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On Saturday I attended a photography workshop about using your smartphone held at The Shadows on the Teche, our resident plantation home. I have fond feelings for this place not just because of its beauty, but it’s a place where my students participate every year in a play for first grade students in the parish.
After James, our presenter, gave us much technical information (some of which flew right over my head), we were sent out on the grounds to find interesting things to photograph. Although he didn’t say it, most of us interpreted that James wanted us to look at things with a new eye, a different perspective, and an appreciation for the hidden beauty of the place.
I was drawn to a lace curtain over a window with moss in the trees barely visible beyond. When I got home, I played around with the effects on the iPhone app and sent the photo off to Shutterfly and ordered cards. One thing that James pointed out to us is that nothing is more satisfying than seeing an actual, hands-on print of your photo.
I also wrote a haiku to place inside the card:
Through the lace curtain,
moss hangs in soft stillness
whispering a prayer.
James assured us that not every photo we take will be “the shot”. We have to take a bunch, practice moving around the subject for many angles, and give yourself permission to try new things.
Here is a gallery of a few of my favorite photos from the day.
The Shadows on the Teche
Moss hangs over the Bayou Teche.
My photo partner wanders to find a perfect shot of the graveyard.
This workshop helped me feel more confident with photography with the camera I always carry with me. I am now more alert to what may make my next winning shot.
This week I’ll be at NCTE. Hope to see many of my slicing friends there. I’ll be presenting on Friday morning with a panel of knock-out authors.
Reflections on the Teche 
Your pictures are beautiful, Margaret. I especially love the one with the driveway leading up to the house. he shadows are fascinating. Your NCTE session sounds great. I’ll be watching tweets from CT. Have a wonderful time. I’m sending a hug.
I’m sorry I won’t see you this time. We need to catch up!
Your pictures are gorgeous!! My favorite is the one with the driveway leading up to the house. Have a awesome time!
I love seeing your work. The poem with the image was especially powerful.
I love your pictures, Margaret, and I’m envious of your photography workshop opportunity. I’d love to do something like that! And what a great venue to search for photo opportunities. Wow! The lace covered window is my favorite and is beautifully enhanced by your poem. I featured photographs in my slice today, too.
Your photographs encouraged me to pursue a camp idea that I have for middle school aged students called The Art of Writing using photographs to tell a story. Thanks for sharing.
What a fun class to go to. I love the idea of taking photos and getting them printed. That’s how we used to do it! Now we take so many pictures and they just sit hidden on our phones. Unless we print them! Thanks for sharing. I love seeing pictures of the bayou.
Margaret, i think the lace curtain shot is wonderful. The haiku that accompanies it is a good pairing. I agree, “Nothing is more satisfying than seeing an actual, hands-on print of your photo.” Your cards are going to be the hit of the season.
Oh, how I have missed keeping up with your words. This post is beautiful. The lace curtain window and the haiku are classic, you! Enjoy NCTE. Can’t wait to hear about the panel and all the learning.