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20 Images Of 2020
Documenting the Pandemic

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Taken April 17, 2020- not the toilet paper section of the store, but the pasta shelves.

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Teddy bears appear in windows and all kinds of different places. Children and adults can go around spotting them as something to do during the pandemic.

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My socially distanced neighbors are doing what they can do during this time, getting outside for a walk.
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The computer is essential for spending time with family and friends in April.

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Masks are essential and can be a fashion accessory or make a statement.
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Sharon PD does their part in helping kids cope by offering bicycle safety programs.
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Bar Mitzvahs and other family celebrations are very small and like this one, are held outdoors with most guests attending via Zoom.
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Haircuts are not available until later in the year. Everyone gets a little shaggy or they learn how to do it themselves.
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My church, Hope Church, moves its services outside to a member's home, when we are able to meet in person again.
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We move back inside in the fall but also stream online. Attendance is sparse in person.
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Restaurants have to adapt and many are open only for takeout and delivery. Sadly, many close down completely.
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Sharon High School's graduation is very different. Cars line up at the train station in a "car parade" to drive to the high school to graduate one at a time and drive on.
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Marlene Chused retires as town clerk with another car parade wishing he well. No retirement party could be held.
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School is online and my son-in-law and grandson are guest speakers for an online  session with an elementary class.
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The train station is empty. On this evening, the train stopped and no one got on or off.
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This is my neighborhood after a fall wind storm.  We live very close to the train station. Normally with the high level of traffic coming to and from the train station, these leaves would have been blown aside, but they blanked the road all day until the wind started up again.
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Because the streets were so empty, it was easy for me to set up some long exposure shots in in May. Very few cars were out.
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There was no trick-or- treating, but there was a very imaginative and well done "trunk-or treat" event organized by the town Rec. Department. Families stayed in their cars and drove though the displays made by various groups or individuals They collected a bag of treats at the end.

I know you we are all still experiencing the pandemic, but I felt compelled to do this blog post to be able to look back at it in the future. Photography is so important for documenting life.

Photographing Pets

11/12/2014

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If you know me or follow my photography, you know how I love to photograph pets. I find them very engaging and expressive. My own pets are photographed almost daily. They give me a lot of practice in different techniques that show their personality.
What are some things I have learned over the years?

Don't put your camera away.
This is generally my rule in life. I always have a camera or two near by because I don't want to miss a photo opportunity. In the picture above, I was working at my computer editing photos when I turned around and noticed my daughter's cat, who I love, cuddled up to one of my cameras.  I grabbed my other camera and got this picture. Often pets get up and move or don't continue doing what it is that they are doing for long. Being able to put your hands on your camera quickly, can lead to some great shots.
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Flowers, what flowers? Not me.
Get in close or down to their level.
Often  backgrounds have things in them that detract from the main focus of the photo. Getting in close often reveals interesting details and knocks out the distraction in the background. Focusing on eyes is something humans naturally do when they see a picture. "The eyes are the windows to the soul", so they say. So, make them a focus of your pictures.  Compare the pictures below. There are no rules about taking photos, I am only voicing my preferences.
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Up close and personal.
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Not so close, the photo is more about the environment. This is okay if that is what you're going for.
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Not as close , yet still focused on the subject.
Here we have examples of photographing pets down at the their level and close up, compared to photographing them further away.
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Close
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Further away
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Close and at her level. I like how she is off centered, too.
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not very effective
Show pets interacting with their owners and other animals.

Pets have special relationships with their owners. You will probably get a better portrayal of their personality if their owner is interacting with them. It is nice to see how that special relationship comes out in the pictures.
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Pets interacting with other pets is also fun to record.
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Finally, have fun, be playful and be patient.
My pets love having attention focused on them and seem to be willing subject for my attempts at being silly with them. They just like having attention paid to them. I know that is not the case with all pets, but if they allow it, have some fun with them. Below are some of the times myself and my family have had fun with our pets.
Here my dogs helped me make a sample Christmas photo. They were so patient, but look at their expressions. It's like they are saying, "Just get it over with will you?"
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Below, Oscar got up on the chair opposite me when I was sitting at the dinning room table (with my camera by me, of course) I just slid my daughters cell phone over and put his paw on it. He didn't move. The caption for this would be, "I've told you before Oscar, no texting at the table!"
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My daughter is always a willing participant in the pet photography fun. Again, they are so cooperative. 

This blog has taken me so long to put together because I have thousands of photos to scroll through and I have several pets that are no longer with our family and they are really missed. They are family members, that is why it is so important to record them with images.

Gallery of Family and Friend's Pets

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    Ann-Marie Ford

    After 31 years of teaching, I have decided to retire and start a new chapter of my life as a photographer. It has been my passion for about 7 years now.

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  • Home
  • About
  • Senior Portraits
  • Families
  • Contact
  • Weddings
  • Head Shots/Portraits
  • Photography Lessons
  • Cap an Gown Sessions
  • Engagements
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    • Future Parents
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  • Events
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  • Sharon's 250 Year Celebration