My camera and eye Seek out the hidden visual gifts
T
he holiday season is fast approaching and this article is a reminder to have your camera ready to capture memories that last beyond the season and offer a valuable glimpse into your life to future generations.
Ron and Nathan Life has so many special moments and we often let them slip by without any pictures to help us reflect back on those times. There are numerous instances from the very simple to the profound that you will look back on and wonder at the beauty of the moment. Use your camera a lot this holiday season and don't just focus on the usual tree and group settings, but seek out the hidden visual gifts that will remain a treasure always. Look for the unusual. Shoot around a theme. You will notice from the photos accompanying this article that I often focus on hands. If you miss out on those special moments because you're always the one behind the camera
By Joyce Corley
instead of in the pictures...include yourself! Almost every camera currently available has a self-timer. Don’t be left out of the picture. Today, most of us are lucky because we all have access to a camera. If you are like a lot of people, you often sit back to review and relish the events or accomplishments of your life in photos. I’ve always been the record-keeper in my family and becoming more adept with a camera has certainly helped me better meet the challenge. I enjoy taking all kinds of photos, but the ones that often mean the most to me are those that capture memories or events never to be seen or felt again. I make it a point to always have my camera with me, no matter the day or occasion. I especially love candid shots of the people I love. With today’s advanced cameras, whether point-and-shoot or SLRs, you can snap close-ups without the subject even being aware of it. Scrapbooking, which is so popular today, whether traditional
or digital, enables us to not only make beautiful memory keepsakes using our photos, but to go one step further than previous generations. Besides preserving them electronically, we can accurately label and name the subjects and locations in these special photos for posterity. Many local stores sell a wide variety of scrapbooking supplies to help you put together invaluable memories. Commemorate every minute of your celebrations, but don't forget to seek out the hidden treasures of the day. A final caveat! Don't leave the images in the camera or undeveloped. Get them out and put them in a format that is easy to look at and share. Joyce is a retired educator and an award-winning photographer. You can reach her at Teechr40@ gmail.com and see more of her photographs at www.flickr.com/ photos/joycecorley
Wendy's hands themonitormagazine.com
THE
Winter 2010-11
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