Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Have You Started?


Have you started editing your photos for the Best of 2014 Photo Challenge?

I sat down last night and narrowed my choice down to 20 images, seven of which are solid choices.  Not quite the 12 that Ansel talked about, but I will take it. As I begin to choose the last five images that will round out my top 12, I keep thinking about this quote:
“It can be a trap of the photographer to think that his or her best pictures were the ones that were hardest to get. – Timothy Allen
This is definitely an editing trap I have fallen into before. It is hard to eliminate images from a group that you worked hard to get. It is so easy to get wrapped up in an image emotionally and not see clearly how it can strengthen or weaken the whole. For me, I am often entranced by a certain aspect of an image, a compelling detail, that it is hard to see it within the context of the group.

But then this is why editing is hard.

The other by product of this exercise is that I am seeing relationships I was not aware of. So many of my favorite images are taken near or in water it is almost comical. If you are familiar with my past work this makes a certain amount of sense. I also noticed my favorite images tend to be rather dark, not the usual playful imagery that you expect from Lego photography. I will have to consider lightening the mood with my final choices.

Once I lay out my book with its final 12 images I will be adding text to each image. I want you to know why I chose each image and what makes it special to me. I hope you will consider adding similar explanations in your book.

I look forward to seeing what you choose and why.

~ xxsjc

Have you signed up to partake in the great Best of 2014 Photo Book Swap?
Does your book have a theme beyond "Best of..."?
Please let us know if you have any questions, we are here to help. 


I adore this image which automatically makes it completely suspect. 


9 comments:

  1. This is such a lovely idea Shelly. What service do you recommend for the book creation? I've been toying (pun intended) of making small books of Lego shots as gifts, but have struggled to find a decent, affordable service. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And if I can, I'd love to join in the swapping. It'd be lovely to have a book of your shots on our bookshelf next to my ever growing Lego photographers gallery. xxx

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    1. Thank you Brett!It would be wonderful for you to join in the great book swap of 2014. If you look at the past blog posts there are two that deal with this project. Look at 2014 Photo Challenge (details) for actual recommendations on printers. I will probably use Apple since I have used them in the past and I find there work perfectly acceptable. Sandi_gee from IG recommends ShutterFly. Most of the prices I quoted on the blog post are for books less than 20 pages. Since we are only choosing 12 photos, that should be plenty of room.

      I certainly would be honored to be a part of your growing Lego photo gallery. You have a premium collection started already!

      Let me know if you have any more questions or if any problems come up. xoxo

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  2. I'm going to start editing soon! Totally going to talk a bit about each shot as well!

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    1. Excellent! I can't wait to see what you choose (and why)!

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    2. p.s. I totally stalked your Abyssal Tarot site! Dang, you're like, famous! ;) Really loved your Artist Statement there.

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    3. This made me laugh! I'm so famous I'm nobody. xo

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  3. I'm in too. Love the idea to explain how/where/why the shot was taken and why it made it to the lucky 12 :-)

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    1. Excellent! I am glad you like that little twist. :D

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  4. I also got my main selection behind me and have a good 30 down selected.

    I hope to get some quality time tomorrow and take it to the next level.

    Looking forward to the exchange.

    Me2

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