Natural Lighting Workshop

I tried a new teacher last week--Erin Summerill from Pleasant Grove. She did a workshop on using natural lighting. I learned about side, rear, and front lighting, bounce boards, silhouettes, forced perspective, etc. Here are some of my best shots. (I didn't know any of these people. They were models she brought along on the shoot.)

Pick Your Favorite

I have absolutely nothing against roses, but they aren't my favorite flower. Still, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of my gorgeous blooms. Thank you to whichever former owner of our home planted so many beautiful rosebushes in my frontyard. If you care to comment, I'd love to know which is your favorite rose and which is your favorite photo.

My Beginnings in Photography

Here's a photo my cousin e-mailed me this week. Thanks Kim! She said I've always had it in me. I don't know about that, but Photoshop didn't exist WAAAY back then, so I think the picture is pretty good evidence. I was 2 1/2 years old (the same age as my youngest now), and this was a family picnic at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Kim must have gotten the picture from her parents though, because she wasn't even alive when it was taken. :-)

Photography homework #2

Homework for this week was supposed to focus on composition--using lines, shapes, patterns, texture, color, and framing, and making sure backgrounds weren't distracting and trees weren't growing out of people's heads. It was a tough assignment for me, but I'm learning to see things like that. Of course, the COLD, WINDY, wet weather did nothing for my desire to go out and take pictures.

#3 blowing bubbles

#3 at the playground

Popcorn in detail

Any guesses? This was Jeff's favorite.
Piano guts

Spring snow storm

Harbinger of spring--I hope.

Homework from my first photography class

Jeff's bike headlight and tail light--blurred motion (slow shutter speed)

"Down came the rain and washed the spider out" (fast shutter speed)

Foreground, middle ground, and background in focus (infinite depth of field--small aperture)

Quaking aspen (shallow depth of field--wide aperture)

Hobby Update

I am not wasting my birthday gift! I finally found a photography class to take. It's just a start--one hour a week on Thursday evenings, for four weeks--but I am excited to take it, and excited to be doing something to nurture myself. I hope to be posting some fun, maybe even amazing photos soon.

Thank you to all

Thanks to all the contributions, comments, and letters you have sent to Harmony. I wanted everyone to see what I bought Harmony with your contributions. It is a 55-250 Image stabilized telephoto lens. It should make a nice compliment to the basic lens that came with the camera. Thank you again.

Jeff

Samples from my new camera

Here are a couple photos taken with my new camera. The first is a view of beautiful Mt. Timpanogos from the street in front of our house. The second is of an apple that somehow missed getting picked from our apple trees this fall. It looks cool, but I don't know what I did to make it look that way. Like I said, I have a lot to learn!

Harmony

not from the new camera (yet)

One of Harmony's friends, Wendy, sent these pictures with her comment. I thought I would include them here. Stay tuned for more from Harmony

Thank you so much!

Wow. I am sitting here in tears, overwhelmed by your kind words and Jeff's thoughtfulness--and shamelessness! I can't believe he e-mailed everyone in my address book, begging for money no less! I'm sure there were a few people on that list who wondered why in the world he sent that to them. Thank you, thank you, to all of you. If I've truly had any influence or showed any kindness to you, it's only in return for all that I have received from you. I have wonderful family and friends! Each of you have taught me, helped me, lifted me. My life is full and I am happy because of your love and friendship.

I love my new camera! I have a lot to learn about how to use it, and about photography in general, but I am excited. I'll do my best to use what I learn and share my pictures.

Thank you Jeff, for loving me, and for the sweet birthday gift. You are my best friend!