The Value of Sisterhood

     The value of sisterhood is something to be treasured for a life time.  Not all of us understand having that, but we can come close with friends that feel like sisters.  Having three daughters, there are times I envy their hushed talks, their secret smiles and overall sister camaraderie.  Having one sibling who is male, the only hushed talks we had, were episodes of him begging me not to tell our parents "something" he had done, so he wouldn't get into trouble.  ;)

     This photo shoot I am sharing has been evolving in my thoughts for a couple of years.  Because of many surgeries I have not been able to tackle this passion of mine, until Now!  Since we camp at the fairgrounds we had access to the carnival rides from our county fair and I thought this the perfect background to portray our three beauties.  

     If you have not noticed, the 50's fashion is back in style, with a contemporary spin of course.  Finding the right kind of outfits wasn't too much of a challenge.

   Studying our three daughters, I pronounced they were at the right age to help me with this endeavor.  Luckily all three readily agreed to trust my imagination.  

     When our girls filed out of the camper one by one, I had that moment the rest of you, who have watched them grow up had.  "When did all THAT happen?"  My heavens, they are stunning!  When were the little girls replaced with these remarkable young women?  I am even more stoked for this photo shoot, they are 100% all into this.  Hair, makeup and clothing.  Sweeeet!


     Photo after photo, my chest puffs with pride as I can see things differently through the lens of a camera.  Photo after photo, the lump in my throat swells as I see we only have a few years left before they leave.  Photo after photo, I hide the fresh tears of appreciation I have for these dazzling, intelligent, young ladies. 

   They were rocking this session and I was enjoying it as much as they were.  They are veteran models as I have put a camera in their face for many years.  I only had to tweak poses as they did the rest.

   I couldn't help but laugh at memories of younger years as I studied them.  They don't care about the sibling hierarchy anymore, they just want to borrow each others clothes.  There is still an occasional, "She made me do it" or "Sissy did it" or better yet, " I am the oldest, so I am the boss!"

       Our family combined nine years ago.  They didn't have a choice of whether they wanted to become sisters, but now I can hear them say, "I smile because you're my sister and there is nothing you can do about it."  

      They have grown to love and protect each other.  Confide secrets and ambitions.  We have raised them together and even though they are flowers from different gardens, they have bloomed together and developed a sisterhood that is powerful.   This is an affection worth treasuring.

How lucky are they?

Photography: Rule of Thirds

     The Rule of Thirds is by far my Favorite rule of photography.  I naturally gravitate to using it in the horizontal format, but it can be equally as pleasing shot vertically.

     When applying this concept, the subject of the photo will not be in the center, but off to one side or the other.  The image is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically.  This creates four intersecting points.  When the focal point of your picture is aligned with one of these points, you are applying the rule of thirds.

 

  You can view that she is in the right 3rd of the horizontal photograph, but also pretty close to the lower 3rd vertically as well.

  

     Here she is without the grid lines and the photograph is much more dramatic without the subject being centered directly in the middle of the image.(isn't she gorgeous?!)

 

     Same type of scenario with this beautiful cousin of mine, only centered in the left 3rd of the photograph.  We are naturally drawn to this image because of the composition,(rule of thirds), both by our eye and by emotion.

     Using this composition creates an impact to our images.  It becomes beautiful and a work of art and not just another ordinary "picture".  We may involuntarily part our lips or give a slight gasp when an image evokes emotion in us.  When you view your favorite image of someone or something, ask yourself why you enjoy it so much.  Emotion, I tell you!  All of this is due to composition!

       I do have a few vertical examples.  What is the subject of this image?  The railroad tracks.  They disappear into the fall colors of the trees.  They are not in the center of the photograph, are they?  They are in the lower third, this is more appealing to the eye.

      Phenomenal sunset.  How you choose to photograph it is up to you.  I chose to put the horizon in the lower third, the clouds and crescent moon aren't exactly on the intersecting point, but that's okay.  They are in the general area of the left third of the photograph as well.

     Using this rule is one of the easiest to learn concerning photography.  You do not have to purchase an amazing camera,  you can use a point and shoot camera, phone camera, it doesn't matter.  No crazy exposures to think about, just composition.  Now the hard part is making it a habit when you do take your camera out.  You will have to intentionally think about it for a while, then like anything else, it will evolve into your everyday photography.  Six months from now, go back through your photographs and see if there is any change in your composition, you could be pleasantly surprised.

     This is a fantastic concept to use for photography competitions as well.  You want your image to stand out from the rest of the images, correct?   Use this, I promise, it works.  Since it is fair time, all of you 4H'ers could practice this for your club entries.  Be a step ahead of the rest and make that judge stop in front of your photograph and get that blue ribbon!  For the rest of us, amateurs and pro's, it's just good practice.

Happy Shooting!

(photographers will not take offense to that greeting)