almost forgot...

Sorry all I almost forgot to do my post today...

ok as promised...

A- is for aperture priority, which means you get to control the aperture. 

Aperture is very hard to explain, and took me a while to really get...

I am going to give you the explanation in points in hopes it will be easier to understand:

-if reading your manual and it talks about F stop, that is the same as aperture

-the F stop is the number that determines how wide the shutter is open.

-Aperture/F stop is represented by a number, the smaller the number the wider the opening, the larger the number the smaller the opening.

-smaller aperture = shorter field of distance, field of distance is the amount of what is in focus in your photo.....

ok, why might you want to know this???

good question!!

Do you like those pictures where the background is blurred and the foreground isn't?

Knowing how aperture works is how that happens, OR when the foreground is blurred and the background isn't... remember this, the lower the number the more is out of focus!!!

HOWEVER... this isn't the only thing you need to know when trying to achieve that look. you have to be mindful of the distance between you and your subject(what you want in focus) as well as the distance between your subject and the background you hope to blur... you want your subject closer to you, and the background further back from your subject.

I hope that made an ounce I know it confused me at first!!  

good night!!

friday photo tips!!

In taking a good picture, how much depends on the quality of the camera and the options it has? I've been wondering lately if my camera is limiting my photography or if I just don't know enough about how to use it!

this was a question left for me on my comments, thank you for asking....

Great question!!!!

The answer as far as I can tell is both...

I know not very helpful! You can take a great picture using a disposable camera, or a not so great picture using a fabulous camera, know how your camera works and what its limitations are.

Keep in mind that all point and shoot cameras have other settings other than "auto" try them out!

Not just the picture ones but the letter ones too. Most point and shoot camera have at least two if not three "letter" settings, I will explain the `S`setting first, next week we will move on to the other ones!!!

S- Shutter priority, this means that you pick the shutter speed and your camera pics the rest. The shutter speed is the length of time your pic is exposed to light. it is represented by a percentage of a second(confusing I know) so if your shutter speed says 60 it is really one sixtyeth of a second, the lower the number the longer your shutter is open. If shutter speed is to low you end up with over exposed (to bright ) pictures. If the shutter is too high you end up with under exposed(too dark) photos! a smaller shutter speed will help you get those cool action pics, where you see a bit a blur to show action, water running in a water fall stuff like that. A fast shutter speed is great for kids who never sit still. keep in mind that as a rule the human hand can only hold a camera still enough to go as low as 60 any lower and you are likely to get camera shake!!

what do the other ones stand for that you may have on your camera...

A- Aperture priority,

M- Manual

P- Program

TGIF! photo tips!!!

Sad Sad Sad.... Not a single person "put there hat in the ring" and sent me a picture, how sad is that!! Clearly you guys aren't getting your cameras out enough, or maybe no one is even reading these, i guess that too could be an option... Question for you all: What do you want to know about taking a better picture or editing an almost perfect photo??? Todays tip is on processing your pictures: DON'T BE AFRAID TO CROP OUT THE UNWANTED ELEMENTS OF YOUR PICTURES TO MAKE IT A CLEARER SHOT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER!! How ever as a rule, centering your subject isn't the best way to compose your photo... Keep in mind the rule of thirds!!! (definition taken from wikipedia) The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in visual arts such as painting, photography and design.[1] The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.[2] Proponents of this technique claim that aligning an image with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo than simply centering the feature would. The photograph to the right demonstrates the application of the rule of thirds. The horizon sits at the horizontal line dividing the lower third of the photo from the upper two-thirds. The tree sits at the intersection of two lines, sometimes called a power point. Points of interest in the photo don't have to actually touch one of these lines to take advantage of the rule of thirds. For example, the brightest part of the sky near the horizon where the sun recently set does not fall directly on one of the lines, but does fall near the intersection of two of the lines, close enough to take advantage of the rule. The rule of thirds can be applied by lining up subjects with the guiding lines, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line instead of the center, or allowing linear features in the photograph to flow from section to section. In addition, many photographers recommend treating any "rule" of composition as more of a guideline, since pleasing photographs can often be made while ignoring one or more such rules..... the rule of thirds is still something I myself have to work on... I like things centered!! That is all from me for now, however remember this holiday season to pay it forward, do something nice just cause, smile and remember how lucky you really are!! BTW Life is short....TAKE MORE PICTURES!!!

mirror mirror on the wall tgif... tip of the week!!

Hey Ladies,

as promised, "fridays" photography tip of the day... a few days late...

As mentioned last night, had a great time at my xmas party, got to meet some of Marks buddies, which was awesome and didn't even crack the big vodka... Not sure why but feel I want to save it, is that odd???

Ok, enough babble, instead of a photo tip I thought we would do a photo idea...

Have you ever tried taking a picture through a mirror?

If not you should, it gives a whole new take on  everyday pictures. In the first picture Mark, me and the pups went on an off roading adventure, I took a pic as you can tell in the mirror of marks BIG truck....

The second one is of the bride of a wedding I did a few months ago, I like how she is blurry but her back and hair isn't... a neat effect!!!

Hey Ladies.....

A challenge for you!!!

I have been doing these tips for over a month now, have you learned anything??

well PROVE IT!!!

take a pic using one of the tips  I have showed you, send me a comment with a link to your picture, and next friday I will do a draw, the winner will get a treat from me!!!! 

looking for a blue speedo!!

I really did try to find a pic with a blue speedo in it, however, thankfully not that easy to find!!!

So in loo of that I thought it only made sense to use Allison to teach Allisons lesson!!

Now the people in the background of this first photo aren't wearing blue speedos but certainly could have been as we were on a cruise ship

(crop and cruise)

Also put on by Allison Orthner the goddess of most things creative!! (wow I should get paid for all this advertising!! tee hee)

Ok enough shameless plugs for allison!!

The people in the background are not in blue speedos but they also weren't invited to be in this picture so in this case they are the "blue speedos"

Does that make sense???

Ok hopefully my explainatoin made some sense, and will make Allison proud(see I was listening)

well that is all for now... if I find more pics I am sure to keep up loading, need to make up for my absense this week!

Smiles

Laura

It's friday ladies...

First I wanted to point out that I learned how to add music to my blog today, go me!!!

Ok, Friday photography tip of the day time!!

When taking pictures don't forget the curtains, Curtains you ask??

YES, just like we put curtains on our windows to center a window, and draw your eye in, photography can be the very same way!!

When looking into or on your view finder be mindful of what is framing your picture. In a perfect world it is always nice to have your picture framed, so it draws your eyes into the subject...

weither it be trees, with branches that gentlly fall to the side, or literal frames, like door ways and things like that. When trying to add framing to your pics be mindful of two things, that you get the whole "frame" into the pic and as 'Allison Orthner' would say

"watch out for blue speedos!"

What is a blue speedo you ask??? Well that is best answered by her, however the short version would be...

A blue speedo is anything in the background or foreground of your photo that you don't want in it or just wasn't invited!! Like the man walking along the beach in his blue speedo while you are trying to take a great sunset photo!!

Notice how I have "framed" these two pics...

TGIF time for some tips!!

Hello my Sweet "friends"Here is your fridays photography tip of the day....

This is a simple one, but something we forget to do....

When taking pictures of small things, kids, pets ect... get down to there level and see life through their eyes...

We know what life looks like from were we see it, so why not go on your knees or even lie down and see how they see it... (remember tip number one and get close to your subject!)

This will add all sorts of new interest to subjects we take pictures of everyday...

here is an example of this....

first pic is from my from an adults view....

The next one is from "Maggie's" eyes so we see into them and look at her from her height...

hope this helps!!!

TGIF tip day!!!

Hello ladies, thanks for stopping by... first a few people have asked how I did the picture of my brother... PHOTOSHOP!!! one of my favorite words in the English language!! I am a photoshop junkie, I am not the best at it for sure, but love playing!!! Also, if there is a tip you are wanting to know more about, either photography or photoshop post a comment and I will do what I can to answer it for you(I don't know all the answers that's for sure but I can always find them out!!) Ok todays tip.... Now that you have gotten a bit closer to your 'subject' Its time to consider picture orientation... Landscape? Or Portrait? This may seem like an obvious one but alot of people forget to turn there camera... when you take pics of people it is best to have your camera vertical... why?? well for one it helps you get the whole subject in, as well as having the closest distance between the subject and your camera. Also, it makes your subject look skinnier!!!! And who wouldn't want that.... another way to keep everyone looking there best is to make sure that the people you are photographing are not standing straight on to the camera, if they stand at an angle, the will look taller, and slimmer... and as I am about to take a pic of any woman I always say "Boobs out tummy in" Not only does it make you look slimmer but generally will make people laugh or at least smile, a much more 'real' smile then if I just "say cheese" Now taking Horizon or landscape pics... keep your camera horizontal. be mindful of a straight horizon line(don't want drunk photos) as well for interest, try not to center your horizon... choose what you want the pic of, and focus on that... landscape important(nice fall day, lovely colors) then why have half of a dull sky... OR if you have a beautiful sun set/rise why get the dark dead grass or trees in the photo!!

Ok the rule breaker(there is always one) if you want to take a person with a background of say... disney land castle, how do you hold your camera?? Either way will work, however the thing to be mindful of is to keep your human close to you, then have as much distance between them and the 'castle' as you can... so you get lots of detail of the person, and there reaction to where ever they are. As well as the whole story behind them. not just the door of the castle but the whole castle.....

In the first photo we know there is a little person on a bike... however, we really can't see who it is, or weither or not they are having a good time....

now if I turn my camera I get closer up, and can see the details of this totally adorable little lady... and her excitement with her new bike!!

Ok, on this pic you really can't tell what i am taking the pic of... sort of boring, no clear idea of what is important or the beauty and length of the horizon line....

In this pic it is clear that what I am trying to capture....beautiful endless horizon, as the sunsets, leaving LA...

Ok ladies that is all I have for you today, hope it help!!!

Happy shooting!!!

Laura

We all like tips!!! don't we???

Hi my fabulous followers!!!!

well been super busy as always(wouldn't have it any other way!) so I haven't been able to do an entry in a few days, Bad Lolo(what my family calls me).

Anywho, was looking at all the awesome comments that i have recieved, and noticed alot of very thoughtful comments on my photography... THANK YOU!!!

Since I am going to school to be the best photographer I can be, why not share my knowledge with you guys so you too can wow your friends and family with your pictures....

Anyway, I am thinking once a week I will give a "tip of the week" cause we all like tips don't we???

So with that in mind....

My first tip...

(don't eat yellow snow... tee hee hee, a big deal in the house with two dogs!)

No really now...

GET CLOSER!!!!! this tip is true no matter what you are taking pictures of. People want to see, the expressions on faces, and the energy of the photo.. less back ground, more details on what is really happening, captureing how that moment made you feel!!!

So lets look at an example of this....

This is a picture of my friend Jackie and I as we are boarding the cruise ship....

Please notice all the useless space on the right hand side, is it adding to the story of the photo?

NO

can you see our expressions? NO really...

Why not move closer...

In this picture you can still see the ship, as it is part of the story, however, you can also see our smiley faces, and the friendship between two people, a much mor eye catching picture if you as me!!!

It sounds simple but people often forget to get closer to there subject....

However, with every rule there are times to break it...

If you see a bear and want a photo... CLOSER is not a good idea....

Happy shooting!!!!