Texture ~

Texture lends a dimensional quality to photo's. Often times you find yourself drawn to a particular photograph and unable to put your finger on what or why you're drawn to it. It may be the crispness of a fallen leaf, the crashing of the waves, the roughness of bark, or the softness of an individuals skin. Whatever it is, texture plays an important role in photography. The mere idea that there's something in a photograph that makes you want to reach out and touch it, or brings to mind a specific memory, is what the photographer is aiming for.

Photo's: Eastcreek Photography

Photoshop the hell out of it!

Have you ever gone out, taken great photo's, and then realize everyone else is getting better results? How is this possible?!

Let me fill you in... They're photoshopping the hell out of it!

Here's the truth of the matter...All photographers photoshop pictures; especially portraits. In fact, it's now even accepted in major photo competitions; including Nikon's worldwide competition.

Okay, so you may think this is "cheating" but in the world of digital photography there's no escaping it. No one looks the way you think they do. It doesn't matter what your personal opinion is regarding "fixing" photo's, it's expected! Everyone wants to look their best, and we as consumers expect everyone to look their best! So, we not only use photoshop, but we are expected to use photoshop.

Certain photographers are sought after because they have a reputation of taking amazing photo's. In reality, when it comes to portraits, the photographer isn't actually taking amazing photo's, but they're amazing at editing!

Whether you agree or disagree with the tricks of the trade doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not the client is happy. So, next time you look at a photograph and wonder how that photographer got so good ask yourself if what you're seeing is really what the photographer shot!

Photo's: Eastcreek Photography

Danger in the Park ~

Shortly after arriving at Vulcan Park on Sunday I noticed a small child, perhaps 5 years old, standing with his father. I wandered around a bit, trying to decide the best place to start shooting, and just a couple feet from where this little boy was standing I found someones leftovers.

I absolutely couldn't believe what I was seeing and my mind began to race. What if that child picked up that needle? It was lying on the ground and children will pick up anything! Or...what if that child had reached up on the ledge? He was too small to see what was waiting on top of it!

It's common knowledge that IV drug users are at a higher risk of contracting the HIV virus, and how do they get that virus? By sharing needles! This small child, or any other child in the park that day, could have easily been stuck by any of the needles lying around. I will never understand why a drug addict would choose to use in a public park, let alone just leave their deadly weapons lying around. They may not have a desire to live their own lives, but that doesn't give them the right to potentially end the lives of others.

I found it even more interesting that an attorneys business card was also left there. Did the drug user leave the card? Or, did the attorney find the same leftovers that I found and left his own calling card? Afterall, the drug user may be a potential client! Either way, it seems to me that Mayor Langford needs to spend more time cleaning up his city and stop worrying so much about how to promote himself. Oh, nevermind...I forgot...Mayor Langford is too busy trying to keep his own ass out of prison. He's currently on trial for Fraud, Conspiracy and Money Laundering. Maybe after the trial???

Photo's: Eastcreek Photography

Copyright 2009

Pretty in Pink ~

After many failed attempts, due to constant rainfall, I was finally presented with the opportunity to visit Birmingham, which I now refer to as the "Pink City."

As I reported in an earlier post, Mayor Larry Langford decided to paint the city pink using pink light bulb covers at a cost of $5000.00 Like many others, I wasn't convinced that this was the best way to spend 5 grand. Yes, it's wonderful to promote Breast Cancer Awareness month, but I wondered if the 5 grand couldn't be spent in a more productive manner.

The photo's that I am posting today were shot at the Birmingham Museum of Art, City Hall, and Vulcan.

I was a bit peeved when I realized that there was a charge of $6.00 per person to enter Vulcan Park. Not because I don't understand that the money they collect at the park is used for maintenance, but because this is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Vulcan statue is standing proudly in pink and it seems to me that the money brought in this month could be donated to the search for a cure. I'm convinced that Mayor Langford's heart was in the right place, but I'm not sure anyone took the time to use this campaign as a means for making a difference. Overall, the city was spectacular lit up in pink. I just wish the city had used this as an opportunity to make a real difference.

Photo's: Eastcreek Photography

Copyright 2009

Dreaming in Black & White

Dreams are illustrations...from the book your soul is writing about you.
~ Marsha Norman

Photo's: Eastcreek Photography
Copyright 2009

Too Much of Anything ~

We've all heard the old saying "Too much of anything can't be good." I must say, as I get older I'm beginning to understand just how true that is! What I've had too much of is rain! We have had more rain this year than I can remember ever having. I'm talking rain non stop for weeks on end.

I have had to postpone one shoot after another and in fact, have only been able to shoot 2 times this year on the originally scheduled dates. Today is no different. Today I was suppose to be in Birmingham shooting at the zoo, but am I there? Of course not...it's raining!

Out of frustration, I grabbed my camera last night, went out on my front porch, and captured my nemesis. What else is a photographer to do?

Green Tea ~

Green Tea... Who knew?

While watching "The View" this morning I became interested in a segment about Breast Cancer. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month it seems that once again we're bombarded with information, and I think the majority of us don't even hear what's being said. At any rate, a Breast Cancer surgeon was being interviewed and she mentioned something that I had never heard of before, so I thought I would pass it on.

Did you know that 3 glasses (or servings) of Green Tea daily can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by 50%???

I don't know about you, but I think this is HUGE! I had never heard this before, and I consider myself pretty informed when it comes to this topic. So please pass this information on to the women in your life. They may be walking around like so many of us; aware of Breast Cancer, but unaware that simply adding 3 glasses of green tea to their daily diet can possibly save their lives! Lets not forget that 40,000 women lose their lives to breast cancer every year in the United States.

A Unique Breed ~

Photographers are a unique breed, and during a telephone conversation with my husband last week I found out just how unique we are. This is how the conversation went:

David: Damn it!

Me: What???

David: There's a cow!

Me: A cow? Where are you?

David: Driving down the road!

Me: Where's the cow?

David: Walking down the middle of the road!

Me: Shoot it!

David: What???

Me: With your camera! Shoot it!

David: I'm not pulling over to take a picture of a cow! You can get a picture of a cow anytime!

Me: Not walking down the middle of the road you can't!!!

Well, David refused to get out of his warm truck to take a picture of that cow and it occurred to me just how differently a photographer sees the world. If it's unusual, interesting, or just downright funny, a photographer sees an opportunity. To anyone else, they just see a cow walking down the road.

Photo: Eastcreek Photography

Originally published in "Southern Comfort"

Copyright 2009

BEFORE & AFTER EDITING ~

So Many Choices ~

A day rarely goes by that I'm not asked "What editing program do you use?" I have also noticed while browsing through photo albums on Facebook that the most frequent comment made on any given photo is "What software are you using?"

As technology has improved, the world of photography has seen amazing changes! We can now take a picture with our cell phone and upload it for the world to see instantly! And, with that technology, we now have the ability to alter, enhance, and create any image that our imagination can conjure up.

So, what program should you choose? That really depends on what you're interested in using the program for. If you just want to have fun with your children's photo's and make collages or scrapbook pages, then obviously you won't want to spend hundreds of dollars for Photoshop. There are so many photo editing programs out there, literally too many to mention, but here are a few: Picasa 3, Corel, LunaPic, FotoFlexer, and Adobe.

I would recommend figuring out exactly what your needs are, doing a little research, and then experimenting with different programs. Most editing sites will give you a 30 day free trial.

So, have fun with your photographs, and make them as individual as you are!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun ~

It's always fun to go out on a shoot! This past week I had the opportunity to work with a model originally from Alabama, but now living in Texas. We shot at four separate locations and the shoot lasted approximately six hours, but the time flew by because we were having so much fun! We endured a temperature of 86 degrees, humidity was nearly 90% and we literally were attacked by mosquito's at one location, but somehow muddled our way through the day.

Here's the thing: Too many models and too many photographers take themselves too seriously. I love photography and will just about do anything for a shot. But, if I can't have fun and enjoy what I'm doing, then I'm probably not where I need to be.

Shea was an absolute pleasure to work with and I wish her much success!

In closing, for all you photog's and models out there, lighten up! The day will pass much quicker and you might just be surprised at the end result!

Panning ~

Panning refers to the horizontal movement or rotation of a still. The panning technique is used to suggest fast motion, and bring out foreground from background. The desired result is achieved when your subject, which is moving at a quick speed, appears to be standing still and the background is streaked.

To achieve this effect you must keep your subject in the same position of the frame for the duration of the exposure. The length of exposure required varies depending on the speed of your subject, the distance from the subject and the background, and the focal length of the lens that you are using.

I have found that the more you practice this technique the easier it becomes. A number of photographers use a tripod to achieve this effect, which makes it easier to swing the camera along.

Photo: Eastcreek Photography

Copyright 2009

The Eyes Have It ~

My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search, for the camera's eye may entirely change my idea.
~ Edward Weston

Photo: Eastcreek Photography
Copyright 2009

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~
In the United States women have a 1 in 8 lifetime chance of developing breast cancer and a 1 in 33 chance of breast cancer causing their death.
Approximately 40,000 women die each year!

This photo was originally published in "She's A Lady" and I decided to use it today to help promote the cause.

Eastcreek Photography
Copyright 2009

Creative Thinking

I had a conversation recently with a fellow photog and somehow the topic of altering photo's came up. He immediately took the stand that a good photographer should never have to alter a photograph in order to make in interesting.

I thought about what he said and I came to the conclusion that I disagree with him.

Although I agree that a good photographer can capture and image, in a way that's unique and interesting, and that image can stand on it's own, I also feel that credit should be given to a photographer that can take an ordinary image and give it interest with just a bit of creative thinking.

Take the photo that I'm posting today as an example. How many times have we seen the American Flag? It never changes and we've seen it so often that we don't even notice it. Having said that, if a photographer manipulates that photo of the American flag it now has the ability to make people stand up and take notice.

Photography isn't just about taking a photograph. As a photographer strives to capture an image that evokes emotion, it is also the responsibility of the photographer to make the ordinary become extraordinary. Sometimes, that takes a bit of creative thinking.

Photo copyright 2009

Eastcreek Photography