Photo Tip Friday

Strong Lines  Part 2

Today's tip involves using strong lines in your photography. The last time I discussed it, I focused on using nature's lines. In going through my shots, I noticed that man made strong lines juxtaposed with nature produces some great results. 

So let's take a look at how to use man made and natural settings to create great photography. 

This is a shot taken at the beach. See the white stuff? Yes, it's snow. Part of why I took this shot is because of the great lines. And the snow. And the blue sky. And the dune grasses. It was just eye catching. 

Here's another shot where man's work and nature meet. 

The lines of the fences draws your eyes to the horizon. 

I loved the foot prints, too. 

Here's a different look. 

The silhouette of the church pops out because of the beautiful colors of the sunset. 

What I love about this is how the morning glory just grows up the fencing. 

As a kid, I used think of morning glory as weeds. It was cool that they closed at night. But they were still weeds.

Now, I just love them. They're so delicate and interesting. 

See how the vine snakes around the fencing? Again, it's the juxtaposition that makes an interesting shot. 

And leave a comment if you have a photography related question. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can or find you the answers if I don't know! 

Leave me a link to your blog in the comments if you'd like to show me one of your shots! 

I hope this tip helps. 

Keep on clicking!

Mary

Wordless Wednesday

Mary Denman

Thanks so much for dropping by! I do my best to return linky love...but alas, sometimes life gets in the way. But I will do my best. 

And stop by on Friday for photo tips!

Monday's Musings

 

Stunning Beauty

She was dressed in finery.

Clothes of a stunning, organic nature.

Glowing yellows.

Intense oranges.

Subtle reds.

Accents in green.

Or brown.

Highlighted by blues, 

both soft and bold.

Slight shifts of the fabric.

Flowing lines.

Fluid lines.

Ever changing.

Hard to miss.

The wind and sun, only adding to her beauty.

I watched for an hour. Maybe more.

Enjoying her presence.

Utterly mesmerized.

Many drove past.

No one else seemed to even see the remarkable sight.

They neither slowed down, nor stopped.

But I cherished the fact I could see and study such beauty.

For the finery is fleeting.

Leaf by leaf, the tree began to lose her cloak.

But her beauty is embedded in my mind’s eye.

I am blessed to have spent time alone, watching.

Appreciating her stunning beauty. 

Wordless Wednesday

Thanksgiving is certainly a day to think about our blessings. 

Family and friends and relationships often come to mind. 

For some, it's a day of celebration of being together and enjoying good times.

For some, it's a day of sadness, missing loved ones who can't sit at the table.

So whether or not our table is full, or missing someone, we can give thanks.

And whether that table is fully set with china and silver, or humbly set with paper plates and plastic forks, we can stop and give thanks. 

Through our laughter.

Through the tears. 

I pray that God will bless you this Thursday. 

And that you feel His love. 

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks for dropping by! I do my best to return the Linky love!

Stop back by on Fridays for "Photo Tip Friday"

Happy WW!

Mary

Monday's Musings

We are fast approaching Thanksgiving. So I decided to show you a few of the people I'm most thankful. 

Here's my family. That's my wonderful husband of 25 years in the back. And my kids.

You know what I love about my family?

They love each other.

After dinner one night, I had my camera handy and was getting a shot of "the last supper" before my daughter headed off to college. Do you see how much fun they were having? They were joking and laughing. This picture just makes me smile.

And here are my boys wrestling with each other. Yes, the youngest two have to gang up on their big brother. They were having fun.

And I'm thankful for that.

I'm also thankful for music. My daughter just loves to go sit and play. She composes her own songs. I love listening to her. And so does one of our cats! A couple of my kids will just start singing. I love that, too.

I have five kids. My life is busy. But truthfully, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have much to be thankful for. And a wonderful family is at the top of my list!

Take a few minutes to think about what's important in life and what you have to be thankful for.

And I'd love to hear what YOU are thankful for! 

Photo Tip Friday

Part One - Strong Lines in Nature

Today's photo tip is learning how to use strong lines to create unique shots.

Let's get started.

The shot to the right is of an extremely interesting log that is covered in a beautiful striped fungi. Notice the strong vertical line that I used to show off this log? It's not completely centered, but it does run vertically. And it catches your eye.

Don't feel it has to run straight through the center of the frame. But do use vertical lines.

But let's look at a different use of lines.

This hosta leaf doesn't have straight lines. They're curved. So to make this photograph stronger, I made sure to focus fairly closely. I don't have any edges showing because that would introduce other lines that would be distracting.

Close in on your lines to take a better shot.

 And now to some winter shots.

These are icicles. They lend themselves to vertical lines.

Aren't they just beautiful?

These next two shots involve frozen rain on some small branches.

I felt this shot was most powerful taken horizontally. And notice this branch is straight as compared to the next shot which is a curved branch covered in ice.





Try different angles with any subject. While both of these photos are taken horizontally, they have a different feel to them.

And as a parting shot, notice how simple this picture is. I got down low and looked up, using the deep blue, clear sky as a simple background to set off the twig and the single drop of ice.

This shot uses both a vertical and horizontal element to strong effect.

So start looking for strong lines that stand out in nature, and see what gorgeous pictures you can take.

Go grab your camera and experiment.

Hope this tip helps!

Keep on clicking!

Wordless Wednesday

Mary Denman Photography

Thanks for dropping by.  I'll do my best to return the linky love. And thanks for the comments.

And yes, I actually went into the river barefoot to get some of my shots. My toes were numb. For quite a while.  Happy WW!

Monday's Musings

Some days, my heart is heavy.

Saying goodbye to a pet snake

It may be from big things like watching a loved one dying. Or it could be watching some one we love struggle with chronic illness. And feeling helpless for them. By being separated from our loved one in their time of need. Or suffering ourselves.

Little things can add up too. Disappointment over plans gone awry. Pets that get sick. Children that are sick. Changes in jobs, or location. Losing a friendship. Hurtful words spoken in anger.

While we want our lives to be happy and fun all the time, that just doesn't happen.

I'll be the first to admit that I'd rather be happy all the time. But that's not quite reality.

So what is reality?

Life hurts at times. Deeply sometimes.

But as a Christian, we have a hope that doesn't make sense. You see, we have a high priest who came to earth and suffered for us. For you. For me.

He put on an earthly body and felt our pain. Physical pain during the crucifixion. Emotional pain of betrayal. Hatred at the hands of those he came to save. He offered forgiveness for those who murdered him.

So when we suffer, or are sad and disappointed, it's easy to feel alone. Separated. Cut off.

But remember that there is One we can always cry out to. One who understands. One who understands our deepest pain, hurt and shame. And the One who can forgive and comfort us.

Ephesians 4:14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

So if your heart is heavy, turn to the One who can comfort you. The One who loves you more than you can comprehend.

Photo Tip Friday

Today's tip for improving your photography is to learn to use light more effectively.

Lighting is a huge topic so I'll apply it to fall leaves.

I'm going to start out with a picture where the lighting wasn't right. Sometime you can try and force a shot, but it just doesn't come out how you really want it.

What's wrong with this picture? Well, the leaves in the foreground are dark. There's not much direct sunlight on the leaves. But the background is extremely bright. In some cases, this might work. But it didn't here. There isn't a good focal point.

How about this shot? See the difference in using proper lighting? This shot pops. It almost looks like it's on fire.

Why? Because I got the lighting right. This tree was in a yard on the corner of a road. So, I drove to the side where the sun was behind the tree, illuminating the leaves.

As I've said before, move around your subject to catch the best angle. Whether it's a tree, person or your pet.

This is a close up of the tree. Notice how I isolated the trunk. I like this photo because it has an interesting contrast. The trunk looks almost black and that sets off the brilliance of the leaves.

This is a different take on using light behind your subject to create a memorable shot.

Again, in this case, the sun was behind the leaf. Look at the shadows created. It takes an ordinary leaf and make a very unique shot.

So, when you're out and about with your camera, look for opportunities to let the sunlight create beautiful moments you can catch.


Go grab your camera and head out.

Hope this tip helps!

Keep on clicking!