I still haven’t figured out if I have a personal style in my photography or what it might be, but I do realize now that I have two primary goals: telling stories and celebrating beauty. Both compulsions come from within; the sheer volume of the blog speaks to my need to tell stories, the magpie in me is invariably drawn to pretty, shiny things, and the optimist in me wants to celebrate all that loveliness. When I can cram all that into a single frame, I will love the results.
Even though I’ve used collages many times before, I’ve really started to enjoy using storyboards to illustrate stories or capture highlights of events. Sometimes there’s a kind of synergy in a set of pictures that captures what a single picture lacks. For instance, this set of pictures shows the dedication of a new play structure at the boys’ school BBQ this week. None of the pictures is particularly compelling, but they do tell a story that’s meaningful to the participants better than any single picture might.
And there was this one at the community pool, just before that wicked storm broke the heat on Wednesday.
This was more fun from last weekend’s Dickinson Days, this time from Pioneer Day at Watson’s Mill. Not the best photograph ever since most of them have their backs to me, but the boys had an amazing morning trying stilts here and a pogo stick further down at My Toy Shoppe — a perfect day of activities for busy boys.
I have to admit, I was having trouble finding my muse this week with the camera. This is one of those pictures that ends up being a last-minute answer to walking around the house with my camera at the end of the day thinking, “What can I photograph for today?” Thank goodness for the garden.
There are abandoned houses like this here and there throughout Manotick, and they fascinate me. What happened? Where are the families who used to live there? What do they look like inside? (As my friend Valerie said, “Maybe they’re still there and the lawnmower is broken!”)
Like I said, my favourite pictures are where story and beauty meet. What this one is little lacking in story, he makes up for in cuteness, no?
And if you look a little deeper, you can see the story from his perspective — or at least, in his eyes.
I love your photos and accompanying commentary.
Enjoy all of your photos, always! The last one of your son is amazing. So cool that I can see your reflection in his eye with the camera up against your face. It looks like you are sitting on a bed, did you take it from your bedroom?
Thanks Colleen and Paula! 🙂
Paula, I’m sitting on the wicker settee that I snagged off the end of someone’s driveway last month. I’m in full sun and Lucas is backlit, which makes it easier to see me reflected in his eyes.
I just love your story telling postcard work. The photography scenes are beautiful and are exceptional.