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?

Finally Boots and a Long Skirt

I have loved the look of boots and a long skirt for a while now. The problem I had last year was that my favorite boots rendered me unable to walk the next day. No really, I ended up on crutches once. Talk about suffering for fashion.

So I finally found these boots that don't kill my feet but by then I only had one long skirt. I found this silky blue skirt on sale at Old Navy. It was shiny and silky which gave it kind of a formal feel. So I wasn't sure if I could pull of wearing it for just a regular work outfit. Apparently it works. I think I'll tweak it a little next time I wear it to have more waist definition. Every belt I tried with this bunched the sweater up in a blobby way that made me look way more chubby than I am. It was one of those days that I fiddled with it until time to leave for work and then decided to just go with it.

Then I left for work and ran over my cat (See my last post).

Strolling through the parking lot at work with one of the many churches in our neighborhood in the background. We're surrounded on all sides by churches which can make for interesting backgrounds.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

I said for December I would experiment with unusual color combinations. So here goes. I decided to try my red sweater vest over a brown/black plaid shirt. I know it doesn't sound like much but it's a big stretch for me to put something together that isn't an obvious match. Who knew picking out clothing combos could be fun? Over the last several months I've suddenly taken to grabbing things out of my closet and sticking them together just to see what happens.

Thanks to my recent foot rebellion, the Merrill clogs are my footwear of choice for a while. Hubby and I have a running joke about how sexy they are. And the nutcracker? Why am I holding a nutcracker? Well, as much as I collect anything, I guess I sort of collect them. Also, I believe it's a law that once you've taken ballet, you HAVE to love the Nutcracker. So, there you go. 

Crochet Corner

I've been wanting to do this for a while now. Handmade knit and crochet items are sometimes difficult to style. So I wanted to do a series of posts about wearing handmade items in a flattering way. I have been crocheting for a long time and have made many sweaters and vests without a lot of thought about  how the lines of the item will hit me or whether it will be flattering. I would just think it was a gorgeous piece and want to make it. Recently I've been getting rid of any unflattering ones and being way more choosy when I start on a new project.

This grey sweater has crochet in the middle and knit sleeves. If I remember correctly the middle was crocheted vertically in back loop only half double crochet (for those who care).

 It has some telltale wrinkles from storage where I just got all my winter sweaters out of the attic. Oops! Since we actually had fall this year, I'm just now switching out all my clothes.

No More Christmas Sweaters

I admit it, I'm a former Christmas sweater wearer. Sorry, I was drawn to the sequins and cute deer and stuff. Like I've been trying to tell you, I've been fashion-impaired for most of my life. Just to prove it, I'll post a couple of shots of these beauties from my past. I actually spotted the grey vest covered in ornaments in a resale shop recently. Hello old unfashionable friend.

See I told you I had issues. I'll have to post some more "old Catherine" photos so you can see I've actually improved. I'm still working on my style and what works for me, but believe me, I've come light years in a short time! Meanwhile, my hubby looks perfectly normal. Isn't he cute?