The County Fair | An Exploration In Photo Taking Choices

lane county fair 2011

Last week we spent an evening at our county fair. We usually go for one night each year. I like going in the early evening when the light tends to be just right.

As I was looking back at my photos from the evening I was thinking that would be a good chance to talk a little about why I take the kind of photos I do - what stories do I think of, why do I shoot at a certain angle, what am I looking for, what I'm thinking about, etc.

Here are some of my fair photos along with some commentary:

lane county fair 2011

CAPTURE REAL STUFF | We were walking towards the entrance to the fair and Simon and Anna kept getting father and farther ahead. Chris ended up running to catch up after Anna wouldn't stop (Simon was trying to help but his helping was just making it worse). I took about three shots of this little encounter - him talking to her and her listening but not really listening as two-year-olds are prone to do from time to time.

I like photos that showcase relationships - especially the real ways in which people interact everyday.

lane county fair 2011

TURN AROUND | What's happening behind you as you walk ahead? In this case I turned around to see that Chris had picked up Anna. Again, relationships. She won't always be small enough to be carried.

lane county fair 2011

MOMENTS OF DELIGHT | I do a lot of looking through my lens to capture delight. It's one of my favorite emotions and one of the things that I love to see most on Simon's face. He's the best at being delighted.

lane county fair 2011

PERSPECTIVE | I love shots that demonstrate size perspective - this is especially cool with kids. How can you show that both when you are up close and farther away? Anna was just a bit too small for most of the rides but there were a couple where she was over the line.

lane county fair 2011

She was pretty bummed about that - she has an awesome zest that makes her want to try anything and everything she comes across. You might also notice that for this shot I got down at her level vs. the shot above where I pointed the camera down on her. Each one has it's own feel.

lane county fair 2011

Here's another one that showcases perspective. I like photos that show their difference in height. There's a whole story there about a seven-year age difference and the ways that brings them together.

lane county fair 2011

GETTING ME IN THE SHOTS | I think it's important for me to see myself in my own life. Chris happened to be here on this adventure but I'm not afraid to ask a stranger or set up my self-timer to get shots that include me in the story. Another thing I like about this photo is that it really shows a lot of the scene via layers - the ferris wheel in the background, the water in front of the kids (the direction they are heading), me standing behind, the sun shining on me, people walking in the background, etc. It's busy, but that's what was happening at that point in time. We also took close up shots of the kids in the boat, but this one was more interesting to me in terms of telling the story because of the layers.

lane county fair 2011

MOTION | I love shots that show motion. Bring on the blur. What sort of movement is happening that can be captured on film? For this shot I did some panning - moving the camera to follow the action. Some shots turn out and others don't. Loved this one. You can read more about panning here.

lane county fair 2011

POINT OF VIEW | One of the things I think to myself as I'm shooting is how can I look at this differently? Where can I go and how can I move my body and what will the resulting image look like based on changing my own perspective. For this shot I was standing below them as they were waiting to go on the ferris wheel (not my favorite activity). I took quite a few as they made their way through the line - this was my favorite.

lane county fair 2011

FRACTIONS | Yep, fractions. The most common one that comes to mind for me is 1/3 - also called the "rule of thirds" which you can read more about here. The photo above is more 1/2 - half the image is sky and the other half is an object. The first photo at the top of this post looks like 1/4. The ferris wheel takes up 1/4 of the image and the other 3/4 are sky. These two are great examples of positive and negative space - the sky being the negative space.

But my favorite thing? The photobooths of course. Check these out:

They each wanted to do them alone. I was worried Anna wouldn't be tall enough but it was just right. Love that red background.

OTHER PHOTOS | I love when I can add something like this into the story - an image that comes from a different source other than my regular camera. I think that's why I like the photobooths and the Instax so much too.

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67 thoughts

  1. Elaine says…
    08/24/2011

    Thanks so much for sharing! I always learn so much when I read your blog, and today's pictures, notes about photography and your explanations are especially great!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. A. Sanborn says…
    08/24/2011

    LOVE, LOVE this post with all the photo critique you've shared with the photos! Your amazing how fast you think and react with a camera Ali! Do you always walk around with it in your hands at these times?

    Monday, Volleyball practice began, however my sciatica reared it's ugly head causing me to miss the FIRST day for photo ops. Yesterday, I caught a few of the coach, warm up excercises and even some net moves. I'll attempt different periods of practice, games, etc... Even a few friend and even a coach photo to spread over the days, weeks and couple of months of the season. Monday is the first day of eight grade. We ALWAYS traditionally take a few photos with the principal who enjoys this with Sophie.

    ANYONE out there -

    This is our daughter's last year {8th grade} in this school she began Kindergarten in. I'm attempting to put a MEMORY book together of this ENTIRE year to present to her at graduation! ANY IDEAS would be greatfully appreciated, accepted on setting up this book, photo ops, things to collect, etc...

    I'm currently thinking PROJECT LIFE is the way to go with this idea for 180 days, but should it be just school based or add in the trip to Washington, DC over April's vacation we're putting together? I guess I'm wondering if shots of studying at the kitchen table and working on major projects at home should be caught.

    Thank-you for sharing!

    Anne

    Reply 5 Replies
    1. Coco says…
      08/25/2011

      I personally am not a Project Life fan, but I love Alie's ideas for books (theme albums, etc.), and you can get a lot of ideas here on this blog.

    2. Sarah says…
      08/24/2011

      Stacy Julian did a book for oldest's senior year this past year. It was rather simple - so it was easy to do and meaningful.
      Try www.stacyjulian.com/blog/?p=5379.
      The post was called 180 days!
      Hope it helps!

    3. dawn says…
      08/24/2011

      Hi Anne,

      What a bittersweet time your having right now, how fast they grow up!! I just my daughter to high school this morning, I'm more nervous then she is.
      I think it's great you want to document this last year and it will be treasured. I think doing a project life would be the perfect way to go or putting your own project life together by what supplies you already have or at a Archiver's if nearby to one.
      The album will tell a bigger and more detailed story if you do include a little bit about home life and homework and outside activities too. I am a big fan of keeping little papers of all kinds from my kids also. You could also do kinda like a Q/A list with her now and then again at the end of the year, including what she is looking forward too, what subjects are her fave/less fave, who her best friends are now, just the random stuff about her. I love taking pictures of my kids books, backpacks, lunches, doing homework it all adds up. You could even do some writing about your thoughts and add it in.
      One last thought though is to make it fun and not stress about it, some days/months might be slower then others and that's ok, just get what you can. I'm doing this for my daughter who just started high school today and am looking forward to having her last 4years documented. Good luck and hope this helped.

    4. A. Sanborn says…
      08/29/2011

      THANK-YOU, thank-you for your time in writing a reply for me here with your helpful suggestions in my on going eighth grade project!

      My apologies for not replying sooner as I was prepping for hurricane Irene and temporarily evacuting our home with pets yesterday. We were BLESSED in all the rain vs. the winds received here. Yes, we sustained an incredible amount of flooding, but it's the devil you know; rather than the devil you don't you deal better with...

      Today we prep for our first day of school as one of the ONLY school's holding onto it's original - First Day of School - here in NH!

      Always open to more suggestions. NO I didn't get photos of prepping for the hurricane as we were too busy living it!

      Relieved in NH

    5. Gypsy Chaos says…
      08/30/2011

      A - I freaked out a year ago. I had just realized that my youngest, my twins, were about to start their senior year of high school. Our last year as parents of ordinary school children.

      The remaining 2010 PL kits were on sale. Yea, I know - such luck. I've kept up with it for the entire year. My priority each day was anything that was the last time [first day of vball practice for example] or specifically related to senior year [ordered cap and gown in OCTOBER. What's up with that?]

      If there wasn't anything related to the last year of school theme, I went with whatever was going on. I have Friday carry out dinner [a 20+ year rule] receipts, news headlines, tags from clothes and many random things documented.

  3. Paula in Australia says…
    08/24/2011

    Ali you are so so talented and giving. Thanks for sharing these photos and the way in which you take them.

    Just a question regarding your thoughts on each photo.... how do you document in the moment, like when you are walking along? ie. the photo of Chris talking to Anna.... it feels so warm and I actually felt the emotion once I read the words you had written about how he as "talking" to her and she not listening. How do you document that (in the moment as I am sure lots happened after this photo was taken so you remember or do you simply remember when you look at the photo?

    Does this make sense or have I totally confused you?

    Once again thanks so much for sharing your wonderful family.

    Regards

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      08/24/2011

      I think it makes sense...the first thing I do is have my camera out and available. In this instance I could see what was happening - the kids running ahead and Chris calling to her to stop. I was witnessing what was happening and letting him take the lead on talking to her about running ahead and thinking about how this is a good example of her story right now (being two and wanting independence etc). I "think" in stories and "see" in pictures and the two come together nicely.

      I also use the photos I take as jumping off points for stories. Often as I look back through images I've taken other stories pop up in addition to whatever the facts were about what was happening at a particular moment.

  4. Jennifer says…
    08/24/2011

    Awesome post Ali! Thanks for sharing all of this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Chris Wenzel says…
    08/24/2011

    wow, they are both getting so old...Simon so mature, you can see it in the photobooth pics...great story!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Cynthia says…
    08/24/2011

    Great post Ali! The photos are gorgeous with respect to the light, angle, perspective. I so agree with you about catching layers, moments and relationships.

    Having an eye towards what you are shooting makes photography so powerful in and of itself - the essence of success is having a picture that truly needs no words. I must say you have captured some powerful ones (I am also thinking of photos you have been sharing before today) of Chris with Anna, Simon, you with the kids and particularly the bond between Simon and Anna.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Missy K says…
    08/24/2011

    Ali, this post is a GREAT example of what you do best-- down to earth, real world, helpful and creative information. It is so easy to get in a rut of taking the same kinds of photos, without that internal echo of "what tells the story?" "How can my photos help tell a fuller story?" My favorite photo and bit of instruction is the photo with you in it and the kids in the boat, all the layers--- you can almost hear the fair and feel that happy bustle. Thank YOU.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      08/24/2011

      You're welcome Missy - thanks for the comment :)

  8. sharyn says…
    08/24/2011

    I always love your photos - loved hearing the thought process behind them. Now I need to know - are you still shooting with the 50mm, or what lens were you using here? Thnx!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. jenn says…
    08/24/2011

    very cool to see your thoughts behind the photos. this will definitely have me thinking the next time I look through the lens...or at the view screen.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Suz says…
    08/24/2011

    That set of pics is awesome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding them. What to look for, etc.
    :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Monica Blain says…
    08/24/2011

    hey Ali! So interesting to see your take on the Lane County Fair! I was just there last week... I was in Eugene visiting family for a couple of weeks and somehow I got roped into taking my niece there. I have fond memories from childhood, but wow is it expensive! I think I paid $7 for my niece and I to both ride the swings (same ones Simon is on in that picture)! Also funny how absolutely nothing but the prices have changed about it over the last 20 years since I first started going!

    Anyway, I wish I would have thought to take some of the great photos you got. Well, we only did one ride because of time constraints. And it was at the time of day when the sun is harshest, so that didn't make for great photos =(

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Karen H says…
    08/24/2011

    I will really try to think in layers--this helps so much! Reading your blog is such a nice way to start my day. Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. dawn says…
    08/24/2011

    What a great post to ready today. Thanks so much for including the thoughts with the photos. It was interesting and fun to read them. I could tell right away with the photo of Chris and Anna that he was "talking" to her and her not listening, that is great you recorded this and that they still went and had fun afterwards. Thanks for all the tips on the photo taking too, I always seem in a hurry to just make sure I get the pictures. My fave is still the one of them in the ride together, reminds me of my time on rides with my sisters when we were that small.

    I noticed in your twitter comments on your Escape retreat, still wish to have come along. My kids just left for their first day of school this morning. Hope you have a fun and safe trip!!Thanks again for a great read this morning.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. dawn says…
    08/24/2011

    I forgot to mention the photo booth pictures, oh my goodness are those adorable of Anna and funny ones of Simon. Love that you have had fun with these lately.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. jesa says…
    08/24/2011

    Ali thank you for sharing your thoughts behind the photographs. The good thing is I already carry my camera everywhere but now you helped me think of even more ways to shoot.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. gen says…
    08/24/2011

    I love these kinds of learning posts. I wondered about these things. You'll have to make a post about the settings you use on your camera and if your family ever gets tired of you constantly taking pictures of them. Mine do. Sometimes I worry too that people think I am weird taking pictures of certain things, especially getting close up shots. Does that ever happen to you? for example, taking pictures of your food when in a restaurant.

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Gen says…
      08/25/2011

      Thank you Ali for your thoughts on this. I will have to practice that no worries mindset about what other people think.

    2. Ali says…
      08/24/2011

      Hi Gen - I shoot in AV and just adjust the ISO depending on the light/time of day, etc. Sometimes the kids turn away - which is totally fine. I just put the camera down or take a photo of something else. I always try to be as unobtrusive as possible and rarely will you hear me say "hey Anna, look over here!" As for worrying about what other people think when taking up-close photos, it's really not something I think about very much. If I want to take a picture I take it and then move on and try not to make a big deal out of it at all - if people look and think it's strange, that's okay with me - I get joy from the images.

    3. Gypsy Chaos says…
      08/30/2011

      My family loves to photograph food - often a kid** suggests that we capture food photos. When we were in the French restaurant at Disney World, we realized the dessert would be an excellent shot - but we'd already eaten a chocolate medallion that 'made' the dessert.

      We asked the waiter if we could have another one, explaining why. Poor guy; it was his first week at Disney World, having just arrived from France. His English was good but our request puzzled him. He brought the medallion and we got the shot.

      That was certainly our wackiest food photographing episode - to date.

  17. Sarah says…
    08/24/2011

    Always always always love your pictures. I guess maybe I still shoot too fast and don't consider the story or the composition as often. I think I'm afraid of missing a moment, but it doesn't always say what I want it to in the end.
    I was wondering, as Sharyn asked earlier, "Are you still shooting with the 50mm lens?" AND I know you have used the AP setting often, is that what you've used here? I keep mine set that way most of the time (with 2 kids, it's so hard to change back and forth and still catch the shot)? Thanks again Ali! Wonderful stories.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Tere says…
    08/24/2011

    Ali, thanks for helping me think about my shots and the stories that can follow. Always learning from you.

    While it's not always easy to carry my camera with me, I've been having fun with my iPhone app Instagram, and just learned I can have those cute pics printed for me via http://printstagr.am/ Can't wait to try it out.

    Also my kids love the phone apps MPhotobooth and Pocketbooth.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Jenell says…
    08/24/2011

    Thanks for sharing your thought process. I'm getting there, but usually from prompts from you. I just recently got a better camera and have been experimenting with the process and end results. This was a great post for me!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Trisha Morton says…
    08/24/2011

    Love your ideas for great shots and different perspectives and I always enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. machelle says…
    08/24/2011

    I have been looking for a photo class more on composition than on technique. A lot of times I don't take photos that are in the moment because I am shy or I am afraid of embarassing my kids. I wish I could get over that.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      08/24/2011

      Hi Machelle - you might want to check out Tracey Clark's new class on photo composition: http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/artofcomp.php

  22. Christine says…
    08/24/2011

    Thanks Ali for sharing your knowledge with us. I always learn something new. My photograpy skills have improved greatly over the years because of people like you who are dedicated to sharing with others.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Teri H. says…
    08/24/2011

    I loved this post Ali. It gave me some great ideas for the next time I get snap happy.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jolynn says…
    08/24/2011

    I'm finding I wish I would have carried my camera more when the kids were little. Now they are grown ups and it's harder to document their adult life! I liked reading each of your photo explanations. Thank you for sharing those.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Deb J says…
    08/24/2011

    You always do such a good job taking pictures.

    Reply 0 Replies

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