Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

Invigorating: giving strength or energy to
 

Canada Geese in Spring near Valhalla, Alberta. Copyright © Diane Schuller. All Rights Reserved

Yes, that is the best word to describe my weekend. There are two reasons why it was invigorating: I spent the weekend with people and interacting with them plus I was able to get away from the farm and being tied down by the dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dogs but because of them I can’t go anywhere unless my husband is home to take care of them. As for the former reason, a reminder that I often go weeks (very literally) without seeing another human being. So, this weekend was fantastic! Saturday I was in Grande Prairie all day attending a workshop where I also led a session on goal-setting for writers. Sunday I spent several hours driving through the spring countryside heading north of Grimshaw to meet a woman for a writing consult. We spent a few hours together talking about writing projects and I helped get her started on setting writing goals as well as other writing-related discussion.

Spring calves, northern Alberta. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved

Just being around people, interacting with them, plus the time away from the farm was so invigorating. What invigorates you?

I can credit one book for helping me move from a rank amateur with lots of interest in photography, yet lacking in technical skills, to an amateur who finally understands how to get the most out of her camera. This one book slapped the reins in my hands enabling me to turn my little DSLR into a real workhorse.

I’ve loved photography since I was a little girl, mesmerized by the little Brownie box camera with the leather handle my parents used. Life moved forward and I focused my creative side on writing. Photography, though still a creative outlet I loved, got left behind. That changed a few years ago.

When I finally made the decision to get serious about improving my photography skills, there were roadblocks. Where I live I don’t have the benefit of access to professional photography workshops or classes though I did take an intermediate course that helped me more with post processing than anything else. I felt a void because my goal had been to become adept at maximizing my use (and understanding) of my camera’s controls.

I tried a few online forums but got absolutely nowhere because of attitude (I should KNOW those things, don’t you know). That was the whole point: I asked those questions because I was trying to learn and decipher how to fully understand the specific details about correct exposure. Someone with less attitude recommended a book that was sure to answer my questions, so I ordered it, and voila! That book made everything perfectly clear to me.

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson was the single most significant tool that helped me better understand exposure and how to get the most out of my camera. By the time I finished the first chapter, the questions I had been asking not only were answered but he taught it in such a way that I had no more confusion about f-stops and lens opening (and determining the best exposure without it being guesswork). As I progressed through the chapters, I learned how to achieve certain effects with my camera and experimented more (while understanding what I was doing). Peterson also had suggested exercises in each chapter to encourage the reader/photographer to try out the different lessons and to expand your capabilities. With the positive reinforcement that came as a result of trying his exercises, there really was no place to go but forward! I highly recommend this book (now available as an updated version) if you wish to better understand exposure, to get the most out of your camera (whether it’s film or digital), and to improve your technical skills with any camera.

Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved.

I still use the same entry level DSLR but I know I’m getting the most out of it. I’m still hoping to get a professional level camera like so many others have, but I’m comfortable that my little camera is like a little draught horse working his haunches off for me. The only reason I’m getting so much out of my little camera is due solely to what I’ve learned in an earlier version of Understanding Exposure.

That said, photography – like any creative art form – is a lifelong learning process. I still make mistakes but at least I know what I should be doing. We never stop learning and growing with the art.

Have you found a book that helped move you forward in any particular task or other part of your life? Or, if you are also an amateur photographer, what have you found to be the most helpful in moving your skills forward?

 {Reminder: I am again posting photos, different from here most times, at Flickr and at my daily photoblog (well, except seldom on weekends). Feel free to check them out and say “hi” if you pop by!”

Copyright © Diane Schuller. All Rights Reserved.

This week I heard:

• the return of the crows, “caw, caw”;
• the dark-eyed juncos (I haven’t seen them yet but I hear them);
• coyotes howling and yodeling each day and night;
• an owl hooting outside our bedroom window in the middle of the night;
• “Green onions” by Booker T and the MG’s … man I love that tune!
• News, both good and bad, on the radio and TV;
• Canada Geese returning north (but there’s no open land or water yet for them);
• “Stranger on the Shore” … to me that melody sounds like what it would feel like to be floating on a calm sea in twilight;
• heard that owl again, though he was further away from the farm this time;
• My mother’s voice within mine when I chuckled to myself.

What did you hear this week?

PS: Last week I promised to do a brief post about one of the books that helped me the most in moving forward with my photography. Time has slipped away like a snail on wet glass so I hope you won’t mind waiting until after the Easter weekend. I promise to have the post ready to roll out after this long weekend.

young elk fleeing to safety

This small group of young elk (wapiti) are in a field near our home. The cows (female adult elk) are kicking out their last year’s offspring and the youngsters are forming their own small herds. I captured this group of young gals just over a week ago as I was leaving home, heading to Edmonton. It was a very overcast morning and I shot from inside my car because they were already beginning to flee at the sight of my vehicle.

Wapiti is a Shawnee word meaning white rump. Although these photos aren’t the most vivid, if you look closely you’ll see that distinctive white rump. (The photo I linked to below shows the white rump much more clearly.)

The elk are a large member of the deer family and are extremely dangerous in the wild. The adult cows are highly aggressive all year long and the bull elk (males) are dangerous during their rut (breeding season in the autumn). They do a lot of damage to farmer’s land, trees, and are dangerous for those with horses. We have so many elk in our area and they have no predators so their herds are growing by leaps and bounds (pun intended). Wolves are natural predators but we don’t have wolves in our area. I posted another image of these elk at Flickr if you’d like to see that image as well, especially if you want to more clearly see that white rump.

(I haven’t forgotten about the second cupcake post but wanted to share this with you before I forget.)

One of the things I love photographing are animals, whether domestic or wild. I’ve mentioned before how much I appreciate that animals live in the moment so they’re not worried about how they look, what angle you’re wanting, or whether their hair is mussed!

This lovely gal didn’t have to worry about mussed hair did she? Though you will see a bit of mussed hair in a photo of another beauty a bit further down in this post.

In the case of dogs and cats, I do my photo shoots on location: either in the client’s home or at a park or other outdoor area. The important thing is for me to blend in so I can catch those quiet moments or the ones where they’re being frisky and full of spunk.

I love the way Henry’s lip is caught in this shot. He was continually on the go and had the most wonderful expressions every time he’d stop and re-assess his surroundings.

Of course, I love photographing other beautiful creatures equally as well.

If you’d like to see more photos of dogs, horses, other critters, and wildlife, click those links to view a small sample I have posted at Flickr. If you live in Alberta or British Columbia and would like for me to come take photos of your pets, please contact me (see the sidebar for my ‘coordinates’). Enjoy!

Horses symbolize power, vitality and freedom. Cave art from the Ice Ages depict wild horses and cattle as the most important subjects. In fairy tales horses embody prophetic creatures with magical powers. Psychological symbology interprets horses as noble and intelligent (which they are), though easily frightened or disturbed.

I’ve always loved horses and miss having them in my life. The beauty now is that I can capture other people’s horses with my lens for them to treasure. Autumn has slipped away up here so today I put together this simple mosaic remembering the warm but windy day these friendly equines allowed me to mingle among them, inhaling their earthy scent and pressing against their soft, yet prickly muzzles.

If you have horses or livestock you’d like me to capture through my lens, give me a call. If you live near Grande Prairie, Hythe, or anywhere in the Peace River region of Alberta, I welcome a drive through this beautiful countryside. I also have gift certificates available if you have someone with a horse who would love to have special photos taken of their equine steed.