Apr 22, 2016
About Life’s a Blur: A photography series that experiments with long exposures and motion blur. Every photo is a combination of movement mixed with a still subject. I’d like to think of each photo like a meditation: stillness in a sea of chaos.
These photos are also part of my Photo and 100 Words project. Since January 2014, I’ve been creating a new photo and writing about it every week. If you’re interested in finding out what prompted me to begin you can read the introduction over here.
(If you’re new to this photography series you might want to read how it all began in Part 1)
The Best Photography for the ‘Worst’ Conditions
This is going to be the briefest behind the scenes post ever, because I’ve already totally explained how to create photos similar to these back in part 2. So I’m posting this mostly so you can compare the before and after shots and see what kind of scenery has the most potential.
I will say that this is the perfect kind of photography to do at noon on a sunny day, which is probably my favorite part! Most kinds of subjects don’t look great at all in direct sunlight, especially harsh, mid-day light. In the case of these blurred scenes, though, the harsher the light, the better. You’ll never be able to use the “golden hour” excuse with this technique… although, as you’ll see below, the golden hour works just fine too.
The spring set of Life’s a Blur:
As is usual with these posts I’ve provided links to the original 100 words I wrote to go along with each photo, just in case you want to dig deeper into my world =)
Magnolia Petal in the Breeze
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I don’t know what it was, maybe just the pink and blue, but this image sparked me to write about Baby Season.
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Magnolia Petal in the Breeze” and “Shell of a Flower.”
I really encourage you to experiment with each scene! In petal shot above, I got a little more blue by keeping more of the sky in my frame, and I got more pinks and purples by filling my frame with the flowers in the photo below. Both images came from the same scene, though, and you can alter the positioning of colors and the angle of the streaks by moving your camera in a different direction or starting and ending in different areas of your scene. Experiment, experiment, experiment!
Shell of a Flower
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I posted this photo along with a brief account of what it was like to sit under this majestic magnolia tree, I was Afraid to Blink.
Magnolia Petal Swept Away
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I examined everything Bittersweet when I first published this photo.
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Magnolia Petal Swept Away.”
This image was shot during the infamous golden hour, as the sun was going down, if you like warmer colors you might still shoot for this time of day. Personally, I’m usually unavailable during this time, so if you’re like me and your schedule is booked during the oh-so-precious golden hour light, just warm up your white balance bar in post. (That won’t work at all for typical landscape photography, but with these abstract scenes, no one will know the difference, promise!)
Sugar Maple Flowers Blow Away
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
In Flying Solo I travel back to my teenage years into a memory that was sparked by this photo.
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Sugar Maple Flowers Blow Away.”
Forsythia Flight
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I realize this every year, but spring is not always as sweet as it seems, read my thoughts in A Stinky Spring.
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Forsythia Flight.”
When I moved my camera horizontally along this scene I ended up with ugly black stripes where the power lines were, but if I moved in any other direction they disappeared. Diagonally seemed to work best for my tastes with these colors!
Dogwood Petal’s Dream
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
Sometimes I have A Sick Sense of Humor about the world…
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Dogwood Petal’s Dream.”
Pink Petals Fly
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I suddenly realized that the entire theme behind the Life’s a Blur series is has gotten so far away from me! Isn’t it Ironic?
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Pink Petals Fly.”
This scene was tricky. I had to get in really close to get enough of that pink and purple color I was aiming for. This redbud tree was pretty small and there weren’t that many flowers on it, especially at a distance.
Redbud Flower Flight
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
Read Slowing Down in this Blur to experience one of my most memorable moments!
A snapshot of the background scene before I blurred it in camera to create “Redbud Flower Flight.”
This scene is similar to the last one, but the slight angle change mixed with a diagonal movement of the camera creates a whole new abstraction!
What’s Next?
Well that’s it for Life’s a Blur, but the good news is that you can now access all the behind the scenes content in the links listed below!
How it All Began – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 1
Fall Scenes – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 2
Water Flow and Flowers – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 3
How to Photograph Snowflakes – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 4
Creating Surreal Showers – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 5
In the meantime I’m creating a whole new series right now! In honor of my business name, Reflective Photos, I’m going to be playing around with reflections and distortions to create some fun abstract art. This is partially because I’ve recently become fascinated with reflections, in both the literal and the figurative senses, but also because I know that “reflective photos” is a popular Google search term that finds this site. So why not give the Googlers what they want?
If you want to get my new photos, and more behind the scenes info, like this, delivered to you inbox, make sure to sign up below.
Feb 26, 2016
About Life’s a Blur: A photography series that experiments with long exposures and motion blur. Every photo is a combination of movement mixed with a still subject. I’d like to think of each photo like a meditation: stillness in a sea of chaos.
These photos are also part of my Photo and 100 Words project. Since January 2014, I’ve been creating a new photo and writing about it every week. If you’re interested in finding out what prompted me to begin you can read the introduction over here.
(If you’re new to this photography series you might want to read how it all began in Part 1)
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details OR read the original post I wrote about it: “Reaching for Dreams“
The concept seemed simple: make it rain. The execution was a bit more complicated, but that was mostly my own fault…
I started out with a bouquet of flowers, a purple backdrop, and a pile of homemade confetti made by sending some construction paper scraps through our paper shredder. Shout out to Nick for simplifying that process! I had intended to use scissors.
I planned on taking long exposures of the flowers and dropping the confetti in the background to create a streaky, rainy effect.
It was only as I was pulling my flashes out of my bag, that I realized I had already run into a problem! I forgot to bring home hot lights from the studio.
A Lesson in Lighting
For those of you who are new to off-camera lighting, there are generally two options: strobes and constant light. The main difference being that constant light stays on and strobes only flash when the camera takes a photo.
There are lots of reasons you might consider using one over another, but for the purposes of this example I needed constant light because I intended to capture long exposures. Flashes tend to freeze motion and would totally negate the soft effect I was going for.
I could’ve waited for the next weekend to come around… or maybe not, I don’t really remember what I had going on at the time, but I don’t have that kind of patience anyway! And so the problem-solving began…
I decided to use my living room lamp as a constant light source. It had three bulbs on it and they were semi-adjustable, so I turned all three of them on and pointed them in the same general direction to even out the lighting on my backdrop. More importantly, the lamp was also going to be lighting the confetti in the background.
The next problem was two-fold. I only had one lamp, so that meant I had to use at least one flash to light up the flower.
First of all, mixing light sources is generally not a good idea because every light has its own colorcast. The lamp was putting out yellowy light compared to the bluish light my flash puts out.
I fixed that issue by balancing the lights with gels, which are just colored sheets of transparent plastic. It just takes a bit of time and experimentation to get it right, but I ended up covering all of the lamp lights with blue gels to negate the yellow, and I did the opposite with my flash by covering it with a yellow gel.
The second problem with using a flash on the flower was that I was also blasting the confetti with the flash too. This created a simultaneously soft and frozen look; there were streaks of color from the confetti lit by the lamp, but there were also hard dots specked across the background that froze when the flash fired. Awesome effect, but it’s not what I wanted.
I had to experiment with some matte board to find the sweet spot where I would block the flash from hitting the confetti but still allow enough light onto the flower. Eventually I got it right!
Then I added in another matte board, covered in aluminum foil, to fill in the right side of the background and bounce more lamp light back into the confetti. I’m sure I had to tweak that angle too, in order to avoid bouncing any light from the flash into the confetti as well.
You might also see that I have a giant reflector above the whole set, and I can’t remember what that was for, but I’m going to assume it was further flash blockage, and lamp light bounceage, on the background area.
More Photos Made from this Setup:
Click the links below each image to read the original 100 words of reflection they inspired! Each image is also available in my art shop, so just click on the images if you are interested in purchasing any of these for you wall.
Warm Rain on a Cool Night
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
This image came out alongside my 100-word perspective on why “Rain is Never Gray.”
Towering Twin Flowers
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I have a strong dislike of green backgrounds… and you can read why in “Naturally Unnatural.”
Surreal Showers on Flowers
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I’m constantly amazed at how much more I have yet to discover in my own back yard, that’s what I wrote about in “Spring Sprung New Flowers,” when this photo was first published.
Starfighter Lily Fights the Blues
This photo is for sale… click on it for more details.
I hate when my fellow creative use lack of inspiration as an excuse not to create, and that’s what I wrote about Inspiration is for Lazy Artists.
Learn from My Mistakes!
If I had it to do over, I would NEVER do it this way! It’s a great example, though, of how anything is possible with a little creativity and what you already have.
This is also the last time you’ll see behind the scenes photos in my old studio – ahem – kitchen/living room. All future photos will show off my new studio space! I don’t know about you, but that gives me reason for celebration!
What’s Next?
You’ll get to see what my spring scenes looked like before and after I blurred them in my camera. The technique is the same one I used for parts 2 and 4 in this series, so check the links below if you want to learn more.
This will be the last behind the scenes post about the Life’s a Blur series. If you’re new here, though, you might’ve missed my previous posts on creating motion blur with long exposures!
How it All Began – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 1
Fall Scenes – Life’s a Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 2
Water Flow and Flowers – Life’s A Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 3
How to Photograph Snowflakes – Life’s A Blur – Behind the Scenes – Part 4
Update: Part 6 is now available if you want to get a glimpse behind the spring set of Life’s a Blur!
Dec 16, 2015
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
The old security guard was puffing on a smoke, and staring out at the parking lot with faded blue eyes, as Nick and I approached his bench.
“It’s nice out, huh?” Nick asked.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Neil said, and I swear the blue in his eyes brightened as he said it. It was 8:30 am on a mid-December morning and I guessed it was 60 degrees in the sun.
“Global warming ain’t so bad, right?” I asked, and Neil let out the first chuckle I’d ever heard.
“Not bad at all,” Nick said, “my house will be beach-front property soon.”
“Ahhh, HA-HA!” Neil let out, and his contagious laughter infected me nearly as much as Nick’s joke.
You already know my feelings about this horrible time of year but, even though I’d welcome an ice-free winter with open arms, I have to admit the abnormal weather does make me wary.
I even feel a little guilty for making the joke…
I totally expected to share this last photo by telling you that I’m holding onto spring with all my might, but I haven’t really had to this year. I’ve even been hoping for snow.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Dec 7, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
I’ve used a constant metaphor throughout the Life’s a Blur series, “each photo is like a meditation,” I say, but what do I know about meditation? In the past year or so, I’ve felt more like a twig in a tornado than a bellyfull buddha, chillin’ in the center of a storm.
Life’s a Blur is over, done, onto the next thing, and I just realized that I lied to you. I said that I would begin meditating again, months ago, and it’s only been this past week that I’ve actually done it.
I almost forgot what it was like to live inside my body in a world that’s ruled by outside achievement… even a few minutes makes a huge difference in my perspective.
Do you meditate? What do you do to chill out? I’m curious!
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Sep 30, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
I had just relearned how to eat ice cream from a cone, chocolate evidence was all over my shirt, and the laughs Nick and I shared energized our spirits as we drove home from Joe’s Dairy Bar.
Occassional sparks illuminated the fluffy, dark purple clouds and zig-zagged down through the pink sky. I slowed the car and we gawked at the gorgeousness of it all.
At home, we sat in the backyard, watching those windswept wisps fly by and listening to the magical sound of the wind chimes for the very first time. The pink sky turned periwinkle, then deep blue, and two bats’ dancing silhouettes fluttered against it.
Something bounced on the patio and Gracie was on it like the black on those bats. The toad got drooled on, but we saved him from becoming a doggie snack.
The sky darkened and something swooped into the bushes and hovered there. A hummingbird? No. A moth the size of my fist, swaying with the branches to hide from the bats.
Friday nights are for us. Movies, video games, or maybe just a snuggle chat… oh my. This was, so far, the most memorable, magical of those nights.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Jul 24, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
As we count down the days to our big move, all my excitement is stilled by this nagging nausea. I start to slow, I sit still, and look at things a little longer.
What will I miss?
Our cramped apartment gave us a certain closeness; I will miss Nick being just a glance away when he’s laughing at Reddit – or a glare away when he’s screaming at pretend people.
I might miss not knowing who Gracie’s favorite is… if it doesn’t end up being me.
I may miss other things that I won’t miss until they’re already gone, so I’m trying to take it all in, and appreciate it while I’m still here.
I’m dragging out my spring photos like a sentimental spring hugger, which is an excellent description of me. The truth is, though, I have no time to make summer photos, and I overdid the spring ones. Lucky you. =)
What are you sentimental about? What do you miss about a change in your life? Tell me, tell me, I really wanna know!
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Jul 17, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
My struggle with perfection is a constant battle.
That’s why the last magnolia petal I’m sharing with you is the odd one. While there is something beautiful about it, it’s still my least favorite. I’m a walking oxymoron… in so many ways. One minute I’m talking about snowflakes and how beautiful the imperfections are and the next I’m tossing away petals with creases, and petals with rot and wrinkles.
I’ve been struggling in my podcast with this too… it’s so hard for me to let that very 1st episode go. It was even harder to do my very first unscripted episode.
I don’t have time to be perfect in this post today. I’m letting it go to you quicker than ever – barely edited.
I have a podcast to launch in 2 weeks, a pet photo session to edit, more “Life’s a Blur” images to edit for you, and suddenly we’re moving to THE perfect house the day after my (already revised) podcast date! I’m so excited about everything that’s happening, but let me just say: my plate is loaded, I feel like my eyes are bigger than my stomach, and it’s time to chow down baby!
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Jul 10, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
I honked the horn of my sea green ’93 Taurus, we were at a red light on a two-lane highway, and when the driver next to us glanced over, Lauren and I smiled with the goofiest grins we could make. We waved at him with quickly flailing hands. Then we looked at each other and cackled like crazies. Before I sped off I glanced back at the man, and I saw that our silliness had spread the smiles.
I was always weirdly silly, but it never came out publicly unless I had an accomplice. I wonder if 30-year-old me can pull it off now all alone as good as 17-year-old me did with my besties back then. I predict more nervous glances than grinning giggles.
There’s something about two people laughing madly that’s contagious… but, ironically, it’s not really an inside joke if it’s only inside you. That’s where the line between hilarious and insane starts to blur.
As I’m writing this, I’m feeling unusually giddy. I’m trying hard not to laugh for fear of drawing strange glances from other coffee house patrons. I miss youth and fearlessness, and I miss all my partners in weird laughter crime.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Jun 26, 2015 |
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
The wedding season is finally over – now it’s baby season. I’m sure by now you’re aware of my feelings on all the fooey fluffliness of weddings.
However ridiculous I think they are, though, weddings don’t change much these days. When a couple gets married, they’ve probably already been living together. It’s more like a celebration that they haven’t killed each other yet, than an announcement of naïvely innocent love.
Babies are different though; babies are game changers. As my Facebook feed becomes swarmed with big bellies and newborns, I get a little queasy. It’s empathy, and a projection of my own fears.
I don’t want a baby. I have absolutely no desire to take on an 18-24 year project that will rip my body apart, bleed my bank account, and challenge my patience. Every once in awhile, though, I wonder what it would be like, what my kid might look like, and if it’s something I’m destined to do.
“You better check what time of the month it is when you start to think those things.” My friend, Michele, made me laugh when she said that, but it’s true. I’m fighting a biological instinct and, luckily, I’m still winning.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
Jun 19, 2015
Want this hanging on your wall? Click the photo to buy now!
“It’s a bittersweet, symphony, this life…” The song plays in my head as I write this.
Everything in life can be seen as either bitter or sweet. More often, though, things can be found floating somewhere in between those extremes, on the way from one end to the other.
A cookie comes with calories. From sweet to bitter.
Running is painfully healthy. From bitter to sweet.
There is never an instance of love that is not eventually followed by loss.
Every path we take is filled with both the opportunity to succeed and the risk of failure.
For me, every opportunity seems like another fear to overcome. It’s like juggling a chocolate chip with an orange peel on my tongue.
Before spring shows its beautiful colors it has to emerge from a barren, muddy brown world flooded by winter’s tears. The beginning of spring is bitterly sweet.
What are these numbered posts all about? Read the introduction to my Photo & 100 Words project and find out!
