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KarenMarleneLarsen's photostream
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An artist in several genres who is beginning to explore photography.
My background and professional life include degrees in English Literature, Arts Education and Theatrical Design, and past employment as a theatrical designer, professional fiber artist (primarily quilt artist), artistic director of a well regarded puppet theatre, and marketing and communications specialist for non-profits. Photography is something I'm beginning to explore as an amateur- the challenge of my 50s!
My first serious photos were taken beginning in late 2003 with an Olympus auto-focus film camera (one of these days I'll scan the best of those shots for upload- there were some good ones), and now I work primarily with an Olympus Camedia C-750 Ultra Zoom auto-focus digital. I never use the digital zoom, but I do use the optical one. I also use the macro button now and again, though I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't tend to learn effectively from manuals.
I find the delay on the shots frustrating, so aspire to afford a digital SLR camera. I won't get one, though, until I take some classes and learn the tricks and tools of a traditional camera, lenses and lights. Meanwhile, I work on my own to improve my framing.
I've been on flickr for several months now and am amazed at both the amount of talent I've found here, and the truly supportive community. I learn a lot from looking at the photos on view here, and I really appreciate the feedback I get from everyone on my humble attempts at photography.
Like many in this warm and cozy "home away from home" I'm finding the site just a little too addictive. I'm the responsible type who tries to look at all the shots of my contacts every day, but find it is eating way yoo much into my work day. Because of that, I'm going to say a sad farewell to some of the contacts I've made over the past half year, keeping those that I have built a strong "correspondance" with. I still love the work of each and every one of you, but I will just have to visit it occasionally rather than daily. Please don't be offended. It wasn't you, it was me. And this way perhaps I'll have more time for those I do have more frequent contact with, and for exploring more of the site.
Photos of KarenMarleneLarsen (5)
KarenMarleneLarsen's favorite photos from other Flickr members (27,256)
Contacts (107)
Groups (50)
- Boston Camera Club 2,128 photos, 70 members
- Caffeinated Conversations 805 photos, 319 members
- THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT 67,953 photos, 5,538 members
- Blooming Beauty 58,278 photos, 2,604 members
- Citizen Science: Great Blue Heron (please read the rules) 10,730 photos, 1,472 members
- Winters Wonder 303 photos, 59 members
- Qoop 25% off prints photobooks cards calendars, cd dvd backups 4,863 photos, 1,132 members
- Getty Images Call for Artists 476,642 photos, 79,931 members
- Kit Lens Losers 19,186 photos, 1,608 members
- Tacoma Art Museum 2,764 photos, 540 members
- Murals & Graffiti 133,384 photos, 6,252 members
- Abandoned 521,038 photos, 35,688 members
- Abandoned, Neglected, Weathered, or Rusty 224,045 photos, 8,944 members
- Flickr Commons 1,122 photos, 1,527 members
- RAW Magazine Group 24,363 photos, 1,665 members
- F L E U R 1,819 photos, 827 members
- We Are The World ~ P2/C2 26,216 photos, 1,286 members
- Cafes, Coffee Houses, Burger Joints, Food Carts. 36,657 photos, 2,199 members
- H2otown Pool 343 photos, 27 members
- Professional looking food photography 127,624 photos, 13,844 members
- BonAppetitDotCom 8,235 photos, 426 members
- 101 Cookbooks 595 photos, 623 members
- Charles River 3,749 photos, 269 members
- Photography Critique Assignments - Weather 2,573 photos, 746 members
- Photography Critique 2,123 photos, 12,275 members
- Weddings 101,162 photos, 9,628 members
- ~ Creative Weddings ~ 35,145 photos, 3,670 members
- Green & Orange 5,200 photos, 429 members
- NATURE'S BEST 665,359 photos, 19,362 members
- Creative Flower Shots 3,257 photos, 377 members
- The View Beyond... 15,749 photos, 1,064 members
- Universal Hub 7,817 photos, 277 members
- B&W Boston 2,931 photos, 190 members
- Belle De Contre Jour 39,932 photos, 3,266 members
- What plant is that? 24,350 photos, 4,125 members
- fungi 51,286 photos, 6,025 members
- Foodista 59,129 photos, 1,603 members
- Images for the Life on the Line video 79 photos, 18 members
- New England Street Photography 3,352 photos, 355 members
- all but one 12,661 photos, 1,591 members
- Self Centered Sunday 9,735 photos, 1,322 members
- The Gallery Of Fine Photography [No frames/signatures] 27,346 photos, 4,484 members
- it's obvious 76 photos, 42 members
- " Art of the Light " ☆☆☆☆☆ 36,045 photos, 9,051 members
- Vision Quality 100 (P1/F2/C2) 37,949 photos, 2,619 members
- **Brilliant~Eye~Jewels** INVITED PICS ONLY! contest: pls vote 180,061 photos, 22,627 members
- Vision Quality Group (P1/F2/C2) 92,819 photos, 4,664 members
- My So-Called Life (please remember your pics need text ) 7,426 photos, 542 members
- Cornea Burn 4,298 photos, 796 members
- Flowerotica - Post ONE (1) COMMENT & AWARD 3 26,700 photos, 7,429 members
Testimonials (4)
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Kristybee says:
"Karen amazes me everyday with her eye for detail and her warm style. She doesn't just take a picture..she tells a story. I adore her still life photos where you can almost smell the country breakfasts or the fresh brewed coffee. She captures moments that you can feel. She's been an inspiration to me and I strive everyday to be a better photographer because of her. She encouraged me to get onto Flickr and I can't thank her enough :D
Karen is good at every style of photography too, (which is why she is so inspiring) whether self-portraits, people pics, food pics, or places she manages to bring you there. It's an emotional journey. Thank you Karen :-)
xxx"1st December, 2008
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Sunset Sailor says:
"This is a long overdue testimonial. Let me think back now. I first encountered Karen Larsen in a comment that she made on “Duff Suds” flickr page. Something about that long forgotten comment drew me to her flickr page to see what this person was all about. I found there, something of a miracle. There were simple, daily life photos pasted all over her flickr page. At first I found them ordinary. Beneath each posting was a dissertation that bordered rivaling the novel, “War and Peace”. Like any story, I read a few lines, expecting to drop from her pages at any moment and return from whence I came. But that didn’t happen. Instead, I found myself entwined in a story that drew me in like a moth to a …well you know that story. Karen was writing the essence of life, in the most elegant and flowing fashion I had ever seen. I mean she had some quality stories that just kept my attention. Not only was the writing good, but her explanations of life along the way was spell binding. She was explaining away things I had experienced and never been able to put into words. She was painting pictures of life’s experiences and feelings like I had never read before. By now I’m thinking, “what a treasure to find outside of a best selling novel.” This woman could write alongside the likes of Richard Russo.
So now I’ve finally taken the time to address Miss Karen Marlene Larsen. I’ve long since grown fond of her images, in addition to her words. Her simple images are really complex views of life as we live and feel it. What, at first, seems just a fence, soon becomes the fence just like the one you climbed as a kid. Somewhere along the way you can hear the sounds of the past, and if you’re really lucky, she has tacked on some prose that brings to mind the full emotions of some moment in your past.
Just when you think you have all of Karen in a basket, she posts something new and imaginative. Oh and she cooks. I mean she COOKS! She prepares the most amazing epicurean delights, done in the most traditional fashion. She even pulls out an old heirloom iron Dutch Oven and cleans it up and makes the most amazing meal in it, complete with amazing photos. I still see that photo in my mind today. I mean it made me hungry, plus it made me want to go find my grandmother’s old iron pot. Well I didn’t have one, but I went out and bought one that belonged to someone else’s grandmother. You see, Karen has the unique ability to influence us via her words, stories and photos. I’ve spent many a morning at the diner doing breakfast and sharing conversation with her and her lucky friend, Matt. Not in reality, but through her vision. Oh and there’s a Dave and a Jeff and a Charlie and lots of others in there somewhere, sharing her life. Just take a look at her work and stop for a moment to contemplate what you’re looking at. She writes life and she photographs life and she does so much more. To me, she is a modern version of Tasha Tudor. Karen is a genuinely honest, warm, talented, brilliant and likeable person. I’m proud to call her a friend."6th June, 2008
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Carrie Patterson says:
"Karen's photostream is one of adventure, colors, texture, and beauty. I love reading Karen's observations and feel privledged to get a glimpse into her life! Thank you for sharing!"
8th May, 2008
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borealnz says:
"Karen is one of the kindest and most generous people around Her wonderfully insightful comments are always something to look forward to as are her beautiful photos which are a window to her world. She's especially good at capturing the little details that many of us never notice.
Keep up the good work Karen, I am honoured to call you a friend.
*Hugs*
~Jill~"5th December, 2007
- Joined:
- October 2006
- I am:
- Female and Taken
- Occupation:
- artist / non-profit administrator