Voices of 2014 Archives - With Some Grace

Those who follow me on Instagram and Facebook may have noticed a number of photos with the hashtags #myfamilylens and #voicesof2014. These photos are part of the Olympus Sponsor Challenge that I’m participating through Kidspot Voices of 2014.

The criteria is to publish 3 posts based on certain prompts, with this second one based on ‘Delight’ (You can read my first post from last week here).

Below is also a brief section about the Olympus OM-D E-M10 and how I captured special moments with it.

It had been a temperamental day, weather-wise. But as the afternoon wore on and the puffy, billowing clouds hovered low over, the striking beams that were fighting their way through gave hint that something magical was forming.

It seemed that I wasn’t the only one that picked up on it.

Pulling up into the driveway after picking up the twinions from daycare, Mr Surfer was already out the front waiting for our arrival with the camera in hand.

“It’s going to be a cracker of a sunset. Go! I’ll take care of the boys! You go get some shots!”

Who was I to protest?

As it donned a majestic golden curtain over Sydney Harbour, the sun decided on taking a playfully colourful spin to end the day.

As quick as countless Sydneysiders were to marvel in its spectacular beauty they were even quicker to upload it, dubbing it as the sunset that sent social media sites into meltdown.

But Nature just kept teasing.

“Why this ol’ sunset?” It said casually.

“I’ve been doing it for ages! You just haven’t taken notice lately…”

In subtle, graceful motion, its artistry kept transforming.

From vibrant, luminescent rays of orange…

To dramatic, deep hues of blue, purple and pink.

“You liked that? “ Nature asked seductively.

“How about this, then?”

With my finger permanently sitting on the camera’s shoot button, I suddenly felt humbled.

Do I deserve to witness such beauty? Do I acknowledge it enough? Do I allow myself to simply soak in its delights?

Most of all, is my appreciation even adequate for what this awesome Universe offers?

Just as a spectacular sunset was on rare display that night, the previous night’s performance was it’s warm up.

And the following day’s sunrise was its encore.

And of course, there are the sweet, subtle intervals in between.

Even right in your backyard.

Delight is truly deserved when we remember to give it ample gratitude.

Yet, even when we don’t, Nature relentlessly keeps abundantly providing, generously filling our lives with special moments.

Why does it take the sunset that almost broke the internet to remind us?

About the camera:

Now in the final leg of the #myfamilylens Challenge, I keep surprising myself as to how adventurous I’ve become with my photography!

Besides its portability that I mentioned last week, the built-in Wi-Fi functionality on the Olympus OM-D E-10 has no doubt been one of the other big pluses, allowing me to immediately transfer an image straight from the camera to my iPhone4S with the Olympus Share application.

From there, it’s an instant upload to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or a quick email/text message to a friend.

Sunset Mode (Photo #1)

The more I used this mode during that spectacular sunset, the more stupid crazy excited I got! It was amazing that despite how dark it was getting, it would optimise the sunset rays to make such clear, breathtaking photos!

Pop Art (Photo #2)

The vibrant colours you get from this Art Mode always surprised me! It always seemed to work with what lighting you had so your photo still had a natural touch to it but with the extra colour and depth.

Dramatic Tone (Photos #3 and #6):

This would have to be my favourite Art Mode to use, simply because it gave my photos extra depth. Its functionality is slightly similar to the “Lux” mode but on the Olympus OM-D-EM10, the clarity was incomparable. It was perfect in creating an even dramatic effect with overcast clouds.

Soft Focus (Photo #4)

This Art Mode is a great when you want to soften an image. It’s great for photos that have light directly pointing into the camera as it makes exposure less harsher.

Auto Mode with Vivid Settings (Photos #5 ,#9 and #10)

Loved how I could just set the camera to auto mode but there are still extra settings to give photos a clean, professional finish.

Gentle Sepia (Photo #7)

I loved using this Art Mode for old buildings like lighthouses. It just gave it that extra nostalgic feeling. There are also numerous frames to choose from allowing you to immediately add when taking the photo.

Nature Macro (Photo #8)

This is one of the 24 Scene Modes that automatically sets the camera for you so there’s no need to worry about manually doing it yourself. Perfect for shots of flowers, raindrops on grass, anything that needs extra special detail.

Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT

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Well, that was an unexpectedly fun weekend!

I truly didn’t have any expectations for Kidspot’s Voices of 2014. I was looking forward to catching up with some friends and just ya know, chillin’.

While it was nice to be acknowledged and accolades can sweeten a deal, the reality is: blogging is bloody hard work.

As many of you are also bloggers, will attest to what I’m saying.

During Mrs Woogs’ and Baby Mac’s (Oversharing) on Social Media Masterclass session, someone posed the question to:

“How many unique visitors do you think you need until a blogger can monetize?”

It may be different from a PR or agency’s perspective. But from a blogger who’s going to protect their brand that is their blog, there is no black and white hardline answer.

And Mrs Woogs’ response nailed it:

“It’s not about numbers. It’s about engagement”

For many, that would seem like a relief.

Phew! I don’t have to worry that my chicken feed traffic, we assure ourselves.

But engagement is so, so much harder. Loyal, heartfelt, get to the gist engaging readers are like finding diamonds in the rough.

Personal blogging just makes that extra tricky. Us “oversharers” are forever being questioned as to what we’re actually trying to achieve by being so “exploitative”.

I believe in real life they call it, “Putting yourself on the line”

When there are so many risks of being judged or vilified, why?

Why do we do it? Why do we bother?

Sometimes I even struggle to ask myself.

But I do know what does keep me going: it’s this deep concern for what’s going on around us; how this world and it’s issues will affect my kids in later years.

Yet, modern society doesn’t know what to do with bloggers. It’s not entirely ready to take on so many powerful, personal voices with their own platforms; to talk so freely on social media.

Geez, sometimes my husband doesn’t even take me seriously.

What we talk of isn’t considered as “official news” but they fail to realize, our candid social commentary is just, if not more so, valid.

Besides the cracker hangover headache on Sunday morning (Looking straight at ya, Mrs Holsby and Talking Frankly), my biggest takeaway from Voices of 2014 is just to keep doing what I’m doing.

Keep writing about what I know about, keep talking about what’s important to me and always keep my readers at the forefront.

And I encourage my blogging peers do the same.

The more we write, the more we share; the braver we become.

My diamonds keep me really going with this whole blogging gig.

Yup. That’s you.

Thank you.

Oversharing (and proud) with Essentially Jess at IBOT