By Sarah Gardner

December is a treasured time of year for me, not only is it Christmas but it’s also the closing chapter of the year; a time to reflect and make plans for the coming new year.  It’s a time for family and friends, a time to remember and a time for me to indulge in a little more creative photography.

(c) Sarah Gardner

Living in the heart of England there is an abundance to photograph from crisp frosty mornings, to those misty twilights as the evenings draw in. There is also the magical anticipation of Christmas and all the festivities that make this time of year one of the busiest months in my household.

As a professional and fine art photographer this time of year most certainly doesn’t grant my camera a well deserved rest.  In fact it’s quite the opposite.  I don’t think there is another time of the year when I use my camera so extensively?   With a young family my camera is charged and ready to capture every moment I want to cherish; from the Christmas performances, family get-togethers and the exchanging and opening of presents.  Family snap shots are so important at this time of year as they provide a valued record and will be treasured for prosperity.  As a working photographer, I’m granted some time off, as my children are eager to get behind the camera and embrace photography as well.  Happily they go about snapping every twinkling fairy light and glittery bauble that fuels and captivates their imaginations.  These photographs don’t need to be artistic, considered or staged; their magic is in their spontaneity with the key ingredient being life’s frivolity.

(c) Sarah Gardner

On the other hand, this time of year grants me the opportunity to wrap up and brave the cold frosty mornings and treat myself to a little landscape photography.  It’s most definitely my favourite time of year to dabble into the world of landscape work!  The twisted frames of bare trees, the soft greys, browns and muted hues harmonize together to create peaceful scenes of icy tranquillity.   Big open icy skies create the perfect balance for my textured compositions.  The soft weak light at this time of year is perfect for adding a haze of fading warmth.  Even if we’re not lucky enough to have a flurry of snow for Christmas this year, there will no doubt be a few frosty, misty mornings over the holidays.  Perfect for those early walks when I can escape outdoors and capture a few inspirational shots.  It’s a perfect balance to the excited cheer that Christmas brings to my household.

In order to get the most out of this season I seek out one of its most inspiring elements; light!  Ice crystals, snow flakes, damp mist and low defused sunlight all bring their magical touch to our world.  Bouncing and reflecting light all around nature is just as inspiring as our own Christmas fairy lights. Where there is light there is shadow and together they make softer, tonal harmonies within a composition.  In lower light I’m also able to shoot outdoors at lower apertures setting and therefore achieving wonderful silky gradients across my depth of field.  Working with a low aperture setting is a must if I want to successfully capture those highly desirable discs of sparkling bokeh.  Soft delicate Texture application is also my preferred processing treatment as it’s in keeping with the delicate nature of these transformed landscapes.

(c) Sarah Gardner

Whether I’m taking the camera out or staying indoors there is an abundance of inspiration that is perfectly suited to my style of photographic processing. Working with digital Textures gives me with the tools to turn my photographs into rendered works of art.  I turn to my digital darkroom more at this time of year as our days here in England draw to their shortest.  It’s an ideal time to absorb myself with some new creative processing techniques or to tinker with new Texture designs and applications.

Working with Textures is a much loved passion of mine and one that I have spent valuable time perfecting.  There is a quality that Textures bring to my photographic work that draws me deeper and adds a more personal and emotional touch.  My working style is to create harmony between my subject and my selected Textures.  It’s therefore important I don’t over apply them and instead create gradual layers that blend and work together.  The application of Textures to my still life and landscape compositions seeks to create uniqueness, a signature style, that I can truly call my own.

(c) Sarah Gardner

So if you’re getting a camera for Christmas this year, or already have one, and want to try something a little more creative beyond the family snap shots, be sure to embrace the seasons opportunities.  Start with some creative image captures and finish with a subtle Texture.

(c) Sarah Gardner

Visit my website at www.sarahgardnertextures.com to find out more about my work and Texture collections.  You can also download a free complimentary set of digital Textures to get you started over the holidays.

Sarah Gardner

Sarah Gardner is a UK based Fine Art Photographer who studied at the Nottingham Trent University. Sarah graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and it during these studies that Sarah discovered a passion for photography. During her early studies in the darkroom Sarah started to consider and explore the idea of layering negatives together to create multi layered imagery. Upon graduation Sarah embarked on a successful career in Marketing and was fortunate enough to work with some of her countries leading creative agencies. After taking a career break to raise her family Sarah returned to her love of Photography in 2008, this time swapping the darkroom for a computer and film for pixels. This transition to digital photography opened up new creative possibilities that had captivated Sarah's imagination some 12 years prior. By 2010 Sarah had established a successful photography business, exhibited her work and launched her first collection of photographic Textures. Today designing and creating her own unique Textures provides Sarah with the complete tools required to process her photography. She has established an inspirational portfolio of work and continues to pursue her love and passion for Fine Art photography.

WEBSITE

http://www.sarahgardnertextures.com