Make a Statement!

Dare to be different, 

Dare to make a statement, 

Dare to stand up and be noticed,

Dare to stand for something. 

I was going through some photos I took last spring, (and longing for spring to come again soon), and this one reminded me of a lovely conversation I had with my daughter-in-law today. 

MORE Deep Thoughts from Cari and Me!

Thank you for all your thoughtful comments on THIS recent post.

I'd like to comment on Cari's comment, which was: "This was a big huge enormous deal when I worked at a newspaper. There are very VERY strict rules about how much a photo can be altered using software. Pretty much it boiled down to, "If you can do it in a dark room, you can do it to a photo in the newspaper." And pretty much that means using the lasso tool and some dodge and burning. Anything outside that was considered "unethical" and actually while I worked there, a fella lost his job because he altered a photo too much and put the newspaper's reputation as a trusted unbiased source in jeopardy. As a photojournalist, you had to be clear about whether or not your image was documenting something or whether it was a piece of art. If it ran in the newspaper it had better not be "blessed" at all."

Cari is absolutely correct in stating that a photojournalist has a responsibility to accurately capture an event honestly and realistically.  But that being said, even if a photo is absolutely accurate, it can still mislead or influence or sway the viewer in one way or another.

An unethical photojournalist still has the ability to alter a viewer's perception of an event even if the photos she takes are accurate.  Say for example, I'm covering a protest and the scene is one with policemen and protestors confronting each other.  I may choose a photo angle prominently showing an angry policeman's face with a club raised, (influencing the viewer to sympathize with the protestors and have negative feelings about police brutality), or maybe I will choose to shoot one of the protestors throwing a bottle at a policeman, (negative feelings toward the protestors).  Or maybe I take a shot in one direction showing beautiful blue sky and cherry blossoms in the background (happy feelings about the protest), or maybe I choose to turn the other way and take shots with the background showing a dark alley littered with garbage (negative feelings about the protest).  If I didn't produce photos that showed a balanced view of the protest, I'd be unethical, even without any post editing.

But what if I did edit my photos.  What if I wanted to use software to crop in tight to better see the subject or action of the story.  What if my best image came out a bit soft and I wanted to use software to sharpen it and make it more presentable for print.  What if I shot in color and I wanted to use software to turn it into a black & white image?  In my opinion, all these types of computer software editing would be perfectly ethical. 

Here is another example.  Say I'm a commercial photographer and I'm hired to take photos of a tropical resort for an advertising campaign with the goal of attracting more vacationers.  Of course my boss wants the photos to look beautiful and inviting, with azure blue skies and the turquoise ocean in the background.  No problem, because the resort is beautiful, the sky is beautiful and the ocean is beautiful, and I can get all that in a photo.  But what if there is a huge, stinky, garbage dump on one side of the resort, and railroad tracks with trains that run throughout the night along the other side of the resort?  Would I be unethical if I left those elements out of my photo???

Well, for me, the answer is Yes, and No!  Yes, this would be unethical if I knew my photos were being used to accurately represent what the resort looked like from the eyes of a paying vacationer, because even if the resort itself was beautiful, I know that vacationers influenced by my photos would feel disappointed if downright cheated seeing the surrounding area.  But if I was taking the photo to show the beautiful architecture of the resort and the crystal clear ocean, and my goal was to show my blog viewers a glimpse of the beauty in a certain place, then it would not be unethical to crop out those elements.

As photographers, we must compose every shot we take, and unless we are using a fisheye lens, (which also distorts reality, as do any kind of camera filters, black & white images, etc.), we always have to pick and chose what we include in the frame, and what we exclude.

So it all boils down to integrity, meaning we should be governed by the purpose and intent of the photo and the message or story we are trying to tell the viewer.  If I'm using my camera as a tool to document reality, (photojournalist, scientist, etc.), I will have a strict and stringent set of guidelines.  If, however, I'm using my camera as a tool to expand my creativity and artistry, then pretty much anything goes! 

  

My Valentines!

When I posted a photo of my most recent granddaughter a couple of posts ago, Diane suggested that I post photos of all my grandchildren.   Asking a grandmother to do that is the granddaddy of all photo requests for me, as I'm sure it would be for any grandmother.  The following are random shots from this past year going from the oldest to the youngest.  (I won't post their names, as I didn't get permission from their parents.)  With Valentines like these, who needs anything else!!!!

 

 

This is the last photo I took of our little angel who passed away several years ago.

 

 

(This photo was taken by his Mommy)

Deep Thoughts.........

Jan's comment about my last two posts sparked a few thoughts I'd like share.

I mentioned that I had taken the photos with my iphone, and her comment was:  "Those are spectacular photos from your phone. Those little cameras do a great job but I'm sure you added some "blessings" to the final product."  

Jan was giving me a sincere compliment, (thank you Jan), but I began thinking about what she meant by adding some 'blessings' to the final product.  I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking she was referring to editing or enhancing the photos on the computer, which I often do.  But in reality, that's a minor part of the process.

I think that years ago, before Photoshop, most of us did not realize that many photos, back to Ansel Adams and beyond, were 'retouched' in the darkroom, and more recently with the invention of Photoshop and other programs, 'edited' on the computer.  In those days when we saw a photo of a beautiful portrait or a spectacular landscape, we just assumed it came straight out of the camera and we applauded the artistry of the photographer.

Fast forward a few years and now most everyone knows about Photoshop and the ability photographers have to alter their photos.  Plus, sophisticated digital cameras are now owned by it seems most everyone, not just professionals.  It is easy to suspect that now every beautiful photo has been edited and that photographers can give every photo the 'wow' factor with just a few mouse clicks.  This idea goes hand in hand with the idea that the bigger and more expensive the camera, the better the photos will be.  (I can't tell you how many people have said to me, "I really need to get a good camera so I can take pictures like that").  In reality, both of these notions are not accurate.

First of all, no amount of editing can turn a bad photo into a wow photo, (unless you are going for something abstract, fantasy or unconventional in some other way).  Second, even the most expensive cameras take bad photos, lots of them!

The bottom line is that the photographer taking the photo is still the major factor that determines whether a photo is mediocre or awesome.  Learning to 'see the light', learning to recognize an interesting composition,  taking the time to put all the elements together, being at the right place at the right time, etc., these are the most important things that will determine the quality of a photo.

Here is a repost of one of the photos Jan was referring to, and here's how I came to take this photo.  Late afternoon I noticed that the sky was lightly overcast with thin clouds which created soft, beautiful shadows on the red rock, unlike the harsh shadows and washed out colors that direct sunlight causes.  I knew the weather conditions were right for beautiful light.  I picked the time when I knew the sun would be low in the sky, just before sunset when the warm light would enhance the red rocks.  I looked for a composition where the red rocks were facing the right direction and were bathed in the warm sunlight. Then I looked for an interesting foreground object, (the cactus), and studied the scene from several directions.  When it all came together, I took the photo.  I did very little editing on the computer, mainly cropped out a rock I thought was distracting.  And since I used my iphone to take the photo, I didn't use any fancy settings, lenses or filters.  I didn't do anything difficult, just took a little time and used a little easily learned knowledge, and that's what counts.

Just to show you the difference, I went back to the same spot the next day, not giving any thought to the things I took into consideration for the first photo.  I just walked to the same spot in the middle of the day and snapped a shot.  This time the sky was heavily overcast but still much brighter than the scenery.  The camera automatically reduced the exposure because of the bright sky, making all the scenery look dark.  A large part of the composition shows an unattractive road and boring white sky. 

Bottom line:  No amount of editing can compensate for an uninteresting composition and poor light.  Thoughtful decisions made by the photographer are always the beginning of a great photo, and then sometimes, editing can make a great photo even better.  (In the case of the two photos Jan was talking about, the 'blessings' did not take place in the computer, but in the field!)

  

Winter Sunset in Snow Canyon - #2

A winter sunset warms the red rocks in Snow Canyon, Utah.

(Taken with my iphone.)

Winter Sunset in Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon, Utah

Snow Canyon is a beautiful little state park about 5 minutes away from our winter 'casita', (small vacation home).  The most prominent features in the park are beautiful red rock cliffs intermixed with black lava rock, which makes for a very striking combination.  Then seemingly out of context, white/yellow rock mountains appear.  In spring, the desert floor is often dotted with beautiful cactus blooms and wild flowers, but now in winter, the only color to be found is in the awesome rock formations enhanced to a warm golden hue by the setting sun.

(This shot was taken with my iphone on an evening walk last night.)

Beautiful Evelyn!

My 11th Grandchild!  Isn't she darling!

Winter Dreams!

I do love snow at Christmas time.....pine trees laden with sparkling snow, snowflakes drifting softly into a winter wonderland scene, children with red noses building snowmen, etc.  But after Christmas all I can think of is.....slipping on icy sidewalks, chapped hands and faces from bitter cold winds, shoveling snow off the driveway, and dreary gray landscapes.

Here is how they spend winter in Moorea, a small island near Tahiti.  Moorea is one of the most beautiful tropical paradises I have ever seen.  I see two vacant beach chairs and one has my name on it......anyone want to join me?????

Christus

Christus

(located on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Christus (also known as Christus Consolator) is a 19th-century Carrara marble statue of the resurrected Jesus by Bertel Thorvaldsen. Since its completion in 1838, the statue has been located in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the 20th century, images and replicas of the statue were adopted by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) to emphasize the centrality of Jesus Christ in church teachings.

Away in a Manger.....

Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

The True Meaning of Christmas!

If you are a Christian, I hope you will take time this Christmas season to remember the reason we celebrate at this special time of year.  In addition to the parties and presents and pastries, I hope you will gather your loved ones close, open the holy scriptures, and together read about the birth and mortal life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and then take a few minutes to ponder upon the gift of salvation and eternal life He has made possible for us!

Christmas Decorations at Karen's House!

I've kind of had a bad attitude about decorating for Christmas this year.  I think it started when I realized that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was shorter than usual.  Just thinking of dragging all the Christmas decorations out of their hiding places, and the mess that follows as I shuffle through stuff I've accumulated for years, trying to locate the few really meaningful things I love, (like nativities), was discouraging at that moment.  I began to think it all takes so much time and effort, when in a blink of an eye, (or so it seems), it will be time to take it all down.  And like every other year, all the stuff never does fit back into the same boxes they came out of!  (That I don't get!)

But as I started opening boxes, and taking out treasured items that reminded me of wonderful Christmas memories throughout the years, my mood began to change:  a nativity from a special friend when we lived in Missouri, a hand made decoration from my mother-in-law for our first married year, a silly musical, bell ringing Santa that makes us laugh every year that my mom gave our children, ornaments from New Zealand, etc. etc.  My 'bad' mood was no match for these special memories.  So now, finally,  I'm in the mood for Christmas carols, decorations, presents, and yes, EVEN the snow that has been falling all day!  It is the beautiful dry kind of snow with huge delicate flakes that softly float down and cover the ground in a 'mantle of white.'  (A perfect winter scene, made even more perfect because I am sitting by a warm fireplace, enjoying my decorated house and watching my wonderful grandsons out the window as they shovel the snow off our sidewalks.)

This Christmas I want to remember the blessing of a warm, toasty home all decked out and ready to welcome family and friends.  I want to remember that despite all the decorating hassle, I really do love my home at this special time of year.  I especially want to remember that the extra effort to make my home a place of faith and peace that reflects the joy and happiness our family feels as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.......is definitely, positively, worth it all!  I decided to take a few photos of my Christmas home to help remind me of my thoughts today:

 Welcome to our home.  (Front Entrance.)

 Entry and peak into the dining room. 
(Oops...I forgot to remove the small rug and towel my grandsons used to dry off after shoveling snow.)

 Great room.

A different view with a glimpse of the winter wonderland out our back windows.

 A picture of our special angel Grandson, sitting among my angel collection as a reminder that he is truly our beloved Heavenly Angel.  We miss him so much!  (Our other earthly angels are with their parents in the large photo, except we are missing our two newest angels, recently born.)

A closer look.  On the shelf are two nativities collected from our travels.  The dish shows a pohutukawa blossom.  They grow on large trees in New Zealand and Kiwis call this their Christmas tree because they are in full bloom at Christmas.

My happy little collection of snowmen in the kitchen.

 A favorite piece of artwork depicting Jesus Christ.  This is not a Christmas decoration, as it stays year round.

P.S.  Do you notice anything missing???  Where is the Christmas tree you ask!  We have a lovely family room / recreation room on the lower level where our Christmas tree usually resides.  It is decorated with children's toys and ornaments and includes the ornament we bought for our first Christmas 43 years ago, all the ornaments our children made while they were growing up, as well as special ornaments from the countries we have visited.  

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Hello and Merry Christmas to my Dear Blogger Buddies!

This year has been good to me and our family.  Despite a few more pounds, a little less hair, and a lot more wrinkles, Jeff and I have been blessed with a wonderful family, two new adorable grandchildren, fabulous friends, the opportunity to continue with our missionary work and the energy and health to keep up with it all.

I have missed blogging on a regular basis this year and I especially miss keeping up with all of you who have enriched and inspired my life with your kindness, humor, goodness and amazing photography.  I have made a resolution to spend more time with my camera and with my

blogging buddies in 2014!

I hope this year has been kind to you and your families as well.  Our family, like everyone's families, has challenges and set backs.  But we try to focus on our many blessings and remember that our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, is here to buoy us up during our struggles, mend our broken hearts when disappointments come, and give us hope for a glorious future.  We hope you join
with our family in celebrating His birth this Christmas!

Meet Crew Lavoy

We have been so blessed this month.  Here is our Number 12 grandchild, born about a week ago.  He was in the hospital over Halloween, so here his is in his Batman costume.  Isn't he adorable!!

Happy Halloween!

 My Scariest Halloween Creatures

These photos were taken of bigger than life sized creatures created at the Weta Workshop in New Zealand.  This company is responsible for the design and production of the creatures in the movies Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Avatar, to name just a few.  Happy Halloween!! 

With Child

My daughter-in-law - beautiful and modest

(She is due this week!!!)

 With her husband who happens to be my handsome son.

 This will be their first child and our 12th grandchild.

Scrub Oak in Autumn

Here in northern Utah many of our hills and mountains are covered with what we call scrub oak bushes.  I'm sure that is not the 'official' name, but that name fits them well. The leaves are definitely oak shaped but other than that, these scrubby bushes do not much resemble their more beautiful relatives, the tall and majestic mighty oak trees.  Most of the year, scrub oak is not very impressive, although it does green up our desert mountains in the summer.  But come fall, these bushes are in their brilliant glory, arrayed in shades of gold, rust, yellow, red, orange, bronze, and every other color of fall.  

I read somewhere just recently that we should take a lesson from how leaves end their life cycle.  They don't fade away quietly, they end their lives with a colorful and brilliant blaze of glory.  I like that thought!!  

Arches Nat'l Park, UT

I took this photo in early summer on a trip to Moab and Arches National Park.    I should be posting photos of our annual Lake Powell trip, but we had to cancel because our planned vacation week was during the time the national parks were closed.  How disappointing, but not nearly the hardship many people are dealing with due to the shameful antics of our self serving elected government officials from BOTH parties!!  The 'children' in Washington don't understand concepts like 'reasonable compromise', 'playing fair', 'working together for the best interest of the American people',  'integrity', etc. 

Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

One afternoon last week I drove up a dirt road that I've been on many times, but drove farther (further?) than ever before.  I found this beautiful vista of Mt. Timpanogos.  I think the next time I have a request to take a family portrait with Timp in the background, I've found just the right location!

Our Newest Angel - Evelyn May

 Sent From Heaven with His Love

".....Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:...."

                                                                                                         --William Wordsworth

(Excerpt from 'Ode Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood')

Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15926#sthash.YrgThSIK.dpuf

Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15926#sthash.YrgThSIK.dpuf

Meet our newest grandchild, so sweet, so innocent.  Isn't she the most adorable little bundle of cuteness?  This makes number 11 for us.  Our children and grandchildren bring us such joy and are our greatest blessings! They give us hope and faith.  They remind us that God is in His heavens, we are not here by chance, we are His children, and He has a magnificent future planned for each of us in our heavenly home!