Wednesday, September 29, 2010

BW Wednesday: My Own Sweet Isabel

And now time for a picture of my Isabel. After years of loving to have her picture taken, she has not been all that interested lately. (I am sure hoping it is a stage!) However, experience has taught me that a little bribery has been known to work at times. So... last weekend we headed out to the beach for a shoot late in the day to catch the sunset. I was excited to work with evening light, as I have only shot during the morning. Unfortunately, we got there too late and the pictures came out way too dark. I was really disappointed. This was an example of what I got.


I have to say, had I not gone to Lisa's photography workshop last July, I surely would have deleted all of the pictures. Fortunately, (despite the breakdown on the grassy knoll on day two of the workshop) I actually DID learn to shoot in RAW and was able to put what I learned to the test. It's amazing what you can salvage in this format. And, with the help of Maddy, I also (finally) figured out how to use textures.

The first image below is with the editing in Photoshop with the exposure, including my first attempt at textures. I really like how it came out but was still a bit confused on using masks to soften the effect of the texture overlay on the subject.

I went back through my notes and finally figured it out. I continue to be amazed at all I learned at the workshop. At times I thought my brain was going to burst but slowly... it is all starting to click. A big thank you to the wonderful ladies who were so very patient and kind. It paid off. I never would have guessed that this final picture could have come from that first dark one.
I really love it. What do you think?


And, as always, be sure to pop on over and see more B+W photos by clicking here:

the long road

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

B+W Wednesday: Baptism Weekend


Forgive the number of pictures in this post
but... really...
how could I pick just one?
Is she not just the cutest baby?










the long road

Sunday, September 19, 2010

McKenzie's Baptism Photo Shoot

A glorious Saturday morning
and a beautiful baby girl
made for a great photo shoot.





Thursday, September 9, 2010

Sweet Julia


I teach high school freshmen. I absolutely love them.
They are goofy, awkward, fun and unsure of themselves.
They are learning to maneuver that ride called adolescence.

It is usually not until graduation that I really see
the amazing adults that these students of mine have become.

I am used to lanky bodies and unsure steps... both physically and socially.
And so, it was such a refreshing change to be able to photograph a senior.
This young lady was as sweet as she was beautiful.I love the grace and elegance that she conveys.
It's amazing what a difference four years makes.

the long road

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Bee Still



With the weather in the low to mid 80s today,
I decided to go out and work in the garden.
Suddenly I heard a loud buzzing and saw a big fat bumblebee
approaching the pollen of the butterfly weed plants near me.

I ran in and got my camera... not really expecting it to still be there.
Amazingly, it was.
I was able to catch some cool shots with my 50mm 1.4 lens.
I know they are not perfectly crisp but...
not bad for a non-macro lens.