Sue Rissel Photography Blog

End of Summer, Come and Gone

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:06:00 +0000

Slow shudder speed, evening light.

Campfire

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:04:00 +0000

A simple experiment with slow shutter speed around the family campfire.

S'more

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:01:00 +0000

For some, the iconic summer treat is a s'more, complete with
a fire-toasted marshmallow. Yum!

Approved!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:03:00 +0000

"You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between" (from the song "Accentuate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen

Recently, I submitted four photos to Bigstock.com for approval. One made the cut!!! I could moan about the three that didn't (and I did, on Facebook), but I'm also proud that one of my favorite photos actually made it! I'm officially selling stock photography! And yes, it's the image in this post! Woot!

On a side note, I'll be taking a break from serious photography for a few months due to the winter holidays (my family celebrates Christmas... what do you celebrate?) and my new venture with Visalus Sciences' Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge. So excited!!!

Attention Warren County PA Photographers!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:40:00 +0000

One of my entries, taken at Buckaloons

The Warren Times Observer is hosting a photography contest.

Attention shutterbugs... your work could appear in the forthcoming Scenes of Warren County 2012 calendar.The Times Observer publication will feature images from photos taken in the county."We've seen many amazing photos posted to our CU site since we launched the site," Publisher Robert Patchen said.Those photos inspired the newspaper's leadership to create a calendar and "put some of those photos into print for everyone to enjoy," Patchen said. "This contest will give local photographers a chance to show Warren County through their lenses. We want to showcase local talent and the beauty of the county we live in."

Click the link above for more information and if you choose to enter the contest, GOOD LUCK!!

My Favorite Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Summer is winding down and the last holiday of the season finally passed. Our family made a trip to our favorite beach and braved the chilly wind to hunt for beach glass. Rather than lug around Little Ozzie (my apologies) I carried the cell phone and managed a few decent shots.

You wouldn't believe how many people were collecting rocks, driftwood, and beach glass.

We spied this abandoned wooden ladder by the pier.

The waves were rolling in strong.

Mobile Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:34:00 +0000

Occasionally, my mobile phone produces stunning results.

Chautauqua Mayville Gorge

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:57:00 +0000

All of these photos were taken at the Chautauqua Gorge (Mayville, NY) on a weekend outing.

To Color or Not to Color?

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

I can't decide which way I like this better. This poor moth found refuge on my sheer curtain at home.

Rimrock: Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Wood Frog

Wisp Stalks?

The trail itself.

Rimrock: Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

A recent hike on the new trail at Rimrock gave me PLENTY of photographic opportunities, and since nature is right up my alley (so to speak) it was quite a treat to get so many that I enjoyed out of one hike. That said, there will be a second part.

I realize you may not see him clearly, but there is a spider there.
"I'm walking on a spider web, leave a message and I'll call you back."
-No Doubt "Spiderwebs"

Namesake

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:50:00 +0000

I'm always delighted to see flowers that bear the same name as me in the woods.
This brown-eyed Susan was growing wild off the new trail at Rimrock.

A Different Angle On Things

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:18:00 +0000

I think I loved this sunflower as much as the bee did. This post is an example of how I'll move around a subject and utilize different angles and lighting. The only problem with that is when I can't decide in the end which shot(s) I prefer most.

St. Simon's Island

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:33:00 +0000

While in Georgia over the recent holiday weekend, I did manage to pull myself away from gawking at the landscape and take some photos. In fact, I hadn't planned on photographing much, but at the suggestion of somebody special I did eventually get the camera out while visiting the beach on St. Simon's Island. I'm glad I did, because I managed to capture my first time time seeing the Atlantic Ocean.

St. Simon's Island is a beautiful mix of old and new architecture and charm. I can't wait to go back.

Happy Fourth of July

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:45:00 +0000

Happy Fourth of July everybody from southeast Georgia!!

Cheeky

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Lilacs

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Probably one of my favorite subjects to shoot (as it does seem to be the easiest) is a flower. Any flower. Any setting. It's such a non-thinking task that I can slip into a sort of Zen-spot, where my camera becomes an extension of me rather than a lugged-around accessory. It's easy to find beauty in flowers, and often just as easy to take that beauty for granted.

What really intrigued me on this particular night was that, although I was taking both shots from the same spot, all I had to do was change the angle of my stance to yield a different white balance and contrast.

Swallowtails

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Our lilac tree by the back porch was a swallowtail hot spot this past Sunday. On a whim, I decided to try photographing them. It's not nearly as easy as I thought. Not only are they super fast, but the differences in lighting due to shadows and a setting sun made it hard to get a good composite.

I saw this one several times, identified by its unfortunate missing wing/tail pieces.

Panning

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 30 May 2011 22:15:00 +0000

I think it's time to invest in a monopod.

I am liking my panning shots more and more as I continue practicing.

Slow Shutter Speed

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:23:00 +0000

As an experiment, I decided to try out some slow shutter shots to get used to the technique. I chose the creek behind my house as a subject and set up the tripod (an essential tool for this task).

I think I did pretty well for the first serious attempt at it. There are many, many locations in my county to choose from, and an entire summer to practice and perfect. I am also open to suggestions and pointers (as always) if you see something I could put more attention towards.

The Beginning: Making a Choice

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:31:00 +0000

I have always loved photography, but I have not always embraced it as a photographer. My first camera was a 110 (as was my second... with a FLASH!). When I was in junior high, I saved up money and bought the coveted Kodak Advantix (still have it, and it still works). Believe it or not, I have only recently acquired a 35mm camera of my own. I loved to experiment and I saw beauty in everything. I didn't have to look for something to pique my interest, I just had to open my eyes and-BAM!-there it was.

When I became a mother and took on a full-time (plus overtime) job, I lost touch with this favorite hobby and eventually settled into taking family snapshots and special-occasion-only photos. I stopped looking for beauty. I stopped capturing what I saw. I stopped creating art. And I was very, very unhappy.

The night I got back in touch with photography burns in my memory. I was cleaning and my mind started to wander (as it often does when I work). My thoughts zeroed in on how unhappy I was, how unfulfilled my life felt, and it wasn't long before I started to cry. My voice, in my head, screamed out of frustration "you're not good enough at anything" and I collapsed into the nearest chair and succumbed to heavy sobs. It felt as though I wept forever, but in reality it must have only been a dozen or so minutes. As the release of pent-up emotions eased and my mind started to empty of its thoughts, I let out one soft plea into the silent room, "I just want to be good at one thing. What am I good at?"

No sooner than I had said it than my own voice answered back in my mind, just as soft, and maternally gentle: Photography

There were no shouts of joy. I did not nod in affirmation. I just sat there, opened my eyes, and stared at the wall. I debated if I had heard that voice in my head, and eventually accepted that I had. I let out a long, shuddering exhale and stood up, brushing my tears and wet wisps of hair off of my face. Was this the right answer? Was this what I was good at?

I didn't doubt my aptitude in it, I already knew that I am in my natural element when I'm behind the lens. I didn't doubt if I could "make it" as a photographer. I didn't doubt that it would bring me joy (does it ever!). But I did sit and digest this revelation seriously. It was, after all, a defining moment of my life.

Later that night, I approached a trusted friend (at the time) and discussed my wishes to properly learn photography with him. He gave me a few basics (1. take lots of photos, keep the good ones. 2. Fuji film has a green tint, Kodak has a red tint. 3. Practice, practice, practice... oh and 4. buy a few books on the subject and learn composition). It was the nudge I needed in the right direction, and boy did I hit the ground running!

I could expand on my journey further, how I met one person after another who has helped me on my way, how I've been lucky to find bargains and how I feel blessed to live in a naturally wondrous environment to practice on. I may, on a later date. For now, I want to issue a thank you to each and every one of you who have helped me become who I am today as a photographer. You've helped in deeper ways than you can even imagine.

For the Birds!

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Fri, 20 May 2011 02:00:00 +0000

Over the past few days I have been patiently waiting by the living room windows so I could practice taking photos of birds. We are blessed with a small variety of bird at our feeder (Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Indigo Bunting, Chickadee, Sparrow, Nuthatch, Catbird, and Grackle). But, as I have never really taken the time to sit and watch, or study the art of wildlife photography, I was "winging it," so to speak (haha, I kill me!), with this shoot.

I've learned a few things along the way.

1. I need a longer lens.
2. And a different place to sit and watch.
3. Because the living room windows are filthy and hard to clean.
4. Come to think of it, so is the feeder (ew).
5. I need to figure out how to shoot fast enough to capture the delicate movements, but also while having enough light.

From 154 photos, these are the (very) few shots that I liked. (Feedback is greatly appreciated and encouraged!)

My favorite.

I'm determined to nail this, so I'll do a little research, play with the settings, and get back to work. Let's just consider this my "before" post, shall we? I plan to work with the good shots I took and learn from the bad shots.

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."

- James Joyce

Published Products

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:22:00 +0000

My latest published products:

Two soft cover books of various images.
The images were crisp and of high quality.

A mouse pad featuring some of my favorite flower photographs.
I was not only impressed by the quality of the photographs, but also with the quality of the mouse pad itself: thick, durable, and quite functional.

These items have inspired me to create more and find a way to share them with others (selling and/or gifts).

Both projects were completed using software on Inter-State Studio and Publishing Company's website.

Play Day: Azalea

noreply@blogger.com (Sue) — Wed, 11 May 2011 01:49:00 +0000

Once in a while, I chuck the "rules" (who makes those things anyway?) and take the camera out for a play day. Those are the days I forget about thirds and exposure and f-stop and shutter speed and just SHOOT. Sometimes, I deliberately mess up the settings just to see what happens (Famous last words: Go ahead, push the button.").

One of the items that captured my interest were the recently discovered azalea blooms.

It's amazing the bugs these pretty flowers attract, including a pesky photographer with nothing better to do.

Shoo, fly, don't bother me.

Peek-a-boo!