Seizing Every Opportunity to Celebrate

I filled the 8GB card today. Wait, I mean, not all from pictures I took today. I was "shooting from the hip" (okay, literally I was) getting chased by my boy on his bike when I hit the "card full" limit. COOL! It felt like a tiny bit of a milestone, so I wanted to share.

Sunday was World Pinhole Camera Day. And, coincidentally, I have the perfect space to try some camera obscura. Unfortunately, I didn't plan ahead, and didn't attempt blacking out my space until I woke up on Sunday morning. By the time I got the place mostly blacked out, the sun was too high and the picture was too low on the wall/floor. I left the setup for the day so I could see again this morning... but it was pretty cloudy and the picture wasn't very vibrant. Also, one day without natural light coming in was too much, so I tore it down today. I shall try again this summer, setting up the night before when the forecast calls for sunshine.

Successful Afternoon

There was a photo project for Earth Day... creating a mosaic of the entire planet. Just in case I could snap a good photo, I went out on the cloudy early evening with tripod in one hand, and baby in the other. Of course, as usual, photos without kids (or at least people) in them don't inspire me much, and I ended up playing with portraits instead.

Canon EOS 30D, 4/22/2009 4:26:48 PM, Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter Speed: 1/500, Aperture Value: 3.5, Evaluative Metering, ISO Speed: 100, Lens: 17.0 - 50.0mm, Focal Length: 33.0mm, Flash: Off, White Balance Mode: Daylight, AF Mode: Manual

I like the field with dandelions, but couldn't find a spot with the perfect background. It would be nicer without the house and such. On some other shots, it's not there... but I love the kids faces on this one. The bugs were bugging them. (Sorry for the bad pun, couldn't help myself.)

Canon EOS 30D, 4/22/2009 4:29:22 PM, Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter Speed: 1/640, Aperture Value: 3.5, Evaluative Metering, ISO Speed: 100, Lens: 17.0 - 50.0mm, Focal Length: 47.0mm, Flash: Off, White Balance Mode: Daylight, AF Mode: Manual

I'm a sucker for these blue eyes. I touched up another one that I think highlights his eyes much more.

Canon EOS 30D, 4/22/2009 4:57:02 PM, Shooting Mode: Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture Value: 2.8, Evaluative Metering, ISO Speed: 100, Lens: 17.0 - 50.0mm, Focal Length: 30.0mm, Flash: Off, White Balance Mode: Shade, AF Mode: Manual

Nothing to say, nothing to add on this one. I'm happy with it, especially the depth of field.
Wait, nevermind. I'd like to edit out all the little pieces of grass and debris on his shirt.

As always, I'd love to hear your opinions, advice, critiques, etc.

Sunday Afternoon

I would prefer brighter colors, and if I'm understanding things correctly, that would need a longer exposure. Of course, on such a bright afternoon that would affect other settings as well.

Model = Canon EOS 30D
Exposure Time = 1/1250"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Date Time Original = 2009-04-19 11:54:31
Aperture Value = 2.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 46mm
Color Space = sRGB
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
White Balance = Manual white balance

I took several photos which I like much better than this one, but I wanted to mess with them a bit, so they didn't qualify to go on this "no edits allowed" blog.

Note to Self: Check Settings Every Time

I could kick myself.

The last time I had taken out the camera for practice was when I went to watch the kiddos swimming lessons. We were in a large indoor pool, I was far away on the bleachers, the kids were moving fast, and I was trying to capture fun moments = high ISO.

Yesterday, I spent the day with a bunch on elementary school kids while they spent the day in a beautiful church. I would only be busy playing piano for a tiny part of the time. Great photo op.

I forgot to change the ISO, and now all the pictures are grainy. BOO!

At least I can give myself props for knowing what my mistake was.


Camera Model Canon EOS 30D
Shooting Date/Time 4/17/2009 9:44:33 AM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/30
Av( Aperture Value ) 2.8
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 1600
Lens 17.0 - 50.0mm
Focal Length 39.0mm
Image Size 3504x2336
Image Quality RAW
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing
Picture Style Portrait
Sharpness 2
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Noise Reduction Off

P.S. I found this photo interesting. I usually really prefer faces, but this one captured the spirit of the event for me. (These girls were way to excited to be together, out of school for the day, and having fun to really give their best attention to the director.) Plus, since I don't have explicit permission from the girls to post their photos to the blogosphere, I didn't choose one that clearly showed faces.

Shadow and Light

I played a bit with the new lens, and in following my rules, this photo gets no editing... unfortunately for his face. It's probably easy enough to dodge and fix it in photoshop, right? How would I avoid something like this in natural lighting without post processing, though? Just don't take pictures of people in caps?

Model = Canon EOS 30D
Exposure Time = 1/250"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Date Time Original = 2009-04-10 19:17:28
Shutter Speed Value = 7.97 TV
Aperture Value = 2.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 50mm
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance

Wahoo!

Finally, I've taken some manual shots that I'm happy with. No color editing was needed. Improvement has already begun!


Canon EOS 30D
Date Time = 2009-04-07 14:56:02
Exposure Time = 1/80"
F Number = F5.6
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Shutter Speed Value = 6.32 TV
Aperture Value = 4.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Focal Length = 50mm
Maker Note = 2786 Byte
Color Space = sRGB
White Balance = Manual white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

Easy as 1, 2, 3

1) I finally got brave enough to force myself to use fully manual settings. Can we say ugly?



2) With the JPG file, this was as good as I could get on the touch ups.

3) But with the raw file, this is what I came up with. Great? No. Salvaged? Yes! I'm a little too excited about how much easier it is to manipulate the raw files.

Kids in Action

Post four and I'm already cheating. I didn't take these photos on fully manual settings, and I'm pretty disappointed in myself. The Cousins came over today, it was one of the first non-rainy days of Spring, and I knew I'd want to spend the day behind the camera. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to study the manual well enough - and I couldn't figure out how to adjust the aperture or white balance. I know I could get better shots than this if I MAKE myself learn how to use the manual settings.


I would much prefer the background trees to be blurred, and the kids in focus. Post processing will turn these into a good photos, though. I do love photographing kids in action.




One good thing about these pics is that I didn't crop them, and I like the framing. (Well, I should crop out the broken slide, but overall it's not too bad.) Another good thing about today is that I practiced group portraits... something I'm obviously going to need for the wedding. I utilized the burst mode, but still didn't get a completely perfect shot with everybody's eyes in view. Ten kids and six adults are not easy. Hopefully I can get some more group shot practice in before the wedding. (August.) Do I have any volunteers?

Shutter Play

After looking up how to adjust shutter speed, I wanted to play with it.

Exposure Time = 1/2"
F Number = F6.3
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 1250
Date Time Original = 2009-03-31 20:55:20
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 1 TV
Aperture Value = 5.31 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 35mm
Color Space = sRGB
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

A little over exposed this time. I think turning off some of the lights in the room would have been the best solution. Then, I could have used a bit more time to capture even more of my son's motion. Also, dressing him in brighter clothes for more contrast may have helped. Also, having a more stable tripod and a safe place where the baby couldn't use it as a standing aid would have improved the situation. Also, I think the wall painted yellow would be nice.

Lessons:
Tripod - Having a big sturdy tripod would be beneficial.
Shutter Speed - I need more practice.

Depth of Field

DPS has weekly assignments, and I figured this was a great place to start for practice. This week's assignment was on depth of field. This was my first real venture out where I restricted myself regarding auto settings. The first thing I discovered I needed to learn how to properly use my tripod. I figured it out (with DH's help) after taking these pictures, and made do with some unstable support.

Exposure Time = 1/250"

F Number = F5.6
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 1250
Date Time Original = 2009-03-31 19:22:22
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 7.97 TV
Aperture Value = 4.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 50mm
Color Space = sRGB
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

Evening was at hand, and I realized I had no idea how to adjust the shutter speed. Such a basic thing! The camera manual was inside, so I couldn't look it up right away. This is part of the reason I'm starting this blog. I want to be able to look back and see how far I've come!

Today's lessons:
Tripod - If you pull the tabs out too far, the legs lock up. Find the middle ground for adjusting.
Shutter Speed Adjustment - from page 90 of the manual: "While looking at the LCD panel, turn the mail dial." I knew it had to be simple.

I hope I get better...

I haven't played with SLR photography since the dawning of digital... so I was still in film. Black & White, no less, self processing in a dark room at a Jr. College. When I transfered schools, the photography classes were for art majors only (!) so my habit dropped off. (Likely saving me a pretty penny.)

It's time, however, to pick things back up again and relearn the (now d)SLR craft. With the purchase of a Canon 30D camera, and an inexpensive lens for starters (waiting for the better one to arrive in the mail), I will post my unedited experiments here.

My rules for the pics on this blog:

• NO auto settings... this is to learn to be a skilled photographer, and not rely on the camera to do the work for me.
• NO post-processing... this is to show full honesty in my own picture taking skill. Later, if I want to practice something in post processing, I will be sure to say so on the posted photo.
  

Critiques and suggestions are welcome.