have a chance to be together.

All of these things combined are “my style”. When I’m being me and doing things in a way I enjoy, I’m the most comfortable and take photos that I love. As I learn more and grow my style may change. Who knows what may appeal to me further down the road of my journey.

A Camera-less Photowalk

I went on the most unusual assignment for my class Find Your Eye: Journey of Inspiration with Kat Eye View Of The World. I went on a camera-less photo walk.  No camera, but a camera walk??  A 30 minute walk without a camera??  Yes, that was our assignment. By doing this, we would use our eyes to see...really see things we might overlook with a camera in our hands.  I already see so much more than I did a year ago when I discovered the art of photography, but I realized I could still see more. My chosen place for the walk was at Wildwood Park for the Arts which also includes botanical gardens.

The following is what I wrote after I finished the walk.

"I'm sitting at Wildwood park. I hear crickets, birds, ducks, cicadas, and the wind rustling the leaves on the trees. It's a chilly day, but, a beautiful sunny day. I came here to walk, to see and absorb nature without my camera. It was very hard at first. I wanted to run back to the car and get my camera. No, I couldn't leave it at home so I left it in the car. I knew after the walk I'd get my camera and retrace my steps. I literally had this anxious feeling. I need to take a picture of that!! Now!! Then I began to relax, to breath slowly, and to feel calm.  I began to look...really look closely and see the beautiful gifts of nature we are blessed with. I would stop, raise my eyes and look at what was above me, lower my eyes and look at what was beneath my feet, and then slowly turn in a complete circle letting my eyes  absorb everything they saw. Giving my mind time to register what my eyes were seeing. It was such an overwhelming experience that it brought tears to my eyes. All this...all this beauty was made for my pleasure. I wound up walking for an hour. No need to hurry, no need to grab my camera, after all, nature is going nowhere and I can capture it later."

I did decide to take my camera back and retraced my steps. I'll just give you a glimpse of what I saw, because there's no way I could list everything my eyes took in. I love macro photos of nature. I usually have my eyes focused to what is within just a few feet of me. This exercise helped me to look at the bigger picture. As is slowly walked and stopped to look around, I saw the whole forrest, not just a leaf or seed pod or acorn. The first area I walked through was a spring garden with lots of perennials and azalea bushes planted among the trees. Most of the plants were left with only faded flowers and drying, curling leafs. Even those dried leaves had their own beauty. The park has been left natural so there were pine needles, acorns, and pinecones under the trees and on the trail. Moss and lichen were growing on the ground, the rocks, and on dead pieces of wood. There were all types of ferns growing. I saw a fern I'd never seen before, the Resurrection Fern. It was growing on a limb and looked like thousands of palm branches being waved.

There were so many varieties of trees with different textures, shapes, and coloring in the bark.  I've been so busy looking at fall leaves lately, that I've not noticed the bark on the trees!! I was fascinated by the tree above! It looks like it is covered in leaves, but that is really curling bark.

The second area I walked through was a wildflower area. Unlike the more shapely perennial garden, this area was more wild and free. Most of the wildflower blooms were gone but, there was an interesting collection of dried grasses blowing in the wind.  There were grasshoppers everywhere and lots of insects flying around in the morning light. Also left behind were seed pods, dried flower heads and a few berries. One vine had several lovely yellow trumpet flowers still in full bloom. Around those blooms were many butterflies trying to find the last of the nectar.

 

One of the trails went by a small lake. I sat beside the lake on a wooden bench and ate my lunch. The bench itself was wonderful. The wood was worn and faded. The back and legs were covered with lichen. I watched a swan and four ducks as they graceful glided along. The swan finally got out of the water and preened itself in the sun. Water beads glistening on it's back. The ducks, well, I think they were playing follow the leader. They swam out to a little island, honked, and the promptly marched across the island and right back in the water, one right after the other. I watched the wind ripple the water and cause millions of sparkles. I watched the trees sway and the birds fluttering about. I watched a mother and two children enter the area. I saw their excitement when they spotted the swan. I stayed for almost five hours. And had it not been for my dread of rush hour traffic I think I could have stayed much longer. I needed this day, I really needed this day!

Not only did this assignment open my eyes more, but the quietness and beauty gave me a time to think, to reflect on the past few weeks, and to be grateful!

I will return in a few weeks to enjoy the fall foliage, I can already picture what it will look like reflected on the water. I will return in the spring to see the wildflowers and the perennial garden blooming. And each time, I will walk first camera-less, just to see, to hear, and to feel.

Solving Problems

Even the simplest solution to a problem in photography is exciting to me. I’m so new to photography that I’ve just barely scratched the surface learning about my first dSLR. I've only had my new camera since June, so I have a long way to go. I know a little about using aperture now and shutter speed, but that’s about it! I'm beginning to shoot more and more in manual, which excites me!!

One of the major problems I have is taking photos inside. At a quilt show I attended I wanted photos of some antique quilts in a very small room with no windows, very horrible incandescent lighting, and no flash allowed. When I took the pictures I felt rather frustrated and disappointed knowing that the pictures would be yellow with the low light.  Adjusting for low light is something about my camera I haven't learned yet, so I had to figure out how to correct this problem through post editing. I came home, started playing with how to change the color temperature and to adjust shadows, highlights, and fill light in Picasa. Sounds very simple, but to me it was a huge discovery! I really know very little about editing and have usually shied away from it. I'm one of those that really wants the picture to be right out of the camera, although I know this doesn't always work. I can't control every situation and lighting problem through the camera functions.

Adjusting the color temperature took out the amber color and I adjusted the fill light just a little. The photo is now more like the actual quilt.

The second quilt presented an additional problem, it was in a glass case. Finding a good position without the glare of overhead lights in the glass was a little challenging. I only adjusted the color temperature on this one.

I was pleased that I was able to salvage photos of the quilts using post editing. There are others photos in my archives that could use a little editing now that I know how. I have been exploring post editing a little more and will use it more often. I'll also be reading and researching more about my camera's functions to correct poor lighting situations.

Another problem I'm need to solve also involves light. When my grandchildren are here, we're always outside in mid-day light or under the shade trees in the dappled light. I'm working on that. I have tried using the fill-flash and that seems to work better, but I need to work on this some more. I just need to spend more time learning about my camera and experimenting with editing!!

　

A little about the quilts, in case you‘re interested. The first one is a Friendship Quilt which includes major families of Washington, Arkansas and their descendants. Circa 1960 by Mrs. Mildred Butler

The fabric in the second quilt is from civil war uniforms and jackets. The quilt was created before 1901 by Sarah Turner Dawson Bragaw.

This post is linked to Find Your Eye: Journey Of Inspiration with Kat Eye View Of The World

Find Your Eye ~ Summary

The Story Of My Photography Journey

(Seedbox ~ Ludwigia alternifolia)

My photography and my blog are closely tied together. This is where I share the photos I’ve taken. I began this journey into blogging a little over a year ago. It all started through a journaling class for scrapbooking. It was suggested that a great way to be comfortable writing was “to write” and a great place to write was on a blog. It was a big step for me, but, I finally got the courage and started my blog. I shared pictures I took of my grandsons and my family. I told a little about where we were and what we were doing. If you’ve followed my blog very long, you know I love to share pictures of my family. It’s sort of like scrapbooking online.

A few months later, I was in a bookstore and found a copy of “Artful Blogging.” It sounded pretty interesting, so I bought it. Whoa, were my eyes opened! I read the magazine cover to cover many times and visited every blog that was featured. Through the magazine I discovered the world of photography as art. That’s when I knew I wanted to use my camera for more than family photos.

(Trumpet Vine ~ Campsis Radicans)

I began to follow blogs with beautiful photos and inspiring journaling.  The journaling was more than who, what, where and when. The ladies on these blogs shared a part of themselves. One of the blogs I followed was The Kat Eye View Of The World. I silently followed her blog admiring her photos and her journaling. I even got brave enough to link one of my blog posts to her Exploring With A Camera series. Talk about hard to push the button to submit it!! It was terrifying!! I mean seriously...these people, their photos and their journaling intimidated me!! But, what I received from that submission was comments of encouragement and positive feedback. When Kat posted about her upcoming classes, “Find Your Eye Photo Courses With Heart and Soul,” I immediately knew I wanted to take them. If her classes were anything like her blog, I knew I would learn. And I did!

(Green Lynx Spider ~ Peucetia viridans)

I’ve learned about my own photography. Through these classes I’ve been able to identify which elements of photography appeal to me. For instance, the shapes and forms of nature intrigue me. I also look for fascinating small details. As a result of the eye exercises in the class I’ve realized how important it is to look for and use light in my photographs. I've learned not to be controlled by rules and by other photographer’s opinions and photographs. I’ve learned to follow my instincts and my heart. The photos I post won’t always be picture perfect, they may be slightly out of focus or they may not be exposed correctly, but they will be from my heart.

(Surprise Lilies ~ Lycoris Squamigera)

The photo journaling exercises gave me confidence to not only share my photos, but to share a part of my heart with you. It’s not easy, putting yourself out there. I’m a quiet person and I’m not good at sharing emotions. I am not a talented writer, my words may be misspelled, and my sentence structures wrong...but, that doesn’t matter. Just know, I’m sharing from my heart my unique view of the world.

Submission to The Kat Eye View of the World Find Your Eye Photo Courses

Find Your Eye ~ Recognizing Inspiration

Everyday I walk around our land with my camera in my hand. Because, even though I've walked there a thousand times, I know I can always find something new to capture. Today, I stopped and looked around. There in the grass were mushrooms, dozens of mushrooms, every size and various colors. You have to realize that I love to photograph mushrooms. I love their colors and their delicate details. Seeing so many together stirred feelings inside of me, feelings of delight at finding the beauty of God's creation, feelings of anticipation of what beautiful details I might discover.

Just seeing the mushrooms brought a feeling of excitement...a little skip of the heart...a quick intake of breath. I dropped to me knees on the wet grass and began snapping pictures. Lots of pictures! There usually comes a point where I tell myself, "OK, you have to stop!" Why? Because, I want to get inside and see what I've captured!

I get just as excited when I upload and review the images as when I'm taking them. I look forward to the "yes, I got what I wanted" or the  "oh wow" when I see something on the screen that I didn't see through the lens.

What do I want to do with these images? Well, of course, I want to share them on my blog or with my photo buddies. I love too share what I've seen and the beauty of God's creation. I know not everyone has time to get out and crawl around on the ground or even has an interest in photography.

This is why I do what I do! Why photography is such a passion to me. The finding, the reviewing, and the sharing brings me joy!

My submission to Find Your Eye ~ Recognizing Inspiration

Find Your Eye - New Light Photo Shoot

I went out early yesterday morning to enjoy this beautiful, cooler weather that has arrived in Arkansas. I dug out my hammock that has been put up during the hot summer and laid down watching the leaves of the trees play in the wind. I began to think about photography and the next assignment for Find Your Eye at Kat Eye View Of The World. We were to look at the photos we’ve taken and determine what light we normally shoot in. Then, we were to try using a new light. I'd looked at my photos and realized that I take mostly nature shots in the shade or diffused light. I just hadn't decided on which new light I would shoot. An idea hit me, why not take shots using the early morning sunlight.

This was the perfect time to shoot with new light. I got up from my comfortable posistion and took over 100 photos of my hammock in the light. I really enjoyed it. The light was beautiful even on an ordinary hammock.

Some of my shots were similar to my nature photography, they were close up, focused on a small part of the hammock.

Light can be beautiful in many ways, like the bokeh created by the sun on the chain.

I did step back and include more in my shots and I liked those, too.

From the beginning, I was getting some shots that I liked, So, I didn’t get discouraged or frustrated. I really only quit when the sun got too high. I enjoyed this new experience and I’m looking forward to specifically searching out the light more often.

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."

~ Aaron Rose ~

If some of these assignments sound interesting, you might consider taking a class. Kat is now registering for new classes.

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