Saturday, January 11, 2014

Focus on Life: Week 2


Week 2: The Silhouette
A photograph with a subject(s) captured in a shadowy outline
with little or no detail against a bright background. 

Going to work each day before sunrise and coming home each evening after sunset did not give me the opportunity to capture any outdoor silhouette images this week. The challenge was how to take such a photo inside at night.

I experimented with a couple of different techniques before finally getting the effect that I wanted.


For me this represents a helping hand. This particular one helps me display jewelry at shows. More than that, it reflects my willingness to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it. My ability to do so is quite limited but I step up to the plate whenever I can.

It also signifies my willingness to embrace the offer of a helping hand when given. I have learned to accept the kindness of others and am grateful for their care and concern.

The hardest part for me, is the willingness to ASK for a helping hand when I need it. My independent streak has often prevented that, but I am learning to be humble.

I look forward to seeing the silhouette photos of the other participants.

20 comments:

  1. Your hand is wonderful... way more thought went into that than me snapping a photo of my depressed cat gazing out the window at the bitterly cold weather earlier in the week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes inspiration comes to me, sometimes it doesn''t. This time it did. *smile*

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thank you, Karin. You should have seen the earlier experiments! They were not quite so successful. *smile*

      Delete
  3. Way to think outside the box. I love your thoughts on your helping hand and the idea of helping others and also accepting help. Great photo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Alice. I've been forced to think about that since my mobility and ability to do so many simple things has degenerated in recent years.

      Delete
  4. That's beautiful Bonnie. You've really got capturing candlelight down pat and it add such a wonderful warmth to everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nelly May. I've been having a lot of success with taking photos by candlelight without the flash. I'm sure you will see more such shots over the course of this year.

      Delete
  5. I love the idea of using your hand and an indoor shot, very creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words. Sometimes necessity if the mother of invention. And I'm learning new techniques along the way.

      Delete
  6. I love your photo - such beautiful lighting from the candles and lovely sentiments to go with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diana. Inspiration comes just when you need it. I'm very happy with how the whole thing turned out.

      Delete
  7. A beautiful photo with an even more beautiful sentiment! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lola. That idea and those thoughts just came to me when I saw this weeks' prompt.

      Delete
  8. This is such a great silhouette! I love the sentiment behind it. I struggle with asking for help too. I don't know why it has to be so hard!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Annette. I think we are to proud to ask sometimes. We feel inadequate and embarrassed if we have to ask for help.

      Delete
  9. How cool is your photo! And the golden lighting was the perfect complement to the helping hand concept. And you are right -- asking for help is often more difficult that offering it. A lovely post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Paula. With so many physical challenges now, I'm learning to ask for help when I need it. It was difficult to get to this point though. I was stubborn for a long time.

      Delete
  10. This is a great silhouette beautifully lit Bonnie. What a lovely post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is a great silhouette beautifully lit and what a lovely post to go with it.

    ReplyDelete