Freestyling...

What comes to mind when you hear "freestyle?"  This is a term that can be used to describe swimming, singing, cruising, wrestling, or even picking.  Picking you may ask?? YES!  Have any of you seen "American Pickers" on the history channel?  If not, it is an absolutely addicting show.  The two co-hosts go and "pick" items from all over the country to sell in their antique store.  Sometimes they have a destination in place and other times they "freestyle."  This is when they have a general direction in mind, but just drive around until they see something that peaks their interest.  Sometimes their freestyling produces fantastic results and other times, they leave with nothing.

This COMPLETELY applies to photography as well.  I think as an photographer, there are times we have to stay within certain parameters.  Maybe you are shooting a wedding or an event... these are times when it is probably a good idea to show up.  But there are other times when you may have an idea of a type of photograph you want, but aren't specifically sure where you want to shoot... insert here --> a PERFECT opportunity for freestyling.

I also think as an artist, it is important to allow for creative inspiration.  It is easy to get caught up in needing to photograph certain places because they are historic or iconic ~ but don't put your creativity in a box.  Allow yourself opportunities to just explore with your camera without preconceived ideas or expectations.

Here is a photo I took in my neighborhood, on my way to the mailbox ~ you never know where you will find beauty <3

ISO 100 ~ 60mm ~ f/2.8 ~ 1/1000 sec

© Corrie M Avila

Tomorrow I am going freestyling <3 No, not the rapping kind, or the swimming kind, but the type of freestyle that puts my camera and I, in a new place, to just explore.  I have a few ideas of places I want to try, but I am going to see how the day goes and where my feet take me.  My only goal is to capture the beauty of Autumn and all the Fall colors that are just about in peak color... but where will I go and what will I shoot??  Only time will tell!

Happy Shooting!

Corrie <3

First Bald Eagle Sighting of the Fall...

Signs of fall in Northern Virginia include cooler evenings, the leaves starting to change, and American Bald Eagle activity.

I've lived in my house for two years now, but it wasn't until last fall that I noticed I had American Bald Eagles that liked to hang out in a tree behind my house.  I live along an inlet of the Potomac River and it is mostly marsh back there.  When I first saw the pair, I ran into my house, grabbed my camera, and took about 200 photos (no exaggeration).  I think it was partly because I thought this was a one time shot.  But I began keeping an eye out for them and was honored to see them often throughout the fall and the winter months (and of course had many photo ops in there too).

Last fall I saw the pair for the first time, and as the days shifted more towards the winter I usually would just see one.  After researching more about them, I learned that they lay their eggs in the Dec/Jan time frame ~ so it makes sense that once the eagles are nesting, one of the eagles will usually always be on the nest.  The thing I find most amazing about these magnificent birds is that American Bald Eagles mate for life with one partner.  How amazing is that?!?  In a society where divorce has become the norm, these beautiful birds stay with one another until one of them dies.  Here is a photo of the pair I took in November of 2011.

Pair of American Bald Eagles © Corrie M Avila

Nature photography is different than portrait photography.  Photographing in nature requires patience and precision.  Many times you have to anticipate where your subject will be.  Learn the patterns and habits of the creature you are photographing.  Another tip I've learned is that if you miss your chance the first time, be patient, because many times you will get additional opportunities to get that perfect shot.  Here are a few additional photos I've taken of the American Bald Eagles taken over the past year.

© Corrie M Avila

© Corrie M Avila

© Corrie M Avila

I had my first American Bald Eagle sighting of the season yesterday.  There was one soaring up high over the trees.  She was beautiful, carefree, and magnificent.  I can't wait for more fall photography, including these beautiful birds.

Happy Shooting <3

Corrie