LIGHTHOUSE BEACH - SANIBEL ISLAND BEACH PHOTOGRAPHER
Last week I hit Sanibel Island and Captiva for some shelling as well as for some "shooting" time that was just for me. More often than not I hear professional photographers talk about how you should take certain days and just make them "your" days to shoot whatever you want. They explain how these "whatever" days really keep you inspired and your creativity flowing. I love to go shoot by myself and for myself. I enjoy taking my time and photographing things as many times as I want at as many different angles and such as I want. I don't have to hurry as you would in the middle of a scheduled session. I can take my time and see things at my own pace. On this day, the clouds/sky were incredible. The top image above is just proof of what a beautiful day it was. I teach my students in my photography classes that you should never take an image with the horizon line dead center in the middle of the photograph. You should always either pick the sky, the ocean, or the sand as your subject. One of them needs to be your main focus. Therefore, the horizon line should always end up in the bottom third of the photograph or in the upper third of it. In this case, can you tell what I chose my subject to be? Scroll up there and look. What is your answer? If you chose the sky/clouds, you are correct. When you look at that image, I want your eyes to focus on the sky. I want you to see the beauty in the clouds so I place my focus point on that area. I even went a bit more drastic and placed the sand in less than a 1/3 of the image so that the sky is basically screaming at you. You didn't know you were gonna' get a little photography lesson here today, did ya? LOL!
Notice how the shot above has the horizon line in the upper 1/3 of that image? Yeap, now I'm trying to direct your eyes to the beach and the sand. I want you to focus in on the fact that all of those people are sitting on top of a pile of sand that is infested with nothing but shells. They are combing that mound looking for all kinds of different type shells. This particular spot is called blind pass. It is the area where Sanibel Island and Captiva Island split. It's a gorgeous spot. I love it there. There are always tons of "shellers" there. Great fun.
There are really cool rocks on the corner of this beach. They make for great texture in an image...
I have a thing for photographing signs. Some of you might have picked up on that before. Signage always has great color. Love me some signs...
And I'm still confused by this one...
Here is one I just had to grab because of the angle within it. Angles can do so much for a photograph. Love the shadows from the nautical ropes here...
I managed to get some great shots of the Sanibel lighthouse that day too. It really popped on top of that blue sky. This lighthouse is one of the most unattractive lighthouses I've ever seen but I still love it. I am obsessed with its rustic, old, vintagey feel.
I love wondering about the nights it lead and directed those at sea. I envision this powerful beacon that is the epitome' of all things "sea" related. It was first lit with a kerosene lantern on August 20th, 1884 and the rumor is that the light is still operational. The lighthouse itself is 98 feet tall and totally brown in color. It took them three months to build the structure itself. It sits on the southern most tip of Sanibel Island. The beach it rests on is poignantly named "Lighthouse beach."
Although the building itself is not open to the public, many visit the site and photograph it on a daily basis. The beach surrounding the lighthouse is gorgeous and well worth any day spent there.
As you can tell, I had a great time exploring the lighthouse grounds as well as lighthouse beach there in Sanibel. This whole moving experience has been great fun for me because I enjoy learning the history about all of these areas. Even though we vacationed here for more than 10 years before moving here full time, I never knew any of the main details surrounding the islands. It is a treat to research this stuff and then be able to photograph it as well.
I'm signing off for now in order to tend to two sick children I have tucked under my wings here at home today. Yeap, Kenidi is home now too. We are bundled up in my bed watching cartoons under the down comforter as the sultry Florida rains pound the seaside outdoors. I used to detest when it rained in Indiana. However, now that we live here and see such little rain, I have found that I enjoy a good downpour to help cool off the humidity. Storms here are so much more powerful as they roll in off the ocean - way different than Hoosier land. We are enjoying those pelting's on the clay rooftop today. It's a welcoming sound as we nurture our way thru this sick spell. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Talk soon...Angie
I've had many of you blog readers ask for shells from here in Southwest, Florida. For those who've asked, I've gone shelling to pick them out and then those who want them have paid for the shipping costs to ship them from here to their particular state. While I had another set out today getting them ready to ship, I thought I'd take some pictures of them just for the fun of it. I've been dying to get out and shoot since this weekend so this helped temporarily. :)
These particular shells came from Sanibel Island. My Mom and I walked on the beach over there one day and we grabbed these as we walked.
Sanibel is known for their "shelling." They have gorgeous shells over there - pretty good sized ones too.
We found coral too.
I love the way my 105mm macro lens just picks up every little minor detail of these shells. You can almost feel the grit of the sand still on them.
I found this one (below) still in tact and connected...two halves still attached...
And this shot below...ummm...it's my new fav. Again, the detail that the macro lens provides is nothing short of amazing.
And oh yeah...I forgot to mention that we found some dead star fish on that walk too. I decided to bring them home for Brennen to see. No...I didn't ship these to my blog readers with their shells. LOL! I did take photos of them though. How cool is this shot??? (below)
and another...just a bit further back...
And this last one...another one of my favs...
Hoping that the receiver of this package of shells loves them. They sure were fun to find and collect. Any afternoon in the sand, sun, and surf makes for tons of fun though. :)
This is the last chance to sign up for the next round of beginner photography classes via Angie Seaman Photography which starts tomorrow. (Monday, January 4th, 2010) Some of you have already registered and if so, then you should have received my confirmatiom email back confirming your seat in class by now. If you are interested in taking a beginner photography class that teaches you the basics of beginner photography, how to use your camera and its settings, etc., then this class is for you.
You do not have to have a digital SLR to participate in our class. Any point and shoot will work as well. We will discuss the pros and cons to both styles of cameras as well as the ins and outs for both designs. For a few more details on the class, click HERE. If you are ready for a basic, beginner, photography class...go HERE to sign up. Once there, click on "portraiture," then on "classes." From there, you can walk thru the registration process. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly at Angie@AngieSeamanPhotography.com. This will be the LAST CLASS OFFERED AT THIS PRICE. I'm planning to do some different things for the new year ahead. Therefore, should you want in on this price, now is your chance. All of our past classes have sold out. Don't wait...we'd love to have you.
This is "C" man. I had a shoot with him a couple of months back and am way behind in getting his and other sessions up and posted here on my blog. Either way, "C" man was lots of fun. I've included a few images from our session together. The camera loved him. His Mom is a fellow photographer so he knew EXACTLY what to do in front of the camera. I had a ball with their family.
I honestly didn't have to tell him to do anything. His Mom was there helping him along but for the most part, he was a seasoned pro in front of the lens. It helps when there is a bit of bribery involved for some new lego sets as well. Ha ha!
Like his brother and sister, he has gorgeous eyes. Mom look out...the girls will be ringing your phone off the hook very soon. Wink wink! :-)
I loved his attire as well. Photography sessions depend so much on the clothing choices for the shoot. His Mom, being a photographer, knew exactly how to pull off "the look." As you all know, I love the beach and C-mans clothing ensemble reminded me of the perfect walk on a beach at sunset. He made me want to grab my suntan oil, my flip flops, and a beach towel like ASAP!
Speaking of the beach, I'll be back in the Naples, Florida area come November 22nd. Should you have a need for a beach session or an urban session around the Naples, Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island, or Cape Coral areas...look me up. I'd love to work with your family in photographing some images for your perfect holiday card this season.
Do you hear them? They are calling for us. Our beach B/F/F's.
Yes, it is time for another photo shoot. They are holding our spot as always.
Only 10 days to go and counting down...
We are ready for that salty breeze to tickle the skin. We must obey its call. As cottage style says..."We are going to roll up our pant legs, slip on a pair of shades, and trek barefoot through the warm sand. Like a stroll in the surf, the serene haven of the beach and all its glory are guaranteed to satisfy."
