The grandson is magically elevating above the jump pad at Gabriel Park. It’s my #1 picture of the week. To get this shot, I just kept shooting manually in the hopes something interesting would result. It did!
This week focuses on environmental portraits. For family history readers, why take portraits when you can take candid or environmental portraits? Now that school is out, it’s time for activities and projects with the grandchildren.
I’ve also assembled short, easy-to-create videos using Windows Clipchamp, which replaces MS MovieMaker. With copyright-free music from studio.youtube.com, all you have to do is arrange photos in order, drop in the music and sound effects, and keep it under 2 minutes!
Here’s an example:
But the most common request is to slow it down (see Plus/Delta!) so now for family gatherings I have a folder of photos running on the large television screen. Yes, I have a folder called “Highlight Reels” with a folder for each person, a folder for each month for birthdays, and new pix to sort into folders when I have time. I usually queue it up from my phone. Also, the jury is in: The grandkids watched the videos while it was raining this week, and said, “More!” Even the duck pond video I shot at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden!
I’ve been taking group portraits since they were little at the same bus stop 336 near our house. Probably because of my background in newspapers I prefer action or candid shots. If you get 5 shots out of 30 you are doing well.
Landscapes and Closeups are also a bit of trial and error. One last bit of advice: Underexpose your shots by a half-stop, or meter on green (equivalent to 18% grey card). If you need to adjust a little, the only tools you really need to use are brightness and contrast. I rarely use saturation. The bright colors in the photos are not saturated. They are just exposed the way I prefer to see photos—in living color.
The grandson is magically elevating above the jump pad at Gabriel Park. It’s my #1 picture of the week. To get this shot, I just kept shooting manually in the hopes something interesting would result. It did!
A telephoto or optical zoom lens is essential for candids. If you are old enough to remember Columbo, the bumbling detective, that is how I shoot “capture the moment” photographs. A trick I use is to focus on something looking another direction that is about the same distance and then quickly turn and snap the shot. Flowers are easy (except when it is windy), people shots require strategies!
Granddaughter learning how to sew the side seam of the pullover shirt she is making with grandma’s help. The new sewing room is up and running. The room got a complete makeover recently. That’s a surger in the background. All the grandchildren have custom-designed art quilts. Grandma is an artist and designer of beautiful things!
The younger grandkids sat down under the umbrella (before it started raining again this week) to create watercolor paintings—with plenty of inspiration from the colors and textures in my garden!
Yes, I climbed up the ladder on the other side to get this shot at Spring Garden Park, a popular and hidden gem in the Multnomah neighborhood.
While he was looking through the trellis I framed the shot, and the second the grandson turned around to tell me something I snapped a few frames and lowered the camera.
The Bug Hotel at SW 25th and Nebraska is part of the Southwest Hills Trails that blanket the hilly terrain of Southwest Portland. One neighbor is actively involved in furnishing mason bees into tubes for the bug hotel. A helpful guide explains how insects are essential for native species to flourish.
This is my favorite close-up of the English David Austin rose “The Oregonian” which I bought for its 150th anniversary. In addition to structure this rose features an intoxicating sweet aroma. (Not all roses have a scent.) Complimentary colors and shadows help make it pop off the page.
When I’m sitting under the umbrella at the table the grandchildren are painting their watercolors, sipping a glass of pinot grigio or Snoop Dog Cali Red and enjoying a little butter on a freshly-baked-today rosemary baguette—this is the view. Yes, my wife’s uncle owned the David Hill Winery in Hillsboro and turned it into one of the first B Corp. wineries in Oregon. At his celebration of life recently, I learned that the winery’s Pinot Grigio was his favorite, and I concur. I find such peace and inspiration in this view that I usually forget to take a photograph. Being “in the moment” and enjoying this place IS the point!
I love the playfulness of layers of color and shadows in the garden.
Medium focus shots are great for taking an “establishing shot” showing where the action is located. It’s good to get this type of photo out of the way since editors tend not to use it. It’s not my favorite shot. I love close-ups for the detail, and long-shots for drama or setting,
The porch pots are recovering and obviously I am playful with the colors I choose in both pots, plants, and patio pavers. This sprouted from one of last year’s onion bulbs. What little I know about gardening I learned from my BFF Dwight Berning, a master gardener and Art and English teacher. Our families were close, and we attended his Catholic funeral service and afterparty a couple of years ago now. I’m on my own in the garden, and I think he would like what I’ve done with the place!
What a perfect way to end a magical, bubble-filled week with the grandchildren, family, and friends.
Speaking of bubbles, I’ll leave you with this cute video:
Love the slideshow! And not just because I see me there ;-)
From the Dept. Of Deep Sighs: Beautiful!