Two weeks ago, I posted a Photo-Recipe on how to deal with full sun.  All three of our SOAR! Recipients were assigned the task of trying this out, and they did an amazing job!  I encourage you to check out their posts on the SOAR! blog.  They rocked it!  In fact, I wanted to share Linda’s with you.  If you missed it, I know you will enjoy this!  (thanks Linda, and girl, GREAT job!)

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One of the goals I set in last week’s business coaching exercise was to improve my photography skills. The further I progress on this SOAR journey the more I realize the need to break this goal down into realistic and manageable actions to prevent me from becoming frustrated and overwhelmed by the very thing I profess to love. I think the past six months has taught me much about the skills and techniques I need to work on and practice to become the kind of photographer I aspire to be. Now is the time for me to truly acknowledge I can’t acquire these skills all at once. As Me Ra says in this week’s photo exercise – it’s time to slow down!

How to shoot in full sun is something I defiantly need to learn and practice. Here in Sacramento by around 8.30am I’m in trouble, so finding the conditions to do this exercise was not a problem. Finding a cooperative model on the other hand was and it’s finally time for me to wise up and say NO to practicing on my children. It’s just not fun for anyone and slowing down with those two monkeys in tow is certainly not an option. Even my shameless bribes and pleading don’t buy me much time. But this weekend my options were limited and I had to work with what I had.

So here is my little Racoon eyed Jack… around 10am facing into the sun.

Here he is turned around with his back to the sun and half a chocolate chip cookie in his tummy just to get him to do it! Much better, but to me it feels somewhat flat. I’m really starting to get a feel for the style of image I want to capture and I really want to see those catch lights in the eyes.

So we found some open shade on my neighbors front porch and tried again. There was a strip of direct sunlight on the concrete in front of him to reflect the light back into his face and light up his eyes a little.

This exercise was a great way for me to start observing and working with available light. Not so great on the moving people around but I’m going to try it again later in the week with a more cooperative model! Look forward to seeing what you learned from this exercise along with your images over on the SOARORITY forum.

Take care,
Linda