Moonlight

I love when there's a full moon and my backyard is all aglow at night.

It's especially pretty with the snow.  

I often do double-takes walking by my window.  Before my D3200 I would only dream of being able to capture such a photo.

I used my "new to me" tripod for the first time.

It took me many shots playing in manual mode to capture what I was seeing with the naked eye.  Sadly I haven't had much practice time since taking that course last August.  I have forgotten some of what I've learned and still don't know how to use my camera really well.  I look forward to that day!  {In fact, I can't remember if I was in manual mode or S priority at this point!}

Practice shots... under and over exposed galore...

After some tweaking and not fully knowing what I was doing... This is as close as I could get!  I almost cheered!  

f/9.  1 sec.  ISO-6400.  24mm {kit lens}

I really need to study and play more because this was taken after many adjustments, not a knowledge of where I should start.  My camera wouldn't even take a picture because it said it was too dark... that was until I pushed the AE-L button {but I don't even fully understand what that does, just random luck}.  But it was clear that it allowed me to take the picture.  

Where is that user manual.... ?

Photographers... what settings would you start on to capture such a photo?  

Learning about light and exposure

I love my photography course!  I'm continuing to learn what makes a great photo but each day I realize how much MORE I have to learn!  {And how much more equipment I wanna buy!!  Yikes!}  I grasp the concept of light, but then need to add aperture. Then I realize shutter speed plays a huge part and never mind ISO which we haven't gotten to yet!  It's been a blast and the online Facebook group has been so fun to be a part of!  We share our photos and get feedback and then we can see other students' photos to help us grasp new concepts too!  

So here are some of my practice shots from this week.  Not perfect but I'm learning!

We talked about light outdoors....  And reflectors.

And indoors... Getting that sparkle in the eyes aka catchlights.

And then we moved on to exposure stuff.

Look at my blurred background... {bokeh - I'm so fancy!}  

Oooooo I'm learning!

My most cooperative model got a bug bite under his eye Friday night.  Poor guy.  Hopefully it clears up soon so I can practice more and get some more cute pics!!

3 days and learning much!

So far so good!  I am really enjoying my photography class over at Shultz Photo School!  We're on day 3 today and I've already learned about composition and lighting.  He really packs a lot into a lesson and speaks in a way that is soooo clear and makes sense to me!  He uses videos AND writes it out.  Sooo glad I signed up!!

I might have thought I had an eye for framing a shot but a lot of times it was one photo out of many and it was luck!  Now I know some fun rules that really help make a photo work.

Composing a picture using better angles, rules of third and leading lines are really new concepts for me.  Today I practiced on my friend's pup who we're watching for two weeks.

Here he is in my garden.
Used rules of third to compose the shot and leading lines work here too. {If you know what that means!}
Nevermind my overgrown, not-so-cared-for garden!

And here is pup staring down his ball hoping I'll throw it to him.

I used a different perspective than just straight on to add a bit of drama.

Love it!  {Even if it could have been framed out a bit better... I am learning!}

So that's the lastest!  So excited to learn photography speak and technique FINALLY!

Taking a course!

Today, I took my kids to a local sunflower field for some photos.  I got so many great ones with my fancy camera!  

Then I got home and went through my pics and sadly my kids aren't as crisp as the leaves closer to the camera.  I know that's a depth of field issue but have no idea how to fix it.  I still don't know how to use my "new" DSLR camera.

Later, I went on a blog I follow called Money Saving Mom and she had a post about Shultz Photo School.  I already subscribed to their emails ages ago and enjoy their tips so I thought... That's it.  I've had enough of using my awesome camera in auto.  Time to learn!  I just signed up for their course "21 Day Photo Fix" after watching the video on this page HERE.  He describes me to a T!  So wish me luck as I learn more about photography!!!

Innocent eyes

So often I look at my kids and wish I had a camera handy to capture a moment.  Usually it's not anything I could possibly capture... more the feeling I get when I look at them and one I wish I could savor forever.  Today I had one of those moments as my sweet girl was by my side talking to me from the floor.  The light was coming in at just the right angle, making her beautiful chocolate eyes sparkle.  Her sweet innocence melting my heart as I think about the girls in Nigeria who were kidnapped.  I am holding this girl more tightly today.  Grateful for my daughter and praying for the Mommas who are grieving and praying for the return of their daughters.  I am praying BIG with a hopeful heart.

Checking in

I'm afraid I didn't continue with a photo a day as I had hoped.  Buuuuuut you know what is this weekend??  TIME CHANGE!  And that means a later sunset.  And that means Spring is coming... warm temps and this chick will be venturing outside again!  Can't wait to take my camera out to explore nature.  Soon.  Soon.

Photos to share

Continuing with the photo challenge, here are some new photos!

Here are some cute snowman coasters that my mother got me years ago.  I love how they nestle in between the snowmen in the front and the trees.  

 I took so many pictures trying to get a good one of the light in my dining room.  I played around with so many settings, realizing I have no idea how to use my camera or what I even it would need to set even if I knew how!  Must get my butt on YouTube and watch some tutorials this week if time allows!

My bamboo plant

My dark curtains in my kitchen.  

My children's open box of crayons with a few impostors!

My son does the cutest art projects at preschool. 

Thank you for taking a look!  Any tips always welcome!!  Or links to your favorite online resources!