Spring Refocused

April 29, 2013, 2:08 am

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I find myself gathering my thoughts more so at this time of year. Clearing out the old to make way for the new.  I work in the garden to prepare beds and boarders for vegetables and sown flower seeds and beans.  As I work I clear through my thinking too, assess the importance of the direction my work and think of new projects to work on over the summer.




I've also been clearing through my old photographic files, and I've been amazed at the huge shift in my work over the past few years. I stumbled upon a 'back-up' folder full of my first textured attempts. I was quite horrified at how dreadful they were and initially felt ashamed. Then I got to thinking and I realised that my very first creative stumblings were just that! A way of finding my creative feet, a necessity for any journey. I'm actually kind of grateful that I came across this file as it made me realise just how far I've come and how I've continued to evolve my style. I feel that I'm now beginning to really discover 'me' beyond the layers of learning.  I've spent, and invested, so much time in 'learning' I'm finally ready to set sail, take a bigger leap of faith and wonder again into the unknown. 

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Seen for the first time...

April 30, 2013, 1:17 pm

≫ Next: Being Away {The start of a different kind of Journey}

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I get a real sense of inner beauty and a deeper connection when I combine and present a small collection of images together. These images are subtle, softer and have nothing in particular of their own to make them stand out. In fact there really isn't anything about them at all! But when combined, with other similar images, suddenly I see them! I feel them and they harmonise to set a scene. The first inclinations of a story emerge and that I adore.  Just like musical instruments, something just work better together then they do alone. Perhaps there is a lot in life that work's better together than alone, {thought}. 

Being Away {The start of a different kind of Journey}

May 14, 2013, 4:49 am

≫ Next: This is {HONESTY}

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I have just returned from a week away to the tiny Spanish island of Ibiza. It was the first time aboard from my children and they loved everything about it. From the aeroplane, the warm early May sun, the clear sea, the cove beaches, the food, and everything in between. This trip was intended as nothing more than a well needed family get away, something for us all to look forward to. 

I refused to take my big 'grown up' camera! Instead I packed light and opted form my little Samsung NX1000. I wanted a break from work, from Facebook, emails and the Internet. I wanted only to communicate with the five people I traveled with, my husband, my children and my parents. Bliss...yes it was! It was just the pause I needed to still my mind, and when I finally did I was quite amazed at what I observed. 

I consider myself to be a relaxed person (anyone who knows me will probably laugh at this statement). Because in reality (obviously not my own) I'm really anything but relaxed! The first few days of the holiday, I found I was actually having difficulties just chilling out with everyone. I couldn't even relax enough to read my book. I'm know I'm not great at stopping, I feel that I'm wasting time. I feel compelled to make the most out of every thought, to try and realise everything that goes through my head. My mind rants on and on, one idea after another. Crashing thoughts like waves on the shore! One over lapping another of inspirational ideas, to-do lists and planned projects. (And I find myself thinking the only other thing that crashes to shore are shipwrecks!) I NEED calmer waters, where I can reflect. They say you can't reflect in running water and it so true! 

As the holiday went on I started writing my thoughts down. I thought about how I could address this desire to slow down and be okay with it. I also thought about how I could use my work, as a photographer, to help me. And, finally I wrote down the things about myself I started to observe.

For now let's just say I have started an altogether different kind of journey and I have no idea as to it's destination.



 

{PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES}
I took many, rather dreadful, family snaps, and a small handful of images to just remind me of this special holiday. I was really careful to never detract my attention away from what was going on around me for no more than a few minutes at a time to snap some inspirational images of what was close by. I would have loved to explore the island, venture into every cove and wonder peacefully through the islands village dwellings. But this was a family holiday and my attention was on it being just that..... 

Processed with Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions, North Light and a touch of Nottingham & Sway.

 

This is {HONESTY}

May 19, 2013, 3:48 am

≫ Next: Create your own beautiful

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This wild flower has self seeded all over my garden, from where I'm a little unsure. Probably from one of those free mix seed packets I through into the back border last summer! At first they looked like unwanted weeds as they rapidly grew before my eyes. They bolted up overnight and then burst forth into tall stems of  tiny purple and, more beautiful, white flowers.

This little bloom is abundant, vigorous and beautiful and has got me thinking (as you probably know from previous posts I'm doing a lot of that right now) as to the irony of this chance germination. As I have made the decision to down tools in order to force myself to slow down, live in the moment and recognise my achievements and only to work from a standpoint of total self indulgence rather than for any outside gain.....look what comes to grow in my garden...this is Honesty!



Have a wonderful day and please take a moment to be in the moment wherever you are. Love Sarah x  

Create your own beautiful

May 20, 2013, 5:19 am

≫ Next: MAKE A WISH

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One of the wonderful things about being creative is that I can freely change my mind and work outside of my own paramaters. I can simply choose to articulate myself differently from time to time and use my work to reflect perhaps a completely different standpoint. My working style is often dominated by pretty pastel colours but every now and again I'm drawn to natures emotional  contrasts and textural quality. Sometimes when I ignore colour completely and look only for the contrasting light I'm amazed at how suddenly there exists a completely different picture. 

"From the vaulted stormy skies to the delicate dancing grasses, feel the stirring of the air as the strom moves closer still...create your own beautiful and express yourself with complete freedom". 

{Processed with Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions 35mm Film Actions} 

MAKE A WISH

May 24, 2013, 9:24 am

≫ Next: The {GIVING}

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My children call these, Wishy Sticks! (to the rest of us they're the common Dandelion seed heads.) With one giant exhale they bid them farewell as they send their countless seeds into the breeze. Each seed, with its own parachute, begins its own journey blessed with one extraordinary wish.






Taken up close with my Canon 100mm macro lens at f2.8. Softlyy backlite with natural light from the kitchen window. It was  raining pretty hard so I grabbed a handful and darted indoors to photograph them! A lot easier then trying to lie down on the soggy ground.  Then I processed them with Melody from my, Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions, to keep them really soft and tonal.

 

The {GIVING}

June 3, 2013, 9:50 am

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{Springs gift to Summer}

Processed with Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions: ProTECII, Barbican @25% plus Sway @70% finishing with a dash of LightFill Action: Blossom.

Finding Balance

June 12, 2013, 1:33 am

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Finding true balance has become very important to me over the past few weeks. After returning home, from a weeks break, I realised just how out of balance my day-to-day life had become. 

Without realising it I had overloaded myself. Filling my days with to-dolists.  Fearful not to miss an opportunity I was taking on one project after another. But to what end? 

Because, there is no real end when you live like this! Life becomes self perpetuating, where future events and achievements drive my every moment. I was distracted from the present, frustrated through my own imposed goals. Yet most of all I was suffering because I was missing my actual life! 

Seriously how do we slow down our lives enough to notice and appreciate what is happening right now? How do we gain gratitude for only the moment we live in?

These are some of my biggest questions. I have read and discussed this topic in great detail and then, through a guided meditation, I realised that I already have access to one of the most amazing tools to assist. My camera!

Through my lens I watch, where the moment is key, the light is perfectly balanced. I notice and pay attention to what is going on around me more so when I'm photographing than at any other time. I'm in the moment, present and awake. This amazing therapy has been in front of me all the time, clouded by all the other attributes it takes to run a business.  But like my yoga, my photography is a practise also and it's one I'm returning too.  


Sarah x

PROCESSING: Softly processed with my Beyond the Lens Actions using Brompton & Barkley Rd. These two Actions create a soft cooler tone. You can also add in Creative Action: North Light if you want a stronger contrast pop. Monotone image processed with 35mm Film, Parisian, Chinawhite and Vintage tone, adjusting to compliment coloured images.NOTE: If you want to take the contrast right down try using Melody. 

ELEMENTS VERSION OUT SOON 

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Look & See

June 19, 2013, 5:22 am

≫ Next: OBSERVE

≪ Previous: Finding Balance

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Create the most amazing day for yourself. Look for inspiration everywhere and you'll be amazed what you'll notice. Seek it in yourself, in others and in the world right under your very feet.

 Namaste Sx 

{Processed with Art Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions: Nottingham & little Melody} 

 

OBSERVE

June 21, 2013, 9:27 am

≫ Next: Happy Birthday

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"To observe is to notice or perceive something and register it as being significant."

We 'see' but we do not observe. We stand in this world but do not pay attention. We miss so much, because we 'see' so little.  As a photographer 'seeing' is so important, but it's not done entirely with our eyes! To truly observe we have to understand the importance of what we're looking at.  There are signs everywhere reminding us of how magnificent, courageous and amazing we are, but how many times to we actually notice?

It's just an idea.

I have been having this reoccurring idea that whilst many of us, myself included, are fascinated with those that survive 'near death experiances', most of us live in a state of 'near life'. We miss so much, we focus on the wrong things and filter out all meaning. I ask myself what is left for us when we do that?

Enjoy the long weekend of daylight and embrace the amazing, however small or great. See the amazing, and if you're a photographer, grab your camera and capture the amazing too. 

Sx

Happy Birthday

June 24, 2013, 3:35 am

≫ Next: Is it beauty you seek, then look no further.

≪ Previous: OBSERVE

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On a more personal note my little man is seven today. He's not so thrilled at turning seven as he really embraced being six.  "Six and serious" he would claim proudly. I just can't get over the fact he's been in my life for seven whole years, it's been a real journey full of challenge, discovery, love and appreciation. He's probably taught me more about myself than anyone, he's my gift, my son.


 


7yrs, 5yrs and just 2yrs. Happy Birthday...

And, with his best friend in the whole wide world...his sister! Drawing in the park last summer. They have been together for seven years and have an amazingly strong bond.




Processed with B&W 35 Film from the Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions 

Is it beauty you seek, then look no further.

June 25, 2013, 3:24 am

≫ Next: Little Reflections

≪ Previous: Happy Birthday

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There is more light and beauty in 'life' then can ever be put into words or pictures. It's right in front of you, as a reflection of your own inner beauty and magnificent self. Beauty is a reflection of what you are. When you start to look inward for it, instead of seeking it, suddenly the whole world has more colour, radiance and seems more beautiful, when in fact it's not changed, you have. {Have a think....}

Processed with Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions, Pre Processing I, China White, Sway & St Marie

Little Reflections

July 2, 2013, 6:55 am

≫ Next: BEYOND THE LENS {the booklet}

≪ Previous: Is it beauty you seek, then look no further.

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All the above 'little' things mean a great deal to me. From the dried flower heads of my grandmothers hydrangea, that once grew gracefully in her front garden. A collection of Victorian buttons that have been taken from the clothes long since gone and the vintage photographs and postcards from my ancestors. These are just small little details, artifacts from the past. The serve me today by reminding me that it's the 'little things' that I hold more valuable then I often give them credit for. These are little reflections, their value really isn't in their physical form at all, it's in the way they've come to furnish my heart.  

BEYOND THE LENS {the booklet}

July 3, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: {from a differnt point of view}

≪ Previous: Little Reflections

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Finally, my beautiful Beyond the Lens Photoshop Actions are ready for Photoshop Elements 11 users to enjoy. In celebration I've collated a 50 page booklet to inspire and illustrate the Actions that are included, how and when to use them as well as some additional tips; plus lots of inspirational images of course. 

This booklet will be freely availble for all to view and read, with a small charge of $10 USD for those who wish to purchase a PDF version for printing and furture reference. AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS ! 

GIVING AWAY ONE FREE ELEMENTS 11 VERSION, leave a comment below for a chance to win. (Random selection) Please note: comments are linked to facebook and if you do not wish to receive notifications from others please refrain from entering. Thank you...winner selected via Random.org on Friday 5th 6pm GMT. 

{from a differnt point of view}

July 10, 2013, 2:59 am

≫ Next: BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS {Now avalible for Elements 11}

≪ Previous: BEYOND THE LENS {the booklet}

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Within our 'style' there must always remain room for flexibility. To find a different route to our self through the creative. I know, from experience, that working hard to define a style, that is consistent through methodology and technique, can become over bearing  and even ridged. New photographers often strive to forge a working style, as I did, yet it is equally important to be free from it sometimes. Explore different influences, be playful and every once in a while just let go and see where your heart takes you. Don't think to hard, or try to understand every step, just allow yourself to explore other possibilities.  Here is an example; a small posie of one of the prettiest flowers in all of England, the Peonie, without the thorns of the old English rose the Peonie is a bloom to adore in every sense of the word. The top image is typically how I would process, with a little light flare added and a slight tonal enhancement. Below, I wanted to bring out the mood of this magnificent bloom. I wanted to feel it more than see it! I love the finished result, so tonally soft with a hazy quality; now I can feel these flowers!

Both images have been processed with my BEYOND THE LENS PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS (now available for CS3-6 and PSE11). The top image has been processed with Pre Process 1, Light Fill Blossom and a slight lighten from Creative Action: Retroplay.  The second image has then been converted with 35 Film, and  Creative ActionsMelody, London and Nottingham run over the top. Finally, I've added the faintest touch of texture from the Waxwork Collection:  Wax Black & Wax Board.  

I love both versions for different reasons. Although they are processed quite differently they are still very much a reflection of myself. So go on give it a go...do something different and see where it takes you. Have an amazingly inspirational day. Sarah x

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BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS {Now avalible for Elements 11}

July 11, 2013, 5:54 am

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Welcome to the BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS {THE BOOKLET}. Here you'll find everything, and a little more, about working with my Action Sets as well as a huge range of beautiful examples all proceeded exclusivelly with BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS. You'll also read some of the wonderful testimonials provided by those that have come to love working with my Actions as much as I do.

A PDF copy of this Booklet is include with all NEW purchases of BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS. Alternativelly you can download a copy of this Booket for a small fee of $10 USD. Add to Cart 

BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS are now availbe for Photoshop CS3-CS6 & PSE 11 {see product Booklet for what's included in each of the collections}.


$125 USD

FOR: CS3-6




FOR: PSE 11

Softly does it...

July 15, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Pretty little rose

≪ Previous: BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS {Now avalible for Elements 11}

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Make life a little softer: Run BEYOND THE LENS ACTIONS: Brompton, Chinawhite, Melody and Summer, then adjust accordingly....beautiful. Sx

Pretty little rose

July 22, 2013, 2:42 am

≫ Next: {AN INSPIRED WORKSHOP} Registration

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Pretty little rose; fell for this delightful rose last summer and decided I just had to have one growing in my garden. It's had a handful of blooms so far and they are just as pretty as I recall. They last only a few days before their delicate paper thin petals fall to the ground like confetti. Have an wonderful day and enjoy summers offerings. 

Also keep posted for up and coming UK Workshop Registration details to follow later. Sx

 

{AN INSPIRED WORKSHOP} Registration

July 24, 2013, 1:19 am

≫ Next: Sailing away for the summer...

≪ Previous: Pretty little rose

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Join me, Sarah Gardner, 

at Tofte Manor, Sharnbrook, England for 

{AN INSPIRED WORKSHOP}

19th September 2013 or 10th October 2013  

{ all seasonal florals & styling paraphernalia provided }

£95.00 GBP

Connect to your creative self and relax into a full day of inspired mindfulness, floral styling and beautiful fine art photography. 

"I'm so thrilled to invite you, to join me, for one of my new workshops at the beautiful and exclusive venue of Tofte Manor. Join me for a day of pure creative indulgence where you'll be given the opportunity to style your own floral arrangements and still life set ups.  By the end of the day you'll leave, not only with a camera full of beautiful images, but a deeper understanding of how to access and set 'creative intention' within your photographic practise." SG

Full details will be e-mailed out within the next two weeks. Please register here for: AN INSPIRED WORKSHOP


Please note each workshop is limited to 10 delegates only, so to avoid disappointment please register above.  Full details will then be emailed out along with booking terms and payment details. Full payment is required in advance to secure your place on a workshop. 

Sailing away for the summer...

August 4, 2013, 11:56 am

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Setting sail: Summer is here and its time for a little break with the children. 

WORKSHOP UPDATE:
The number of registrations for my September and October Workshops have been unbelievable, thank you to everyone. I've been working my way through those of you who have registered in a chronological order to make it as fair as possible. There are just a couple of spaces left and I'll be contacting the remainder of those who have registered when I return.