Sunday, May 30, 2010
Just because I need the practice-Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam
This is gonna be a short post. I just wanted to share my latest post-processing edit. I need to practice as much as I can in CS5 to get comfortable. I literally sit at the computer and and my mind goes blank...my workflow, my steps, my tricks, uugghh. Anyway, a quick edit of a photo of Nicole taken this week. Quick edit, yeah right! It took me 30 minutes (insert sad face here). Oh well, I know that practice will make it all come back. Enjoy the picture of my gorgeous, spunky, little girl.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I am not above bribery- Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam
Well this week I have learned that I am not above bribery when it comes to getting a photograph of my children. Noah is old enough now that he will run from the camera or make a silly face as soon as he sees me pull the camera out. I've changed my tatic...bribery. I am now offering Noah M&Ms (only one or two at a time) in exchange for his agreement to sit (as still as he possibly can) so that I can take his picture. I of course make this "bargin" only after dinner.
Well, even if he's agreed that he will "let" me take his picture there is some prep work involved in assuring that those M&Ms give good returns! I make sure that the chair I want him to sit in is all set up in front of the sliding glass door, which gives us beautiful evening light. My camera is ready, with my iso, aperture and shutter speeds dialed in (I have figure out already my exact settings for this location in our apartment)so that I am not losing valuable seconds to fiddling with my camera. I have learned twice this week to have napkins on hand before I take his picture...while M&Ms don't melt in your hands, it doesn't mean that it doesn't end up all over Noah's chin! If I were smart I wouldn't give him the chocolate until after he lets me take his picture. But oh well. Last but not least, I make sure my camera is set to continuous shoot mode.
Here are few "straight out of camera" (SOOC) shots from this week and the resulting photo after post-processing. I am loving CS5, and getting more comfortable with the software everyday! I was able to get a few shots of Nicole too, but no real bribery was involved in her photo shoot. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Photo editting: Blogging all about Pebbles and Bam Bam
Let me just say that this post won't have any pictures (insert sad face here). Nate just loaded a solid state hard drive (Intel, of course) on our Mac and he is transferring all of our files over to the new hard drive. Along with this upgrade came Photoshop Cs5 for me. I opened up the program last night to test drive, and let me tell you...the full version of PS has overwhelmed me. I feel stunned, frozen, and unable to process my photos (insert catatonic picture of me here). I am hoping that as I get over the inital shock of the Cs5 that it will be like riding a bike, something you don't forget (except CS5 is the super duper titantium version of your old aluminum bike). I will keep you posted on my progress...
In the mean time, since launching my blog I have recieved lots of personal emails from friends and family asking me about the equipment, software, books, forums, blogs that I use or can't live without. So here's a list of some of those things...
Equipment: My darling little Rebel XSi and my 50 mm 1.8 prime lens. I am saving for an upgrade to a full frame body, until then I am trying to "rock" the camera I've got. My 50 mm 1.8 lens never leaves my camera. I sold my kit lens and 55 - 250 VR lens because I never ever used them. This lens is referred to as the "nifty fifty", and if you don't own one I would highly recommend getting one. This lens is a gem, it goes down to a wide aperture of 1.8, allowing you to shoot in low light indoors without the dreaded flash. Best of all it is under a $100 buck! Camera bag: 4 million dollar Crumpler, a wonderful gift from my in-laws for Christmas! Love it!
Software: Currently I have PSE 6 and PS CS5. I have also downloaded the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) plug-in for both PSE and PS since I shoot in RAW 100% of the time. I also use the Spyder 1 Express monitor calibration software. This software is particularly important for getting the skin tones right in post-processing. I periodically will use Actions or presets (free/purchased) on my photos. I am still trying to find my own style, and sometimes the use of actions define your style for you, so I use them sparingly right now. But if you were to ask me what Actions I have in my PS pallette, here they are: Pioneer Women. Florabella. My4hens. MCP Actions. Paint the Moon.
Books: The best book about photography that I have read is Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson. Since reading this book I have become much more comfortable shooting in manual. For anyone who wants to learn about the relationship between aperture, iso, shutter speed, get this book! Because I prefer to photograph in natural light as much as possible, I also really like the book Available Light: Photographic Techniques for Using Existing Light Sources. For post-processing references, I frequently will find myself flipping through Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature. Additionally, since Adobe doesn't provide a manual for PSE or full versions of PS I have purchased such titles as Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual. I have loads of other photography books, but these are the ones that I grab most often!
Forums: I am a huge fan of Clickin Moms. This forum cost $50 for a one year subscription. So far I think it is money well spent. The people on this forum are very helpful to the photography enthusiast and the professional alike. In the forums, there is opportunity to get critique on photos, learn post-processing, learn the basics and not-so-basics of photography, learn technique with on and off-camera flash, photo challenges, business questions, and the occasional non-photography related topics. The other forum that I will sometimes frequent is Ilovephotography (ILP). Aspects of this forum are free to the general public. This forum has a wealth of information as well. I've just started checking out this site, so most of my opinions aren't solid yet.
Blogs and other resources: I have listed the blogs that I most often read along the sidebar under "my blog list". For more of a community blog, I would definitely check out Iheartfaces.com. For inspirational lifestyle photography: Tara Whitney and Jinky Art. For a wonderful babies, children's, family photography: Derksen Photography (she is a friend of Nate's from highschool who is VERY talented!). For one-on-one photoshop training I have completed a few sessions with Damien Symond via Skype. This guy knows his stuff, teaches clearly, and has a lovely Aussie accent. Lastly, I thought I would list out some of the workshops that I have heard about that could be interesting to those of you wanting to take their camera's off AUTO mode and learn how to shoot in manual, shoot creatively, or learn some post-processing techniques: Bloom Workshop, Cori Derksen Photography Workshop, Karen Russell's Photographers Workshop, The image is found ShootShops, Maggie Holmes Workshops, The Natural Light Workshop, SnapHappy Workshops, MCP Action on-line Photoshop classes, Kylie Phaunts Naked on-line Photoshop classes.
Anyhoo...just thought I would share today.
In the mean time, since launching my blog I have recieved lots of personal emails from friends and family asking me about the equipment, software, books, forums, blogs that I use or can't live without. So here's a list of some of those things...
Equipment: My darling little Rebel XSi and my 50 mm 1.8 prime lens. I am saving for an upgrade to a full frame body, until then I am trying to "rock" the camera I've got. My 50 mm 1.8 lens never leaves my camera. I sold my kit lens and 55 - 250 VR lens because I never ever used them. This lens is referred to as the "nifty fifty", and if you don't own one I would highly recommend getting one. This lens is a gem, it goes down to a wide aperture of 1.8, allowing you to shoot in low light indoors without the dreaded flash. Best of all it is under a $100 buck! Camera bag: 4 million dollar Crumpler, a wonderful gift from my in-laws for Christmas! Love it!
Software: Currently I have PSE 6 and PS CS5. I have also downloaded the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) plug-in for both PSE and PS since I shoot in RAW 100% of the time. I also use the Spyder 1 Express monitor calibration software. This software is particularly important for getting the skin tones right in post-processing. I periodically will use Actions or presets (free/purchased) on my photos. I am still trying to find my own style, and sometimes the use of actions define your style for you, so I use them sparingly right now. But if you were to ask me what Actions I have in my PS pallette, here they are: Pioneer Women. Florabella. My4hens. MCP Actions. Paint the Moon.
Books: The best book about photography that I have read is Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson. Since reading this book I have become much more comfortable shooting in manual. For anyone who wants to learn about the relationship between aperture, iso, shutter speed, get this book! Because I prefer to photograph in natural light as much as possible, I also really like the book Available Light: Photographic Techniques for Using Existing Light Sources. For post-processing references, I frequently will find myself flipping through Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature. Additionally, since Adobe doesn't provide a manual for PSE or full versions of PS I have purchased such titles as Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual. I have loads of other photography books, but these are the ones that I grab most often!
Forums: I am a huge fan of Clickin Moms. This forum cost $50 for a one year subscription. So far I think it is money well spent. The people on this forum are very helpful to the photography enthusiast and the professional alike. In the forums, there is opportunity to get critique on photos, learn post-processing, learn the basics and not-so-basics of photography, learn technique with on and off-camera flash, photo challenges, business questions, and the occasional non-photography related topics. The other forum that I will sometimes frequent is Ilovephotography (ILP). Aspects of this forum are free to the general public. This forum has a wealth of information as well. I've just started checking out this site, so most of my opinions aren't solid yet.
Blogs and other resources: I have listed the blogs that I most often read along the sidebar under "my blog list". For more of a community blog, I would definitely check out Iheartfaces.com. For inspirational lifestyle photography: Tara Whitney and Jinky Art. For a wonderful babies, children's, family photography: Derksen Photography (she is a friend of Nate's from highschool who is VERY talented!). For one-on-one photoshop training I have completed a few sessions with Damien Symond via Skype. This guy knows his stuff, teaches clearly, and has a lovely Aussie accent. Lastly, I thought I would list out some of the workshops that I have heard about that could be interesting to those of you wanting to take their camera's off AUTO mode and learn how to shoot in manual, shoot creatively, or learn some post-processing techniques: Bloom Workshop, Cori Derksen Photography Workshop, Karen Russell's Photographers Workshop, The image is found ShootShops, Maggie Holmes Workshops, The Natural Light Workshop, SnapHappy Workshops, MCP Action on-line Photoshop classes, Kylie Phaunts Naked on-line Photoshop classes.
Anyhoo...just thought I would share today.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
7 days and 10 steps part III: Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam
Day 7: Day 7 occurred about 3 days ago, but I finally downloaded the pictures from my camera card. Ten large steps down the stairs...getting ready to ride (scooters) like the wind or into the wind as it is at our house. And of course the kids have helmets! I include a second picture of Nate and Nicole, taken many more than 10 steps away from where my camera originally started. I think that Nicole was telling Nate that he really needs to push her scooter FASTER, "more Daddy" as she is fond of saying.
All pictures shot in RAW, adjusted for WB and exposure in ACR. Used Florabella "Soft Color Pop" action
All pictures shot in RAW, adjusted for WB and exposure in ACR. Used Florabella "Soft Color Pop" action
Friday, May 14, 2010
7 days and 10 steps Part II-Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam photo challenge
Days 4 - 6: Wow... 10 steps with your camera is harder than you would think. I love to shoot in natural light, so I gravitate towards the one window in our apartment that gets good diffuse light. Any where else in the house is dark and requires me to use my flash. I don't like my flash. So my ten steps are turning out to be mostly baby steps in and around the same area...the dining room/kitchen/outside deck. Though, as I am writing this I realize that the kids room gets wonderful light in the evening hours. Hmmm, maybe for day 6, I will try getting a picture in that room, just to spice things up a bit.
Well here is Day 4: Noah sitting in a chair facing the large window that gives me great light.
I decided to include a second set of pictures from day 4, taken in our living room with my flash. I have to use my flash in the living room because no matter how open my aperture seems to be, I still have to use a slow shutter speed to get enough light. Slow shutter speed doesn't go very well with super fast, always movin', little people!
This captured moment is of Noah peeling stickers off the cardboard "school bus" that he decorated, and reapplying them to his sister's arm because she now "needs" decoration, of course!
Day 5: It was an exciting night in our house on Day 5 because Nicole got her own bike helmet. It's a lovely white helmet with flowers on it and safety lights that blink in the back. She is ready for the road. She is funny with the helmet though, she wants to wear it for a time, but then will throw it on the ground and exclaim, "ball" will a giggle. She knows it's not a ball, but like to watch our reaction. Funny girl.
Day 6: 10 medium sized steps into the kids bedroom. Lots of great beautiful evening light to take a picture! Though this light is not so great when we are trying to put the kids to bed! Thank goodness for blackout shades. Nicole is learning so many words, one of which is Dog. She loves to give the rocking Dog some love. She is my sweet girl.
Well here is Day 4: Noah sitting in a chair facing the large window that gives me great light.
I decided to include a second set of pictures from day 4, taken in our living room with my flash. I have to use my flash in the living room because no matter how open my aperture seems to be, I still have to use a slow shutter speed to get enough light. Slow shutter speed doesn't go very well with super fast, always movin', little people!
This captured moment is of Noah peeling stickers off the cardboard "school bus" that he decorated, and reapplying them to his sister's arm because she now "needs" decoration, of course!
Day 5: It was an exciting night in our house on Day 5 because Nicole got her own bike helmet. It's a lovely white helmet with flowers on it and safety lights that blink in the back. She is ready for the road. She is funny with the helmet though, she wants to wear it for a time, but then will throw it on the ground and exclaim, "ball" will a giggle. She knows it's not a ball, but like to watch our reaction. Funny girl.
Day 6: 10 medium sized steps into the kids bedroom. Lots of great beautiful evening light to take a picture! Though this light is not so great when we are trying to put the kids to bed! Thank goodness for blackout shades. Nicole is learning so many words, one of which is Dog. She loves to give the rocking Dog some love. She is my sweet girl.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
7 days and 10 steps-Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam photo challenge
Well this week the photo challenge that I have decided to undertake is to take a picture a day for 7 days. The catch...I can walk, run, skip, baby step, waddle or crawl only 10 paces from where my camera is sitting to get the shot.
Day One: My camera was sitting on my dresser...10 medium size steps to the dining room where Coley greets the camera with a smile.
Day Two: Mother's Day...10 very itsy-bitsy steps to the kitchen area to capture my family making me some Mother's Day waffles.
Day Three: After school fun on the front steps. If you know where we live we can imagine the large steps required to get from the kitchen area down to the bottom stairs. I may have cheated a bit and taken 12 steps, but I needed to be safe, Noah was watching me :-).
Day One: My camera was sitting on my dresser...10 medium size steps to the dining room where Coley greets the camera with a smile.
Day Two: Mother's Day...10 very itsy-bitsy steps to the kitchen area to capture my family making me some Mother's Day waffles.
Day Three: After school fun on the front steps. If you know where we live we can imagine the large steps required to get from the kitchen area down to the bottom stairs. I may have cheated a bit and taken 12 steps, but I needed to be safe, Noah was watching me :-).
Friday, May 7, 2010
My Photography Blog Kickoff - Blogging all about Pebbles and BamBam
Well, I have finally decided to do it, start my own blog. This blog will aim to capture through photography the lives of my real life "Pebbles" and "BamBam", aka Nicole and Noah. I have a passion for learning as much as I can about photography, and so I will share with you my journey to improving my photography.
Right now, I belong to this great forum called Clickin Moms. This forum is comprised of hobbyist to professional photographers that want to share their love for photography. I love this site, it has help me improve my pictures by ten-fold.
In a few weeks, I am starting a 9 week online photography workshop, put on by Bloom Photography Workshops. I am excited to participate and will share with all of you the photo assignments each week, where I will no doubt be featuring photos of both Noah and Nicole!
I thought to get this photography blog started that I would post a few pictures from Noah's 3rd Birthday. He is such a wonderful little boy, that blew out all three of his candles by himself! The theme for his party was "Handy Manny and his tools"
Right now, I belong to this great forum called Clickin Moms. This forum is comprised of hobbyist to professional photographers that want to share their love for photography. I love this site, it has help me improve my pictures by ten-fold.
In a few weeks, I am starting a 9 week online photography workshop, put on by Bloom Photography Workshops. I am excited to participate and will share with all of you the photo assignments each week, where I will no doubt be featuring photos of both Noah and Nicole!
I thought to get this photography blog started that I would post a few pictures from Noah's 3rd Birthday. He is such a wonderful little boy, that blew out all three of his candles by himself! The theme for his party was "Handy Manny and his tools"
All photos were process in ACR, followed by PSE with Florabella Sweet Haze Vintage Actions and Blog storyboard template by Rita at Coffeeshop actions!
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