Shooting in Full Manual Mode

Uncropped

I took my second photography class today in which we learned to go full manual mode. It was scary-awesome. Our instructor, Andrew, was really good and was great at critiquing our shots and giving helpful and useful information on how to take a better shot. I think I’d like to take another advanced DSLR class. I feel like I’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg, but there is no substitute for getting out there and actually shooting. So I think I will do both. We’re headed to the beach soon so that will be an excellent time to practice [...]

Playing at the Botanical Gardens

Hinge

The other day, Melissa came over and we went to play with our cameras at the Botanical Gardens. I don’t know why it never occurs to me to visit the Gardens when it’s in the spring… oh, wait. I know why. I’m usually sneezing my head off outdoors and avoid flowering places. Maybe this year that won’t be an issue. (I’ve got a great allergy doctor who has helped me tremendously. Better living through science, bitches!)

The fun thing about going out to take photos with a friend is the creativity flying around and seeing someone else look at something [...]

In Which I Escape Death at the Hands of Weeping Angels

Oak Hill Cemetery

I’m pretty sure I inherited my love of cemeteries from my dad. I grew up listening to (and loving) stories of my dad spending time in cemeteries all over England doing grave rubbings (not to be confused with grave robbing). Plus, they’re peaceful and usually devoid of people. However, after watching many a Doctor Who episode, my love of cemeteries is tempered by my fear of weeping angels. Oh, and zombies. Since I don’t tend to venture into cemeteries after dark, I don’t really have a fear of newly risen vampires. Is that dumb? Maybe, but I’ll take my chances. (P.S. [...]

Finding (White) Balance

Auto White Balance

I’m still playing around and discovering new things with my camera. And it keeps getting better. Or maybe I keep getting better? Anyway, I loved the shots I got the other day, but as I’ve said before, the lighting in our house is not great. It’s better than it used to be (losing a bunch of trees will do that) but it’s a long way from being as bright and sunny as I would like. Also, it’s been gloomy and overcast which also doesn’t help.

Anyway, I’m lobbying for track lighting throughout the entire house to alleviate the lighting issue. [...]

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Charlie

Not that kind of gift, you perv! The best Christmas present I’ve gotten in a very long time has been my new DSLR camera. And it’s kind of like the gift that keeps on giving in that I keep getting things for it. Last night, my MIL gifted me with a new lens. She got me the EF 50mm F/1.8 II. I’ve been playing with it all morning and I really get why it’s so popular.

Here are some of my favorite shots so far.

I still have LOADS to learn about white balance and capturing [...]

Page 1 of 212