Category Archives: People

Photographer’s Choice – Nancy Bowers

Celebrate With Heels, Tiara, Veil – and a Doll

Nancy Bowers - Granddaughter Lanie Dances in the Light

Nancy Bowers - Granddaughter Lanie Dances in the Light

Since the early days of photography, capturing the fleeting days of childhood has been a family mainstay with a Brownie and the occasional trip to the studio. Today there are undoubtedly more shots taken than ever before, the vast majority of no interest beyond the immediate family. But this image strikes a universal chord, the quintessence of joyful youth and the dreams of lasses the world over. The dark background and back lighting are perfect to capture the swirling gown and stray hairs. The softly lighted grass in the foreground adds emphasis to the main subject. In Lanie’s left hand however, the worn doll reminds the viewer that Lanie, imagining a moment far into the future, is only four years old. A crop shows just how much that doll is treasured. As Nancy says, “The doll never leaves her and is much loved”.
Lanie's Baby

Lanie's Baby

Camera: Nikon D80 with 105 mm f/2.8 lens. Exp: 1/320 sec at f/4.5. ISO: 200

Photographer’s Choice – Martin Seelig

A Modern day Huck Finn?

Martin Seelig - Austin's Birthday

Martin Seelig - Austin's Birthday

Probably not but if you were casting a movie of the adventures of Huck, this young lad would be an excellent candidate. Martin captured this b&w shot of Austin on his birthday, sitting on the front porch between two buddies. The freckles, the smile and most of all the very casual haircut is strongly reminiscent of the carefree days of every boy growing up Martin says, ” I really like the expressions on the boys’ faces because it reminds me of a long time ago when I was a kid.” If you can look at this shot and not think back to your younger days when life was so much simpler and the days were passed looking for crawfish in the creek, you are missing something important. This photo was taken using film and Martin expressed the wish that he had had a faster film to allow more depth of field. In this case, it’s best he didn’t. The focus is exactly where it should be. And color would simply not have worked.
Technical Details:
Camera – Maxxum 9
Lens – Minolta 70-210mm at 210mm
Exposed at f4, 1/80th second
Film – Kodak PX 125 metered at 100
Developer – Adonal 1+50 for 13min