After Memorial Day

I tried to take some pictures of A. yesterday evening after a day of swimming. Um, yeah. These are the results. Enjoy.

Scenes from the Strawberry Patch

Last week Annelise and I went with some friends to a local farm to pick strawberries. Along with filling our buckets, I tried to take some pictures. It's a bit of a challenge to try to be a photographer and participate in the experience too. Wearing my camera around my neck and trying to bend down to pick strawberries was quite humorous. Or frustrating. Even though I feel burdened by the bulk or weight of my camera at times, I am almost always pleased with the results.

I love the effect of tilting the camera, just a smidge to create a more interesting angle. This old sign is so rustic and beautiful in it's simplicity. This photo is one of my favorites from the outing. One of my photography goals is to take pictures in a more photojournalist style, let the signs and objects tell the story.

I loved the huge tire they have near the entrance. We were a bit rushed and Annelise was on overdrive, so I didn't really get to *play*.

You know there has to be a close up. Here it is.

There is a gorgeous old tree (several actually) with the perfect low branch. I wish I could have taken a few more pictures there.

After all the hard work picking berries, Annelise took a swing break. The rows and rows of strawberries are in the background.

You can see more pictures and read more about our adventure here.

Fields of Blue

We drove out to Chappell Hill yesterday to get some family shots in the bluebonnets. I did use the tripod for the first time, I L.O.V.E. it. I'm sure it was quite hilarious as I pushed the shutter and hopped over the bluebonnets to pose with Scott and Annelise. I wish I had brought my remote, that would have made it easier.

I took several shots with my 70-300mm lens. I was so caught up in the bluebonnets, the barn and posing that I did not finagle the settings as I should have. Ooops. We took an ice cream break and went back for a few more. I used my 50mm and tried different manual settings. The afternoon sunlight turned out to be fairly harsh. For these shots, SmugMug auto adjusted the color/exposure.

Easter Afternoon Close ups

Took several shots around the yard this afternoon. Bright sunlight caused some shadows on other pictures. Still a fan of the extreme close up.

17-85mm & 70-300mm, portrait setting

How Many More Mom?

A. sat patiently as I took several pictures. Notice the pink shoes (of course) that are shedding glitter all. over. my. house.

70mm, f 5.6, 1/8

A Girl and her Pappo

A. and I took my dad out for a birthday breakfast at IHOP this morning. His birthday was Tuesday. Of course I brought along The Camera. I actually considered taking my little Powershot, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I also did not get a shot with myself in the picture, I couldn't relinquish control of The Camera.

I used my 50mm 1.4, f4, 1/15. I love (of course) the close-up of this, and I was sitting across the table. Not sure what the strange orbs are, maybe a reflection from the glass wall we were beside. I don't have Photoshop so I can't edit it it out. I'll live with it for now.

Just Ducky

This morning I glanced out our window to see two webbed feet visitors waddling across our yard. Since I am pretending to be a photographer, I grabbed my camera and dashed outside. I tempted them with some bread so they might linger a while so I could capture some shots.

I switched to my 70-300mm lens and snapped several as they waddled around. I took a few in Manual, but since I'm slow, slow, slow as I adjust my settings, I realized I might miss these little webbed friends. I shot in Av mode instead.

140mm, f11, 1/50. We were in the shade, so it turned out a bit dark. I should have tweaked that I guess.

300mm, f11, 1/125 See I even shoot close-ups of ducks! Maybe there is a close-up support group?

Goal for this week: Practice more in Manual mode in order to get faster. Take pictures every day, both outdoors and inside.