Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

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.

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.

Drum roll!  Announcing the re-launch of my website, Diane Schuller Photography!  There are a few minor issues that I need to work out and a couple additions but, for the most part, I am pleased with the final result. I’m delighted to have a professional space where I can proudly display my work. I also have a question to ask: my improved site has capability to play MP3 tunes but I’m not sure that everyone would be keen on music (though it can easily be turned off by the viewer). Let me know your general feeling about music on websites.

Since I plan on doing more of a push in obtaining photo shoots this year, I will be using my blog to announce specials and talk more about photography-related topics. I’ll still chat and share tidbits of life up here but the biz will be more evident in this space.

Next task: I need to make some improvements to my blog. I’m so technically-challenged (which is why it took so long to re-do my website) so fortunately for me, Jennifer has offered to guide me through the blog changes. It was thanks to a discussion at the Shutter Sisters Flickr group that I hooked up with her (if you’re looking for a lifestyle photographer in the Greater Toronto, Ontario area — check her out!). What a great group of helpful and sharing women.

I invite you to visit my re-launched website! I would love to know what you think about it.

PS: Fair warning — an official press release will be posted here later today.

Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

the R.R. Venture coming in after a day at sea

ADVICE
by Robert Crawford

When you are faced with two alternatives

Choose both. And should they put you to the test,

Tick every box. Nothing is ever single.
A seed’s a tree’s a ship’s a constellation.
Nail your true colours to this branching mast.

Great advice whether in life or in our chosen career path, don’t you think?

Speaking of alternatives, do any of you use the social networking sites to further your business/career? I have solidly kept away from Twitter, Facebook, et al primarily because of the time commitment — I love life and would rather be enjoying and experiencing life than in front of a screen even more than present. I’ve seen those little excerpts from Twitter on some of the blogs and am astounded at the petty chatter so that’s been another good reason (in my view) to keep away. All that said, there are those who have found some of the social networking to be beneficial for business purposes. I don’t hear much on that end so if any of you have positive and measurable results from using social networking, I would love to hear about it. You see, as Mr Crawford advises regarding alternatives, perhaps I should reconsider and “choose both” — oh but I don’t have the time!

awesome: extremely impressive; in the senses – filled with awe

Doesn’t Nature sometimes fill you with awe?

(photos of pussy willows taken yesterday May 5, 2009 — spring has arrived north of 55 here in northern Alberta)

Today Shutter Sister Karen Walrond has a post titled “Up Close and Personal”. She talks about how she (like me) is not so fond of roses yet loves the beauty of other flowers. Her husband asked her to plant roses in their garden and now that one of them is in bloom, she photographed it up close. She talks of how she’s shocked at its beauty when looked at up close.

I love lilies. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved.

beauty found within a single cell of a chain link fence. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved.

 
My Friday offerings are a response to her question, “…show me some everyday things that stun you with their beauty up close.” May you look at everything up close today and this weekend and may you find beauty in the most unexpected places.