Picture Perfect ... Almost!

Project 52, Week 49 - Perspective I took this sitting on the grass looking up at D.  In my Exposure class we learned how to get a sun flare and that's what I was going for.  I also like the perspective of looking up into the trees from below. Project 365, Days 206 - 212 Day 206 - Twilight Day 207 - Freedom I took this in Target with my iPhone. Day 208 - Monochromatic Edited with PicMonkey Day 209 - No prompt Working on taking silhouette shots Day 210 - Safety Day 211 - The present Day 212 - Quiet  Taken with my Lensbaby

Today was D's last day of preschool.  She's off to Kindergarten in the fall.  BITTERSWEET!!

For the last 2 weeks my photography class has focused on playing with light to create different effects.  I'm LOVING doing this, even if the results are only so-so at this point.  I'm learning sooooo much great info.  But all of the new knowledge sometimes jumbles up in head and I forget what I need to do to get the effect I want.  I know I just need more practice.  1.  Low light photos (without a flash) - higher ISO, wide open aperture (low f/stop), and shutter speed at least 50 if holding the camera I took these using the light from candles on the cupcake B is holding. 2.  Sun flare - ISO low, closed aperture (f/11 or larger), shutter speed 1/250 or higher I used spot metering to expose for the trees and then for D's face. 3.  Backlit or Silhouette  - ISO low, mid aperture (f/8), shutter speed what works I used my gray card to set the exposure based on D's cheek. This time, I set the exposure based on the light beside D's head.  I u

For the first time in a while, Memorial Day weekend was beautiful all 3 days!  It was sunny and warm.  We took full advantage of the amazing weather and spent a lot of time outside! Saturday we took the kids to the nursery and picked out flowers.  Then we planted them while S napped. Sunday we went to the play area in the mall then played outside some more. Today we made a quick trip to Target then more fun outside ...with squirt guns!

Project 52, Week 48 - Food Project 365, Days 199-205 I'm taking a class about exposure right now and LOVE that I've gotten to use a gray card to set exposure.  It makes taking photos so much easier because I don't have to worry so much about changing settings all the time.  This week I used the gray card when I took all of these photos!! Day 199 - Helpful D won the game we were playing when she drew this helpful card! Day 200 - Where I stand In the middle of Legos and Fairies Day 201 - Devotion They may fight ALL the time but they love each other with complete devotion! Day 202 - Twenty Day 203 - Beauty Day 204 - Make Believe Fishing in Grandma and Grandpa's yard Day 205 - No prompt I set the camera settings and B took the photo!

Yesterday was B's birthday.  We celebrated by dinner out and cupcakes at home.  I let the kids pick the type of cupcakes we made - Vanilla Funfetti.  I also let them choose the frosting - AQUA BLUE with fish sprinkles!!  You can imagine the mess this made ...

WHAT?!?!  Bouncy balls aren't for actually bouncing on?  Could have fooled us!

I'm taking a photography course called "Exposure" through Capture Your 365 .  Last week was a review of the exposure triangle and how to adjust settings.  This week we've learned to use a gray card to get the correct exposure.  I did this with little trouble and now have a new way to figure out my settings that is pretty quick.  Then we learned to set a custom white balance.  The purpose of this is to achieve the correct coloring in camera so less time is spent editing.  This was, and is a challenge for me.  I feel like my photos are coming out with a big golden tint.  I'm asking a lot of questions and learning a ton.  Custom white balance is definitely something I'll continue working on! These are straight out of my camera and taken using my custom white balance.