Survey

There are so many different ways to edit photographs. People like different "looks". Just out of curiosity, which style do you prefer? Photograph 1 or Photograph 2?

I've been busy...

This seems to be my excuse for everything these days! I keep thinking that things will slow down, but the reality is I don't think they will. Luckily for me, it's been a fun kind of busy. "I've been busy" with these beautiful people...

Senior Photos

I was asked by a family member to take her senior pictures. I will admit, I was nervous about my ability to do this. As I've said before, I don't know ANY of the technical stuff about cameras and photography. I have to admit, I was THRILLED with the way they turned out...AND it helps to have a GORGEOUS subject matter!

Now for you photography junkies. What type of lens do you use for most of your photography? If you only had ONE, which one do you think is the most versitile? I have the stock lens my camera came with, but used a 55 - 200mm for some of these. I liked it. I am thinking about purchasing one myself, but not 100% sure that this is THE lens. I would like to continue doing this type of photography (maybe even "officially" after I figure out what I'm REALLY doing), but would also like something that is great for sporting events. Would love your input.

Photo Editing

I can be stubborn. Really. But, I am slowly learning to give in a little. Here's an example. I have ALWAYS loved photos. I would spend hours looking at the photo albums at my grandma's house. When I finally picked up a camera of my own, I was hooked. I don't know much about the "mechanics" of the camera or all the photography lingo...aperture, white balance, flash compensation!!??? I just like to take a good picture and consider myself to have a "good eye". I really don't know what I'm doing, but I like the majority of my pictures. I always felt like editing was "cheating". Did I mention I can be stubborn!? So, I put it off for a really long time...until I found picnik. Then I began to give into my stubbornness. I'm even thinking of taking a couple of classes to actually learn what all those words mean AND how to make the best of photo editing. What programs do you use to edit? Have you taken photography classes? Did you find them helpful?

This is where editing comes in handy. My cousin got married on Friday (and she was STUNNING!!). She was getting dressed in a room in the church basement...a Child's Nursery/Sunday School Room. I looked up to see her mother looking at her. I had to take the picture...it was just one of those moments that needed to be captured. But, a "good eye" couldn't get rid of the rainbow border and stars on the wall...

BUT PICNIK COULD!!!! :)

I told you she was stunning, didn't I!!!??

Last Day of School

I am finding it hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end. At 11:30 today, I will pick up these 3 beautiful, sweet, perfectly mannered children for the start of Summer! This is why I prefer photographs over video...see you looked at the picture and you BELIEVED my words about how perfectly mannered they are with their hands nicely folded in their laps (BTW, I didn't tell them to do this!). If I would have had the video, you would have seen how my youngest tried to put her arm around her brother because she adores him. He wanted nothing to do with it and promptly told her so. She then began to cry. I put my camera away...thankful that the one picture I snapped was a good one!! ;) Really...it's going to be a GREAT Summer, isn't it!? No, REALLY, I am excited...I think. ;)

An update on the Monogram Crayons that I blogged about. I finally got my done! The kids helped pick out paper and color schemes based on what they thought each teacher would like. I think Michelle must have used a bigger frame for hers. I used 8 x 10's and hers may be a true 12 x 12. I also chose to hot glue my crayons for the sake of time (I couldn't find my other glue!). It worked just fine. Here's the final result...

Thank you Mrs. Pacey, Mrs. Mulch, and Mrs. Porter for being such wonderful teachers!

Fingerprint Friday

Was blessed to be able to spend last weekend with 8th graders from our church at Camp Horizon. One of the things that we were asked to do was leave our burdens at the cross. A friend snapped this picture of me and I edited with words from the song Lay Your Burden Down.

Linked to Fingerprint Friday @ The Rusted Chain

Self Portrait

It's what everyone seems to be doing with their camera...at parties, weddings, sporting events, the carnival, at camp, just hanging out with friends. You know you've seen it, or even done it. People holding the camera out in front of them taking pictures of themselves. Sometimes it just of them. Sometimes with a friend...or two...or maybe 3...AND they still manage to get the background they wanted! I've seen these pictures and they always look so cute (of everyone else). I've tried it. I hate them of myself. All I see is a double chin, a big nose, goofy expressions. My face is cut off in weird places. I can't seem to figure it out. I think some people have truly mastered the art of taking pictures of themselves. They know just the right angle to hold the camera at. Just the right way to tilt their head. It's amazing to me!!! How do they do it!? I've taken lots of "self portraits" trying to figure out the big secret. Ones I wouldn't even show my closest friends. ;) Then yesterday, I DID IT!! I managed to get one that I actually like. The angle was right and the lighting. You don't see my camera or my arms stretching out in front of me.

Total accident. So, I still don't know the answer to the big secret. Anyone care to fill me in?

GET CLOSE

Don't be afraid to get up close and personal with your subject matter. Many times we get our photos back and are disappointed by the "busyness" of the background. So, my challenge to you is to ZOOM in and see what amazing things you can capture. We would love to see your photo, so leave a link in the comment section!! Here are a few of my favorites from the Summer...hopefully they will serve as a little inspiration. HAPPY MONDAY!