This is super inspiring to me.

I would much rather take photos outside or in natural bright light....but I love seeing pictures taken at night or in low light - like fireworks or sleeping kids, but I don't ever seem to be able to get a good shot at those times....you've shown me that 'not 100% in focus' pictures can be precious, so at least I've learned that much. I'll keep working at it! :)

Something I struggle with everyday....

So true, so true! (plus there's always the computer to "beef up" those mediocre images... ;)

Very interesting. Thanks for the links.
Sue

that is a great reminder to
let ourselves just be who we are
and forget the rules.
thanks.

That article was great. Thanks so much. He put my philosophy on photography into words so well. I bookmarked him. Thanks again!

Hi,
I read blog everytime you post. I got your blog from another blog but I can not remember who.
I have been taking photos since I was 5 years old. 45 years ago I was given my first camera and have only taken darkroom classes. I have read many books and learned as I go. Five years ago I got my first digital camera and have taken over 10,000 photos. Most have been with out the flash. Before getting the digital camera I would never be without my flash.
Thank-you for the link.
Debbi

Awesome article.. Thank you for posting it. Its SO true...

so, so agree.
just returned from Disney & my favorite pics are the "un-perfect" ones shot in low light/no flash (flash really kills the mood!)
worrying too much about making things just right is "analysis paralysis"...shooting for perfection really does hold you back

Love your blog Ali. What a great artist and mother you are. Simon is a lucky kid. (or is it you who is lucky, that 's what motherhood does to you... having kids is a joy and blessing.)

I LOVE Mike Colon! He's such a cool guy, an amazing photographer and a man of great faith. Love that entry about not using flash. I'm a wedding photographer and I am guilty of using my flash too much, especially at dark receptions. Gotta let go and try for more of those natural light shots. They are always my favorites anyway. :) Thanks for sharing this.

omg..love...love...love that quote.
thank you for posting that. I have been struggling a lot with the issue of perfection lately...I'm going to print it out and post it on my wall as a reminder to myself. Thanks Ali! :)

thank You for the link I was most interested in this. I have precious little natural light right now & trying to photograph my projects is proving hard work.
One page was done in orange & the flash turned it totally acid!! Without the flash it was true colours but the image was a touch blurred. I can live with that blur now!!!

Question - I just ordered some pictures form the website that you mentioned. How is the quality? Has anyone else used them? I just wanted more "oomph" than what I would normally get from Snapfish, Winkflash, Walmart, Kodak, and CVS (can you tell that i've shopped around - smokey robinson would be proud of me. hee! hee!)?

yes, that's so true Ali. In fact I have just written an article today for Creative TECHniques mag about a similar subject. I'm all about turning the flash off and capturing the atmosphere of the ambient light. :)

Hey Ali! Thanks for the link! You are so popular that I had to come see where all my hits were coming from today. Love your style and wish you the best in everything! Mike Colón

Love the blurry movement of no-flash. I never thought of it before, but I guess I like the not-so-perfect-but-radiating-LIFE characteristics :o)

That guy Mike Colon is very influential in the photography world... I was just reading a post by a fellow wedding photographer in another forum about that same topic:
http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5796&hl=

I love Mike Colon's blog. It is a must see and I have hime in my favorites, not only because he's a great photographer, but because, as a man of faith, he is an example and testimony that living in Christ there's success for sure, there's hope in family and matrimony... I see in his life that it works!! That is what I want for my life and I'm pretty sure it will!

The notion that perfect is not necessarily perfect is a thought enticing notion. Perfection can sometime ruin the moment you won't to communicate. In other words, I certainly agree.