Banner image by bingboys @rjmkdn in the gallery thread “Days in the rockies“
This week, we start indoors with a three-quarter studio portrait, then head outside for some snowy fun, then run back inside for some hot chocolate and zine sequencing. I went walking on the beach to take pics recently when it was around 5° F / -20° C outside and the few other beachgoers gave me the nod, like “I see you too are a weirdo cold enjoyer.” I’m actually a cozytimes creature almost always, but I bundled up and actually had a great time. Am I changing???!?
Gallery Gems
It’s true: I’m a sucker for Taury’s portraits. But look at what this one has got goin’ on: carefully-shaped soft lighting highlights the center of the model’s face down to the zipper on his top, falling away quickly on the visible shoulder and past the initial strands of hair around his face. The model is posed with his head centered, but his shoulders slightly canted, avoiding too much rigidity, favoring the strong jawline, and mirroring the sweep of the hair. A more serious, refined “blue steel” look plus the eyebrow cut, geometric tattoo, and necklace give it some personality.
Emme has been making great work with model @outdoor.eve — this is just one shot from a series she made with her in and around a classic van. I chose this, the most pulled-back shot, because it feels like a real moment: with the snow gently falling, the driver has pulled over to sit on the hood and enjoy the quiet scene. The composition, too, works well: the stripes along the van lead the eye along it and to the model, who wears matching colors. The background is snow-faded white, causing the buff and blue of the van and model to pop out from it.
Speaking of stories rendered in the composition, bingboys’ incredible framing does exactly that, with a skier heading downhill in the foreground, the trails heading back up through the trees in the midground, and the mountain rising in the background. We see the journey ahead, we surmise the distance already traveled, and we get a sense of the amount of light that may be left to the lone skier. To me, this image is about perseverance and the beauty of the journey.
As for perseverance, sequencing images for a zine is in exercise in that for sure. Join sheorun and some other server folks who volunteered some time and attention, in discussing how to sequence the images selected for inclusion in this zine documenting the construction of a building for which sheorun was the architect. No fair having multiple talents and showing us all up!
Community News
The Liquid Challenge is back! Do you have too many cameras? too many lenses? Are you constantly browsing eBay and FB marketplace ready to buy a camera you’ll never use? Then this is the challenge for you! You’ll be tasked with not buying anything for a year. Lots of fun and shenanigans will be had. Hit the link below to sign up!
Are you on Bluesky? Then we want you! Are you thinking about joining Bluesky? Hit this link to get the One More Stop starter pack. When you use this starter pack you will be able to follow all of the OMS members that are on Bluesky with one click. If you’re on Bluesky and want to be included in this list, message Ezo to be added!
And that is all the stuff in here today! If you’re experiencing winter in your region right now, try to get out in it to shoot. My secret? layering. Baselayer tops, bottoms, glove liners, etc; insulating midlayers; and wind/weather-blocking outers, preferably with ventilation options. They’ve gotta be on sale soon, so pick up some deals and be ready for next year at least, if you don’t end up with another snowfall this season.
Love,
the_abecedarian