White

Here I am again with a new diptych. This week the theme was white and my partner was Morgan Kendall, a very talented photographer.

As soon as the pairs were picked, I got an e-mail from Morgan suggesting us to make a feminine piece, something using white flowing sheer fabric and light. I was glad with her concept since the possibilities were infinite.

Of course I thought immediately of doing something bridal, but after thinking twice it would be too clichéd. My idea was then making a feminine piece without "too obviously" feminine elements. The message I want to put across is that you can be really feminine, even though you’re not girlish: the most important is to always keep your own nature.

Check out the result of our diptych here.



Miss Match: fPOE Diptych Project
Week 4: White
Left: Silvia Reitsma (me)
Right: Morgan Kendall

Working with Morgan taught me how to be resolute when picking a concept, but at the same time keeping the flexibility within the concept: a learnt lesson that can be applicable in many areas of life.

If you want to see more of Morgan’s work you can visit her shop at: http://mkendall.etsy.com

Outdoors

As many of you know I am focused at the moment on Etsy. I discovered it in September 2009 when reading the book Taking Flight of Kelly Rae Roberts. Last January I opened my own store and have been hooked ever since. I've been busy with photography for many many years, but never had the opportunity nor the courage to share them openly like now. Actually I was not sure if anyone, one day, would pay any cent for them. Everything looked so distant. But anyway, here I am now, enjoying fully my participation on Etsy, Flickr, Facebook and making wonderful new friends online.

I joined a group called Female Photographers of Etsy (fPOE) which is filled with fantastic photographers! fPOE recently started a Diptych project where you are paired up with a different photographer every week and you create a diptych based on a theme picked for your pair. This week was my first participation and I was paired up with Jennifer Aitchison. Our theme was outdoors. Our Diptych is below.



Miss Match: fPOE Diptych Project
Week 3: Outdoors
Left: Silvia Reitsma (me)
Right: Jennifer Aitchison

On the right is Jennifer's photo. Absolute gorgeous shot! What light! I love the joy reflected on the silhouette of parent-child. Breathtaking, isn't it? It was SO much constructive and inspiring working together. I love her photography.

You can visit Jen's shop at: http://jenniferaitchison.etsy.com

Paris, my impressions

I will start my summary of Paris by saying, simply, that it’s a city I’d visit again - but never live in. It’s heaven for tourists, but it’s obvious that it’s not the nicest/cleanest/safest of cities. Visitors get a nice shiny impression (or those who can afford the $$$$$ to live in the luxurious parts of the city), but beneath the surface there’s a city that’s really not all that hospitable.

On the list of negatives: the traffic is utter chaos. There’s also lots of graffiti and vandalism, and apparently crime and gang activity. You’ve probably heard of the riots that have taken place in Paris. Driving in and out of the city, it was clear that the neighbourhoods beyond the tourist core were rough. I did not feel safe at all, specially at the metro, which is visibly outdated and not well kept.

Despite all this, as a tourist it can be perfect. Paris found a unique way to preserve all of the historical areas. Paris is much more than just famous sites, of course. I also took time to soak up the atmosphere of the French culture. Sidewalk cafes were more plentiful than I even imagined they could be, and the coffee was nice, strong but expensive. It’s relaxing to sit on the sidewalk and watch everything go by while you slowly sip and chat.

But, I will write about a disappointment. The most idealistic spot to view and photograph the Eiffel Tower is from across La Seine among the fountains of The Trocadero. I went there expecting to take a perfect photo... but no, the fountains were shut off. Seriously, why were so many things I wanted to see in Paris is under construction or covered up with scaffolding?!? A deception for any photographer.

Well, it was a nice pleasant trip, but now it is time to wake up. Time to get things done. I have around 300 photos to go through and develop.