Five Frames

Front Row Seat to the Wild

They weren’t in a hurry.

Two fawns wandered out of the woods, just beyond my parents’ yard, nibbling, exploring, totally at ease. One eventually plopped down in the grass while the other kept browsing nearby. Big ears twitching, heads turning, like they were enjoying the evening.

I watched from the front yard, a quiet observer with the best seat in the house.

I’ve seen deer plenty of times, but something about this felt different. Maybe it was their ease. Maybe it was the way they made a familiar place feel just a little more magical. A reminder that the wild doesn’t always feel far away. Sometimes, it’s just a few steps beyond the front yard.

Prompt of the Week: Work with Layers

Flat images feel… flat. But add layers, and suddenly your photo has depth, dimension, and a stronger sense of place.

Technique: Look for ways to compose your scene with a foreground, midground, and background. Think grasses or rocks up close, your main subject in the middle, and trees, hills, or sky in the distance.

Why it works: Layering draws the viewer in. It creates a more immersive experience, like they could step into the frame and wander through the scene.

Try this: Get low and include natural elements in the foreground. Even something simple, like wildflowers or a trail, can help guide the eye through your image.

Something to Think About

“Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.” — David Alan Harvey

What if your next photo wasn't about getting the sharpest details, but about getting to the heart of a moment?

How do you translate a feeling into light, color, and composition?

Next time you lift your camera, ask yourself: What does this moment feel like?

The Scene Beneath the Drama

When the sky does something dramatic, it’s easy to let that steal the whole frame. But I wanted the silhouetted trees to hold the horizon, anchoring all that color. The reflection in the water added balance. I always try to build a photo like a story: tension, calm, contrast, and resolve.

I kept the exposure just dark enough to protect the highlights and let the shadows stay rich. I didn’t feel the need to reveal every detail. Sometimes, less is more. Letting the shapes and light do the work created a more immersive feel. Even the shadowed brush and tree limbs in the corners helped frame the scene without pulling attention, just enough to hold it in and add depth to the image.

This is one of the images I chose for my current print collection; it felt like it held that rare mix of drama and quiet. If you’d like to see more, they’re up in the Shop.

A Quote

“The world now contains more photographs than bricks, and they are, astonishingly, all different.” - John Szarkowski

Quick Reminder: Don’t forget—your exclusive 20% off discount code expires Sunday, July 7! Use code FIVEFRAMES to grab a print from the new collection before it’s gone.

I’d love to hear from you! Have a question, suggestion, or want to explore a collaboration? Get in touch!

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