Monday, September 4, 2023

A Journey Through Timeless Beauty- Exploring the Artistry of Fine Art Photography

 

A Journey Through Timeless Beauty

Exploring the Artistry of Fine Art Photography:

Fine Art Photography is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of photographic styles and techniques.  However, all Fine Art Photography shares one common goal: to express an idea, a message, or an emotion through the medium of photography. The camera is not just a piece of a technically advanced tool. It is like the knife is to a Professional Chef, it is an extension of themselves that they hold in their hand. For myself  - my camera is an extension of my eyes and what I see in my head when I look at nature.

Fine Art photographers use their skills and creativity to capture images that are more than just snapshots. They create images that are visually striking, emotionally resonant, and intellectually stimulating. When they get that shot – there is an Awe Moment that speaks to them and they are hopeful that this moment they have captured will resonate to others. 


There are many different ways to create fine art photography. Some photographers focus on the technical aspects of photography, such as composition, lighting, and exposure. Others are more interested in the emotional or conceptual aspects of their work. Still, others combine technical and artistic elements to create unique and personal images.


No matter what approach they take, fine art photographers are all driven by a desire to create something that is both beautiful and meaningful.




Exploring the Themes of Fine Art Photography


Fine Art Photography can explore a wide range of themes, from the personal to the political. Some common themes include:

Nature: Many fine art photographers are inspired by the beauty of nature. They capture images of landscapes, animals, and plants that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.

People: Fine art photographers also often explore the human condition. They capture images of people in all their complexity, beauty, and vulnerability.

Abstraction: Some fine art photographers use abstraction to create images more about the mood or feeling than the subject matter. These images can be challenging to interpret but can also be very rewarding.

Conceptual photography: Conceptual photography is a type of fine art photography that uses images to explore ideas or concepts. These images are often ambiguous and open to interpretation.


The Artistry of Fine Art Photography


The artistry of fine art photography lies in the photographer's ability to use the medium to create something that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. This requires a deep understanding of the technical aspects of photography, as well as a strong creative vision.


Fine art photographers must also be able to choose their subjects carefully. The subject matter of a fine art photograph should be something that the photographer is passionate about and that they believe will resonate with viewers.


Finally, fine art photographers must be able to tell a story with their images. The best fine art photographs are those that leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

The Journey Through Timeless Beauty

Exploring the Beauty of Fine Art Photography really is a Journey of timeless beauty. It is a journey that can take us to the depths of the human soul, the rights of the natural world, and the far reaches of the imagination.

It is a journey that is both challenging and rewarding. It is a journey that can enrich our lives and make us see the world that we call home in a new way. 

The journey of exploring the artistry of Fine Art Photography is a lifelong one. There is always more to learn discover and grow and the journey is well worth the taking. Come take a Journey with me - Photo Art by Laura - Fine Art Photographer.



Embracing Nature Through Fine Art 

Spring is Here.

 


Hey Friends – Well Spring is finally here… Praise God!  I am excited about that upcoming trip I told you about. Also updates on the conversion of Deliah. “The Photo Mobile”

Early in April, I will be traveling to Western Washington to find the colors of Spring.  I will be photographing one of my favorite locations, Skagit Valley Tulips at Mount Vernon Washington.  I am hopeful for a break in the weather but sometimes a storm just makes the colors more vibrant.  I bought an umbrella for the possibility of weather for my camera.  Yes, you read correctly – for the camera and also a rain jacket for me.  I found this very cool tripos holder for the umbrella and if it goes as planned, I will put a link on my Pinterest board.  I have put a placeholder on my landscape website so keep watching for new images.

 


As for the conversion to my vehicle, I am learning that patients is a prerequisite for this type of change. Logistics don’t always walk to the beat that you would like them to.  Remember the song that helped us as kids memorize the parts of the body and how they were connected?  Well, when you are converting a vehicle for camping (Sub Overlanding) there is an order to the installation.  We have ripped everything out and the back of my GMC Suburban – so I suppose there is No turning back now.  When we began to prepare to take out the back AC unit we discovered it was a bit more entailed than just a few bolts and what not to be done. It actually required a licensed mechanic to dismantle and disconnect the AC for environmental purposes.  So that is now done…

We have the design down pat and so now we get to install the insulation and subfloor.  Remember when I said things have an order? We got a fancy weather sensor fan to keep airflow within the cab of the rig but that means we need to take out (remove) a 14x14 square – cut the metal away and leave a giant hole in the roof of the rig. Plus get it wired.  If that doesn’t have a ring of intimidation to it…then- yep –

Then wiring for power, insulation for ceiling, walls, and floor.  It has been months of research to decide how this is all going to be laid out.  I wanted a space to work at night after my images have been shot without hunching over, so that had to be thought out.  What do I need to have with me and where will it live?  Everything must have a home because space is limited.  My shopping list is constantly evolving, and things are arriving to have me totally prepared for this adventure.  We discovered that the spare tire was a slight issue.  There was no way I could lift from the top of the rig the spare, so we needed to find a way to mount it to the back door.  After a ton of research and discovery, this was going to be an expensive issue if we went with conventional -  it was not going to be an option to purchase a brand new back bumper for thousands of dollars, one quote was $11,000.  I almost fainted on the spot.  NOPE!  So plan be was thinking outside the box.  Where could we get a swing-away tire mount that would not break the bank?  After a walk in the rain, we found our solution in the car's graveyard.  Now we had to locate a professional welder.  It feels really good when things fall into place.  I may not have the rig completely ready for a show and tell, but hopefully, it will be sleep worthily for a few days and my trip to Skagit Valley.  When it’s all complete I will give you a tour.  In the meantime, we have been trying to keep a video log of our progress. 

 

I invite you to subscribe and follow us to keep up to date with everything Photo Art-related. 

Oh, before I forget – one last thing.  If you are looking for all things Family Portraits.  See my Portraits Page.  www.portraitsphotoartbylaura.com





 

I will write again soon. 

 

All My Best

 

Laura D

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Better Late than Never.

 Better Late than Never. ... Whoops.


I am terribly sorry for not being better with this blog and writing a newsletter at least every three months or so, but not writing for almost a year... Whoops.  Really Sorry.  However, I do have a new Edition up. Just posted it live today. 

Here is a snapshot, and a link to directly read it.  


Newsletter Link

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Spring Cleaning

 

 So some of us believe in Spring Cleaning and as far as household chores that is still very true. Did you know that is actually true two times a year, once in the Spring and also in the Fall at least that is what we do in our house?  As for business sometimes a makeover is as simple as changing or giving your business branding a facelift. So we did a bit of Fall Cleaning. 

We at Photo Art by Laura Photography serve two niches - Landscape photography images that are beautiful in any home or business.  Also, we specialize in Portraiture (People) Family, Children, and HS Senior Portraits & Weddings.  Getting the logo right has been a serious journey but we are hopeful that we have finally nailed it.  Our contact information is still the same.  You can find us on a variety of social platforms.  And Yep.. we just started a TikTok. Come follow us. 


New Business Cards


Saturday, September 17, 2022


Just about two weeks ago my Husband and I set out on a road trip to give the newly converted GMC 1998 Suburban a run for its money.  We made the decision to travel to Montana since I had never been and we were due for some well-deserved time.  What better way to be close than to pack up a 6 ft rig and what we would need for 6 days and a dog.  We planned to drive just about halfway and spend the night in a simple and safe place to sleep. We called ahead to make reservations at Bernie and Sharon’s Riverfront RV Park. We arrived just about10:30 or so found our slot and went to sleep. This is the view we woke up to. What a fantastic beginning to our trip. So Sharon and Steve got to talking and he paused to indicate to me that he saw a horse through the trees - I grabbed my camera and promptly went beyond the trees to investigate...

As I go around the corner in the far-off distance are 4 beautiful horses grazing in the field. Picturesque as it can get, early morning dew, Montana sunrise morning and it’s just myself and them. I walk up to the fence just to enjoy the moment and to my surprise, all four of the horses start making their way over to me. Awe that’s nice, but wait, they practically huddled around me to get and give love.  It was the most beautiful moment, something I had only wished someone was in the background capturing on video, but nonetheless, it was truly amazing.  After our brief but special moment, I returned to where my husband was still speaking to the establishment proprietor, and my husband just says, “ You had FUN, didn’t you?” I suspect that I was glowing.  Here are a few of the images that I shot that morning. 












These beautiful animals were so affectionate and responsive to me in a way I have never experienced before.  You see in this last photo that this darn horse pushed down the wire with its neck just to try and get to me.  It was really hard to walk away.  


I will be posting a few of the images I shot in my Art Gallery that will be for sale.  

www.photoartbylaura.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Make your house a H O M E

 Make your house a H O M E


One of my biggest rules when moving in or moving out of a home is a rule for the pictures or images that are hung in my home.

I think that I lost count of the number of times I have packed and unpacked boxes for moving quite literally across the street, across town, to a new town or a new state.  At one time I had an accurate count of 18 times before the age of 30.  Almost twice that age I have realized there is a true science to the process of moving when it comes to mindset.  

Let's face it, there are a few things that you just do as the Last thing or the First thing and that is hang your pictures or take them down, whichever the case may be.  

So let me explain.  When I am getting in the zone to move and tear down what I have worked at creating a homey space, a space that I just love to see as more than a home, but a place of safety and familiarity. Pictures are the final touch and also the first to come down.  The image has a place that it belongs to bring everything together and gives that vibe you are looking for.  So the art in the room is the final piece that goes up.  See...?

For Photography my landscapes are more than just something I take a photo of, in my head, I try to see what room they would look best in. I look at the colors of the moment also.  What frame would be the best to showcase this image, or would it look better as a metal?  Does my client or customer live in a beach house or a penthouse?  What room, living room, bedroom, Man Cave, or Powder room? 

At Photo Art by Laura, we offer a space audit service to come to your location and assist you in selecting the right piece of art for the room that needs a finishing touch to make it inviting.  Let Photo Art by Laura Landscapes and Photography help you make your house... a HOME. 





Saturday, February 19, 2022

News and Updates Feb 2022


 News & Updates


Hello Friends.

I thought I would catch you up on some news since I have not written in a while, sorry for that, however, I honestly have not had a lot of downtime lately.  Finally through the holidays meaning Thanksgiving and Christmas... 

So let's bring you up to speed.  I joined a BNI (Business International Networking) Spokane Referral Exchange -group located in my beautiful town of Spokane Valley.  This was such a wonderful decision.  I get the opportunity to meet and network with some amazing professionals and we have such a wonderful time uplifting one another and helping each of us grow as professional business owners.  So that keeps me busy.  

This past winter I had this brilliant brainstorm to retrofit our GMC Suburban into a home away from home photo mobile.  So my husband and I have been researching exactly what it takes for me to be comfortable, safe, and productive in the " Photo Mobile  " called Deliah.  We are planning to have me out on the road by April of this year hopefully if everything goes smoothly.  

So far we have purchased a solar system Opeus which we have already used once. So far I am impressed. I love that it has so many options. Count em (3) outlets. This stinking thing can run a blender if I wanted. I am thinking of getting a magic bullet to make smoothies in the morning, however, my priority is  COFFEE. The Opeus can handle it.  An issue that I have gotten an education about is what you can plug in and how long will it last. How many volts is the item you are plugging into the generator? It matters. 

The second and really important item is a bed for me to sleep on.  I wanted something with a great deal of cushion for support and comfort. We found a tri-fold by Millard.  I wanted something I could fold up and get out of the way so I can sit on a bench support and work on post-processing during the day. We have all the lumber that is required for the build and I am so excited to get started and get out there and get some amazing landscape photographs.   As soon as we get started I will begin posting videos of our progress on my YouTube page.  I tell you what I have so many pins on my camping board on Pinterest.  I didn't realize when I had this brainstorm that this is a "Thing".  Many are out living 24/7 in a vehicle, Van, Truck, and have been doing really well at it.  
Our top requirements: 
  • Safety
  • Comfortable Bed
  • Power
  • Internet
  • Food Storage & Cooking 
  • Water (Drinking, Shower, Cooking)
  • Did I say Comfort?  Yes my bones are demanding (Laughing)
  • Bathroom 
  • A place for me to work and store my equipment

Added to my news is that I bought a DRONE this past fall.  Now both my husband and I have enrolled in an online school to learn how to fly the darn thing.  I have to admit, after ordering the four books that we need to participate in the course and pass a test that we have to pay $150.00 to take the exam and receive what's called a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; I am a bit nervous. It is a ton of information and tests are not something I excel at. But  I am determined to do it.  I watched someone fly a drone, a fellow photographer when we were photographing the East Coast this past fall.  It was so wonderful to see how beautiful Acadia was from the birds-eye point of view. 

Speaking of education I am working on checking off one of my serious goals.  I am working on receiving a Master Photographer Certificate.  The course should if I stay on track take me six months to finish. 

Hope you forgive me now for not having written in a few minutes. 

Product Update:  My 2022 Calendar will be taken off of the shelf on March first.  So if you want one, go to my website and get yours while supplies last.  

I will try to do better at posting more.  

Hugs and Love to All

Laura