I’m a dichotomy… sometimes a tomboy, sometimes girlie girl. I think I’ve found a pretty good balance though. Women aren’t actually as hard to understand as men like to think 
They just need to understand that we’re the sum of all of our parts… some good, some bad, but in the end, it’s what makes us who we are.
Enjoy!
*tracey*
It’s getting cooler here in the Land of Wind, how about where you’re at? I’ll admit, I’m one of those crazy people who love the cold weather and, having lived in Tennessee for the last three years, I am so very happy to be back to the crisp, cool Autumns and pending winter. (bring on the snow!) That said though, I am quite certain that some time come February or March, I’ll be feverishly wishing for some warmer weather.
“Crimson,” from the coast of Maine, one of the newest in my gallery, is a photo that reminds me of just such a day. Enjoy!
*tracey*
Crimson
tiny scallop clock in poppy by uncommon on etsy
I’m fascinated by color; both full-throttle and lack thereof. As a photographer, it’s important that I understand the symbolism behind colors and the emotions that they evoke.
You can take a photograph of the most amazing subject however if the end result is underexposed, drab and boring or worse, overexposed, too light and washed out, you’ll lose people’s interest. Beyond understanding exposure, understanding colors, their potential combinations and how the human brain reads and registers them helps create better end results.
Anyone who knows my body of work knows I love bold colors. Many of my photographs have pops of red or orange and in some cases I use selective color to really draw them to the surface. I love how certain colors play off of one another, balancing out and making a statement well beyond that of the subject. I love how even a subtle pop of color can draw a viewer in. One of my favorite photographs, “The Parking Spot” is a good example of this. As we were headed down The Grand Canal, the first thing that caught my eye was the gorgeous red of the boat against the backdrop of the green door. Would I have noticed this mansion otherwise? No, likely not.
Now, I’m not implying that color alone makes or breaks a shot; there are so many other things that go in to an excellent color photograph. I’m also not saying every shot should be so saturated with color it practically punches the viewer in the face. Sometimes subtlety is best. It is possible to have too much color; it’s your job as the photographer to understand your subject and visualize a well balanced end result.
“color theory: brick and mortar” draws on my fascination with color and will be the first in a series of treasuries exploring color theory which, in the realm of visual arts, is the guidance behind color mixing and understanding the ultimate emotions that combinations evoke.
Today’s color combination is brick red and soft gray, hence the brick and mortar title.
Red is a very emotionally intense color which is associated with energy, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.
Gray, “the new black”, is a timeless color, considered practical, elegant and solid. it is a neutral, balanced color midway between white and black, which evokes the feelings and emotions of security, reliability, modesty, and maturity.
For me, the color combination evokes a feeling of security and strength. I feel it’s an elegant and well balanced combination as the red is fiery while the gray is more neutral and understated, yet still beautiful.
What does this color combination evoke in you? What are some of your favorite color combinations?
Be sure to check out the various shops in the treasury. They have some amazing finds that are sure to delight!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
"Tomatoes" an original oil painting by Nik Shogren on Etsy
Well, Autumn is here and with it brings the end of tomato season… BUT it also brings cooler weather and…drum roll please! Tomato SOUP!
Today’s treasury is a nod to a fruit (yes, that’s right, it’s a fruit) that, honestly, I actually hated as a kid. Now? Can’t get enough of them. Caprese salads, sun-dried, roasted, smoked… sooo many good uses for a tomato, so little time.
I hope you enjoy this bright and cheery treasury filled with fantastic finds from great Etsy artisans. Be sure to check out their shops and see what other fantastic gems they have!
Enjoy!
*tracey* the tomaaaaaahhhto queen
"From the Loop" Tracey Capone Photography 2010
So, technically, tilt-shift photography is usually from the vantage point above the subject so, hence the “sorta kinda, well maybe” part of the title but I just had to try this and see what happened.
A few weekends back, on a whim, I decided to take the full Chicago architectural tour… yet again… because I love boating along the Chicago River, seeing all the amazing buildings that make up this wonderful city. The history behind Chicago’s architecture is fascinating and some of the stories you’ll hear on the tour are sure to make you chuckle.
One of the things I missed in my three years away, believe it or not, was the CTA. Yes, it smells funny and some of the people are weird but the El (elevated track line) is one of the best ways to see the city. Jump from the Red Line to the Brown and the Brown to the Orange and just keep riding around the loop taking in the mix of modern and retro buildings that Chicago has to offer.
But I digress… “From the Loop” is my “take” on tilt-shift photography. By using selective focus (hey remember that from yesterday?) and blurring out the buildings in the immediate background, the train and that beautiful red, brick building are pulled out of what was once a pretty dull picture that was basically overpowered by the Sears Tower (yes, yes, it’s the “Willis Tower” fine… it’s the big, black building in the back)
I still plan on doing some true tilt-shift photography and will definitely post it here. In the mean time, here’s a great tutorial on how you can fake tilt-shift using Photoshop.
Enjoy!
*tracey*
Duo/Hanging Bird Feeder by joepapendick on Etsy
My latest treasury, who’s alternate title is, “An Homage to my Shower Curtain” (haven’t seen it? It’s what inspired the color choices…) combines vintage yellow or ochre and varying shades of gray. I love this retro-feel color combo for both it’s softness and vibrancy.
Can you guess which item I have my eye on the most? If you guessed the awesome DSLR messenger bag by Stash, you guessed correctly. (Although that vintage yellow dress from the 60s also has me drooling… so very Joan from “Mad Men,” don’t you think?) Check out more great bags in Stash’s shop as well as the other shops included in the treasury!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
"Second City" Tracey Capone Photography 2010
One of the newest pieces in my gallery is, “Second City;” a photograph of the Chicago Theatre sign along State Street here in Chicago.Those who know State Street will also recognize the Marshall Fields clock (sorry, still can’t call it Macy’s) and the Marina Towers in the background.
I’ve used two techniques, one pre- and the other post-processing, to get the ultimate effect you see here.
First, by using my Lensbaby Composer lens, which utilizes a ball and socket setup to provide an amazing selective focus effect, I’ve blurred out the areas immediately surrounding the sign, including the clock and the towers in the back. By switching my camera in to manual focus and a combination of moving the lens on the ball and socket as well as manually focusing the lens, I was able to focus in on the sign without completely blurring the surroundings to the point where you can’t recognize them. (If you haven’t already tried a Lensbaby, check them out. The amount of fun and creativity that comes from using one of their lenses, as well as the many accessories available, is well worth the cost of the lens.)
Secondly, in post-processing, using masking as well as some creative actions in Photoshop, I’ve pulled out the amazing colors in the sign, while creating a platinum black and white effect for the remaining areas.
Moral of the story… don’t be afraid to “draw outside the lines” and use selective focus for creative results. Not every shot has to be 100% crisp and clear. Sometimes, blurring out certain aspects of the shot forces the viewer to look at the entire photograph rather than just your main subject while it conversely sets a more creative stage for the main attraction. You can find more great tips on using selective focus here.
And voila, I give you, “Second City.”
Enjoy!
*tracey*
Backstage at the Follies- by Matou en Peluche on Etsy
I said I was addicted to creating treasuries right?? I can’t help it! There are such fabulous finds on Etsy and it’s just so darn easy to click “Create a Treasury” that I just can’t help myself…really, truly. So, all that said, here’s the latest, “Color Grade…Retro Style”
One of the things I love most about retro style is the color palette. I love the bright, fun colors, mixed with the more subtle ones. My treasury is an homage to one of my favorite combinations: orange, gray and teal.
Now, I might not decorate my entire living room in this color scheme but you better believe I’ll pull in bits of it here and there. (See the fun flapper girls in the top left? Guess who just bought that for her living room? Check out the other fun offerings from Matou en Pelouche here)
What other retro color combinations do you like?
So, without further adieu, here it is… “Color Grade… Retro Style.” Be sure to check out each of the shops included in the treasuries… you’re sure to be delighted!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
"Meet Same The Smallest Squirrel" by doodlebirdie on Etsy
Sam has a busy day.
He needs to get to The Acorn Queen’s 3rd floor walk up for lunch (yes, she lives in a one bedroom, one bath walk up in the city… these are difficult times).
He overslept and along the way has to say hi to his besties, dodge owls and wires like a game of Frogger, pick up his nutcracker at the shop AND collect as many acorns as possible along the way.
He may be tiny but he’s quick and he’s industrious…Don’t worry about Sam- he rocks at multi-tasking.
My latest treasury was inspired by the word of two in particular, marisolspoon and doodlebirdie, both found on Etsy. I love the teeny little Sam the Squirrel and adore the colors in “The Acorn Queen.” Be sure to check out the treasury and all of the shops included as you won’t be disappointed!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
Fresh Figs- a photograph by honeyandjamphoto on Etsy
The only childhood memories I have of anything, “fig related” are of Fig Newtons. I’ll admit it… they weren’t my favorite. I would have much preferred a ooeygooey (yes, as far as I’m concerned, that’s a word) chocolate chip cookie over a Newton any day. Looking back, I didn’t appreciate the beauty and delicate flavor of the fig. As an adult I look forward, with much anticipation, to Autumn and the markets carrying fresh figs. Use them in salads, grill them, or preserve them, they’re healthy and tasty and, dare I say it, one of the most beautiful fruits around. You can find a host of fantastic recipes for figs as well as tips on how to store them on the California Fig Advisory Board’s website found here.
Today’s treasury is inspired by the beautiful shades of green and aubergine of the fig and even includes a special treat… one of my favorite recipes for Baked Figs and Creme Fraiche. Looking for a simple, yet elegant dessert for a holiday dinner party? Try it… you won’t be disappointed.
Be sure to check out the treasury by clicking on the photo below and search each of the Etsy shops included in the treasury for some great inspiration for the holidays and beyond… Enjoy!
*tracey*
