Briana Snyder Photography

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Dayton Baby Photographer: Baby J

 Just one image of this stunning little lady, who I photographed before Christmas (but couldn't share, as the photos were a surprise for her grandparents!).

Because of what her parents planned to do with the photos, they needed to have consistent backgrounds and lighting. Now, after working at a mall portrait studio, I got pretty burnt out on the flat-light, "traditional" looking portraits those places are famous for, and I've strived for a very different style since. It isn't that I don't know how to use lighting, just that I usually achieve the look I desire by photographing outside and using primarily natural, or ambient, light.  In any case, doing a session entirely on a white background with studio lights (in this family's living room!) was a little out of what has become the norm for me. I always enjoy a chance to push myself, though, and I was (and am!) thrilled to reincorporate those things I learned in the studio into my photography as my style has changed and developed  since.

Speaking of changing and developing, I've spent some time really thinking and planning at the start of this New Year, and I'm so excited to see what 2012 will hold. Did you made any resolutions, plans or goals? 

Learning to See Like a Photographer with a Slide Mount

 

Photography, like any art, is a two-pronged skill and, for a photographer, both aspects are essential. There is the technical side of understanding and becoming comfortable using your tools (in this case, your camera, lenses, lights, etc.). Then, there is the "eye" side of learning to see the world artistically and photographically (or, learning composition). Really, with the ubiquitouness of photo-editing software, it could be argued that composition is even more necessary--but that is a different conversation! :)

The question, then, is, can an "eye" be developed, in the same way the technical skills can be? There are (as my photo students know) rules to learn, understand, and follow (then break!), but the best way to learn to see photographically is to practice. While you are learning, though, it can be hard to separate the "seeing" from the f-stops and shutter speeds, and it can be disheartening for your pictures not to reflect the loveliness you desire to capture.

Then, while I was researching ways to help my students learn these things, I came across several articles online about using an old 35mm slide mount to practice composition. Luckily, I have a couple boxes of these that got passed to me as different people got rid of old photo equipment. So, I popped a little hole in the top of a few, slipped through a jump ring and it onto a necklace and voila! Take-anywhere pieces of seeing-tool jewelery for my students. Sometimes it is nice to be able to practice photography skills without having to worry about nailing the exposure and while just being in the moment. (Of course, if you don't have an old slide mount, you can always do the old "framing the shot with your fingers" trick!)

Do you have festive plans for New Years Eve? I'm looking forward to wearing a sparkly dress, some high heels and kissing a pretty handsome guy at midnight. I hope you have a glimmering, bubbly weekend!

Christmas (via Instagram)

(new blackbird, fly and new-to-me pyrex primary colors mixing bowls; me and my sister, Christmas eve; Zack and I, Christmas day; Christmas eve candlelight church service, with my family; our nephew, about to blow out his birthday candles)

    Our weekend was packed full--a birthday party for our nephew, who was lucky enough to be born Christmas Eve (presents two days in a row!), two church services, and spending time with both families on Christmas day. It was busy, but so wonderful! I hope your weekend was just full of love and family. 

Photos from Instagram, where, if you happen to Instagram as well, you can find me @snyderb.