Self Portrait

1/20, f9.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 38.0mm, Tripod, No Flash

Well, I was not happy to find out that it is self portrait week. I hate pictures of myself. So I am going to do my best to not take picture that are of my face, we'll see how that goes. This picture was a lot of work. I used my umbrella lights, but still had to move them and actually didn't use the umbrella on one of them. My goal was to get a black background (luckily we have a chalk board wall in my daughter's room) yet maintain shadows on the skin & clothing, but not have any shadows on the wall. All of this had to be done while I positioned myself after I snapped the timer. I did have to crop the picture, but only slightly. I am very please with the results.

#5 Monochromatic

1/125, f4.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 30.0mm

Since it snowed a little yesterday I decided to work on shooting a crisp white. I used the histogram to be sure that my white wasn't blown out anywhere.


I had to include this next photo even though it isn't monochromatic. I just like it.
1/125, f4.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 22.0mm

More Than a Hobby

When I started this blog last weekend I thought I would only be able to get 1 or 2 pictures a week. Instead I am posting pictures about every other day, but am actually taking pictures every day. I can't express how much I am enjoying this hobby. Everyday I think about new shots and what I have to do to get those shots. In 1 week I have learned so much about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, lighting, histograms and I'm sure so many other things. At times it can seem overwhelming, but it is worth it. I am so happy my friend Keri encouraged me to try this.

#4 Monochromatic

 

Well, I took some picture today that just didn't work out, so I decided to join the others and try my hand at black and white conversion. Luckily my cat Pepper was in a very photogenic mood. I am very happy with the detail in the fur, but hate the shadow under her neck.

#3 Monochromatic

1/100, f9.0, ISO 200, Focal Length 47.0mm, Flash
This picture was a progression of sorts. Sunday I thought it would be a neat idea to take a picture of some black stones I had in a jar. I laid them out and began shooting, but I couldn't get the light quite right and the stones were very shiny which I wasn't to keen on. I liked the idea so I switched to some lighter stones. I also needed some better light, so I bought a white board and set it up as the background and bounced the flash off of the board to give the soft light effect. I am pleased with my results and have learned a lot in the process.

#2 Monochromatic

1/125, f5.0, ISO1600, Focal Length 37.0mm
I was determined to get a picture on my blog today. Yesterday I took some on my way home, but they didn't work out, too dark. Today I took some in the house, but still had issues with lighting. Finally I got the umbrella lights out of the attic and got this shot. I like it, but it lacks creativity.

Monochromatic

1/30, f3.5 ISO 800 Focal Length 24.0mm, No Flash
I like the idea of this picture, but I know it needs some work. I think if I lighted it from both sides it would be a much better shot. Also, it is a little blurry because of the shutter speed. I either need to use a tripod or increase the lighting.

#2 About Me

1/30, f4.0, ISO 800 Focal Length 27.0mm, No Flash
I volunteer at the Moore County Humane Society.
This was one of my most challenging picture to date. The 1st problem was that I was working inside with artificial light and I didn't want to use my flash, so it took me a while to find the correct setting. Once I got the settings down it was a challenge to get the kittens to cooperate. My daughter helped by distracting them. Lastly I had to take a ton of pictures at different angles to find a good composition. This may seem to some as a boring picture, but I like it.

Altered #2 Sun Flare

Keri, Here I have cropped the picture and slightly upped the saturation and made it a hair darker. What do you think?

About Me

1/20, f9.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 31.0mm, Shade
I am a very active person. I love to bike, run, hike and work out.
Here is my 1st post about me. I know this one is late, I think this was the 1st week assignment, but better late then never. I wish the color popped more, but I am working on it.

#3 In The Garden

1/400, f4.5, ISO800, Focal Length 35.0mm, Daylight.
OK, This may be cheating a little bit, but I couldn't resist taking this picture of my daughter's in door garden.

#2 In The Garden

1/30, f11.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 22.0mm, Shade, No Flash
Promise of new life in my garden.

In The Garden

1/30, f8.0, ISO 800, Focal Length 30.0mm, Cloudy, No Flash
Well, there are not a lot of living things in my garden right now, so my options are limited. I like the ivy, but wish it was cropped a little better. I had a picture that was cropped well, but I didn't like the lighting. I have made a promise to myself to publish my photos "as is" because my goal is to take great photos without having to manipulate them in Photoshop.

#2 Sun Flare

1/1600, f200, ISO 800, focal length 40.0mm, Daylight, No Flash.
I am determined to get a good sun flare. I got up early this morning and was able to get this shot. I like the sun flare, but still need to work on my composition.

Sun Flare

1/2000, f7.1, ISO 200, Focal Length 44.0mm, Cloudy, No Flash
OK I will probably change this photo out at some point. I tried to get a Sun Flare last weekend, but Saturday was cloudy and Sunday it rained. I don't mind the Sun Flare, but the bird feeder is way out of focus. I plan to work on this theme again when the sun decides to show itself for a full weekend.

New Years Resolution

1/10, f5.0, ISO 200, Focal Length 42.0mm, Flash
One of my New Years Resolutions is to exercise more. I chose to do a product shot for this Photograph. I was hoping to be able to use only the natural light that was available in the room, but I was forced to use the flash. Overall I feel this is a good shot. It's a little out of focus, but I am happy with the lighting and the color.