SOME THOUGHTS...

hello, Paul wrote a blog here: http://paulindigo.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/why-are-there-so-many-bad-photographers.html

It started a deluge of debate, to be expected. Some people got passionate about it , others missed the point and started about art etc...
I had a good think after reading all the comments on FB.
And these are my thoughts!

1. The blog is NOT about whether  photography ‘art’ or not!

 Please read what photography all is here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography

2. Uploading a blurred/over-sharpened photo makes it a good photo? A photo that comes out of the camera ‘bad’… why try and salvage it by giving it a ‘textured’ layer and presenting it to the world? If you have any self-esteem will you not ONLY bring out your very best?

3. There are many good photographers who are self-taught! I know though that they put a lot of time and effort into learning about camera, light, composition and the rules of photography? I agree these can be broken… in good ways, but only if you DO know them!

4. Upon reading something like this blog, I can’t help but notice how it makes some readers aggressive and scoffing? Is it hitting a raw nerve?  

5. We are simply stating some sad facts that we are confronted with daily. As to telling a few truths… we have both earned our stripes, both in the art and commercial world. And yes we both know what we are talking about. We did NOT make the rules?

6. What I notice, and it is very important? The highest ‘scorers’ are those  most socially active.

7. Is it not elementary in proper photography to have at least your contrast/exposure correct, since we all agree wholeheartedly that it is ALL about the light?

8. Why ‘plastify’ the bimbos  and babies or even  landscapes and flowers? Why add artificial terrible flare in a still-life? Aaah the list is long, I could go on. However, it does NOT make it artistic!

9. Would you not agree, that, it is so much more enjoyable to view a well lit, well composed, well exposed photo?

10.  And last but not least, knowing how sensitive some egos are, I did NOT write this with anybody in mind, so, no need to take it personal? LOL, M (*_*)

ENCHANTMENT… NOT WITHOUT WHAT?

I was thinking the other day, apart from the ‘necessities’ for body and work, what would I not like to miss? And yes, the answer came quickly and yes, it is flowers.

They enhance and enchant me, all my senses, whether they are outside or inside. I experience them such as a great gift, like this ‘Peace Lily’ represents so well, like a hand, a spoon, giving, feeding…

Spathiphyllum, the Peace Lily is not a true lily.

For many centuries flowers are known to play a significant role in human life. They have the power to make man happy and cheerful. On different occasions, individuals make use of different types of flowers to express their emotions and feelings.

Apart from conveying emotions and feelings, flowers are also capable of influencing our moods.

Recently studies have proved that the presence of bright multicoloured flowers can intensify feelings of contentment and can produce joyful emotions.

Spending time in the company of flowers can affect social activities in a constructive way.

Studies have also revealed that flowers also have healing properties. Hence, often beautiful flower arrangements are kept in hospital rooms, so as to reduce the stress and pain intensity among patients.

Also, the Peace Lily is a beautiful plant and one that can improve your indoor air quality by as much as 60 percent. It helps to reduce the levels of mould spores that grow in the home by absorbing those spores through its leaves and them circulating them to the plant’s roots where they are used as food.

In bathrooms, the Peace Lily can help to keep shower tiles and curtains free from mildew and the plant can absorb harmful vapours from alcohol and acetone.

THANX, have a great day, M, (*_*)



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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PORTRAIT in PHOTOGRAPHY 2015!

Jane Bown said: "A portrait is not taken but given!"
The trend today, 2015 is: natural and unadulterated and authentic.
The circumstances here, Flanders, the beach, me sitting and staring at the sea, this gent passes behind me, I turn, grab camera and courage, and I'm "given" the portrait... LOL
The proper portrait, too often underestimated (NO, SELFIES DO NOT COUNT), yet it is the perfect recording of our history, forever changing lifestyles, the all important memories...
Cameras only the tools of the trade, note I write 'cameras', no distinction, it is my firm conviction that it is the person using the tools that is responsible for the result.

Like in everything else, there’s ever changing TREND.
You only have to look at the family/school/wedding portrait of 50-20 years ago!!!!!!!!
A dynamic portrait like this one here, would not have been possible, everything was: in studio, set up,neatly 'all-in', best clothes, from a respectable distance.
I like the way it's going, but it's taken some time...

Anybody (hate the question) who asks me: 'and, what do you photograph?' makes me think, my answer would be the BEAUTY in everything?
However I must admit, portraiture may be the most difficult discipline, I find it also the most rewarding!
Make the best of your day, Magda (~.~)

http://magdaindigo.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/importance-of-portrait-in-photography.html


For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS: www.indigo2photography.co.uk/magda-portfolio.htm

Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

A NEW YEAR IS LIKE A BUDDING FLOWER...
A metaphor, 2015 as the bud of a flower!
Full of PROMISE of all things good.
Petal after petal, layer after layer, day after day, week after week, it opens... with ups and downs!
Get through the 'lesser' days and enjoy the 'better' days, it is like fighting through the storms and then basking in the warm sunshine. I hope 2015 brings a LOT of SUN for you, beautiful flowers and PEACE.

Have a good year and thanks for your visit, so very much appreciated, Magda, (*_*)

For more of my other work visit here: www.indigo2photography.co.uk
Please RESPECT this:IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

FLAMBOROUGH REVISITED…

Sunday, June, lovely weather, good light, the Coast beckons, the sea calls.
It’s been a long time since we last visited Flamborough.
http://magdaindigo.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/rip-my-friend-from-flamborough.html  
We loved it when Robert Emmerson was still there, selling his dressed crabs, in the parking lot from the back of his van. It was always so heart-warming and a soul-stirring magical moment.  We miss him.
We arrived in the later afternoon. Because of the light, we prefer it. Most people were leaving, on their way home, looking happy and in passing very pleasant ‘hellos’ and smiles were exchanged, a good day for all.
On our way down to the beach of Smuggler’s Cove, we stopped, took in the beautiful and familiar view, never tire of it… photographed some. Then about half way, two boats on the ramp, tied and rusting away, Robert’s boat... Not neat and painted freshly as they used to be. On the beach more boats, manned by the family no doubt, I have met his grandson and nephew, a real family affair. Robert’s daughter was one of the ladies dressing the crabs. He loved the ladies and flowers, hence the names, ‘Our Georgina’, ‘Summer Rose’, ‘Madeleine Isabella’… all very romantic, but the reality is harsh, it is hard work, long hours, dangerous! We live in a different era, generations brought up differently, also the methods change? I still saw the crab and lobster pots. It looks like they were still being used… for how much longer? It was a good revisit with a tinge of nostalgia, very often what happens on these occasions, we beautify things in our head? One thing that never lies is the photo’s you come home with: the reality check! Interesting! M, (*_*)

HOW 'NOT' TO BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Social media, like Facebook, Google+,Twitter,LinkedIn,YouTube, 500px, Flickr and so many more were all made to share info, stories and photos, connect people. I am convinced that the people who created these sites had a wonderful picture in their mind, of nothing but good things? However, the human condition is different, you will always, sadly have the rotten apples who look for the seedier side of things. New words were used, TROLL, Cyber bullying... we are now familiar with them? I have been Cyber bullied, and being of a sensitive nature, I can assure you, it is easy to say: never mind... the reality is that it hurts, no matter how rational you are about it, not nice!

This time on Google+ I got a message from a lady, linking to someone who had stolen one of my photos. A BEAUTIFUL ROSE, he had changed the comp, and no credits were attributed. I only wrote that it was NOT on. He went into a rage, calling the lady and me two stupid fat jerks etc... put our profiles up on his stream with ALL the unnecessary insults. He has a lot of followers and they slagged us off without, by then, knowing what it was about. It was clear he wanted a mudslinging match... and I was not prepared to give him that? No reaction from me, reported it ALL to Google... it took them 2 days, some of it is was removed. I waited to block him because I wanted to know what was going on?
Then he posted nasty and abusive texts on my images, I deleted it, he was furious. More foul language and abuse.
I find that people like that man,[by what I saw of his 'shares', a bit of a pervert, a misogynist (with a BIG complex of strong women and a small penis? LOL)],should NOT BE TOLERATED, and hey, this story has a GOOD end: this time Mr X messed with the wrong people! He is GONE... COMPLETELY removed from Google, really GONE! Justice is done, the two 'stupid fat jerks/freaks with lame brains' WON!!!

These can be great places, I've made friends and contacts through them.
Let's be kind and remain civilised, it means 'PEACE' on our level, not a bad start?
Have a great day and thank you, M, (*_*)

AND THEN... THERE IS THE PROPER PHOTOGRAPHER!

 http://magdaindigo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/today-everyone-is-photographer.html

That is the person who invested a lot of time, money and effort... with great pleasure and passion? Learned HOW to be a photographer, what it all means! The technical and human ins and outs, learned about light, in studio and in nature, knows about composition. Yes, once you know the rules: THEN you can become 'creative'... and break them!
None of this depends on the size or the price of the camera! A camera is simply a tool. It WILL ALWAYS be the person behind the camera that makes the photo! The minimum requirement is to understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length.
And a good photographer can take a good picture with a good camera, but a GREAT photographer can take GREAT pictures even with a phone?
I used to take my camera everywhere with me, not anymore and okay it DOES happen that I see a shot, well I take it with my mind's eye and shrug? I am not a photo-journalist, so if I miss it... I miss it.
There is a time for seeing and enjoying and then a time for the 'passion'.
How do you recognise a proper photographer? No, not necessarily the one with the most gear, gadgets or the heaviest camera-bag, LOL. Many love it, I see it all the time and it makes me smile. It is the consistency, the built-up portfolio, the overall quality of the work.

Have a good day and thanks for your visit, so very much appreciated, Magda, (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS: http://www.indigo2photography.co.uk/magda-portfolio.htm

Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved