Finding Inspiration....in the most insteresting places

So when I started the endeavor of an online photography class, I kept thinking to myself...when and where would I find the time. I have learned that I have no time. As busy as my life is, this has been something that I really wanted to commit to. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, so I began with a little trepidation. The first online lesson was short, but what was great was the homework. I was to shoot "through something" and I began to look at everything as answer to my homework. At the time I was in Dallas spending the weekend with Mr. Goodin while he was in flight training. I went downstairs to the lobby for coffee and discovered the interior lobby was a perfect setting. I grabbed my camera and began my own photo shoot in the lobby.

I loved this shot. If you look carefully in the background you will see another candleholder behind it, "through" a cut out wall.  Clever positioning and I was able to eliminate all the lobby "noise" in this photo. The best part was all the people who stopped to see what I was doing.

The next shot I took was during an outing for Easter lunch before my flight home. Mr. Goodin and I took a drive into downtown Dallas. We found a little lunch spot with some Dallas hipsters enjoying mimosas and burgers on a street patio. As we were walking to the table, we entered into a courtyard. If I didn't know better, I would have thought we were in New Orleans. I didn't know that my camera card was almost full...miraculously, I was able to get a few "through" shots of some flowers in the wrought iron.


I was starting to get the hang of this assignment. My final shot was back home in Florida. A few days later, I happened to be at the Ft. Lauderdale Country Club for an event. As I was loading my car, I happened to see this lovely fountain in the front of the valet stand. With golf carts whizzing around me, I start taking pictures. Again, multiple shots of the lamps, the fountain and the plants. The shot that captured "through something" was the beautiful lamp hanging from the structure.

My real dilemma came when I couldn't decide what to post as my only picture. The course only lets you post one picture. I turned to my Facebook friends to help me. Overwhelming response came in and it was the flowers that won. Hands down.

Homework lesson #2 was much simpler. It was all about the best angle. Take 20 pictures of anything and pick the best photo. This was easy. My sleeping cat. He didn't move a muscle. Oddly, this is a strange occurrence. This photo captures his every detail. As sweet as he looks sleeping....he is not this way in real life. Little terror.

Vinnie

 Last but not least....Lesson #3 in the series...which is where I will end for the night was all about lighting. The homework, take a picture with back lighting. Not as easy as it seems, especially because it rained all week. Determined to wait it out, I was able to take in interesting shot of our mango tree as the sun was setting. It's always fun to see the mangos in bloom. I was able to catch the light behind the leaves, the branches and the spider web in such a way that every detail is caught. I love this shot.

Summer is coming

What I have learned in four short weeks is that my inspiration is everywhere. Everything in the right element is a object of interest. I have also learned to take several shots....one will be the right one. There are lessons in patience and waiting and understanding that this is an evolution. This class is teaching me to slow down and look around. Sometimes things are right in front of you and you just need to take the time to see things differently.  Now I am looking forward to creating my thematic project next! I will share with you that it involves Crayola Crayons. Until next time.