Developing a photography style.

I really enjoy photos of people that are taken when they don't realise they are being photographed. It sounds a bit voyueristic, but I promise it's not. I like to capture the ease, the innocence, the honesty of the moment. To capture the moment for the moment and not a posed moment with a plastered on smile, but a real moment.

So far I've mostly done these of people I know, and mostly from behind so they don't know I'm doing it and so they don't jump into the automatic pose or completely jump out of the shot.
I wish I was brave enough to take photos of strangers where it might be obvious that I'm doing it. So far I've discovered that the beach is a great place to take photos of people without them knowing that I'm photographing them, friends and strangers alike. I plan to broaden my horizons and my shoulders in order to gain more shots and opportunities for shots.

And I also like these photos in black & white, or some variation. Somehow it brings another layer of innoncence and calm to the photo that I like.

Here are a few from my collection:

Saturday Bike Riders.

Porirua, New Zealand

My best friends checking out the beach.

Santander, Spain

Jackie, Jessie and Jake heading to the beach.

Callala Beach, NSW, Australia.

The whole family heading to the beach.

Callala Beach, NSW, Australia.

Worshipper at Mosque.

Muscat, Oman.

Rach, John and Lu walking to our photo shoot location.

Titahi Bay, Porirua, New Zealand.

Dating, With the whole family in attendance.

Muscat, Oman.

Jessie vs the Ocean.

Callala Beach, NSW, Australia.

Jackie contemplates the waves.

Callala Beach, NSW, Australia.

Jackie, Jessie and Jake heading to the beach (again).

Callala Beach, NSW, Australia.

Baby Kicking

I felt my wee nephew kick and move!

While I've felt unborn babies kick before in a fleeting "quick it's kicking, feel this" type moment, I've never really been close enough to someone to spend a good 25 minutes with my hands on their baby belly, so this was quite the novelty.

Brutus (as he's affectionately referred to at the moment) was woken up from his nap when Lee laid down on the couch to look through my holiday photos. After some gentle prodding he rolled around and slowly woke up. I could feel him moving around and kicking every now and then. It was awesome! and so magical.

Little Brutus is already so loved and I made sure he knew his Aunty Heather was there and just so excited to feel him and can't wait to meet him in a few months.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I love Scavenger Hunt Sunday, each week the prompts give me something new to try and make me get out of my comfort zone. And now that I've got a little more spare time on my hands I can get back into participating each week. Yay!

1. Camera Phone

I don't own an iphone or any such gizmo, just an old cell phone that has a pretty basic camera built in. I'm an avid reader of Mortal Muses and they've been blogging about camera phones being perfect to capture those one-off, everyday memories and this is exactly what I caught when I was packing for a trip and my cat jumped into my suitcase in a galant effort to make me take him with me. So cute and so funny, but he wouldn't have stayed there long enough for me to grab my camera. Good thing I had my phone handy. It's not the most artistic and it's definetly not the best picture ever, but it captured the moment forever and that's what's important.

2. Camera

My 4 year old friend here loved learning about and using my camera. While most of what she took photos of was either exactly the same as the 20 before it, or involved her feet, she did have fun. And I got to take this gorgeous wee photo of her with my camera (from my compact camera that I keep in my handbag 'just in case').

3. Shoes

I didn't think my shoes were that interesting until my 4 year old friend spent hours playing dress ups with them.

4. Chair

I took this photo of my Mum and I love it, but I love how the chair works so well and makes the photo that much more interesting.

5. Imperfection

I did a photo shoot with these three yesterday at the beach. While it was a stunning day it was also windy, meaning we ended up with lots of these unusable photos (or imperfect ones if you will). These imperfect ones gave us some laughs and helped me to determine which photos were the 'perfect' ones. It's the imperfections in life that make life interesting, and it's the imperfections that allow us to recognise the perfections.

Macro Friday, Mellow Yellow Monday & Blue Monday

These wild Lorakeets were feeding on a feast of sunflower seeds on the driveway. Over 45 came every evening, along with a couple of Rozellas, Pigeons and some cheeky Cockatoos. They were amazing to feed and amazing to photograph too.

I'm linking up to Macro Friday, Mellow Yellow Monday and Blue Monday.

Crimson Rivers: Angels of the Apocalypse

After watching The Craft I got very tired of watching movie after movie, so we took a little breather.  And then once we did start up again I was so busy with the Wedding and holidays that I haven't had time to sit down and to the reviews. But I'm home now and finally find myself with a wee bit of time on my hands. So review time it is.

I wasn't to thrilled at the prospect of watching a French subtitled thriller as the first movie back on the project so I avoided it for awhile.

Crimson Rivers Angels of the Apocalypse is the second movie in the franchise. Good thing it wasn't a sequel or really wouldn't have had any idea what was going on. John let us watch the English dubbed version (bless him) so that I didn't have to try reading the subtitles while trying to follow the story. I think this is the first time that I've ever watched a foreign film dubbed in to English and it wasn't bad. They'd done a fantastic job of the dubbing and it was barely noticeable. I thought it would be like those tv shows and movies you see where the timing of the audio is off slightly, that always annoys me. But it wasn't.

Chief Niemans is investigating a series of ritual murders where the victims are crucified. He teams up with young officer Reda, who gets embroiled after a man dressed as a monk tries to kill a confused guy Reda picked up on the street. Together with a specialist on christian mythology they uncover a mysterious group called "Angels of the Apocalypse".

This movie wasn't my cup of tea. I couldnt' really keep up with the storyline and I found it to be very dark and mysterious. I'm definetly one that likes my movies funny and light over dark and twisty (for the most part anyway). Personally I wouldn't recommend watching it, not because it was bad, but just because I didn't love it and it didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me.

Sunday Stealing: The Burnt Toast Meme

While technically it's Monday here in NZ, it's still Sunday in the US, so I figure that counts. I've come across this Meme and I might as well join in the fun! These guys steal memes from other bloggers and repost them for all to play (giving credit where credit is due of course).

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

"Why bother? I need my glasses . . . "

2. How much cash do you have on you?
$0.00 - eftpos and credit cards are what I use most of the time.

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
FLOOR

4. Favorite planet?
This one I guess.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
My Dad

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
I have "Light Surrounding You" by Evermore. I love the song and love the ring tone.

7. What shirt are you wearing?
A new one - purple with little diamantes. Looks better than it sounds.

8. Do you label yourself?
With a label maker? So I don't forget who I am? No.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
Not wearing any right now. But I did just take off some new ones I bought at KMart for just $3! Bargain!

10. Bright or Dark Room?
Dark

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
Um, well, I didn't read theres yet. Is that bad?!

12. What does your watch look like?
I don't have a watch, I just use my cell phone clock if I can't see one nearby.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Editing photos and watching TV.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
"where r u" - from my mate when we got seperated while shopping

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
I'm guessing a 7-11 is a dairy or supermarket? The closest to me is about a 1 min drive away or 7 min walk down the road to the main shopping area of the suburb.

16. What's a word that you say a lot?
Sweet

17. Who would you like to show up at your door to say they love you?
Anyone would be nice, but if I'm being picky, a hot, handsome man would do just nicely.

18. Last furry thing you touched?
A cushion usually on my bed.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Just a couple of neurofens last night.

20. Do you miss film or does digital work for you?
I love digital. Took me a while to let go of film but now I'm a convert.

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
Umm, tough one, I'm not really too fussed with age. I've enjoyed my late 20's a lot more that my early 20's I guess.

22. Your worst enemy?
Chocolate and Citris. You do make me so itchy and spewy.

23. What is your current desktop picture?


This gorgeous one of Jackie, Jessie & Jacob (my Mum's future grandkids)

24. What was the last thing you said that was funny?
I say so many funny things it's hard to keep track. Muahahahaha!

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
A million bucks thanks. And with that I could fly anywhere. Bet if I could fly I couldn't also get a million bucks.

26. Who can't you say “no” to?
My sister. Or any family member for that matter.

27. The last song you bought or downloaded?
I bought the "Semi-Charmed" Album of mixed artists. Very chilled and cool.

28. What time of day were you born?
I have no idea, I don't remember. I couldn't tell the time back then and I didn't know I'd be quized on it later in life.

29. What’s your favorite number? Why?
3. Because it's so cute, look at it, all round and bumpy. Seriously, I have no idea why, it just is and always has been.

30. Where did you live in 1987?
In Wellington, NZ

31. Are you jealous of anyone?
No - I once heard a good quote that I agree with and try to remember whenever I feel myself becoming envious - "Don't envy another person's fortune, you don't know what there journey has been."

32. Is anyone jealous of you?
If they are they haven't told me about it.

Housesitting with friends in Wellington. Woke up to the news and spent the day watching the TV with the rest of my Uni classmates.  33. It's been almost a decade. Where were you when 9/11 happened?

Blue Monday

I've just discovered this photo challenge - Blue Monday. And I have lots of holiday photos to share, so why not join in the fun.

This is a SOOC shot of Jessie running into the waves on a wonderfully hot Saturday afternoon.

Mellow Yellow Monday

I'm back! Over the last few weeks I've been busy with Lee & Morgan's Wedding and then taking a very well deserved holiday on the beach in Australia. I have hundreds of photos to share and so much to catch you all up on, but I also started back at work today and I'm pooped. So I thought I'd start off nice and slow with this photo for Mellow Yellow Monday.

This little guy was a yellow and black ladybug. I've only ever seen the black and red ones at home, so he was quite the novelty. I wasn't quick enough to get him sitting on Mum's finger, but I got him lifting off and I think it's pretty unique! Gotta love the macro lens!

Lee & Morgan's Wedding Photos

I will find some time soon to sit and tell you all about the preperations and the wedding itself, but right now I'm enjoying the break away from it all. Meanwhile, the Photographer has put up a seak peek of photos on her Facebook page. Check them out, Lee is gorgeous and so is everyone else :)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?fbid=205764162767261&id=139896672687344&aid=55957&notif_t=photo_album_reply