My camera has become my teacher. This camera who is rich with wisdom and knowledge and lots of mysterious buttons. For the last two years, I have been unwraping it. Patience is key, as I’ve lost my manual. I know. So I’m learning my camera through clicking and peeking and setting and unsetting and lots of online articles.
I’ve started to bring it with me outside nearly every time the kids want to play. Traditionally, they are my subjects. Lately, I am challenging myself to take more photos of other things. I found these thin, empty branches of a Japanese Maple in my yard with life bursting forth in the background in the form of a sweet, white flowering bush. Turns out there is a name for that blurry background. It’s called bokeh and it helps me tell my stories. I think I’m in love with it.
ok, I was going to be corny and say something like, “well, we’re all in love with you,” but hmm…it could be taken wrong. But we are.
hee hee
Missed you today. Paul Coleman is AMAZING!!
I think I will probably still call it “blurry background”, but it’s nice to know that it does have a name
. I think I love it too!
It’s beautiful! Our photography styles are very similar (though you are much better at it than I am). I love your photo. It looks like Spring is ready to burst forth at any moment. Bokeh. Who knew?
Oh..I love the blurry background…it’s perfect for a good story.
sandy toe
I’ve just discovered your blog and I love it !! This photo is beautiful ! And who knew that blurry background actually has a name !! Hmmm … learn something new every day !
Oh yeah, HUGE bokeh fan here. Not that I’m any good at finding it or shooting it. There are about 1000 bokeh groups on flickr. Nice picture, and I agree, it makes me feel all spring-y and hopeful.
Beautiful! Any chance you’ve taken your camera out into the snow today?
Whew…so getting your bokeh on is a good thing, then? I first thought I’d find you writing about some new age thing or something, and I was going to worry. But alas, I like your bokeh!!! It’s so nice!
Suzanne
Your photography is incredible! I really should do more work with my camera, but I simply put it on ‘P’ and shoot away. I’m too lazy to take the time to learn much more.
I love this photo. Such a lovely sign that Spring is on it’s way.
BEAUTIFUL!!!
HUGS FROM SNOWY MAINE
http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/
yes, yes, must love that bokeh! did you see the Shutter Sisters post on that last week? Aren’t manual settings fun? What camera do you use? I’ve downloaded manuals before, so if you’ve lost it, you can always see if there’s one online. I know Nikon has them online…
Emily, Love the picture with the Bokeh…fun name too. Glad you’re learning more with your camera, I cannot wait to have a fun (really good) camera in my hands someday. Hope your family is doing well.
I wish I was a more patient person. I have this fabulous camera that I know not how to use. I keep telling myself, one day I will learn. Thanks for the inspiration.
beautiful and gorgeous and lovely
Glad to see this photo. I lifted me a little. See I drove today in snow storm. But, I made it to work and back home safe. Thanks for sharing it. I hope spring comes soon.
http://www.zcouple.com/2009/03/balancing-couple.html
i love playing with my camera. blurry backgrounds are my favorite.
Emily, thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words! From looking around here on your blog, it seems we have much in common, a love of writing and photography. Bokeh is one of my favorite aspects of the finished product, second only to sun flare which is when you catch some soft rays of sun in the lens in the corner of your picture (it creates beautiful halos of light and rings of color across your photo). thepioneerwoman.com has a great informative section on photography, among other things. Very helpful stuff explained in a very simple way. Keep clicking away and writing!
absolutely breathtaking.
i was just wondering this week when you would pick up your photo series again-that as an ongoing series you were doing, right?
Yesterday Dad was in charge of “playing in the snow” so I just got to take pictures. What a luxury! I took WAY too many photo of snowy branches, but I think I may have a series to frame. What fun! I didn’t go for blurry backgrounds – I don’t know my camera well enough yet (we just met this past Christmas) but I’m working on it!
love this photo, especially the bokeh.