A Wedding in the Woods

We were there the day they met...

Last weekend our family attended a beautiful wedding in the woods. The marriage of two of our dear friends was an occasion for joy and celebration. It took place at the lovely Mazama Lodge at Mt Hood. What a perfect setting on the most gorgeous blue bird day!

I was invited by the couple to be a back up photographer for the event. It was such a pleasure to take in the sights and capture a few precious moments.

I loved so many of the details of the event.

The simple mix of colorful flowers in mason jars and the clean lines of the tables fit in so well with the room and style of the couple.

The great room of the lodge is amazing. Rustic woodland setting paired with giant windows to let in the light. Isn't the ceiling wonderful highlighted by the bare bulb type string lights?

One of my favorite details was the table seating chart attached to the mantle of the giant stone fireplace. Each table number is accompanied by a string of photos. You find your photo to know where you are sitting. It was so much fun to see all of the photos too!

I also loved the hand stitched cocktail napkins for cocktails and appetizers on the great porch after the ceremony.

This was my favorite moment from the wedding, one that only I and the other 2 photographers got to see. The couple decided to meet on the balcony alone (but for us taking pictures) before they walked down the aisle together with their family. As the couple saw each other dressed in their wedding finery, they embraced with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. I'm getting a little teary just writing about it. Such a precious moment between two of the greatest people. I felt so honored to be a witness.

What a great day!

Now I'm off to go through the other 150 or so photos for editing. Have a wonderful weekend all!

Outtakes

As a blogger, a maker and an observer, I take a lot of photos. A ridiculous amount sometimes. Very few of the photos I take actually make to my blog, or see the light of day ever again. I take a lot of photos so that I can get at least one or two that I am happy with. Or I just take photos of things that catch my eye, but don't necessarily "belong" anyplace. My image files are filled with Outtakes.

Sometimes these outtakes are images I truly like though. Like a picture taken during the process of making something, a pile of scraps that are destined for the rubbish bin. The above shot actually gave me an idea for another project.

Maybe a big mess gets in the shot. A tangled nest of brightly colored ribbons; the "before" pic so to speak, the "after" pic shows them all prettily organized (ok, it will show them all prettily organized when I finally get around to it).

Sometimes these Outtakes show the essence of something; a moment, a character, the truth. And so I have a real soft spot for some of them.

Like these photos of a model who is well and truly "Over It"!

Are your photo files full of Outtakes too?

Blow the man down

Yesterday a wild and blustering wind blew through town. It was one of those crisp and bright winter days, a brilliant sun matched with bitterest cold - oh lordy! The neighbors are putting a new roof on and I kept thinking that one of the boys were going to be blown clean off.

The chickens took to the safety of the coop, feathers ruffled and complaining. The Buddha Cat stared out the window all the live-long day with a vaguely pensive look and the occasional twitchy whisker, but never once ventured outside.

I on the other hand, decided to attempt a walk to clear my head and try to budge a significant writers block that was getting in the way of getting down to business. One of those blocks that have you staring at the blank page (or computer screen as the case may be) for what seems like hours until a panic begins to rise up in ones belly, turning it sour.

So scarf on, winter wool coat and hat atop my noggin, and out I went. Two blocks later I was lamenting the loss of my good winter gloves, yet still I pressed on.
To the park, which was quiet and empty and still, but for the wind of course ... and ever so cold. However, the light was glittering, prismatic, and stunning.

Thanks to a friend, I've discovered camera apps for my phone. I had thought my phone was incapable of capturing a decent photo, oh but now, it's thrilling to know that I can get a fairly nice shot without lugging my big camera around. So, I may not have done much for my writers block (the wind was making much too loud a roar in my ears and my nose nearly froze) but the walk was invigorating and the pictures aren't too shabby.



Phone App: Pixlr-o-matic for Android

Getting Aquainted

So I've done it. I have a new camera! We are still getting acquainted. Though I do think I may need to start lifting weights, as this one is a bit more hefty than my last. A Nikon D7000 with a 18 - 105mm all around lens, and a 85mm micro/macro.

I have loads of work I need to get to but the lure of the lens is powerful stuff! All I want to do is play and shoot. I have mostly been messing about with the 85mm f/3.5G.
See...



Having never shot with this type of lens before it takes some getting used to, much practice is needed...and yes, there's more!




Well, I'm off to find some more bugs to take pictures of! Seriously friends, I am completely distracted by my new toy...if you don't hear from me in a few days, it's likely that I am hiding in a bush, dressed in camo and waiting for a dragonfly to land on a nearby leaf!

Have a lovely day!

I Want A New Toy (oh ay oh)

... to keep my head expanding.

So looky what came in the mail! There really is nothing like getting a package in the mail - especially when it is being delivered by a rather attractive postman. Of course the scenario would have been much better had I not been wearing the Engineer's grubby college t-shirt, paint covered 'comfy pants,' hair sticking out all over a la crazy cat lady, and covered in dirt from the garden at the time...I digress.

I ordered a load of new fabric paint. I am trying out some new products plus replenishing my regular supply, and I'm pretty excited about it. "I'm painting, I'm painting again."

I ordered from Dharma Trading Company, they have a vast selection of paints, inks, dyes, roving, and an astonishing amount of dye-able scarves and clothing. I wanted to make sure and give them a mention. This is only the second time I have ordered from the company though they have been around for ages. My first order was very smooth and arrived quickly. This time, about an hour after I made my order on-line, my phone rang. "Hi, this is Michelle* from Dharma Trading Company and we are just processing you order and packing it up. I noticed you chose 3 day shipping but, regular priority mail will get there just as quickly and you will save $5.00 on your bill." I don't think I have ever received a call like that from a company, for the staff to take the time to call me personally to save me $5.00 is a pretty big plus in my book. The paints arrived within 3 days and the items were packed so carefully, I am quite pleased. Often people seem to be chomping at the bit to say something negative about a company and it's service but, too few take the time to report really positive feedback. So, I highly recommend them. Their prices are quite fair and their service outstanding. I don't know if they ship absolutely everywhere but, you should go have a look.

Today I am also headed to the camera shop. "I take pictures, photographic pictures. Bright light, dark room." I am going to have a gander at some new equipment and hopefully receive some sound professional advice. I will try my absolute darndest not to become overly-excited and sweep up the first handsome camera that catches my eye. I will attempt to be discerning and wise and more patient than usual. I am hoping that my lesson has been learned from my last impulsive foray into new camera ownership. Not too long ago I found myself seduced by consumer reviews and promises of glory. The affair lasted only 2 days before I saw the error of my ways and took him back to where I found him.

So that's it for now. Happy Monday!
And kudos to you if you spotted the obscure 80's song lyrics dotted throughout this post!

*not her real name.

10 in 10 for 10 - x 2

Days 3 and 4 rolled into one...

Yesterday I never got out to take my ten. It was raining, pouring, the old man was snoring, and I had a date with some denim and the 'Fraulein' for some stitchery. So today I decided to double the flavor, double the fun and take 20 in 20.

I have to say these are the first I really like. I just focused on color, shape and texture and I think they are pretty ok.

click on the pic for a good look-see

Now for the second 10...

Just don't tell Pony Girl that I went to the park without her.


This is fun, wanna see who else is playing along?
Fledge - flying is easy
Flaming Nora
Handmade - Homegrown
Mad Crafty Mama

I know another one or two who might be joining in soon, I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much to Nancy for putting this into motion!

P.S. I did fix my settings before I went out to take the shots but, I did not touch a thing once I started my photo shoot - nor did I edit after.

10 in 10 for 10 - Day One

Happy New Year!

In the words of Spongebob Squarepants, "I'm Ready!"

I am considering this Monday to be my official New Year's Day. Engineer back at work, the small one back to school - both of them none to pleased about it. I so enjoyed having my family around, spending relaxed time with them. When they are present, I find it hard to do anything else but just hang out together.

And though it has been so nice, I am feeling ready to get back to a little routine as well as a little adventure. One of the things on my 2011 "To Do" list, is to get out more...I mean to spend time out there in the city I love, to bring my camera and capture some Portland heart and soul. So, when I saw my friend Nancy, of Fledge had started a meme called "10 in 10 for 10", I thought it a great way to get myself into the thick of it right away.

Nancy writes:
"Today, I thought up a meme (which, in my head, I pronounce "Me-Me", because I can, because it's my head). 10-10-10. Ten photos. Ten minutes. Ten days. It's intended to exercise my mindfulness and stretch my photographic eye. No time to fidget with settings (which I cannot, because I cracked the LCD display on the back of my camera. Perfect.). No time to stage anything. No photo editing.

Just walk/see/shoot/look/post."

Here is the original post Nancy has extended an open invitation if you would like to play along!

So, with my top photo being 1, here are the other 9. I have to tell you that not fiddling with settings and skipping photo editing is hard for me. Not to mention it was freezing out and my hands went numb completely in the 10 minutes I was out shooting. I did see a whole world of "Possibility"!

Still, what a great experiment! To get out and look and shoot and see things a little differently.

I have lots to tell in this new year and I promise I will get to it all soon. I hope your first days of the new year are treating you well!

Shake

When it comes to my craft, I have an almost Shaker like philosophy, “Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.” With that said, I have a difficult time making art for the sake of Art. I have struggled with this for many years. I remember my pottery teacher telling me to go beyond convention and function, 'be abstract,' he told me, 'push past the norm.' Good advice, and while I did try, in the end I came home with many lovely, yet functional, bowls and cups.

Certainly this is in part due to insecurity and the audacity I believe it would take to call myself an artist. So, I color inside the lines of form + function with an occasional foray to the outer limits of creativity. Whilst not everything I make or create is necessary, it generally has some usefulness. I am proud of this. Still, I do think that pushing beyond that and challenging ones self, facing fears and reaching for greater creativity, is also useful.

All this preamble just to tell you that I start a photography class tonight, goodness!

While photography certainly has purpose and function, I find it also exists of itself. I can take a photograph that is purely artistic (to my sensibilities) and let go of some of my controlled observations. It is one way I intend to look outside of myself, find inspiration and hopefully have some Art to hang on my wall.

Wish me luck.