Photographer vs. Tripod

I just realized my title could also refer to the death match struggles I have had with my tripod as it attempted to kill my camera by tipping over on a windy day. Then there was the time it tripped me. No, I didn't trip over it; it tripped me with one of it's three spindly, tricky legs! No, my intention is to discuss the experience of being photographed by someone else vs. taking self portraits.

These outfit photos were from Saturday when I actually had my husband at my disposal. We ate a ridiculously unhealthy breakfast at Huddle House, spread mulch in our garden, and took outfit photos. While I'm getting better at posing naturally in self-portraits, I can still tell a big difference in my body language and facial expressions. With a human photographer, I am much more relaxed, happy and just acting like myself. Excuse the pun, but with a tripod, I kinda feel like a poser.

My husband and kids are not trained in photography at all and I set all the camera settings for them, make suggestions, etc. Then I pretty much let them go except to check after a few shots to see if I've messed up the exposure or something. Not long ago my husband literally had his thumb in any picture he took. He's obviously improving.

Tripod
Pros: I don't have to work around anyone else's schedule and my tripod doesn't complain when I take a million shots trying new things. A human can't
comfortably get some of the angles my tripod can and I never have to work around his schedule.

Cons: I'm not as relaxed. I'm self-conscious in public places. It feels more presumptuous and arrogant to be snapping repeated pictures of myself. I imagine passers by saying, "Who does she think she is?" Whereas a husband wanting photos of his wife seems normal. Once in my small town some people in a car did circle the block to get a second look at me snapping outfit photos. However, I'm pretty sure people aren't really all that interested. I'm just paranoid that way and really quite shy.






Human Photographer
Pros: Natural smiles and body positioning. My husband or kids can get a real smile out of me anytime. I have trouble making eye contact when my camera is on a tripod. Weird, huh? Security--this pretty much speaks for itself. I've had moments where I've skipped awesome locations or where prisoners started working on the park where I was photographing, etc. A different perspective--my husband and kids don't think the way I do and it gives a fresh look to my photos when I get bogged down in the same old things.

Cons: When they are tired of taking photos, they are done even if it's after one really bad photo. I'm not the boss any more. There I said it; I want to be in control.

So tripod or human photographer, which do you prefer?

Can you tell I got a camera for Christmas?

I'm a picture taking fool right now, I tell ya. Partly because I don't know what the heck I'm doing and partly just because it's so fun. My husband bought me a Canon Powershot sx230 hs, and I'm so excited. For several years I thought about getting a DSLR but decided on this for now. It's got some fun settings to play with, you can adjust the aperture and all those other fun photography terms I'm trying to learn, or you can just set it on auto. You can put it on "portrait" and it knows you want the subject clear and the background a little blurry (Yay! How does it know?). As much as I would like a DSLR eventually, my brain is just not equipped to figure that much out right now. Besides I want something I can just sling across my shoulders or stick in my purse and go, not a large heavy camera.

We have several shutterbugs in our family, especially my grandfather "Pop". Mom says he would be fascinated with digital cameras, self-timers, etc. He took a famous picture of my grandmother and he by tying a string to his toe. Boy would he love a self-timer! I love going through all the old family photographs he took. In fact, he gave me my first real 35 mm film camera when I was 19 and it was a Canon Sureshot. So I had a soft spot for Canon even though I haven't had one since then. I had many awesome adventures with that camera until I lost it coming back from the Philippines. Ever since then I've missed it, but I think I found it's digital equivalent. 

I spent our Christmas in Myrtle Beach playing with the settings and taking a million pictures. Hopefully my outfit photos will improve now that I have this baby.

Tuesday is pizza day

I have no idea what that has to do with this outfit, but it is pizza day. Usually Tuesday is the day my parents pick up my kids, meet me in the nearby town where I work and we go to Dad's favorite pizza place. All I know is that I don't have to cook and that makes it a good day. It calls for a celebratory outfit!
 

What happens when your husband calls in the middle of your son taking an outfit photo? This. You can't really tell these are black pinstripe pants and that the black sweater has cute ruffles at the neckline and sleeves. Sheesh, you don't know just how bad I need a new camera!!

Family Photo Shoot

Take 14 yr old twin boys and convince them to stay still for a family photo shoot and this is what you get.

What you don't know looking at this sweet picture is what went on behind the scenes to get this one great shot.

 

Saturday's Outfit and "Will Trespass for Photos"

Well, I'm a busy, busy mom on the go. So I don't always get outfits posted the same day. Here is what I wore Saturday if anyone is curious. I have on recently purchased slightly less "mom jeans" jeans.

The funny thing is I have been eyeing this spot ever since the leaves changed. It's down a little road off the main road I travel to get to work. However, I've been afraid to pull in to take pictures. What if someone sees me or I block the road when someone needs to get through? Keep in mind this is a teeny tiny road in the middle of nowhere. Just over the hill are big, scary "No Trespassing" signs that I didn't see until I drove further down. No one came out with a gun. So I guess that's a happy ending to my story. I've been self-conscious about taking pictures in public places like parks, but maybe those aren't such a bad idea after all! And why do I try to seek out unusual backgrounds? Well, I still have a hard time believing anyone would simply want to see me in daily outfits. Mostly I'm just a wanna be photographer and it's fun.

It's Me in a Jacket!

Introducing the jacket I snagged at Finders Keepers last week. And featuring my hubby's photography! He can get me to be more fun and flirty than the ol' tripod. Something you won't see everyday--me in a skirt and a structured jacket. I wore this to church without feeling pinched and uncomfortable. I didn't keep nursery this time and I'm not sure how crawling after toddlers on the floor would have gone in this getup. But for a regular day, it did great. The outfit got a thumbs up from my hubby and from me.

I Have a Photographer (or two)!

My sons have agreed to be my blog photographers, and that will hopefully improve the quality of the photos.  I'm sure the ol' tripod will still be of use when they aren't available. I just can't seem to get a natural smile when I'm photographing myself. I have to have someone there that makes me smile, and my kids usually do.

Wide-leg Pants

I'm just not loving the wide legs which are supposed to be good for women with lower body issues, right? I'm kind of getting a large tree stump vibe from these, and my legs look way bigger than they actually are. At least they are very comfortable. Maybe it's because they don't cover my feet, but that is so not happening. It may look good in photos but isn't practical for my life.

And heels!

I'm actually wearing heels, sort of. They are low, almost made like a wedge really, and a solid and stable shoe. "Comfort" shoes often feature a flexible sole, but with rheumatoid arthritis feet, I need a solid supportive sole. Finding good shoes is a major battle for people with arthritis. I have spent a fortune trying out different things and have a pretty good idea what works now. I have done the "I don't care if it hurts, I'm wearing cute shoes" and the always in athletic shoes approach. I will not put myself through foot hell for the sake of fashion, but I refuse to just give up. Now I have reached the point where I'm determined to find attractive shoes without sacrificing the health of my feet. What's your priority in choosing shoes, comfort or appearance? Can they both be met?

 
 Now don't I look more relaxed with a real person behind the camera?

Down by the Riverside

 For my Alabama friends--extra points if you can name the small town and river in the photos.

 This was my first ever attempt at a public photo shoot and I'm generally a shy, self-conscious person. So what would be no big deal for most people . . . well, kind of is for me. There were a few families and couples walking around and I got a few odd looks--some woman snapping photos of herself. Mostly people politely ignored me. Of course I hadn't planned ahead to do this, so no tripod. I figured out railings on a dock, park benches and even steps make a pretty good substitute.

Like I've said, my style is a work in progress right now--lots of bugs to still work out. The boobage is an issue with t-shirts like this one. I need a professional bra fitting for one thing. Seeing photos of myself is so different than a mirror. I had no idea this outfit was so "Hey, look everybody. I have boobs!" I'm glad it was cool enough that I wore a sweater to church. After seeing the pictures, I made the mistake of asking my husband if the outfit emphasized my bust too much. He's usually helpful with fashion questions, but this just elicited a smirk.

Other new things for me that day--cowboy boots and belting. I have been afraid of belts. I love them but my attempts tended to emphasize my "mother of twins" belly. Buckles or knots tended to perch right on top and stick out rather than showing off my small waist. I'm beginning to figure it out. Usually tucking anything in doesn't work for me but I think I like it better for this outfit.

Cowboy boots. I chose these particular ones because I have major foot issues due to arthritis. They weren't the cutest, but they were comfy and still cute enough, and I wanted some I could wear all day. For some reason, they make me feel spunky and strong. Maybe I'll even ride a horse some day soon.

Layering

I don't have a lot of experience layering, except purely functional layering in winter. Yes, I'm far enough north to require layers in winter. However, in the past I didn't give layering much thought as a way to flatter my figure or just have fun combining colors and patterns.

Layering works a little differently in warm Georgia weather. I like layering because of bra issues (more on that later), but shortly after shooting these pictures, temperatures reached the 80's even though it's October. I'm looking forward to fall and winter so I can play with layers. During summer in the South we wear as little as possible in order to survive! Really, you're lucky I put on one layer from June until September.

And the heavens seem to be blessing this outfit, judging from the sun beaming down on me. Note to self, next time think about the sun, sunshine. I was planning for morning sun but I got a late start. So it's more like harsh noonday sun. Do I regroup and wait till later? Move to a better location? Nope, I forge on ahead. That's just the way I roll!