lights, action, bokeh! :: bokeh photography

having fun :: composite photography

i've been playing with old photographs lately. having all sorts of fun...

bokeh fun :: diy photography

do you play with bokeh styling much? i haven't in a while and snuck outside the night before we took down our holiday lights. i'm glad i did... i'll use them for backgrounds and layering through-out the year.

if you don't know how to get the shape effects see this great tutorial by apartment therapy.

xoxo

2014 calendar :: shop news :: abstract photography

for sale @ urban sassafras

light & focus :: abstract photography

sometimes, messing with light and focus can be beautiful. most photographers will tell you to shoot in the shade so that there are no harsh shadows. but come on... isn't it fun to break the rules?

i like to shoot directly into the light and/or play with the focus so that everything is just a bit blurry. this creates an abstract feeling into an otherwise straight-forward artistry. this is also how you can create the sought after bokeh styling.

what do you think? will you try it?

summer club :: central illinois photography

school started yesterday for "the monster".  summer is coming to an end (sniff, sniff)... goodbye late night swims, dinners on the patio, sunsets and sailboats.  at least for this year.

xoxo

summer sale :: photography

i'm running a one week sale (expires july 19) to celebrate summer.  i generally only do this once a year, so check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cassandrapence

xoxo

spring snow at night :: night photography :: winter photography

the night of our 'spring blizzard' last weekend, hubby and i helped family and friends out by snow-blowing their driveways.  i was reluctant to get out at first, but after he got me in the truck, i really enjoyed myself.  as we drove around town, the view was lonely and beautiful.  the snow was peaceful.  and it's too rare that we spend time together just the two of us.

xoxo

adventure :: composite photography

sometimes, i start editing a photograph and i really have no end in mind.  i just begin playing with the colors & adding textures.  it's funny though because the art i usually finish with has an idea buried within my sub conscience...

lately, i have been itching to travel.  and not on a road trip.  really travel far far away where a car, bus or train can not take me.  right now, however, in my life as a mother, wife & business owner, it's just not possible.

it's good to have things to look forward to though.  and it's always wonderful to day dream...

xoxo

kiss me goodnight :: bokeh photography

photographing fireworks :: photography

can you believe it's almost independence day?!  we have all kinds of celebrating to do this weekend - yay!  i took these photos last year at our little town's fireworks display.  i used a semi-fast shutter speed but then kept everything out of focus.  this gave them a bokeh look (that i crush over).  here is an article on other ways to take photographs of fireworks.  study up and as always, i would love to see your photographs on my facebook page!

enjoy your weekend friends!