I’ve been participating in Photo Friday for three years this month, only missing out three times in 156 weeks due to extenuating circumstances. Considering I’m giving a workshop tomorrow at BlissDom on photography composition and angles, I thought I’d pull some of my favorite shots from the archives and tell you what makes them so.
Negev Desert, Israel, 2009
Wide angles are what SVV and I do best—or rather, most—and in this particular shot, I love how big the sky is, how endless the desert seems and how small the camels are in comparison to both.
Celebes Sea, Borneo, 2010
The Rule of Thirds—breaking the scene up visually into a grid with of nine squares, with two vertical lines and two horizontal lines—is a photographer’s creed, and all three turtles hit on the intersection points in this photo. We couldn’t have planned it any better than that.
Pygme village, Rwanda, 2010
Have you noticed that when you’re on vacation and a random stranger takes your shot, you’re inevitably tiny in the middle of the frame with all this excess space around you? When shooting portraits, I like to get up close and personal so the subject is the focal point and cut out all that dead space.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2009
Framing is a helpful tool to utilize in photography because it draws your eye into the subject.
New York, New York, 2010
SVV and I like to play around with reflections, and this series he took of me splashing around Central Park in the rain was really fun. What adult doesn’t get the urge to run through puddles every now and then?
Crater Lake, Oregon, 2011
I love bokeh and I love this puppy. Even more so, I love how contemplative she looks in this shot.
Dead Sea, Israel, 2009
This photo isn’t all that interesting from an aesthetic standpoint, but diagonal lines help draw the viewer’s eye through the photograph, and I like it for that.
Redwood National Forest, California, 2008
This photo just screams “wanderlust” to me, plus I dig the alternate point of view. Shooting at eye level isn’t always the way to go. I prefer shots taken from below, above or from the hip.
This photo won me several national photography accolades even though it’s slightly blurry and was taken with a crappy point-and-shoot. I love the patterns, as well as the deep red of the desert and the tiny people on the horizon line giving it more layers and depth.
this is not only still but also life.
Swoon. I have decided to take photography by the horns this year. Gah, I’m both nervous and excited and, admittedly, a little terrified.
xox
I already think you take great photos! But yes, that’s one of my goals for 2012 again—I need a refresher on depth of field, lighting, aperture, etc.
I don’t have enough words to tell you how great these pictures are!!! They are absolutely beautiful and you deserve to have them printed in many books & magazines!! And win many awards! I want to be in that composition class 🙂
Cata, I adore you–you’re always so upbeat and positive! Thanks for being awesome =)
Hahaha you r so sweet! your pictures and travel stories make me happy. You haven’t seen me bitching about something. I’m usually very “honest” and most people think I’m a bitch. Im just too old to be a hypocrite. Xo
I really like the Rwanda photos…very interesting shots. I also really like the redwood national park photo. You dont often see photos taken from that perspective.
Thanks, Anwar! I came back with hundreds of photos of the people in Rwanda–I felt like of all places I’ve been, they had some of the most beautiful faces and kindest hearts.
Great post! I’m always trying to work on my photog skills it seems.
You work in a great field to get some expert input! I’d totally be following around your photogs for tips if I were you =)
Gorgeous as always! Knock ’em dead this weekend!
Done and done.
I wondered how you were going to pick favourites when all of your photos are so good – but these are AMAZING!! Each one of them is simply beautiful in a different way – I would love to be able to take photos like these! Have a great time at Blissdom!
Thanks, Lisa–you’re so sweet! I just pulled a few of my favorites from the ones I’m using in my BlissDom pres, as honestly, my photos are the most disorganized mess you’ve ever seen, scattered among three computers and multiple external hard drives. It’s a bit embarrassing!
ooh! These are all so excellent. Good look with your workshop!
Thank you, friend!
Wow! The NVR Guys are blown away. So glad you did this post. It inspires us to take better photos.
And you inspire me to be a better person, so we’re even!
Beautiful!! I’ve always loved your pictures Kristin!! You have a great talent! Just curious …. you mentioned your last picture received national recognition. How did that happen? Were your photos ‘stumbled upon’ or did you submit them somewhere? Wish I could be listening in on your photography workshop!
You are so sweet. I’ve never really submitted photos to contests, but this one in particular I turned into a UT contest several years ago to make a little money (I think I won like $150 or so, ha), and from there, it got picked up for a few other contests like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (which I would not have known about had my mom’s friend not seen the photo and cut it out and sent it to us–they didn’t even notify the winners!)
wow
I love how vivid your colors are! And there’s so much texture. I think your pictures are actually more interesting than real life!
That should be the new tagline for my blog: “more interesting than real life.” I like it!
Sure wish I could be at your photography class especially as I’m considering a SLR. I’ve been reading and practicing for years, now if I could just figure out the aperture, shutter & ISO numbers and how all that works. You have a discerning eye for the candid and unusual.
We’ll just have to do a one-on-one tutorial after you get your new DSLR–preferably somewhere in a national park with lots of wide open spaces!
Your pictures amaze me and I love how they draw me in. I wish I could take the class!
That’s so kind of you to say! Maybe I’ll do a webinar one of these days 😉
I love the Redwood National Forest one the most! I love different perspective photos.
I am having a serious case of wanderlust right now. *sigh*
That’s one of my favorites, too! And i it’s commemorative of Scott’s 30+ years of wearing Chucks, too, HA.
I LOVE THESE!! And, super helpful that you’ve linked to the lenses. I absolutely adore your 1st shot and the one from Rwanda. You’ve captured some truly amazing moments.
Thanks, Lindsey! Rwanda was one of my favorite places to snap portraits not only because the people were just so amazing, but also they were receptive toward having their picture taken (versus other countries like, say, Morocco where they expect you to pay them for every photo you snap!).
I really wish I could have made it to Blissdom this year (went last year, but I have a 2 month old and just couldn’t swing it this year), and your photography session is one of the biggest reasons. These pictures are stunning! My favorite is the Redwoods (in part because I just bought my 2 year old the cutest Chuck Taylors!) 😉
You are very sweet for saying that! My session went well, I think, but naturally after the fact, I realized I left out about half of the tips and tricks and recommendations I had meant to share! (I also went at the very end of the weekend so I could tell that people were worn out by the time my session rolled around.) There’s always next time 😉
Wow! Some amazing shots here that also show an impressive sampling of your travels! My favorite is that first one… what a unique way to capture camels in the desert.
Ahhh, I love your photos! All so different but all great. Can you please come to Chile and teach me? I will pay you in pisco sours 🙂 Also, I’m way late, but hope your birthday was wonderful!
I happen to really like pisco sours so you’ve got yourself a deal!
All of them are spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stunning photos! Very inspirational… makes me want to see more of the world 🙂
I love reading your break down of what makes these photos work! I’ve been spending a lot of time lately trying to learn more about photography, so I’ve been devouring stuff like this. Now if only I could get a grasp on balancing ISO, aperture, and shutter speed…. damn exposure issues!! 😛
I still struggle with that, as well–seven years after completing a photojournalism minor, too! Lighting is the hardest thing for me, which is what causes me to switch from M to Av or Tv a lot of the time!
Great photos 🙂
Beautiful shots! I think the road is my favorite. Makes me want to go, NOW.
I think we should get sponsorship from Converse for that shot, ha! Scott only goes through about four pairs of Chucks a year (since, er, 1974).
Hey!
Wow! Gorgeous photos! I always love reading your blog!
Those are some incredible shots! I can’t get over the last one!
These are all fantastic shots! I really like the framing in the Jerusalem photo. 😀
I agree with you on the portraits. Tight and close is my preferred way.
Now…when will you come to Chicago and give a workshop?!
Just popped by your blog during a lunch break. Such ARRESTING images. You truly have an eye for the beauty of this world. Do you give photography workshops for amateur travelers or photographers (outside of BlissDom) ? We’d love to sign up!
Your comments are so very nice! I haven’t ever given a workshop outside of this conference, but it might be something worth looking into for the future =)
Thanks for the self-esteem boost!
Absolutely amazing photos. I love that you have won accolades for the desert photo taken on the point-and-shoot. I took some great photos on my cheap Olympus before I got my SLR but never thought they’d amount to anything, due to the crappy nature of the camera – maybe I’ll revisit them now! Inspiring!