I’ve come across some interesting things when looking through the lens of my camera. I love getting a really tight shot and seeing what we don’t see when we are looking at the “big picture.” So I thought it would be fun to feature some of these things. We can make a game out of it – I’ll post the picture and you have to figure out what it is. Sound like fun?
Thus, What is it Wednesday is born! Here’s your first one.
The answer has been added to the comments below.
This spring I had the privilege of taking some photos of our church for their website. We have a unique culture and building. It was fun to try to capture what makes St. Paul’s such a special place. This post is the result of playing with a few of those photos. I do all my editing in Picasa, a free editing and photo organization software from Google. It’s the most robust program I’ve found for free and I can do most any edit I need to with Picasa.
All the photos were shot with my Nikon D60 with the 18-55mm lens, ISO 1600.
I love this shot up the path to the bridge, especially the variation in depth. This is the shot as it came from my camera with the Warmify feature from Picasa.
1/4000s; 18 mm; f/5.6
This is the same shot with the Focal Black & White applied. You can select the location, size and intensity of the color.
1/4000s; 18mm; f/5.6
This shot only has the one-click fix for lighting.
1/4000s; 44mm; f/5.6
And this is the same shot with Warmify, B & W and Vignette applied.
1/4000s; 44mm; f/5.6
I changed things up with this next shot and focused on the Redbuds in the foreground. I would love to try this shot with my 50mm lens at f/1.8 just to see how much more blur I could get.
1/4000s; 55mm; f/5.6
This last one is the same photo with vignette applied with a brownish purple cast. Kind of fun.
1/4000s; 55mm; f/5.6
So which effect is your favorite?
I had the privilege of taking senior pictures for Lauren.
She was such a pleasure to work with; naturally beautiful and easy-going.
We had fun experimenting with poses and locations.
Mom had requested lots of color and we found lots at Kauffman Gardens.
Thanks Lauren for a fun photo shoot!
I took my new 50mm lens to the basketball game this weekend. I wasn’t sure it would work well for indoor sports shots.
It worked fabulously!
The shorter lens allows more light in and I can take pictures with a much faster shutter speed without having to use the flash.
It worked great! No flash needed. I’m still working on the focus part, I used auto-focus, but keeping the focus on #3 is challenging.
I love catching the action like this – ball on the ground like he’s about to kick it – mid dribble.
So very happy with my purchase:)!
I went shopping in the West Bottoms a few weeks ago. And of course, I took my camera with me. Its an old industrial part of town with lots of brick buildings. So many things to shoot! But when I saw this I had to stop.
Are they not amazing steps? I love them!
Crazy detail!
I think the treads are iron and the risers look like concrete with iron inserts. Very cool!
Really fun to photograph, but I think a few people may have thought I was crazy. And they may have been my shopping buddies!
But how could I pass them up.
So many different looks from one set of steps.
And they look great in black & white too. Here are some of my favorites in b & w.
And finally, a sepia version.
Which do you like best – natural color, b&w or sepia?
It has been a beautiful fall! The colors have been amazing and they seem to me to be sticking around a long time.
We are lucky to have six different kinds of trees on our lot.
Honestly, I love the variety it gives us.
The Red Bud turns a pretty chartreuse in the fall.
The Sweet Gum turns deep, rich red and has such a pretty shape.
This Maple is always the last to turn.
The Elm {I think that’s what it is} turns from deep green to a light yellow/green and drops its leaves early.
I’m so thankful to live in a place where we have changing seasons. The next one is always my favorite!
I went on a shopping trip with girlfriends a couple months ago. To a fabulous flea market. It was so much fun! I was on a mission to find picture frames. Not just plain old frames, but unique old frames. And I succeeded! I had a vision. There were some things I wanted to try.
I’ve also been collecting old Christmas ornaments. I pick them up whenever I see them at garage sales, thrift stores, Goodwill.
And here’s one of the pieces I created!
I love it!
The frame is old and the finish is worn off. The ornaments are old and unique.
It has such a warm feel. I kind of want to keep it! But it’s sold! To my very good friend:). I think it will look great in her house! And I will get to visit it now and then.
I went a completely different direction with another frame. The frame itself is really detailed.
I went shiny silver. Like jingle bells.
And a fun polka-dotted bow! And shiny balls that you can see yourself in!
I love the traditional Christmas colors. They just make me happy!
The dots on the bow make me think of twinkling lights.
I’m so excited for the holidays! I might have to start digging out the decorations before Thanksgiving!
I saw this wall while out running errands. It was so unique I had to swing around the block and get some pics.
Youngest Son took this one. Not a bad shot! He thought if he quick shot a few pics out the window we could get going.
Not so fast young man!
The mortar is deep between the bricks and it creates a really cool effect.
I love the way it looks at the angle.
And with a little tighter angle I got a whole different effect. See Son, so much to do with that simple brick wall. Why don’t you lean up against the wall for me?
So handsome. And he had just finished a soccer game!
He has a serious side.
And a goofy side! He was trying to look contemplative. In my sunglasses. It’s not working:).
I love brick walls!
I had the privilege this fall of taking my niece’s engagement pictures. It started when she asked if I would be willing to take her wedding pictures. Scary! I love photography. But I am not a professional! I told her I needed to think about it and get back to her.
And of course I started reading blogs about wedding photography. They all said, “Don’t do it!”
I was hesitant. That is such an important day! And to think that I might mess it up? EEK!
We talked a lot. I reminded her I’m not a professional. She said she wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t trust me.
So…I said yes.
We decided to do engagement pictures as our trial run. I took LOTS of pics.
And we spent a few hours taking them! In my defense, we did drive a long ways! And used three different locations.
We went to the corn fields. Such a perfect setting for them.
When I saw this hayrack we had to stop.
I had so much fun. I’m so glad she asked me! And they are happy with the pics too. Yay! I love it when I can take a risk, step out of my comfort zone and it turns out well!
I’ll share pics from the wedding later.
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