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Your old life won't always fit you
3rd PlaceYour old life won't always fit you
vawendy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Change (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
Date: Mar 26, 2016
Aperture: 18.0
ISO: 160
Shutter: 1/160
Date Uploaded: Mar 26, 2016

[Apr. 2nd, 2016 05:22:08 PM]

Ok. I really wanted to do something for this challenge. One of those ones that made me feel something, perhaps where I could bring others along, as well. I wanted it to be about my son. He's 17 now, and looking at colleges. One more year left of school until he's off and about in the world.

But I really couldn't come up with something. I thought of him holding some text books, walking by a playground where small ones were playing. But I really couldn't picture it. And life was quite busy for him.

So I thought of an old dress of purple satin that I made for minicon years ago, which had no hope of fitting. I had the idea shown here. Different dress. But I didn't like how that looked.

So I took out the wedding dress.

Which seemed really stupid at the time.

Because it was all preserved.

Boxed

wrapped in acid-free tissue paper.

And then I wondered...

Why?

I can't see my daughter wearing it. It's not her style. I hadn't seen it for 26 years. Why not bring it out and play? (No way I'll do "trash the dress" shots. It's such a beautiful thing -- and was so fun to wear.)

This was so hard to do. Doing a selfie is hard enough. But trying to arrange yourself and a reflection and have it work out right is ridiculously impossible. I wasn't shooting tethered, so I had to take a shot or two, and run back to the camera to peek. And then end up in a completely different place in trying the next shot.

To me, this shot represents so much change, simply because I know the changes. To the outside world, it simply shows that the dress no longer fits as it used to. But to me it encompasses 26+ years. The hair is shorter, the body is wider, the face has a few more lines. There have been two children, the loss of two grandparents, the loss of both parents -- way too soon -- old pets passing on, new pets joining us. A move across country. More of the world explored. New hobbies, old hobbies renewed. New friends.

The last time I wore this dress was on the eve of a huge life change. The donning of the dress didn't bring change: it just emphasized how much had changed since then.

We don't know where life will take us. But sit back and enjoy the ride. But take some time to look back and see where you came from.

Thanks for the comments.

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 45
Avg (all users): 6.1967
Avg (commenters): 7.8571
Avg (participants): 5.7727
Avg (non-participants): 6.4359
Views since voting: 1899
Views during voting: 150
Votes: 61
Comments: 16
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 04/06/2016 08:53:12 AM
Lovely. Just lovely. In every way.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus E-5
Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Zuiko
 04/04/2016 06:22:40 PM
Wonderful story, lighting and photo, very nicely done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 04/04/2016 04:51:08 PM
Congrats Wendy; a wonderful shot and story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
 04/04/2016 04:33:01 PM
Originally posted by tanguera:
Yes, selfies are really, really tough :) Love the lighting, Wendy. You did a great job with that. How did you light your back?


two strobes -- one turned up more lighting the front, one behind me and to my left lighting the back. I had to adjust a lot in post processing because it was quite underexposed.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 04/04/2016 01:54:29 PM
What wonderful photog's notes!

Not all change is bad change... even if the dress doesn't fit.

You look great!!

Wonderful idea and "execution" (sorry!) of the idea.

Congratulations on your ribbon, Wendy!

P.S. I think if you remove the bows at the top, the dress is still very lovely for a new bride today!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone Xr
 04/04/2016 02:59:50 AM
Wonderful photo. Great lighting. More than anything else, love your stories behind the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 04/04/2016 01:12:15 AM
Congratulations, Wendy. This was my clear favourite in this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 04/04/2016 12:36:53 AM
I have only done a couple of selfies and they sure didn't involve running in a wedding dress! That's dedication. Love the story Wendy, and BTW, keep it up with the selfies - you do yourself proud :) Oh yah, and congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 04/04/2016 12:10:52 AM
Yes, selfies are really, really tough :) Love the lighting, Wendy. You did a great job with that. How did you light your back?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 04/03/2016 10:42:30 PM
Good concept for the challenge and beautifully done. A ribbon from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-T1
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
 04/03/2016 05:02:48 PM
Great idea. I love the lighting too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-50D
 04/03/2016 03:01:52 PM
So very true. Great lighting on this one
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 04/02/2016 08:09:42 PM
So true... A ribbon winner IMHO.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS
 03/31/2016 10:41:13 PM
Wow Wendy, what a terrific dress!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III
 03/30/2016 10:53:17 PM
How true. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6
 03/30/2016 05:14:46 PM
I like this. But I think it would have been even better if I could not see the outline of the mirror.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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