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