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Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Cloie Bright

Apr 292015

“Bright Eyes” photo copyright Cloie Bright

“Bright Eyes”
This world is filled with beautiful and eclectic people. It is an honor as a photographer to try to capture that beauty in a single frame. One such honor came to me as a good friend of mine is graduating and when is not a better time to capture such moments as graduating college? She is naturally a gorgeous woman and therefore getting a ‘pretty’ shot wasn’t going to prove to be that difficult. However, sometimes life does not end up as perfect as you expect and in this case it came in the form of a foot boot that she had to wear because of a surgery. As a photographer you have to be able to bend to those particular whims if you have any chances of succeeding at achieving the goal you set out to do. In this case to capture the exuberant expression of a woman who has succeeded at overcoming five grueling years of schooling to become a professional.

How was I going to do this? My client wanted to do outdoor photography. Flagstaff is a beautiful place and she wanted to show that in her graduation photos. My job was to make sure to get shots that both herself and her family would love. So, I did my research. How I learn the best is learning from the example of other individuals. Sites that give great examples of photography that I use are Pinterest and Behance. Some things that I found worthy of taking note of, especially in regards to a young woman being the model, was to have her shoulders tilted, use multiple different points of view, make sure that the focal point a was her eyes, and to try to keep her as comfortable as possible. Doing this research helped to better prepare me for the shoot upping my own confidence, which hopefully helped her to be more relaxed in front of the camera.

To best execute this photo I decided to take her out during the golden hour to a park with flat land and great landscape shots. For this shoot I used my Nikon D750 partnered with a 24-120mm lens. The overall goal of the shoot was to keep her comfortable and having fun because those positive feelings would hopefully then show through the image. However, because of her wearing the boot, that handicap started to overall cross over to her feeling unattractive. I fixed this as best I could by encouraging her through words and putting her in positions that were natural and flowed well with her clothing and her personality. I also made sure to show her if there was a great shot of her that right away was a ‘winner’ to boost her confidence and make the overall experience positive.

The end results to the shoot were fantastic. This image was one of the strongest because it justly shows her happiness about graduating and focuses on her eyes, captivating the viewer. The settings for this particular shot was: 1/620 sec, f/4, ISO 200. In post processing the first thing that I did was find the perfect crop with the dimension of 5 x 7 inches to best fit the purpose of the photograph. After which I focused on the exposure and sharpness/clarity of the photograph. Then I moved into her face and softened her skin and dodged (the iris and whites) and burned (the pupil and edge of the iris) her eyes to make them sparkle just a little more. With this image I both satisfied myself and my client with a great shot that would look great in her announcements!

About the Photographer:
My name is Cloie Bright and I am studying Photography. In photography I have taken Senior Portraits, been the photographer at an animal shelter’s fundraisers, taken family portraits, and photographed a wedding. However, I have a passion for landscape portrait photography. I have not mastered the kind of style that I want, but am slowly developing it with each photograph that I take. Eventually I would love to be a photographer for a park and recreation agency. Being able to record the time that people have exploring the great outdoors tugs at my roots and heartstrings.

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at http://youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/3rd-annual-northern-arizona-university-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/. Please take a minute to leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section below – the student would love to hear from you!

Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Kassandra Wilhelm

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Apr 282015

Photo copyright Kassandra Wilhelm

I have a fascination with “the world inside the mirror.” As a child I would image climbing through the frame into another world; a parallel dimension. That fascination inspired me to create this image. That, and my “people have multiple sides.” The visual message is dark, in my opinion. I wanted the posing to be dramatic, emphasizing a loss or detachment of self from reality. Perhaps the viewer could take a different approach and view the individual outside of the mirror in white as a purified form. Meanwhile the girl inside the mirror wears black, and looks grieved. Maybe the girl in the mirror is a past or future form of the girl outside of the mirror. My mother pointed out that the girl inside the mirror might represent true feelings of hurt; she is a symbol of emotional turmoil, which is what traps her. The girl in white is looking into her reflection, seeing a side of herself that still causes pain and anguish, even though she looks clean and free of problems.

If I want any message to cross to the reader, it would be to recognize that everyone has facets of their lives that they do not show, or do their best to hide. Frequently people as a whole get caught up in their own turmoil’s, and instead of showing others kindness, we treat them like an inconvenience, or perhaps just forget about them. I like to remind myself every morning that people everywhere struggle with their own personal kind of demons. So no matter how “put-together” a person may be, they still should be approached with the same respect and kindness that you would want in return.

I set the camera on a tripod for the photo-shoot. I have a Canon EOS Rebel, and I was using a 18-55 focal length lens. I set up a flash unit behind and slightly above the backdrop, and then used a reflector for fill light. My ISO was set at 1600, F/8.0. The lens was open to 28mm. Ultimately in post work, I enhanced the color and made touch ups to skin tone. I layered two images, and then used a layer mask and the resizing tool to match up the mirror half of the photo with the “reality” side. Matching the color and light in each image proved to be a little bit of a challenge. Careful clone-stamp work followed, in an effort to create a seamless image.

About the Photographer:
My name is Kassandra Wilhelm, I am a 19-year-old girl and my passion is studio/fashion photography. I have spent the last couple of years photographing weddings, engagements, senior pictures, family pictures, and I have experimented with studio work more recently in the last year. I love to photograph humans. Everything from stiff, dramatic fashion photography to loving, candid pregnancy photographs, I absolutely love to capture it. My inspiration comes from a photographer in my hometown, Mrs. Maria Butterfield, who taught me most of what I know. I think that capturing a personality or a story in an image is an exciting process, which changes with every subject.

Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Erin Twarogal

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Apr 282015

Photo copyright Erin Twarogal

When my Photography instructor told my class and me that our next photo assignment was a focus on High-Speed Liquid, I was super excited to get started on the shot. I love to experiment with new techniques that improve my photography skills without needing fancy camera equipment that I do not own already. Mainly, I really enjoy creative and motion photography.

I had several different ideas for the assignment but I had some limitations. I was required to use dropper to drop liquid to forming a splash or whirlpool but I was able to utilize one of my ideas. I went to the home décor aisle at a department store to find anything I could hold water in and I was lucky enough to find an interesting dish with a mirror-like bubble pattern. I love the dish with its “bubble wrap” reflections. I filled the dish with water and then I tested the droplets to see how it looks in a picture. The result was very neat.

For this image, I have my Nikon D3200 camera and I used 50 mm lenses. I set up white poster around the dish to optimize the reflections then I hung a Ziploc bag of water above the dish. I used a pin to poke a hole for water to come out, drop by drop. I also used a few color gels with my off-flash shoes. I set my camera on my tripod and zoom focused at the dish, where the droplet is. My camera set in 1/200 shutter speed, aperture in 11 stop, and I used low ISO. I had the set in dimmed light room, to avoid capturing random reflections.

After took many shots, I used many different color gel in my hot shoe but I used green tone gel most. I really like the color most in my picture than any other colors. I tried to use gold tone but it was look very alike honeycomb. The picture has one droplet that hit at the one of patterns, in the dish, as it made look like its burst. I thought the picture was very interesting and this was very exciting experience with the assignment.

About the Photographer:
Howdy folks, my name is Erin Twarogal. I am half Illinoisan and half Arizonian. I love both cornfield and desert. Therefore, I am undergraduate student of Northern Arizona University and will receive Bachelor of Science degree in Photography and minor in Anthropology. When I was very young, I was holding my mom’s old film camera for the first time and I really loved how I could capture any moment in a forever image. In addition, I like to share pictures with my family and friends and they love my work. My photography goal is to capture moment of memory for people to treasure forever. emt842.wix.com/erinsnakedeyes

3rd Annual Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” Project

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Apr 272015

Introducing the 39 NAU students who will act as Guest Bloggers on this blog starting tomorrow through mid-May (their photographs appearing in alphabetical order):
First row (left to right): Stephanie Austin, Krista Baldwin, Emma Benanati, Cloie Bright, Eleanor Carty, Samantha Columbo, Garrett Creswell, Karli Crocker
Second row (l to r): Stevie Deale, Alicia Dean, Rita DeBrodie, Christye Flanagan, Nikki Harcey, Rachel Leone, Morgan Louvier, Samantha Martinez
Third row (l to r): Sunday Miller, Thomas Miner, McKenzie McLoughlin, Jubran Mohammed, Parker Munsch, Don Olson, Ashlee Outsen, Hannah Petersen
Fourth row (l to r): Angel Rangel, Jasmine Riley, Sydney Roberts, Eric Schwab, Natalie Smith, Jordan Thompson, Taylor Tracy, Erin Twarogal
Fifth row (l to r): Ashleigh Vance, Luke Vanderbroek, Cory Walters, Ryan Wesson, Ariel White, Kassandra Wilhelm, Ursula Woody

Each year we work with the Northern Arizona University (NAU) photography students on the “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project, it just keeps getting bigger and better – and the 3rd annual event is certainly no different! I’m thrilled to officially introduce the participants who will serve as guest bloggers on my blog starting tomorrow through mid-May.

To give you some background on this effort, two years ago, I partnered with my good friend, fellow photographer, and NAU photography instructor, Amy Horn, to offer her photography students an opportunity to turn their school studies into real-world, practical experience. Thirty-five students participated in this inaugural project (to see their entries, select Guest Blogger and Making the Image categories from the right side of this screen). After receiving many positive comments from both the students and this audience, Amy and I teamed up again last year, where 24 students participated in our sophomore effort. In our third year, we have 39 excited guest bloggers ready to show and tell their work!

On March 31, 2015 I visited Amy’s two Intermediate Photography (PHO285) classes to share my “Clowns, Snowballs, and Boats: Surviving as a Freelance Photographer” presentation and to share details about the “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” assignment. The students received instruction to select a single image they created during this semester. Then, we asked them to provide an 800-word (or less) description of their photograph, outlining why and how they made their image. We encouraged them to share what process they used to create it, what inspired them to make the photograph, and the technical information for the resulting photograph. To help readers connect with them, we also requested a 100-word bio.

Their photographs and words will be shared exactly as they submitted (i.e., I’ve done no editing of their work). Some are blogging for the very first time! I hope you enjoy the diversity, the unique perspectives, and honesty these students will present.

Even though my blog and personal photography focuses on the Great Outdoors, the students were given free range to pursue their own interests beyond nature if they desired. No matter our own individual domains, I feel strongly that we can refine our own style and work by reviewing and evaluating any type of photography – and get lots of new ideas!

If you feel so inclined, please show your support for these learning student photographers! Leave your insights and constructive comments in the Comment section for each blog post to not only provide your encouragement and perspectives, but also to help polish your own style. As you review the image and write-ups, ask yourself, “What do you like about the image? What might you improve? Do you have any similar experiences with this subject, technique, or approach?” As I often share in my presentations and the Austin Kleon book suggests, “Steal like an artist!” How can you apply what you like to your own work in a different situation? Tell us about it. Let’s hear what you have to say!

With that, please join me in welcoming the 2015 NAU Intermediate Photography students and enjoy their photography and “Behind the Image” stories!

Acadia Photography Workshop Guest Blogger: Rebecca Wilks

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Dec 042014

Rebecca Wilks was one of four students on a private CMS Photography workshop to Acadia National Park held in mid-October 2014. This blog post features her thoughts and images from her experience. I hope you enjoy, as I so very much have, seeing Acadia through her eyes (and if you do, please leave her a comment on her post!). More of her work can be viewed on her website www.skylineimages.net and her blog at theviewfromtheskyline.blogspot.com.

I didn’t know what I was missing. Last year, that is, when Colleen valiantly invented a workshop “around” Acadia National park because the government had shut down and the park was closed. It’s just as well, because I would have been terribly disappointed if I had known what I know now.

Acadia is a really special place. From the historic carriage roads with their stone bridges to the classic rocky Maine coastline, I’m hooked. I’ve rarely had as delightful a group of traveling companions, as well. I’m looking forward as only a naive Arizona girl can to a trip in winter 2016.

Some images from the trip:

Sometimes I’ll be intrigued by something other than the main attraction. We’d stopped to shoot a bridge and Stanley Brook called to me from the forest. I loved the repetitive s-curves and the (very different from my desert home) mossy forest.

Honestly I had no idea what this image would look like, because the wind was blowing 50-60 and my eyes were watering so much that I couldn’t see anything. I may not have been the only one who was tempted to hike back to the vehicle and get off Cadillac Mountain, but Colleen the intrepid talked (shamed) us all into staying, and in the end I was pleased. The light seems otherworldly to me. That being said, we all agreed that we’d had about enough of this mountain and it didn’t make the short list of places to visit on our last two days, after Colleen had gone home.

Rain and fog in its fabulous moodiness. The voice in my head wants to stay cozy in bed, but I’d so glad we got out this day. Layers, colors, fog. I loved it.

I really wanted this one. We all did. We shot here mid-day and then on a densely overcast morning. We gave it yet another try on our last morning in the park and we saw this incredibly beautiful (no less so in its subtlety) treat. Ahhh.

Thanks for everything!!
Rebecca Wilks

Acadia Photography Workshop Guest Blogger: Amy Minton

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Dec 032014

Amy Minton was one of four students on a private CMS Photography workshop to Acadia National Park held in mid-October 2014. This blog post features her thoughts and images from her experience. I hope you enjoy, as I so very much have, seeing Acadia through her eyes (and if you do, please leave her a comment on her post!).

Regarding my overall experience in Acadia, it was AWESOME! Getting some nice pictures to frame or put into a book or calendar to share is a bonus to me. The real pleasure for me was experiencing Acadia National Park and doing so with others who were just as excited about seeing the park. What a great way to spend time off – learn/experience nature and photography.

Some highlights from this trip include: 50 mph wind gusts atop Cadillac Mountain; sitting and listening to the water flowing down Jordan Stream after a night/morning of rain; hearing the sounds of the woods as you walk along a carriage road; enjoying popovers at the Jordan Pond House; and observing the groves in the rocks created by the glaciers or other geological marvels. Also there were plenty of photography learning experiences. For example, Colleen showed me how to bracket for exposure and I subsequently merged post-processing (see Eagle lake carriage road and bridge photo below). I learned about creating abstract images by moving my camera after releasing the shutter, and Colleen talked/showed me how to set up and take images to later merge as a panoramic photo. Additionally, she made me think and ask questions of myself as to why and how I wanted to capture what made me stop and admire a scene in nature.

First, a little why I selected these three photos to share:

(1) Abstract motion blur Sieur de Monts Jesup Trial. Although I generally do not think – abstracts (no shock there), I have been intrigued by abstract motion-blur images I have seen in magazines, books, and online. Yup, I wanted to give it a try and had thought there would be an opportunity to do just that during the workshop. The types of trees as well as the colors from the grasses and leaves seemed to me to be screaming make an abstract image via your camera. I think it surprises folks at work as well as my family when I have shared this picture and another one (also taken from the boardwalk).

(2) Eagle lake carriage road and bridge. After reading about Acadia’s Carriage roads and bridges, I really was looking forward to seeing them. All the care, time, and effort that was put into creating and preserving the idea/concept of the carriage roads is rather remarkable. As I look at this picture, I am able to see JDR Jr’s concept fulfilled – people enjoying nature without the interruption of cars (road travels above the carriage road). It makes me smile and I am able to imagine myself walking along the carriage road admiring nature and being at peace.

(3) Persistence pays off Newport Cove. When I look at this image, I am reminded of the effort that went into having the opportunity to make it. We scouted the location with Colleen before she headed back to Arizona (after the workshop ended), and thank goodness. I don’t think we’d have found it in the dark nor would we have as confidently negotiated the path as we did (twice). Saturday morning was beautiful in its own way – Moody Maine (possible title for my photo book) but did not live up to the promise we all knew was possible if there was good morning light. We were rewarded for our decision to return on our last day in Acadia.

I have many fond memories from this trip and find myself looking back upon them and smiling. It was a fun and awesome adventure. I can definitely see why Colleen keeps going back to Acadia and wrote Photographing Acadia National Park guide book.

Keep Shooting!
Amy

That’s All Folks! Final Thoughts on the NAU “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” Project

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May 122014

Featuring the 24 NAU students who acted as Guest Bloggers on this blog since April 30 (their photographs in alphabetical order):
First row (left to right): Joseph AL-Ruwaished, Ashley Carlson, Caitlin Chesler, Areina Contreras, Olivia Franco, and Ryan Gelb
Second row (l to r): Trent Heimerdinger, Paul Hurd, Allison Jourden, Donna Kelley, Shelby Lynch, and Chris Martin
Third row (l to r): Kelsey McHugh, Ty McNeeley, Rachel Richmond-Woodward, Daniel, Riebe, Jamie Shrader, and Ali Springer
Fourth row (l to r): John Thompson, Carlye Townsend, Matt Valley, Meagan Wakefield, Carolyn Wood, and Wuke Zhou

That’s all folks! It’s a wrap on this year’s Northern Arizona Universtity’s Intermediate Photography students “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project. Let’s take a minute to give them a well-deserved round of applause for sharing their photographs and stories with us! Great job one and all!

I’m most thankful to the students for tapping into their individual backgrounds and passions – whether it be travel, beloved pets, people who inspire, moving natural scenes, or intimate details of the world around them – to present a broad variety of visual message. At a time when we’re inundated with iconic and cliche images, these guest bloggers have proved and reinforced my belief that creativity is still alive and well in our industry (something I also feel is required of us if we wish to see success down the road as visual artists).

To the participating students, what did you think of your blogging experience here? Would you do it again? Would you do anything differently in hindsight now that you’ve completed your assignment? Thank you for being awesome Guest Bloggers and keep up the great work in the future!

I am also filled with endless appreciation for NAU Photography Instructor, Amy Horn, who helped coordinate this real-world assignment with her class. It’s truly a pleasure to work with someone so dedicated to her students and to facilitating the learning process in photography.

Many thanks to those who took time out of their busy schedules to comment on the photographs and stories! For those of you who haven’t had the chance to review them, find the 24 “Behind the Image” write-ups by clicking on the “Guest Blogger” in the Categories box on the right-most column on your screen. Then, feel free to add your thoughts in the Comments section below anytime that’s convenient for you!

While you’re at it, let me know what you thought about this year’s project overall by leaving us a comment on this post, as I value your opinions tremendously. What did you like about the photography as a whole? Did you get new ideas? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again everyone! Until next time!

Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Joseph AL-Ruwaished

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May 112014

“Grungy Night Sky,” photo copyright Joseph AL-Ruwaished

“Grungy Night Sky:”
I wanted to take photos of the stars and the night sky for some time now. I imagined a photo of a unique landscape with foreground perhaps a middle ground, and a background that was perfectly set underneath the night sky speckled with stars. I attempted to do so in the past, and failed miserably. For this task, a long exposure is the skill required for the completed image. I set out earlier this semester and I captured a few starting point images. I made some mistakes and learned what I needed to do instead. Here in lies the definition of working towards a goal of what one wants to have accomplished. When you have tried and failed, it is only right, that to hone skills, practice makes perfect. This image, as I called it “Grungy Night Sky,” resulted from another attempt at having the image I wanted of the night sky captured. I still, however, failed at the perfect image for what I had imagined the shot to portray. That said, this image shows the rawness of nature, and it provides the viewer with a sense of how important light is in the story of life and what it tells.

The life of a photographer when in school is nothing short of complicated, busy, and did I mention busy. It is only true that time is of the essence, and in this case specific. The night sky, for correct and best appearance, requires a night without moon light, if the stars, constellations, and Milky Way are the goal. This night, did not have a moonless presence. Nor did an absence of wind take place. I shot this photo at 4:30 am in the almost pitch black environment. The camera I used to shoot this image was a Canon T3i or 600D. I attached my 18-55 mm EF-S Lens and proceeded to set up the camera settings for the shoot. Since I took this photo in the darkness of 7200 feet in the open forest meadow that surrounds Flagstaff, I bumped the ISO up to 1600 to allow for the correct amount of light capture. An important step in this process is that for this type of photo the camera should have the setting of a more open aperture. I set my camera to F/3.5, to allow for the most light possible with the lens I used. As this photo used the skill of long exposure, I set the shutter speed to 20 seconds. I did not have a wide-angle lens that has the option to set focus to infinity. Therefore, I manually set the camera and attempted to focus on a closer object that would result in the correct hyper focal distance. As you can see, though, there is a fuzziness, which caused my title to say “Grungy.”

About the Photographer:
Among other things, the artist in me is bound to share what I believe in. That is God’s creation and individually unique moments in time that capture ones heart through the lens of a camera. Photography in my eyes is the sharing of what one believes in. I have a strong desire to capture the moments that are masterfully pieced together and perfectly set up to reveal the beauty that has been given to us to enjoy. I prefer landscape, nature, and wildlife photography; not saying that other types does not reveal beauty. I am interested in becoming more adept in black and white photography. Ansel Adams said it best when he said, “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.”

To read more about the Northern Arizona University “Behind the Image: Guest Blogger” project on our blog, please read the introduction at youcansleepwhenyouredead.com/wordpress/its-back-the-2014-nau-photography-students-behind-the-image-guest-blogger-project/.

Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Ty McNeeley

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May 112014

Photo copyright Ty McNeeley

I spent my Spring Break in Ukraine photographing the aftermath of the protests and riots that took place in February that prompted President Viktor Yanukovych to flee the country. I was in Kiev while the Crimean referendum was taking place and I ended up with a lot of great photos from my eight days there. Most of my trip was rainy and cold with only a few moments of relief from the winds that cut through every layer of clothing. Because I didn’t want to spend my whole trip following self-defense forces around Майдан Незалежності (Independence Square) I took an afternoon trip to the Kiev Monastery of the Caves, an Orthodox Christian monastery where over a hundred people are buried in the complex system of underground corridors. After being in the area where so many protestors had been injured and killed it was a welcomed change to be somewhere as peaceful as a monastery.

I knew when I arrived there that a sunburst photo would look great with the golden domes against the cloudy sky but I’d given up hope that the sun would appear that day. The wind was blowing very hard and the clouds were moving quickly across the sky. There ended up being one small window of time where the clouds separated just enough for the sun to shine through. Had anyone been there to witness my sprint to the edge of the shadow of the church to point my camera at the sun while taking tiny steps left and right, I’m sure they’d have thought I was crazy. After taking enough photos to ensure I had the shot that I was picturing the sun disappeared and didn’t return for two days. Since this was my only tourist-like stop on my trip I spent a few hours wandering the caves with a small candle as my light source. The silence of the tombs was relaxing and seeing the care that was taken with the mummified remains of saints was very moving. After I finished my time there I returned to Independence Square and was again surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of revolution. This photo is my reminder of that amazing place and is an example that in places of hardship, beauty can be found.

To get this photo I shot at ISO 200, 1/200th and closed my aperture down to f 22 to get the burst that I was hoping for. I took smalls steps left and right to increase and decrease the amount of sun that was visible while being careful to not stare directly at it through the viewfinder.

About the Photographer:

In my photos I wish to capture the raw elements of human nature, either through abandonment or conflict. After seeing things in the military that I wished I could show the world, I decided to take that idea and make a career out of it. If my work can make someone appreciate their place in the world while bringing a bit of perspective about places they’ve never been I’ve accomplished my mission.

www.tymcneeley.com

www.facebook.com/tymcneeleyphotography/

Behind the Image: NAU Guest Blogger – Caitlin Chesler

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May 102014

Photo copyright Caitlin Chesler

Photography captivates me every time I pick up my camera. When I told my parents I was going to minor in photography they teased me about my luck with cameras in the past. I always take good care of my cameras, like an overprotective parent, but for some reason they never lasted long due to freak accidents and horrible luck. Vacuuming up a camera is not an easy task, but somehow my luck defied logic. My love for my cameras did not save them, but my love for photography motivated me to stick to it. Despite the horrible luck and the teasing, I spent the money on a Canon Rebel T4i and immersed myself in something that I love.

Last month, I undertook a personal daily photo challenge, which provided the inspiration for this photo. Each day had a theme that the photo was supposed to capture or represent; for example, this photo symbolizes “patience”. Being one of the last days of the photo challenge, and about six photos behind, I was scrambling to complete my personal challenge on time. I grabbed my camera and three batteries, all partially charged, and ran out the door to capture as many photos as I possibly could. The natural light was diminishing quickly, and my battery life even quicker, so I found inspiration fleetingly and carefully. I snapped photos of anything and everything, hoping I had a product I could publish on my blog and proudly put my name on. To my surprise, my lack of time was a blessing. Because of the time restrictions, I focused on small details and stopped over thinking composition. Each subject got one or two shots and then it was on to the next. When I viewed my photos back at home, this photo caught my eye. It forced me to stop and appreciate the simplicity and instantly calmed my thoughts. With an ISO of 200, aperture of f/11, and shutter speed of 1/40, the original product provided enough detail without being overpowering. The black and white filter simplified it one step further and truly completes the image. When viewing this photo I take a breath, slow down, and find that inner calm that many could call “patience”. Life is hectic and spiraling which causes short tempers, but this photo gives the essence of peace by allowing the eye to follow the line of the bark all the way through and past the end of the frame. Much like life, we do not know what is past the edge, but we do know it is something worth exploring.

About the Photographer:
My name is Caitlin Chesler and I am a photographer with a great passion for magnificence. Whether the subject is a landscape, object, or person, I strive to find the natural beauty inside and out. I am drawn to photos that allude to a place’s simplicity or a person’s inner confidence. When photographing, especially people, I focus on making the situation comfortable, fun, and entirely uplifting. To me, it is the experience of the shoot that produces the most memorable photos.

www.caitlinchesler.wix.com/lensoflife

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