Negative Space
Negative space, when referring to art and photography, is generally defined as, “the space around the subject of an image.” That means the ‘empty’ space around your main subject. It’s a shame it’s referred to as “negative” since it is a very important component of the whole image. The negative space actually enhances or makes the image successful.
Those of you who have read my most recent posts, are aware that I’ve taken a solid step back from too much time on the Internet while stepping back into spending time with real life. It has been like that spruce cone in this image, being allowed to ‘be’ in the real world allowing my best parts to emerge by the negative space surrounding me (which enhances its main subject: me). I’m not referring to the physical me, but the inner me.
I’ve truly worked hard to move forward, develop, and be creative. I’ve taken photos of ornaments, forks, glasses, plates, snow and more snow, horses, dogs, birds, twigs, bark, fences, barbed wire, toes, flowers, dandelions, food, corners of my home, and so on. I’ve created where I sit, where I am stuck, yet have seen so much through my lens, developing and growing as I went along.
If you’re feeling stuck, lacking creativity or inspiration, dig deeper. Perhaps you need to move away from the computer and the Internet or perhaps you need to find one or two very selective spots on the Internet. Seeking out the right kind of negative space to enhance us (the main subject) is up to us as individuals. Where we focus is just as important as it is in photography. Finding and using the right kind of negative space to surround us also is as important as it is in photography.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us.” ~ Helen Keller
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Visit Diane’s regular online home at Diane Schuller Photography and her photo journal.
Moved to Permanent Location
As my last post mentioned, I’ve moved to a permanent home based at my domain. So my photo journal (blog) and exciting new website are right beside each other.
If you’re subscribed to this blog via RSS, you’ll want to head over to see my new photo journal residence and update your feed. I will no longer be posting to this one. The updated photo journal features nice BIG images, so be sure to check it out.
(Note: this is not yet the end of May 2009 and the look of the new address is still undergoing some changes that I hope to have ironed out by month’s end, but the address will be permanent.)
Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.
Ready for the Move
Well, it’s moving time. Thanks to all the time and effort from Jennifer Gilbert, my blog is now set up and settled in to my domain. There are still a few things that need tweaking. For instance I can’t seem to get the font changed and I don’t like how small my logo is, and I’d like to learn how to do a fading slideshow banner. Oh, and in the move, none of the comments have moved over with all the posts, nor have any of the categories or tags; so I’ll be busy adding those as I get a few minutes here and there. So goes the saga.
I’m learning so much about ftp, CSS, and style sheets that my head is spinning — but it’s something to keep my ol’ grey cells exercised!
Without further ado, please check out my new blog residence and let me know what you think. I will leave a final note of redirection for anyone who pops by down the road. In the meantime, I would be so pleased if you’d change your bookmarks, RSS feeds, or if you have linked to my blog. I hope to see you over at my permanent home — same blog, just a new address!
I’m so grateful to every one of you who has been visiting, commenting, and following my journey this past year or so. The only change is the address and a cosmetic adjustment or two 
Come on over!
Blowin’ in the Wind
I’m headed for the city today — a six hour drive. I’ll be back Tuesday. Thank you to everyone for your great suggestions about my watermark dilemma. Your suggestions worked as you can see, so I’m back in watermarking business ! A super special shout out to Jennifer Gilbert for the enormous amount of work she has been doing to help me rebuild my blog. She’s doing most of the work but I am learning a lot from her too. I’m really, really going to owe you Jennifer!
May you all have a weekend filled with the most special times with family and friends. As the lyrics of the famous Bob Dylan song goes, “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.” See you all on Tuesday!
Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.
Grande Prairie and area, Alberta: Photographer combines Pets & People
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 13, 2009
Hythe, Alberta
Hythe Area Photographer Captures Animal-Human Bond
Some clients slobber; some kick; some have bad breath, pass gas, or want to hide in a corner.
That’s all part of the job for Diane Schuller who specializes in pet and livestock photography. “It’s important to understand how animals behave and react, and to have a solid knowledge of animals’ body language,” says Schuller.
Schuller who lives NW of Hythe is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving all of Alberta and Northern B.C. Her forte in photographing animals does not exclude their human counterparts, though Schuller admits her lifetime being around animals adds to her suitability for photographing animals – everything from domestic pets to livestock and farmyard animals. She prides herself on providing quality images from a session that never includes placing pets or people in unnatural, uncomfortable poses and no saying, “cheese!”
In 2008 Schuller took on her first paying photography assignments although prior to then she had her photographs published in national magazines, primarily accompanying articles she wrote for the publications. This spring Schuller began the process of building her photography business and on May 11, 2009 launched her official photography website, Diane Schuller Photography [www.dianeschuller.com].
Schuller’s website has a clean, modern, user-friendly design. The website includes Diane’s portfolio presented in large format in a series of galleries, together with information about the photography sessions, her involvement with animals, and what to expect in an on-location creative session.
During 2009 Schuller is offering a special introductory rate in Grande Prairie and surrounding areas to build her client base and portfolio. Schuller plans some recession buster specials over the summer and offers her services to animal-related non-profit organizations for their fund-raising endeavours, with details on her website.
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Contact: Diane Schuller
Phone: 780-3 5 6 – 2 3 5 5
Email: dianeschuller @ gmail.com
Website: www.dianeschuller.com
Technologically Challenged
I bet you’re wondering why I have a photo of my dogs playing in the snow, right? One of the reasons is because we had snow overnight and it continues to snow today. I have no intention of going outside to take more snow photos so thought I’d pull out one I took earlier this winter. Maggie, our Springer Spaniel perplexes the two Australian Shepherds. She plays very differently than they do so they’re always cautious when playtime begins — they never know if she is playing or if she’ll attack them!
Dogs are so lucky; they live in the moment and don’t ever have to worry about how to learn or figure out the newest technologies. Their biggest concern is how many runs they’ll get each day and what time “mom” is going to feed them! But me, on the other hand, well technology seems to have taken over my life lately. I thought I was doing good ages ago when I tried figuring out how to use Photoshop Elements. Then along came Lightroom and I’ve been infatuated and thrilled to work in the digital darkroom ever since. My recent foray into rebuilding my website was wrought with one huge learning curve — actually more of an education in dealing with frustration & problem-solving. Thank heavens the company I used for my website template has such excellent customer service — I needed their assistance every single day and most days, multiple times.
Since it’s snowing today, I have time to figure out how to configure and use FTP (file transfer protocol) – egads! I’ve already had some headaches over that — actually the headaches were because I couldn’t understand the terminology used by those who write so-called how-to information for it. Why do computer geeks think that all of us understand their weird terminology? So once I figure out my FTP dilemma, then it’s time to work on this blog. Thankfully, as I mentioned yesterday, Jennifer is still willing to help me with that! I’m hoping to have a blog as beautiful as hers. Trouble is, I have to learn more of this technological stuff.
Now if all this isn’t bad enough, I tried using the brush in Photoshop Elements which is how I paste my watermark to my photos, but it won’t work right! I have no idea why the brush won’t work anymore. Yesterday I was experimenting in Photoshop trying to figure out how to use the clone tool (with zero success I might add) and now I can’t use the brush for my watermark. That’s why this photo has a cut/paste of my watermark banner. I have no idea where or how to begin figuring out how to get that brush working again so I can easily add my watermark. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Oh dear, technology. If only my life was as simple as that of my dogs.
Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.
