Where's Wendy? Shooting A Casual Beach Wedding!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”

~Henry David Thoreau~

In my attempt to keep up with everything going on in my life I thought it best to also catch up on my blog... As you all know school is one of my top priorities right now... it comes first after my family and my photography. So needless to say I don't have much time for anything else.

This past Thursday I did a casual beach wedding for a couple that came from the UK. They had no idea that there would be a professional photographer at their very informal gathering on Clearwater Beach. I was a gift from a sister and a friend. So needless to say, when I walked through the door with a camera over my left shoulder and another in my right hand things got a bit emotional.

It was actually a horrible day to do a beach wedding... it was cold, and gray, and the chance of rain could have come about at any second. Thankfully it held off until the ceremony was finished and we made our way back to the beach house. With a brief reception of wine, and cake... it was done and over with. I spent just an hour photographing a lovely family and their friends. I did my editing that night and had their images ready by the next morning. It was a pretty easy edit with the exception of pumping up the sky a bit to remove some of the gray.


Tomorrow I have another beach wedding with a reception at the Grand Bilagio here in Clearwater... I'll share that one with you as soon as I have a free moment. In the mean time it's back to studying!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

P.S. Stay tuned for my blog on the new Dali Museum, and my brand new website!

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media.

Where’s Wendy? The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art!!

Photo captured at The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free — Michelangelo

Taking two art classes this semester has me intrigued, and excited, as well as exhausted, and overwhelmed at times. Learning about the Masters is a great way to learn lighting, composition, and perspective. I find myself looking at pieces by Higher Renaissance Greats and dreaming that I could have lived to see those days. From paintings, to sculpture, to architecture, it seems that everything was beautiful during that era. Now I know that life was probably much harder, and the rules were different back then, but it seems that everything was surrounded with beautiful art.

One of the requirements for my “Understanding Art” class was to visit a museum and do an essay on my most favorite work, and my least favorite work, that included pictures and a picture of myself showing that I was actually at the museum. In this essay I was to use Feldman’s Method of Critical Analysis on both my favorite and least favorite. I pulled it off with a grade of 92%, and a comment that wasn’t well accepted by my professor.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum has some interesting pieces of Artwork, including a reproduction of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, which is accompanied by an audio presentation. Although I love the work of the old masters and find them very inspiring, I find that the more modern art doesn’t really move me. Some of the sculptures just don’t make sense and some of the paintings are just not as esthetically pleasing as the works by the greats such as Michelangelo, or Donatello. The museum itself opened in January of 2002, and is located on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College. It houses a 6,000-piece collection of works by Abraham Rattner, Allen Leepa, and Esther Gentle (Rattner's second wife). Some of the work was well done, such as the sketches, and one particular portrait that Rattner did of his wife. Most of the paintings seemed to be inspired by Picasso, and if you have seen any work done by this artist you certainly have to be a fan to appreciate it. By taking these art classes I have at least learned a little about this artist and what motivated and inspired him to create the pieces that he has.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum is laid out well and is very pleasing to meander through. It has a nice area for young students as well as work displayed by digital artists (my favorite section). The museum also offers mini workshops for adults, and story hour for children. What a great way to gain some knowledge about art right here in our community. Even if you are not a fan of modern art the Leepa-Rattner Museum is a great place to learn about the artists, the collections, and fine art. If you would like to visit the Leepa-Rattner Museum you can check out their website for information on hours and fees.

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the permission of The Leepa-Rattner Museum.

Where's Wendy? On the Roof Top!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

A former client came to me last week and asked if I would do a shot of downtown Clearwater for him to use on his upcoming website. A skyline type of shot with streets and buildings that depicted the lifestyle of downtown. So... we headed for Clearwater, and hit every major street corner, and some not so major, to see what the best angle would be to get a good shot. Well, needless to say there wasn't one... with the array of buildings in Clearwater, some short, some tall, some VERY tall, it just wasn't happening. As we looked around and tried some different angles, I decided the best way to do this shot was to get up high. I could have shot from the top of the causeway bridge going over to the beach, but I've done that shot before and although it captures some of the city... I didn't think it would give me enough content for my client.

I decided to try a shot from the corner of Cleveland and Ft. Harrison... I pulled out the tripod, set the camera and waited for passerby's so I could try to capture the image without too much obstruction that I might have to remove later in post editing. As soon as I was set, and ready to grab a shot, I noticed a friend of mine coming down Cleveland Street to my left. We said our “Hi's” and she proceed to pitch me on an Art's Festival that was happening the first weekend in February, that she would like me to participate in. After all was said about that subject and I agreed it was a good idea, I told her about the shot I was trying to get at the moment. Sylvia is the local painter in town and the owner of Dewall's Painting Company, so she knows a lot of people with VERY tall buildings! She mentioned the building she was working on and said she could probably get me up to the roof! Perfect! She made a few phone calls and viola! A few days later and I'm walking around on a roof top 11 stories off the ground!

Now... anyone who knows me well, also knows how afraid of heights I am... so for me to get up there was a bit freaky, but very exciting at the same time! Not only was I going to get the shot I was looking for, but I was going to get some other cool images as well! I spent about 30 "light-headed" minutes on the roof, and captured every angle I could of downtown Clearwater. When we got back to the parking lot we were saying our good byes to Sylvia (she and her crew were working on the back side of the building), I mentioned how cool it would be to come back sometime and get some night shots. She got on her phone and hooked me up right then and there! A few hours later I was back on the roof in the pitch dark (with only city lights illuminating the scene), it was perfect! Again.... I shot all angles of downtown, and came up with some pretty nice stuff!

So, in closing I would like to remind you... sometimes it's not only what you know... it's who you know!


Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy



All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media.



Where’s Wendy? Lakeview Stables!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb~

I don’t usually shoot animals (in any sense of the word), but when the photographer that I would call for such a mission is actually the person in the photographs it’s a bit difficult to do… Especially on a horse. It’s not like she could mount her camera to a tripod and use a remote in this instance!

When my daughter called me to take portraits of her and her new horse, I was apprehensive yet anxious all at the same time. I’m not much of a horse person since I grew up with a sister who was an avid rider, and still has horses and her own ranch with a multitude of animals, I have spent a little time around them. It used to be that whenever she would talk me into riding with her, I didn’t fare very well… either I would be thrown, stuck in a pond, scraped off on a fence, etc. etc. Horses knew that I was not clever enough or powerful enough to outwit them. So they knew they were in control! Horse back riding was just not my thing. Now that’s not to say I don’t have a great affinity towards horses… I think they are the most beautiful and the most majestic creatures on the planet, I just believe they should be left to those who know what their doing. I love to watch them, and I love to watch humans interact with them. I truly believe that some people are just connected. So… photographing them is a delight for me! Riding them… not so much!

 When photographing an animal of this magnitude you cant just throw caution to the wind… you have to be careful where you’re standing when they are lead around, when they are being climb on by their rider, and when they show any type of fear (such as water, birds, cars, etc.). As far as lighting goes… I think natural lighting is the best you’re going to get with a horse. You aren’t going to be able to set up any kind of soft box, and a flash is apt to scare the bah-Jesus out of them… so yea… natural light. In fact finding a nice shaded area with the sunlight filtered through some trees would be perfect.
 

I’m glad I got to shoot my daughter, her friend and their horses out at Lakeview Stables in Pinellas Park… We got some very loving shots between horse and rider. My portfolio and I will be forever grateful!


Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy



All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media.

Project 365

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

It's weird that photographers spend years or even a whole lifetime, trying to capture moments that added together, doesn’t even amount to a couple of hours.  

~James Lalropui Keivom~

I’ve decided to make this quote untrue… I’ve decided that this year I will capture the entire year, one day at a time by doing my own Project 365.  Now, I’ve tried this project before, but it didn’t work out so well.  My life was a bit crazy, and without going into long detail… I gave up on the project after a month!

You might ask yourself, “Why would you want to do such a thing?”  Well, actually there are several reasons for taking on such a venture…

First of all, if you are a photographer, it helps stimulate your creativity, and this is one mission that will keep you at least thinking creatively.  Whether or not you’re a photographer taking at least one picture a day and posting it somewhere (visible to the public or not) will help you remember what you’ve done all year long.  It will also help you remember special events, important dates, and great accomplishments.  Something you may otherwise have forgotten.

Even if you don’t do something exciting every day the photo’s you take will tell something about the way things played out on a day-to-day basis.  You will know if you were too busy to go out and capture something unusual.  In my case I like to decorate for the holidays… and I mean every holiday!  So I capture the little things around the house that I do for the holidays, if I have a day when I don't get out.  When I look back on those images next year I will either say, “I need to do something different,” or “I really like the way that turned out!” 

It will also be a way of keeping a record of where you’ve been, places you would like to revisit, and give you ideas of places you would like to visit next.  In other words it will be a documentation of everything you’ve done for a whole year.  You’ll know the boring times of year, and the exciting ones.  You’ll know when someone got married, someone had a baby, first day of school, holidays and family gatherings! 

Most people post their 365 Project on Flickr… I’ve decided to put mine right on my website, and I post a link to it on my networking sites like Facebook, and Twitter… and now on my Blog! :)  I’ve added music, and a comment box, so you have something to listen to while your scrolling through my daily life, and you can leave me a comment and tell me what you think when you’re done!

In conclusion I think everyone should start a 365 Project!  It’s a Great way to be creative while capturing the important moments in your life!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,

Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar Digital media.

Where’s Wendy? Becoming A Better Person!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

Does the thought of going back to school scare you?

Believe me… being a middle-aged woman and going back to school is not an easy task!  Especially with so much commotion in my life!  I have put the first week of classes (both online and on campus) behind me.  I was terrified each and every time I attended a new class and each and every time I opened my lessons on the school website!  You may even say it was a bit confusing.  Speech was probably the most frightening for me, as I’m so uncomfortable standing up and presenting myself.  Always afraid I’m just not as good as the next guy.  I’ve jumped more than a few hurdles this week… I actually stood in front of a class of about 25 students and told them three things about myself.  I read, and read, and read… vocabulary, art, and public speaking books!  I have done assignments in all 5 subjects, and have written a speech for this week’s class.  In the midst of all this I made sure there were meals on the table, laundry was done, and the house was straightened.  I listen to people yak, yak, yak, while I trudged through a math test!  I made sure the kids were off to school and off to work on time (driving one of them to and from every morning and afternoon).  I scrounged up an old copy of Microsoft office and installed it… since that is the preferred word processing program for St. Petersburg College. 

At the end of last week I did take a bit of a brake, and headed over to Ybor city in Tampa. I checked out an old building that needs restoring, with my honey (he may be doing the electrical work on that project).  I was amazed with the detail that this wonderful piece of architecture held!  I was so glad I put down the books and made the escape to the Cuban Club!  The ballroom was beautiful, the cantina was quaint, and the theatre brought tears to my eyes!  I felt so much exciting energy in this building that I couldn’t stop taking pictures.  We met with the executor, Allen, a very nice man indeed!  I think he’s going to like what I’ve captured.   

Learning is a wonderful thing… and I’m glad that I have the opportunity to go back to school, however… sometimes you just have to say enough is enough and go do something enjoyable.  That brake gave me a moment to direct my attention elsewhere so when I did hit the books again I was refreshed and my head was empty from all the former chaos.   I was much more relaxed…. Afterwards I wrote my speech without much trouble, put together a power point presentation (a new learning curve), took a couple quizzes and finished up my lessons.  Now I’m ready to begin a new week!  Plus I was very satisfied with the feedback I received this morning from my professors… my grades were not perfect, but acceptable at 80% and above.  

Here's to a Great Week!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,

Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media.

Where's Wendy? Creating!!

© Spellbound Images by Wendy - All Rights Reserved

Everyone knows that I love being creative. I love post editing, and creating images with an edge. I love Dave Hill's work with that funky LucisArt effect that make his images appear very surreal. If you've never seen his work please click the link and check it out! Now I know that everyone cant afford the LucisArt program, it is a little pricy... however you can get a similar effect by making a few adjustments to your images. I do all my initial work flow in Lightroom, and sometimes I do a little creative stuff there too. By adjusting your recovery, fill light, vibrancy, clarity, and black sliders you can obtain a similar effect right there in Lightroom. There are some great tutorials over at the onOne University, and some great video's on Youtube. Also check out Scott Kelby's blog on the subject, he always explains things nicely, and I love the Photoshop guys!

Since most of my work is Portraiture it takes a little tweaking to get some of the images just right, but if you play with it long enough you'll come up with some very unique images. Some of them don't work out... so I scrap the idea and move onto the next photo. Some people think I spend too much time on post editing, however I find being digitally creative very relaxing and satisfying. This is not something that I do for my clients, it is something I do for myself after all client work is done, and uploaded for their viewing. However... if I think my client will like what I've created I show it to them, to see how they feel about it, but for the most part producing intense, dreamlike images is very gratifying to me, and may not be for everyone.

With thoughts of school running through my head, organizing files, and making sure everything is backed up for the year, I've spent some time this week going through my 2010 images, as well as others from several years ago. I've taken some of them and added different effects to achieve some cool results. Go ahead... read some tutorials, watch some videos and give it a try!


Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media.