And when I shared about the right lens a few months back and about my new tripod-
so many thank you notes.
First up-my big disclaimer
I am not a technical photographer.
I would have a hard time explaining things to you
but I could show you if that makes sense.
That is really how I have always worked.
I had several people help me when I first started taking photos with a bigger camera
So I thought I would share what taught me how to fish so to speak.
I didn’t want to do math-or have to decipher crazy calculations
I just wanted to take photos.
And he said something simple.
the whole room and small details are in focus.”
The quote on the chalkboard.
It is the quote that I have at the bottom of my About Me page as well.
“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream.
James Allen
Because, being published in a magazine was a dream of mine for a long time
before I even started this blog and I know it is for so many of you.
It was certainly not something that I imagined would happen because
of a quick iphone photo of peonies-
but it did.
So I want to encourage you to plant those seeds whatever they are about.
You just never know
what will open that next amazing door.
Lynda Brandly says
Courtney, your styling and your photos are always so beautiful and your explanation was great! Thank you!
love and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Courtney says
Thank you so much Lynda! I appreciate you stopping by and saying hello! 🙂
Priscilla says
Your eye for styling is first class! On another note can you share the maker and pattern name for the flatware in the photo?
Courtney says
Thank you Priscilla! Sure- it is Godinger Baroque in silver.
Peggy says
Your photos are always amazing. I yearn to take pictures like that. I need to take the camera off auto. Thanks for the notes on the f stop. I never understood it before.
Courtney says
Thank you Peggy- glad I could help!
French Ethereal says
Thank you for this post, Courtney! You inspired me last year to begin my little blog, French Ethereal. My son helped me get out of the manual mode and into "playing with the light," as I think of it. Amazing things can happen when changing the ISO and the F-stop… 🙂 Now, I don't even think about it.
If I don't get the shot I like, I play some more until "it works." Thanks again for always being real!!!
Barb 🙂
Courtney says
That is so neat Barbara! Thank you for telling me and congratulations on your blog! And yes, playing with settings is half the fun! 🙂
Robin says
This is such valuable information for me, with my Canon Rebel. I took a one night intro to photography course a couple of years ago and the guy just rattled off enough information to make my head spin, without any hands-on demonstration. Your post is definitely the encouragement I need to get my camera back out, as I hope to be blogging much more in the future. Thanks!
Robin
Courtney says
I hear you! Sometimes when someone understands how to do something- they speak to you like everyone understands how to do it and it goes right over your head. Glad I could help Robin! 🙂
Kim says
You take lovely photos, Courtney and I love dreams do come true stories! You give me hope to keep working on my own. Looking forward to Pooh! 😉
LORY says
I love this post! That is all.
Sarah says
Wonderful post, Courtney! I'm thrilled for you that your home was featured. The fact that it was featured in an international magazine is very impressive. Your style is admired far and wide!
Would love to have a copy of that magazine with your feature. I'll head over now.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Love, love, love this post Courtney….I am learning my camera via "You Tube" I am a visual person and the manual drives me crazy with the "equations"….and I love "Pooh"…so looking forward to what you have in store for us!
Pura Vida says
What wonderful words ..soulful
Our Hopeful Home says
Wow, I am speechless! Well, not reeaallly speechless but wow. I feel exactly the same way about photography! I am not a math person (English major in college) and I've always felt that photography was really about math. Some people think I'm crazy when I say that but you get it! I've taken two full-on photography classes and all I wanted was for the guy to say what that guy said to you! Thank you! And yes, your photos are always gorgeous. I always wonder how you get it to look so bright without making things looked washed out. It's something I've always wondered about…anyway, thank you so much for that little photography tidbit!
xoKathleen
weisses cottage says
Hej Courtney,
i like the photos and the meaning, the *soul* of them… not everbody can see with their eyes what you can see 😉
btw the inspiration that i ll found here is amazing!
thx for sharing this wonderfull post`s
in my country we loved this fab magazine. and they will do right, if anyone has been in this magazine, than your wonderfull paeonies picture :v
hope to see more… nice wishes from the North Coast of Germany, Silvi
Marisa Franca @ Allourway says
It is your talent and your "eye" that makes the photos as beautiful as they are. I have been studying photography and technique and they say a good photographer can take a point and shoot and make art. I believe you are of that category. I'm heading over to Instagram. 🙂
Lee says
Hi My dear,
First of all you are the sweetest person. I love that you did this post. I use my canon rebel and adore it but yes F stop and iso and settings make me crazy. The manual weighs a ton and I couldn't have enough chocolate or coffee that would make me want to read it and figure it out so I alwasy take photos with a hope and a prayer. So I'm actually cutting and pasting certain parts of your post on my desk top to remember always. I wish to congratualte you Courtney, you are so gifted and talented and yes your dream is coming true and I am so happy for you. As much as we love bloggin and it begins as a hobby, each blog takes shape and becomes a vessel, a way to communicate, to vent and to create. Each one has a different meaning for each of us. And for lack of a better word they become our platforms in a way to be heard or to make an indentation in this vast planet of ours.
The second thing about this post for me is that it came at the most perfect time. I had received another rejection from an agent that really discouraged me. This post gave me energy again to continue my quest for the right literary agent. I am a published writer of The Shoebox but I did that with a self pub agency so my second book I am looking for a more traditional way of getting published as I work on my third. So thanks for the inspiration, class and always magical journey through your stunning photography. God bless.
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com
Lee says
Also would love a copy of the cottage journal so add me to the drawing please.
Thank you so much and Congrats again.
xoxo
Lisa
LuAnn says
Thank you Courtney! You are such an inspiration! I use a Nikon 5200 and love it! Though I'm still getting use to it it's fairly new.
I'm trying to get my blog noticed. I started it about 3 years ago only posting now and then. The past year I've stepped it up and have been working on it non stop. It seems like a long and winding road…though I hope it starts to work soon. It's a lot of money and time involved with no returns…a least not yet! Thank you for your creative example and honesty! 😉
Anonymous says
What a great story! I love how serendipity can play such a strong part in people's success. Using a camera is nothing magical – it is totally mechanical – the big part is learning the exposure triangle – once you get that it is easy. The magic of a good photo is the creative person behind it. I think you have the creativity to make a good photo, just at the point where your house was featured in the magazine, you didn't have the technical ability. A photo that is technically great can be incredibly boring – you need creative ideas to make it great!
Rosemary-Thyme says
Great tips. I have a Nikon which I love but have s difficult time understanding the settings. I will put your tips to good use. I have always admired your photography. It is perfection.
Thank you for this post.
Janet
sarah says
Some great advice here, told in a way that is actually comprehensible for those of us who are deaf to numbers. Thank you!
Melissa says
Thanks for the great photography tips. I'm inspired by your lovely photos every time I visit.
Anonymous says
Thanks for the f stop ans ISO tips. I always love your photos, and the peonies were beautiful as always.
Thank you for sharing your story and the encouragement it spoke to my heart. Thank you.
Be blessed
Unknown says
I found your blog just today and I am delighted! When I get home this evening I'm going to write that quote on our own chalkboard and plant the seeds of inspiration in my children. So glad that you have an Instagram for me to follow.
Unknown says
Congratulations! It looks like you have learned a lot about photography on your own. Your photos look great 🙂 Of course, your house looks great too 😀
BrendaPalmeri says
Thank You for the post, I was looking for the post for a long time.visit here now
Betsy says
Courtney,
It was so fun to find your article in the German Maison Chic Magazine my daughter sent me! I felt like, "HEY, LOOK!! That's my Blogfriends house!!!!"
Such fun! you do a beautiful job! your blog has grown and changed and evolved and you ARE a photographer NOW!!!
Beautiful work, my dear!
hugs,
Betsy
KathryN says
Thank you so very much – this, as are all your posts, is so generous and thoughtful. I hope to pay it forward when the time comes.
Kym Morello says
Congratulations! You are so humble and generous with your passion. Enjoy the ride. I know I am enjoying the boost of information just following you!
Shirley Ann Aphrodite says
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story. You inspire me daily. I’m so grateful.