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Expressing Yourself Through Pictures

 

I have to experiment with methods and I'm trying to find an authentic way of making an equivalent of the living, breathing person within the limits of a single picture - Peter Wright

Isn't this what God is trying to do with us? He's trying to shape us into a perfect picture of Jesus Christ. I'm sure he finds it difficult to make his sinful children look like His pure, holy Son.

You've probably often heard the old cliché: "Pictures speak 1,000 words." Right? Is that true? If so, we are able to speak through our pictures. A picture of a waterfall can mean so many different things to so many different people. It can insinuate refreshment, cleanlines, overflowing love, and tears, or it could remind you of washing those nasty dishes! Either way, the artist has spoken to you through the picture in his or her own way. You can also communicate certain things through your pictures. Thinkgs like your faith. Just as Micah showed us in our last issue, your pictures can even be a reflection of Christ! Isn't it exciting that in all that we do, we can point to Christ? In Brooke Snowden's pictures, we see the beauty of God's creation, and His creativity.

 

Paige (P): How old are you?

Brooke (B): I am 17.

P: How long have you been into photography?

B: Actually, I wouldn't consider myself a photographer...I just really enjoy pictures. I love remembering good times with friends, but I guess I really started taking a lot of pictures when my mom got her camera in 2005.

P: Which subjects do you like to take pictures of?

B: Like I said, I enjoy remembering things and moments with friends. So, mostly my friends or family or the people I am around are the things I enjoy taking pictures of.

P: What kind of camera do you shoot with?

B: Samsung Digimax s500

P: Do you plan to use photography in your future, as in a job?

B: Wow! That would be great. I don't think I am talented enough to do so, but that would be awesome.

P: What tips do you offer those just starting in photography?

B: I don't really know...I guess just take pictures of what you enjoy. Take multiple shots. Don't just take one and say "Oh, that doesn't look any good" and give up. It usually takes several tries for me to get just the picture that I want.

 

P: What has made you stick with it?

B: Just wanting to remember time spend with friends or family.

P: How often do you take pictures?

B: Mostly at social gatherings. I really like taking pictures when my dad's family gets together. His dad is one of 16 brothers and sisters, so there are a lot of people and so many different types of people of all ages.

P: How old were you when you started taking an interest in photography?

B: Um...14, I guess.

P: Do you have a certain "formula" for taking pictures?

B: I just take several shots and delete the blurry ones or the ones that I don't like.

P: What do you think makes a good picture?

B: I really like clear and crisp pictures. I like pictures with a lot of color and I love pictures that have a story behind them.

P: What time of day do you prefer to shoot?

B: The time of day I have my camera. Ha ha! No, I really don't mind what time of day it is...but it's kind of hard to take pictures at night with my camera...I mean without blinding whoever I'm taking a picture of.

P: What do you like most about the camera you shoot with?

B: The fireworks setting. I love getting great pictures of fireworks on the 4th of July.

P: What kind of camera do you recommend for those interested in taking photography seriously?

B: One that is better than mine. Ha ha! I just bought mine because I didn't like the camera I had before. But when you get one, make sure it has plenty of zoom; mine is 5 mega pixels, and that is plenty for me. But that's basically all the camera lingo I know. I wish I had known more before I bought a camera.

P: What do your pictures represent or reflect? (personality, ideas, dreams, etc.)

B: Like I've been saying, friends and memories. I don't really take pictures because I enjoy taking them; it's more because I want to have the pictures and remember the times I had.

P: How do you think your pictures could help others interested in photography? Do you take certain pictures when you are in different moods?

B: I usually want to take a picture when I see gorgeous sunsets. That would be one thing that I actually try to get a good angle of or make sure my camera settings are right for. But when I'm with friends, and we're just goofing off, the camera goes to auto mode because I don't really need the quality or anything, it's jsut the moment that I want.

Brooke's tip of the day: Check out all of the settings on your camera, and use them. I didn't start doing that until about a year ago, and it makes a huge difference.

Just as we can speak to others through our pictures, God speaks through us. He may use a time or event in our lives to shape us and then lead us to help someone who may be going thorugh a hard time too. We are His beautiful reflections. What we look like on the outside will express Who is living in the inside of our hears. Wouldn't you rather be a beautiful masterpiece ready for a frame than an old tattered photograph: dirty and gross? Let's work at being photographys displaying His love.

 

Philippians 2:13 (ESV) "for it is God who works in your, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." I would like to hear your feedback! If you have any questions or tips for the column, e-mail Paige Walker. Snap away!