Thoughts and Musings–Carolyn Ford

Photography and Vulnerability

I believe that every photographer should strive to be a visual storyteller. A couple of ways to achieve this is to be able to critique an image by identifying positive and negative aspects. Another way is to practice taking selfies using different facial expressions and body posture. By doing this, a photographer is well on his/her way to be able to express their voice visually by being able to tell a story visually through image capture. But most of all, a photographer should be able to be consistent in image making. This ability is developed by building on the mechanical/technical aspects of photography by becoming so familiar with your camera that it is a part of you, and using those things as a foundation to express your creativity and inspiration.

However, we as photographers hide behind the viewfinder and find ourselves so vulnerable that we are ferocious in maintaining our voice/vision. However, photographs are meant to be shared and viewers with different experiences will find a different voice/vision than what the photographer intended. It takes courage to accept a different viewpoint but I find it incredibly fascinating. For instance, my Mom and I did a photo hike at the Toledo Zoo. We saw the same animals and took our photographs. When we viewed the images on the computer, we realized that we walked away from the zoo with different images. My Mom’s images were more objective and documentary while mine were more creative in expressing the soul of the animal. Other photographers may feel threatened by imagined disrespect by others who see different aspects of his/her vision and/or voice, but to me that truly speaks the beauty of photography.

Moments of Humor–Carolyn Ford

Try saying Good Morning! How are you? Instead of What the F**K? I was f**king asleep!

Guest Photographer–Erskine Isaac

Join me in congratulating Erskine Isaac for being a Guest Photographer! Not only are his images visual studies, he is an educator. He pays it forward by providing advice to those that ask. Bravo!

Where do I start? GOD IS LOVE, let’s start there.

This has been a challenging week, and I have been feeling down, the fear of aging and all that comes with has taken a bite out of me. You try to shake your way of out as there is only one alternative to growing old and all that comes with it and that’s, well you know.

If you know me, you know that my spirit is rebellious and my love for life and people will not let me slip too far so it just happens that my good friend, Bonnye Jean posted a picture of James and Ada Allen, and she said her surrogate parents were about to celebrate their 7OTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, that’s right 70th anniversary of a union blessed by the lord. I immediately hilt Bonnye up and said let’s set something up. I must have them for my ELDERS’ PROJECT. I just knew that they would love it.

Within the first five minutes of walking in the door-I LOVED THEM.

We had an incredible time and when the session was over i had the honor of driving them back home and I must say, God works in mysterious ways, James and Ada Allen transformed into BURNS AND ALLEN MEETS THE HUXTABLES. They had me crying about how they met in Stewartville, GA and came during the Great Migration to the Metro Area and eventually married at 19 and 17. And Mrs. Allen made it clear to me that ‘NO SHE WAS NOT PREGNANT, SHE JUST LOVED JAMES” OMG, I was crying and it went on like that for an hour up the Turnpike.

I asked Mr Allen what is the secret of staying married and in love for 70 years, “Was it doing basically what your wife tells you to do? And he deadpanned, “YEP, PRETTY MUCH SO!” The three of us screamed in laughter.

70 years of marriage and going strong, 8 kids later, a strong and beautiful growing family legacy. Their story is inspiring. As I dropped them home and drove to my home. I thanked God for the reminder, for the proof, that love is the best medicine for the spirit. As nothing in life is certain, I am invigorated with the tangible proof that LOVE CONQUERS ALL, IT CONQUERS TIME, IT CONQUERS ALL FEARS.

IF YOU FEEL ME, HOLLA AT ME HERE.

Guest Photographer–Toni Shaw

Join with me in congratulating Toni Shaw for being a guest photographer in Ravynword’s Sanctuary! Toni consistently produces visually and compelling images. Below is a high school senior photo.

Bravo, Toni, Bravo!

Her photography page can be found here.

Image of Impact–Darnell LeTimothy

Today’s image of impact was photographed by Darnell LeTimothy.

Model: Asia Monet
Makeup: Doll-houseofGlam Proprietor Pyd
Photos: Darnell LeTimothy
Wardrobe: Flygirl Boutique

 

Image of Impact–Mim Eisenberg

Today’s image of impact was captured by photographer, Mim Eisenberg.

In her own words, Mim described the following: A Photobombing Honey Bee.

While shooting the Ocola skipper, which was the only one I’ve seen in my garden this year, I noticed that the honey bee was in the frame, but it wasn’t until I got the image on my screen that I saw that both were in focus.

Image of Impact–Darnell LeTimothy

Today’s Image of Impact is by the photographer, Darnell Letimothy. He has entitled, his image, “The Urban Street”.

 

Moments of Humor–Carolyn E. Ford

There is always one in the photography club that gots to go the extra mile…….

 

Guest Photographer–Kendrick Wallace

Please join me in welcoming our newest Guest Photographer, Kendrick Wallace!

Image of Impact–Carolyn E. Ford

This image was taken at the Conservatory in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, MI. I was participating in a flower macro photography workshop taught by Bryce Denison. Bryce is a stickler and taught me several things. I don’t mind the tough love when I get results like this! The group cover photo honors Ansel Adams, well…..Bryce was a former student of his. Taught by the best! Image was taken with a Canon EOS 7D using a 180mm macro lens, lens hood, and lens diffuser. This was shot using aperture priority and varying the ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation (flash/camera). Those settings taxes the brain, moreso than manual mode, and especially to get a SOOC. Yes, Bryce Denison made me do it over and over again until I could do it consistently–thank you, Bryce!