Jul

Peek Through My Window {Part I}

Okay, well.. I’ve shut up shop, sent the kids to foster homes and suggested my husband take up golf…It’s going to take me a million billion years to answer all those questions!! Thanks so much for the great mix of topics, I’m going to start at the start and see how we go :)

“I have to photograph my bf’s niece for her mum and i was wondering what advice you could give?In particular for bright eyes..”

Not knowing the age of the subject, it’s hard to give specific suggestions for a shoot but in reference to bright eyes, light is most important ingredient. Face her towards the light (if inside have her positioned beside a big window if possible) and make sure your camera settings are adequate enough to let lots of light in. Don’t forget to bump up your ISO when needed. You can always lighten up a little further in post processing with the dodge tool.

“I am just starting out and wondering if you have any tips or advice ?”

If I could do my time over when I was learning, I’d make sure I was disciplined about when I picked up the camera…to put effort into preparing the subject, the location and choosing the time of day instead of just winging it and hoping it would work. I learned a lot by my mistakes but I think preparation is really important if you want quality images.

Also, don’t compare yourself. Be inspired but don’t be intimidated – anyone can be a great photographer with effort and determination. Love what you do and don’t be too influenced..the image I’ve posted tonight is not technically strong but I like it so to me it’s good enough :)

“What is your fav holiday memory?”

Oh, so many – I can’t choose!

Shopping with you Jen in the States :) & seeing snow for the first time in Yosemite, over 10 years ago now.

Visiting Assisi in Italy with Crayton – it’s beyond description.

Walking around beautiful Spanish influenced buildings at sunset in Laguna Beach earlier this year.

“What is some music that gives you great memories?”

Purple Rain by Prince – growing up in my Grandmothers crazy house full of kids – what a blast.

She’s Crafty by The Beastie Boys – reminds me of a complete lack of responsibility at 16.

Anything Smiths/Joy Division/The Cure – all take me right back to teenagerdom.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T by Aretha – driving around Cali with Jen and Sandra in a big old Lincoln, a great girly holiday.

My Baby Just Cares For Me by Nina Simone – my wedding song.

Anything Backyardigans – makes me see Ava dancing around the loungeroom.

“What is the hottest love scene in a movie you have seen and why?”

Here’s a confession – I cannot stand the sight (or sound) of other people kissing so love scenes often have me shutting my eyes and blocking my ears. It’s that Catholic schooling I tell you.

Where in the world are you most inspired?

Laguna Beach – Arty, pretty, great light and near to good shops. All I need.

Oh, and Flickr.

How did you get started in photography?

I have always loved it, right from school but couldn’t quite understand it, even after doing courses. It wasn’t until Ava knocked my camera off the table and I took the opportunity to buy a DSLR that I really started to get my head around it.

“What is your favorite lens?”

The 50 1.4mm (well it would be the 50 1.2 if I owned it!) for a beautiful prime and the 24-70 2.8 for a great zoom with the perfect range. Both are essentials to me.

“How do you get that amazing color?”

I use my own actions for most of my images. I just tend to like my colors more “candyish” rather than “poppy” so I play until they look appealing to me. I never have a clear process, I find every image needs something slightly different and it’s taken quite a while to stop wanting to proof in a million different ways – I tend to know what suits me when I get there.

“I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know what heatwheats are.”

And I think I’m embarrassed that I do! They’re little bags of wheat that you can heat up in the micro, akin to a hot water bottle!

“What types of things do you say to other people’s children to get those gorgeous expressions?”

A hard question as I think it’s different for every family. I tend to play hide and seek and chasey a bit which does mean more camera shake than I’d like but it’s worth it when I do get that real happy coming through. I also tickle feet (and often make smelly feet accusations!!) and whisper silly secrets too. Because I love obsure angles, it doesn’t worry me that I’ll usually be holding the camera in a strange place while actively playing..it seems to work in the end! There are times it is better having the parents do the playing more than me though, depending on the nature of the child.

Okay, I think that’s information overload and I’ll do some more in the next couple of days. I’m really enjoying answering these, thanks again for taking the time to ask :)

S xx

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Lisa says:

Hey gorgeous :o)
Good on you for answering these q’s.
LOL I am afraid there is no hope for me re the photography side of things :oP
Would love to know if you have any other ‘artistic’ hobbies?
Wanna come make some jewels with us ? ;o)
xx
Jill says:

One of my favorite shots is of your son “scooter-ing” down the pier. How did you create such a surreal image?

I love reading your responses and appreciate the opportunity to learn a bit from your gained wisdom!
Blåbærpai says:

Thanks for sharing!
I just love your photos and your writing!
Made me laugh aswell, the photos of your boy:”saint”, “devil” and “Madonna”, I would`ve named them..haha!
Thank u!
Greeting from Norway
Megan W says:

Loved reading all these Q&As you are so helpful Sheye, id really love to know how to ‘fix’ an overexposed photo, only got a scaned copy of it too:( any help would be greatly appreciated

Megan xx
mrsyid says:

I just adore you Sheye! Denise xx
Sarah says:

Oh, what fun! THANK YOU, THANK you, thank you…
Tanya says:

Hi Sheye thanks for answering these questions! the 24-70 2.8 is next on my list, I’ve heard only good things about it!

love,
Tanya xxx
name: "head in the clouds" says:

very cool …

we call ‘heatwheats’ – stinkywheatbags … lol!

oh man .. gotta get me a 24-70 2.8 … drool ..
nicole says:

I love this! It gives me hope…you began once too. All I want is lovely pictures of my children. So I guess I just keep shooting away. You really are gifted though. We can all practice, but some people just HAVE it. And you have it. Not just with images, but with words.
Emily says:

Thank you so much for this (and especially for sharing a few of your beginning pics – they are great!). I do not know you, and you live on the other side of the world, but you inspire me in your stunning photography and the way that you live your life. Thank you for your raw, honest thoughts on your sweet Ava and other children (I have a Macers too). I’ll keep plugging away on pictures of my children, and I’ll keep turning to you for inspiration.
Mandy says:

You are such a cool/amazing person. I love reading everything you write! And I love all of your photos :-)
ModernGear TV says:

I would love to know where you would suggest to go in Laguna Beach…I moved to Long Beach from Vancouver, BC a few months back and love Laguna but haven’t ventured off the PCH that much! Thank you!

Peek Through My Window {Part I}

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