Learning with Color...

I'm continuing to try and learn as much as I can about Photography and more so lately trying to find out what kind I would want to be should I be granted the opportunity. I find, as I've studied and viewed hundreds of photography blogs, that I am moved by bold, vibrant colors. Jewel tones specifically - bright fuchsia with a lively yellow accent; intense green with pops of red, pink or purple; sparkling blues in all shades. I find myself looking for these colors in nature ~ places to get these colors in a photo to match the pops of color in the clothing of a child or the soft cap of a newborn. I've lately become engrossed with a few photographers who showcase this beautiful bright color in their work - specifically Amy Wenzel and Jinky Art. Now that I've learned more in Photoshop, I've been trying to get that same kind of color intensity just through my editing. Here's the most recent one I've done trying to mimic that color intense feel. This picture was taken last 4th of July in Naples.

It's a sweet picture, but didn't have that punch of color that I've been so moved by when looking at other blogs. So, after learning a bit more about color and contrast and how to manipulate it, this is what I was able to do:




Don't you just feel so much more alive looking at the second one? It's amazing the impact color can have on the emotion and the mind... So, I think I've found my focus. Of course, I do love the beautiful shades of black and white, but I've found that, for me...there's nothing more beautiful than pulling colors together with children and babies- both being full of life, hope, brilliance and glow.

One amazing thing I was able to do over Spring Break was shadow the shoot of a very cool children's photographer here in G-ville. I sent an email out hoping that maybe I'd get a response and I was shocked and so excited when I did! So, this past Friday, I met up with Mallika from Mikifoto and shadowed a shoot. She was seriously awesome; a self-taught photographer, mother of two and 7 months preggers with her third! She met me about a half hour before the shoot and we talked about all things photography. Then, I simply shadowed her and furiously took down notes detailing everything she did to capture beautiful pictures of two sisters (one 4 and the other 1). Then afterwards, she sat down again with me to discuss the shoot. She gave tips on how to capture moments with little ones, strategies for how to go about starting my own photography business one day, great resources to check online, and most importantly, hope and inspiration. I am so grateful that a busy mother photographer was so willing to talk with me. She's even promised to keep in touch and have me come and watch one of her editing sessions in a couple of weeks. I could not be more thrilled! And she already sent me a list of resources to check out via email earlier today. I LOVE learning about photography! It's my life passion right now.

Oh, here's one more pic I wanted to post. My nephew is currently potty training and it's easier to just wash underwear rather than pants too, so he spent Easter running around our house in his little soccer undies! :0) He went outside to play with Jake and Bear and Wally took the pic. I didn't edit this one with a bright color focus and instead went a different route because, well, it just felt like it needed to be like this...kind of rugged and dirty, but soft and playful at the same time. I just love it. A little boy in his undies playing with man's best friend. What could be better in a pic?