Welcome to my blog! Here I discuss how I get my photos, the process, the surprises, the challenges, and what inspires me. I will also focus on how I get my water drop photos, and what I learn along the way.
Thank you for visiting!
Serious Competition
If you ever want to learn what the pros look for in judging a photo, attend a PMPA (Portland Metropolitan Photographer's Association) competition. PMPA is the local branch of PPA, the Professional Photographers of America. I recently participated in the last quarterly competition of the year, which was open to the public this time, and two of my photographs "merited."
The judges use the 12 elements below as the “gold standard” to define a merit image. Once a print has "merited", it can be placed in the International Print Exhibit at Imaging USA, which is the annual convention.
Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image. Any image, art piece, or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one.
The Twelve elements listed below are in accordance to their importance: Impact, Technical Excellence, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Color Balance, Center of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Technique, and Story Telling.
Lights go down, windows are covered and usually three judges silently show the moderator the score they have given the photo (the photo is scored anonymously). Sometimes comments are made as to why a photo received the score that it did. This is a great learning experience! Every time I attend a competition, I learn so much. I have been lucky to merit at each competition, which is not an easy thing to do. I am humbled by the beautiful photos I see, and proud to be in the same class as these fine photographers. Above is a photo I took last month that merited in this recent competition. The photo is titled "Solitary Beauty."
Layers upon Layers, Oh My!
When I haven't been out enjoying these beautiful, sunny fall days and pretty tree colors, I have been working hard the past two weeks getting ready for next weekend's Stormy Weather Arts Festival at Cannon Beach.
I have been experimenting more with adding layers to my photos of different elements. The photo "Glorious Day" is made of 15 layers of textures, text, and enhancements. This drop seemed, to me, to be a person standing tall, arms back, face to the sun, smiling and full of hope. It is about freedom, love and the start of a new day. A blank slate, where your dreams and desires can come true.
Here I've attached the original, single image capture and the finished, layered photo. The two are quite different. It has been challenging and fun to figure out what looks good to my eye. What to add, what to take away, what I want the end result to be and what I need to do to get there.
If you haven't been, check it out the festival sometime. All the shops and galleries are open, some later than usual, and they have live music, artist demonstrations, and wine/hor d'oeuvres. I'll be at Dragonfire Gallery Saturday from 1-2pm, with my new work. Maybe we will continue to have more of this fantastic weather, who knows!
Serving Up Style
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with designers at the "Serving Up Style" event, at the Expo Center, sponsored by HGTV and Parr Lumber. This is a two part event, half of the show is vendors for the Portland Home and Garden show. Then there is the design portion, which is two dozen rooms decorated by fabulous local designers. There is also a contest for best decorated room, black tie dinner and awards ceremony. The proceeds benefit Molly's Fund, which fights Lupus.
It was really fun to see all the different designs, and how creative they were. I also want to give a shout out to Sharon of Designers Edge, and Jennifer of JMyers & Associates, two fabulous designers to work with! Should you ever need design assistance, give them a call!
"Smell, Sip & Smile" by JMyers & Associates
by Designers Edge
"A Lair Fit for a Queen" by Art Institute of Portland and IKEAWinner of Design Contest
"ColorBomb" by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, Inc
"The Byre" by Manor Fine Wares
Take 5--Got it!
A while back I posted about my efforts to get a Cannon Beach water drop photo. I am happy to say, after photo shoot number five, I finally got it! This will be the newest photo in my "Life in the Pacific NW" limited edition.
This last shoot was rough. I had a cable for my flash short out, which took a bit to figure out that was even the problem. Luckily I had an extra that I was not using. One flash fell partly in the water, then I spilled water twice, plus I couldn't get a sharp focus...There have only been a few people that have seen me work in my darkroom, and they are always surprised at how much work goes into these shots. I tell myself, that if it was easy, every one would do it!
I have more new work coming. New photos, but I am working with them, adding textures, layers, and art into the photos.
This new photo will be displayed in Dragonfire Gallery, at Cannon Beach, starting Nov. 1st.
Thanks for reading, have a great week!
The 20 minute tour that lasted two hours
Just another quick post. I photographed the Tyee Yacht Club Benefit and Luau on Sunday, and what fun that was! A superb line up of performers all afternoon, an amazing Hawaiian lunch buffet, dessert, drinks and fun. Even Elvis was there. The judge really knows how to put on an event!
After the show, a handful of us stayed to go on the 20 minute "tour" that turned into the two hour tour, on Johns' yacht, but was alot of fun. He even let Elvis drive!
More photos here: http://bit.ly/15LNqu8
