perception collection

Somehow you guys all tricked me, and here I am back on a Friday again! As you know, I've been in a bit of a funk this summer. Oh, there are lots of reasons, but that funk has extended to behind the lens for me as well. We all go through these cycles in our creative process, regardless of what our creative outlet may be, and in general I don't worry overmuch about it. I try to trust the ride, and know that I'll emerge eventually, hopefully having learned a thing or two. It doesn't make snap after frustrating snap more fun, however!

So I've been casting about for some personal projects to kick start my motivation. I have some ideas that I'm mulling over for the longer haul, but in the meantime, I've joined along with some of my fellow Fuji shooters for a month-long project where we're shooting "No Flowers No Kids." I may have to push myself even further and add a "No Food" caveat. I shoot food more than my kid, sometimes it seems. It's not Fuji-specific, just a way to get us to look a little differently through our lens.

So I tried to finish July with a bang, with a last shot of Cal and some flowers. He was reluctant, but he helped me out anyway, which I always appreciate. Gulp. Wish me luck.

You know what else helps me get out of a photography funk? Perception Collection!

We're back! HA! Christine and I had so much fun with the last go around of #perception_collection, that we just had to do it again. So simple and so fun. Just follow Christine, (she's @plumedpdx ) and me (I'm @laurenkeim) on Instagram and check out each day's prompt. Post your prompt and hashtag it with the prompt name and the hashtag #perception_collection as well. That way we can see the amazing pictures you're taking and everyone else can as well. Truly, the best part is "meeting" everyone from all over the world and seeing how everyone sees the different prompts. I love every minute of it and every photo you guys take.

It's all fun, no pressure, so skip a day or skip a few. Just have some fun and play along. We can't wait to see what you come up with. We'll post some of our favorites at the end. Oh my gosh, we start Monday! Let's have some fun! Happy Weekend, ducks!

photo camp {still + life}

You've probably noticed that posting has been different around here, and sporadic at best. Eh. It's summer. And I'm tired. ;) I think I've abandoned my Five Things tradition, no one reads on Fridays anyway, and even once fall hits, I imagine I'll have a different regular schedule for programing. It's all good. Things evolve. Hopefully I evolve too.

Despite the fact that no one seems to read on Fridays, I wanted to pop on and just breathe a sweet sigh of, "oh it was fun," about my Teen Photo Camp. I'm not going to lie. I was dreading it a little. Much like when I have a migraine, when you don't feel good, it's hard to get excited about doing anything, but Erica pointed out last week maybe that teens see everything with such fresh eyes that I was sure to have fun, and she was right. This was a great bunch of kids (even the girl who said on the first day that she was only there because her mom made her come), and they took some really awesome photos.

At Photo Camp we don't talk camera settings or aperture and shutter speed. It's all about composition and light and learning to look around you. To my mind it's all about the fun. We have lots of scavenger hunt,s and the kids learn the basics (because that's all I can manage) of Photoshop to edit their pictures. I have one kid who should really be in my Intro Class for adults. He's passionate. (With an age range of 12-16, you'll get outliers.) I told him straight up on the first day that we'd be below his pay grade, but I brought my 50mm lens in for him to try out, and he's been over the moon. It's been fun to watch him get absorbed and completely ignore me.

So today we'll print our photos for a show that MOCA has to celebrate the creativity that comes out of each summer's Art Camps and have another scavenger hunt and play around with some still life. And then (dusts hands), that will be that. But oh, it was fun. I sure hope they keep taking pictures.