03/29/18 ~ Susan

Gone Fishin’

Solitary Fisherman

Where have I been? Gone fishin’— in other words, taking a break. Like me, if you experience a time when your creativity feels stifled, it’s better to take a break than go through the motions—especially with something as personal as photography and other types of art (and blogging for that matter). If you’re not feeling creative, it will be difficult to capture mood and essence in your photography.

Along those lines, my style is to photograph by feel rather than stick to hard and fast rules, so mood and emotion play a part in each photograph. Although it’s important to know all the settings on your camera and to master all the aspects of producing a great photograph such as lighting and composition, trust your instincts as well. If you’re preoccupied with setting things up for the perfect photo or churning out numerous photos, you may miss that golden moment when the light is sparkling around your subject or a unique opportunity is revealing itself right in front of you. The photograph in this post, “Solitary Fisherman“, was one of those opportunities. Although the lighting was not optimal to be taking any photographs, I was amazed when I saw the perfect outline of the fisherman against a sepia sky, right down to the detail on his fishing pole.

Having the camera in my hands allows me to feel my way through the process, especially when photographing moving subjects or unusual lighting situations. Mood plays a part in the final outcome, and I believe the only way to sense and capture that mood is to feel your way through it.

So, if you’re just not feelin’ it—go fishin’!

**One more note…stop by virtually to visit my portfolio at  Susan DeTomi Fine Art Photography Portfolio.

04/26/16 ~ Susan

Farewell Charleston Farmers Market & News!

CFM Days

Thank you & farewell

Being a juried artist/photographer at the Charleston Farmers Market was a great adventure and a memorable time. My business grew as I received a great deal of positive feedback on my photography. Thank you to the wonderful visitors and customers from all over the country and the world who purchased my photography or stopped by to browse and express good wishes. For any visitors and customers who might be curious or wondering where I am, I decided not to return to the market for the 2016 season. I had a successful five-year run and felt it was time to move on. Although I never intended to stay as long as I did, my business grew year over year, and it became difficult to leave.

A few things I’ll miss about being at the market:

• The smell of bacon wafting through the air early in the morning, somewhat of a smelling salts for the tired, and something which I often cursed for tempting me.
• The clanging of the church bells, and the anticipation preceding the Saturday morning eight-o’clock bell.
• Early morning regulars scurrying through the market with their baskets and carts full of fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables of every shape and color.
• Swelling crowds of enthusiastic visitors meandering down the market pathways towards late morning, casting their smiles and compliments my way.
• Dogs of every breed and size wagging and panting their way down Tobacco Row with their owners in tow.
• Gatherings of eager customers forming in and around my booth to chat and select photography.
• Visitors from every corner of the country and the world sharing their interests and stories.

A few things I won’t miss about being at the market:

• Staying up late every Friday preparing for the market; then having to get up at 4:30 AM on Saturday; followed by exhaustion on Sunday.
• Arriving on Saturday morning to a sea of half-drowsy, often grumpy vendors, including myself.
• Setting up and breaking down my booth, which is rather complicated and heavy.
• Trying to keep my artwork protected from the so-called pop-up showers which unexpectedly turn into torrential downpours with storm-force winds.
• The dust-permeated musty odor that hangs in the air during July and August.
• Attempting in vain to stay cool while watching throngs of melting visitors lumber by as the temperatures head towards 90-something, and the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

News!

Although I’m not at the market, I still have my fine art photography business, and my online portfolio is ready to be viewed at Susan DeTomi Fine Art Photography Portfolio. Please “stop by” virtually and feel free to leave comments or ask questions.

02/4/16 ~ Susan

CAG Gallery Members Exhibition 2016 & More!

CAG Gallery Members Exhibition 2016 Award-winning Entry - "Union of Spirit"

Top Section of photo: Award-winning entry-“Union of Spirit”, Ltd Edition ;  Bottom Section of photo: CAG Gallery Members Exhibition 2016

CAG Gallery Members Exhibition 2016

I’m thrilled that my work is currently being displayed at the CAG Gallery Members Exhibition 2016, and that the Limited Edition photograph I entered, “Union of Spirit”, received a recognition award! You can view it along with all of the other amazing artwork if you have a chance to stop by before February 6.

“Union of Spirit” in the making

“Union of Spirit” is a very special photograph of a family of Great Egrets that was in the making for four+ months while I observed the mother sitting on the nest waiting for her eggs to hatch; watching the young chicks grow; and then, very infrequently, seeing the parents together with the chicks. Hundreds of days and shots later, it was an exciting moment when the male (father) flew up to the nest, and the whole family interacted together.  You can see the anticipation and excitement between the parents and the chicks.  It’s amazing that they just know they are a family, and each parent knows how to care for their young in their own way—they’re not told what to do—they just know.

“Union of Spirit” is a Limited Edition, which is currently on its Ninth Edition. The piece in the Exhibition is Edition No. 4–this edition was set aside for showing because it has a special framing treatment.

Check out my portfolio!

Check out my portfolio to view more images like “Union of Spirit” at  Susan DeTomi Fine Art Photography Portfolio or click on the link in the right sidebar of this blog.

04/9/15 ~ Susan

Design, Photography & Artistic Vision

 

Design by Peacock

Design & Photography

One of my new photographs, “Feather Envy“, was recently selected for the Juried Signature Art Exhibition with the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery.  The title alludes to stark realities and instincts inherently present in nature and the animal world, such as the struggle to survive.  Peacocks, for example, are incredibly beautiful creatures, yet that beauty comes at a price. Last year, I observed several peacocks throughout the breeding season. By the end of the season, one of the peacocks was still sporting its striking array of colorful feathers, while the others were so battle-worn, they had nothing left but quills to display. Peacocks and other birds battle each other over territory, mates, food, and status, sometimes to the death. This year I watched a great blue heron nest with two babies in it and witnessed one of the babies almost peck the other to death. The poor chick was hanging out of the nest, its back bleeding and raw while the other continued to peck at it with no remorse.

Feather Envy” also reveals the intricate patterns, designs, and colors on the back of a peacock and on its feathers as well as in nature. A love of design frequently reveals itself in my photography, and there are many elements of design embodied in nature. “Design by Peacock“, an older photograph featured in this post, displays an alternate aspect of design and color present on the peacock.

Speaking of design, I enjoy helping clients to select artwork by reviewing color and design elements in their spaces and working with them to select photographs. I just completed a Consultation for a client who wanted coastal photographs for a recently redecorated bedroom. We worked with all of the elements in the room, including an existing print; the paint color on the walls; the duvet and pillow colors; and the size and shape of the available space, to select the right pieces for that space. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now, and I offer this service free of charge. I want to ensure that people select the right artwork for their spaces, and that they are happy with the work they’ve selected. So, if you would like me to do a Consultation for you, just contact me to set up a time to talk, skype, or meet. I’ve even done this remotely, whereby clients text or email photos of their spaces, and we work from there.

Two more newsworthy items I’d like to mention are: first, I am working on finishing my online portfolio which people have frequently inquired about. It would probably have been finished by now if I hadn’t been out enjoying the Spring bounty of photographic opportunities!

Second, I am a “swamp dweller” at this time of year. For quite some time, I’ve been observing the wildlife and birds around the Audubon Swamp, an amazing natural habitat close to where I live. I released many photographs in previous years from that swamp, chronicling almost every bird in it, and I will be releasing many more this year!

Artistic Vision

What is artistic vision? My interpretation is that it represents the unique creation; artistic endeavor; idea; view; or vision represented in an individual’s artwork–that artistic vision which came out of their own history, thoughts, location, attitudes, emotions, mood, etc. at the time they created the artwork.

It is important to respect the artistic vision of artists and creators or we will all be doing the same thing, and that will not only be demotivating for artists striving for originality in their work, it will be uninteresting for those who view the artwork.

In this world of easy access to everything with the internet, people forget to respect each others’ unique visions and hard work. It is too easy to stake claim to others’ visions and works by claiming them on Facebook and other social media outlets; backdating postings; information; writing; original ideas; and artwork–thereby making it your own. An example of this is the practice of creating facsimile or derivative artwork that was viewed from another artist.

The message I’d like to convey here is that artists should strive to dig deeper into the creative resources that lie within themselves; and that appreciators/buyers of art should support artists that forge original ideas and artwork that came from the creator’s own artistic vision!

02/15/13 ~ Susan

New Topics on Photography!

I’m expanding this photoblog to feature articles on photography-related topics in addition to continuing with its original focus—to display featured photographs blended with creative writing.

Customers approach me to discuss all aspects of photography, so adding those discussion topics for blog postings seems like the perfect way to share them!