October 31, 2009

A river of pumpkins. I just love those little mini pumpkins, so cute.

October 30, 2009

We put up the tent in the backyard and had a camp out. The kids had great fun. I slept inside in my bed. Hubby was outside in the tent.

October 29, 2009

October 28, 2009

Here are some Halloween Vultures to scare you.

Book Review

A couple weeks ago I was contacted by Matthew Bamberg (see his Author page on Amazon and list of his other books) and asked to do a review of his latest book:

"Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs"

At first I didn't read the entire title and I figured this was another book with tips on how to take better photographs (which I'm sure I could use). However, after I actually looked in the book and then re-read the title, I learned that the book is not about how to take pictures, but what you can do with your pictures after you have taken them. Matthew Bamberg goes through and has chapters describing fun things that you can do with your digital image; from blogs to putting your image on mugs and t-shirts to scrap-booking and selling your photos.

His beginning chapters talk about first, managing your photos on your own computer (using software such as Picasa and iPhoto), second, some basic overviews of programs to edit your images (Picasa, Photoshop, GIMP), and then lastly, a review of quite a few online sites that specialize in sharing photos (Flickr, Picasa, Shutterfly, Photobucket, ImageShack, etc). Overall, if you are a beginner at digital photography and you want to learn where to upload your photos, how to get them from your camera to an online album, attach them as an email and perhaps put them on a blog, MySpace or Facebook, these chapters will teach you all you need to know.

Matthew Bamberg devotes an entire chapter to digital scrapbooking, which although I do not do, I know it is very popular.

He has another chapter all about photo blogs. I found this chapter very interesting and relevant to me. If you are interested in generating traffic to your blog or promoting yourself, he has tips on how to achieve that.

In his book, Matthew Bamberg devotes a couple chapters to teaching you how to sell your photos and how to get published. That information was all new to me. I found it very informative. I don't know that I could/would ever sell a photo, but if I do, now I know how to start.

The last areas that he covers are how to turn your images in to fun personal accessories (mugs, t-shirts, cards, gifts) and cool slide shows.

I think "Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs" is actually quite original in it's concept. I have enjoyed reading it, and I have already referred to it for help.

October 27, 2009

In the spirit of Halloween, here are some more "ghost pictures" Jaremie and I took in September on one of our date night/get my photo class homework done nights.

So I'm the ghost, obviously. We did this with a long exposure, a tripod, and the self timer. It was fun.

I'm not supposed to be smiling in the first picture, but you try to sit that close to your hubby and stare at him for 30 seconds without moving and do it without laughing. Apparently he can do it, I can not.

October 26, 2009

Wow, my photo came in 4th place!

This is my entry for i ♥ faces, category: Halloween Dress Up

BOO! I'm a ghost to scare you! Whoooooooo!

Go check out the other photos at i ♥ faces.

October 25, 2009

My little one wants to be a ghost for Halloween. This is what I came up with. She seems to like it. She was out in the yard practicing her haunting.

October 24, 2009

I love watching this kid play baseball!

Can you see the ball? Whack!

October 23, 2009

I know I have posted a lot of pictures of my little one and her new puppy. Other than my Mom, it's probably not so exciting for everyone else. As I try to post a new photo every day, I find some days and weeks are more difficult than other days/weeks. The overall goal is to get me using my camera every day with the hopes that I will improve and get more confident in my skills. I think it's time for another assignment or photo challenge. Any suggestions? Any one want to join me for an challenge?

October 22, 2009

October 21, 2009

October 20, 2009

October 19, 2009

What walks down your road? This was our Saturday afternoon visitor; a Sulcata Tortoise.

October 18, 2009

This one was challenging for me as well. My style is bright, vivid, saturated colors. I don't know how to do soft, mellow, light.

October 17, 2009

Oh, I struggle with black and white. I just can't seem to get the contrast right, or the mood, or the light, or something. Good thing I have so much to work on, right?

October 16, 2009

I am so behind in my photos. We have spent the last week sick, all of us.

October 15, 2009

October 14, 2009

October 13, 2009

What a great sister! Not only does she bring her little sister with her to the barn, catches a favorite chicken for her, but will then carry her home when she is all tuckered out. Everyone needs a terrific sister or friend; I have both. I'm glad my girls have each other.

October 12, 2009

This is my entry for i ♥ faces, category: EXCITED!

The kids are loaded up ready to go! We were headed out on one of our always exciting "Adventure Days" where we visit a State Park, beach, quaint town or some area (relatively) close by that we have never been to before. We have had some memorable outings!

Go visit i ♥ faces to see some more "exciting" photos.

October 11, 2009

October 10, 2009

More butterflies I took a few weeks ago and haven't had time to post.

I love that in the second photo you can see the movement of his wings as they are fluttering. Actually, they were beating very fast. I kept upping my shutter speed because I was worried everything would be blurry.

October 9, 2009

This is what happens when I tell my boy to "smile".


Every now and then I get one that looks like this.

October 8, 2009

See these eyes? All natural. No sharpening, no dodge and burn, no high pass filters with soft light. Just point the boy at the setting sun which is partially hidden by the trees so as not to blind him. Presto, sparkly eyes.

October 7 ,2009

We have had such beautiful evening light from 6 pm to around 7:15 pm. Light that is just begging to have some one get their picture taken. Now if the temperature would just drop below the high 90's for a few days.

How many times do you forget to check all your camera settings prior to starting a new photo shoot? You would think after botching up too many important occasions, I would remember to check everything. Good thing tonight was just for fun. I had been taking pictures in the house early in the day and had the white balance set to incandescent. Since my boy only holds still for just a few seconds, I just started shooting away, not taking the time to check my images. After about 25 shots, I finally looked down. Blue. Quick change to shade and we were back on track. Too bad I don't shoot in RAW, I could have fixed them in post processing. I just changed it to black and white. Not sure if I like it. I think I need some help with black and white. I never know if I have enough contrast. Perhaps I need to look for a tutorial.

Below: Check your white balance or your colors will be off.


Below: Can I save the photo by changing it to black and white?


Below: All is well