Saturday, February 21, 2009

And now. As seen through my eyes ...

















Only because some of you asked. My take on photography:

You really need a standard SLR. Circuit city is going out of business and I saw a basic Nikon D40 for really super cheap. You don't need fancy lens, flashes, and/or tripods to start. You do need a good eye. I am still very much a novice and have learned so much more in the last 43 days of my 365 day challenge then I have in the last 2 years of owning this camera. With that said, my strongest piece of advice is to practice, practice, practice.

Pick up your camera and take lots of pictures. I took over 700 on our vacation and will print only 100, okay probably more like 200. Remember that your light source should traditionally be behind you. (The sun should be directly behind you as in my shadow picture). Look through the lens and make sure that the background isn't too busy, if it's too busy focus in on the subject (the pic of the girls w/the bucket was taken at a very busy beach full of people). Do get down to the level of your subject and don't worry about getting dirty. (You should have seen my knees after capturing the boys in the water). Think outside the box. My most favorite photos are always those unposed that capture a smile or moment (I heart the picture of Fifi smiling in the pool). Don't wait for your subjects to smile, instead be a fly on the wall and observe the world through your lens (I waited for Lola to look up at me while playing in the sand, but love that I captured her picking through the sand). Lastly, be unique and don't center your subject (the last picture of the boys off center makes me smile). And. One more thing... find inspiration from others and study their pictures. I heart Irene and Sesame Ellis.

Each one of the photos above tells a story. All but one was taken by me on the ground. I challenge you to get down on the ground this week, don't center your subject, and snap away. Leave me a link of your capture in my comment section. I would love to see what you have done.

53classy comments:

Wendi said...

WOW!
You have such a great eye!
I love all these photos and I am sure the other 686 are fabulous too.
I will try to get down on the ground this week...let's hope I can get back up!;)

Unknown said...

Just wonderful! All of them! I do like to get on the ground to take pics, it's usually a great perspective.

The one of your guys running together is so cool b/c they're in the exact same position. Love that!

A Crafty Mom said...

Gorgeous. Stunning. LOVE them!! Like Elaine, I was in love with the running shot - that is just amazing.

Beautiful family, wonderful vacation photos.

Val said...

Gorgeous photos! Looks like you had a wonderful time.

Quarantine Hobby said...

I love those photos. You really are doing a fantastic job as such a "novice"! I'm impressed.

And oh how I want a dSLR. So very badly. One day!

Kari said...

Beautiful pics! And, thanks for the photo lesson! I can always use pointers....And, I wish I could get a better camera. But, the one I have will just have to do!
BTW...I am still jealous over the fact that you got to "get away"!!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Those are great (and I wouldn't expect anything less). I try to get on the ground more with the kiddos.

I'll try to do the same this week and put something up. My video of Ms. Nat rolling on the floor was with me on the floor, too. But, she's centered. I've got to work on those off center shots. (Okay, I just told myself to shut up).

Oh, and I puffy heart Irene, too!

Amy W said...

Gorgeous shots! Were these straight out of the camera or did you work a tiny bit of photoshop magic? My pool pics always end up too florescent-ly blue.... I love how washed out yours are without being totally over-exposed.

p.s. Is that Upper Captiva Island? If not, it sure looks like it. :)

Amy W said...

I just scrolled back and see that this was in Mexico. Either way, it looks WARM and Fabulous!

Irene said...

I love your photos! And I'll have you know, I spent a good chunk of time yesterday pricing vacations to Mexico thanks to you. I seriously doubt we will go anytime soon, but you definitely piqued my interest!!!! I SO have a case of the MAJOR winter blahs.

And again, I have to say that project 365 is really is amazing. Before I started it (and even for a while after I did) I just didn't get it, but now, at day 242, I absolutely get it. It really forces you to use your camera ALL the time. And you will learn a lot.

I do have to add though, I have also come to love backlit photos too - a nice bit of sunflare can really create an amazing shot!

Irene said...

Oops, how horrible of me, I forgot to add - thanks so much for the incredibly sweet mention!! You are too kind.

carrie said...

I love these...it is so fun to go on "virtual" vacation with you! Of course, I'd prefer the real thing - but I'll take what I can get!

Melissa said...

Thanks for the photography tips! I have a new sony slr and I do not know how to use it!

Great Pictures by the way!

Grace {Formerly Gracie} said...

Okay! I'll say it again. WOW! These photos are incredible!

Ed (zoesdad) said...

Ooh, a challenge. Could be interesting. Like Wendi said--it may be tough getting back up.

The Daily Stroll said...

Great photos and thanks for the tips and for the inspiration to take our own amazing photos! :)

Flea said...

I love the photo with your long legged shadow. :)

I've done smocking Fifi's dress front and will start on Lola's tomorrow night!

Chiloe said...

I love the pictures with your 2 boys running but they are all great ;-)

haniaski said...

Great time,great pictures !

Tara R. said...

Fabulously fun photos and great advice.

Becca said...

These pictures are beautiful. They look like they came straight out of a brochure!

Kelly said...

Beautiful pictures!!

I just got a Canon SLR about a week and a half ago and am having a blast with it!! It is amazing. Now I just need to figure out how to load to my computer!

Heather said...

Your photos look excellent!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

I will take ANY advice you have to offer...I love ALL your pictures!
I love that the girls have matching bathing suits!! Too stinkin adorable! And the one where your husband is smiling away and the baby is trying to dump water on him...hahaha...too cute!

Now I want a VACATION!!

Darci White said...

Gorgeous photos.....! My husband and I had our destination/beach wedding in Puerto Morelos at Azul Beach Resort.

Glad you guys had a fun trip and have so many pictures to remember the memories!

Unknown said...

Welcome Home! Your pictures warm my heart on this COLD and SNOWY day on The Avenue!

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are so great. I really like the one with the bucket.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Oh. That first dress that Fifi was wearing? Corinne had that last year... Sniff. It was one of her favorites because it spun out wide...

Unknown said...

You will learn so much doing your 365. I have seen it happen. And you have SUCH a good eye to begin with. Great pics. And it looks like you and yours had a great time. Lovely.

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

Great tips!!! I only have a plain old point and shoot, but I noticed awhile back if I paid attention to light and background...and got on my subjects' level, I took such better photos. I also started learning how to use some of the settings, like closeup, action, portrait. It really did help. One day I'll have a fancy schmancy camera though...they really do make a difference.

And I LOVE that top picture of your baby girl. SOOO sweet, rockin her shades!

the mama bird diaries said...

These photos are so GORGEOUS. Really.

metalia said...

Whoa. You have such a fabulous eye! (And I want to be on that beach RIGHT NOW.)

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Oh, how I covet a DSLR. I'm getting much better using my P&S, but still want an SLR. I've been stalking the sales at Circuit City waiting for the cameras to be at least 40% off.

GREAT pics!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Great pictures! Just beautiful. I'm bookmarking this since I need some photography help... Now that they're getting older, my kids have gotten faster and run when they see the camera (seriously - you'd think I was brandishing a cattle prod). Every picture I take looks like something that Ghost Hunters would study and say, "see this blur right here in the corner? That's him!"

Courtney said...

first -- your family is beautiful and you must have had a blast on vacation.

second -- thanks so much for these tips. we just purchased the canon rebel XSi and it should be arriving tomorrow. by no means am I even close to a photographer, but at least I will have fun with the camera and use your tips!

Zoeyjane said...

K, being a complete and absolute novice, with only a point n click digital, do you mean really a standard slr, or did you mean a basic dslr? Is this like, the stupidest question to ask, ever?

Roxane said...

Your family is WAY too cute!

Stephanie said...

Just not getting caught up, but you have an amazing eye! Seriously! My husband does photography and does a great job, too, but it's always neat to see other people's take on situations. You did a great job capturing some of the cutest pictures. I LOVE the one where Fifi (it was her, right, I forgot already) is dumping water on your hubby. That should be framed!

I wish I had a camera I could actually use! Hubby got the D700 for Christmas and it doesn't have the auto setting...A big no no but it worked when I was in a hurry to catch something cute. Now i'm at the mercy of whatever setting or "number" he puts it on. AAAAHHHH!!! And I'm too lazy to learn! ;oD

Cynthia said...

Yeah, I think I have a nice camera (The Bro gave it to me)...It is way smarter than me. I have to get on learning how to use it...one more thing on my to do list:P

Don Mills Diva said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Diva's Thoughts said...

Those pictures are AMAZING!!!!

Morgan said...

I'm LOVING the pictures! I need to practice!! :) Do you use any software to touch up your pictures or are they just straight out of the camera?

Lisa said...

love all your pictures. love that you had such a wonderful time. and going to circuit city right now to check out the d40. it's what I'm praying for as a "push prize" for this baby!!!

PS - I'm going to do the 365 w/ the baby....every day one shot!

Jaina said...

Lovely pictures! I need to get an SLR of my own. The bf got one...but I'd love to have my very own. All in due time...they're awfully expensive.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

I am thinking of Tina Fey on 30 Rock when I say "I want to go to there."

KEEP BELIEVING

Tonya said...

You take great pictures. I love the one of the shadow of you and you have super long legs!

3 Peanuts said...

Those are great...I have learned more from doing the 365 than from anything else too.

Looks like you had a great vacation!!!!

Kim

Karen MEG said...

Those are just beautiful, and great tips. I'm still a point and click kinda girl, and that's about as far as I'm going for now, I haven't a clue.

Looks like a great vacay too, sigh...

The POSHpreneur said...

you have a lovely lil family! :) Great pictures and great blog!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

God, those pictures are GORGEOUS. I am so jealous!

Noob Mommy said...

Loved your photos. Glad you had a great vacay!

Rhea said...

GREAT photos and great advice. And what an awesome trip.

 

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