A Winter's Morning
A Winter's Morning and We See What We Want to See by me.
Hello and happy Friday friends! This past Wednesday I decided to break tradition (the tradition of always wanting to be warm and comfortable) and popped outside to take a few photos as the sun was beginning to light the morning sky. It was so beautiful out (albeit cold) so I ended up only taking a handful of shots before my fingertips were frozen solid. I honestly have no idea how I survived growing up in places like Montana and Minnesota as a kid — I'd positively die trying to make it through a winter there now (kudos to those of you in cold cold places...you are my heroes).
In any case...I've been thinking a lot recently about how the photos that I am most inclined to take are so often very close up. And honestly for a while I thought that maybe that meant that I was a "bad" wannabe photographer (which made me blue). But then I realized the other day (light bulb moment), that I take photos exactly how I want to see the world...tiny snippets of beauty found in the most ordinary and unexpected places (like in a clump of dead weeds or at a strip-mall). That brightened my day right up and I now feel a renewed sense of hope for my future photo taking quests — even if I do still have to wait until my fingers thaw before I can venture out again. xo Ez
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| by Ez Friday, January 7, 2011 
Reader Comments (38)
Wow! I'm wordless! It was really worth! I hope you can do it again and share with us the beauty as you seen it!
Pretty! I am the same- I always gravitate towards a close-up.
You always take beautiful photos. Good for you for realizing that you have your own style and owning it. I am in the market for a camera - if you have any recommendations, please share. Thanks for today's photos!
I love your close up photography. Your style is so poetic and soft. And if you would not have been so close to those little seed pods up there, we would have never seen the delicate strands of spiderweb strung between them.
Love these photos!
I agree, your photography is lovely. You really "see" the details in life and focus on the 'pretty' amongst the everyday. I really enjoy seeing all your photographs.
The pics are gorgeous! I'd say, keep on going outside! :)
that's a beautiful realization. i adore your photos. these are splendid!
xo Alison
you have some of the most amazing photos. they truly inspire me. how do you get the color and up so close? what kind of camera, lense do you use?
Love this post- and your photos! If we could all just enjoy the simple things...
Excellent point, Ez! As photographers we see the world from our own unique angle - no two people see the world exactly the same way. And that is such a beautiful thing! I've been loving your close-up shots, so keep it up!
i love your post...it's awesome that you accepted and embraced your style of photography...and quit listening to that voice that said what you should photograph. your photos are beautiful and soft...i'd love to achieve more of that dreamy quality that you have in your close ups!!
I love "lightbulb" moments! And your photography is beautiful, I hope to see more of it.
Thank you for this. Seriously, I thought I was a bad wanna-be photographer, too, because I really, really, really like close-up shots. This absolutely made me feel better about my own skills. Thanks!
Thank you guys so much for your incredibly kind and lovely comments! I'm so delighted that you like my photos!
@ Lauren - I don't have much experience with other cameras, but the one I have and love is a Nikon D300.
@ Sarah - I used a Nikon 18-200mm lens.
xo Ez
I just stumbled onto your lovely blog and I already have a question....what effect are you using on your photos to create that beautiful effect?
Hi Fiona! Welcome and thanks for commenting! I use photoshop for post-processing on most of my images. I learned a lot in terms of photo editing by downloading free photoshop actions (from places like deviant art) and then breaking them down to see how each one works so that I can now create my own. :-)
Thank you for sharing your work and your inner monologue. I took comfort in hearing about your own struggles to validate your perspective and style. I feel, as artists and creative people, we often are our own worst critics. It's nice to know others feel the same way and have found a way to quiet that voice. Your work is stunning and breathtaking and truly inspirational. Those colors and that great contrast in textures! Wow! I think I'd enjoy seeing the world the way you see it.
Lovely pics!
Hi Ez, New follower here - I love your blog and your photos! I came to a similar discovery about a year ago...with everyone around me wanting crisp & sharp digital photos, I kept disappointing them with my blurry, soft and light-filled ones. But it dawned on me, I was documenting my world in the same way that I see sweet memories in my head. Tiny and bright glimmers of long ago that flit by with a blur and a softness only time can bring. Keep taking photos that bring you joy - they make me smile! Bethany
I love your photos - I always do - and I love what you've realised in this post about taking the photos that you want. I would say always make sure you take photos for yourself and not for anyone else's idea of what a good photo is or should be - if you love your photos just as they are then you can trust there will be many others who agree with you :)
Claire x
http://tea-breaks.blogspot.com
Gosh...thank you all SO much for filling this space with so many beautiful words of encouragement and kindness today! You guys mean the world to me and I hope you know just how much I appreciate each and every one of you! Have a wonderful and inspiring weekend! xoxo Ez
fabulous photos x
I realized a couple of days ago when playing with my new point & shoot that I also favor close-up shots.
Whoever said that it's the little things that count was right.
The little things are what make me smile most. But since I can't see them in their full beauty when they are tiny, I like to take a close-up photo and view it larger. It brings a new level of beauty to the most ordinary things. The weave of shoelaces and the roots in a pile of garden weeds...everything is gorgeous when you can really see it.
Well, I'm glad you risked losing your shooting finger to frostbite just to bring us these pics - you have to suffer for your art right?
I think that is such a beautiful sentiment, how you want to see the world. I think too many people get lost in big big big these days, when really a small pleasure or a tiny snippet of beauty can change your world at least for a day.
Blue Skies,
Charlotte xo