Several years ago learning more about photography became a personal goal. Studying and practicing photography opened up a world beyond the aspiration of taking nice vacation pictures. All of a sudden, my mind’s eye was framing shots wherever I went. Clouds, a sunrise, the feathers of a bird, veins in a leaf…Finding a perspective that captures not just the image, but a feeling is always my goal. Otherwise, they are just pretty pictures. Most attempts fall short, but sometimes I get lucky and the emotion and the image emerge as one.
Sarah, at Travel With Me, is hosting Lens Artists Challenge this week and has asked us to present three of our favorite images. Any photographer, from hobbyist to professional, knows that is an impossible task. My favorite photo is always the one that I will take tomorrow or next week or next year. However, I have selected a few that are favorites for a singular reason – each captured a sweet memory.
When it comes to photography, study and practice taught me to be observant, patient, and in the moment. When you expect something wonderful to happen, it most often will. A scene presents itself, the lighting is right, emotions surface, and the shutter clicks. The image freezes for a split second in my viewfinder and I release my breath, knowing I just captured that moment in time forever. It is unique and beautiful (at least to me) and will never again be duplicated.
It took about three years to get to a point in my photography where I felt like an image was good enough to frame. The photo above was that photo. For many years it was the central focus of a black and white gallery that I had in my former home. What I saw and what I hope I conveyed is the beauty and artistry of the artist and subject connected at that moment in time.
Laughter is the sunbeam of the soul…
Thomas Mann
This moment presented itself on a gray day in Biloxi, Mississippi when Malcolm and I were sightseeing along the Gulf Shore. I assume this is a gull of some sort, but beyond that, I have no idea. There were dozens of them territorially squawking in the most rhythmic, borderline manic way. Their interaction was highly entertaining and they didn’t seem to mind us at all. After observing the scene for a while, I quietly approached, getting as close as allowed. Shooting from ground level with a zoom lens I fired in burst mode to capture the action. Of the dozens of shots I took that day, this is the one that still makes me laugh out loud. There are so many potential captions…..what would yours be?
When I shot this Magnolia blossom, my emotion at the time recorded ‘romance.’ I liked the natural version that included green leaves and stems, but, when I darkened the background to highlight the flower, the simplicity of the image and black and white contrast created a somber note which seems to convey sympathy and concern. I printed this on note cards with ‘Thinking of You’ scripted in white letters in the lower left corner.
You are the Sunshine of My Life…..
This was an impromptu moment captured with my cell phone set on portrait mode with stage light. It was Malcolm’s birthday and we were sitting in a bar at the Montage at Palmetto Bluff, killing time with easy conversation while awaiting our dinner reservation. It had been the most perfect day – nature trails, bike riding, pleasant weather, no worries. When I looked across the table I saw a relaxed, happy person looking back at me. There is nothing more beautiful than contentment on the face of the person you love. To capture that in a photograph makes me happy.
Obviously, these photos resonate with me differently than they will with you. Art, in any medium, is like that and each of us gets to assess a value of our own estimation.
My WOTY this year is more and as we have navigated these past few months with the uncertainty of change, I can’t think of a more fitting way to express what having more means to me than through this post. My beloved hobby is all-sustaining and just writing this has reminded me of how it contributes joy and abundance to my life. Creativity, in whatever manner you choose produces more – more joy, more satisfaction, more purpose, more inward reflection, more direction, and ultimately, more self-knowledge.
Linking With
Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
WOTY Monthly Update Donna + Sue, Deb, Jo
Picture Retirement 
That is a lovely photo of your husband/partner
You have captured that relaxed expression so well
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Thank you Alison, I’m pretty proud of that one.
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🙂
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I truly appreciate individuals who have worked to perfect their photography skills, and then I follow them and enjoy the fruits of their labor. These photos are perfect examples of a dedicated photographer who continually works to improve her skills. Thank you for sharing these four shots that each tell their own unique story.
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Judy, thank you for your kind, supportive words. I do try!
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This is an extraordinarily beautiful post. It made me smile and grow thoughtful all at the same time. I love the magnolia. I have done that too, darkened the background and found a stunning image remaining. And your husband’s portrait is really good, it’s so hard to get people to be natural when a camera (or phone) is turned their way.
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Dawn, thank you for ‘seeing’ beyond the photographs. That photo of Malcolm was such a lucky shot. He usually stiffens up when I point the camera his way so this was a pretty special capture.
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These are all fantastic! I love Malcolm’s portrait!
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Beth, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
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Excellent shots. I can see why these would be among your favorites.
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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. These shots are meaningful to me in many ways and rank highly among my all-time favorites.
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Enjoyed the beauty in you photos and you are so right about the way creativity/hobbies/living fully brings more joy
☀️😊
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I do wish more people understood that. Being creative doesn’t mean you have to be an ‘accomplished’ artist, it just means that your creative pursuit (whatever that may be) brings you joy. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful week.
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Hope you have a wonderful week as well
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Hi Suzanne, I envy you the ability you have to see so deeply and to capture a moment in time that resonates into the future. My idea of a photo is a snapshot to keep as a memory, but yours are so much more and you understand the added layers. Thanks for sharing a few of your favourites and for educating those of us who aren’t as insightful. 🙂
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Leanne, your insight may not be tapped through photography, but it certainly is in words and I personally appreciate that you have been blessed with that gift. It is within us all, we just have to find the ‘thing’ that nurtures it forward until it spills out.
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One of the things I most love about photography is the way it causes us to notice everything around us. Our images speak to us and sometimes also to others. Your choices are wonderful and your reasons for choosing them are beautifully expressed. Thanks for sharing them with us this week.
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Tina, thank you so very much for your kindness. I sincerely enjoyed participating in this challenge. A chance to ‘show and tell’ – I’m in.
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I love every one of these photos, Suzanne. The framing of each shot and the quality of the image is magazine-worthy. Thank you for sharing!
Deb
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Ahhhh, that is so sweet. My teachers would disagree, but I’m eating it up! Have a great week.
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Thank you for joining the challenge Suzanne. All great shots but the magnolia is a stunner, and the gull made me smile 😃 I note you squeezed four shots in!
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Ha, ha, you caught that! The photo of Malcolm was a cell pic that I threw in as a bonus. I loved your ‘show and tell’ format for this challenge. There is always a story…thanks for hosting.
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These are incredible pictures! You’re a very gifted photographer!
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Thank you, Jan. That is very kind of you to say.
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GREAT selections. The artist’s hand is a fave. Superb.
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Oh, thank you. I’m so glad you picked up on that. The charcoal stains on his hand grabbed my attention immediately, as did how well he captured my daughter’s eyes.
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You are such a gifted photographer… I think it would be difficult for me to pick my three favorites of all the photos you’ve shared over the years. I loved the background info you added for each one. The gull made me laugh too and the magnolia is breathtaking. But, I think my favorite is the one of Malcolm since it captured not only his personality (I assume, since we’ve never met 🙂 ) but his joy at having just spent a perfect day and his love and appreciation for you.
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Janis, you have beautifully expressed the mood for the portrait of Malcolm. Thank you for your kind acknowledgement of my favorite hobby.
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Suzanne, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Your favourite photos are all stunning. I think my favourite is the one of Malcolm’s. You captured his contentment and relaxed state beautifully. I’ve always found taking pictures of people challenging, especially adults, as people tend to stiffen up or pose for the camera when they know they’re photographed.
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Natalie, you are right and that is what makes this portrait so special to me. I still don’t know how I got so lucky, but I am grateful for the moment. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Suzanne, these photos are all prize-worthy, in my opinion. Every one of them was perfect in its own way. The stunningly beautiful face and artist’s hand made me catch my breath as I scrolled down. The tiny gull or whatever he is poured out his thoughts. I think he’s yelling at his mom, “Where are my slippers? It’s cold and wet out here!” He is almost working himself into a tantrum. Of course, the picture of Malcolm is a favorite. You captured his inner beauty. Truly a lovely assortment of photos. I’m honored that you linked them to WQW this week. 🙂
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Marsha, I love your caption for the gull. Laurel just informed me that he is indeed a ‘Laughing Gull.’ 🙂 Linking to your ‘sunshine’ post seemed a bit of a stretch for a post with no sunshine photos, but I think folks got what I was trying to convey. We experience ‘sunshine’ in many ways, not just the literal sense. Thank you for appreciating that as my contribution. It is always a pleasure.
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As I wrote the post, looking for quotes took me in an entirely different direction than I had originally planned. Your post inspired me to begin tagging photos to find just three for Sarah, Lens Artist Challenge. I have not narrowed it down yet but there aren’t too many fives in my early pictures. Yours are hauntingly beautiful and I can see them in my head even now.
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Thank you, Marsha. It was incredibly hard to pick three favorites, but when I narrowed my focus to what ‘favorite’ means to me, it became easier. Best of luck, I have seen many of your beautiful images and imagine you are having a hard time narrowing. It’s a fun activity though, going down memory lane – enjoy!
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Suzanne, I love that you consider not only composition and lighting, but that you also search for a perspective that captures emotion. All of these photos are beautiful and evocative. You really did capture the essence of a special day in Malcom’s relaxed posture and smile. And guess what? Your gull that makes you laugh is a Laughing Gull. How perfect is that? And it’s in beautiful breeding plumage. I always enjoy your photos.
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Laurel, well, duh, that makes perfect sense. I’d never heard such a noisy bunch. They were highly entertaining. I am glad you enjoyed the photos and saw beyond the image.
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Hi, Suzanne – Your images here are absolutely stunning. I had never thought of the connection between ‘more’ and ‘creativity’ — but your thoughts on this are spot on. I continue to learn a great deal from your blog.
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Donna, I am glad my connection between more and creativity resonated with you. When I chose the word, I didn’t know that I would experience it so abundantly through a hobby. Writing this post was a good reminder to do more of that.
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Beautiful favorites Suzanne! Loved them all. The gull gave me a chuckle.
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Thank you, Anne. And, thanks for visiting Picture Retirement. I hope you will come back often.
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These are all wonderful photos, but I like the one from Malcolm’s birthday the best. Also, “sitting, waiting for your reservation” shows that any time can be the best time to capture an image.
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Dan, sometimes it pays to keep that phone on the table!
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Suzanne,
As someone who has followed your blog for several years, I’m always impressed by your skill as a photographer (and your writing). It’s a skill that we never perfect, but it’s worth trying. It took me several years to feel comfortable framing one of my pictures. The image certainly wasn’t a work of art, but it always reminds me of the fun I was having at the time. Great memories are great to have around…Have a great week! Joe
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Joe, thank you. It is hard to frame that first photograph. You feel a bit like a fraud, and then you get over it and say, ‘it makes me smile’ and that is all that matters.
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Wonderful photos! It’s quite interesting to me how all of them are almost black & whites. Not a lot of color, when so often your photos are full of the blues and greens of nature. Just an observation.
🙂 And I adore your picture of your husband… not only contentment – you can see the love of you in his face!
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Pat, I love the artistry of a natural black and white scene with a spot of color like the first three photos. I enhanced the red, yellow, and skin tones in each of those to create a stronger contrast. The photo of Malcolm was an intentional Black & White, which I rarely do, but it seemed fitting for this portrait.
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Great post and the sunshine of my life was a heart tug!!
Well
Done
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Your personal goal of being a fab photographer is truly evidenced here by your favorites, Suzanne! Malcolm looks at peace and you captured the moment perfectly. But MY favorite is the sea bird caught in mid squawk–excellent work and definitely a LOL moment!
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Terri, I don’t know about becoming a ‘fab’ photographer, but it is a very satisfying hobby. Thanks for the validation. The bird was truly hysterical and I can’t believe I caught him mid-sentence!
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It really is a satisfying hobby! I think you are a fab photographer 🙂
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Great choices for the challenge – love the portrait! The gull is a wonderful portrait as well!
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Hi Leya, thank you and welcome to Picture Retirement I appreciate your visit and your kind comment. My husband is loving all the attention to his portrait. He just remarked that we needed to go back to Palmetto Bluff.
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♥
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Oh my goodness these images are stunning (my fave is the gull). I get what you mean when you say you want to capture a feeling when you click that shutter. It’s been way too long since I took my Nikon and lenses for an outing… Thanks for linking up.
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Hi Jo, thanks for stopping by. The gull is kinda funny.
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This is such a fabulous post, Suzanne! You have captured your feelings, passions, talents, and personality within the words and photos of this entry! The photos are stunning and “tell a story”, mostly personal to you. The natural shot of Malcolm is precious and the other photos are surely unique in their capture and what they convey.
Whenever I have more time, I’d love to immerse myself in photography as well. Of all the creative pursuits, I think I will enjoy that the most!
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Hi Liesbet, the photos are very personal to me and I was hesitant to share my ‘behind the camera’ thoughts about them, but I am glad I did. It is quite heartwarming and reassuring when people respond to vulnerability with sincere kindness. I think I keep the walls a little too high sometimes.
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Suzanne, I am immensely grateful that you became interested in studying photography, because your photos always make me feel something. These are particularly lovely selections. The one of Malcom, along with your comments about it (When I looked across the table I saw a relaxed, happy person looking back at me. There is nothing more beautiful than contentment on the face of the person you love.) actually made me tear up a little. Thank you for sharing it.
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Christie, I am extremely flattered by your thoughtful comment and it makes me happy to know that my photographs make you ‘feel’ when you look at them That is the dream of any artist.
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“Creativity, in whatever manner you choose produces more – more joy, more satisfaction, more purpose, more inward reflection, more direction, and ultimately, more self-knowledge.” Well said, Suzanne. Love your passion for trying to create an emotional response from the viewer. I feel the love in the last photo. 🙂
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Hi Olga, I sincerely hope that my words and photographs inspire creativity in others. Thank you for visiting and for your kind comment.
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Beautiful photos. I am really in awe of your first photo 😀
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Cee, thanks for the visit and follow. I mostly write about our constantly evolving retirement, but I do enjoy participating in photo challenges and will look into yours for future inspiration. I am glad you liked my photos.
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pS
I love the quote about ” laughter being the sunbeam of the soul”
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🙂 Thank You
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☀️😊
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They are all lovely but I especially like the magnolia. Do your friends that receive one of the notecards know that you have created the card, it makes it all the more special.
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Hi Karen, thank you. I printed my name on the back of the card and reluctantly added photographer. It feels strange to use that title when there are so many ‘real’ photographers out there who have earned it. I hope all is well with you.
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These photos are exceptional, Suzanne. You have an amazing, artistic, and creative eye. It is as if you impart your energy into this art form, and like you say “each captured a sweet memory.” I cannot pick out one favourite…of course, the sunshine of your life makes me smile. 😀 Thank you for sharing. 💕
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Thanks, Erica. I do enjoy my photography hobby and am glad the pictures I take reflect my energy. That is a wonderful compliment and music to my ears.
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