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December 2, 2008 |
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Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
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by Deborah Simon |
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It seems that while I wasn't looking, summer has been slowly sneaking away and the crispness of autumn has begun to replace her. Being a lover of all things summer has me dreading this time every year. Mostly, I mourn the passing of the fragrances and delightful colors of all the flowers, trees and wildlife. I've always loved the outdoors, due in part to all of my childhood years of family camping, scouting adventures, and plenty of lone exploration. Nature is soothing to me, with her faithfulness to renew and endure each and every season. There is something reassuring about the steadfastness of the delicate vines and blooms that withstand the gamut of unrelenting weather and circumstances of this world. It's no wonder that I love standing amongst these miracles and capturing just a small piece of them in photos.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
Through my life and travels, I've gathered thousands of shots of nothing more than a leaf, a rock, or a cloud formation. It's an art that I learned from my husband and our many years of trekking around taking pictures while enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Montana, and Europe. In spite of having five very different and active children, the shots without human content always outnumber those that include smiling faces in happy places. There is no question that the people are of more value to me than the places and sights, but what often happens is lack of cooperation, bad timing, or complicated settings. And then, nature presents herself as the more photogenic subject. I have marveled at the flora and fauna in Glacier Park, basked in the warm scents of burning fireplaces and hay bales in Germany, and been educated to the history of covered bridges in Indiana. No matter if you don't particularly enjoy the season of fall, it does provide a bounty of prime photo opportunities.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
Some helpful tips to assist you in transferring the fall splendor into interesting images worth scrapbooking about are: * Try creating the illusion of the flowers being larger than they really are. By this I mean crouch down low and shoot them upwards, using the clear fall sky as a backdrop. The late bloomers can be just as spectacular as their summer predecessors. Sunflowers are my favorite, but chrysanthemums, cosmos and ornamental grasses are also at their peaks now and make great photos.
© 2006 Deborah Simon  © 2006 Deborah Simon
* Do it backwards - see the trees and not the forest. Narrow the shot down to just one branch jutting out at an angle through the picture. Or zoom in further on a single leaf and marvel at the intricate details.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
* Fall has more to offer than just red and yellow. Notice the purples and greens. Look for other vivid color families that are represented and giving their last bit of glory before winter.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
* Make something out of nothing. As the air gets cooler, it is clearer and the autumn sunsets can cast a beautiful glow on otherwise unnoticed objects. Create a work of art with sunlight and shadows.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
Now the question is, what do you do with all these images that have no story? Finding inspiration for a page layout and the journaling that goes with it can at times be hard pressed to find. It's one thing to look at the photo of a newborn baby or a bride and groom and let your emotions guide you through what to write and how to design a scrapbook page. But, it's more of a stretch to gaze upon the shot of an old fence post with rusty hardware and come up with some poignant words to go along with it. It can be overwhelming to look down at a pile of random shots with no obvious tale to tell. However, these seemingly unimportant shots can be the backdrop for deep reflection or a favorite poem or quote. The richness of fall is sure to provide for some beautiful photos, in spite of the fact that they may not include your family in them.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
This is when you need a quiet corner and a few moments to study your pictures. Ask yourself what emotions the images cause you to feel. What memories do certain objects of nature bring back from your childhood? Do you fondly remember the majestic oak tree in your grandparent's front yard? Think about the seasons and what they mean to you. Consider all that fall has to offer. Take your camera and photograph those symbols of autumn that tickle your senses. Don't discount the significance of scents and sounds. Take pictures of the objects that produce them. Make those subjects stand out by getting up close and personal, excluding all other distractions from the frame. Then, take your paper trimmer and crop the photos into interesting slices of life, leaving just enough of the image to make it interesting and draw the viewer into the scene. Describe the activities that go hand-in-hand with this time of year. Include any rituals or family traditions you'd like to share with future generations.  © 2006 Deborah Simon
Fall photos typically revolve around children giddy with excitement as they jump into the haphazard piles of leaves in the yard, but don't limit your collection to just those. If you have taken the challenge and acquired a few shots like those that I described previously, and still find yourself without the words to go alongside them, it doesn't mean that you need to toss them aside. Utilize the abundance of internet sites devoted to quotes and find one that suits your photos. A few carefully chosen words can have just as much impact when paired with a single shot that encompasses the illustrated beauty of autumn. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover that this is a season you can thrive in and that satisfaction will appear in your albums on your fall themed pages. Enjoy your autumn!  © 2006 Deborah Simon
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