Footsteps of Giants :: U.K.

Footsteps of Giants :: U.K.

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” -Lucius Annaeus Seneca

There are a lot of stumbling blocks in our lives, reasons we feel fear, or sadness, or anger…but it is also within our power to choose life.  We can choose to moderate our fears with reason.  We can choose to accept the sadness, and move past it.  We can quench most anger with discussion, compromise and forgiveness.  We can choose to embrace the good.

While these things start as choices, embraced by both heart and mind, they are more than just an adopted philosophy.  To truly live fully, your thoughts must be reflected in your actions.  Say yes to adventure.  Create memories.  Vocalize your love for the people you care about.  Open your heart to the people you have just met. Be willing to listen to another person’s story, and try to understand their perspective.  Choose empathy – there is only one race, and we are all in this together. Have an enthusiasm for life that shows in every aspect of your world.

For me, choosing to live and seeking adventure started years ago with deciding that I was worthy, I was good enough, and damnit, if other people could find a way to bring their dreams to life, well, “Why not me?”  Since that moment, when I opened my heart to possibilities, I have been lucky enough to see the beauty in both the countries and cultures of the world (like Northern Ireland, above), to face intimidating challenges head-on and to meet some truly incredible individuals who have reinforced my belief that most people are fundamentally good.  My life has been immeasurably enriched by my willingness to live.

Nerdy Stuff: This image was taken at Giant’s Causeway.  It is two blended images, for exposure and focus. 🙂  Want more info about classes with us?  Contact us at info at seeingspotsphoto dot com.

 

 

Newest Magazine Article is Live!

Like free landscape photography articles?  Want to learn from the experiences of experts?  Check out Light & Landscape Magazine, a wonderful resource that I love contributing to.

Not an iUser?  You can also follow along on their instagram page!

This month’s article is about our photo-walk in Acadia National Park last month with some of the students over at the Light & Landscape Members Area.  If you are looking for that perfect gift for your favorite photography enthusiast, consider a private lesson through the instructors (David and I) or a monthly education subscription through the Member’s Area!

The Guardians

The Guardians :: OR

“We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty.” – G. K. Chesterton

These sea stacks were found along the Oregon coast on an overcast, not so sunset-y sunset.  But then, I’m a landscape photographer, and I enjoy the weather that no one else likes because it’s so darn photogenic! lol

I’m working on a new tutorial project to help supplement my teaching materials for the Members Area over at Light & Landscape.  You know….a few free videos to help you learn, my gift to you!  Can’t beat the price, right? 😉

If you want to keep informed about the upcoming tutorials as they are released, make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

 

Defiance

Defiance :: CT

“An island of calm in a sea of uncertainty…”

 

I spent a little time last week down at the shore, putting together example images for next month’s Light and Landscape Member’s Area lesson plan.  This photo was a happy little by-product of the trip.  And by happy, of course, I mean angry skies. haha  We’ve been having some strange weather lately.  This morning, the second day of spring, we woke up to 4+ inches of snow in the back yard…but that’s New England for ya!

If you’re interested in getting any info about our teaching program and photography community, you can contact us at support@availablelightmedia.com .  We’d be happy to give you the overview and answer your questions!  You can also check out a small sampling of some of our student’s work in the next issue of Light and Landscape Magazine, the number one landscape photography magazine on iTunes. 🙂  You can find it in the newsstand app!

The settings, for those interested: 10 mm, 4 seconds, ISO 100, f/11, grad ND

Flow: The Art of Waterscapes

It’s here!  Want to get your hands on a FREE e-lookbook (loaded with purty photos and tips to help you get started on your own waterscapes)?

The best part??  Everyone who downloads their PDF copy of Flow: The Art of Waterscapes is automatically entered into a drawing for a FREE PRINT!  The drawing will happen on December 4 (next week) so don’t wait!

Want an extra chance to win?  Reblog this post and I’ll put your name in the drawing a second time.  I mean think about it…  I give you a free gift, you spend a second to share this awesome offer with your friends and followers, and I potentially give you another gift that you can possibly (probably?) re-gift to your Mom!  Do deals get any sweeter than this??  It’s like Black Friday x 1000.  Minus the crowds and fist fights over a TV and set of fuzzy pajamas with feets.

The holidays came early, folks!  By, like, a day. haha  But still.  This is my way of giving thanks to all of you for being so dang supportive of David and I this year, with the release of our first full length (hilarious) educational photo book, “Photography. DUH.”.
Because really, you guys rock.  For serious. ❤

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🙂

“Ahem. My lens is up here.”

Balanced Flow :: RI

 

You can thank David for that title. haha

This week, I was honored to be included in a pretty comprehensive list of Inspiring Female Landscape Photographers, put together by Sarah Marino.  She did a really nice job expressing how I feel when she says that instead of being a “female landscape photographer”, it would be great to be recognized as a landscape photographer who also happens to be female. Every industry has its challenges though, and hopefully resources like this list will help make the hard-working landscape photo-ladies easier to find when companies are looking for speakers, teachers, etc. 🙂

I feel so very honored to have made the list with so many other talented, inspiring women busting their butts to make it their goals a reality! Check it out, show Sarah some love and hopefully you’ll discover some new, awesome talent out there in the world.

As for the above shot?  I took that in Block Island a few weeks back.  I thought the composition had a nice “yin yang” potential, so I did the smart thing…plopped myself in the way of some incoming waves, and then was shocked when a rogue one snuck up on me and almost drowned my camera. haha  (Don’t worry…the gear is fine!)

Surrender

Surrender :: RI

With all of the work that has been going into the promoting the new book, workshops, another upcoming magazine article (etc, etc…), I haven’t had much time to actually shoot some images for me.  So, after a full day of work last week, I decided I needed some camera time.  I hopped in the car and took off for Rhode Island, where they have some fabulous rocky coastline that just begs for attention. 🙂

Hope you enjoy!  Feel free to share!

xoxo

Shannon

Free Gift Giveaway!

A few months ago, I released a photo guide to Connecticut and got a great response (THANK YOU!). Now, if you follow my Instagram, you saw that my buddy David Pasillas Photography is doing the same! If you have ever been interested in checking out California, you NEED this e-book.

 

David has spent a lot of time in one of the most beautiful sections of coastline that Cali has to offer -Big Sur – and put together a great guide for those of you looking to take some photos there. Maps, lesser known beaches and trails…all in all, a nifty must-read and for a limited time, its FREE! Check out his post about it here. 🙂

Iconic Places

Iconic

I have a love-hate relationship with famous, overly photographed locations.  On the one hand, they look so damn beautiful…obviously I want to visit them.  On the other hand, I want to build a portfolio full of fresh images.

In most cases, the solution is to find a new take on an old place.  The goal for any location is to make an image that reflects my experiences and my interpretation of the icon.  At Bass Harbor Light, however…well…good luck. lol

David and I got to Acadia just in time for sunset so we raced to Bass Harbor, hoping to have a half hour to scout before the real light show began.  What we found was about a 30 foot wide space – the only vantage point from this side of the lighthouse – crammed with approximately 15 photographers.  About 10 of those had tripods.

We took what we could get.  I spent more energy trying not to fall off the cliff into the ocean than I did on my composition.  There was only one composition…the one that fit between the lens of the other photographers.

In fact, after I took the image, I forgot about it.  The world doesn’t need another almost identical shot of Bass Harbor Light, does it?

No, it doesn’t.  But turns out, our upcoming book might…and an edited photo is meant to be shared. lol  Here is a little sneak-peak at something that might make it to the book.  And if it doesn’t?  Well, then at least the internet is one lighthouse photo richer today. 🙂

Explore The Scene (Tips and News!)

Infinity :: California

When I find a place that intrigues me, I explore the location until I find a composition that really resonates with me.  After that, it’s a matter of waiting for the best possible conditions to get the most out of a scene.

The camera settings, the light, the weather, the sky, the water, small details you may have missed at first that can become an important foreground element…all of these things can change over the course of a day (or night). Those changes can have a drastic effect on your image.  The more time you have to spend creating your photos, the more options you will have to choose from when it comes time to edit.

I may ultimately edit only one or two images from a series, but in my opinion, it is never a bad thing to have similar (previously unpublished) comps in the archives for future use.

Explore the Scene

This image was taken in California last summer, while out exploring with David Pasillas. I’ve been holding on to this gem for quite some time and waited until today to publish it for two reasons.

First, I am tired of the deep freeze here on the east coast and wanted a taste of summer.

Second, and more importantly, David and I have been hinting at some big surprises this year and today, I’m spilling the beans!

We just sent our final draft of a full length ebook out to edit!!!! The book is loaded with photography tips like this one where I urge you to fully explore a location, as well as ridiculous adventures and mishaps. If all goes well, we will have a finished product ready for release within a few months.

I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am, and how tough it’s been to keep all of our various projects for this year under wraps. Lol (Yes, that means we have more in the works….these secrets are killing me!)

If you want to keep up to date on the all of the projects, the deals and what we can do for you, it’s so important that you sign up for the newsletter. That’s where the exclusive discounts will show up, when the time comes. 🙂 If you do it before March 1st, I will include a free copy of “Photography + Connecticut“!

Cheers to a year of big things!

Xoxo

Shann