I guess I could on and on about how I’ve preplanned all of these shot opportunities but, that’s going to be the situation most of the time because, I actively scout ahead for shots when I can. This was a cold day. My hand were cold for awhile after I was done shooting. I tried to capture what it’s like to be beneath this huge tree and then look up and outward to see just how beautiful it is!
I’m having so much fun capturing these moments and sharing them with everyone. Shots like these have to be planned out because they only occur at very specific moments of the day. It’s very rewarding when you finally get a shot like this.
I waited so long for an opportunity to capture this tree and its environment. I must have stayed there taking photos for 45 minutes while school kids and parents were walking by. I took my time and was careful I didn’t accidentally capture any little humans in my photos. One woman approached me, smiled and asked if I was from the news. That felt pretty cool lol. Another woman approached me mid-shot and responded “You like the tree? Me too. It’s beautiful.” I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. Almost all the leaves were gone just 4 days after I took this picture. I’m glad I immortalized the moment for everyone else to share in. Enjoy.
This started with the a casual discussion of music and ended with me holding my camera and framing shots. Trying to convey visually what it’s like to be in the presence of a musician in his most natural state.
It’s a funny thing when you find yourself excited over a new hobby. A new passion. There’s a rush of stimuli as you see the world around you from a new perspective. Things that mattered a lot seem to fall away to the subconscious and thoughts you’ve never had before now flood your daily processes. You feel like a kid again. Untouched by the stresses that used to anchor you to the ground. At the same time you feel an extreme discomfort whenever you can’t engage in your newfound hobby or passion. There’s energy inside that seems to boil over when that creativity inside has to be hushed in favor of responsibility. Or when you miss a golden moment because you didn’t have your gear readily available. New journeys are amazing. I invite you to pick up a camera, walk through your town or neighborhood and, just point and shoot at whatever your mind tell you. Chances are, you’ll discover something very special when you review the photos.
I was driving down the street, gear bag on my passenger side and, came to this tree lined block. The trees felt larger than life as people shuffled in and out of their home and through the intersection just in front of me. I sank low in my driver seat, parked of course, and proceeded to take shots from behind my windshield. I probably looked like I was doing detective work lol. Either way I got some shots that were just “okay”. I cropped this shot to use it here on the site and it actually looks better this way. You get more of a feeling of my perspective while shooting from within my car and, I think the idea of that is really cool.
“Bokeh” effect on a portrait shot of my wife. Taken during a photo hike in the woods. The light reflected perfectly off of the yellow leaves and left me with one of the best shot I had taken that afternoon.
This is one of my favorite captures… I set up and waited for a chance to produce this artistic motion blur on this beautiful 64ft bus.
First day with the new camera and I was driving myself nuts trying to get the setting right in my dimly lit home. The tones kept coming out orangish and over or underexposed lol.. Then I couldn’t get the focus right for the selfie shot I was trying to take.. Suffice it to say that I got it all worked out and have been enjoying my camera very much thus far. This orangish shot actually looked good considering what I went through before it happened lol.. Funny how things work out.
Hanif Williams Photography 