Why Pictures are Important

When you think about your family you can usually recall what they look like rather quickly. However, there was a time when pictures were not so readily available. Do you remember or know of someone who can tell you what your great grandparents or great, great grandparents looked like? Some may say yes and others may say no. Most of us (who were born in the late 70's) have no memory of our great grandparents.The people who say no usually have a reason like the family member didn't like getting their pictures taken or maybe they couldn't afford it and never got around to it. I can say that I am among some of the fortunate as I actually have a picture that has four generations in it (photographed when I was a baby).There was myself, my father, grandfather and great grandfather - something I will always keep.



My family has taken up the hobby of genealogy over the past couple of years. As fasinating as it is to find out the history of one's family, we've often thought that it would be helpful to see what our ancestors looked like as well as to see which family traits have followed through to the most recent of generations.



We've also found how important it is to have a nice recent photo of our older members of the family. About eleven years ago my brother had gotten married. This was the last major family function my grandmother made it to. As it happened this was also the last time she had a nice picture taken where she still looked herself. I'm not sure if it was that particular picture that was used at her funeral or not, however I still have a copy of that picture so that I can show it to future generations the family who have come before them.



A couple of things we can do to preserve these memories could be as simple as taking grandma to the studio for a nice picture for her birthday. Or maybe start a tradition with your family now - once every couple of years (more often if the eldest family member is on the frail side) have as many of the grandchildren you can get together over and have a picture as a group with grandma or maybe even a great aunt. Some may think this is a hassle now, but I'm sure they will apreciate those photo's later.



Okay we've talked a lot about why we should have these pictures done. Now what? What do we do with them? There are a few things you will want to consider. The first would be to make sure everyone who wants a copy of that picture gets one; even if it's a small wallet size. The next thing you may want to consider is to have an extra copy put away properly archived - to make sure that photo lasts for generations to come. While archiving that extra print take the time to jot down a bit of information about that time. For example: everyone's names (don't leave it to chance that someone will remember down the road who is who - after all, we all change), the year and where it was taken. These are a minimum; you may also want to add something of a special note like that it was the grandparents 50th birthday at that time as well.



In the age of digital photography it isn't too hard to make any time that special picture day. Just make sure that those digital files get printed as you don't want to go to all that effort and then have a virus go through your files before you had a chance to print a copy. Once a copy has been made at least then it can be scanned and you can make additional copies if something devestating like a computer virus should take your memories away.


So you don't think that I don't follow my own advise, here is a quick shot taken of my husband and myself at his parents anniversary party. Yes, even the photographer has to get in front of the camera some time; otherwise how does anyone know that you were there?

Stay tuned for more food for thought next time.

Wedding Photography Etiquettte

Weddings are a great time for everyone. You get together with friends and family that you haven't necessarily seen since the last big get together. Weddings are also alot of work. When it comes to having everything arranged and paid for. For the avid shutterbug it's also an opportunity to capture family memories.

With wedding season approaching quite quickly I thought I would bring up a couple things that I've seen over the past few years of attending these wonderful gatherings in the area of photography etiquette.

The first thing I would recommend to all the couples getting married this year is to consider having your officiant announce the request that during the ceremony that only the official (the one getting paid) photographer(s) take the pictures. Also that there will be time set aside to take pictures of the couple later at the end of the ceremony. It may sound mean to the friends and family attending, however let me explain why. The official photographer is the one getting paid to get those special moments for the couple captured. Consider for example when there are flashes bouncing from all directions in the room how difficult it is for the photographer to get the proper effect he was trying to catch. So enjoy the ceremony listen to those instructions the officiant is giving the couple before making those vows and let it bring you back in time when it was your turn up there. I'm sure if you ask; the couple will make the proofs available to you to order your own set of memories. I know what you're going to say - "But the photographer charges too much". To this I ask wouldn't you do the same thing if this was your creativity being displayed everywhere? This is their livelihood and you are paying for quality not to mention the time in editing.

If you are going to watch the bridal party get their formal pictures done make sure the photographer, who has set up the composition that you are about to take a snap shot of, gets his shot first. It's only right that the one who did the work get the first shot don't you think? While I'm here though I would like to suggest to the paid photographer, whoever you may be, to be nice about those snap shot photographers. I say this for a couple of reasons. The first being you are the "professional". You are above making funny faces (I've seen it happen) not to mention you know that your work can and does stand up on it's own. And the snap shots really are not taking anything away from you except the future business you lost when you made those scowls.

So those are the basics. All else is really fair game. Take time to take pictures of things other than the couple and their party. For example some of the decorations; a lot of them have been hand crafted these days and deserve some recognition. I should mention that unless directed to not all official photographers take the time to do this either. So you could help the couple out by capturing some extra memories that tend to get forgotten about after the bride walks down the isle.

I hope that this has given a little food for thought. See you next time

Can you see the difference...

There are so many different types of photography out there today. Each type captures a different part of our life. To name a few we have: landscape or scenic, still life, portraiture (this would include things like your wedding photos or visiting your local portrait studio), or photo journalism (found primarily in your news paper or news like magazine). Someone once said to me that not all photography is art - this set me back for a moment as I needed to take some time to think about this and even ask the question - "Is their a difference?" I am happy to say that after looking over some of the different pieces I've seen I can still say that all photography is art. Here is why I think so.

I've included a few examples of different types of photography. They are all of different subject matter. But now I ask you the reader, "Is any one of these pieces not art? Can you see the difference? How are they the same?"

Let's answer these together. First I believe that they are all art. I didn't include any photojournalism as this is not my strong area, however I do include it as art. You see art is not whether it looks good on a wall. Art will tell a story, even encourage one to use their imagination. Take the picture to the left here. Do you look at it and say, "Oh, that's kinda cool" and just leave it at that? Or do you look again later and ponder things like "I wonder what she's thinking about?"

So is their a difference between these three photos? The obvious answer is yes; but why are they different? What makes them unique to themselves? The first picture of the sunset I'll admit has to do with timing. The colors change so fast at sunset you do need to be ready and have an idea of what you want your finished product to look like. However, it falls into the category of landscape/scenic. This is art because it takes time to compose the view you want to show. And how about the angle it was taken at? I could go on and on, but I won't right now. The second picture is under the category of portraiture. Not all portraits are taken in a studio. Studio portraits though take just as much time and creativity as those in natural habitat. Some would say it takes more. And finally this last photo to the right. I have to say this is an area I like to play with. You see I am a portrait photographer in a family studio and I don't get to do this kind of work as much as I would like to. Still life takes the most time of them all. You see not only do you have to decide on what your subject is, but you also have to decide on how you are going to set up the entire piece. You ask yourself, "What message do I want to send to the viewer?" You take about three to four times more time just dreaming, conceiving and setting up the "pose" than you do making the image with your camera.

But are the same too? Yes, in their differences they are still art.

Photography is an Art

The first thing that I would like to start this page with is this - "Photography is an Art". I have heard so many people view different photographers work and dismiss it because it was something they felt was an everyday image. All photographers take a fair amount of time composing their images. Take this one comment I heard a while ago. The picture was of a tree in the morning and the viewer said something to the effect of "It's a tree - I can take a picture of a tree, what's so special about that?" So the picture was of a tree let's look at behind the scenes of this one piece of art.



So we'll start with the time - the photographer was at that particular site probably over a half dozen times and at different times of day to see what this one tree looked like in the different lights available during these times. How light highlights the subject will make or break a picture.



The next thing the photographer in question will have pursued would be exploring the different angles that could be captured. What would the viewer see if they climbed another tree or if they layed down on the ground looking up at the tree, or something in between. These are all things that the photographer/artist will look into before taking even one picture.



I am not going to go into all the different things that most avid photographers do as each artist has their own personal way of creating that image for people to enjoy or critique. I will say though that it entails more than just taking a snap shot and hoping for the best.


I hope my first entry has given some food for thought when looking at other artists work. To finish off here is one of my latest pieces of art - happy viewing.