This blog captures my journey to take a break from jewelry designing to learn something new. Join me as I learn the art of photography and Photoshop Elements and watch me create through my lens. ~ Dee

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Those with Weak Stomachs...Do Not Try!

I'll give anything a try if it means I'll learn something new...well almost anything.  But, I would have never guessed that I'd get sick learning photography!  Here's how my story goes....

My latest read is Understanding Shutter Speed by Bryan Peterson.  In case I haven't mentioned Bryan before, he has become one of my favorite authors, instructors and professional photographers since I started this journey.  His teaching style removes all the yada, yada, yada, and leaves you with simple, practical techniques that not only make sense to the novice; but, will have you shooting professional style images in the blink of an eye.  If you've ever experienced a "light bulb" moment, you're guaranteed to experience many while learning with Bryan Peterson. 



So, back to my story......Having safely made it through the first two chapters - Shutter Speed Facts & Myths and Fast & Moderate Speeds, I began a section in chapter 3 - Painting with Shutter Speed.  Little did I know, curiosity would get the best of me at 11 pm Tuesday night. 

If you're use to following the "rules" you probably know that if you have to use a slow shutter speed of 1/4 or 1/2 sec, you should use a tripod to elminate the shakes and blurries, but when you're getting creative and trying to create art, you should also know that "rules" are meant to be broken.   I've used this technique before to create some interesting photos, but Bryan was tempting me with something even better...."Yes Master, I will try".... He had taken a beautiful Autumn wood scene and turned it into art. 

He took this...

and turned it into this...


How you ask?  By looking up, focusing his camera, using a shutter speed of 1/4 or 1/2 sec., and at the moment he pressed the shutter release, he twirled on his heels!  

Well, no way was I going to sit around and wait for Fall to try this neat trick, so I did what any creative person would do....I created my own colorful scene! 

First, I found some Christmas paper and taped a big section to my bedroom ceilings (not an easy task).

  Next I got my camera ready....

stationed myself underneath the paper...

set my shutter speed to 1/2 sec...

aimed at the scene on the ceiling...

steadied my stand.....

pressed the shutter release...

and TWIRLED!!!  



again, and again and again.....


Until I was literally NAUSEAUS!  I never did get the darned thing centered, but by the 6th twirl, I felt like I was in a scene from Hangover!! 


OMG...I was so sick!!   

BUT....I learned something new and you know what?  I'm going to do it again...but I think I'll wait til Fall! 

Lesson Learned:  
Photography can be dangerous to those with a weak stomach, but so rewarding to those willing to go out on a limb once in a while.  So take a chance, do something crazy. Who knows, you may create a work of art one day!

I will have the pleasure of hearing Bryan Peterson instruct this weekend at a conference in Virginia. I'm so stoked at the opportunity.  I'm thinking of printing out my twirling photos and asking him to sign them along with his books...do you think he'll have me escorted away? I'll let you know when I return!

Unveiling and twirling,
Dee

4 comments:

  1. Oh. My. Goodness. That is so COOL!!! I kinda want to go out and try that now, but I don't have the camera or leg strength for twirling. LOL

    I think you did a pretty good job for your first go around (pun somewhat intended).

    This sounds like a very interesting book and a wonderful instructor-I'm going to have to remember that name for the future :)

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  2. I must admit, this is the perfect post to leave this comment on :)

    I left you something special over on my site::

    http://theeclecticelement.blogspot.com/2012/03/im-kreative-blogger-award.html

    Enjoy your beautiful Sunday my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the award Kayla, I'll post mine this week. Weekend was wonderful...beach, workshop, rain and relaxation...couldn't have asked for better!

      Delete
  3. Hey Kayla, Love your no pun intended, LOL. Thanks, I'll try again when I have more space and an empty stomache. He's a great instructor and his books just "make sense". The workshop this past weekend was awesome!!

    ReplyDelete

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