Dec 5, 2014 |
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I peeked out the window and checked for the sun; this is how I get the weather report in spring and fall, and it’s often misleading.
One overcast day I bundled Gracie in her monkey sweater and found myself sweating underneath three layers. It was probably 50, but it felt more like 80 with all our ridiculous clothing.
Only a day before, though, I was hugging myself and urging her along, “come on Gracie go pee-pee, go pee-pee!” I stood shivering in my sweatshirt and felt guilty about my poor pibble; she was in nothing but her birthday suit. The sun was shinning bright that day… uselessly, I might add.
All that meteorological confusion is gone now. No more of your trickery, Sun. I don’t have to look out the window to guess how it’ll feel. It’s effin freezing out… probably from now on.
I saved this leaf for last, with the hope that all that fiery red might fool you into feeling warm the way the sun always seems to fool me.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Gracie Lou AKA Moo being extra cute in the monkey sweater her Aunt Jen bought her.
Dec 3, 2014 |
He was wide-eyed, his mouth opened a tad more than necessary to express his disbelief, and I was thinking if there was a strait jacket nearby, he would gladly wrap me up in it and deliver me to the nearest asylum. He was the new manager at my friend’s condo development and he was trying to sell me on a lease.
“Sorry, I couldn’t move here,” I said, “you don’t allow pets.”
“Oh, well we’re going to be changing that policy soon,” he replied with a big smile, “what kind of pet do you have?”
“Two cats, a bird, and a dog.” I said, and that’s when I got the ‘ooo-kkkkay crazy lady’ look and that was the end of that conversation.
If you have 3 or more pets I’m sure someone has given you that look before. It’s the same look I give people when they tell me they have 3 or more kids, ha ha, we all judge based on our own level of tolerance.
I can’t imagine how many times Darcy has gotten this look, even I was guilty of the same shock when she booked her first photo session with me last year. Now, I have to publicly apologize because this lady takes better care of her furbabies than most people do of their 2-legged children!
Walking into Darcy’s immaculate house sends a different kind of shock pulsing through me; I am a total friggin’ slob, I think, there are 3x as many pets here but I could eat off of this floor!
Ruffles was the star of our photo session. Just look at the smile on her face as she looks up at her mommy – it’s beyond obvious that she adores Darcy. At 11 years old she still has the energy to run across the ginormous yard at top speed.
Left: Ruffles with a big ole smile Right: Ruffles running to her favorite person
Holly the ham never frowns at my camera, she always gives me that happy grin… I’m sure the treats don’t hurt though!
Holly hamming it up for the camera.
Candy and Spike, the shepherd siblings, are always face-first in the snow. These two really crack me up! While Candy is busy circling trees, Spike is bouncing around the yard like a jackrabbit. Until you throw Spike’s “baby,” then it’s a race through the snow and an invitation to play.
Left: Candy poses with Darcy Right: Spike stops his snow sniffing for a cookie
Pooh Bear is Darcy’s constant companion – wherever she is, he better be able to follow! Even if the snow is taller than he is, he. will. make it.
Last, but certainly not least, is Rocky. He’s the handsome shorty with all the muscles. This boy has a mouth like a manatee; you wouldn’t even know he has teeth when you give him a treat. Squeezing those cheeks again is high on my list of priorities!
Left: Rocky patiently waiting for his next cookie Right: Pooh Bear treks through snow taller than him
(Oh and P.S. all of these dogs are rescued, even the “purebreds.” So I don’t want to hear any more excuses about why you bought your pet, k? Darcy, you are my hero.)
Nov 28, 2014
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The wind grabbed at my hair so violently that even the tiniest wisps stung like little whips in their medusa-like craze. They predicted 40 MPH gusts that day and, as usual, I was underdressed for the occasion.
I could hear the wind coming, the rustling was like static all around me. When it was about to strike, the sound amplified quickly, suddenly whooshing past my ears. The cold easily cut through my clothes, stinging my skin. The few clouds rolled in and out of the sun’s path, briefly chilling me further.
When I couldn’t take it anymore I got into my car. Shielded from the wind, and baking in the sun, it was the perfect break room to warm up and scope out my next shot.
This is what I think of as the perfect storm. Enough force to intrigue me and enough sun to make all the stormy discomforts dissipate quickly.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Nov 21, 2014 |
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Ever look in the mirror and totally shock yourself? I did earlier this week!
I was in my typical bum-wear: yoga pants and a sweatshirt from 1999. It’s a faded brown, with a few holes, and the cuffs are torn where the folds used to be. That’s one fall perk; when I take Gracie out, big, baggy sweatshirts, are the perfect way to hide the fact that I don’t feel like wearing a bra.
So if I’m typically a bum, what was the big shocker? My hair! I’m parting it differently, and sometimes pieces here and there still try regress to a former life, but this was bad! It looked like I stuck my head in a blender, and this was after my 2nd venture outside that day! I grabbed my brush and started working out the mess, only to have it get caught in a knot so big it was halfway to making dreadlock status!
This is what happens when I take a week off from the 9-5 photography to get some artsy work done. So thank you boring products that need to be photographed… you keep me looking halfway decent five days a week.
What about you? Do you ever just bum out? Ever been caught by your neighbors looking like hell? Help me feel a bit less freakish and tell me about it!
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Nov 17, 2014 |
So what’s a blog hop?
It’s an ongoing weekly post that’s passed on from artist to artist. It’s an online adventure in discovering new artists and the beautiful things they are making. Last week Jennifer McIntosh, an artist I met in a Facebook artist group, invited me to participate and I’m super excited to be a part of this worldwide art project!
Jennifer is a very talented Australian artist who uses various mediums to express herself including photography, painting, and drawing. She’s currently working on a series of charcoal nudes using her own photography as a reference. Check out her blog hop post from last week to see more photos and get a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process in this series.
Charcoal drawing by Jennifer McIntosh
Jennifer’s ability to create such beautiful art in any medium is awe-inspiring! Don’t believe me? Check out her painting gallery and her photography gallery to get a taste of what I’m talking about. You have to see her painting titled “Sacred Cove” and her fine art photo “Reflections,” they are my personal favorites!
Now, for you fellow blog hoppers, a bit about my art
1)What am I working on?
Since January 2014 I’ve committed to creating a new photo and 100 words to go with it every week. I’m only 10 weeks away from hitting the 1 year mark! Although I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime soon.
I’m currently working on a series I’ve titled, “Life’s a Blur.” Each photo in this series incorporates a mixture of motion blur with a still subject. I’d like to think of each photo like a meditation: stillness in a sea of chaos. This is my first journey into long exposure photography and I’m really enjoying the experimentation process.
“The Pocket Watch Between Tick and Tock” Photography by Rebekah Nemethy
2)How does my work differ from others of its genre?
It’s not often that my fine art photography is “found.” Seeing with my eyes is only half of it, I also see with my mind what something can be and I do my best to make my art into what my mind wants it to be. A minimalist result is what I strive for.
“Steady Heart” Photography by Rebekah Nemethy
3)Why do I create what I do?
Why does a bird fly? Because it has wings of course! So, the simple answer to this question could be because my father gave me a camera when I was 14 years old. I love making things, always have, and the camera has been my go-to tool for a long time.
I do have a bigger picture in mind, however. I would love to be able to say one day that my art really contributed to something bigger than myself. That something bigger is animal rescue. Right now I donate 10% of my art sale profits to several animal rescue organizations, and I plan on increasing that amount incrementally until I can share 50% of my profits with the fur and feather babies in need.
“Fall Spectrum” Photography by Rebekah Nemethy
4)How does my creating process work?
It always starts out with an idea, and most of my ideas are inspired by subjects I come across (this could be anything from a flower to a piece of trash), but sometimes I’m inspired by a color, or as is the case in my current series, a certain technique.
Once I decide on a starting point I start to brainstorm the set up. This often leads me to hours of sifting through my prop drawers and wandering through craft stores for new materials.
Each set I make is different from the last. Building my set is a creative process in itself. Sometimes building the set can take a full day if my idea is very involved.
Lighting is the next step, followed by the actual photography. I experiment with my lighting and composition and reshoot. Light, compose, reshoot, and repeat. I’ll shoot between 250-500 photos over the course of a day or two.
The selection process is next, only the best of the best images make it through; maybe around 10 images. Then each of those photos are color adjusted and retouched at the bare minimum. Sometimes there is additional Photoshop work, but not always.
Then it’s time to write a story to go with every image. Behind the scenes happenings, my feelings about the photo or a related subject, and sometimes even poetry accompanies my photography when it’s published.
Then I start all over again!
“Autumn in Orange and Blue” Photography by Rebekah Nemethy
Continue the blog hopping adventure with these awesome artists on 11/24/14
I discovered Kali’s whimsical work several months ago on Daily Paint Works. She paints and draws a variety of subjects, but her florals and owl paintings are repeating themes and they are my personal favorites. Kali creates, and posts, a new piece of art to her blog every single day, and has been since 2011! Her daily blog posts are always about something wonderful/amazing/funny/whimsical that happens in her life.
“Saluting the Sun” A painting by Kali Parsons
Kali’s actively working on a number of picture book manuscripts and has just recently started working on illustrating a story of her own. When she’s not doing all that, she’s a wife, mother, and a teacher of 3 and 4 year old students with disabilities at a local public school… and yes, they do A LOT of art.
Make sure to visit Kali’s blog to read her blog hop post on 11/24! You can also see what paintings she has for sale over on her Daily Paintworks Gallery
I also got to know Divinity’s work through a Facebook artist group, and I’m particularly in love with her “Sensual” series which the painting below belongs to. She is currently working on a series of Chakra Goddesses and getting ready for her first solo show as you read this!
“Ecstasy” A painting from Divinity Chan’s Sensual Series
Since that first encounter with a box of crayons, which inspired youthful works of art all over the walls and furniture of her home, Divinity possessed a desire to spread and share her love of color with the world. Synergy of bold and vibrant colors, and contemporary imagery, marks her artistic style. Divinity’s vibrant images will remind viewers of the joys of life, and spur vision and creativity.
Be inspired! Experience “Awakening the Colors of the Soul” at www.divinitychan.com Be sure to visit Divinity’s blog too on 11/24 to follow the blog hop over to Canada!
Nov 14, 2014
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If you’ve ever taken a drive through the Northeast in autumn, I’m sure you’ve had a moment or two when the beauty overwhelmed you. The bright yellows, oranges, and reds against a bold blue sky on a sunny day has a way of soothing the soul. On the most frigid fall day the rays of sunlight shinning through the leaves can almost warm you with its fiery glow.
I’ve always envied the photographers and artists who can capture the big picture with such stunning landscapes. I’ve never really focused much attention on developing my landscape skills, although I know the BF wishes I would. It’s so easy for me to get distracted, and then intrigued, by the little pieces that make up the whole. This leaf is just a pixel in someone else’s landscape.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Nov 12, 2014 |
When I first arrived at Danielle and Joe’s house for our doggie photo session, Moose greeted me just like they told me he would. With a full-body wiggle propelled by his tail, Moose trotted back and forth from the front door to the bottom of the steps just outside the entryway. When he disappeared down the steps again, I peeked around the corner and there he was, with a loafer in his mouth, proudly standing over a small pile of shoes. “Hi new hoooman,” his goofy grin said, “look what I made for you!”
Left: Moose with a big smile Right: Sadie striking the pose
Moose’s little sister, Sadie, was adopted about a year and a half ago after about 5 years of rehabilitation in a foster home. She is more on the cautious side with strangers, and she is especially wary of men. In fact, it was only a few months ago that she finally warmed up enough to her new Daddy that she was comfortable enough to give him a bit of couch cuddling. “This was a big event in our house,” Danielle said, “and a very happy one!”
That’s why we were all surprised when Sadie came over and greeted me before the bribery cookies even came out of the jar. She made me feel like a very special girl in that moment. I’m a sap for any and all rescue stories and Sadie sure has made it into the happily-ever-after category.
Moose is proud of his family
It was the perfect fall day: crisp and cool with the sun poking in and out. Moose and Sadie chased balls around the yard and eagerly awaited the inevitable shower of treats their parents held nearby. The treats were well-deserved rewards for being such good pups on photo day.
Nov 7, 2014 |
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When the idea for these photos struck me I imagined exactly how I would do it. I daydreamt of twirling around like the lady from The Sound of Music; minus the beautiful hills and plus dodging headstones as I deathgripped my camera.
When it came time to shoot, I’m sure I looked more like a dizzy delinquent high on LSD than a blonde nanny in a musical. Luckily, though, only the dead were around to criticize and they don’t say much.
It wasn’t long before I figured out that moving my camera had to be a lot less carefree than playing ring around the rosie with myself. I settled on 1 second exposures (rather than the 4 that I started with) and panned the camera slow, steady, and straight across the horizon.
I got kind of addicted to the process and the surprise of seeing the resulting blend of color. The rainbow background above was my favorite surprise. Below is a snapshot reference of the scene before I spun it away in my camera.
What do you think?
The scene that I motion-blurred into a rainbow background for the photo above.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Oct 31, 2014
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The air was as crisp as the leaves that crunched below my feet. I weaved between gravestones and the wind whipped up a storm of static in my ears as the leaves shivered against one another. The wind’s cool caress has always evoked an unusual calm in me.
Hypnotized by the wind, I didn’t notice that I’d come up to one of the paved pathways and I stumbled over the edge. I juggled my camera from hand to hand and eventually held onto it long enough to save it from smashing into the asphalt below. As I caught it, though, I hit the shutter by mistake and took a photo.
The photo below is what I found when I developed the film. I couldn’t tell you what other photos I made that day, but this one is forever etched in my memory as my favorite mistake. The tilt, the long shadows, and that one leaf that flew into the shot are all so magical to me.
The photo of the week, above, was made in the same cemetery more than a decade later… it seems like time can blow away so quickly with the wind.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Oct 24, 2014
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For eighteen seconds we jerked the crossbar of yarn around, not at all in sync. My side went up and Nick’s went down, my side got stuck but his side kept moving smoothly. Anyone watching us might have thought we were fighting over the background rather than moving it together, haha. I thought we’d have to redo the photos.
I intended for this scene to look windblown and chaotic, but my plan to use my blow drier on a bunch of hanging strands of yarn totally bombed. Not nearly enough power for the stormy look I was going for. Instead I asked the BF to help me raise and lower the background to blur it.
I was pleasantly surprised at the results, although it was far more serene than I expected. I decided to stop looking for chaos and enjoy the peace I’d found in the storm.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
