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June 6, 2018June 6, 2018

Share Six | Abstract

June’s theme over at Share Six is abstract. Those of you who know me personally as a photographer know that I am a portrait photographer. This is what I love though about being part of a photography group that does themed challenges like this. This group of gals is constantly stretching me and helping me grow. If you are a photographer and haven’t taken part in these monthly challenges or any other challenges, I highly encourage you to do so. You will find that it’s very fun and you learn a lot, therefore your skills improve.

As I said, abstract is not something I’ve really even dabbled in. So I was really racking my brain trying to figure out what I was going to photograph. It dawned on my that I could use intentional camera movement to make ordinary objects become abstract. I haven’t even really played with intentional camera movement either, but what better time than now?

For my first image, I waited until later in the evening. I knew because of using a slow shutter speed I’d need less light. I pointed my camera up at some trees. When I pushed the shutter button, I twisted my camera creating the swirl.

For my next image, I just pointed at some grass (still in the evening when it was getting dark) and moved the camera a bit as I pressed the shutter.

For my third image, I actually shot it during the middle of a bright sunny day. I pointed up at a tree. I shot at ISO 100 and f/29 and 1/2 sec. shutter speed. I used my 28-135 and started wide, but zoomed as I pressed the shutter.

My fourth image was the same technique. This was a picture of the pond behind our yard. This is one of my favorites of the set. Who knew I’d like intentional camera movement and zooming so much?

For my last two, I waited until after dark and headed to the carnival/fair that happens to be in town right now. I wanted to do some light painting, and I once again used a slow shutter speed and intentional camera movement.

For this first one, I just left the shutter open and moved my camera all around.

For this second one, I held the camera still for a second so I could get the ferris wheel somewhat defined, then moved the camera in a wave pattern.

I hope you enjoyed my interpretation on the theme abstract. I have to say, I had a lot of fun playing around getting these images. I hope you will too! Get out and have fun creating art! First though, continue through our circle to see Janet’s blog. You won’t be disappointed!

May 6, 2018May 5, 2018

Share Six | Urban

This month’s theme is urban. I live in the Midwest in a community of a few cities which are surrounded ultimately by miles and miles of farms. We don’t necessarily have what I would call a big city feeling to our communities, but urban ultimately means “of or relating to city”. So I guess it doesn’t matter the size of the city.

My first picture is of my boy on the sky bridge here in the Quad Cities. For those of you not familiar with the Quad Cities, the sky bridge is one of our iconic landmarks.

My second image is a double exposure of my son and part of the Davenport skyline (mainly the skybridge).

My third and fourth images are of my girl during a session we did downtown. She wanted more of an urban feel for her pictures.

I had to include a picture I recently took while we were downtown Chicago. Most people will recognize this iconic location.

And last, and quite possibly least, LOL, is an image that I think accurately depicts urban areas, or at least our urban area here in the QC. You wouldn’t be in the urban areas without being surrounded by construction. I thought I’d end with a bit of humor. This is obviously not a very artistic image, but it depicts our urban area we live in.

Continue though our blog circle by heading over to Janet’s blog to see her amazing images!! You won’t be disappointed!

April 15, 2018April 15, 2018

Anthony & Sydney

A few weeks ago we had the privilege of photographing Anthony and Sydney’s engagement photos. Let me tell you, this is one of the sweetest couples you will ever meet!! They are absolutely adorable and utterly photogenic!!

We met these two through Quad City Music Guild. Anthony was in Oklahoma with my daughter and myself back in 2014. We met Sydney on several different occasions as her sister was in a play with my daughter, and Sydney is active at Music Guild as well. These two just shine. They have the most upbeat personalities, and have the most infectious smiles. The love they have for each other is evident. Just look at the way they look at each other! They also shine on stage! Anthony is one talented dancer and Sydney has a gorgeous voice!! They are incredible actors!

I know it seems like I’m gushing over them, but I’m being serious. These two are AWESOME!!

Here are some pictures from their engagement session! (I could’t just share a few.)

Anthony and Sydney, we are so excited for your wedding!! Enjoy this time planning your special day!! We know it’s going to be amazing!!

April 6, 2018April 6, 2018

Share Six | Lines

This month’s Share Six theme is lines. There are lines everywhere, both in nature and in architecture. I immediately thought of the peacock though, with their beautiful plumage. The white lines of the shafts are contrasted by the green lines of the vanes. I am in awe of the beauty of the peacock!!

With it just being Easter last Sunday, I thought it would be fitting to include a picture of our church sanctuary in my series. It is all decorated for Easter here. I love the lines of the pews, beams, and ceiling. Then you have the line of the aisle leading right up to the lines of the cross.

How could I not include the lines of the keys of a piano? I’m sure I’m partial, but I think pianos are absolutely beautiful!!

And here is my beautiful daughter. I loved the lines of the hammock to the left of her and the lines of the guitar strings.

My next picture is a covered bridge up in Northern Wisconsin near where we vacation. I just loved the lines!! I could have spent more time there trying to find different angles to photograph had we not needed to get back to our cabin.

And last is a picture of the lines of the spokes of my bicycle wheel. It will probably sound funny, but I think bicycle wheels are pretty. There is something about the spokes fanning out. I truly believe there is beauty everywhere if you just look for it.

I hope you enjoyed my images. Head on over to Janet’s blog to see her beautiful pictures!! Be sure to click through the entire circle to see all of our contributors’ interpretations!!

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018

Share Six | Color

I chose this month’s theme. Every time it’s my turn to choose a theme I agonize over the decision. I really want to choose a theme that will force me to stretch my imagination and help me learn new skills and techniques. My plan was to use gels and OFC for all of my images for this month’s theme. I had some fun ideas for some outdoor shots. I became a wimp though and didn’t want to brave the cold. I did execute one shot inside. I tried another one of my ideas inside, but it didn’t work. So I strayed a bit from my plan of stretching myself by using gels.

My first image……While at a children’s museum I saw this bubble “wall”. It was absolutely beautiful!! The colors were stunning!! So naturally I had to photograph it. I’m seriously contemplating printing it real big. It just looks like abstract art to me.

My second and third images were taken at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. My favorite exhibit was the jellyfish. They are simply fascinating and the way they were lit was absolutely beautiful.

My fourth image is from our annual Balloon Festival at the evening glow. The balloons were so colorful and the ambience of their glow was so neat.

My final two images were ones that I used gels and off camera flash. The first one did not turn out how I wanted it to, but I kind of like that it looks like abstract art. I lit a stick of incense to get some smoke. Then I lit the smoke with a purple gel on the right and a magenta gel on the left (and a little lower). As I said, it wasn’t quite the effect I was going for, but it was still kind of cool.

My final image is of my son with his Spiderman costume on. I’ve been wanting to get a cool shot of him for a while now, using some very specific lighting, but hadn’t gotten around to it. While I had hoped to take the picture outside, I ended up just doing it in our living room. I lit him on the right with a red gel and grid, and on the left with a blue gel and grid.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my images! Thanks for stopping by!! Continue through the blog circle to see our other contributors’ interpretations. I know you won’t be disappointed. They never cease to amaze me with their talent. Also, don’t forget to post your own images with our tags #sharesix and #sharesix_color!

Next up is Kim of Kim Sidwell Photography. Head over to her blog to see her lovely images!!

January 6, 2018January 5, 2018

Share Six | Winter Light

Happy New Year!! Can you believe it’s 2018?!? Time is certainly flying!

This month’s theme is Winter Light. Here in the Midwest, winter can be pretty drab. There are no mountains to grace the landscape. It’s a lot of flat land, and where I’m located, it is flat land that is barren from crops being harvested. So when there is no snow on the ground, everything is brown and drab. People think I’m crazy, but I LOVE the snow, and that is one of the reason’s why. It’s transforms the landscape from drab brown to glistening white.

One thing about the winter light is that the sun is not directly overhead. It’s path across the sky is a bit lower, giving winter days a whole different feeling than summer days. The shadows are long.

When the sun is shining, the snow looks like it’s sprinkled with diamonds. The skies are often beautiful blue creating a gorgeous contrast against the white snow.

Because of the beautiful blue skies, the blue is reflected off of the snow and ice that is in the shade. Here is a picture of the pond behind our house. I just love the way the water froze in such a unique pattern. The sun was very low in the sky so the pond was in the shade and everything was a beautiful blue hue.

Then there is the glistening of the frost on the windows. How incredibly stunning!

The sun was once again low in the sky, so the upper part of the background in this picture was in the sun and is warm tones and the lower part was in the shade so it fades into a light blue.

Here is another shot. While the entire background of this one was in shade creating a beautiful blue hue throughout, I love how the facets of the frost picked up on the golden light of the setting sun. It made a perfect highlight to the frost.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my take on this month’s theme.

Head on over to Sharleen’s blog to see her lovely images!

December 12, 2017December 8, 2017

Miss M ~ 6 years

This blog post is way after the fact, like so many of my blog posts are, but I couldn’t pass up sharing a few of my favorites from this awesome girl’s session. As I’ve said before, I’ve photographed her since she was a newborn. She is such a blast to photograph!! She has such an awesome personality and such a contagious smile!

Dinosaurs are most definitely this sweet girl’s favorite animal, so we just had to document her love of them. I just love her toothless grin!!

I just love how she has her mouth while deep in concentration. It’s absolutely adorable!

You can see it here too.

And there’s that adorable personality shining through!

Thanks so much, Mariah, for choosing me to capture these memories! I am honored to document these milestones in Miss M’s life.

December 6, 2017December 8, 2017

Share Six | Wonderland

I hope you’ve enjoyed all of the lovely images you’ve seen so far by the talented ladies of Share Six!

When I saw the theme, my first thought was Winter Wonderland, but despite being December here in the midwest, we do not have snow yet. So I decided to go with a different Wonderland…one of our favorite places…Disney World.

We have been incredibly blessed over the years to either get free lodging from generous family members, or free extra days because of booking in their slow season. It’s given us some amazing vacations that have left us with wonderful memories.

For those of you who have never been to Disney, it is truly a magical place. The cast members (employees) go above and beyond to make sure your experience is the absolute best. We were fortunate enough to go to Disney on two different occasions during the Christmas season. Here is Cinderella’s castle all decorated for Christmas.

I think my absolute favorite thing about Disney is seeing the look of excitement and wonder on my children’s faces.

Here is a ride that I have a love/hate relationship with….”it’s a small world”. I think it is one of the most interesting rides visually, but the song gets a bit old quickly. Not to mention, then it is stuck in your head for the rest of the day, going round and round.

Here is another example of watching your child filled with wonder. Here is my girl making a wish during the wish ceremony at Cinderella’s castle. It was so precious to watch her little face as she closed her eyes and made her wish!!

If you like Christmas lights, the Osborne’s Spectacle of Dancing Lights is a must see! It is magical!

Here is my sister-in-law and nephew riding the teacups. I had a vision of what I wanted to capture…the joy on their faces and the motion of the spinning tea cups. Talk about tricky, looking through the viewfinder of the camera and then looking with your naked eye, while you’re spinning, is super confusing to your brain. I almost got sick, but it was worth it for this shot. The two of them together having fun is just precious.

Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing my wonderland pictures! I hope you enjoyed them. Disney World is truly a wonderland!!

Head on over to Kathy’s blog and see her wonderful interpretation on this month’s theme!

November 6, 2017November 5, 2017

Share Six | Harvest

I chose this month’s theme. I live in the Midwest, in the middle of farm country. I drive about 3 miles in any direction and I’m surrounded by fields of crops. One of my favorite things about this time of year is seeing the combines out harvesting the crops. If it has been dry enough, the dust kicked up creates an amazing haze around the combine. At sunset, this sight is simply stunning. I was hoping to capture that, but unfortunately it just didn’t work out. Another favorite sight of mine is driving after dark and seeing the lights of the combines out in the fields. It’s very neat! Unfortunately I didn’t capture that either. I kind of dropped the ball this month, and of ALL months, the one in which I chose the theme.

My first two images are of a corn field still waiting to be harvested.

If you didn’t know, which I’m sure almost all of you do, corn is a big crop here in the Midwest.

Next is an image of a hay rake. My close friend and her husband are farmers. I just love going out to their farm to hang out and take pictures. Here’s a little fun fact about me, as a little girl, I dreamed of growing up and becoming a farmer. In fact, I still dream of moving out to the country and having a little hobby farm.

For those of you who don’t live in my area, as I said, I’m in the middle of farm country….John Deere country. Right down the road from my house is the John Deere headquarters. People around here bleed John Deere green. LOL My dad actually worked for and retired from John Deere, so it’s a little dear to my heart even if I’m not a farmer. A John Deere hat is a must for a farmer out harvesting his crop. 😉

Here is some wheat waiting to be harvested.

And last, after all of the harvesting is done, we join with family members to give thanks and eat of the bounty of the harvest (even if it’s just what came from our backyard garden in our house in a neighborhood).

Thanks for stopping by to see my images!! Head on over to Kathy’s blog to see her interpretation on this month’s theme!

October 6, 2017October 6, 2017

Share Six | Double Exposure

So this month’s theme is Double Exposure. I unfortunately have an old DSLR that does NOT have a double exposure function, which means I have to do it in Photoshop. I did however find that one of my favorite photography phone apps has a double exposure function, so some of my photos are done in photoshop and some are done in my phone app.

My first image was one that I did in the app using a picture I took of one of my antique cameras and another picture I took of a flower a while back. So every aspect of this image was done with the phone, except I used photoshop to add my watermark.

This next image is two of my favorite things – the Milky Way (at my favorite vacation spot) and a piano. These photos were taken with my DSLR and merged with the phone app.

The next four images are of myself and my family members with something that we love. First up is my husband and a baseball. These images were taken with my DSLR and merged in Photoshop.

Next is my son. He LOVES the outdoors and climbing trees. So I took a picture of him (with my phone) and a picture of some branches of a tree (also with my phone) and double exposed them in the phone app. I have to say, this is probably one of my favorites.

My daughter’s images were also taken with my phone and double exposed in the app. She is an avid reader, so the other image is of some of her favorite books.

(Their pictures kind of remind me of those childhood profile cutouts we did in school as children.)

Last is a self portrait of me that I took several years ago. I LOVE playing the piano and have been playing since I was five, so I double exposed the image of me with a picture I took of our piano. I took the images with my DSLR, but I double exposed them in the phone app.

I hope you enjoyed my take on this month’s theme. Oh, and if you are like me and your DSLR does not have a Double Exposure function, download the app Snapseed. It’s a great photography app!

Head on over to Claire’s blog and see her lovely images! Be sure to continue through the entire circle. You won’t want to miss everyone’s awesome images. Also, don’t forget to post your own take on this month’s theme either on our Facebook page or on Instagram! Tag #sharesix #sharesix_doubleexposure