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Assignment: Texture

I don’t do this nearly often enough – give myself little photography assignments, but it’s so much fun, and really forces you to look at things in a unique way.  All these pictures were taken outside around my house the other day in the space of about five minutes.

Anyone can find something interesting to photograph if you look closely.  I love the pattern of this slatted chair on my front porch.Not what you would normally think of to photograph, but look at how gorgeous the texture is on these dead mums.  So happy I was lazy and didn’t throw them out when I should have.Love the variation of colors on this green pot.  Notice how narrow the band of focus is.  The f-stop for this pic was at 2.8 (my favorite!).Photographing outside with the snow gives you gorgeous, saturated color.  The overcast sky makes the outdoors a giant softbox, and the snow itself is a massive reflector, bouncing the light all around.  Gorgeous!I always use the focus points in my camera to place the focus exactly where I want it to be.  See the band of focus in the middle of this picture?  I could easily have changed it to have the foreground be in focus, or the leaves at the back of the picture.  Changing the focal point completely changes the look of a photo.  If you have a digital SLR, you likely CAN select your exact focus point.  Check your manual for this!

Thinking of taking on this assignment yourself?  I’d love to see the results!  Email your images to davewhit@scottphotography.org.

And another post from one of our Oklahoma City sessions.  Loved these kiddos!!!  Probably something to do with the fact that they are the same age as my own, and when we travel for these out of town sessions, we leave our kids with the grandparents at “the farm”.  Do they miss their parents?  Are you kidding?  What parents?  Anyway, enough of my rambling.  What I mean to say is… aren’t these guys the cutest????

Yes, those are gorgeous fall colors you’re seeing.  Sigh.


Interested in one of our travel sessions?  We make several trips a year to Oklahoma City, central Texas – and may even be planning a little jaunt to Chicago.  Drop us a line and we’ll put you on a “need to know when you’re coming” list!  Your location not on our list?  If you can put several sessions together for us, we may just make the trip!

Happy Snow Day!

What I really should have titled this post was “Happy snot day”.  Is it wrong that I think frozen snot is hilarious?

Saturday was the perfect snow day.  Seven inches of the softest, lightest powder.  It made delicious snow ice cream!  And after this picture, felt great going down the back of my jacket.  Ah, family bonding.

Yes.  I am aware that a snowstorm is on it’s way to our area tomorrow.  And yes.  I also am quite aware that the leaves haven’t looked like this in a few months.  That is because I am so far behind  in my picture posting.  You didn’t need to remind me.  That’s just rude.  I will show you the pictures anyway.

Stay-tuned for more “I’m way behind” postings.  After all, in this weather, it’s a great time to reminisce about fall!!!

And so now you’re wondering… why would she post this random picture on her blog?

It’s a junky old room in some junky old building!

But wait.  You’ll see.  It gets better.  Because this building?  It’s right on the corner of the historic Carthage square.In the gorgeous “Uptown Downtown” building.  And the awesome owners?  Have agreed to let us use the loft space for shooting!!!  Yay!!!  And the best part?

is this amazing room.  I know, I know.  It’s got trash cans in the middle of the floor to catch raindrops.  We’ll move those.  But the light?  Every photographer’s dream.  This was actually used as a photography studio for about 50 years.  And now?  At least for an hour or two a week, this room will be happy again (looks a little lonely, don’t you think?).

A few shots from our first session to try out the space…

Our most heartfelt thanks to Dennis and Jackie from the fabulous Uptown Downtown for their generosity.  If you’re in need of beautiful decor for your home, please take your business to these wonderful folks!

Exciting news coming to our facebook fans this week!  Not a fan yet?  Join us here and be the first to know!!!

Storytelling

People often ask me what makes a great picture.  Is it lighting? (oh yes)  Composition? (sometimes) The beauty of the person being photographed? (not really)  What I’ve discovered about the photographs I love… those that draw me in and keep me coming back, is that they tell a story.  They make me want to know more.  That’s why wedding photography is a wonderful challenge for a photographer.  It’s a day filled with stories waiting to be told.

I’m always drawn to black & white or vintage tones for storytelling photographs.  The lack of color removes distractions – concentrates the emotion.

This is currently my favorite picture.  Love it!  Wouldn’t you just love to know what’s going through this little girl’s mind?  Is she dreaming of her own wedding someday?  Bored out of her mind?  Just wanting to get to the cake? Blaze was such a beautiful bride!

Doesn’t this picture just drive you crazy with curiosity?  Where is he? What was he looking at?  

I won’t keep you in suspense. : )This is one of Dave’s now-famous “hip shots”.  Don’t think that just because the camera isn’t pointing at you, you’re safe.  But this look of a mother to her son?  It’s the real thing.  So sweet.

The complete wedding gallery of Landon and Blaze is now live.  You can view the full collection of photographs here.  Don’t forget the password!

First Snow

The Christmas blizzard of 2009 will likely be Ben’s first memory of snow.  We were at my parent’s house for the holidays, and Ben woke up extra early.  He and I sat in the window awhile, looking at birds hiding in the eaves – finding patterns in the snow.  The light was so beautiful, I just had to capture it.  Some moments you need to remember.

Once you become a photographer, you no longer have just Thanksgiving.  You have a series of photo sessions with family, followed by a very large meal.  As a general rule, you should always do the sessions first, especially if dessert is included.  My creative juices slow down considerably after about 2000 calories.   We did lots of family pictures over the holidays, including these of my parents on “the farm”.  I told them I would try to treat it like an engagement session, but that usually involves having people snuggle up and kiss… and c’mon… these are my parents.  That’s just weird.  But I’m a professional, so I tried to suck it up.  I’m just so glad I’m not a podiatrist.

You can’t have pictures on the farm without including the cows.  My friends from high school can attest that my very first photographic subjects were cows (not these cows, but maybe their great-great-grandparents, who have long since gone to hamburger heaven).  Dave is obviously a city boy.  The cows did not love him.  He’s much better with preschoolers — really.

If cows don’t say “cheese”, what do they say?  Don’t really know the answer to that.  Just wondering.  Love these pics.

Well, the Hunter and the Cheerleader are now… the bride and the groom!  Although that didn’t stop Landon and his groomsmen from going duck hunting the morning of the wedding.  Craziness!  I love this pic from Blaze & Landon’s wedding.  Definitely a favorite.

This was the most organized, put-together wedding ever, thanks to the fabulous Ms. J.  Had to get a shot of the ever-present clipboard.
Landon has long been one of our favorite people.  Part of me still sees him as that sweet chubby boy he was at what, 12?  (Don’t you just love that I wrote that about you Landon? : )  I should probably follow that up by saying that I would be honored if my son grew up to be just like him.  And now?  He’s found Blaze, who is such a perfect compliment to him in every way.  I love this pic from their first look.  So sweet.

Second favorite.  Who thought it was weird that I wanted to take a picture in the doorway to the bathroom?


*Sigh*  Another favorite.

Dave making friends at the reception. : )  He has a tux on since we had a first at this wedding.  He not only did photographs, but performed the ceremony as well!  

This is what happens in the kitchen when the DJ plays “Beat It”!   I so wish this was video.

Uh-Oh, another favorite.  

Our thanks to Blaze & Landon, and your wonderful family & friends.  It was an honor to be part of your day.  May your life together be blessed.