Looking Backwards and Forward

Usually, I write my blogs first – sometimes with a few images in hand, other times I write with a plan to shoot images to match the ideas or to search through images I’ve already made. On this last writing of the year, I reversed course. I gathered the images first. In part, this was because the writing was not coming together. It was wrought with false starts and just wasn’t working. Time to shift gears.

So, I gave my process some thought and decided to work backwards and find the images under the umbrella of a loose idea I had. I decided to look through many folders from images made this past year and select images that spoke to me. The reasons varied. Some that really stood out had already been processed and shared. Those were easy, and I selected them last. The rest, and the majority of images were ones that had not been given a second look. In this review, I realized that they deserved such consideration.

This dahlia image is a multiple exposure where one frame is simply blurred color, creating a veil-like look. I wanted a softer look for this bloom.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

While I initially began selecting images with the theme, “Make Me Feel Something,” I realized that perhaps this was too limiting for the time I had to devote to the process. Part of me was looking for images that reflected “calm,” and I found them. Another part of me discovered images that made me feel uplifted, whether by the image or my memory of the experience I had while making them. Some words entered into the mix, like quiet, simple, beautiful, grace, and so on. In essence and in reality, my selection process was not linear. I think the only thing I ruled out were images that felt more travel-related.

Ultimately, the images I selected, processed and share here now are ones that “spoke to me.” The reason they did was not as important as the fact that these images stopped me in my scrolling and, in turn, actually did make me feel something. What I felt each time this happened with each image was similar within the collection, and yet the images themselves are different. You will read what stopped me in the captions.

This “wabi sabi” scene of broken dock pilings told the story of decay, but the red plants and warm colored grasses added more. I photographed this with my Helios 44 to create a romantic, nostalgic and ethereal image.

I loved the bold color of this float tucked  in the wooden conch pot. The Lensbaby Velvet 56 at a wide aperture created a softer look, reflecting nostalgia for a way of life that feels like it is on borrowed time.

THE FINAL IMAGES

As I mentioned, I did select some images that I had already processed and shared. I did review images in many folders from this past year, but not all. In some cases I selected several images from folders, from others only one, and from others, none. I ended up with a total of thirty-two images. I also chose not to go through my infrared files as those reflect different perspectives, and more often the images are not ones that prick my heart.

Most of the images are, naturally, flowers or plants, along with a few still lifes and general outdoor and nature scenes. A few made use of techniques such as multiple exposures, ICM (intentional camera movement) and image blending. There were others made with my Lensbabies or the vintage Helios 44. Something I wanted to do was keep the processing of these images simple and uncomplicated. Therefore, no textures or fancy footwork involved. I will save those for another day.

Finally, I noticed a growing affinity for the square format, and a few of those made it through the selection process. I see myself using the square a bit more often and intentionally in the coming year as it forces me to see and compose in a different way.

Love in the Mist (Nigella) is a tiny and delicate flower that I’m not able to grow. I chose to use my Lensbaby Soft Focus II optic and the square format to highlight its beauty against a soft and simple background.

This bleeding hearts tendril was made with my Lensbaby Velvet 56 at an aperture wide enough to capture the details and allow the background to be a soft, complementary backdrop for this beauty.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN LOOKING BACK

I have never, not ever, done an “annual review” of my images. I know many photographers who do, and I have always enjoyed seeing their favorites (or most liked” from the year. However, I have always been focused on “forward motion” and have not made time for “backwards.” Having done this looking back, I see the value of it on several levels.

Not surprising, I know I need flowers – for their beauty and for the pure peace and calm they provide me with, simply in their presence but also their creative photography opportunities. From petal studies to focusing on colors, shapes, textures and flow, the possibilities are endless. These include single flowers to bouquets and many in the gardens, woods and fields in all the seasons. So, of course, there are flowers in the selection.

I love how the Helios 44 simplifies a busy scene to highlight these beauties while adding wonderful “bubble” forms in the background for delicate, natural textures.

I’ve learned (or confirmed) that I love the soft-focus approach in many subjects, including those that others might prefer “tack sharp” or a deeper depth of field. The softness often provides me with a comforting visual place to land.

I’m also attracted to “simple,” whether in number of items in a frame or the arrangements within. “Simple” relieves my mind from having too many balls in the air or thoughts running through my brain. “Less is More” provides a form of rest. This statement from the one (me) who has accumulated a vast array and supply of subjects stored in bins and drawers, waiting to be photographed. Go figure. I guess I seek simple more in my images than in my physical space.

I have learned that as much as I preach the value of slowing down, I need to work on doing more of this – even when I am scouting for workshops. I need to focus a bit more on the moments than on what my clients will enjoy. Scouting shifts my mindset more than I would like. Finding a balance of “focused moments” and “scouting” will allow me more opportunities to discover and share new ideas with my clients and my “audience.”

The wash of soft purple, my favorite color, and the delicate details drew me in. The Lensbaby Velvet 56 brought it all together.

Returning to the concept of “Depth vs. Breadth” will bring me more satisfaction and rewards in the images I create. We all must accept that in any given location we will never be able to photograph everything. We shouldn’t even try. Instead, find those scenes and subjects that make you stop, that hold your attention, that speak to you in some way, and work them. “Stay Longer, See More” is a phrase I have used as a reminder to myself and others. This coming year I will say it more often, especially to myself. I will still “skim” some scenes that I like, but I will go deeper and stay longer with subjects that resonate. I will stay long enough to see the “WHY” on the LCD on the back of my camera. In doing so, I feel certain that next year’s selection from my looking backwards will feel different and will provide more and new lessons for the time ahead of me.

Aging and fading sunflower, still beautiful with its wrinkled petals. I chose to darken all but those petals in the light, even though the entire flower was in daylight.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’ve never looked back on your images (processed and unprocessed) for a single year or longer, I can now personally recommend doing so. You will find some overlooked “jewels,” and you will see areas where you might consider shifting gears in your approach.

I have seen many images from my relatively cursory review that I really like and could share as separate collections of a different nature or theme. Many images are more travel related, architectural or abstract and could provide fodder for further study and observation.

I was drawn to the soft light inside a room at Fort Pulaski, the curve of the window area and the simple, quiet still life created in this scene.

Sliver of yellow light in the seam of a banana plant leaf made with the Lensbaby Velvet 56. Reminded of a quote about cracks and that’s how the light gets in with this abstract interpretation.

My birds and wildlife images are fewer, but the experiences in making them are always appreciated and remembered. Those particular subjects don’t always lend themselves to “longer” or “deeper” as they fly or run away or don’t even show up long enough to catch a shot. Also, the lens I may have on isn’t always long enough unless I go out specifically for them. This is okay. We work with what we have with us, and having the “wrong” lens often creates opportunities to create something different because of it. The “right lens” is the one you have with you, even if it doesn’t feel like it – even if it is your phone.

Patience and a vision of creating context made this image possible. Not one to seek out birds to photograph, I love this image because of what it took to make it.

This is my first and favorite still life of this nest and eggs that I’ve had for years. The square format, added feather and the Lensbaby Sweet 22 with macro filters brought it all together.

Finally, and fair warning, there are twice as many images included here than in my usual blogs. Twelve was too few, and thirty-two was too many. I hope you find value in the images shared and the thoughts included in the captions. If this inspires you to do your own “backwards and forward” review, I have done my job.

Here’s wishing you all good things in the New Year, and thank you for taking the time to read my monthly musings.

The spring, summer, is quite a hectic time for people in their lives, but then it comes to autumn, and to winter, and you can’t but help think back to the year that was, and then hopefully looking forward to the year that is approaching.

— Enya

A square celebration of fall color in West Virginia created using in-camera multiple exposures.

Snow Drops image blended with a soft-focus frame that highlights the beauty in the details of this flower.

What is not to love in this nearly perfect water lily? Clean, simple and complex and beautiful.

An image discovered and made in the shadows of lotus flowers and leaves. Reminds me to put on my “noticers” and stay longer to see more.