My Apologies....

I will blog again soon, I promise.  It has been quite a busy holiday season filled with projects and I apologize for not writing any recent blogs, especially keeping up my 30 Photos Project going.  I have decided to suspend that project until sometime in the following year.  Will have new photos and subject matter soon!

Thanks again, Simone

Photo 20 of 30: Bokeh

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Today's photo was an interesting one and one that I actually had to create with one of my photographs.  Bokeh is the effect where you see tiny orbs of light, similar to a twinkle effect.  You can see this effect created naturally during sunsets, sunrises or the twinkle of city lights in the night.  It is also a easy effect to create in Photoshop.  I chose to create a new digital piece of artwork in combination with a beautiful bouquet of roses that I captured.  So here is the finished product!

"Cyber Rose"

Photo 19 of 30: Something Orange

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There are two things that automatically come to mind when I think of the color orange.  The first is my Alma Mater, the University of Illinois, the school's colors are orange and blue.  The second being flowers.  Nature produces beautiful orange bouquets in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Orange is such a wonderful color; bright, happy and it gives the right amount of pop when you see it in a sea of greenery.  So below are two examples of these beauties, one is a Asiatic Lily and the other is a Hibiscus.

"Asiatic Lily"

"Orange Hibiscus"

Photo 18 of 30: Your Shoes

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So yes, it has been quite a while since I last blogged.  Sorry for that. A trip out of the country, Thanksgiving, colds, etc. So let's get back to the blog.  I will finish out my challenge of 30 photos in 60 days... looking more like 90, but we'll shall see how it finishes out.

So today's topic is "Your Shoes" and like any typical young woman, I have a ton.  A ton.  I don't even know the exact number of shoes that I own, but I have two closets full.  My style of shoe varies depending upon the need, so I have flats, heels, boots, sandals, birkenstocks, flip flops, stilettos, and so on.  So today's image is one of my most recent purchases and a new personal favorite of mine.  It is a patent leather stiletto platform.... a truly gorgeous shoe.  So gorgeous, I had to do a collage of shots, just to give the shoe justice.

"eighteenofthirty"

Photo 17 of 30: Technology

Technology is such a blessing and some times a curse.  When you think back 20 to 30 years ago, we had no such items that we were so dependent on.  We actually wrote letters, sat down and spoke to people face to face, got in the car and drove to a theater to see the latest movie.  Don't get me wrong, I love how we have advanced and tech toys are my favorite things to get.  Technology allows me to create the fine art prints, love my Photoshop.  Technology has evolved so fast, I remember how excited I was when they created the party line on your corded phone.  You could talk to a group of people at once, now we just send a group e-mail or text.  My favorite thing about technology is that is has opened a world to us, as long as you have a computer, phone, tablet and so on you can visit any part of the world or even branch out into outer space. Everything has been so simplified that you can do everything from sitting at a desk in front of your computer, even grocery shopping, doctors visits, and going to school.  These are conveniences and pretty cool, but I also feel that things that were so iconic for many of us has gone to the wayside and pretty much disappeared.  With the invention of the cell phone, the pay phone went away.  That's not a big one for me, but the funniest thing when I took my kids to an amusement park this past summer, a young girl, maybe 4 or 5 saw a payphone and asked her mother what it was.  I was stunned, but I shouldn't have been that surprised.  Other advances in technology though have devastated some businesses.... look what the mp3 player and iPod has done to music stores, what the tablets have done to book stores and libraries and the pure convenience of e-mail has done to the U.S. Post Office.  So a part of me will remain torn, torn between the nostalgia of my youth and the advances of my future, in particular my kids' future.  I can't imagine what they will have when they are my age.  And with that said, I am still asking for my Kindle Fire this Christmas, hope Santa brings it!  :-)

Photo 16 of 30: Long Exposure

Long Exposure... a really unique and effective tool in photography and for me one that you can have some fun with.  You can actually make light dance.  For the purpose of my 30 photos project and timing with Halloween, I decided to highlight long exposure after my kids and I carved the pumpkins for the beloved candied fright fest. For those unfamiliar with long exposure, it is when the camera's shutter is held open for a long period.  The result can vary depending upon what you are shooting, but if you have ever seen a shot of traffic at night and the lights streak across the page or if you see an image of a waterfall and the water pouring down appears soft (lacking the sharp detail) than you are looking a long exposure shot.  I picked the images below to manipulate the fun that we had carving our pumpkins and as I had mentioned, you can make light dance.  Enjoy!

Photo 15 of 30: Silhouette

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So I am half way there and this silhouette I happened to catch by mistake.  That is an interesting word "mistake," because in the world of photography and art, it is this mistake that can be one of your most breathtaking pieces of work.  It could be that one shot that tells a story to so many and transcends to another level.  So this mistake was because I was tinkering with my camera, adjusting the aperature and shutter speed.  This is one area that I am still learning with a very generous curve.  As I was outside sitting on my patio, a lovely bird that happened to join me by perching on my tree.  So I decided to snatch a quick pic.  Well, when I looked at the preview, I was intially angry because of two things: I didn't master the settings and the bird flew away before I could grab another shot.  However things, changed once I downloaded the image onto my computer, I was thrilled.  I touched it up a hair by adding some texture to it and included with my other fine art prints that I have in my online gallery (http://simonehester.com/).  Below is the original image untouched.

"fifteenofthirty"

Photo 14 of 30: Eyes

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Below you will see my eyes.... which my mom always tells me are my best feature.  I have always received compliments on them because of how dark they are, but to me they are just eyes.  Seeing them in this light has actually given me a different perspective, because looking at just some one's eyes can actually tell you a great deal about a person.  "Eyes are the windows to the soul." Today my eyes have a glow, genuine happiness; and indeed I am very happy today, had a good art day getting into two exhibits.  So you can see that in the little sparkle that's there.  So I pose a question to you, take a good look at your eyes, what story do they tell?

"fourteenofthirty"

Photo 13 of 30: Yourself With Thirteen Things

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This was an easy task... one of my favorite things is nail polish.  My mom was a manicurist and she would always give me the newest colors for the season.  This has been going on for more than half of my life, since the lovely days of high school.  Throughout the years there have been numerous trends, similar to that in photography (HDR, bokeh, Gritty which has moved from your classic or more typical shots).  Today, pretty much anything goes, from bright colors, dark colors, gritty colors.  Below is a selection of new colors and some of my favorites.

"thirteenofthirty"

Photo 12 of 30: Sunset

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Today's assignment was very simple and probably one of the most magical moments that anyone could capture.... a sunset.  I had to cheat though, today the weather in Chicago is downright dreadful and groggy.  If I was truly thinking ahead I would have grabbed a shot of the sun setting in my backyard during the month of May.  The sun was peeking through a flowering tree and created the perfect lens flare.

Photo 11 of 30: Something Blue

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Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue..... a timeless expression of good luck for every bride as she prepares to walk down the aisle.  My something blue was also something old, my grandmother's cross.  It is a 70 year old beautiful piece of jewelry that I was honored to carry with me when I married my husband and I am gladly sharing this sentimental piece with my best friend next week as she exchanges vows with her soon to be hubby.  The cross means so much to me, as it did to my mother, and hopefully my daughter when I pass it down to her.  It is a classic and unyielding symbol of a mother's love to her child.  It was given to my mother when my grandmother passed (my mother was a very small child) and when she felt I was ready she gave it to me.  So I share this with you....

"elevenofthirty"

Photo 10 of 30: A Childhood Memory

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This was something that I originally thought would be quite difficult.  But then it came to me... one of the earliest memories that I have from my childhood was my beloved Tiger.  I was adopted as a baby and the item that I attached to initially was a giant stuffed Tiger that my dad had.  It is one of those memories that I can still remember the feel and the smell of it.  That tiger brought me lots of happiness.  It was a part of my childhood until the ripe age of 3 or 4.  I would sit on it and pretend that I was traveling in the pages of Jungle Book and he was my great protector.  My picture also shows my dad and my beloved first dog ever, Butch.  Happy times, a happy life.

"tenofthirty"

Photo 9 of 30: Someone You Love

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Okay, so this was not a difficult task, but I can not go with "someone you love" it would have to be someones.... how can I choose? I am a wife and a mother and will never draw a line or play favorites and despite this challenge, I refuse to single out one love in my life. Romantically, hands down, of course it is my husband, but my family is the true winner.  I love everything about being a wife and a mother, and love absolutely everything about my family.  So the someone becomes someones or something for those of you who follow rhetoric literally. What made the task difficult, trying to get all three of them to pose, husband down for the count with a cold, and the kids are at the age where it is difficult to get them to show love for one another and patience simply runs out of steam.  So below is the next best thing (and an opportunity for those of you to catch a glimpse of my platinum blond days... had this color for just 6 weeks).

"Family Fotos"

Photo 8 of 30: A Bad Habit

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So I have to pick a bad habit? How humbling... then to photograph it, even more humbling.  It is admitting a fault and being the perfectionist that I am, I despise admitting faults.  So here goes.... my bad habit is eating cookies.  It was between that and running late.  I eat cookies more than I run late, so I figured it wins, hands down.  For some of you, you might think this is lame, not a true bad habit, but in all honesty where does eating cookies on a daily basis lead you?  An unhealthy life, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity; several things that I do not want to face in my life.  I try to set good examples for my kids but I still sneak (all the time).  I have tried substituting with fruit, which I really love, but nothing truly feels and tastes as good as my beloved Oreo cookie.  I have tried to set limits for myself. Only having a sweet treat on Sundays.  Doesn't work, I still swipe one almost everyday.  So I am diligent about exercising daily, to ensure that I am in good health. So here, it is....

"eightofthirty"

Photo 7 of 30: Fruit

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So today's challenge.... Fruit. This was an easy one for me, because I have fruit in my home year round.  Summertime is the best, because the offerings are so plentiful and fresh.  My absolute favorite is a tie between watermelon and nectarines.  However, as the summer season ends, the pickings of my favorite fruits are slimmer and it becomes a little more expensive.  With the close of summer and it being October, I pay homage to my favorite winter time snack... the apple.  There is no other fruit next to pumpkin that screams Autumn than the beloved apple.  Ironically, it was no where on my list of favorite fruity eats until about seven years ago.  As a kid, I couldn't stand them (unless they were in an apple pie).  My parents always bought Red Delicious or Granny Smith.  I was not in love.  When my daughter was in preschool, she had a field trip to an apple orchard.  There I learned about the numerous varieties of apples, and we picked a handful of Gala apples.  We got home and I sliced it for her.  She was thrilled and told me how good it was.  So I had a slice, and I was hooked.  I never knew that an apple could be so flavorful and sweet in each bite.  I have tried other varieties to see if my taste buds would react in the same manner as my love affair with Gala, but no.  It is a treat that I give to myself everyday.... so here's to the love of apples!

"sevenofthirty"

Photo 6 of 30: From A Low Angle

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So today's image is the exact opposite of yesterdays.... the opposite direction.  Since yesterday's image was taken from the John Hancock building, I thought it would be cool to use an image that was taken of the John Hancock building, from the lowest angle, on the street.  Since architecture is my favorite subject to shoot, I decided to put my signature touch on the image and edit it.  This image will be available for sale via my two sites, http://simonehester.com (for a signed & framed print) or http://simone-hester.artistwebsites.com (a friendlier price point and variety of sizes and finishes).

"sixofthirty"

Photo 5 of 30: From A High Angle

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Since I won't be able to get to a really high spot without delaying this project any further, I had to grab this image from one of my archives.  A previous shot that was taken from the John Hancock Building in Chicago.  That is the highest angle that I have taken a shot from to date.  If I get the courage and can overcome my true fear of heights than I will attempt to go to the Willis Tower and shoot there.  They have these special glass enclosures that provides a unique opportunity to get a full view of downtown Chicago.  Unfortunately my anxiety tends to kick in when I look down and seeing that the floor is made of glass the full view might just be a bit much.  Shooting via the window is the viable option at this moment, but working to get to the key shot.... shooting via the special glass box. 

The shot that I captured here was facing the lovely Lake Michigan and grabs the details of the street, Lake Shore Drive, a baseball field, and just ordinary life in busy Chicago.  I played around with this image adding grains and other effects to create an unique image.  I am pretty happy with the end result and will post this fine art print on my websites.

"fiveofthirty"

If you like this image, then please visit my website at http://simonehester.com or if you would like to purchase then visit here http://simone-hester.artistwebsites.com a variety of sizes are available.

Photo 4 of 30: Something Green

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Today's photo is "Something Green" and with autumn's approach, the most obvious choice was to shoot something natural.  So here's my image:

"fourofthirty"

I was able to capture both sides of nature, the lush plants that I placed in my garden this spring and of course the weeds that grew in due to being lazy (yes I admit it!).  I began to think, the beauty of nature is everywhere that we are, and things that we don't see as nature's gift, others do.  Take for instance the thistle on the right.  In certain countries it is seen as a beautiful flower that eventually blooms a beautiful purple bud.  Quite similar to that of a cactus.  Personally, I still think it is a pain, if you have ever stepped on one, than you know what I mean.  In a nutshell, I want you to take away from this image, that true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Photo 3 of 30: Clouds

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Today's goal was to shoot clouds, and with the weather that the Chicagoland area has been receiving lately it also became a challenge to capture this image.  All gray skies would mean that you would get just a white photo and then there were moments of pure blue.  Where are my clouds?  When there was a spotty break, the clouds where racing across the sky and we were put under a wind advisory.  If you get a chance google Chicago's Lake Michigan and the wind and you can see an unfortunate bike rider get smacked with water as the waves rolled over onto the walking path (sometimes you just have to take a day off).  Back to the point, how successful would I be in this challenge?  Where are my clouds?  I was lucky to capture the mix of cloud patterns from barely a whisper to a clearer formation as you shall see in my image number three out of thirty!  Enjoy... Next up is "Something Green."

Photo 2 of 30: What You Wore Today

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So, today's post is "What You Wore Today." A couple of posts ago I had mentioned the tasks that I deemed most challenging for me to produce for these upcoming 30 photos, and I did not imagine that this would be a challenge but it was.  For the type of work that I produce, my camera is always in my hands, I do not use tripods or remotes that some photographers use as a part of the everyday work.  I am all about the hands on.  So how do I capture what I wore without the use of these items or another person to take the picture? The answer, take a series of images and combine them into one.

 "twoofthirty"

So here is what I wore today... it is my typical everyday comfort attire.  The combo of a t-shirt, leggings, hoop earrings, and flats (sandals or flip flops when it is warmer).  I am a typical girls girl... love shoes and purses, but I also love earrings.  My statement when it comes to jewelry and accessorizing.  I will forgo necklaces and bracelets, as long as I have a great pair of earrings on.  So that's my outfit in a nutshell.

Photo 1 of 30: Self Portrait

1|30: Self Portrait

Here begins my journey for the 30 Day Challenge or better know as "Simone's 30 Photos: A Challenge of Sorts." I truly believe the time frame will be the biggest challenge, so just finishing this venture will be the biggest accomplishment outside of sharing an intimate look into my life via the camera lens.

This image was actually taken with my phone's camera (which I will try not to use from this  moment on)... it was a reflection of my somber mood and my phone was handy in comparison to my camera.  It is me in the sans makeup, jewelry and clothing (outside of the eyeliner & stud), thus the title for the image "Simone in the Raw." I figured this was a great self portrait to start with and I will be curious to see how I end it.  Since the photographs following this one in this series of 30 images will be more personal in nature, the image was a must to start this journey.  I do plan on putting forth a more personal reflection so that those who read or follow may get an inside scoop on what makes me ... me.  So I hope you check back from time to time to see my progress and I thank you humbly for taking the time to read my blog and enjoying my professional work.

The 30 Day Challenge?!?!?....

So a friend of mine began a 30 day challenge that she borrowed from another blog.  Totally designed for the photographer at heart, amateurs and professionals alike.  What I like about the challenge is that it allows any of our followers to catch a glimpse of our personality.  I am thrilled to begin the challenge, but I know that I will not be able to complete it within the 30 day requirement.  With my schedule as of late, I am bombarded with commitments and obligations that will detract from me completing this in and on time.  So I will call it... "Simone's 30 Photos: A Challenge of Sorts."  I will begin in a few days and my goal is to complete the challenge within 60 days.  So look for new posts with cool images based upon the challenge for that moment.  Below is the list and there are some that will truly challenge me as a photographer (which I marked with an asterisk):

Day One: Self-Portrait
Day Two: What You Wore Today
Day Three: Clouds
Day Four: Something Green
Day Five: From A High Angle
Day Six: From A Low Angle
Day Seven: Fruit
Day Eight: A Bad Habit
Day Nine: Someone You Love
Day Ten: Childhood Memory*
Day Eleven: Something Blue
Day Twelve: Sunset
Day Thirteen: Yourself with 13 Things
Day Fourteen: Eyes
Day Fifteen: Silhouette
Day Sixteen: Long Exposure
Day Seventeen: Technology
Day Eighteen: Your Shoes
Day Nineteen: Something Orange
Day Twenty: Bokeh*
Day Twenty-One: Faceless Self-Portrait*
Day Twenty-Two: Hands
Day Twenty-Three: Sunflare
Day Twenty-Four: Animal
Day Twenty-Five: Something Pink
Day Twenty-Six: Close Up
Day Twenty-Seven: From A Distance
Day Twenty-Eight: Flowers
Day Twenty-Nine: Black & White
Day Thirty: Self Portrait

A truly personal experience lies ahead of me and I am thrilled to take on the challenge.  Take the challenge yourself or create your own and share it.  So get out and grab your camera and take some pictures!

Buildings, Flowers, Lines and Curves...

First off, let me apologize for such a time lapse in my usually weekly blog.  With my show running this month, the reception and back to school, I have been quite busy and neglected my blogging duties.  So let's get down to business...

I have decided to take a little time off from creating new pieces and focus more on the business end of promoting and selling my artwork.  I will hold off creating new work until my trip to Puerto Rico next month, because I won't be able to help myself.  Anyway, I have decided to focus more on the business end.  With that said, one of the first challenges any artist has is to gain an audience.  With technology today, it is easier than it has ever been, but it can also be more daunting.  The first challenge and most recommended step is to create an online gallery of your work.  There are several free places to showcase your work 500px.com, flickr.com, facebook.com, deviantart.com and so on.  I happened to have my work on each of these sites (thus the mention). You can also pay for your own domain and domain hosting (some services are offered for free but may show advertising), which I have done as well.

After you get your artwork online, how do you direct traffic to your site(s)?  This to me is the most daunting part.  You have to promote yourself.  There are many opportunities to do this as well and I am still getting the hang of it.  You can utilize the social media circuit, self promoting via Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.  I use both Facebook and Twitter, but primarily I use Twitter the most.  It is a very clean and convenient way of promoting your work with just 140 characters.  Meaning that you always have to get to the point.  Where you must not fail to get the purpose of Twitter is by only doing self promos about your work.  Twitter is a social networking site and that means that you have to establish relationships, comment on your fellow artists' tweets and work.  Retweet information that you find informative and worth sharing with your followers.  The biggest lesson that I have learned so far, is that if someone in your field follows you, than by all means, follow them back.  It is just simple Twitter etiquette.

However, the most traditional is by far entering gallery competitions, participating in local and area art fairs (once you become more successful you can expand to state, regional, national and international).  Get involved in as many competitions and galleries that you can, and by all means do not be afraid of rejections.  I have had more rejections than I can count, and each one hurts, but I keep my head up and move on to the next opportunity.  By participating in fairs, gallery showings, etc. is that it is a resume builder, you are gaining more experience, and someone who has turned you down before, might eventually change their mind because you are a more seasoned artist.  Be sure to attend all receptions that include your work and any reception that you are not participating in as an opportunity to network and learn about others in your field or artists that utilize a different medium.  You will be amazed at the wide spectrum of mediums out there. 

The best opportunity by far, is the solo exhibit.  This is a gallery who decides to showcase only your work.  I have recently been blessed with this opportunity and I currently have 20 pieces on display in my solo show "Buildings, Flowers, Lines, and Curves."  The interesting thing with your own show is that you have more say in the curation process and the flow of how your pieces are highlighted.  I was provided a reception free of charge for about 100 guests.  My first solo show was at a major university, so I was able to introduce numerous students to my style of photography and answer any questions they might have.  It was a wonderful opportunity and I am forever grateful for the institution hosting me as an artists.  Below are shots from the curation process and the show set up.  If you are in the Chicago area the show information will be below the images.

"Buildings, Flowers, Lines and Curves"

August 22 to September 22, 2011

A. Montgomery Ward Gallery

(UIC Student Center East)

750 South Halsted, Chicago, Illinois 60607

Hours: Mon to Thurs, 11 am to 8 pm

Fridays, 11 am to 5 pm

Installation....

I am preparing for my first solo art show and wanted to write about my installation experience.  My show, "Buildings, Flowers, Lines & Curves" is being showcased at a major university in Chicago.  What is cool about this particular installation, is that it focused mainly on students as the curators.  There is often someone who is hired to curate a show or whom works for the gallery that takes care of the work.  I have always dropped my work off and showed up at the reception to see a wonderful array of work displayed appropriately. 

It was interesting to see the students look at my work, ask questions and figure out how to hang the pieces.  They worked in small groups and after deciding the order of how I'd like the pieces to be displayed they went straight to work.  I am thrilled to have these young academics exposed to my work and art in general.  I hope they learn a lot.  I will have the opportunity to interact with several students during my open reception, a time for the school as a whole to meet the artist.

The pictures below are just a sampling of what occurred during the installation....

If you live in Chicago and are interested in attending the show.... here's the information:

A. Montgomery Ward Gallery

UIC Student Center East

750 S. Halsted

Chicago, Illinois

Gallery Hours:  Monday - Thursday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Friday, 11:00 am to 5 pm

What's In A Name?...

Often, I have been asked, how do I come up with the titles to some of my pieces.... I will share with you the best advice that I was ever offered on the subject.  My watercolor teacher simply told me to think about the mood that you are in while you are working on your painting, poem, photograph or whatever you fancy and upon completion name it the first thing that comes to your head.  I will give you four examples of where my mood and mind were when it came time to name that image.

First up is a personal one, on a recent mini vacay, I witnessed my host diving to the bottom of the lake to collect large stones to place within his garden.  I watched him for a half an hour diligently diving and bringing up these stones, each one very unique.  Within those thirty minutes he managed to collect dozens of stones, I happened to capture a pretty cool image.  His thought to repurpose put me in such a good mood, hence the warm glows of the image and the name as a result... "Bill's Rocks."

"Bill's Rocks" (c) 2011



The second example, is a simple one.  I have an image of wood in many forms, I enhanced the grain and added more texture.  The name for this one.... "Wood Grain."

"Wood Grain" (c) 2011



The third example, is a literal one, a personal fear of mine.  That is the fear of spiders, however, I am not fearful enough not to capture it's image.  This guy was pretty large and made a home in my front bushes.  He is about 3 inches long and the yellow and black colors beckoned me to take the picture!  This one is appropriately titled "Arachnophobia."

"Arachnophobia" (c) 2011



My last example is an abstract, the name does not reflect at all the subject of the image.  In this case, Marina Towers in Chicago, Illinois.  I was in a great mood while working on the image and even more thrilled with the end result.  When I looked at the picture though, it reminded me of a staple in our country.... corn.  The buildings looked like to giant stalks of cob corn and I couldn't help but name this one "Corn on the Cob."

"Corn on the Cob" (c) 2010



So always remember your mood and the first thing that comes to your head when you are thinking of a way to creatively come up with names for your work.  The names that you will create will always be distinct and add a little something extra to the piece.

Two Perspectives....

I had previously blogged about how I was enjoying myself in the great state of Michigan and enjoying some lake time with my family.  We were honored and grateful for the invite from a loving couple that knows my husband.  I was lucky to get some magic shots, hence my blog entry tonight.

On our second evening on the lake, my kids, husband and I tagged along with our host for Bass fishing on the lake.  I am not much of a fisherman but I did tow my camera on board (remember to take your camera with you everywhere).  I saw an awesome sunset on the lake and took a variety of shots.

So what do you do when you have similar shots of the same subject matter?  That's where you have to utilize your creativity.  My creative style varies depending on the subject and I often call it digital painting thanks to Photoshop.  The computer becomes my canvas and I apply layer after layer of different techniques, filters, etc. to create the look that I want.

With the lake shots, I decided to to do to monochrome techniques with two of the shots.  Not that mother nature did not do a phenomenal job in her own right with the original.  Who can top her?  I offer up my own creative style with the following pieces.  The first is called "A Lake in Michigan" and is a simple black and white and the only color that you see is from the lens flare.  The second image is called "Golden Sunset" and has added yellows, ambers, and golds to add to the beauty of the shot.  These are my two perspectives on the same type of image. 

"A Lake In Michigan" (c) 2011

"Golden Sunset" (c) 2011

Good Times In Michigan...

Have camera? Will travel! Vacations are the one must carry camera event because you desire to document and eventually share your experience.  As an artistic photographer, I see pieces of work where ever my eyes fall. Whether it is the wildlife, scenery or families enjoying themselves there is a story and subsequently a piece of art that normally follows. How great are vacations?!?!

My family and I are currently enjoying ourselves in the great state of Michigan. And I am currently blogging this from the phone. We are staying with family friends and having a blast. The great thing about this wonderful mini vacation has been the numerous photo opportunities that have come my way. So stay tuned for wonderful photos and the image below is just a teaser. It's a photograph of the lake that we are staying on.

Be True To Yourself....

Since deciding back in October of last year to show my work to the public and exhibit when given the opportunity, it has been quite a learning experience.  If you are considering entering the art world and community; and would love to showcase your work, the first piece of advice I can give you is to remain true to yourself, your work, and maintain your artistic integrity.  Do not change your work to satisfy someone else.  There is a reason that you do what you do, it is out of love and passion for your creative medium.  The point of this blog is to explain my creative process and how I come up with ideas about my passion for creative photography.

What I have learned in the past 9 months that I have begun to establish myself in the artistic community, is that there are lots of artists out there creating beautiful works in a variety of mediums.  There are mediums that I never knew existed and new ways to create beautiful pieces of art.  The biggest lesson that I have learned is that everyone will not love your work.  You have to walk around with big shoulders and take criticism when given.  I was fortunate enough to get accepted in the first show that I applied to, a local community college held a regional art exhibit and I was very excited to get my first piece in.  It was a juried competition (meaning one or more persons within the art world look at all the work submitted and decide if yours met their criteria and within the theme of the show).  To get into a juried competition is a significant stepping stone on your artist's resume.  That moment was a great one for me and felt so very satisfying and validating at the same time.  I had arrived and made my first mark as an artist.  My work was good enough, not just for my friends and family to oooh and aahh over but a total stranger in the art world loved my work enough to include me among other artists. 

Soon after my first gallery exhibition in a themed art show, I received my first rejection along with a critique and recently I was rejected from a beloved local art fair that I was dying to get into.  The jurors for these competitions were bold enough to say that my work was that of an amateur and in regards to the art fair that my work didn't define a theme and it is often difficult to do so in photography.  What I learned from these rejections was that not everyone will like your work and you have to remember one thing... stay true to yourself and your art form.  I could have looked at my present body of work and tried to adjust my creative style to conform to what a critic told me, but then I remembered a quote from Benjamin Disraeli, "Critics are the men who have failed in literature and art."  There's beauty in all art even if you don't understand it.  I have subsequently learned that there is also difficulty in being recognized as an artist when your medium is photography.  Some  do not deem it as a true art form.  Not in the same traditions as oils, pastels, watercolors or even sketching.  I disagree, not because I am a creative photographer (I also paint watercolors), but simply a photograph does tell a story, create a mood, and sends a message in the same way that traditional art does.  Two good examples are the famous kissing couple at the end of WWII and the young Afghani girl on the cover of National Geographic.  I could have easily switched and begin to submit my watercolors but I choose to create what I love the most, photography.  Because of my perseverance and dedication to my art, I have been blessed and granted my first solo show! So again, stay true to yourself and your art medium.

The piece below is a true example of my creative body of work, the subject matter is a popular Chicago icon, "Cloudscape" known affectionately as the "Bean."  I have several versions of this icon varying along my many moods when I created them, but this one is my favorite and truly indicative of my style of photography.

"Square Beans" (c) 2011

My First Love....

And no.... this isn't about a boy. That would be an entirely different type of blog.  I have many loves outside of my husband, kids, family and friends.  The most obvious is photography and a second runner up is watercolors.  But within the realm of photography, my first love is architecture.  All types too, from bridges to buildings, old and new, I simply cannot get enough of the art in it's most massive form.  Think of the city you live in and love.  The feeling that you get when you walk through the heart of that city.  For some it is a major metropolis and you are blessed with a skyline.  For others it is the quaint and simple way Main Street is laid out.  All in all, they all have a beauty that is truly unique.  I have always been fascinated by shapes, lines and curves and find that in architecture.

Last summer, I went to see the movie "Inception" and it was a great movie.  However, beyond the thrill and action of the movie, I fell in love with the backdrops that framed each scene.  The architecture, in combination with the special effects was simply superb.  Below is a city shot and I created an piece that was truly inspired by "Inception," thus the name of the piece.

"Inception" (c) 2011

The New ME....

I have had a self-portrait of myself that I have been using as my image in the world of Twitter, Facebook, art shows, and so on.  It was on the darker side and highlighted me holding my beloved camera.  So it was time for a change, I have been very fortunate to have been recognized by numerous galleries for my work and I have been pursuing this option actively since October of 2010; and I thought to myself that it was indeed time to put my best face forward and for my audience to have a clearer image of who I am.... so voila below is my newest self-portrait with absolutely no retouching, nothing creatively done at all (which is the exact opposite of what I typically do with my work hence the previous self portrait).  It was time to show myself in the raw, as I appear in my everday life.  Because, in all honestly, that is what a lot of my work represents..... everyday life.  Talk amongst you all soon.

SHCreativePhoto....

"Self Portrait 4" (c) 2011

My Favorite Flower...

My daisy bush finally bloomed and I managed to get some phenomenal shots.... the daisy is my absolute favorite flower.  When you look at it, it is such a happy flower and bunch of daisies can brighten any one's mood.  My favorite are the classic and I also love the more sophisticated stem and colors of the Gerber daisy.  With the traditional variety, nothing beats the classic white and yellow that screams summertime, lemonade, barbecue, and ice cream.  So my question is, what's your favorite flower?  If you want a cool project grab your camera and set it in aperture priority and get as low as possible on the ground, focus on the flower and take your shot.  It comes out pretty awesome, or you can take a shot of a bunch of daisies or a single stem.  When it comes to framing your new picture, skew it to the side a little or zoom in and create instant macro magic.  The shot that I captured is a skewed macro shot and then I edited to create a wet look enhancing the flowers that I had just watered. Close ups of flowers create instant art pieces and add a splash of sophistication to any room that you choose to display.  Here's my shot below and don't forget to grab your camera this summer!

"Happy Daisy" (c) 2011

Bloggin' from the Phone!

One of my first posts details the reasons you should always have some form photography equipment on hand because you never know when an opportunity comes right before your eyes. Today was another such instance, granted my end result was a little grainy and not too sharp, but I captured the moment before my eyes. I wasn't close enough to get to my camera in time, but I had my phone. Recently we have had two fawns moving about our backyard. I live next to a forest and we regularly have deer mulling about and June is key time to see fawns. This Spring the doe had a set of twins and we have been seeing them everyday for the past week. At sunset the whole family was together, doe, stag, and the babies. I got a shot of the babies as they walked around by my bench. So enjoy and remember to always carry some form of camera equipment with you!

Inspiring....

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while... major reason... I have been totally under the weather and frankly when you don't feel well you lack the desire to do your best work because you are uninspired.  But what can bring you back to the surface?  It can be the simple way that a garden decoration blew in the breeze.  It was that simple for me.  I always have my camera with my unless it there is a true reason for me not to carry it and behold.... saw this wonderful creation blowing in the breeze.  I love it for the rusty bits and the beading that was so simple and childlike that I created two pieces from the shots that I garnered.  So, I feel like I am back and looking forward to capturing more of the world... I have two big trips planned in July and October that will probably have me posting every other day.  But for now enjoy these two tidbits!

"Childs Play" (c) 2011

"Ornamental" (c) 2011

Test...

Testing blogger mobile... after my experience earlier, let's see if this works with my profile pic...

SHCreativePhoto

Peonies....

Earlier today I tried posting using the app from my phone, and it looks like that was not a successful venture.  So if a posting comes up reflecting many of the thoughts that I am discussing now... let me apologize in advance.  You have to love when technology works well for you and when it doesn't it is sheer disappointment.

What was the subject matter of my discussion... well here goes! 

Today has been quite the rainy day and I know how I have discussed rain in previous posts being that it is a great opportunity to take unique photographs and that an overcast sky can be a photographers greatest friend.  But what is the true purpose of rain? To wash our land anew and prepare for the wonderful summer blooms.  One particular bloom that I love so very much is the peony.  It is June's biggest blooming flower and when you drive you can see countless peony bushes bent over by the sheer weight of the flower.  The presence of the rain and the assistance of thousands of ants slowly opens this amazing flower each and every season.  What is also so amazing is the fragrance of the flower itself.... it is phenomenal.  Cut peonies are also a spectacular display in the home, giving off it's wonderful scent and adding such presentation.

A quick tip for displaying peonies in your home....

When you freshly cut a peony from it's stem, turn the bloom upside down and shake the flower vigorously the remove the ants.  Once that is done, bring the cut flowers into your home and immerse each flower in cold water and gently shake the rest of the ants out (despite your earlier efforts outside, there will be some ants that linger).  Then shake the peonies free of water and place in your vase (or other display) and enjoy!

Three or more peonies create an astounding display and you can get as creative as possible with these blooms.  There are a wonderful variety of peonies from white to deep currant, but the following is a blush color that is such a creamy pink wonder and I had to photograph it.

Pink Peony (c) 2011

The Rapture?

So today was supposed to mark the end of the world and the beginning of Armageddon.  The world was supposed to end for each time zone at 6pm. Hmmmm.  Well it is currently 7:53 pm and I had a productive day with family activities and enjoying all that the day gave.  I have and had a hard time believing in this propaganda that fueled (for those who did believe) fear.  It is just downright awful.  I also take issue with the idea that world that naturally creates such beauty as this.

Spring Blooms (c) 2011

and this...

By A Thread (c) 2010

and this........

I can only imagine that the true end will begin when we stop fighting for and caring for our planet.  Just like we only have one life, we only have one planet and we must take care of her so she can continue taking care of us.... Remember Nature and Nurture.