A few months back I was INCREDIBLY lucky to be able to register for Karen Russell's Photographer's Workshop, an online class that I'm confident will help me to become a better photographer.
I've been stalking Karen's blog for about the past year and am in love with her style of shooting. She captures primarily everyday life type of photos, but in a way that looks timeless, and yet, modern. She does minimal editing on most of her pictures which means she focuses primarily on making the shot look great SOOC (straight out of camera). Since that's EXACTLY what I'm hoping to improve upon, I was thrilled to find out that she offers an online course teaching others how to master their camera's and learn from her mistakes.
The waiting list for her class is over 1200 students (at last count), so I was indeed very lucky to get a slot and have the opportunity to take her course this summer.
My first "class" started on Monday and I've already had several A-Ha moments. Given that it's an 8 week course, that sentiment will likely be uttered MANY more times!
Each week we'll have an assignment that we upload for Karen (and others in our class) to critique. Every week focuses on something different (well, more likely, several somethings different) and this week we're discussing the Emotional Connection to a photograph and how that doesn't necessarily mean that a photo has to be 'technically perfect.'
To that end, our assignment was to upload an "emotionally perfect" photo.
After pouring though hundreds and hundreds of photos, I narrowed it down to a handful...
Emotions = Joy, Wonder...I loved seeing Natalie's reaction to all the "sights" of Chicago.
Emotions = Happiness, Pride... we had so much fun that day and Jacob LOVED being amongst the pumpkins
Emotions = Jubilation, Freedom...I mean, come on! Who doesn't love throwing leaves up into the air and having a ball?!
Emotions = Love, Adoration...isn't this what it's all about?
Emotions = Wonder, Humility...I think the best part about being a mom is that I get to experience life as a child again. Everything is amazing, wondrous, new and exciting. That look on Natalie's face I see at least several times a day and it reminds me to slow down and enjoy this special time when they're making discoveries each and every single day.
Emotions = Pride, Gratitude...I am SO LUCKY to get to be these kids' mom. They may drive me crazy at times, but they are both such incredible little people. This picture of both of them smiling makes me smile, too.
Emotions = Love, Tenderness...I knew when I met Brian that he'd be a wonderful dad, but each time I see him show love and affection to the kids, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have married someone that cares for his family as much as Brian does.
The photo above was almost the one I posted for the assignment because it's one of my favorites, but then I remembered this last shot and knew I had found "perfection."
Emotions = Sadness, Regret...this is one of only a handful of shots I have of my dad and Natalie together - he died just a few months after this was taken. It's certainly not a technically perfect shot, but it makes me tear up every time I look at it. I love how my dad is in silhouette, almost as if he's watching over her. I feel regret when I look at this photo because I miss having my dad around. We didn't have the perfect relationship, but I definitely miss his presence in my life and regret that I didn't treasure the time we did have together more. But mostly when I look at this photo, I feel such a sadness. Sadness that my dad never got to know my kids and the amazing people they're growing up to be and sadness that my kids will never know their grandpa, who most certainly would have loved them to pieces.
I'm not really one to believe in angels and things like that, but I do feel like this photo represents the presence of my dad that I still feel in my life. He's not physically here, but he'll always be with me in my heart. For that reason, this photo is emotionally perfect to me.
Just got "updated" on your blog today. You certainly have been busy and have a lot to show for it, too! You are doing a great job at this and I am going to be sure to remind everyone to remember to visit here more often. Love you lots, Mom
Posted by: Sandy (Mom) | June 23, 2010 at 01:39 PM
Great pictures Stacy. Hope you learn lots in your class, but there is nothing like having family and friends to give you the great opportunities for great pictures. Keep up the good work.
Love,
Aunt Bonnie (Bon Bon)
Posted by: Bonita Troxell | June 24, 2010 at 05:10 PM