Their Softer Side
Monday, August 18, 2014 at 10:06PM 
Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out where we are going..to connect to what we like. Stepping out of the box is not easy but it's the only way to advance and learn..finally after many tries, we find that we love this new learning...this new angle of creating...and so it is for me with my Still Life photography...by nature, I'm a Nature photographer. Winters can be long and cold and snowy and after doing all the nature shots I like, I was left with months of grey...everywhere I turned...so enter Still Life. I have struggled with it. It does not come naturally but finally I am beginning to see it's value and also to see that I am learning to see light and color and softness in a new way...
This weeks lesson in Be Still is to take a look at a body of work that we have done and to find a connection in the photo's...to see what we are shooting more of and how it is evolving...when I did this I became aware of the fact that I really like portrait work lately..with two Grandsons I guess that isn't a surprise...but they delight me in so many ways..and Still Life does not mean just flowers or set-ups. It means those moments of life...lived by two little boys..and when I can catch them in quiet moments it become a Still Life memory. Along with that I love the softer side of my photographs lately..I would see it in others work and so I worked at it and it is just so much fun to do...not just in portrait work but also in every other still life that I've done lately.
The soft side of still like reminds me to slow down, take time before pushing that shutter button..compose more thoughtfully and just let the color fade away into it's own background. The mood changes with the softer side of color..it allows for quiet reflection. Although this is what I'm working on right now...there will always be a place for the more vibrant, colorful and vivid color that makes me smile in a different way...I'll never lose my love of nature and green grass, bugs and trees. I'll also always welcome joyful, animated and flashy photo's, fast cars and galloping horses...it's a big world out there...and I love shooting it all.
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” ~Unknown
Jaxson, Liam, still life, the boys | Share Article →
Reader Comments (10)
I like how you connect the dots and make important connections here, Cheryl. I do love the softer side you show here. I also adore those two first pics -- your love for the boys really shines through...and I have to add that your framing and composition in these two is just fabulous. You show them in their element!
I see your up late also Sherry...thank you for this lovely comment...I'm trying to work my way through this Still Life process...it is finally becoming fun, especially when I reached a decision that it doesn't always have to be staged...fun, portraits, it's all o.k...Have a good week...
Beautiful photographs and I love what you have written here, Cheryl, so perfectly expressed. You've given me the encouragement I've been looking for..... due to a crazy, unexpected type of summer, I have missed most of the first 13 weeks of the class but am determined to catch up and perhaps feel as you are feeling now about still life photography. I have a long way to go, but you've given me hope.... thanks... :)
I want to tuck this post inside my head and heart....it has so many thoughts about the process of changing, and accepting...whether it is our photography, or other things in general. Change takes time to accept or feel comfortable with; to recognize the need for change isn't easy. Beautifully expressed, as always! xxoo
Janet don't stress to much...just go along..doing your thing. All of it will makes sense in the end. Trust the process, right..You'll be fine. Catching up is hard so let that go for now and just do the best you can. Shoot what you love and enjoy the quiet that still life brings to our lives.
Thank you for your visit and lovely comment...I'll stop by and see you..I know you'll be terrific..
Good morning Beverly...this square space is giving me problems this morning...perhaps a change here is necessary..so happy you stopped by, so happy we are friends...the rest is just life happening...we will always adapt...change is inevitable and the rest is just lessons...love it when you visit and I love, love your work.
Wonderful, thoughtful post, Cheryl. First I adore the portraits of your little grandsons - so so cute and I also love the composition and tones. I've been feeling conflicted lately ... my style is all over the place and your words are making it easier to accept that. I like to dabble in everything from landscapes, to stark white minimalism, to soft still life... what does one do with all that!?
Hi Cheryl, So happy to have found you through Sherry Galey's blog. I am loving the soft light and tones in these images, just beautiful! I too have to force myself to shoot out of my comfort zone, which is mostly nature shots, but find it so much fun to explore other areas. Thank you for your visit today, you have a gorgeous site here and I look forward to coming back often!
What a thoughtful post Cheryl! You have a way with words as well as with photos:)
Love the portraits of your grandchildren...I started photography when I had grandchildren hoping to get better at taking photos of them but it remains challenging.:)
Beautiful, beautiful post. It's important to remember that everyone has that sweet vulnerability somewhere inside.