Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Photo-Heart Connection ~ March

I so desperately wanted to NOT use this photo for Kat Sloma's March Photo-Heart Connection.


I had another picture all edited and ready to go, I even did some fancy post processing in Rad Lab on it. Unfortunately, the story kept forming around this photo.

I took this photo for an assignment for Kim Klassen's Beyond, Beyond class. The assignment was "shooting from above". It was early in the photo session and I was still trying to get placement of the vase on the chair nailed down. I was snapping away without paying too much attention to what was displayed on the back of the camera.

When I loaded the pictures from that session on my computer, I fell in love with this photo. The angle of the chair, the soft blur of the chair, the vibrant colors, the light, everything except for what wasn't in focus. I really wanted the purple flowers to be the main focal point.

I went back and tried to recreate the shot, to no avail. I would be close but it was never quite the one. Every couple of days I would try again, never with complete success. Eventually the flowers died and I had to let this shot go.

March, for me, has been a lot like this photo, trying and trying to get the right part in focus.

I am hoping with the start of Kat's A Sense of Place class next week, I will be able to get my focus back.

15 comments:

Cathy H. said...

This is lovely just as it is! I know the feelings you're having! I don't know how many times I've tried to recreate something and never could get it again! I think I was doing the same thing in March, trying and trying and never getting the focus right! I'm looking forward to Kat's class, too. It's almost here!

Karen Lakis said...

I think I know what you mean about having something specific in your mind and just not being able to capture it. But - this is lovely! And I don't know much about what makes something a main focal point, but the purple flowers are what I noticed first. I love the colors, the lines of the wood in the background, the soft focus of the chair... Best of luck with your next class and getting your focus back - I love it when you blog about your lessons (I kind of soak it up). Have a great day! :-)

Maria Ontiveros said...

I really like the lesson of your photo - trying but not getting the focus just right. I definitely know how that feels - in photography and life.
Thanks for sharing,
Rinda (from PHC)

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

I love the shot and I love your words, too many times things aren't quite in focus aren't clear but still beautiful in their own way... March has been that way with me too see my latest post lol...

Helen said...

It's like this photo was meant to be the one! I love the wood tones and all that space. I'm looking forward to Kat's new class very much too - hoping it will get me back on track.

gina said...

Your story resonates with a lot of us......just can't quite make it happen the way we want. The hard part is knowing when to keep trying, and when to let it go. I like your photo just the way it is!

Naomi said...

Meant to be! It is lovely and I love the story behind your entry here. Sometimes when I'm looking through photos, I am about to delete a picture and something stops me. :)

Kat Sloma said...

It's funny about those Photo-Heart Connections, isn't it? You just can't force them! The heart wants what it wants, no matter what our minds say. To me, the focal point is the flowers - and the placement on the extreme edge and the softness of the focus adds to the mood, along with the light. Excellent photo and I'm glad you followed your heart. I'm looking forward to having you in A Sense of Place!

Anonymous said...

I like this image - it was just meant to be. I'm glad you gave into it and shared it with the rest of us.

Unknown said...

It does sound like this photo was meant to be - and given it fits in so well with how you feel March has been it does seem that way.

Sandra said...

I love the focus on those pretty flowers and how the soft brown surface to the right enhances their beauty.

Sherri B. said...

No wonder you were drawn to this photo - it's beautiful! I relate to the lack of focus - it can be so frustrating. I hope April will be better for you! (and for me, too...) Thanks for sharing, Sarah. :)

Roxi H said...

Well actually, focused or not, The purple flower was what my eye went to first. I do understand, I'm having one of those mornings right now.

Unknown said...

I love this post...you got to the heart of the assignment and managed to capture a universal feeling of creatives.

I can see why you fell in love with this photo...unusual composition and great "blurring."

xoxo

Susan W said...

It really is such a beautiful photo. I do love the colors. I also understand what you're saying about trying to recreate a photo. I've tried this before, and it's just never quite the same.