I Have Decided

I am going to continue practicing my photography of course, and will start building a portfolio. I realize 3 main problems I have.

I need to really nail down my style and stick to post production that matches my style. (sometimes I get to edit happy)

I need to start exploring wide angle shots. I love eyes and tend to do too many close ups.

I need experience with more than one person in front of my camera.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Need Some Advice

This is going out to my fellow photographers and inspiring photographers alike. In June it will be one year since I got my DSRL. Since then I have done nothing but take photos. I have realized what type of photographer I want to be and have a pretty solid business plan in order. The only thing I am hung up one is am I ready?

So here are a few samples of some recent work. Be brutally honest and let me know what is good, bad, and needs improvement. Also please excuse the storyboards just threw them together quickly.



My logo

Some Challenges

Interview

So Kelsey and I decided to swap interviews. She is kinda awesome and you should so go check her blog out now! Seriously she has an awesome photo contest you can join :P Anyways here is her interview go over to her site to check mine out.

When did you start blogging and why?

 I started blogging about January of last year, an now I'm totally
addicted. All the way :)

Describe your blog in 3 words.

 fun, expressive, awesome

How did you become interested in photography?

I saw my friend's blog, a photo blog, an I was like, "wow, she's
goooooood!" so I got one and then, I'm hooked.

What kind of camera and equipment do you use?

I use a nikon d3100, gotten in February of this year, and a 18-55
mm lens, also a 55-200 mm lens. I love both of them!

What are some other hobbies you enjoy?

 I love to write (currently writing a novel), read, sew (I'm a
freak of sewing haha), and swim. I play basketball with my awesome
sisters in the driveway all the time :)

what are some of your future goals?

some of my future goals are to become a doctor (maybe), get lots
of followers on my blog, redecorate my room, and take AP biology

Edit Me : Flower

I love doing these challenges, so fun! Photo not taken by me, but edited by me.

 Here is the SOOC


The SOOC was nearly perfect and a beautiful capture! So when editing I decided to go for a whimsical feel. In Lightroom I ran my vintage photo fader preset. Then in PSP I added 2 different color bokah textures and proceeded the adjust them until the final effect was achieved.

I Was Featured

Thank you

Scavenger Hunt

Decay


Group of three
3 flower pots


Kitchen


Things that make you go hmmmm


Me time
Finding hearts in clouds

Just My 2 Cents

For awhile now I have noticed that some bloggers hosting photo challenges are a little bias. Now if you are a blogger who hosts do not jump the gun and assume I am talking about you, I am more so talking in general terms. For a while now I have seen contests I have entered and some I have not entered continually pick the same people every week.

Before I got discouraged and thought my photos most be horrible because I am not "winning". Now I realize it is not just me, but a lot of awesome people out there who are getting over looked as well. One contest from a week ago just posted her winners and Although I did not enter I wanted to see the entries. So I looked at them all and the ones she picked were honestly not as good as a lot of the other ones I saw.

I am not writing this to accuse anyone, but more or less to encourage other bloggers who feel over looked. If your photo was not picked for a challenge and you thought for certain it would be at least featured, do not get discouraged.Unfortunately a lot of bloggers form little clicks and they will only pick people they know. Which is why I do not do "contests" anymore. I know my photography is not the greatest, but I know I am good and getting better everyday. So I do not need validation from a random person picking me as a top photo of the week.

I get my validation from wonderful comments and from friends and family who want me to shoot for them. So the next you feel this why remember these things. Also if you are like me and love to participate in link ups, do the ones that do not pick winners. This way you will not have to worry about not being good enough and instead focus on getting and giving feedback to other photographers.

Taking Great Photos With A Point & Shoot

Before I got my Canon Rebel, I had a simple Casio point and shoot. Nothing fancy about it what so ever. After becoming interested in photography I really wanted to get some great shots, but without a DSRL I had no choice then to use my point and shoot.


This is when I started learning about the magic of light. My particular camera did not have a manual mode, so I shot in portrait or landscape mode.This why I had some control over the camera. Learning about lighting is not only the best thing photographers can do, but anyone who wants to take a decent picture.


Since most basic point and shoots do not let you have control over shutter sped, iso, etc. The best why to get a great photo is to find a wide open space in either an all shady or all sunny area (not direct sunlight). This way shadows will not be casted on your subject and you will be less likely to have to use the flash. This means more natural light and better looking photos.


When shooting during a sunset always have your subject against the sun. This way they will not facing the sunlight directly (which causes over exposure and squinty eyes) and you can create a silhouette by using no flash or a beautiful subject and background by putting on the flash. Also if the sun is not yet fully set try to use a building or tree to block out direct sunlight from your subject.


When shooting in doors something I learned that works really well is to close all blinds and curtains and turn off the lights. Since most point and shoots are not really mad for taking indoor photos without a flash this will create a cool effect. Since your camera will be pointed at your subject they light from the flash will only illuminate them. This makes a pseudo studio effect.


Finally even though you may not have a professional camera, this does not mean you can not get creative. I learned and got some of my best shots by playing around with my old point and shoot. All you need to do is practice , be inspired, and have fun!

The Most Random Post Ever

So it is 5am and I can not sleep. Seriously I do not know what the heck is wrong with me. For the past week or so I just can not fall asleep! I end up falling asleep around 5 or 6 am and then waking up at round 12 when G comes to bed (he works nights). It is crazy. So basically I spend all night thinking about ideas, photography, etc.

I have been thinking about maybe starting to do some photography tips and tricks on this blog. I know I am no expert, but let me tell you I work my butt of learning everything I can about my camera, photographic "rules", lighting, post production, etc ,etc. Some of what I have learn works, some I never use again. I thought sharing might help others while it helps me organize and filter my thoughts. What do you all think?

Speaking of photography I got my new 70-300mm lens! It is amazing. Maybe it is not the top of line, but honestly with a little practice and really know your camera it takes beautiful pictures! ( See my whole camera bag here). Here are some pictures I took recently, nothing fancy just playing around.

I Am Beautiful

I have not been feeling very well. So no new selfies this week. However I still wanted to participate in the challenge. So here is one from last week that I liked and I added the words that the picture speaks.

Two For The Price Of One

Here are 2 post productions done in lightroom using a new preset I created.