Happy Monday everyone! I hope the start of your day has been good. Mine has =)
I’m going to share with you some of my favorite pictures I have ever taken since taking up photography. With each picture I’ll tell you where it was taken, any stories behind it, and what I like about it. I hope you enjoy this.
I had driven up to my favorite place in Minnesota, the winter after my divorce. I was looking to get away from all the stress of life, and to try to capture some of the beauty of the Minnesota North Shore during the winter, which I had never gone and done before. I just love this picture because it encompasses the ice on the ground, the beautiful Minnesota pine trees, and the Sun in the background. When I look at the picture, I think it’s the path to new tomorrows. To this day I think of that moment when I looked up from where I was standing and saw this image. I had to take the shot.
This was during the fall at Gooseberry Falls in North Shore, Minnesota. It was my last few days in Minnesota, and since the North Shore was one of my favorite places to visit, I had to show my visitor the place. This was just the beginning of the fall colors starting to sprout. I love this picture because of the fall colors in the background, the people walking on the ed of the waterfall, and just the clearness of the water. Yes, you can see some vivid reflections, but not too much. It was a perfect combination for me.
This is my all time favorite picture I have ever taken. It happened within the first two months of my being in Los Angeles. I had no job, I was taking myself out to sunsets every other day, and finding new spots to take pictures from. This was at the Whale Watch center in Palos Verdes. I saw the ray of light on the water, when I looked to my right and saw the sailboat coming. I waited a good five minutes before the sailboat was finally in the ray of light, and snapped this shot. I knew I got the shot even before I took it. To this day, it is my favorite, and I haven’t been able to repeat the shot YET.
I had gone to the Lantern Festival last March or April taking place near Olvera Street in Los Angeles. I had met one of my photography groups there, and was having a great time running around taking pictures. This little girl was running around with her daddy, and she started to pout because her daddy wanted to go, and she wanted to stay. I zoomed in, and captured the moment. I’m not always good with people shots, so having a few of these type of shots is always nice to have! It reminds me that I can do people shots.
This was my first time seeing dancers live in action, in a long time. It was with this shot, I realized I really enjoyed photographing them. It was a lot of fun. And just one of my favorite ArtWalk shots I have taken since attending them. If you know of any dancers out there that wouldn’t mind being photographed in action, send them my way: jamieleaphotography@hotmail.com
Some of my first HDR shots taken. HDR(high dynamic ranger) is when you take 3 different shots at different shutter speeds. A high light, a low light, and a medium range light. Through software, you then combine the three images together. The point is to bring all the elements of a photograph together to make one bright, vibrant shot. There are different layers and themes in each program utilized. It’s a lot of fun to play around with. This was captured at the Pasadena City Hall.
I live close to this huge fountain that does a water show every night. The beautiful Vincent Thomas bridge is in the background, and it makes for a beautiful shot. I still can’t believe it was me taking this shot. Isn’t it lovely?
One day I made a post on facebook about what I should photograph next? My friend, Rose Infantino said, “me.” Next thing I know we’re doing email exchanges back and forth, and we arranged a time to a photography shoot with her. She’d bring some different outfits. The day came, and we ended up driving around town at different venues and taking shots of her. It was a lot of fun. I learned more about my photography, and she got to learn what it’s like to be a model. It was a lot of fun, and some great shots came out of the day, including the one above.
I love taking pictures, and I love trying anything once. My favorite kind of pictures include doing landscapes, and experience a new place for the first time, every time. However, I’m trying to do more people photography, and learn the skills needed behind that.
Happy Monday!
