CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

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I had to dig deep for that one, in every sense, it was a very special, moving and private moment.
Sometimes a unique and special moment presents itself in your life, it stays with you forever!
Once again it shows how important emotion is in an image... if you can capture it?
Wherever I upload this photo or show this to anyone, people respond to it in an overwhelmed and touched way, it leaves nobody untouched.

We had a photo gallery and it was just before Christmas.
I was doing the window dressing and had decided, since Christmas is greatly connected with children to use that as a theme.
I bought one of the electrical Santas holding a candle, moving his head, with a very kind and jolly face, totally new then, a huge success, kids kept dragging their parents to see it.
It was in the morning, cold and driftsnow flying, nobody in the streets yet, although the angels were already singing the carols over the tannoys.
Santa was doing his thing, I was giving the framed images a last wipe, when I heard a gentle thump and I looked up to see this sweet tender moment.
This elderly gent stood there, looking with the joy of a child in his eyes.
I grabbed my camera, I saw I had one shot on a 400 asa left to take this one off image, I also did not know how long he was going to brave the elements, turned out he gazed for quite some time.

ONE SHOT...

Always keep the child in a small corner of your heart, never let go of that wonderful feeling...

May your day be full of goodness, Magda (*_*)

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND SELFPORTRAITS

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

photo 4
photo 5
Like so many of my fellow photographers, I KNOW why I am behind the lens and not in front of it, tee hee, lol!
It is not a bad thing, it helps me in understanding clients who feel the same, I can empathize with them, they soon feel more at ease!
However, what if you have an idea, you want to try out something, a new lighting experiment, or even, you are by yourself on a beach, you see a scene... no MODEL!!! What do you do????????
Then you have 2 choices... no image... or you, yourself have to be the model! That's why I acquired so many 'self portraits', but I've learned a lot through it... I still don't like it... but it was worth it!


Photo 1. sometimes you have to be 'you own model'. if you want the image!
A shell or a piece of stone, a small mark in the sand, camera on tripod... result, tee hee.

Photo 2. One of my favourite places to stand and stare...
I took the shot using the D70's remote control to trigger the self timer. I placed a stone in the sand near the water's edge. Composed the shot and prefocused on the spot, I then set the self timer on my camera for a 20 second delay, which gave me just enough time to trigger the camera and run down and stand on the spot I had marked. It took me a couple of takes, you can see the prints where I was too much to the right!


Photo 3. IN CAMERA.
I'd set up the lights, my Hasselblad on a tripod, the Nikon F4 with 24mm lens, on another tripod looking onto the mat glass of the Blad. You still with me? hihi.. Marked everything on the floor, where I had to stand exactly, cable release in my hand or under my foot(pump). Not for the fainthearted hihi.
Needless to say I ended up with a whole series of pics, it was fun.


Photo 4. Another lighting exercise in the studio.
This is b/w Polaroid which gives you not just the instant image but also a 4x5 negative.

This image is part of an ongoing photo book project on ‘soul mirrors.’

I always prefer natural light, but studio light has its advantages, anytime, anywhere…
This was taken late at night, I had already tried quite a few different set-ups, wanted something different, this IS the one.

Camera used: Techn Cam 4x5
Lens used: Rodenstock 180
Film used: Polaroid 55 pro neg. 4x5

The frame is natural, from the torn-off Polaroid paper.



Photo 5. I brought in the garden lights ( 8 plastic tubes with LED lights inside), decided to have some fun with them in the studio again. Here I'm using 2 tubes, I tried different techniques with the studiolights, to freeze me=washed out the lights too much.
So, the old joke was always that photographers do it in the dark! Here's PROOF!
Thanx ! M, (*_*)

VALSE LENTE in black and white

Photo nr1

Photo nr2

Photo nr3

I love colour photography because I see the world in colour…

I love black and white photography, because it strips the ‘reality’ out of the image, it leaves the naked truth, without the frills and ‘distraction’ of colours, just tones that add to the emotion, the all important ingredient, for me, in photography.

VALSE LENTE

(photo nr1)

The slow waltz, gentle, easy gliding across the dance floor.

Every Monday afternoon there is a ‘dance’ meeting at one of the old halls.
The ladies and gents duly arrive on time to have a great time, all done up and ready for a good time.
The music begins soon after the greetings and laughter.
The dance floor fills up very quickly, I notice a lot of ladies partnering up, there are not enough men for all of them, a few sitting on the side, I smile, nothing ever changes, some guys remain shy forever or only know one dance….
It’s a great atmosphere; I talk to them, hear what this means to them, the joy, the banter and yes, sometimes love is in the air.
Again, nothing ever changes…
Then the music starts, a couple walk hand in hand to the middle, take the stance, their dance begins, nobody else, the rest just watch.

PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES

(photo nr2)

I went there for a project, they love being photographed, well, most of them.
This lady wore her comfortable dancing shoes, but the moment she spotted my lens going to her feet, she stopped me, no no, wait...
Out of the bag came the 'newer' ones, they had not been properly broken in, yet.
With delicate gestures she closed the strap across her ankle, while her gentleman friend sat patiently waiting for the next dance.
A genteel world that is fast disappearing.

I seem to go in HCB (Henri Cartier-Bresson) mode when I'm in those places...
I chose the grainy film Ilford HP5 especially for this.


VALSE LENTE TOO

(photo nr3)

This lady, one of the first to arrive at the dance hall, was well liked and cherished.
She was obviously just there to see and enjoy her friends dancing.
I had already taken several shots, and sat down on the side to absorb the whole atmosphere; when out of the corner of my eye I saw movement.
The one foot was moving with the tune, the stick tapping the beat, the rest of her body still, her face ecstatic.
I wondered where she was in her memories, for a moment I saw the young girl emerging, a youthfulness in her shining eyes.
The music stopped, applause, her shoulders sagged a bit; she leant a bit more heavily on her stick.
Valse Lente too.

Wishing you all a great day and thanx for viewing, M, (*_*)

400 iso b/w film, wet darkroom developed and printed.

Put TLC in YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

THE ITALIAN JOB
HOLDING THE FUTURE
THE FLORAL DANCE


If you are as passionate about photography as I am, passion as in LOVE? Then HOW can so many be so sloppy today? With all the wonderful 'tools' that we have at our disposal, all meant to make it 'easier'?
How can anybody upload an image with the spots from dust bunnies not removed?
How can anybody upload an image with a skew horizon?
Too many good photos are being 'spoiled' by overcooking or just not bothering to remove the dust specks or small eyesores?
What you are hearing is pure frustration!
If you are one of those who claim to have fallen in love with the medium, then, treat it right!
Treat it tender and with respect.
Treat it with the love it deserves.
Treat it with care!

ALWAYS clean up your bg( THE FLORAL DANCE)! After taking a portrait, we all have small blemishes/ mosquito bites, small cuts or wounds, take care of it, yet not something like a mole which is a characteristic of a person (HOLDING THE FUTURE). If you don't ENJOY it, don't do it!
However, even if it means a lot of work( THE ITALIAN JOB)! If you think it is worth it! Do it!
NEVER upload an image that is not 100%. Treat each site as you would a gallery, because that is what it is, you put up an exhibition! People come visit and judge!

So THINK AND CHECK before you put any photo up anywhere!
Thanx, M, (*_*)

THE ENCHANTED WOOD

THE ENCHANTED WOOD



THE ENCHANTED WOOD 2

To my grandchildren, on a visit from the Continent, this was an enchanting and enchanted wood!

They collected coloured leaves, ran through the rustling carpet, conkers and chestnuts, pinecones, saw the squirrels race up the trees, all the things that kids love.

They already are quite used to the smaller digital cameras most people have and how to take photos, This was taken on my Nikon F4, with 400iso film, it has a ‘special’ back so each time I took a shot, they came running to ‘see’, I had a lot of explaining to do!

Soon, there will be a generation that will not know what film is, a darkroom, negs?

Now that they have more of ‘an understanding’ about photography, my lovely bunch are more and more interested and more curious in some of the ‘tricks’ and creativity, especially my granddaughter.
After the ‘normal’ shot, with my camera on the tripod and while the shutter was open I moved the camera upwards creating the blur effect (Enchanted wood 2). They thought it was magic!
I like it because it’s such a lovely blend of the autumn colours with the tree trunks so strong.

The ‘essence’ of autumn. I am trying to be continuously and consistently creative in my photography. Trying out things, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t… I learn from both experiences!

And the joy (forever) and the feeling when it DOES work, is to be felt, cannot be explained, hihi.

I wish you all a clear day and THANK YOU, Magda (*_*)

CREATIVITY, PHOTOGRAPHY, MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

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There are no secrets in photography; you can find EVERYTHING in books, and now on line, on courses...

First the ‘learning’ process, and yes, I still think it is of the utmost priority and necessity that you know the basics about light and photography, after that it only took me years of experimenting in the studio. That’s where the individuality comes in!

When you start out in the beginning, you hit it with everything you've got, like all things in life, hihi, now it is less and less.

Just one spotlight set up in the position so that the light catches the edges and part of the flower... until I'm happy... a black bg.

A BLACK bg has been a 'signature' for over 10 years now when virtually nobody did that, you can see it all through my pf, good to see so many 'enjoy' it.

Just to EXPLAIN how it came about FOR ME?

It stems from my paintings, one day I did a flower border against the black painted bottom of a house in Flanders (used to be very common), for a client.

I moved the idea on from oils on canvas to soft pastels on black, from there to the studio-photography.

I use cutters and flags to shield and play with the light.

Photography can be a creative Art, a way of life and seeing life. For me, it also very often an urge, when I get that feeling, the embryonic idea, then the need to take it further, a passion seems to take over, I can rationalise everything else (except clients) away, without any sense of guilty responsibility, And everything has to ‘wait’ till I have the desired ‘result’!! Mental and emotional nourishment, great satisfaction or enormous frustration at my inability and shortcomings, I don’t always win!

All I can say is experiment, experiment, experiment... the camera, the lens, the exposure are irrelevant because each subject (in this case a flower), the material, circumstances, light source is different. Make it your own!

Have a wonderful day, filled with love and thanx for your visit, M, (*_*)

Included images:

1. Sensual: the petal of a red tulip, just some edge lighting.

2. I made this photo with a giant slinky.

Another eyeteaser, I really had a lot of fun with it, always the child at heart... thankfully.

I love all the vibrant colours in this funky and temperamental 'model', it is 'alive', misbehaved a lot and got entangled quite a few times, oohh give me children and animals any day, tee hee!
Mind your eyes, don't jiggle this about...

3. Oil and vinegar. Glass is one of the most difficult substances to photograph; my challenge is to use the reflections in a positive manner so that they add to the image.

I love using different oils and vinegars in the kitchen, so over the years these glass beauties have now become part of a collection, the first was the 'ball' cruet in front.

4. The painting where the idea originated from, now almost 20 years ago.

5. This is one in a series for an exhibit; the series was called Secret Garden.
No model was harmed during the making of this image.
These are flowers believe it or not, like little lanterns, about the size of a tennis ball. Very prickly.
I've always loved the reflection on the back.

MEDITATION ON THE SUBJECT OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

1. A BIT OF NOSTALGIA

2. 2 with water, 1 with sand

3 the way it used to be.

4 The station master with a display of old luggage

5 Engine 30926 leaves.


6 I ran alongside as the steam train was leaving the station..., it made the driver smile,

7 The stoker

8. The stoker's hand, looks like a charcoal drawing...

9. FROM A BRIEF ENCOUNTER, an air of mystery and romance forever linked with that classic A Brief Encounter...
The driver was smoothly reversing the train out of the station,


10. The driver11. Bye, off in smoke.

All in good cheers, I’m writing this with a big smile.
PHOTOGRAPHY comes from the classical Greek
Photon=light
Grafein=to write, to paint.

PHOTOGRAPHY:
1: the act of taking and printing photographs.
2: the process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces.
3: the occupation of taking and printing photographs or making movies. (Dictionary.com)

Like everything else, you need the tools of the trade…
Camera, light and ACTION!
Note I wrote camera, no distinction, it is my firm conviction that it is the person using the tools that is responsible for the result.

So that whole squabble and debate about film/digital, I WILL NOT EVEN GO INTO THAT NOW! Because it is irrelevant, just like the whole 'debate about brands', Canon versus Nikon, how silly.... I have and still do use both, often. Oke, digital is winning, but I still think that film has a 'natural' moody (colour/grain) quality that you have to 'put in' digital? Digital has other qualities, but that is really for another blog.

My camera HAS to be me my partner, I must love it straight away, I must love the feel of it immediately, we are going to work and have fun together, I must be able to rely on it, make it give me the results I have in my minds eye, my creative brain!

Give me any camera and I’ll do you the job, that’s a fact not a boast, been there, worn the T-shirt, bla-bla-bla!
Personally, far more important, a good portrait depends on my ability to communicate with the subject, my rapport. No matter the person, age, country, religion or any other circumstances, the success rests on how I approach the situation, the light and most importantly, my state of mind. Surprised? You shouldn't be!
The Greek have a lovely word: logiki... people sense the mood you are in and will respond accordingly.

It does not come easy to me, because I’m a shy person.
BUT, IT IS A BARRIER I OVERCOME EACH TIME.
If I can put them at ease, often simply by empathizing about the fact that I do understand, because I also do not like to be photographed, relax them, often by explaining what is going on, why a specific light or lens, they get interested and into it. Be strong but not overpowering, be kind and understanding but keep that gentle strength (and when it is a NO, ACCEPT IT! Nothing can work in such a situation).
You always have the hopeless ones (like, for example, hihi, photographers, radio-people, now I know why they are just a voice!!), but the TV-people are difficult in a different way, as soon as they sense the lens, they give you the ’stereo-type, standard' smile, which is also not what I want.
Often on sites, portraits are less appreciated; I think most people are scared? On the other hand on the website it is by far the MOST VIEWED section!

I had a comment once;
“I usually don't click on portraits because I don't know much about them (but I hope to someday). But this is a classic that gives me lots of ideas on how to do them!”
Someone else wrote:
“And Magda is a professional with many years experience. Most of us amateurs (enthusiasts=the new title recently) are still learning and finding our feet.”

Do you think I’ve stopped learning? I probably work harder at it than most, trying out different, new light settings and techniques.
You must all realize that, like in everything else, there’s also an ever changing TREND.
You only have to look at the family/school/wedding portrait of 50-20 years ago!!!!!!!!
I say it time and time again, there are no secrets!

I upload some images of portraits I took last Saturday! The steam train was late, I'd been told: 'no luv, not t'day anymore'. I photographed some details at the old station, I heard the whistle, Had to run all the way back. By the time I got to the driver and stoker, they were about to reverse away, I was able to 'establish' a quick rapport (often people get a fright when they hear I have a foreign accent, which is an additional obstacle, some freeze!), give them a card so I'd be able to send them some prints, took some portraits, ran alongside, a few more... It was over, right out of A Brief Encounter.

Enjoy your photography, make good use of, play and paint with light, in your FREE photography take images ONLY for YOU, overcome barriers if you have to...if you can...
Thanx, M, (*_*)