Sunday, August 10, 2008

Favorite Photo Monday



I was excited when I found out that AOJ wanted to see our favorite photo and hear the story behind it. I would love to say that I spent some time sorting through photos in search of my favorite, but I went with the first photo that jumped into my head. I figured if it was the first one to come into my head it must be my absolute favorite.

So while you might think you are going to be treated a fancy flower or a colorful bird, instead I want to show you my daughter.

Britney



When I see this photo I always wonder what my lovely daughter is thinking. It was taken in an elevator of the Sears Tower in March, 2006, while I was still going through chemo, on the last evening before Britney returned to Pennsylvania (where she was living at the time). Shortly before her 20th birthday, she looks so young and innocent, yet weighed down, I can get lost in the photo just thinking about all that was going on our lives then.

I think, that if I had put more thought into taking the photo I might have messed it up. It was one of those moments when you just kinda aim and snap without much thought. Too worried about her catching me snapping to take the time to frame things up. I love her gentle reflection, but if I had taken the time, and noticed that reflection at the time I would tried to get her whole face reflected and possibly lost some of what I love about the photo.

Technical stuff - The photo was taken in March, 2006 when Britney came for a visit (before I had a digital SLR) with a Sony DSC-V1. I set the camera on ‘nightshot’ although there was plenty of light. There’s no tweaking done to the photo itself, SOC (straight out of camera).

chickadee



So as not to disappoint, here’s my favorite bird shot, actually one of my first decent bird shots after I got my first digital SLR last fall.

42 comments:

  1. I love the photo of your daughter, you can get lost in that photo. I also wonder what she was thinking about.

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  2. Beautiful photo of your daughter. It is somethng to treasure.

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  3. I love that photo also...it is very ethereal....beautiful.

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  4. chick-a-dee dee dee deelightful.
    both.

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  5. Amazing shot of your daughter's pensive look! Is it one of her faves too??

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  6. wonderful photos with such memories.

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  7. Lisa....your daughter's photo is absolutely stunning!!!! I love it. I love it a lot. The composition is outstanding.

    My FM favorite photos are shared also, I do hope you can find time to stop by.

    ....wishing you a glorious week.

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  8. Your right, that photo of your daughter is one to be cherished. It suggests the angst of being that age, but also shows a very beautiful young woman.

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  9. I can see why that's your favorite among favorites...and after reading about it, all the more so! I think what you said is almost assuredly true. What a treasure to have!

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  10. Awesome shot of your daughter! WOW! This is one of those that really draws you into the shot and creates all kinds of questions for the viewer. What a beautiful young lady!!

    And I LOVE your bird shot too!!

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  11. Wow! I'm going to have to take mine down now. I didn't realize everyone's pictures were going to be so good. That is a fabulous shot. I love all of it, from the reflection behind your daughter's head, to the reflection on her face. You're blowing me away! I hate people who can take good bird photos!

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  12. Both of them are beautiful on their own! Excellent shots!
    Cheers, Klaus

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  13. WOW I mean WOW that photo of your daughter speaks volumns.

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  14. I love the picture of your daughter. The emotion makes it, for sure!

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  15. wow is all i can say! i missed looking at all your pictures

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  16. Great everything. It should be in a gallery.

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  17. A stunning photo!! it is beautiful!!
    and such a cute little birdy!!

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  18. I'm with you on this. That is a great photo of your daughter. Some times the best photos are the unplanned ones.

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  19. I simply love that shot of your daughter - incredible!

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  20. First thing that popped into my head when I saw the photo in the elevator was the video for "Everybody's Fool" by Evanescence. But only visually. Thematically there's no parallel there. She's a beautiful girl, and it's a beautiful photo -- all the more so for its "improvised" nature. I've always thought candids provide a rawer -- and usually better -- emotion than formally posed shots. And the motion in this one is ... powerful. Very powerful.
    Magnificent shot.

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  21. Absolute beautiful photo of your daughter. You can tell she's weighed down in thought and you're right...if you'd have tried for a better shot, it wouldn't have came out quite so spectacular.

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  22. Beatiful and beautiful. The one of your daughter is a priceless capture!

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  23. I love the shot of your daughter. And so what if the reflection isn't perfect - life isn't either, and the photo reflects that realism. Love it!

    Tink *~*~*
    My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

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  24. The photo of your daughter is wonderful. It says so much in such a quiet way. I love that.

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  25. Both photos are very nice but I love the one with your daughter, there is something very special in it !

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  26. LOVE the shot of your daughter. She and it are beautiful.

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  27. It's a beautiful photo of your daughter. It must have been so tough for her, and you of course, she looks lost in her thoughts at that difficult time. As always your bird photo is lovely.

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  28. Both of these are wonderful photos.
    I don't think I could choose an absolute favorite from all of my photos, but a lot of times the photos I don't put much thought/planning into, just shoot when the opportunity arises, are the ones that end up being my favorites.

    BTW: I got the snail shells in the mail today. :-) They DID beat the card here. LOL

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  29. What a beautiful shot! She looks so pretty and you've got that Mona Lisa what is she thinking going on. I love it!

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  30. The picture is wonderful, and your description is insightful. She certainly seems in deep thought.

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  31. I can see why your thoughts went directly to this photo of your daughter and the memories it conjures up for you of those times. Isn't it amazing what our 'unconscious' can do when we allow it some control? Thanks for sharing the story behind this photo ... and for including the nifty 'bird' photo as well. I always enjoyed visiting ... but today's post seems very special.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  32. Absolutely beautiful pic of your daughter - isn't it amazing what great shots one can get when you just take it and not think about it? Great job.

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  33. I understand why you had no trouble choosing this as a favorite. Not only is the work beautiful, but the look on your daughter's face and the lines of her body speak a thousand words. As her mother, I'm sure you were so concerned with what she was evidently thinking and feeling.

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  34. I can see why you chose that picture. Your daughter is gorgeous. I hope that you have entered it into a photo contest....

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  35. This is the perfect shot, Lisa. I think it is my favorite of yours that I've seen as well and you have so many gorgeous photos. You captured the moment beautifully.

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  36. That is a fabulous shot of your daughter, you can definitely project a hundred different thoughts and emotions on to her she looks so contemplative.

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  37. what a beautiful, meaningful and breathtaking shot of your daughter at a difficult time.

    amazing.

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  38. That is a beautiful photo of your daughter and it makes you want to know what is going on her mind even not knowing her. Some of my favorite photos are the ones I didn't set up

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  39. Oh Lisa, that is an amazing image. It just captures her expression and the worry she must have been feeling.

    Thank you for offering to host next week!

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  40. Thank you for sharing this. It is, indeed, a treasure.

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  41. Great phot of Britney...she looks so pretty and yet so deep in thought! =)

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  42. your daughter is lovely and you did catch a very comtemplative mood. sounds like a hard time for your family then and i really hope things are better now. love the bird shot! actually, browsing through your photos....i love them all. :)

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