Photo Challenge 2014: Week 33 Bench

There are only so many things you can do with a bench! You either have to find a REALLY cool bench or you have to get really creative. I don't have time to drive around everywhere to find cool benches so I went for creative. I love the composition of this photo and all the leading lines and the framing of the curve.

Rain on Grass

I have taken so many pictures of rain on things. I just love the way it bubbles and stays put. I reminds me of A Bug's Life.

Photo Challenge 2014: Week 32 "Tilt Shift" Quasi-Landscape

Once again, I am so glad I'm doing this photo challenge. I had NEVER heard of tilt-shift. True tilt shift is doing with a crazy lens that actually tilts and shift. I will never own one because it's just not practical for everyday shooting. But the concept is cool and there are programs and filters that can replicate the effect pretty well. The idea is to make something look miniature.

I didn't get to try it as much as I would have liked because there are too many trees around here. So these next few photos are appropriate, though they really make me hurt inside. I love Washington because of the trees and to watch them tear them down like they are garbage in the way is devastating to me.

So here's my attempt at tilt-shift:

We went beautiful drive past amazing houses to a little airport and LOVED watching the planes. It was fun to try tilt-shift with them.

Bumblebee

I've chased around bumblebees before with my camera, but that was with my kit lens. Check this out!! This is with my new 35mm f/2 prime lens. Incredible huh? You should see it on my computer and zoom in. You can see each individual hair on the bumblebee's leg! And I know the pink flower is so bright and vivid, but that's just the flower.

Day at the Park

 I've started to take full control of manual mode. And I mean FULL control. Not just shutter, ISO, and aperture. I'm controlling white balance too! The next item of business is spot metering, which is currently freaking me out. But I couldn't believe what a difference controlling the white balance made. These pictures would have all been dull because it was completely cloudy, but by manually dialing in the white balance, the came out vibrant! Not only did they look better, but the amount of post processing drastically decreased. I'm a fan.

Photo Challenge 2014: Week 31 Shadows in Nature

Moments from Summer Vacation

After an extensive workshop on Day in the Life photography, I decided that this approach is for me. It's genuine way to capture and document moments. I chose to edit them all in black and white to preserve the integrity of the moments by eliminating the distraction of color. I also wanted them to be more of a documentary style. Each photo made me feel something and that's why I loved them. Some are funny, some are sweet, some are happy, and some are just pure love and joy. Hope you enjoy! My favorite moments from our summer vacation: