Tranquility I

ss 0.5 f 22 ISO 50

Nikon D800, Nikkor 24-70 58mm

My family and I spent a couple of weeks in Hawaii this summer.   Our trip was nothing short of amazing.  I have so many stories to tell through photographs, but so little time to blog.  I want to share so much with all of you, but with the start of school, sports and activities for the kids, and work, I just haven’t been able to dedicate the time needed to effectively write blog posts.

I am thrilled to be as busy as I am.  I have had a steady flow of head shot clients, family portraits, and events to photograph, which is all good and means business is growing.   The best part about all of it is that I am getting to meet some really spectacular people.

My children are busy running cross country, playing high school football, dancing and playing tennis.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy watching them run, dance, and play.  My heart bubbles with joy every time I see them working hard and having fun while doing it.   One would think that I have a lot to photographs to share with you of all of these fun activities, but, I have actually been taking the time watching them to relax and do just that, watch them.

Enough about why I haven’t been blogging and a bit about this shot.  If you haven’t already figured it out, the subject is the ocean.  I took a long exposure shot of water to create that flowing, cotton candy like effect.  I find it to be peaceful and tranquil, thus the title.  The location of the photograph is Kauai, Hawaii

To see a similar photograph but in black and white visit Monochromia for my Thursday post.  Which do you like better, the color edition, or the black and white edit?

Wander

ss 0.8  f 22 ISO 160 – long exposure to capture motion

When I first began posting on my photography blog almost five years ago someone wrote to me and said “just make sure you keep it fun so you don’t get burnt out or lose the joy”. Such wise words. As I moved from being strictly a fine art photographer and taking on portraiture clients, headshot clients and visual branding clients life began to have overwhelming moments. Not only because of the photography, but because life is so busy with three kids, a dog, a husband who travels and just in general. At times I get a little lost, and feel I’m in the dark. In addition I sometimes feel my creativity is hiding amongst the chaos and I am grasping for an anchor to ground me in my work again. During these times I question if my work is fresh and stimulating, I struggle with implementing my project ideas and prioritizing, and just feel overwhelmed. These are times of self-doubt and questioning and I have to work hard to convince myself that my work is my art and if I like it, I should present it, not hide it ~ that someone will like it. I tend to look to closely at, and analyze too much, the number of social media likes instead of finding peace in the fact that I was moved by my creation and my clients like what I create for them. 
The above image summarizes, in part, how I feel about my photography. The ~ Color ~ edit correlates to feeling overjoyed and in awe at how I see the world and capture life one image at a time.  The ~Black and White ~ edit of this image is posted on Monochromia and represents when the phantom of failure strikes and I am intimidated and unsure of the direction I am or should be going, wandering aimlessly. All of these feelings occurring while the world is aflame with passion and excitement around me.

Which image speaks more to you and your life right now, at this moment ~ The color edit or the black and white edit?  Do you wander?

I can’t wait to read your thoughts.

Blue

 

Blue

ss 0.8 f 22 iso 100

“No water, no life. No blue, no green.” – Sylvia Earle

This image was taken during the evening blue hour on the Pacific Coast in February.  The “blue hour” refers to the period of twilight every morning and evening when the sun is below the horizon and the indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue with a cool color temperature.

To learn more about the blue hour, the golden hour and twilight feel free to read this great article by PetaPixel.

Remember, tomorrow is Thursday and I will be posting a black and white image on Monochromia.  Be sure to stop by!

What I dream of…

Serenity

SS 1.6  f 22  ISO 64

“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” – Henri Matisse

 

Notice the shutter speed above.  The long exposure created the soothing, serenity effect of the water.  Long exposure is my favorite technique when shooting water.  I love the calming feeling that lends to mindfulness, peace and a joyful heart.

Golden Peace

A wave of grace

Washes over the soul

As the golden glow

Of the sun recedes

Beyond the horizon.

A wave of golden warmth

Moves the heart

And stirs the emotions

Of then and now,

Of loves lost and gained,

For people who’ve come and gone

With the ebb and flow

Of the waves of life

Flowing near and far

Tempting the soul to grasp

The glory of the golden peace

That often lies beyond our reach.

Until, at last,

We concede to accept

The love and peace

Offered by –

The divine.

copyright Robyn Graham

Golden Peace