Shutterbug Mama

...walk softly and carry a camera...

Best Shot(s) Monday--Trying New Things

Published by Sarah-Ji on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 00:06.

singing in the car

One of the challenges as a photographer (and for any artist for that matter) is trying new things so that you don't get bored. And lately, I must admit that I HAVE been bored. So this week, like I posted over on Shutter Sisters yesterday, I decided to break a few of my own rules. Like in the photo you see above. For one thing, it's not in vibrant color. It's also got a bit of grain to it, which is something I normally try to avoid in my photos. And it's just a tad blurry. I don't have a problem w/ blur, but usually when I go for blur, I make it clear that I was going for blur so you wouldn't think it was just cuz I couldn't keep my camera still. I basically cranked up the ISO to 800 (which is high for me), shot in a moving car at night, and didn't worry about it. And you know what? There's something about that photo that I really love.

the loop

And here's another one taken about the same time through the back window of the car. Normally, I wouldn't have put the back windshield wiper in the frame, nor would I have taken a photo through such a dirty window, but I think those elements add a genuine dynamic to the photo that I really like.

the loop

In this photo, I totally chopped off the dude's head, and that wouldn't have been a normal choice for me for a shot that was framed w/ so much empty space. But it totally works for me and makes the image that much more interesting to not know what the musician's face looks like.

It was another busy weekend, and I'll leave the recap to another post, but it was really exciting for me to take photos in new ways, pushing past my comfort zone, and ending up with images that I just absolutely love, regardless of whether other people will "get it" too.

red BSM button
Don't forget to go see more folk's Best Shot's on Tracey's Mother May I.

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Breaking the Rules on Shutter Sisters

Published by Sarah-Ji on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 19:49.

camera shake

I've got a new post up on Shutter Sisters called Break the Rules. Go check it out if you have a chance. Hopefully, I'll get my act together for tomorrow's Best Shots post.

P.S. That shot is of Cadence at Nichols Park in Hyde Park on the South Side. We were in the neighborhood Friday night for a benefit show.

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Over On Shutter Sisters Today

Published by Sarah-Ji on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 01:41.

Hi, folks. I've got a post up on Shutter Sisters today. Check it out:

Small Is Beautiful

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Over on Shutter Sisters Today

Published by Sarah-Ji on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 20:08.

Posing

Hi, y'all. I'm posting the 3rd Sunday of the month in addition to the 1st Sunday over on Shutter Sisters. My latest post called Just Shoot It is up now.

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Over On Shutter Sisters Today

Published by Sarah-Ji on Sunday, March 02, 2008 at 01:03.

Hi, folks. I've got a post up on Shutter Sisters today. Check it out:

How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Blur

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Love Thursday--Daddy's Little Girl

Published by Sarah-Ji on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 12:50.

Look of love

This one's from the archives way back in the beginning of January, but I've been wanting to use this photo for a Love Thursday, and Karen's post gave me the perfect opportunity.

Check out Shutter Sisters for some more Love.

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Love Thursday--A New Family

Published by Sarah-Ji on Thursday, February 07, 2008 at 06:59.

Kenzie's heart locket

This photo was taken at Ted's cousin Vikki's wedding rehearsal dinner. It's the heart locket presented to Vikki's daughter Mackenzie by Vikki and her now-husband Mike.

Soon-to-be-daddy shows Kenzie her heart locket

I remember the first time we met Mike. Vikki brought him to our monthly gathering at Ted's Grandma Sophie's house. He was shy and quiet, but so sweet that I hoped back then that someday he and Vikki would get married. Over the months, I saw how good he was to Mackenzie, and how she delighted in having a father figure in her life. After he and Vikki got engaged, Kenzie started calling him "Soon-To-Be-Daddy" because I'm sure she couldn't wait for the day when she could really call him "Daddy."

I am as happy for Mackenzie as I am for Vikki and Mike that they have formed this new family together. They are such a sweet bunch!

Check out the love on Love Thursday at Shutter Sisters.

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My First Post on Shutter Sisters!

Published by Sarah-Ji on Sunday, February 03, 2008 at 01:44.

Hey, y'all! My first post on Shutter Sisters is up! I'll be posting the first Sunday of every month, so check it out!

In other news, it's been super busy around here (when is it not??). Ted's cousin Vikki got married yesterday, and she and her now-husband Mike had asked me to be the 2nd photographer. That means I'll be post-processing like mad tomorrow. Plus our upstairs neighbor accidentally left her water running in her kitchen and fell asleep Tuesday night, and now we've got some nasty water damage. We've been running a dehumidifier 24 hours/day since Friday afternoon, and I think the dryness in our place has contributed to Cadence now getting sick. Grrrr...Anyhoo, more later.

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Love Thursday--Finding Family

Published by Sarah-Ji on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 12:58.

We *heart* Rudden!

It's Love Thursday on Shutter Sisters, folks, and here's my submission. This is Cadence with her BFF Rudden. These two have been friends since before Cadence could walk, and their devotion to each other is deep and wide. Just try separating them when it's time to go home, and you'll know what I mean.

Amy and Baby Jack

Rudden's mom is my very good friend Amy. She has been a source of strength and encouragement to me over the past couple of years, and I am so grateful for her friendship. We are learning together how to find family and community among people who were once strangers.

The Lowlys

Last night, we did this by gathering together at our church and sharing a meal. We hope to do this regularly so that we may deepen relationships and spur one another on, whether it's to dismantle our fears or to share hope and love or to share in traditions old and new.

Matt and Danny and Seth on Dish Duty

The simple act of taking time out from our hectic lives to cook and eat together, or to wash dishes together, or to play together--I believe these are things that will help me find family. And I am so blessed to have landed amongst a group of folks who are characterized by their arms open wide, just like their hearts, who delight in conspiracies of hope and love, who are overflowing with creativity, who make me happy simply to be...

Go soak in more love on Love Thursday at Shutter Sisters.

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Love Thursday

Published by Sarah-Ji on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 06:50.

i love these curls

It's Love Thursday over at Shutter Sisters, and this is my submission. I absolutely love how Cadence's hair swirls into delicatle curls during bathtime. Melts my heart every time. See what else folks are loving over here.

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How to Dismantle Fear

Published by Sarah-Ji on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 23:39.

I recently saw this on my beloved inspiration Jen Lemen's Flickr stream, and it hit me like a timely prophetic word. Dismantle Fear. DISMANTLE. FEAR. Yes, THAT is what I need to do. Take apart my fears one by one, render them powerless in my life. And maybe in doing so gain some hiddens morsels of insight as to who I am and where these fears have grown from and how to transplant courage and hope and trust and joy into those places where fear once had its roots.

reflecting back at me

Obviously, this will be no overnight task. You see, I am a woman of many fears. Spending your most formative years in a fundamentalist cult, being hurt in ways no child should ever be hurt, failing at relationships that you thought would last forever, watching your dad waste away before your very eyes. These are things that tend to plant seeds of fear in a person, seeds that eventually grow into stubborn weeds.

thoughtful clouds

Well, I've started my personal process of Dismantling Fear, and I've decided to begin with the Fear of Not Being Worthy Of the Company I Keep. The lovely and talented Tracey of Mother May I presented me with the perfect opportunity to do this by inviting me to contribute to a new online community blog of women photographers called Shutter Sisters. When I looked at the list of amazing women who had already joined forces with Tracey, my first reaction was, "There's no way I'm good enough to be one of them. I'm just a cheesy mommyblogger!" I began my email to decline Tracey's offer. But then I realized that I have avoided being a part of anything that would potentially push my limits a bit and maybe, just maybe, make me GROW a little. I've always been so afraid of not being good enough. And yet, I knew from reading the blogs of these women that while they are intimidatingly talented, they are also kind and supportive and encouraging. So I said Yes to Tracey! And now I'm a Shutter Sister!

I am giddy with the prospects of collaborating with these women and other Shutter Sisters from all over the world, cyber and real. Please check us out! Better yet, join us!

Shutter Sisters Unite!

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