My body is bigger than I thought......

Body of work that is.   (Fooled ya)  No gossip here.     I have been sifting through what seems like hundreds of archived photos that are in my files.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

 Some images are from client shoots and some of friends who agreed to be my models.  

 Some from garden weddings and the interesting guests who I just couldn't take my lens off.

 (as opposed to "my eyes off"....)     

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

I would like to do a whole series on tatoo art.    I  don't have any but I appreciate the artists hand that works on a less than ideal surface and produces something visual.    I would like to profile the artist themselves and the environment they work in.     I will put that one on a post it note.

Julie Griffiths Photography

(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I do like shooting against a black backdrop.   In this case my lovely model wore a black turtle neck and I like how it makes her features the focus.  

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

I have learned a little bit about dealing with the tiniest of people - even newborn twins and how to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible so we get great pics.  Mostly I have loved how close it makes you to the people who let you shoot these kinds of personal moments.    It's really like being able to peer into someone elses world.    I consider it a great compliment.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

I like to find lines in the things I shoot and vintage cars are always a good prop!  And then I  had the opportunity to shoot photos at Dominelli Carnivale.  A body painting artist challenge in Vancouver.
The models were like muses.      But as you will notice....   how things catch the light is what makes or breaks an image.   That is something that I am always chasing.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

  Some have been part of my school learning and many are pure inspiration.

They have brought back memories that I had put aside or forgotten about.     Many make me smile and reminisce as per usual for me.    These are travel photos.     Cannon Beach in Oregon.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Mayan Riviera,  Cuba,  Italy,  and a single from Haiti that is a whole camera story in itself!

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Shooting sports is always a challenge.   What's in focus.  What don't I want.    Timing.   Speed.   Blurred or sharp?     Lots to consider.    I guess that's why if you can get David Beckham with a rippling muscle while he is scoring a goal that he has bounced off his head -  ahem.   You call that the money shot for Sports Illustrated.   Definitely not there yet.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

I love action.   It makes people loosen up and almost always they love the shot.   This trio were particularly good jumpers.    Nice streak of light.    A good start but this photo needs some tweaking to make it really pop.    This is where my photoshop lessons need loads of work.    Learning that is a full time job in itself.    This brings up the issue of where I really want to go with  my picture taking.
The "fine art photography world".      A photo that has been brought to the next level.   All the pieces are there to work with - but......      you put your own paintbrush to work and  "chez magnifique"  is suppose to happen.    
Insects.    That brings up the macro photography angle.   I need a macro lens.    (note to self).
Then there's the car shows.    They are great for detail shots.   Nice shiny cars in mint condition.   Look at the reflection on that hubcap.   Would we get that on any given day?      I don't think so.

Julie Griffiths Photography
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

So with picture taking and learning in mind - I am going on a roadtrip again.   Yahoo !   Not too far but a creative drive is due.    I got invited to be a part of someone elses dream and I am thrilled to tag along.     There is this highly creative and successful photographic team out of the Seattle area that are putting on a workshop and I am so going to be there.   Photographic Essays Studio & Gallery  Can't wait to meet this talented girl and her husband who work as a team in an old fire hall that is now thier home and studio.
I am meeting a new friend, Claudia who is flying in from Utah and we will eat, sleep, and talk photography for 4 days I am sure.    www.dipityroad.com     For many that would seem rediculous or boring but I assure you - it is right up my alley.   We will share our lives and our knowledge and bring out camera kits to swap lenses and try new things.     Fabulous that we both shoot Canon so we can do that.  

Our conversations on the phone have surrounded the discussion of when you feel your good enough to call yourself a professional?      That's a tough one for me - but I think Corinne will have a lot to say about that this weekend.     Ready to take it all in and share time with a new friend who shares the same passion.     Thank you to everyone who stops and smiles for a camera or who admires how photographers see and capture the world.    

Thank you Pablo.

I am glad we had this chat

I secretly wish I was a great singer

I caught X factor tonite between a little dinner,  a little baking, a little nap,  returning phonecalls, sifting thu paperwork, and thinking about trying to get to bed early for a good nites rest.  
The music stopped me in my tracks.    I sat down on the couch and peered at the TV screen.

Leroy Bell (Chasing his dream at the age of 60 !  I say fantastic)

  Some of the voices of these people are simply amazing.  Leroy Bell was the face of the voice.   His story inspired me.   A Dad on his own in Seattle who spends his days driving his son where he needs to be and his free time doing gigs.     Well, he is talented and I am rooting for him all the way.

  What a gift it is to be able to express yourself in such a way.  To do something you love for a living & now when dreams are never too late to go after - he is giving it a shot.  

So I started thinking about music.

What would the world be without it?    It consoles, it inspires, it takes you to a place of escape or pure relaxation.      I think about driving in the car with no music.     Housework with no music.     A busy day at work can seem so much better with a little background music.     We have moments in our lives that are defined by a song.    That first concert when we were teenagers.   The holiday that you bought that CD and it takes you back every time you plug it in.   The wedding song you picked,  the music at grandma's funeral.      Soundtracks from movies.     The artists that match music to film and sound effects is an art to itself.      

The devices we have used to listen to music by  over the years have surely changed - but the essence of the voice and song to move people has never wavered.    

 My parents had 8 track tapes, and record players.   Then there was the cassette, the personal CD player, the boombox,  the mini-discman, mp3 players,  ipods  and who know what may come next.

8 track cassettes

Record players

The cassette player

The boombox

Portable mini Discman

Personal CD player

I Pod Nano

I Pod Touch

The realm of music genius is enormous.    From the old stuff that I still think is amazing to the new stuff which I often don't even know the artists name - to the rock of Steven Tyler and the beautiful sounds of Maria Callas.    The jazz musicians,  the crooners and everything in between.

     If you have a voice that can carry a tune and you are not singing your heart out in public - please tell me that you sing in the car with your windows wide open.  If someone catches you belting out a tune,   don't be embarassed.     I personally envy your gift.  

"Music is what feelings sound like." ~ Author Unknown

And ......

I think they really just go together.  

So as I was saying.....   I secretly wish I was a good singer.    Or that I had continued to practice the piano when I was little so that I could sit down and play now.    Sometimes there are just not enough hours in a day to carry out all the ideas that roam in a head.      So dreams sit and life moves quickly.

Note to self.         Make time for the things that you love to do.  Be inspired.    Run with it.  Don't look back and never listen to self doubt.