Jan 31, 2012

Just some random macros: flowers, bottle caps and Louis.

A bit of change, and photos of a NET team

I decided after failing a third time to take pictures every day, perhaps a 365 photo project isn't quite my style.  Taking photos every day has certainly provided great inspiration, but most often it feels like a chore or duty to take pictures that aren't really what I want to take.  I think my efforts would be better used towards a more intentional style of photography, especially portrait and fine art photography.  I'll be posting images as I take them, hopefully fairly frequently to keep me in practice.

Last Sunday, Kris and family and I had brunch with the NET team that had given a retreat for the area Catholic teens.  It was an opportunity for me to practice some event portraits.  Enjoy!

Jan 21, 2013

So I took this last night, and at the time it seemed like a good idea.  I mean, it's interesting, but I also don't like seeing myself with a forced double chin.  Let's just say it's weird and leave it at that.

Jan 20, 2013

Abstract.  This is a crystal ring dish with baking soda in it, if you believe me.

Jan 19, 2013

Today, my parents have been married for 38 years.  Not so many make it that far anymore!  I lucked out with a great example of what a marriage should be.

This is the pickle-tini that my wonderful husband made for me tonight (dill pickles/juice in place of green olives).  Here the aperture is small and the flash is coming through the side of the glass.

Jan 18, 2013

Snowy streets of Gunnison.

Jan 17, 2013

That yellow Chevy up the street of which I love taking pictures.

Jan 16, 2013

Ceramic pitcher, from the top.  From my camera phone, HD side.

Jan 15, 2013

Last night was haircut night for Kris.  This is his after picture.  I think I did a pretty good job!

I really like this portrait.  If I were to improve it, I would add more lighting behind him so his hair would stand out more from the background.  Not bad for one hand-held flash, though.  And not bad for my 3rd or 4th fade haircut.

Death of an SD card... (Jan 10-14)

Sometimes when I take pictures for this blog I don't get to processing them until the next day or two.  That's what happened this weekend.  When I sat down on Monday morning to edit, neither the computer nor my camera could read my SD card.  It had bit the dust.  Luckily there weren't too many pictures on it and I wasn't all that excited about them anyway.

These are my replacement pictures for the ones I lost.  Our friend Dan, who is an amazing outdoor/adventure sports photographer, came into town Sunday and Monday.  He gave me a crash course to lighting, which turns out to be just as complicated as I thought it was.  I took the following images in my bathroom, with the bathroom lights as ambient light and one flash in various positions.  This is mostly lighting practice for me with the most willing model I know.

This one is back lit by the flash.  The background didn't come out white completely; I edited out the non-white parts because I felt they were distracting.  But I'm not sure I like it this way either.



Jameson shot glass on the tile on our sink, top lit with the flash and narrow aperture to remove most of the ambient light



Here, the ambient light is behind me to th left and the flash is perilously hanging from the shower curtain rod via gorilla pod (my right) next to the white bathroom door.

I think the flash is pointing up and in front in this picture, I don't remember.  I would love this shot if it weren't my own belly hanging out there.  I still like the composition though.



Flash is overhead on the shower curtain (my left), ambient light in front.

Jan 9, 2013

Baby Louie in the tub with a husband flash stand.  Proud to say I didn't have to change the clarity on this one.

Jan 8, 2013

Another camera phone photo, this time the front of the phone.  Just another OK picture.

Jan 7, 2012

In the light from the blinds.

Jan 6, 2013

This is St. Anthony Claret.  And St. Anthony Claret.  My sister gave me these statues in a box of Christmas stuff she donated to me.  He's the patron saint of savings.  I think God is trying to tell me something.  Perhaps if He gave me more money to save I could be better at it.

I'm not as excited about this picture because it feels safe and expected from me, but I guess I can't expect to love every picture when I'm doing this for a picture-a-day project.  Life consumes my creativity and time some days.  I will count myself blessed that I've already made some images this year that I love, and that I have the ability and resources to pursue something that I enjoy doing.

St. Anthony Claret, pray for us.

Jan 5, 2012

My husband, goofing around.  I love this handsome face!

Jan 4, 2013

As an amputee.  This picture is a matter of perspective, not cutting off my arms (Photoshop or otherwise).

Jan 3, 2013

I pulled out the radio flash trigger to play with it a bit.  Figuring out where to put the light and how to take a hand-held self portrait sure is challenging.  I'll have to get my husband to model for me so I can practice lighting.

My "soft box":


Me:

Jan 2, 2013

Here are my feet that badly need a pedicure standing on a toilet.  This is part of an idea I've had about portraits in awkward places.  More to come in the future.

Jan 1, 2013

This is my third attempt to complete a 365 photo project.  I've made it half way through twice now before losing steam, so here's to hoping I can do it this time.

This year, I have wonderful tools at my fingertips.  My wicked awesome brother purchased CS6 and Lightroom 4 for me for Christmas, and my wonderful sister got me some new macro lenses that fit the lenses I use most and a remote flash trigger.  I think my photography is going to grow a lot this year as I learn more about editing and lighting.  I also want to do more portraiture, so most of my pictures will focus on that.  I don't want to put too many constraints on myself, though, so we'll just see where the images lead me.

This first picture I took with my Razr Maxx with the HD camera on the back.  I'm fairly impressed by the quality and image size.  I took it into CS6 and changed it to black and white, messing mostly with the red channel.  I think I figured out how photographers get stunning pictures of freckled faces.  Although I have to admit, this one is more creepy than it is stunning.