Five Frames

Stillness Below the Surface

I didn’t set out to take this photo. I was just standing by the water, watching the light shift across the surface, when I noticed how the rocks underneath seemed to glow.

It’s easy to rush past scenes like this, nothing loud, nothing obvious. But the longer I stood there, the more I saw: the ripples bending light, the soft clarity of submerged shapes, the mix of warmth and cool tones pressed together.

It reminded me how much beauty is hidden just below the surface - in nature, and in us.

Sometimes all it takes is stillness to see it.

Photo Challenge

Ready for a little creative spark?

Each week, I’ll share a simple challenge you can try on your next outing. No fancy gear required, just fresh eyes and an open mind.

Here’s your first creative challenge: Five Unique Angles

• Pick one subject - anything that catches your eye.

• Then photograph it from five completely different angles.

• Get low. Climb higher. Step to the side. Tilt your camera. Zoom way in. Step way back.

• No rules - just see how many new perspectives you can find.

You might be surprised how different the world looks with just a few steps (or a little curiosity).

If you post a photo inspired by this challenge, tag me @heatherporephoto - I'd love to see it and might feature a few in my Stories!

From Clutter to Calm: How to Simplify a Scene

Nature can be messy - forests, rocky areas, tangled brush.
When everything feels chaotic, I focus on creating calm inside the frame.

Here are a few ways to simplify a busy scene:

• Focus on shapes and lines, not just the subject.
  Instead of hunting for a “perfect” tree or rock, I look for interesting curves, strong verticals, or gentle diagonals that guide the eye.
  

• Use a shallow depth of field to isolate details.
  Blurring the background can turn a noisy scene into a soft backdrop that lets your subject breathe.
  

• Step back (or zoom in) until the frame feels balanced.
  Sometimes you just need a little more space - or a tighter crop - to quiet down the noise and find a natural rhythm.
  

• Look for natural frames.
  Overhanging branches, arching rock, even patches of light and shadow can help carve out a clean composition inside the chaos.

It’s about being intentional - choosing what you want to say with your photo instead of trying to say everything all at once.

Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by a busy scene, try focusing on one or two of these ideas.
Sometimes all it takes is a small shift to find a little clarity.

(In the next issue, we’ll flip the script and dive into the beauty of embracing the wildness...)

A Quote I’ve Been Thinking About

“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creative.” ― Charles Mingus

If this quote resonates with you - or if it makes you think differently about creativity - I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to hit reply and share!

A Thought to End On

Creativity isn’t just for artists, and it’s not reserved for certain moods or perfect lighting. It’s something we all carry, every single day.

I recently finished The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and this passage stuck with me:

“Creativity is not a rare ability. It is not difficult to access. Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human. It’s our birthright. And it’s for all of us. Creativity doesn’t exclusively relate to making art. We all engage in this act on a daily basis.
To create is to bring something into existence that wasn’t there before. It could be a conversation, the solution to a problem, a note to a friend, the rearrangement of furniture in a room, a new route home to avoid a traffic jam.”

That line, “It’s for all of us”, feels like the kind of reminder we all need now and then.

Whether you’re out photographing or writing, rearranging your workspace, or figuring out what’s next, you’re creating. Keep going.

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

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