Monday's Finest

I was going to put a picture on here from fathers Day this past Sunday, but I havent even been able to load those from my camera to my computer. So, I am putting up one from my shoot this weekend. One of my friends is due in a few days and we have tried to get this shoot in on more than one occasion, but everytime we try something comes up. i am just happy we got them in before the baby came. I am adding the one with the letters b/c I love how it came out. Well, after some PSing. The letters were all upside down and backwards. So I had to edit each letter and move them to the correct spots. All of the work on this picture took about 2-3 hours to get it all just right. I love how it came out.

Here is my "Ghetto Lighting". I actually took this photo last year with my Nikon D70. The settings I used are a little fuzzy to me as I have slept since taking this picture, but I do know that I used a slow shutter speed to hold the shutter open for at least 15 sec. The campfire was not enough light to illuminate my husband's feet properly, so I used a maglite flashlight that I shone on his feet while the shutter was open. I stood back a pretty good distance as I did not want to over-illuminate his feet. Vacations are a good time for me to "play" and experiment with things on my camera!

Weekly Assignment: "Ghetto Lighting"

"Ghetto Lighting". Chances are you've used this concept before even if you weren't aware of it. In this assignment you need to use artificial lighting you have on hand: a flashlight, a desk lamp, living room lamp, etc. No strobes, flash or "Professional" lighting or full sunlight. This idea came from an assignment on DPS, one that I did not enter, but really wanted to explore. I know that none of us have studios, or really the extra money to spend on thousands of dollars worth of studio lighting equipment. This is a way for us to keep those creative juices flowing. Try different things, props, people, lighting. Whatever you can find to make your picture look the way you want it. Please mention what type of light you used.

This is my example of the Ghetto Lighting assignment. This was taken with a hand held large mag-lite. I held it above and to the far left of the flower. As you can see, it isnt a real flower. I could have photoshopped out all of the imperfections, softened it and made it look real. But, I wanted to show all of the details in this. So you can see that even a flashlight can give you great detail. I did do a touch of PP on it. not much though. Just a white balance adjustment and some levels to tone down the background a little more. Other than that, it is as is.

Camera: Nikon D40X

Date: 2009-06-06

SS: 1/25

f/s: f/5.6

ISO: 400

Focal Length: 200

No Flash

I cant wait to see what you guys come up with. Also, if we can, I would like for us to start posting our exif data from the shot when we post. That way we can all see how you did it in camera, if we want to give it a try, all the info will be there. If you are unsure of what all of those numbers and such up there mean, or you need to know how to find it just ask. I am more than happy to help. Good Luck!

Weekley Assignment

Ok, here is another topic we are starting. this is in addition to our bi-weekly "Monday's Finest" postings.

The purpose of The assignment, is to challenge us all. And help us learn somethings we may or may not know. To streatch our abilities and really make us think about shooting. We all get in 'ruts' and sometimes dont realize it. We end up shooting the same way and the same things time after time. We forget about our creativity, and as well all know....to make your shots stand out, you have to use your creative side. Otherwise, it becomes just another snap shot.

So, with that in mind, I will post an assignment here every Sat. You have until the next Sat. to post your version on the assignment. Some of the assignment ideas will come from other sites that I have seen, or magazines, books or maybe even sometimes my own ideas. Wherever I see inspiration and feel it would be something useful and fun for our group. Also, if you have an idea, just let me know. I can use all the help I can get. These assignments are here for us to have fun with and help us expand. So, dont get bogged down with the assignments and the Monday's Finest. Just relax and enjoy your passion, photography. This will hopefully keep us shooting and keep us creative. I will post the first Assignment later today. Good luck and have fun.

Outting....

The first outting is canceled. Will try to do it again soon. Thanks everyone for trying to make it.

Abandon

This is one of the first shot I took with my new Nikon D90.

 

I was thinking today about the theme Regina posted about Photographing Abandoned. I was sitting outside watching the girls play in the pool and I looked at my Dad's (whom passed away 7 months ago) swing. One of my Dad's favorite pasttimes was to swing in this swing. He would swing for hours everyday. Since he passed away, no one has sat in it.

 

I have had no trainning, no classes, and no professional experience so any comments, suggesions, and advice is greatly appreciated. I want to grow as a photographer and realize I have much to learn. Right now, I am basically shooting on auto most of the time. I wish to get away from this and desire to grow as a photographer. You are both amazing!!

As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short -- as my dad used to tell me. But better late than never, so I'm posting some pics I did last week at my house right before I left to do a photo shoot. When Regina and I had lunch last week, it dawned on me through our conversation that I rarely left time in my schedule to do pics "just for fun". So these lily pics are "just for fun" -- just me, my camera, and nature. What inspires you? Think about it this week and post some pics of your inspirations! Or if your not a member of the mafia yet, then post comments and tell us about what inspires you. One of the first things they tell you in Creative Writing class is to write about what interests you. I'd say that's a good rule of thumb for photography as well -- take pictures of what you love and follow it from there............

Krista Sutherland

Monday's Finest

Ok, first things first. For some reason it seems no one can post comments on the blog. Still trying to figure out how to fix that.

Also, we are planning the first outting on Wed., June 3rd at 7 pm at the Childrens Garden in Downtown Greenville. The link is on the previous post.

As for my Monday post, this is a two bird/one stone thing. Well, maybe even three birds. This is our weekly assignment on DPS. It is about photographing Abandon. The word has many meanings, but I chose to deal with the more common definition. And that would be my son abandoning his toys, for anything else. The TV, outside play, or in this case a nap. Hope you enjoy. Cant wait to see what you guys post.

Our first outting

Ok, so first off, I know we are all very busy these days. With children, family, work and of course, pictures. That being said, I think we still need to take time to get together, have everyone meet and just enjoy taking a few pictures for fun.

So, I think we will do our first meeting during the week instead of on the weekend. Seems in the summer the weekends are more busy than the week. Also, most of us have small children and dont always have the luxery of having a family 'babysitter'. Oh yeah, and our kids seem to be the reason a lot of us got into photography anyway. We are going to do the first meeting in Downtown Greenville. Seems to be a good starting place for us, seeing as we dont all live right beside each other. There is this great little Childrens Garden near the fountains close to West End. Most people dont know about this little place, but it is really great. Lots of spots for great childrens pictures, as well as some water, duck and flower shots.

I am looking at maybe doing it on Wed. June 3rd. Not sure of a time just yet. We will need to decide if we want it earlier in the morning, for nice morning light, or later in the evening for that lovely setting sun glow. So either around 10 am or 7 pm-ish. For this one, we can bring our children. Which is one reason I chose the area. If you havent been before its a very lovely place. http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_services/linky_stone.asp There is the link, just follow that and then be sure to click on the virtual tour link. It just gives you some more info and a few pictures taken there. Please let me know if this date and which time is better for you. i know we cant accomodate everyone, but I will try to work it out for everyone I can. I am posting a few pics we took last summer when we went with the MOMS Club.

Oh yeah, dont forget, we are starting our bi-weekly postings this monday. So start thinking about what pictures you want to share. I am looking forward to seeing them. I will try and post some pictures that are not on-line anywhere else. that way we can keep the "Monday's Finest" fresh and original.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. Looking forward to hearing back from everyone about the outting.

Just some general info and ideas

Ok, here we go. Krista and I had lunch together today and went over a few ideas for the group. One of the things we talked about was what and when to post pictures. Well, unless we have an 'assignment' for that week, you can post anything you like. From flowers, to our wonderful children to a shoot you may have done that week. We are going to start posting bi-weekly for now. I also think posting on every other Monday would be good. That way we can post somethings we may have shot on the weekend. You dont have to just post on the Monday, you can post questions, or ideas or maybe a picture you are happy with and want to let everyone know how you did it. This is all really up to you, but if we could try and all post atleast one pic on the 'due' day that would be great.

Also, I am going to put together an 'outting' day. If you guys would comment here and let me know a few ideas you may have on a place or subject to photograph. That will get some ideas started. If we dont do your idea this time, then we will try it the next time if we can. We are going to try to do one outting a month if possible. It is obviously not a requirement, but will be so much fun that I sure you will want to try really hard to make it. If there is a weekend in June that you can absolutely not make, let me know and we will try to work around it. I am thinking the 3rd Saturday of each month would be a good jumping off point. So, if we do it that way, we would have our trip on Sat., June 20th.

Please, Please, Please let me know any opinions or ideas you have. This is your group as well. So, all of that being said, get out there and shoot. Oh and above all, have fun and keep enjoying what you do.

Oh, the pictures are just from the shoot I did with Lindsay on Monday. Figured I might as well post a picture whenever I blog anything.

The Begining

Hello new Blog. This is a first for me, blogging and such, but I am really looking forward to this new journey. With the help of some new friends and a few old ones, I am sure we can really make this group a great one. We will be working on the group, adding members, designing the blog, and of course, posting pictures. After all' that is what we do. So, follow us, and join us. We are always looking for input and ideas. We are here to share, learn and help.

BTW....This was taken at Hollywild last week, from the Safari bus. This is straight out of the camera. Only converted to jpeg from RAW to get it posted. This is the Rhino from the Zycam commercials. Pretty niffty huh? Just put it on here to test to see if I am doing all this picture blogging correctly.