It's that time again, Christmas cards

Christmas is so close, not much time left. With no time to waste I started taking pictures of my kids for our family Christmas cards to send to family and friends. I have two teenagers and my husband still left to photograph. I have maybe six days to complete this. I think I can do it, provided Napoleon my oldest will allow me to photograph him. He has always felt that if you take his picture you take his soul. When he was very young he heard this on a show or from someone. He belived it to be true. This comes with the terriotory of having Autism, he takes everything literally. I have very few shots of him and the ones I do have are of him hiding or trying to make a run for it. I will try to beg him this year, crossing my fingers.

For the moment please enjoy what I do have. I really like how they turned out. I was up around five one morning to study the manual for my Canon EOS 50D. Still learning... since reading the manual I started shooting in manual. I also use a 580EXII Speedlite. I think I am getting bettter. I was going to run the images through photoshop but I quickly changed my mind and edited in Lightroom. I also learned that I really enjoyed Lightroom. Note to self pick up a book online for Lightroom. Anyone have any suggestions?

Autumn Knocking….Banging at my Door………

Is it just me or is time flying by really fast? It seems in a blink of an eye a week goes by. I can hardly believe that fall is already here, confirmed by the colors all around: reds, oranges and yellows blazing brightly against the moody sky. Breathtaking! I think in a couple of weeks it will be perfect for photographing landscapes. (Don’t forget your tripod so you can take several shots to stitch a pan.) Portraits will also look amazing in a bed of red and orange maple leaves, soft golden light highlighting your subject. For some fun shots grab a step ladder for a higher perspective of little ones playing in a bed of beautiful colors. (Try not to center your subject to make for a dramatic portrait.)
To kick in the fall, my family and I went to a local pumpkin patch that had much potential for wonderful backgrounds to take portraits, like golden cornstalks and red blueberry bushes that look like fire. The only downside was that this particular weekend there were a lot of people and trucks everywhere; there was a big pumpkin contest happening, and I mean big! You should have seen the sight: pumpkins of various sizes and every shade of orange. And the shapes! There was one pumpkin in a shape of a huge bean bag. The kids got to sit in it and I got to take pics. There was also a corn maze that is taller than 6 feet—I was feeling a little claustrophobic—and it seemed to go on forever. The maze is endless. We had to take the emergency to get out; maybe next year we’ll make it to the end. The kids had a blast, and I had fun taking shots. The weather was perfect—not too windy not too bright. The sky was covered in rolling clouds with hints of the sun trying to shine through them: perfect natural lighting.

I took a few photos of my little trolls, knowing I would have to run the images through Photoshop to remove trucks, barns and temporary tattoos. The last part I don’t like so much; it was tedious and boring. Check out my before and after; can you spot the difference?

I really wanted to create drama and not over-process the images. I think I achieved the look I was after. I’m really happy with the results, and the kids are happy as well.
Eventually, I would like to solely use flashes (just bought one, a Canon 580 EX II) to create dramatic lighting and just use Photoshop for tweaking.

Now some may be wondering about the Alien Bee ring flash I purchased way back. The ring flash offered great lighting with cool effects. I really loved the lighting. The only thing about this ring flash was that it wasn’t practical for me. The bulk frustrated me, and I had to be practical, so I traded it in for the Speedlite. Recently, I did come across the Oribis ringflash. Looking into it.

To Flash or not To Flash….

Photographs are straight from camera

After spending many days in bed (I was going out of my mind) with a very nasty virus I am ready to get back to it …slowly. I miss drawing, writing and taking pictures, I really do.
I could not get up and walk around the first few days I could not sit up because of the dizziness, the world was moving in slow motion for me. Something to do with my inner ear and of course a virus to help it along. Not a great feeling at all...on the bright side and there always is a bright side…I did get to see everything in a fresh light and ideas began to form in my head. I wonder if they would mind if I came to emergency with a camera…note to self...bring camera next time to emergency…I didn’t see any signs stating otherwise.

During this horrible sickly time I was also awaiting the arrival of my Alien Bee Ring Flash. I finally got it yesterday and did I put it to work? Yes I did! My daughters and one of their friends were my models. I did struggle with the weight of the flash and camera together. I really wanted to attach the flash to my camera and hold it. But I found out that this would be impossible for me ….much to heavy …camera….ring flash…no go….so I grabbed a light stand and attached the ring flash. I didn’t think the price for just the flash was too high…however, the combination of the battery pack (which you need if you want to shoot outdoors where there are no plug-ins) and ring flash are high. They thought of everything though to get you started; grounded power cord, sync cord, umbrella adaptor, mounting bracket, even a diffuser to protect and for soft lighting and even the screw to attach your camera to the mounting bracket (some free advertisement).

I am also in the process of learning how to use my Canon 50D EOS….loads of incredible features that after using a Nikon D50 feels like I need a GPS to navigate…well, with manual in tow…I went at it. Most often I like to use the try it and see what happens method. I am like a kid, no patience with new toys. Just let me at it. My results…well not exactly what I wanted initially, have to keep at it...but I’m getting close. I found that my aperture was best set at 16-18, at least 10 to 15 feet away. I did not mount my camera on with the ring flash , rather I held it alone and attached the sync cord … I most often shoot Aperture priority( I like to control the depth of field and not worry about the shutter speed so much) but this time I am aiming for manual….something different …note to self, need a longer sync cord…hope I can get a longer cord.


Today, still resting a bit…and a bit of work…I do not want a relapse of the nasty virus. I am going to try something with the ISO that I have never tried before (once I try it I will post my results and what I did). I discovered something before I fell asleep….yes…the truth is out….photography, art, is constantly on my mind. I was not kidding about the hamster in my mind constantly churning… I read something in the Canon manual and in a book that I have been reading, The Hot Shoe Diaries written by Joe McNally. The book (one of six) was part of my prize package that I won for 1st place Wedding/Portraits at Photoshop User Awards 2009 NAPP…my brag moment. Joe McNally goes into great detail of his set up….starting with one flash, two flashes and so on. Seriously, it is a how to book full of diagrams and descriptions. Now, Joe McNally talks Nikon but I do not see how a Canon user cannot follow and apply what he is teaching so brilliantly. In 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' Joe McNally talks about using small flashes and getting big light and quite honestly looking at his images I never would have thought the simplicity of the shots…at first what comes to mind is some type of elaborate set up that I cannot a: afford b: have room for, for instance he gives you a great shot of man in front of some metal scraps…looks great!….I think studio shot, lots of lights, cables… not so…he shows you the set up ..a backyard studio. The backyard studio I have room for! Summer will be interesting (hope the neighbours will not mind). He shares with you the set up and describes in detail how he took the shot. I have not finished reading the book yet but so far it is very interesting… he is very encouraging and humours, which makes it a fun read…there is a lot of tech talk but important tech talk which he shows you how to work through it. He answers the questions that enter your mind. He does not loose your attention. I see his work and it is brilliant. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about flashes and using them creatively. I choose wisely.