What makes a photograph interesting? What separates the everyday snapshots from a really interesting photo? Angles? Leading lines? Vantage points? Rule of thirds? Color? Light?

We’re now transitioning from the technical stuff to the artistic. It’s a hard transition for me. I was nearly drowning with the technical things and what makes a proper exposure and aperture and shutter speed and light and this and that… it sucked my creativity dry. Now that we’re switching gears, it’s a difficult switch for me. We are now critiquing everyone’s pictures, and learning how to give informative and good feedback (as opposed to saying “I like that photo or I hate that” and not explaining exactly why something is working or not). I’m realizing that I have a lot to learn in this department.

We did a monochromatic assignment where we had to shoot scenes from everyday life that had only one color (that one color had to take up 90% of the photo). Here was one of mine:

Other “interesting” shots:

And these were me playing with my manual focus at my largest aperture (shots of Monterey Bay framed through a fence):

I was told that it’s not the camera or the fancy smancy equipment that makes great photos. It’s the photographer who makes great photos. I’m realizing that the difficult part is not handling the equipment - it all begins with you, and that’s the hardest part. What’s your perspective? What do you see? The photo starts there.

Next assignment: Night photography.

My brain hurts.

I have no problems admitting that I have crafting ADD. Craft addict, craft junky, whatever you want to call it. I have way too many interests and not enough time and brain cells to do what I want to do. And as shiny and fun and new as some of my interests are, I always, always, go back to my one true love. And that, my friends, is my knitting.

This, is soothing to my soul. If you can’t afford therapy, this could be the next best thing. There is something rhythmic and soothing about the stitches and how they intertwine and weave into each other into itself to create a soft fabric. The textures and the colors draw me in, and it’s a terrific escape.

Did I also mention that this was Malabrigo Lace? (Yes, that helps with the knitting experience tremendously.)

I’ve had a stressful year, and outside pressures (as well as internal ones I put on myself) really put me up against a wall. When my mind is about to explode, I pick this project up. I immediately sink into it’s soft, smooth, rhythmic motions, and it puts me at ease.

***

P.S. This pattern is Flutter Scarf. A perfect amount of lace that it makes it interesting but not boring, but perfect amount of simplicity where you can memorize the repeats and mindlessly knit anywhere.

I’ve finally jumped on the Etsy bandwagon. I know I know, it was a long time coming, and I just finally got my butt into gear. Turns out, I had to sort through +50 pieces of jewelry, muddle through awful snapshots, fix them all up, and figure out cost of supplies and such. I don’t have any long term plans with this; for now it’ll be my little online lemonade stand and I’m going to have fun with this for now. I’ve provided a link on the top of this blog, as well as on my sidebar. (For friends who don’t know Etsy - you’re missing out! Look here for an intro guide.)

My Shop

And to celebrate my humble little opening, I’m giving away one of my pieces for free:

This necklace is made with Swarovski crystals and a sterling silver lobster clasp, measuring 19 inches in circumference. To get this piece, you must be the first to do the following:

1. Purchase something in my shop

AND

2. Make a mention in the notes section (as you’re purchasing your item) about this blog post!

ETA: This necklace is not available anymore. Sorry! =)