digital photography – Andrea Kappler Photography

Most creative types go through periods of time in their lives that for whatever the reason, they don’t feel inspired to create new works of art. If these periods of lost inspiration last long enough, artists begin questioning their ability to create any works of art. Over time, this situation becomes depressing, which makes the artist even less motivated to try new things. Before they know it, the artist is enmeshed in a vicious circle of doubtfulness about who they are and what they’re capable of creating.

I recently had something similar happen to me, although it was caused by a physical limitation resulting from an unexpected back injury. At the same time my back was injured, I found out I had a stress fracture forming in my right heel. The heel injury required a fracture shoe and crutches, which along with the intense back pain, pretty much restricted me to my home. For the majority of this summer, my physical limitations eliminated most photographic opportunities for me. For an active, independent person such as myself, life was getting pretty boring and depressing.

Then came Amazon Prime day and I bought a new lens. It was a Lensbaby Velvet 56 f/1.6 56mm lens, which is designed to give a soft, buttery, antique look to images. I’m always looking to do something unique and creative with my images, so I was excited when this new lens arrived just two days after I ordered it. I’ve used it on several flower photos and I really love it!

Within a week of receiving the lens, I discovered a CreativeLive course called Creating Painterly Photographs. One of the many lenses used by the instructor, Kathleen Clemons, was a Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens. It feels like serendipity to have discovered this course right after buying my lens. And even better, the instructor loved photographing flowers, which is also one of my photographic passions!

With the addition of the new lens and fresh new ideas for creativity generated by the online class, I can’t wait until my body is healed sufficiently to return to photography. I’ve been using the Lensbaby to photograph flowers in the planters on my patio, but I’m ready to move on to photographing subjects farther away from home. When the oppressively hot summer weather subsides, I know I’ll be ready to snap away!

I recently discovered a creative outlet I’ve always known was somewhere inside of me, buried beneath the responsibilities of full-time work and never-ending parenting duties. I’ve loved photography since I was a child, after receiving my first real camera: a Kodak Pocket Instamatic camera that used 110 format film cartridges. I was now following in the footsteps of my mom and my maternal grandmother, who also enjoyed taking lots of pictures.

In the digital age, I especially love digital photography. Seeing the picture immediately after taking it affords me the opportunity to retake it, if necessary. I have fewer blurry or poorly composed pictures now. I also enjoy sharing my photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For pictures taken with my iPhone, I’ve discovered several amazingly powerful apps for editing and improving those images before I share them on social networking sites.

Last December, I upgraded to a Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR camera. I love using it! Within one month of buying the camera, I bought a telephoto lens, the Canon EF-S 75-300mm IS USM. Now I have my eye on a wide-angle lens as my next big purchase. In the last year, I’ve learned a lot about photographic techniques and equipment, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert just yet.

In September, I joined Fine Art America (http://fineartamerica.com/), after seeing a friend posting her photographs for sale there. She told me she has sold several pictures over the last few years. I recently created my own website there: http://andrea-kappler.artistwebsites.com/index.html. It’s my hope that one day, I’ll also make a sale or two on the FAA site.

I hope to use this site to give some background information on the places I go and the pictures I take. And once in a while, I’ll provide links to the better-looking pictures I upload to Fine Art America. 😉