Photography on the Farm

 I get a lot of feedback on the pictures I take on the farm and I thought I'd share a little bit about my process. 

Over the last 9 years I've taken lots of pictures but the last few years it's gotten better for, what I think, are a few reasons. 

• The main one is phone camera technology. When I first started taking pictures it was with my Blackberry. Although there are cameras out there, phone cameras work the best cause they are usually the main thing I have on me. My current Samsung S10 has an amazing camera with different lens options and functions that really allow me to get great shots. 
• Photo apps. The main one for me is Snapseed. This app really allows me to upgrade my pictures and pull out the colors for a better shot. I also have really enjoyed Prisma which I now pay for, since it is amazing at making pictures look like paintings. 
• Knowing where and when to have my camera. Most of the pictures I have taken have almost always been random shots I just happen to catch because I have my phone on me. Having a good camera on my phone means I get a good picture but having the camera in general makes the shot happen.

So much of the time I find I come across the shot by accident like the one above. I was raking hay and happened to look up to see a cool sunset. Taking these shots also gives me a moment of reflection to appreciate the moment and also the scenery. So often we are rushed but when I snap a picture like this, but once I do it's a great moment to pause and enjoy it. 

I have also been finding the best pictures in the morning and evening when the sun is at the horizon and seems to give me some cool shots. For the random animal shots, I find just being around the animals a lot is important. You can't plan when they do something funny or scenic so the more time you are around them.

These moments are starting to become easier to spot and when they are, I usually know the app that will help pull the colors and angles to take. It's also one of the brief moments of pause in a usually busy day where I get to appreciate the farm scenery!