LulightMindful Memories
Posted on June 1, 2014
We plan, we pack up, we take the ride, we arrive, it is stunning, we take out our cameras and start shooting. We want to show every one later how fun and exiting our last experience was, we don’t want to lose a detail so that we can see it later on our flat screens. While doing this, while trying not to lose our memories, we are not fully experiencing the moment, we are missing the real connection with the place and the people around us. We are so concerned about how it is going to look once we get back home, we miss the real 3D high definition, surround sound right here right now experience that is being offered to us.
A study held by author Linda Henkel, PhD, shines a light on this subject. Part of her study shows how impulsive photo shooting alters the way we remember. Our memories lose detail because we are counting on our digital devices to store it for us and by doing so we disengage from the experience. This is what she named the “photo taking impairment effect” . In her words : “It’s as if they click the button to take the photo and mentally think ‘done, next thing .’ They don’t engage in the processing that would lead to long term memory.”
I am not trying to discourage you on taking photos. Not at all. I wouldn’t be able to do that myself either because yes, photos can help us recall good moments. I am just inviting you to pause and take a moment for yourself before the click. Experience how it feels to be fully there with all your senses. That way you will keep not only a photograph but also a memory. It is not about what we do, it’s about how we do it.
On my last trip to Yosemite I made a conscious effort to practice what I preach. I can remember the fresh air just by looking at the images. The best part was getting back home with only one quarter of the amount of pictures I usually get. The editing process was easier and way less overwhelming.
Below you will see some of the pictures I took , most of them on my way up to Yosemite falls. Hope you get the feeling too 🙂 .
Mucho Amor! Lu.
Mindful Memories From Yosemite
Cat photography tips to make them purrfect
Posted on May 25, 2014
I am a cat lady. I would probably have ten or more if they didn’t give me such bad allergies. Photographing cats is much more difficult than it seems. Yes, cats play by their own rules and if you don’t like it they don’t care. This doesn’t mean they are not loving, they just like doing things on their own terms. This is something very important to know.
1- Do not force the cat to do something you want him to do. You will scare him away. Try to become part of his environment so that he can start acting naturally.
2- Get down! unless you want your furry friend to look diminished and helpless, or if he is already at your same level…which happens a lot. Try to stay at the cat’s eye level.
3- Be gentle with your movements and don’t scream or you will scare him.
4- Get some treats! Cats love treats, so you will be able to capture that cute look they have when the see something they really, really want. You can try also to surprise him with moving objects like a lace, to catch his attention.
5-Try not to have anything else around that can distract them. Kitties are very easily distracted, especially the smaller ones.
6- The best time to photograph a cat is when he is waking up from one of his many, many naps. Post-nap they are not so alert and will be easier to follow around.
7- Be sure to keep the ears, tail or feet in the frame. If you are doing a face close up, try to keep the ears inside the frame.
8- Use a high speed shutter to avoid getting movement blur, unless of course, this is the effect you are looking for.
9- Be patient.
10- Don’t get discouraged if your 100+ pictures do not turn out. I promise it is not you…it’s him.
Where Ideas Come From
Posted on May 15, 2014
What do you see in the picture below? I see a green dress from a very, very tall lady. I see a street pole turning into a sweet lady in a beautiful green dress. I see a character and a story. Ideas are every were. We never know when will they come. We never know what will trigger them. We never know what they will turn into.
I see this crawling vine every day as I return home from my walk. And every day I see the green dressed lady.
She was asking me to bring her to life. So this is what I did with that:
To create this image I used a total of 6 photos. I used three different photos to create the dress . I wanted it to be a little wider below. I used the two images images you will see below and I also used the sky from a different picture. I used a uruguayan sky. Oh how I miss those changing colors skies. Mixing, matching and using a ton of different blending options this image came to life. To add the watercolor feeling I added two texture layers, pictures of watercolor paper. They were actually 8 photos.
I consider myself a collector. I collect things I see and encounter, many of those things come very handy when I need to edit this kind of images.
This piece took a while, but it was worth it to bring it to life. Now I will be able to see the vine on my walks without the need to take further action. I already personalized that lady.
I don’t believe on such thing of luck of ideas or inspiration. Of course they don’t come out from thin air. We need to be willing to follow trough and most important we need to be open to our surroundings. There are stories in everything we see.
Stay open and inspired! Mucho Amor, Lu
