Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

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.

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!”

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!

Living on a remote rural farm I miss the company of people. Perhaps that’s partly why I enjoy blogging but also why I embrace every opportunity to do a photo shoot that takes me to someone else’s home or location. At this time of year, now that the yard and fields beyond are blanketed with snow, with many more layers yet to come, I balk at the added confinement.

This year I’m trying something different as we enter this confining season — I’m drawing on every element of positive thinking in an attempt to break into the season with an attitude of playfulness. Much like this pair of horses I photographed while on a photo shoot this past autumn.

Or in the way Henry, the American Bulldog, was so frisky during a delightful hour long photo shoot this past October (sorry this first one of him is blown out … I should have done some post processing to enhance it, but you get the idea!)

Unlike these frisky dogs and horses, I know what is to come but they are totally in the moment. There really is truth to the benefits of living in the moment, isn’t there? I’ll have to try thinking less of my confinement and more about the beauty that is within these four walls (though I still envy everyone who lives in or near the city — any city.)

ready, set ...

got it!!

I took this one day-before-yesterday while my husband was shoveling snow — Austin is crazy about leaping after the snow.

(Don’t forget about the contest coming up … I’ll likely make the announcement Friday morning.)

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.

During a demonstration on Farmer’s Day at the South Peace Centennial Museum just outside Beaverlodge, Alberta – Canada.

I love horses anyway, so photo shoots like this are pure pleasure. These horses were not only handsome but they were an accomplished team working with such fluidity for the handler. As they work the ground, the one horse must remain down in the furrow while the other must remain on top — tricky footwork. This all looks so easy yet many hours of training and work were necessary to bring this team to such an accomplished level. It was hot, dry, and dusty yet they just forged ahead.

All Images are Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. It is illegal to copy or download any of these images. All Rights Reserved.

I’m a pleasant person, so if you wish to use one of my images please simply send me an e-mail. Then we’ll see what we can work out okay? In the meantime, thank you for respecting my copyright and for doing the right thing.

If you’re looking for some special prints for your home or office, or perhaps would like me to take some photos of you and your family or pets/livestock, or an event, please contact me and we’ll work something out that is just right for you!