Day 7--Here comes the sun!

This morning the sun was coming right between the trees just in between Leo's breakfast and the girls. Read: I had a few seconds, so I figured I'd try out a few things. The book I am currently reading, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson makes me feel like I am back at school taking a class without the prerequisites. The presumed (or assumed) knowledge is hard to surmount but it is really forcing me to, as Grant says: R.T.F.M! Good thing I still knew where the manual was! Too bad the manual isn't nearly a good a read as Mr. Peterson's work.





In other news, here is the obligatory daily dose for those that follow that don't care about trees, and snow, and rusty lanterns and just want to see the cuties.

Day 6--Oops!

What can I say, I had a long day. And not that I couldn't have uploaded this when I did finally get home from some kid-free fun time with friends...I just forgot.
So naturally after having a tough time falling to sleep, I woke up at 3:30 with that 'crap I forgot to move the stupid elf-on-a-shelf' feeling and realized it was because I hadn't uploaded yet. I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't, so I gave in and came downstairs to find that memory chip.
Anyway--yesterday's pictures are not as cool as I had hoped; I have this urge to find something artsy every day, yet seem to be unwilling to leave my little 1.4 acres...at least, not yet. We had a light amount of hail/snow at the bus stop yesterday so I propped the camera on our rock ledge slanted upward to see what I could get. I thought this would turn out interesting, as I uploaded I realized, not so much. Oh well, at 4am the next day, there's nothing I can do.



Also, since I clearly have nothing better to do at (what is now) 5am, I fiddled around with a few pictures I've taken of Leo. So for family and friends that are following for kiddo updates, here is your daily dose.

Day 5

Today was all about experimentation, depth of field and camera position. I also fooled around a bit with ISO but that was mostly with images that I am not posting.
I think this is our neighbor's ball, but its been up against our culvert for a while. This morning, its sheer pinkness stood out to me from the brown and gray surrounding it. Also, on January 5th, its really cold to lie down on the ground at 8 in the morning!

I like this depth of field experiment--I wish I moved Big Bertha at the top of the hill, it ruins the mood.

Same position--smaller target. Working on focal points, I wish I had something significant as my focal point, but you'll just have to take my word for it--it worked.




In non-Photo-a-Day news (for family that is obligated to follow along) Rowan started preschool today. I had hoped to make that my theme of the day for the photo blog, but this was the only shot she permitted. She was not feeling the love for the camera today and even when I showed her the goofy face in the viewfinder, she said, "its good enough for our family...they have to love me anyway." And that, as they say, is that!

Day 4

Today, I remembered to bring the camera with me out to the bus stop. This was good, the light was filtered nicely and I experimented with white balance per a friend's recommendation.
However, it was freezing so I didn't take too many pictures.
I never notice this stupid thing that the previous owners of the house put up at the bottom of the drive, but in the stark winter morning light, I kind of like it--you'll likely see it again.

I also managed to snap a few of Kaylee before she hopped on the bus--which had been the intention, but I didn't have time to fiddle with anything or experiment, I do like the light on her face though!

While I am already somewhat frustrated with my photographic inabilities (why I am not professional yet, its been 4 days! ;) I really like this 'resolution' for what it is making me notice in my own little corner of the world. Light, color, nuance...even if I fail miserably, taking little moments to notice these things has been great.

Day 3

I was feeling a lack of inspiration today, and also did quite a bit of running around. (Somehow I have to start getting my camera out in the morning!)
So, I started looking for some color combos, and didn't have to go farther than the pantry. The biggest problem I had was making Kaylee wait until I took picture before she could eat them.
I actually sort of like this...why?

Day 2

I was trying several shutter speeds, I was hoping to catch a greater range of motion with Kaylee having some cocoa--however, there are only so many marshmallows I was willing to submit to for the cause, so this is the best we got.

Not being all that satisfied, I played around a little bit with lighting. All in all, for a day 2 not so bad, especially since I confined myself indoors.


And finally, this is not part of my picture blog as it was not me who took the picture (although I wish it was)It is also not technically picture but a still frame from a video: Introducing, Captain Kirk!

I spent some time outside today, really trying to put into action some of the things I've recently read about white balance, ISO speed and depth of field. Lets just say, I'll keep reading. However, I did manage to capture a couple of shots that will serve as a baseline from which to improve. As I already stated, I am not sure I'll be able to post every day, although I will try--but everyday's photo will be posted in a relatively timely manner!







I'd like to thank anyone in advance for following this blog...accountability is the only thing that will keep me on track. Right now a picture a day seems like no big deal--however, I have a feeling I'll feel differently in March, July and certainly by November!