Weekly Photo Challenge: Split-Second Story
“It’s amazing how photography can capture just a split second of something exquisite.”
Kiera Cass
The thing about photography, and about art in general, is that’s its very personal. This week, we’ve been challenged by Shane to post a single photo that tells a story. In the shot I’ve chosen, I feel the joy of the musician, the happiness of the moment, and the rhythm of the music comes shining through. The shot is another example of my love of impressionism, which may not be your cup of tea, but somehow it speaks to me.
Those who follow me know I was at our friends’ daughter’s wedding in Austin, TX last week. The capture above, and those that follow, were taken at a Mexican-themed party the night before the main event.
“Every mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.”
Pearl S. Buck
I had decided not to travel with my trusty Nikon D/300s and instead took my little Nikon point-and-shoot. Although it performed well, in the very dim light of the party’s venue it wasn’t quite up to the task of capturing the band. When I saw the result of my first photo in the camera, it occurred to me that this was a time to turn lemons into lemonade. I loved the look of the out-of-focus singer in motion, so I set out to capture a few similar shots to make a series. I think my first capture achieves the goal of telling the story through a single shot. But since I visualized this as a series, I’m including several that I felt worked best as a group.
“It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.”
Steve Maraboli
Are you a fan of artistic creativity or are you a traditionalist? For those who find traditionalism more interesting, I offer my final capture. Here, the guitarist has stopped moving to pose for my camera. He was quite the ham and seemed to enjoy his moment in the limelight. For me, the movement in the earlier photos makes them more interesting, that somehow they do a better job of telling the story. Sure, I could have increased my ISO or used Shutter speed mode to capture the motion without blur, but personally I prefer this approach. But then, that’s why there’s vanilla and chocolate, right?
“One tiny decision can change a life. A decision that takes only a split second to make.”
Anita Shreve
To see some of the moments captured by other bloggers click here.
You were right – it was the perfect opportunity to make something new – wonderful!
Thanks BB! I had some fun with this one 🙂
I very much like how you worked with this series, Tina.
Thanks Bente! Sorry I missed your comment earlier!
Love the effect, second pic is very ‘Renoir -ish’.
Thanks Liz, now THAT’s a compliment and a half!!!
🙂
I love that you made lemonade out of lemons … I need to be more receptive to the unexpected!
🙂 thanks LB! Somehow I think the unexpected is right up your alley!
How interesting! I love the second photo!
Thanks Svetlana!
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Love the effect you created both with the band and the background walls. Those walls were so beautifully painted, was checking them out that night. And with your artful treatment, enhances them even more!
Thanks Linda! I agree, the walls were extraordinary and are a large part of why the photos work! Thanks for stopping by and for commenting–good eye! Sent from my iPad
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Once again a great series tina.
Thanks Robert!
Wonderful, Tina! Those moments are telling stories and inspiring imagination to run miles 🙂 It must have been a lovely party!
Thank you Ese 🙂 it was a terrific evening!
Well Tina…
Way to go to capture these wonderful action images. Good choice in composing them!!
Thanks Rick! It was a really fun event. Something quite different from the usual rehearsal dinner 🙂
I just LOVE this post…..my favorite shot being the opening “the singer”…..just feel that there is an entire book that could be written from this one moment!! I, like U, love the impressionism….so much feeling & emotion….but love the comparison as well…with ‘the real deal’ truly 2 different worlds…2 completely different emotions…at least for me!!
Thanks April! We’re on the same page on this one 🙂
Love the blur! It adds interest and a certain artistic quality these images!
Many thanks Susan!
Tina – can’t agree more with you 🙂 One look at the first photograph and I can tell it was an exhilarating performance by the musician. You’ve expressed his passion, his love for music in a very unique and creative way. I doubt if fast shutter speed would have really captured the ‘essence’ of that moment.
Thanks Uday, truly appreciate your perspective on this one!
Ah, are you sure it wasn’t the champagne at work here? 🙂 Very impressionistic and I love the colors. Great post, as always.
Hmmm….well actually it was margaritas but you may be on to something there 🙂
I applaud the making of lemonade! These do tell a story. I love the light and lines especially in the third one. Glad you had a great time…
Many thanks Sherry. My favorite too 🙂
It only takes a second to make someone smile 🙂 great post Tina!
Thanks Andy!
Yes Tina I too felt the blurred picture seems to capture the moment effectively.
Regards 🙂
Thank you Dilip! That seems to be the popular opinion on this one!
This is the difference between a photographer and an artist! Great captures!
:-). Thanks Gin!!
the mexican themed party looks like it was so much fun – and I enjoyed your photos – oh – and well said with this dear Tina “The thing about photography, and about art in general, is that’s its very personal.” well said. 🙂 have a nice week.
Thanks Yvette! The party was great fun and we loved the band 🙂
Absolutely agree with you, the photos with motion makes it more possible to envision the scene and feel the environment of music. Your final shot, the portrait of the musician is a great shot as well, but the motion makes it possible to know that it was a fun night.
🙂 thanks Randall! The band was tons of fun, which is the feeling I hoped to bring out in the photos. Appreciate, as always, your visit and comment.
I feel the motion from your shots 😀
Thanks very much Halim!
Great dynamic shots. This is capturing the moment of action so beautiful. Great work Tina
Thanks so much Erwin! Lucky for me the challenge was a good fit for my shots this week!
Your welcome Tina. I bet whatever challenge we have you will find greats shots in your portfolio. It’s a big pleasure to browse trough your photos.
The real difference between a photographer and an artist!
Many times I’ve been asked about which is the best photographic camera? I always answer: “the one you have on hand”! ; isn’t it Tina?
A lovely comment Jaime, thank you. I agree whole-heartedly!
It looks like you did it on purpose!
LOL CTB, I DID do it on purpose. After the first one anyway 🙂
Well it does give it a new energy and looks really cool.
What a perfect choice, Tina, so full of motion and music!
janet
Thanks Janet! It was a good fit for this week 🙂
I like the blur it works!! : ))
Thanks Treesshrubs!!
I love your comment – making lemonade out of lemons. Great captures – you really captured the energy and joy of the musicians
Thanks Nora – it’s an oldie but one of my favorites 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
looks like a fun celebration. I like the unposed shots much better.
It was very fun – the mariachi’s really added to the festivities! Thanks for your comment
Several years ago these sort of photos would have ended up in my recycle bin! Then I started using art effects on blurred photos that I liked so I could make something out of them. Motion can be difficult to capture well. I rather like your 3rd image, but not so sure about the first two. A post to ponder over this week Tina 🙂
Jude xx
That’s my favorite too Jude. I like the 3 as a series but if I had to choose one, that would be it. Thanks for your comment!
I’m gladd that you improvided the Mariachis through impressionism. I know too many people who would have given up.
🙂 I thought the first one looked fun so why not try?! Thanks for stopping by!
Just to be contrary, Tina, I really like the second one where I can see his companions 🙂
Not contrary at all Jo — kind of partial to that one myself!!! Thanks for stopping by!
Interesting.. This one went to Junk… But the others did not appear anywhere… Making progress! Checking my settings again,, thanks for sticking with me on this…
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Ah, we’ll get to the bottom of it yet Linda – thanks for your continued support!
Tina you continue to amaze me!
Hey Donna! Great to hear from you; so happy you enjoyed! Miss you.
Great pics, love the movement and energy in the first one. Really tells the story. 🙂
Many thanks Katie!
Tina, marvelous post … and entry. I’m not able to view the original from READER -it doesn’t open up, maybe something wrong with WP. Love the movement in your images. Have a nice weekend now.
Hi Viveka- thanks so much! Not sure what’s going on w WP, it worked fine when I checked it and have had no other complaints. Thanks for giving it a look despite the reader issues!
I could view and read the whole post from Reader – but I prefer to visit the original. Had loads of problems this evening with adding photos too. That’s internet in a nutshell – great when it works, but frustrating when it doesn’t.
Really great shots! 🙂
Many thanks FG!
Great photos Tina. Glad to see you arrived home safely after the storm 🙂
Thanks Andrew – yes it was a truly miserable, stormy day in Austin and we ended up overnight in Atlanta after missing our connection but it could have been worse and we were very happy to get home !
Ha ha ha…. just like my point and shoot. The smile made it worthwhile.
🙂 Thanks Perpetua!!
Great! I did something similar recently, but, I think not as successfully….
Hi Sue – Actually I think you did it quite well! But thanks for the lovely comment.
I commented on your post thinking about a shot I had done with more motion blur that I haven’t yet posted…. not as good as my others
I enjoyed these Tina… Lemons into lemonade indeed!
One of my favorite expressions Susi! Thanks for your visit and comment.
Haven’t heard it for ages… Yes I like it too!
Really like these photos Tina. The blurring is so effective and along with the content and composition, make for eye-catching images. Superb.
Thanks so much David for your visit and lovely compliment.
In this series… I love the impressionistic approach to the split-second theme, Tina.
The energy and emotion of music is difficult to capture and I think your first photograph does a terrific rendering 🙂 Makes me want to get up and dance.
Jane
Many thanks Jane – the music was so fun. I suppose I should have included it with the post (i did a video of the band) but I didnt’ think of it until just now!
Oh no, I think it’s perfect just the way you created the post. The music the observer hears is in the imagination…
Don’t change a thing ❤