Looking Backwards and Forward

Usually, I write my blogs first – sometimes with a few images in hand, other times I write with a plan to shoot images to match the ideas or to search through images I’ve already made. On this last writing of the year, I reversed course. I gathered the images first. In part, this was because the writing was not coming together. It was wrought with false starts and just wasn’t working. Time to shift gears.

So, I gave my process some thought and decided to work backwards and find the images under the umbrella of a loose idea I had. I decided to look through many folders from images made this past year and select images that spoke to me. The reasons varied. Some that really stood out had already been processed and shared. Those were easy, and I selected them last. The rest, and the majority of images were ones that had not been given a second look. In this review, I realized that they deserved such consideration.

This dahlia image is a multiple exposure where one frame is simply blurred color, creating a veil-like look. I wanted a softer look for this bloom.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

While I initially began selecting images with the theme, “Make Me Feel Something,” I realized that perhaps this was too limiting for the time I had to devote to the process. Part of me was looking for images that reflected “calm,” and I found them. Another part of me discovered images that made me feel uplifted, whether by the image or my memory of the experience I had while making them. Some words entered into the mix, like quiet, simple, beautiful, grace, and so on. In essence and in reality, my selection process was not linear. I think the only thing I ruled out were images that felt more travel-related.

Ultimately, the images I selected, processed and share here now are ones that “spoke to me.” The reason they did was not as important as the fact that these images stopped me in my scrolling and, in turn, actually did make me feel something. What I felt each time this happened with each image was similar within the collection, and yet the images themselves are different. You will read what stopped me in the captions.

This “wabi sabi” scene of broken dock pilings told the story of decay, but the red plants and warm colored grasses added more. I photographed this with my Helios 44 to create a romantic, nostalgic and ethereal image.

I loved the bold color of this float tucked  in the wooden conch pot. The Lensbaby Velvet 56 at a wide aperture created a softer look, reflecting nostalgia for a way of life that feels like it is on borrowed time.

THE FINAL IMAGES

As I mentioned, I did select some images that I had already processed and shared. I did review images in many folders from this past year, but not all. In some cases I selected several images from folders, from others only one, and from others, none. I ended up with a total of thirty-two images. I also chose not to go through my infrared files as those reflect different perspectives, and more often the images are not ones that prick my heart.

Most of the images are, naturally, flowers or plants, along with a few still lifes and general outdoor and nature scenes. A few made use of techniques such as multiple exposures, ICM (intentional camera movement) and image blending. There were others made with my Lensbabies or the vintage Helios 44. Something I wanted to do was keep the processing of these images simple and uncomplicated. Therefore, no textures or fancy footwork involved. I will save those for another day.

Finally, I noticed a growing affinity for the square format, and a few of those made it through the selection process. I see myself using the square a bit more often and intentionally in the coming year as it forces me to see and compose in a different way.

Love in the Mist (Nigella) is a tiny and delicate flower that I’m not able to grow. I chose to use my Lensbaby Soft Focus II optic and the square format to highlight its beauty against a soft and simple background.

This bleeding hearts tendril was made with my Lensbaby Velvet 56 at an aperture wide enough to capture the details and allow the background to be a soft, complementary backdrop for this beauty.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN LOOKING BACK

I have never, not ever, done an “annual review” of my images. I know many photographers who do, and I have always enjoyed seeing their favorites (or most liked” from the year. However, I have always been focused on “forward motion” and have not made time for “backwards.” Having done this looking back, I see the value of it on several levels.

Not surprising, I know I need flowers – for their beauty and for the pure peace and calm they provide me with, simply in their presence but also their creative photography opportunities. From petal studies to focusing on colors, shapes, textures and flow, the possibilities are endless. These include single flowers to bouquets and many in the gardens, woods and fields in all the seasons. So, of course, there are flowers in the selection.