Saturday Market In Xanthi Greece - A Sense of Place

A Boy and His Toy

One of the many things I enjoy is finding a Saturday Market when traveling to other countries. It is here that I find a great collection of locals that I can capture in real life moments. During the day's shoot I concentrate on bringing home a collection of photographs that will show my viewers a sense of place. One of the moments I try to capture is the interaction between the buyers and the sellers, the exchange of money and product.

I find markets challenging when trying to use natural light since most booths have canopies that darken the interaction opportunities. Also if it is a sunny day the harsh light can cast strong shadows across the faces. It seems the light is always changing. The next challenge is that everyone and everything is in constant movement. People are always walking into your photo.  The money exchange happens while the person is looking down and not at the seller. A hand goes up in front of the perfect expression you were hoping to capture. So many things to go wrong.

However because you are shooting digital, you can take as many photos as you need to practice in this colorful, exciting and interesting location. Instead of worrying that you won't get the perfect shot, practice seeing. Look for patterns, look for difference in cultures, look for light.

I have practiced my skills in Mexico where I was asked to pay the people I was taking photos of, in Chile where I was given fruit by a vendor thanking me for taking his photo, and this photo was taken in Greece where I roamed with my jaw dropped open most of the day at the amazing chaos.

While capturing such unique opprtunities think about creating a sense of place for the viewers of your photographs when you get home. Get close up details, wide angle views of the overall scene, take photos of signs and don't forget the people.

If you have a desire to learn more about "capturing a sense of place" please contact me for a weekend workshop.

Greek boys hangin out

Mother and daughter shopping spree

Yes he is smoking a cigarette around all that wonderful produce.

I can't imagine having to buy my bras this way.

This lady was yelling something Greek at the top of her lungs for hours trying to get everyone attention. I think every item was 1 Euro.

Details. Little cute barrettes.

Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Plocher Dantzler 

Happy New Year

Marching into the New Year!!! Happy 2010 to All!!! Keep your chin strapped up high!!!

Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Dantzler 

Holiday Fun

Last night I went to zoolights at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, WA for a holiday outing. The place was packed since it was the first non rainy night in 3 days and almost Christmas. I had never been before. The lights were bright, the families abundant and the weather a bit chilly. A perfect combination. My preferred capture (at the moment) is to pan, blur or somehow change the standard still scene into something more. Therefore, many photos were taken while walking past bushes and bushes full of lights along the sidewalk as my camera was capturing a long exposure. The patterns and designs were fun and fascinating.  
I created this Merry Christmas sign with one of the many "on the move" photos I captured that evening. I think it would make a great Christmas card .

This photograph is also a long exposure. This time the camera was still on a tripod while the crowd walked by. You can see a small section of all the beautiful lights that took hours to prepare for us all to enjoy.

This tree was one of my favorites. It was an explosion of lights. So I tried to capture that.
Merry Christmas to All.


Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Dantzler 

"I have never seen it like this."

What a contrast! All it takes is a few hours in an airplane to change the weather conditions completely. My last blog had surfers enjoying a great evening on the Big Island during usual high surf conditions and now I am blogging a different kind of weather phenomenon; Snoqualmie Falls surrounded with icicles. As I was photographing this 268 foot waterfall just east of Seattle, I heard a lady in her upper 60's state, "I have lived here all my life and I have never seen it like this."

This photograph was processed in Lightroom 2 and CS4 using Topaz Labs Filters.


Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Plocher Dantzler - on Twitter at terilou_com

Surfs UP!!! The Endless Summer

My time in Hawaii and my endless summer is coming to an end on Thursday. I didn't want the opportunity to capture some great surfing to pass me by so I captured these great moments due to some record breaking wave action. 

In Hawaii when the surf is up most people don't come to work, so on a day like today I think the whole island was at a stand still. Most people were either in the water surfing or on the shore watching surfers. 
It amazed me how long some of the surfers stayed out past sunset to get that one last wave. I love to watch the dance of a surfer on the water and how in tune they are with the movement.

Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Plocher Dantzler - on Twitter at terilou_com

The Sky is the Limit!

"Luck is when opportunity meets preparation." 
How many of you believe this?

In the world of uncertainty isn't it nice to be in control of a few things? Actually you are in control of many more things than you realize. Your everyday choices have brought you to where you are today. 
What did you do today to prepare yourself for the opportunity to make your goals, dreams and desires come true? It is never too late. Don't let the rust on your foundation stop you from climbing to your potential. Which path will you take?


"Reach for the stars." "The sky is the limit."


Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Plocher Dantzler - on Twitter at terilou_com

Rust and Bolts

It strikes me very funny that when I walk into a dusty, dirty abandoned barn with rusty machinery these days I get so excited.  I look at the opportunity as a piece of artwork waiting to evolve. So much of the world looks different to me as a photographer. I appreciate things more. I see potential to be creative and learn something new from even dirt, rusty, old machinery. Who would have guessed?!?


Please visit me at http://www.terilou.com - on Facebook @ Teri Lou Plocher Dantzler - on Twitter at terilou_com