Here is a part II to A's session below...
This can be directed to parents/potentional clients...and I guess photog's too! A comment I hear a lot from parents is that I don't really require a set up...a special spot, beautiful flowers, etc. They love that because there isn't a process...no need to "hunt" to find the "perfect location"...etc. I just simply don't have one. I like finding good spots on the spur of the moment. Recently.. a Dad and I were chatting as I was walking back to my SUV..and the conversation went something like this..
Me: " The area here looks great! Lots of places to photograph right outside."
Dad: " Yes, they are really doing a great job over here...it does look fantastic"
Well I glanced over to one house that wasn't torn down and rebuilt (which is what they do a lot in Chicago..), and I said..
Me: "Now THAT is fabulous!!"
Dad: "Oh thats awful! I couldn't imagine what you can capture in there... but with you see things..who knows!"
Well.. the first thing I always, always notice is light. I don't care (well..I almost don't care!) whats around... the light is the number one thing. Different light can yield a different look..etc.
So this post was inspired by that Dad! (who I know is a blog stalker! haha!)
Well..it was the end of A's session..and she was my last session of the day. We were getting ready to head back upstairs when I looked over and saw.....it!
Pretty ugly eh?
"It"...is what I am now calling.. "the light pit". WOW! We were across the street from the light pit. I stopped..and started to stare...
A: "Miss Audrey..what's wrong!?"
Me: "Do you see that? That...thats the light pit..."
A: "The light pit!!?!??!? What is that?????"
Me: "Well... can I take just a few more pictures? I promise I will explain once you are able to see your pictures..."
(this is why I love working with kids....because she says..)
A: Ok!
The sad thing about The Light Pit is that... by this time next year there is sure to be a 4-floor small mansion in its place. My last light pit was replaced by a house that now has an elevator! BOO! I need a petition to keep at least ONE light pit in the city of Chicago.
Until Next Time-
~A
This is a great post audrey and she is a doll! :) Thank you!
Posted by: Amanda Elkins | October 12, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Hi Audrey~
Could you explain a little more about a "light pit?" What time of day does one find a "light pit?" Will I know it when I see it? ;)
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy your blog and I hope you are all healed up from your scooter crash. Sorry, but I had to snicker when I read that one.
Whitney
Posted by: Whitney | October 12, 2007 at 03:39 PM
What lens do you mostly use. I love your pictures!
Posted by: Gabrielle | October 12, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Hi Audrey~
Could you explain a little more about a "light pit?" What time of day does one find a "light pit?" Will I know it when I see it? ;)
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy your blog and I hope you are all healed up from your scooter crash. Sorry, but I had to snicker when I read that one.
Whitney
Posted by: Whitney | October 12, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Now you need to do a little John Madden action & circle where you had her stand~love the shot!
~Stacey
Posted by: stacey crescitelli | October 12, 2007 at 04:28 PM
Ditto what they asked above...show us where you stood her and where you saw the light pit...I'm guessing the brightest part? Spill it! pretty please? ha!
p.s. did you get my email a few weeks back?
Anyways..she's a cutie! Great pics and its good to see that this happens to all children...they make me laugh hard sometimes that the camera shakes and I can't even take a pic.
ha!
thanks for sharing
Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 12, 2007 at 04:50 PM
..Now I'm curious! So you were on the other side of the fence with the garage door reflecting light back onto her? Gorgeous by the way!
Posted by: EH | October 12, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Gorgeous! A fellow phoographer friend directed me to your blog. I am curious about how far out from the fence did you have her. I love the shallow DOF and the crispness, and amazing len.
I bet Dad was stunned when he saw the results!
Posted by: Cyndie Planck | October 12, 2007 at 09:34 PM
beautiful
Posted by: candi | October 12, 2007 at 09:35 PM
My light pit is our north facing garage.
Not too romantic....but good light :o)
Posted by: Miz Booshay | October 13, 2007 at 08:41 AM
Word!
And to add to what you've said, Audrey, I think that when a person can see the "light pit," then, and only then, can they call themselves a photographer.
More than the camera body or the glass, or anything, really, it's all about seeing the light.
Posted by: Sinead | October 13, 2007 at 04:39 PM
i'd love it if you'd someday do a step-by-step demo of an original, straight from the camera photo to finished product, kind of the way Ree has done over on her blog thepioneerwoman.com (reference this post: http://thepioneerwoman.com/2007/10/fixing_exposure_after_the_fact.html)
i love your work, know nothing about photography, or art, but have a strange interest in a few photoblogs. i began reading yours within a month of when you started the blog...stumbled upon it through someone's comment on another blog. it's been fun to watch you grow and evolve over time. you've definitely kicked things up a notch! plus i used to live in chicago...my babies were born there and i love that city. so it's fun to have a peek at it through your lens.
Posted by: Julia | October 13, 2007 at 05:16 PM
LOL! I totally get what you mean. Clients tell me all the time, "I would have never thought to shoot here!"...."You just see things we don't see".
And my response...."Yes, we (photographers) sure do"
Good stuff here, A.
~M
Posted by: Melissa M. | October 13, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Audrey, you are so right about that!! my barn got torn down and was replace by CVS! I will never go to that place! I learned a lot from you about location, you taught me the greatest thing about location---It is in the eyes of the BeHolder!
Always love your work! ;)
Posted by: Tiffany | October 14, 2007 at 03:28 AM
love these last two posts audrey-i could have written them word for word. i have to work hard for teh serious shots too. and love finding light pits! :)
take care lady!
Posted by: tara w | October 14, 2007 at 05:55 PM
So, my guess is the "light pit" is reflected instead of direct light. Since the garage door is light up, we know the sun is behind us in the picture, shining on the door. The door then becomes the source of light for your subject. Back light your subject with the setting sun and fill light the shadows with the white refective surface of the door.
I'm a regular here since another photographer pointed out your site. I love the simplicity of what you do. Crisp, clean, clear. No excessive photophoping (although that can be cool too)...JF
Posted by: Jennifer | October 15, 2007 at 09:04 PM
I'm always amazed by your work and had a wonderful time joining you in that chat waaaaaaay back in August. I love the serious looks and poses! We should all be so fortunate to try & show every side of a kid's personality, it's what makes them-them.
Posted by: Chelsey | October 16, 2007 at 05:54 PM