thank you!

for all the sweet comments on my blog this past week! I feel a bit disconnected, since my family was here for the week, and I scheduled my posts ahead. We had a really great time taking them around to see the sights a bit, and I had the chance to shoot my little sister's senior photos! WooHoo! Lots of fun...

I'm also in the process of recovering from the crud. Everyone got it, I'm the only one who's still sick. Almost two weeks later. Go figure. I'm giving it another day or so, and then going in to the dr to see what they might have to say. Hope everyone's having a great week so far!

mixed emotions

I had thought about a few different posts today, but every time I started writing, it seems trivial in light of the devastating earthquake and tsunami across the globe last night {our time}. I have lots to share on recipes, cooking, projects...

But for today,  squeeze your family tight, and let them know you love them.

a few potd pics...

learned how to capture that starburst effect for the "sparkle" prompt... ^_^

{50mm lens, f/22, ISO 200, 1/80}

"free" prompt...

{50mm lens, f/4.5, ISO 200, 1/400}

And this one, just for fun...

{50mm lens, f/4.5, ISO 200, 1/500}

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

a few photos...

I've finally gotten started on my picture of the day stuff. After a few minor bumps - like being uber busy, and forgetting my camera... pfft. My prompt for this day was: relax. This is the view of our pool. Snapped uber quick as I was running after the boys.

{50mm lens, 1/2000, f/4.0, ISO 800}

And I'm loving this new site that I've found for photo actions. I grabbed the Summer Breeze set and used a couple of different actions for these two photos...

                     

{50mm lens, 1/2000, f/400, ISO 400}

I loooove how her actions favor the yellow tones that are more predominant in vintage photos. YUMMMM.

understanding...photography.

it's something that's always held a pull for me... I think it's one of the extreme examples of combining knowledge {ie., concrete, measurable, mathematic data }with intuition and artistic license. Knowledge isn't enough. Intuition isn't enough. It has to be a combination of both. All that to say...

I've gotten lazy. 

And then I wonder why I'm not happy with my results. Silly me!

So, I've picked up a copy of the book Understanding Exposure, hoping this'll take me to the next level. To be honest, I grabbed it at the library {why not save a few dollars, right?} - and I've already decided to purchase it. Along with several other books by the same author. I love his writing style, but - to be completely honest, I'm not sure I'd recommend it to a total newbie. I already have a grasp on the basic concepts that he's discussing. I'll let you know as I continue through the book, though! I've already learned some great things on metering in just the first few pages. I'm loving his comprehensive approach...

And we're finally having some storms! We've been having crazy hot weather, and when that happens, it usually kicks up some nasty storms.  Daily. {that's a sub-tropic climate for you!}We had a few days without them, and now we're making up for it. This was actually a tiny bit scary last night - it was utterly calm. So, I grabbed the camera and snapped a pic.

As a part of my photography work in the coming month, I'll be doing a Photo Of The Day {POTD} challenge with some girlfriends of mine. I'm really excited about this... {though I really need to replace my camera strap - as it's looking rather abused. I've had it for over a year, so I guess it's ready to retire!}

Happy Friday!!

Playing around...

Today's word for Photo A Day was "me." I chose to capture a photo of my hand, as making thing is such a big part of being me whether it's baking/cooking, sewing, taking photos, scrapbooking - whatever. I'm happiest and most completely me when I take the time for these things. I'm so happy my husband understands this...



And I spent some time painting over the weekend! I haven't done that in ages! I don't even have the "proper" supplies anymore, but I've got a gangload of scrapping paints, so until further notice will be using them up before investing in a really fine artist's set of these. Fortunately, I do have some decent brushes. When all else fails of course, I've always got my fingers... :D

Oh, and one of the ladies on a message board I visit spotted one of my layouts in this. Didn't realize it was out already... I really must subscribe to that magazine. Especially since my other magazine subscription just ran out...

Is it really Friday?

Photo a Day from yesterday: Bright


{We have a "Minimal Photoshopping} rule in effect for this - and it's been great how it's pushing everyone to be more aware o f composition, lighting, etc. So these photos are untouched}

Did I mention yet, how much I'm learning? And enjoying everyone's photos? :D On that note, I finally took my zoom lens out of the box - :D Hopefully I'll get a chance to play with it a little today, or at least this weekend!

I've actually been spending my evenings scrapping again... I have to say, I took about 2-3 weeks off and I'm feeling refreshed, and totally enjoying it again. :D I've brought my self portrait album, This is me up to date, and will be posting soon... (those acrylic albums are sooo hard to photograph. :P) It's a year long, self portrait album project. I take a self portrait every month and then journal my thoughts. It's really funny how things are naturally just taking shape - I don't really plan what I'm going to take photos of. The interesting thing is, that each month has presented a different side of me... which was my goal in the first place!

Well, enjoy your weekend!! :)

Summer chillin'

{Today's photo for the day... our word was chill}


Woke up Monday morning and realized - "girl, you have got to get with it!" I've just been kinda coasting along the last 2 weeks, spending my time hanging out with the kids, surfin' the 'net and just generally slacking. Fine for a while, until you realize that June is almost gone already.

What about that list of things you wanted to get done this summer? July is going to be craziness for us, between the 4th, both of our son's birthdays, and my sister coming to visit {can't wait!}...

So, this week I've attempted to get myself back on a schedule. I hate to set the alarm, but after sleeping in this morning... I'm thinking I might have to. {sigh} Such is life. Ya got goals, ya gotta work hard. Not that I don't enjoy it - it's actually been a great feeling to have all the laundry done, kitchen clean at night and most of the piles of clutter sorted through...leaves me feeling less guilty when I turn to funner, more creative things!

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Our newest edition, and the birthday boy...

Drumroll, please -

Here's a big welcome to the newest member of our family! I'm an aunt!! :D Nyah was born last evening. Baby girl is barely 24 hours old, or young, or whatever! :D


The proud papa:

Momma wasn't ready for photos, yet - more than understandable. :D

...and the birthday boy! Today is A.'s birthday! Much love to my other half - couldn't do it without you, and wouldn't be what I am, either.


Yes, mid-June is busy around here. LOL. We have my SIL's anniversary on the 10th, Nyah's b-day on the 11th, and hubby on the 12th. Then Father's day and my hubby's parent's anniversary on the 17th! Wow.

Woot!

Very exciting for me. I've had the 35mm version of this baby for about 7 years, and now I've got the digi!!
I've been saving off and on for about 6 months for this, and finally saw an offer I couldn't refuse in the ads this week. :D


It's gonna take some time to learn the camera, but I'm loving it already. Big thanks to hubby!!

Also, stay posted - I'm sorting through my paper stash and will be RAKing off a bunch of patterned papers. I'll either post today or tomorrow!

Have a great day!