DigitalCamFan
A beautiful moment
With work, school, kids activities and everything else that gets thrown into the wash some days just blend into other days and I have to look at the calendar to see what day it is. These are the days I forget how truly lucky I am.
I recently volunteered to be a kindergarten soccer coach. It came as a surprise, but the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea of it. Taking me out of my normal routine to try something new. Plus I liked the idea of Cade my 11 year old son taking on a new role. We had a long talk about how important his role would be. This was the first time these kids would be introduced to a sport, he would have to patient and listen to the kids, become a teacher and teach and make this fun for them. He would have to commit to it and not back out once he said yes. He was all for it.
Last Sunday game started out quite comical. My side of the field was pure chaos during warm ups. Three kids were chasing Cade around the field while the others were all kicking the ball in the goal at the same time. I was trying to get them to line up, but after waiting for 30 minutes to get their team picture taken they had enough. I looked at the other coach and said my team is warmed up how about yours. He of course had a straight line of kids all taking their turns kicking the ball in. I looked at my side and although it looked chaotic they were all laughing.
Once the game started they were great and played awesome! At one point in the game my daughter took the ball from the opposite end and took it all the way down the field to score. She was fast… with some amazing moves. Not once did she bend down to pick a flower or chase a butterfly she was focused. My son walks up to me and says “wow she is really good” Anytime a brother compliments his little sister a mom smiles inside… I could hear people on the side lines people I didn’t know talking about her speed and skill. I turn to see my husband all smiles and proud taking pictures on the side line, and for a moment life slows down and I say thank you!
A Must See Music Documenary – U2 “From the Sky Down”
We watched U2 From The Sky Down the other night! What a an amazing documentary! Director Davis Guggenheim took on this project. The documentary follows the emotional ride the band was on at the time and how they transformed themselves musically during the recording session of Achtung Baby. The Edge previously worked with Davis Guggenheim on the 2008 documentary It Might Get Loud another amazing must see music documentary!
During the documentary they talk about photographer Anton Corbijn who photographed U2 in the Mojave desert for the album cover. I have always admired his work… He has photographed so many of my favorite bands! Joy Division, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Siouxsie and the Banshees just to name a few. If you haven’t seen his work take a moment to check look, beautiful black and white photography!
I thought to myself as I watched this amazing black and white photography stream across the t.v. How impressive his photography is and how much easier as a photographer we have it now a days. When you shoot with film you don’t get to see the final outcome the moment you take the picture. Here is Anton in the middle of the desert and you wouldn’t know you got the correct exposure until you were in the dark room! Amazing!
Here is the trailer for U2 “From the Sky Down” trailer!
Why black and white photography?
First question of the night at my intro to black and white photography class last week. Well actually it was the third question first two were name and camera model, but those were easy to answer.
The third made me think… she wanted an example. She wasn’t looking for an answer like “I want to see in black and white” A lot of answers revolved around Ansel Adams or personal experiences.
I thought about it… when did I see in black and white, when is the first time I thought, wow! Of course I have always admired black at white photography. But when did I as a photographer want to see myself in black and white.
This is where I need to say a sincere thank-you to @dcharlwood You can also view his work at www.charlwoodphotography.com and his flickr stream or you might have a photography question for him.
I bought my first Canon Rebel in 2009 and started DigitalCamFan soon after that I signed on to twitter for the first time. I asked a question i can’t remember what the question was, but David answered me…. He was kind and encouraging. I saw his photos on flickr and saw photography as art. I thought wow I love photography and I love this community. Not once has there been a day where I didn’t feel only encouragement from photographers helping me along the way.
At about that same time my grandma was visiting I had taken a picture of her at a tea house. I had just bought the Canon 50mm lens and was excited to try it out.
Of course I loved the picture for my own personal reasons. My grandma is simply one of the most amazing ladies I know… seriously… She inspires me every day to be better.
David took that picture and converted it to black and white. I loved it even more. That is the moment I thought I love black and white. I love the depth her wrinkles have, the timelessness of this picture, the simplicity, the contrast the elegance, an emotion!
I have this picture hanging in my kitchen! So thank-you David for helping me see in black and white!
A reason to take black and white!
I guess you don’t need a reason to take black and white! But I felt like a had a purpose with my camera in hand while taking pictures at the grocery store. Stopping to admire the fruit and the brightly colored vegetables. I followed my kids around all day taking pictures of them and anything else that seemed interesting. From the book store to grocery store to all the other exciting errands which I am sure they were thrilled to do on a Saturday afternoon!
We spent a long time at the book store… All three in our own section and then regrouping to see what we picked out. I of course was in the photography section. Cade ventured into space researching planets and Kat searched for fairies.
I took a ton of pictures over the weekend and asked them many many times which picture was better the color or black and white. I thanked them for their patience with a huge cinnamon roll that which disappeared in about 2 seconds!
All my pictures were taken using a Canon 60D and the Canon 50mm f/1.8
Finally… the snow has arrived!
The snow has finally come to our little corner in Montana. I took this picture last night out my living room window. I love how quite the world becomes when the snow falls. Everything feels so peaceful and quite outside and warm and toasty inside!
I tried to take some pictures of the kids in the snow this morning! But I am still a freak about getting my camera wet. I took a few quick pictures, but none of them turned out. Oh well after school!
Winter Fog rolls in…
When I looked out the window earlier this week to see, well actually I could see nothing since the fog rolled in. I thought hmm photo opportunity. After I took the kids to school I drove around for a little bit looking for that photo opportunity. I drove through the fog and then took a trip high up the south hills to get above the fog. It’s amazing what a different perspective one can get when they look at something from a different angle.
This next picture is when I was in the fog! Note the arrow in the first picture is where the second picture was taken.
Sometimes you have to get out of the fog to see the light. When I think about looking at the world in a different way I always picture John Keating from Dead Poets Society standing on his desk during class! Love that movie! Definitely of my favorite movies Robin Williams was a part of. The other two movies that come to mind are “The world according to Garp” and “Good Will Hunting”.
Both pictures were taken with a Canon 60D using the 18-55mm kit lens!
Christmas Card Idea!
Cheers from our family to yours!
Going to start this new year post with a picture of my kiddos! When it came time to think about Christmas Cards I wanted to challenge myself a little this year. What better way to challenge myself then to start off with a blank 5 x 7 card for Christmas Cards!
I wish I had taken a picture of our living room set up, but I didn’t! So let me explain how I set up!
1. cover the couch with a black sheet
2. have the kids sit on the floor
3. position two light sources in the room one to the left of the kids and one slightly to the right behind them, but still facing them.
4. Camera on tripod
5. Once you have your camera dialed in plug in your remote and go for it!
What did I learn – Do all your pictures with the SAME set up!
I didn’t… I took pictures on two different nights and since my set up was on our living room couch I had to disassemble and reassemble my lights and sheet for the next night. Because of this small detail the lights were not exactly in the same position.
Luckily I had only 1 picture printed to see how it looked before I ordered all of them. What was the problem? The background on the first day I had my light set up just right so the black looked 100% black the second time I didn’t have my lights set up exactly right and you could see a different shade of black on the other pictures. To solve this problem I extracted their itty bitty heads and edited the background so they all matched. This last step which took awhile would have been avoided if either A. I took all the pictures with the same set up or B. made sure my lights were in the exact same place they were the night before.
I used the remote for fun so we could all have fun taking pictures!
A little sunshine in the winter
Last year I bought my first juicer! I must say we have enjoy it. Actually I should say Best Purchase Ever! It hasn’t made it to the bottom cupboard or basement were all other fancy electrical appliances have moved. No, it still resides on the counter as a constant reminder to use it.
In the winter fruit and vegetables tend to be a little pricey and sometimes not too tasty. But a trip to Costco this week brought home some tasty oranges, tangerines, apples and kiwi! Blended them all together to make one yummy drink.
Of course the ones with fruit are top notch the kids drink it right up, and what they don’t finish I freeze into Popsicle for snacks down the road. The vegetable drinks they try, but so far I haven’t been able to come up with a winner taste like the fruit. My husband and I will try all the ones ones I make some tolerable some not so much, but oddly enough I do feel I have more energy when I go on a juicing kick and serve it up!
From a mom side of life I love it. Some kids aren’t picky eaters mine are! So how in the world do you get them to eat their fruits and vegetables. One bite of apple and my daughter is stuffed. One bit of carrot and my son is dramatically rolling on the floor explaining why he can’t eat a carrot. Solution juice it and when there not looking sneak a vegetable or two in there!
Here are the juice recipes we enjoy. Well I should say my husband and I like all of them the kids won’t go for anything with a carrot in it, yet)
2 oranges
1 granny smith apple
2 red apples
1 orange
2 oranges
2 tangerines
1 granny smith
1 kiwi
1/2 lemon
8 carrots
1 Tb ginger
8 carrots
1/4 beet
1 Tb. ginger
2 cups grapes
2 cucumbers
1 garlic
1 Tb ginger
Winter has arrived!
Woke up to about 3 inches of freshly fallen snow this morning! Our first real snow fall of the year! I love that feeling when you walk out first thing in the morning. The city seems so quite the light reflecting off the snow gives the morning a little more light to it!
Took this picture while in my car stopped at a corner street! Played around with the photo in Photoshop this morning. Wanted it a little crisper or bighter not sure how to do it. Seemed to washout every time. Will try some new ideas next time!
A week of Thanks!
I think November for me is what most people feel in the spring time. I tend to feel the need to clean, organize and reflect on my life. I tend to reflect on all we did through out the year and everything that still needs to be done. I think of all the things I am extremely thankful for in my life. On top of that list would be our family and friends they are simply the best!
This past year has been a busy year indeed with soccer games, swim lessons, a kindergartener, 5th grader, a trip to visit the great grandma’s last month, an extremely relaxing moment in June to New Orleans with some really great friends. If you ever find yourself with the chance to go to New Orleans…. Do it! You won’t regret it. We have ventured there twice and both times were magical. I love the people, the food, the music!
Even though life has been busy this past year we still found time to chase butterflies on hot summer day’s. Stay cool by running through the sprinkler mixed with so many other fun moments. I have so much to be thankful for as I watch my kids grow!
And of course I am thankful for my new Canon 60D! As I read the manual I can’t believe how many simple tips I have forgotten!I need to step back and brush up on all the little things I have forgotten. I have so far to go as I learn and push forward with photography. Will I ever get there… probably not, but it’s the journey that is the beautiful part of it all! If you’re just picking up your first DSLR or have had one for awhile and want to brush up on the basics. I am ready to learn! Yeah yeah life is busy… but so what! No excuse!
Subscription Options:
Categories
Photos on flickr
Tags
© 2012 DigitalCamFan. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Designed by 