Monday, August 11, 2008

More practice shots















        I have been practicing.  Most of my pictures are underexposed or over exposed.  Lots are out of focus as I get back into using the viewfinder as opposed to live view.  It is harder then I thought.  I was doing some rapid shots on a butterfly and I told my son.  Look Luke, I sound like a real photographer, LOL.  As long as they don't see my pictures.

      As usual I took around 400 shots and then had to decide which to keep.  I am keeping bad and good ones in my files so I can see what settings I had them on and take notes.

    Did you know you can right click on your picture and then click properties and it will tell you which settings you had your camera on?  I didn't know that.  Cost me $80.00 bucks to find that out and I am sharing it here with you for nada.  Of course I am probably the only one who didn't know that, LOL.

    I am having trouble decided what settings to use and sure wish I had a professional to tag along with and ply with dozens of questions.  My class was OK but for the money left many questions unanswered.  His big advice, practice, practice, practice.   Well I knew that.  I wanted to know settings, settings, settings.  So if you pros out there want to give me tips on each picture on what I should have done to improve and which settings that would be real cool.



       I also got a card reader instead of hooking my camera up to the computer and wasting my battery.  Another thing I learned about in class and cheap also.


Sunday, August 10, 2008

My Son used my Soni

  Gee, it is such a great camera.  Hopefully when I get the hang of my new one it will be for me also.  Luke has a real eye.








Saturday, August 9, 2008

new camera

  I got my new camera ( Digital Rebel XSi) and had the first class today.  I like the professor, nice guy with lots of knowledge and willing to answer questions without making you feel stupid.   I have so much practicing to do but here are a couple of first shots.  I had a willing subject who sat nice and still while I took its picture in several settings.











       You can see how different settings really affect the warmth of the picture.  I am not happy with most of them but can see the potential when I get so I am comfortable with the camera and know what the heck I am doing.   Expect more as I practice practice and practice some more.

    I found the perfect bag for my new camera since it takes up more room.  Hanging it from my handlebars is no longer an option.  It isn't made for a camera but should work out perfect.
Its a Trek truck bag that clips to the rear rack.  Padded, waterproof, lots of storage.  What do you think?
   Rick will be happy also as he won't have to carry it and it will hold both camera's.


Sunday, July 27, 2008

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

More Insects, new pictures



       I love cone flowers.  They bloom forever, are very easy to grow, smell wonderful, and attract all kinds of butterflies and insects.   Leave the heads on after they bloom and the goldfinches love them or cut them for longer bloom season.







         This carpenter ant colony was in my plum tree which we lost to the storm.  Between the woodpecker and the ants it didn't stand a chance.




Friday, July 18, 2008

I is for Insects.

   Martha's A to Z photo Challenge brings us to I.  I decided to do a review of my insect collection I have taken since I started shooting.  Forgive for them all not being new but they are my favorites.  They make great subjects.  So here they are.

Insects.























Wednesday, July 2, 2008

H

  On my bike ride today I ran across some H's for Martha's A to Z photo shoot.  First of all a sign.  Notice it starts and ends with H.



     Then a Hawk up High


    Further along we ran across this Habitat for birds.



   And at the end of our ride we went to our Haven



    And Rick had a
Hefeweizen.  Ta Da, my H's