We don’t take photographs, we make photographs. – Ansel Adams
This week I learned how true that statement really is.
Last year, I saw the sweetest image by Kelly Sauer of her daughter’s feet on top of her own. I’ve wanted to make the photograph with my own daughter ever since.
First lesson learned: don’t procrastinate to make a photo you really want.
I knew the photo with my daughter would not be nearly as sweet as Kelly’s since her daughter was two at the time, and mine was ten. But then I waited over a year, and my baby girl aged another year, grew three or four inches, and her feet grew two shoe sizes! Still, I was determined to capture the image.
And this is what it took:
- a bit of a pedicure for me because me feet were in no shape to be photographed
- matching nail polish
- a location to make the most of it
- sitting arrangements (This was more difficult than for Kelly whose daughter could simply sit on her lap. Mine is much too tall for that to work.)
- camera, of course
- putting together the elements that I’ve learned in my Composition eClass: rule of thirds, depth of field, contrast, texture, perspective
- leaning way back to get the perspective I wanted, which included the water and not just the sand
- realizing that I do not have strong enough stomach muscles to hold the camera steady while leaning way back, and so, asking son to kneel behind me so that I could lean on him
- capturing a dozen images
- post-processing, which had a learning curve of its own since this was the first time I photographed in RAW instead of JPG
And, voila. I am no Kelly Sauer, but I do love the results.
It will be a photograph to remember.
In hope,
Shelli
Among a number of  â€wannabe†wishes, I would love to be a photographer. Not a pro. Just a decent amateur. This yearI’m am being more intentional about making that a reality. Linking up Darcy is one way to share my photomaking journey.
About Shelli Bourque
Awh, I love it, Shelli! Ever so sweet! And I love that it was at the beach – it adds that perfect touch of memory!
Thank you for your kind shout-out; I’m totally flattered! (You sent me looking for my photo too – took me a while to find it! *grin* http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellylangnersauer/5043827845/)
This is a great photo. I love that the angle was a little off to the side and not straight on. I can only imagine the contortions you had to endure while capturing it. Great job!
I love the way your shared what is behind your image! Great pose too!
Oh! I love the back story so much–it’s the kind of thing I would do (get the vision but wait a year).
I’m also impressed you are taking steps toward your goal. Hanging with Kelly and others in the network of photographers in TheHighCalling.org and at HighCallingFocus.com is a great way to get inspiration and instruction from like-hearted men and women seeking to improve their art.
I’m going to click on the e-class, as well.
It’s WAY too late for me to stage a mother-daughter foot shot, as mine are teens with big feet. But it’s never too late to photograph each other together in all kinds of ways. I’ll watch for ideas I can emulate, just as you did.
wow I just love your pictures. They are beautiful. I loved seeing pics of your kids too and LOVE the pictures of both o your feet/toes!
hugs,’
Beautiful!! love that you captured the memory with your daughter!!