Got this shot idea when looking at images online today. Have you ever had that experience? You get inspired, see a shot in your mind and want to figure out how to create it? Well, that was this, except it still doesn’t look the way I wanted.
I was successful at cajoling my daughter and husband to participate in the late night shoot, but I’ll tell you they didn’t have the same vision I did. We were working right in our front yard with a couple video lights and some street light. Had to bump the ISO up to 1600, hence the graininess. But for a shot like this, a little grain and grit seemed to fit right in.
When I was planning the shot, I got the song Dare You to Move by Switchfoot stuck in my head. It’s been there all day. Technically I did dare my daughter to move today… and me too. Move out from behind what I’m comfortable with and know I can capture. I’m daring to post something that isn’t as good as I would like, but that shows I’m trying and testing the boundaries of what I know. Isn’t that what this challenge is all about—learning, growing, evolving? My hope is that by this time next year I’ll have the capability and equipment to pull off a shoot like this and make it match the vision in my head.
I’m daring you to move too. To get up from your computer, pick up your camera, your lights, and whatever else you have and do something. Anything. Just get moving. That’s the hardest part. Build on the momentum of action. It’s contagious!
Manual: Pg. 88—Beep and Autofocus. That’s what I read about. I keep my camera set on AF-S, Single Servo Autofocus since much of my work is portraits. What setting do you put your camera on for focus? Are you primarily an auto-focus shooter or manual?
If you’ve lost your manual or want to have another option, do a search online. Since I didn’t have it with me in Vegas at Skip’s Summer School, I found my manual online the night after Scott Bourne gave me this challenge. I’ve been using the PDF I downloaded ever since then. If you’re a Nikon shooter, check out Nikonians.org. For Canon users, check out the Canon Download Library.
Images: Looked at a few different photogs work online today and I have a question for you. Are you able to separate an artist’s personal life from their art? Or does their personal life affect your opinion, either negatively or positively?
For instance, my husband loves Woody Allen movies but despises the lifestyle choices he’s made with regard to Mia’s adopted daughter. This creates a conflict about the admiration of the work and feelings about the person’s choices. Likewise, there is a photographer’s work I stumbled across today. Amazing, original, creative shots. Would like to be that talented. But this photographer has made choices that have significantly impacted others in a negative way. For me it doesn’t change my admiration of the art, but I also can’t shut off what I know. Are you able to completely separate the person and the art?
I’d liken it to something like Michael Jackson and the controversy around him when he was alive, and the appreciation of his music. Did/does the controversy taint your enjoyment of the art? Would love to hear your thoughts.
On Pinterest? 
