A Resolution Reviewed

In 2012 I set the goal to get better at photography and I worked on increasing my skills, my understanding, and challenging myself.      In 2012 I learned how to shoot in manual mode (all on my own!) I took two photography classes through ClickinMoms  and loved them!   I learned about back button focusing and I expanded my photography subjects and started taking pictures for other people.  

1/50s, f/5.0, ISO: 3200

Can I just say that before I decided to really get serious about learning - I had no idea about the best way to achieve good light!   The above setting are a testament to that!   Goodness.  Sometimes though I still got lucky with those settings.  It's a smart camera after all! I did know that those three items could be manipulated to do it and I knew what they all did - but I just didn't know the best way to get the best light.   Sometimes I had good light and could achieve good shots like this one (taken 2 days earlier.)

1/125, f/3.5, ISO: 1600

At the end of the month I set my resolution for 2012 (yes at the end of January.)  And I started studying.   I switched to specific point focusing, then moved into manual mode.   A few months into 2012 I upgraded my lenses and kicked it up a notch more with clicking and studying the photos.

1/180s, f/1.8, ISO: 400

1/750s, f/3.5, ISO: 100

1/180s, f/13.0, ISO: 100

I did challenges from various blogs, ClickinMoms, and other places to help challenge myself into new ways to do things: shadows, stopping motion, etc..  It was fun to try and manipulate my camera to achieve these.  :)

My first newborn shoot!

In June I had the pleasure of photographing the seven-day-old cutie: Savannah along with her family.  It was a lot of fun, great learning experience, and did I mention sooo much fun!  Their house has such amazing lighting!   

1/500s, f/4.0, ISO: 400

In July I was asked by my church to photograph our VBS program and I had SUCH a great time doing it!   It was a fun challenge (churches are dark!) and that brought an excellent opportunity excuse to buy my external flash and learn to use it as well.  

 

1/750s, f/1.8, ISO: 800

At the end on of July I took an online photography class and I'm so glad I did!  It was great to be challenged and have feedback.  This was my third week's assignment photo - there is no editing in this shot. 

 

1/250s, f/2.0, ISO: 800

1/125s, f/2.8, ISO: 800



I enjoyed very much doing a One Year Old shoot with a cake smash!  She was so sweet and it was fun to watch her munch on the cake.  :) Messy!!! 

A few weeks later I did another smash session for my friend Katie and her two year old daughter Kennedy!  I struggled in post processing a lot with this shoot - the yellows were killing me! 

1.5s, f/4.5, ISO: 100

1.5s, f/3.5, ISO: 100

Disneyland!  What a better place to do some motion shots!!!   I was particularly happy because I knew exactly what to do to achieve them! :)

I did some family shots for my friend Carrie and her family while down in So Cal.   Their little girl is super cute!

1/250s, f/1.4, ISO: 400

1/90s, f/3.5, ISO: 200 (with external flash)

1/45s, f/3.5, ISO: 200

Final photos of 2012 and the one of Mae might be my favorite of the year.    The final shot of our family was achieved with a timer and a tripod.  :)   It was a good year of education in photography and I am so thankful for the loving husband that was happy to entertain the shutter clicking, the dollar spending investing, and being the subject matter far more than he would choose to.  Can't wait to further improve in 2013!

I call 2012's resolution a success!   Now what to choose for 2013?! :)

Shutterbug Resolved....

I read some where that 45% of New Year Resolutions fail by the end of January... so this year I decided to give myself some momentum into the new year. Recover from the holidays, get myself into a new pace of regular life before then heaping a new challenge onto my plate.  I think if more people did this - perhaps those grandiose endeavours, ideas, and goals might have a better success rate. Start in February!  After all the year is still pretty darn new and we're only really getting out of the holiday haze anyway.   I digress...

I've been thinking about what I want to focus and challenge myself on this year - I wanted to do something that wasn't just focused solely on me, but something that my family could also be involved with - yet still focused and presented me with the challenge.    It didn't seem too difficult to decide what that challenge, goal, endeavor would be for me: photography.   Last year I acquired some of my main tools of the trade in order to become a 'contender' in the art of photography.    I've always had the passion for a great shot, last year I got the tools for a beautiful crisp shot, and now this year I want to enhance my knowledge (and implementation) to achieve those shots.   This is my goal, my passion, my resolution for 2012.

I've always been a shutterbug.  I recall my first camera - it was a sleek long skinny blue rectangle that held the small film cases, I had the 5 bulb pop flashes that affixed to the top... ha! I even found one for sale on eBay when I went looking just now.  In high school I would expend excessive amounts of film goofing off with friends. I remember the anticipation of being able to rush to the store to see what had developed.   I used film all through college, it was only half way through college that I got my first digital camera.    How did I ever live so long without it?  My world of megapixels has only grown since then - my cameras went from big, to smaller and smaller, back to relatively big.  :)  Last year I embarked further into more equipment beyond just the point and shoot into the SLR world and further into the world of development and enhancement on the computer with PSE and Lightroom.     I am excited to challenge myself to learn more, take more photos (I can hear my husband groaning now!) and really try to capture life in the best light possible - and with sharp focus to boot! ;-)

So this year you'll see a lot more photography themed posts, more photo challenges participated in, and perhaps even though we're 4 weeks into this year, I might just catch up and participate in a Project 52 series.   We shall see.  But for 2012 I hereby resolve to sharpen my shutterbug skills.