Beyond Repair

Frustrated and disappointed.  I think that pretty well sums it up.

My camera has been pronounced more expensive to fix than to replace.  Whatever is wrong is in the prongs that the CF card plugs into.  I have been without a camera for over a month and, needless to say, I feel deprived.

So, I have begun to save my money to buy a new one.  Now the fun part - shopping!!!

What should I get?  I am just beginning to do research, but based on experience, I know I would like a digital SLR.  I have previously owned a Canon and loved it, but I have only had it 5 years and now it's out of commission.  Not that it might have been dropped....  maybe....  *innocent whistle*

While I own a couple of Canon lenses and would only need a body, I have heard that Nikon camera lenses are universal - that even lenses from decades ago will fit a new camera.  That sounds very appealing!!

Along with an SLR, there have been times in the past few years when I could have really used a "point and shoot".  Occasions when the event I am attending will not allow an SLR camera with a detachable lens.  (Think music concerts, live performances, etc.)  Something small and inexpensive is what I would like.

The guy at the camera store was seriously pushing a Sony, but it was nearly as big as an SLR (and just as expensive.)  I think he was thinking to replace the SLR with this kicked up point and shoot that looked like an SLR on the outside, but doesn't have a mirror.  I'll admit it had some pretty awesome features, but I'm not sure that's where I want to go....

 Currently, I am using the camera on my phone which is completely unacceptable as far as I'm concerned!  It gets me photos like this:

That would be REO Speedwagon from the 18th row - not that you can tell.  :(

So, do any of you have suggestions?  Is there something out there you've had your eye one?  I would love to hear your thoughts!  :)

Tiffany

Summer Plans ???

Hooray for Summer!

Being a teacher, I live for summer as much as the children!  Scheduled time off at home with my own kids (the ones who actually live with me) make some of the tough times during the school year livable.  

We have a few plans scheduled so far - going to a few museums on some day trips, some craft and photography projects, and doing a LOT of cleaning and organizing since my house tends to be neglected during the craziness of the school year.  While I do plan to do some photography projects, I will be journaling our awesome summer as well.  I hope you enjoy the journey.

What kind of plans do you have for the summer?

Tiffany

Portrait - Make it Better

I've seen HUNDREDS of portraits like this:

See the refrigerator with magnets in the background?  It also seems that the picture isn't the most flattering.  Pretty dress however, and lovely young lady!  So....

Step 1:  Pay Attention to your BACKGROUND!!  If you only have ugly walls, like I do, find a door, piece of furniture, something.  I usually go outside and use the trees for background because they are always a nice addition.  Alas, it was nighttime, so...

Step 2:  Zoom In!!

So much better already!!  However, I think it could be better, so I had her turn slightly.

Step 3:  Try Different Angles!!!

Definitely an improvement!!  I'm getting a glare off the cabinet, so I zoom in more....

Step 4:  Get a Nice Smile

This is actually the difficult part!!!! (at least it is for me!)  The more I learn about taking pictures, the more I find that the technical aspect is EASY.  It's the PEOPLE part that can be a challenge!

Caught her laughing...  Laughing actually IS NOT the best pose for most people.

Trying not to laugh....

Big Brother making faces at her...

Finally!!!  A NATURAL smile!  That's what I was after!

If the person you are taking pictures of doesn't know you very well, make certain you schedule enough time for them to become comfortable with you.  The more comfortable they are, the more natural your photos will be.  :)

A few Photoshops of this last photo will hopefully follow!

*hugs!*

Tiffany

I'm BAaaaaack!!!!

Hooray, the computer is repaired!!

Photos will quickly follow and spam comments are at an end!  Yippee!

I'm a little sad, I'm sure when the spammers figure out that I am back, the traffic to my site will go down.  But hey, that's not the traffic I want!

Can I get an AMEN!!!

Much Love!
Tiffany

Another set of Senior Photos

I really don't intend to neglect my blog.... It has been one hectic school year!!

As I mentioned previously, I was hired by a former student to do her photos.  I am very pleased with the way they turned out!! 

Here are a few:

It was SO windy and cold that day.  We had trouble keeping her hair out of her face.  It is nice to have such a photogenic subject though!!!  She made it lots of fun.

Here are a couple where I tried to get a more "dreamy" feel to the photos:

 

It was a great time and I learned so much!!  I learned to quit looking for the perfect background - if you pull in tight to the subject and pay attention, you can make several different backgrounds look nice!  Mostly, it was nice to get excited about taking pictures!  :)

Have a blessed day!

Tiffany

Frustration with Auto-Focus

It seems like forever since I have posted on the blog, but it's actually only been 2 and a half weeks.  In the intervening time, I have still been working at trying to get Senior Portraits for my son.

We went back to the garden near the lake near sunset this time.  Here are a couple of the shots I got.

In both of these photos, I see that his shirt is in perfect focus, but when I zoom in to do some minor touch-ups, I find that his eyes are still not focused.  I could have sworn that I auto-focused with the little dot blinking over his eye, but the pictures come back with fuzzy looking eyes!  So frustrating!!!  Of course, the perfectionist in me is still not satisfied!!!

On the bright side, after posting these on facebook, I had a former student call me up and ask me to take her photos.  :)  That should be a lot of fun! 

More later!

Tiffany

Mommy - Take My Picture!!

We love this little bridge at the park.  My issue is this - I want to get the bridge in the shot, but I prefer my portraits to be much more "up close" or cropped in.

Hrm... I will be revisiting this bridge often!

I love just about anything with stonework!

So here - the tree is in focus, but she is not.  *sigh*

I seem to be having focus issues....

That's better

I wonder what she was looking at...

Hope your day is filled with wonder!

Tiffany