Learn how to capture life’s simple pleasures.

What are simple pleasures?

There are so many little things in life that we tend to overlook. Little moments, conversations, sunrises, sunsets, days at the beach, days off, quite time reading and the list goes on. Simple pleasures are the unassuming moments in our lives that bring us joy. If you need some inspiration or ideas check out this Pinterest Board.

Why simple pleasures are important

More than ever, with everything going on in the world right now, we need to take the time to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures around us. Why?

It’s good to focus on the good in the world, those things that create joy in our lives. Seeing the beauty around us, making little moments last and truly taking the time to reflect and see what it is that we find pleasure in on a daily basis.

By doing this we may breathe a little easier, feel a little lighter and hopefully find that a little bit of the weight of the world is lifted off of our shoulders for period of time.

How do you capture life’s Simple Pleasures?

Start out by taking the time to slow down and observe. Spend an entire day (or more) noticing what your simple pleasures are. What brings you joy? What makes you smile? Take notes, write down all the little things that you find throughout your day that make you happy.

Once you’ve created a list of your simple pleasures, choose one to photograph. Figure out how you can best show the feelings you get from this particular activity. Ask yourself the following questions:

How can you show your simple pleasure in a unique way?
What can I do to make this more than a snapshot?
How can I create an images that is more interesting?
What set-up can I use to help me convey the feeling I have? Lens? Lighting? Point of interest?
Do I include myself in the image? Other people?

How do you recreate that feeling of Simple Pleasures in a photograph?

As you answer the above questions about how you approach photographing your Simple Pleasure, you’ll start to realize how these answers will affect the mood of the image you’re creating.

Get creative with your lighting to create a bright and happy atmosphere. Change the perspective you are shooting from, see how that can change the mood of your shot. Consider softer focus and incorporating motion into your shots.

Choices made during editing can also help convey the feeling with the color palette you use. How you use warm or cool overall tones can change the feel of the image. Experiment with these, pay attention to how the changes make feel when you view your image.

Photo BootCamp Magazine

In this issue of BootCamp magazine, let’s see how our members have captured life’s simple pleasures through their images.

Be sure to check out how you can join BootCamp at the end of the magazine!

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(Larger file for desktop or iPad).

Alternatively if you have a slower connection you can view this magazine Here on ISSUU.

Below is a small sample of what’s in this magazine…

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Inside BootCamp Magazine

Featured Artist

Let’s take a look at this month’s magazine. Here is our featured artist of the month, Laima Ratajczak, from Australia

“Well what are you going to teach us today Brent, Zydacat asks?” Laima loved her morning ritual, which is to enjoy several cups of coffee in bed, brought to her by her amazing husband, accompanied by her loyal cat as they check her emails and Bootcamp. She might add this has been their routine for a few years now!

Comment: Romy Villanueva – “I feel happy with this image. Nicely composed and executed. Well done Laima. I have cats at home and I surely enjoy relaxing with them in the garden.”

Cover Image

This month’s magazine cover image was taken by Belinda Swan from Australia. Sometimes it’s nice to get out the ‘good china’ and have a little afternoon tea with the kids. With another cold, wet, wintery weekend meant that Belinda had a bit of trouble finding good light, so she put the camera on a tripod and used a longer shutter speed.

Comment: Brent Mail – “That looks absolutely yummy from here. My eye does settle on the red strawberries. You may want slightly more depth of field to make sure those strawberries are sharp too, maybe f/5.6 or 6.3 would do it.

Nice composition you’ve used here Belinda. Making me want to go find some scones now.”

Active Members

Let’s take a look at how our BootCamp members capture life’s simple pleasures this month.

Starting with Valerie Worthen from the United States. She has been trying to capture lightning without much luck. She did manage to capture this double rainbow as the thunderstorm left the area. So much to be thankful for every day!

Comment: Lynton Stacey – “Wow Valerie! An incredible shot. I love the way you have processed it to have the contrast between the inside and outside of the rainbow. You have done well to capture a full rainbow and a double rainbow. The brightness of the trees adds to the pleasure in seeing the full rainbow.”

Next, we have Kathleen Feeley from the United States. The ocean is her greatest pleasure. Unfortunately, she is not able to travel right now. The pool is her simple pleasure. She tried to recreate ‘waves’ to get the vibe.

Comment: Romy Villanueva – “I like this one too because of its softer light reflections. Nice abstract image.”

Next, we have Laura Griffiths from South Africa. During the initial lockdown, they were heading into winter. This is the time when their lovely indigenous aloes come in to flower with their (usually bright orange or red) flowers amongst the other indigenous vegetation on the mountainsides. After a few years she has introduced a few new varieties to her garden and this beauty came into flower for the first time.

For Laura, it has been a time of shooting bees, lizards, guinea fowl and greenery in nature. Also, weather scenes which may be flat calm blue seas or wild tossing waves foaming over onto roads, as well as food, drinks and household collections. Just a general time of having the opportunity to relax, take time, stop rushing and yes, learn as much as she can of photography.

Comment: Dave Koh – “Good details of the flower with nice colorful bokeh. Well done Laura.”

And last but not the least, we have Robert Richardson from Canada. Simple Pleasures. There are so many Simple Pleasures in life, but we all need to stop and look at them. Two of his pleasures are travel and landscape photography. He loves to find simple pleasures and enjoy the beach, his trailer and getting away from the city. This was originally taken as 5 different pictures and was stitched together in Lightroom.

Comment: Rachel Gilmour – “Really nice pano, Robert. Nice colors and the water looks inviting.”

There you have it. These are just some of the images by our members that show their simple pleasures in life in photographs.

You can also share your images by joining Photo BootCamp Academy and can count on the community to help and guide you along the way. If you are not yet a member of this awesome family now is the best time to become one.

You can check out the complete BootCamp Magazine and see for yourself!

Download BootCamp Magazine

Summary

Capturing life’s simple pleasures is a great way to remember moments that bring us joy.
It’s important to focus on the good in the world, those things that make us happy.
To capture life’s simple pleasures take time to slow down and see what is around you.
Figure out the best way to convey how that simple pleasure makes you feel.
What lens, lighting, point of interest will you use?
Use editing to help convey the emotion.

Do This Now

Please leave me a comment below – I’d love to know what you think. Brent

Capturing Life’s Simple Pleasures