Reflection

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Turning 49

Every year on my birthday, I write a poem. This year, I decided to pair those words with a series of self-portraits. I’m so grateful for this space and for everyone who stops by to read. If any of these words or images resonate with you, please let me know—I’d love to hear from you. I’m so glad you’re here.

49

Within my freckled chest lie
sheets of watercolor paper over
saturated and weak in the middle
where I pressed too hard, bending
into rainbow shapes. My hips

tell of this separation, of forty-nine
years of horses, dogs, babies, troubles
sat propped against bones, praying
understanding will expose fragmented
shadows, pockets of light. Tomorrow

another sunrise, pink fog touching
horizon, hot coffee sweetened just
right with words now said instead 
of swallowed whole. White-crested waves
wake the birds, and the tide-pull aches

in every corner. See clouds
reflect upon the sand, soft starfish
clinging to crag-born rock, green flashes
flinty like my eyes. Look for it, keep tracing 
thumb over back of hand. This time

next time
another time
all time.

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  • A little note about self-portraits: I took these using my tripod and the timer on my camera. It did not occur to me (until I was done) to use Auto mode, so I kept trying to get in the focus point, hence the mixed results here. I think it works for this set, but if anyone has tips on self-portrait photography, I’d love to hear them.
  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using various lenses and edited with Lightroom Classic
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Photography: Pink Moon

A week ago today, after returning from a few days camping near the ocean, I woke up late to photograph the full moon. I’d missed it the night before, too tired to go out, and tried to get there in time. I got off exactly one shot before the moon disappeared behind the trees.

Instead of just beating myself up, which I’m very apt to do, I decided to just enjoy my morning. I followed around some ducks, obsessed over water droplets again, and got inspired by the sunrise. Life is too short to keep being so disappointed in myself. It was the morning it was meant to be.

Let me know if you have a favorite shot and have a great day.

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150 mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic

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Photography: Worm Moon

I came back from Las Vegas on a night with a full moon and a total lunar eclipse. The event known as the Blood Moon. Despite setting an alarm, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. I woke up in a panic at 6 a.m., raced to a local park, and then discovered I had the wrong lens.

The event that all the local photographers had been planning for the entire month is something I missed.

With only five minutes until a hill hid the moon, I hiked in as fast as I could. It was cold, and I wanted to quit. What’s the point? These photos won’t be right. I’ve already missed it. Who cares anyway?

But I didn’t stop. Once I secured the camera strap around my wrist and lifted it to my eye, I wanted to use it. I wanted to see what looked cool through the lens. Even these imperfect and messy shots feel like another step in my journey. I became obsessed with water droplets on leaves. The way I could see warmth when the sun hit the grass. Faraway reflections which I couldn’t get in focus, but still hold a certain truth. A lone bird at the top of a tree taking in the morning sun.

I keep getting messages I’m on the right track, so let me know what you think. You like these? Have a favorite?

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 40-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
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Photography: Boldly Go

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”—Spock

What do you do when you want to practice photography and you’ve got no models? You find some around the house. These are silly, but they are me trying out some new settings on my camera. I’m starting to get the crispness I’ve been lacking. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

I’m headed to visit a friend for the next five days, and I’ll be taking her portrait photos at sunset in a beautiful location. I felt legit packing up my camera gear, including my brand new fancy flash. Thank you to every single person who checks out my journey and follows along.

And if you know me in real life, or live in the Sacramento area, I’m looking for models to practice with. Please don’t make me keep using toys 🙂

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.

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Photography: Sunset Slow

You needed to see the sunset because the world felt too chaotic. We spent two nights together watching the sky become gold and then black. I couldn’t erase the pain behind your eyes, but I could remind you what was in the sky. It’s always there for you, as I am.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
—Rabindranath Tagore

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  • This is dedicated to my daughter’s best friend. Believe in yourself always, dearest. The sunset will always ground you as the ocean inspires you. I believe in you.
  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW.
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Photography: Ocean Love

Fall into the waves with me before we dance among the bowed heads of the pink flowers. Did you see the deer? The starfish? The seagull? What did they have to say to you? I thought I heard them giggling. Perhaps they know more than I do about what’s to come.

“I spent uncounted hours sitting at the bow looking at the water and the sky, studying each wave, different from the last, seeing how it caught the light, the air, the wind; watching patterns, the sweep of it all, and letting it take me. The sea.”
—Gary Paulsen

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  • The last photo is of my brother’s dog Henry. He’s such a good boy! All photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW.
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Photography: Dillon Beach

Here are some of my favorite photos from my birthday trip to Dillon Beach. This trip was about connection and reflection. Cloud cover allowed for only one sunset and it was an odd one. The sun flattened to a bowl shape and was swallowed by the sea. I found it inspiring and somehow fitting for the place I am right now. Bring on weird!

Let me know if you have a favorite photo.

“I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.”—Franz Kafka

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  • These photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW.
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Photography: Petaluma

“I spry my closed vision
over the streets of this city and the shadows lurching within it.”
—Suman Pokhrel

I’ve spent the week in various places in downtown Sacramento and it reminded me how much I miss traveling. I used to visit new cities, exploring on my own, letting my curiosity guide me. I’d strike up conversations with strangers, share a bit of their worldview for a moment, and I always left feeling renewed. While I’ve not done much of it lately, there are moments that feed that creative energy. Little artist dates, as Julie Cameron calls them.

One such date was a quick stop in Petaluma on the way back from our Dillion Beach trip. The teens went one way and I went the other. Although it was quick, there was plenty for me to feast my eyes upon. Here are a few of my favorite shots. Let me know if you have a favorite and let’s travel together soon.

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
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52 Photo Challenge: Week 24-Reflection

“Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size.”
—Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to capture reflections. I went to Folsom Lake this morning at sunrise. The gusty winds made the water choppy and photography a bit challenging. As a result, most of these photos aren’t sticking to the theme. I’m learning to pivot when this happens and enjoy being in nature. I met a very charming fisherman and a beautiful grandfather taking his son and grandson out in a small boat.

Isn’t it remarkable what we can find when we stop to look? Let me know if you have a favorite photo and I hope your week ahead is filled with unexpected surprises.

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  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight
Week 13: Sense of Scale
Week 14: One Lens
Week 15: Series
Week 16: Flat Lay
Week 17: Behind the Scenes
Week 18: Water
Week 19: Blurry Foreground
Week 20: Unique Perspective
Week 21: Shadow
Week 22: Food
Week 23: Abstract

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52 Photo Challenge: Week 13-Sense of Scale

“Anything is grand if it’s done on a large enough scale.”
—Donna Tartt, The Secret History

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to capture a sense of scale. After finding an old photo of my dad in a rice field for my Shoebox Poetry series, I wanted to take photos of my daughter in a field. I figured it would do two things—show a sense of scale and give us a chance to recreate the image.

We found a field near my sister-in-law’s house filled with bright yellow flowers. It was muddy and a bit difficult, but I’m extremely happy with these photos. I hope you like them too! The rest of the photos were taken driving around looking for cranes. We found a few, but they were never quite in the right position. The clouds ended up being the star of the day. Let me know which of these best fits the assignment or if you have a favorite. Have a wonderful week!

Note: These photos were taken last Thursday. I’m currently on an emotional trip moving my mother to Washington state. I’ll post more about it later this week.

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  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry
Week 11: Green
Week 12: Sidelight