Changing My Focus

Well, I've got 8 more day until students and staff are gone then it's just me until I'm packed and RETIRED!  Super excited.  All the more reason to continue learning about my camera and how to process pictures.  In the last couple of weeks I've seen a difference in the pictures SOOC that I've taken.  I'm also still trying to figure out how to display and how to get files to the people that have so graciously allowed me to use them as models.

Today I decided to turn the camera to my beautiful daughter.  Since Gabriella was born, my daughter has not been the focus of my camera so I really wanted some pictures of her.  And of course, when I point the camera at Gabi, she turns around but since the camera was turned towards her mother, she wanted some of the action.  Here is what I've taken today.

 

Until next time,

xoxo Anna

It's Mother's Day so happy Mother's Day to all.  It was a great day spent with family and dear friends. 

I've been keeping busy with my photography lately.  I am moving towards being comfortable calling myself "professional" but really, I think I'm just a professional learner.  With each photo shoot, I learn so very much.  Right now, Lightroom is my focus.  I've learned a lot but have so many questions with each session that I process.  I'm very lucky to have a great network of friends on Facebook that I can question and they don't get tired of answering my questions. 

The last shoots have been senior shoots.  I think this is where I'm going to call my comfort zone with a few items to consider....

• 1-2 seniors is best...I get clearer pictures and working on perfecting the entire picture is easier.  A big group is harder to do.  
• Backdrops...OMG!  
• I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that.  NIK, Portraiture, or Portrait Professional???
• Monitor calibration...gotta do this.
• Do I upgrade to a full frame?  I so want the new 5D Mark III but I'm so far from professional.  Do I spend that much on a serious hobby?
• Lenses!!  Love the 2 new ones I just bought but what else?

So here are a couple of senior shots of my niece.

 

Until next time,

xoxo Anna

So Much To Learn, So Many Resources

I just joined in on the Kelby Training website and in just 1 morning, I've learned so very much about Lightroom.  I'm still not sure about a lot of things but it's all about the learning....I wonder if that's because I'm an educator?  :)  This has helped me get caught up with both my One Word Project and my Let's Do 52 Project.  Actually I skipped the March OWP but I'll get that when I find the right picture.

PTM-Emotional

Sparkle and Shine-OWP

 I also finished week 13!!

Today we went out to get a few pictures of the bluebonnets just up the road.  I can't believe how beautiful they are and just to think, last year there were very few to be found.  I took several pictures and then came home to put some of what I learned to use.  I'll post some soon.

Until later,
xoxo Anna

Week 12 DONE

Week 12 DONE!!   My digital scrapbooking has really slowed down because I've really been working on getting better with my camera.  This is what brought me to photography and I really like the idea of adding elements and journaling to pictures.  If I scrap nothing else,
 I'll keep up my 365 project.

Until next time,

xoxo Anna

Move to Manual

Started following Courtney Kirkland's "Move to Manual" lessons on her blog. Great way to move from letting your pricey camera do all the work to me taking control of my camera. I really want my pictures to be MY pictures, not my camera's. Although I did already know a lot of what she shared in her blog, sometimes I have to read things more than once to make them become part of how I work. I love the way she writes her entries..she uses lain English and not techie English so it's easy to understand. She also provides "practice" homework for each lesson. Here is the link for her series, "Move to Manual". I'm adding this on my resource page for safe keeping....Enjoy!

Move to Manual 


Until next time,
 xoxo Anna

February/March One Word

A little late but better late than.....you know that saying!  I finally found my "Leap" picture for my February One Word Project.  I took creative liberty when interpreting the word.  This is a little "spooky" but my interpretation of the word is that I will take any "Leap" to learn about photography and what I can do with my pictures.  This picture was taken at a cemetery and as if that wasn't weird enough, I used photoshop settings to make it look dark and more like a negative than a picture.  I won't be insulted if you don't like it....I'm not sure how I feel about it!  I do know that I probably won't go to another cemetery, for the purpose of taking pictures that is.

Leap-February OWP-Before Picture

Leap-February OWP-After Picture

So the word for March was "Gather".  Simple enough, right?


Until next time,
xoxo Anna

PTM Project

I am learning so much about photography and am enjoying the process. The only problem is that I get so far behind on blogging about this journey.   This entry will showcase my Paint the Moon "Let's do 52" project.  This project motivates me everyday to look for those photo opportunities.  I don't carry my dslr with me everyday and since I am using these projects to get better with my good camera, I have to figure out how to get those pictures when I'm carrying my camera.   There are so many websites with this type of project and you just have to figure out which one(s) you want to do.  I like the idea that I will have all these memories to look back on.

8/52 Simplicity

9/52 Framed

10/52 A Perfect Pair

11/52 Beauty in the Everyday Details

I just love both my princesses and, as you can tell, they are my perfect models!

Until next time,
xoxo Anna

Project 365 Update

I really like the idea that I have a special place for my pictures, projects, and ramblings.  Now to catch up on a couple of things.  My 365 projects...

Weeks 7, 8, 9, and 10 of my digital scrapbooking project.

I really enjoy this project.  If you are interested in digital scrapbooking, Go Digital Scrapbooking is a great website for learning! 

Until next time,
xoxoAnna

PCU and Spring Break

Let's start a couple of weekends ago...!
I had the opportunity to attend the Precision Camera and Video University.  This was a 3 day seminar in scenic Fredericksburg, TX.  I got to pick 3 out of 4 professional photographers to work with and boy was there a lot to learn.  I worked with Hanson Fong, Michael Corsentino, and Lindsay Adler.  They were awesome and I'm so glad I did this.  Texas School is next!!!  Here are a few shots of the models we worked with.

Move forward to now!  Spring break is just about over but the memories will live on, especially since I took lots of pictures!!  I can't help but think that I will soon be on an endless spring break, summer vacation, winter break, you name it, I'll be on a break!!!  It still amazes me that I've been at this for 32 years.  That does not include the jobs I had from the time I was a freshman in high school....I've always had a job!!! 

Enough of that, here are a a few shots taken this week.  BTW, it was also SXSW in Austin so there was plenty to see, hear, and eat!!

I also finally started Katie's senior pictures.  Although I think the shots are pretty good, I think my sister needs to get some professional pictures made.

Enough for now.  I've got so many more pictures and project updates but this entry is long enough.  :)

Until next time,
xoxo Anna

Well, I tried to add another page on my blog but I can't seem to get it to work the way I think it should.   I get very caught up on other blogs when I see such creative ideas and wonderful blog layouts but I come back here and can't figure out how to do the same....Any ideas out there?  Perhaps just one page is enough!!

So here is the shot I entered  for my Let's Do 52.   This week's theme was "Pretty Ugly" and because it's been raining so much, I haven't been out much :(  I opened up the front door and sat on the concrete porch with my camera in hand.  This is what I got.

7/52-Pretty Ugly

I still can't figure out what to photograph for my Shutter Sisters One Word Project.
The word this month is "LEAP"....still looking.....


Until next time,
xoxo Anna

Week 6 Projects

What a week.  Gabi is now 1 and we spent much of this week celebrating and preparing for the big celebration.  She had 3 celebrations and we worked hard to make them each very special.

This is my entry for week 6 of Paint the Moon's "Let's Do 52"  I am really going to have to work on getting this done.  I still haven't figured out what I'm posting for my other Project 52!! 

 

6/52-Linear

Until next time,
xoxo Anna

Week 5 Done!!!

Today is Gabi's birthday and although I've started week 6 for this year, this is week 52 since her birth.  So one year ends and another begins for her.   We will continue the celebration today and I'm sure I'll have more pics to share.

Still looking for my "leap" photo-opportunity for one of my other projects so if you have any ideas, let me know.

Until next time,
xoxo Anna

Cath Up Time

Trying to catch up on my blogging.  I'm keeping up with my 365, which is a challenge this year because I've had a hard time taking enough pictures for my layouts.  I'm going to work on this!

 

Also trying to keep up with 2 other projects.  These 2 are from the Paint the Moon "Let's Do 52".  Really working on my skills with my camera. 

4/52-A Different Perspective

5/52-Get Out From Behind The Camera-YES, YOU!  (I guess that means me)

 

I've started a 3rd Project 52 :)  I've jumped in on the One Word Project that is sponsored by 

Shutter Sisters.  January's word was a word of our choice so I chose the word "SPRING?"  I was so far behind that I used the same picture of the little flower in my yard.  I won't repost since it is just one or 2 posts down.  The February word is "LEAP".  I don't have a picture yet, but I will!

  

Yes, I take on too many projects but there is a purpose to my madness!  I really want to work on my photography skills and the only way to do this is to practice, practice, practice!!  Last week I broke down and registered for a 3 day workshop in Fredericksburg.  I'm pretty excited that I get to work with a different photographer each day.  I got to pick from 4 professional photographers.  I chose: Lindsay Adler, Michael Corsentino, and Hanson Fong.  I'm pretty excited.  Stay tuned!!

Until later,

Anna

Gabi's 1st Birthday-Celebration #1

Gabi is turning 1 tomorrow!  My how time flies when you are having fun.  She was born on Super Bowl Sunday and although her daddy had plans to go to a SB party, Gabi had different plans for him!!  Since the big game was today, they had the first of 3 parties for her.  She has brought so much joy to our lives and I never would have imagined that I would love being a grandma!!

SYSM-Blog It Templates

Projects...Oh So Many

I continue to work on my Project 365.  I really should post those here!!  AND, I've joined in on 2 Project 52s.  Both of these 52s are on flickr and I'm doing these mostly to get some practice in with my camera.  I hate that I have such a great camera and don't put it to much use. 

Here are my 2- 365 layouts so far this year.  This is a weekly layout project that includes journaling about my week.  This is my 3rd year with this project and I've yet to have a book printed.  

Maybe that should be one of my goals!!

Materials used:
My own template...I may use this one all year long.
GDS January 2012 Collab.-Winter's Chance

Here are the 3 pictures I've submitted for the Paint the Moon-Let's Do 52 Project.  (Flickr Group)

1/52-All Natural

2/52-Responsibility

3/52-Negative/White Space

I haven't chosen a word for my 2nd Project 52.  This is a monthly project and each month to post a picture that you have taken based on one word.  This month you get to pick your word at Shutter Sisters.  (Flickr group)

Enough for today!  Have a wonderful Saturday!

Linda's 5 Dogs

Linda has 5 rescued dogs.  Although I didn't get a picture of all of them, we sure did 

have fun watching them and watching Gabi and Xrissy Marie with them.

Picture below: Faith Hill,  Justice, Faith Hill again, Mona Francesca, Faith Hill again, and Xrissy Marie. 
Not pictured:  Gordt, and Steven.

Materials used:
SYSM-Blog-it
SB-Doggone