Blogging and photo logging with Cynthia!

2012-02-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Getting some expert advice!

In my lastblog I covered the four main areas I plan to learn about and improve on; capturingthe moment, finding my focal point, using the available lighting and techniquesand formatting. I have chosen three mainresources to help me along. Theseresources are: the Autobiography of Ansel Adams, the National Geographic E- Guideto Photography, and the Nikon L120 Users Manual. Below, I would like to explain why I chose them.

Ansel Adams

An Autobiography

http://www.digital-fotografie.us/2011/06/30/ansel-adams-an-autobiography/

I chose this book because he is myfavorite photographer. The way hedescribes the beauty of his subjects shows his passion and his ability to useand manipulate light shows his genius and his extreme talent. His close work with the Sierra Club is alsosomething I admire in him.

The NationalGeographic E- Guide to Photography

www.workspresso.wordpress.com

I chosethis guide because since childhood I have been mesmerized by their photographsand films. The photographer’s ability toget right in where the action is and their ability to catch the split secondshot I find amazing. Each photographerhas their own strengths and abilities and I enjoy how this guide gives so manydifferent perspectives.

The Nikon CoolpixL120 Users Guide

www.manualowl.com

I chose this guide for very obviousreasons. Even though I have owned thiscamera for almost 9 months now, I still have yet to finish the guide. I have a hard time learning just reading, I ammore of a, learn by doing kind of girl. Ihave been concentrating on learning about landscape photography. I am going on a tiny road tip through Southern Indiana this weekend and I can’t wait to use my new knowledge tocapture some great landscape shots!

2012-02-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

Getting a bit more organized….outline time!!

I havechosen four main areas to study and improve on. With the help from my resources I have put together an outline of theseareas and how I intend to improve upon them.

Capturing theMoment

∙ Learn to trust my instinct.

∙ Move away from distracting backgrounds or people.

∙ Try to disappear during intimate moments so not to interfere.

∙ Learn to wait and be patient, this is hard for me.

Focal Points

∙ Go lower to the ground where the action is.

∙ Go higher to capture a larger area, even if it’s just a stepstool.

∙ Choose a background with out a lot of highlights.

∙ Ask myself,”what am I taking a picture of?”.

Lighting

∙ Find the light, then the shot.

∙ Manipulate the light if possible.

∙ Use a fast lens and try not to zoom.

∙ Calm down! Shake = Blur.

Formatting and Technique

∙ Finish learning the setting and features of my camera.

∙ Face my subject and rotate with my shoulders.

∙ Practice, “Hail Mary”, shots. Hold the camera over my head and pray. These can be fun!

∙ Use a puddle of water for reflection shots. This sounds fun!

"Hail Mary"

Getting "intimate" with my shot!

Getting low to the ground.

Question? Hmmmm........

2012-01-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome back to myblog! I have done a lot of brainstormingsince my last post and I have come up with s series of questions. my hope is that theywill help me better understand the technical aspects of photography.Understanding what it is I need to learn and where I struggle in each question will in turn alsohelp me to capture and convey exactly what I want from each of my shots. If am serious about bettering myself as aphotographer I need to be able to think, see, and question things like aphotographer.

How do you capture the moment? I have a particularly hard time capturingmoments when my subject is in action. Ican take pictures all day long of briges and old barns. They’re not going anywhere and don’t plan toanytime soon! My three year old and pets,for example are another story.

What is the visual focal point of my shot? I really enjoy photographing cemeteries butI find that my shots seem to have too many focal points. I tend only to photograph smallfamily or church cemeteries with only a few dozen graves, but even in these smaller amounts I usually end up with a shot that I amunhappy with.

Do I have enough light? Lighthas always been my friend and my foe. Idespise using a flash! Unfortunately,many of my pictures are in lowlight areas. My favorite time to take pictures is at dusk and dawn You only have a limited amount of time thoughto get your shots. I love photographingthe Ohio River at dusk. The sun sets behind the knobs and is just beautiful. I waste a lot of my time fighting with thecamera over what is sufficient light! Ineed to learn how to better utilize my light and time.

What formats could I try to improve the quality of my shot? My camera has so many setting I get lostin them! I’ve been playing with the “sportscontinuous” feature of my camera. I havetaken over 300 shots in this modeand I still have trouble figuring out if the feature is on or off. I have a nice camera. It’s not the greatest and I don’t haveNational Geographic blowing up my phone trying to get me to go on safari withthem but is has give me many shots that I am proud of. I know that if I really got to know my cameraon a much deeper level I could get the shot I see in front of me and in my mind.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog and my not so great pictures! I like to keep some of my less than perfect ones so I can see where I need improvement. I welcome you questions and comments!

Blog 1 Focusing on my interest in photography!

2012-01-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my blog! This blog is intended to document my growthas a photographer and blogger in the process! In this first entry I would likeyou to get to know me a bit as a photographer and how my early influences, loveof my subjects and personal and technical limitations have all helped to shapewho I am as a photographer. I hope youenjoy my blog!

My fascination with photographybegan at a young age thumbing through the pictures in my father’s NationalGeographic magazines. It was exciting totravel to these exotic places and see the people who lived there, before Icould even read. During my studies ofthe Great Depression in junior high I was introduced to the works of DorotheaLange. Her ability to capture the momentand her use of available lighting has always impressed and inspired me. In the spring of 1999, I was introduced tothe works of Ansel Adams. I went to seeone of his shows at the J.B Speed Museum and was completely blownaway. These beautiful black and whitepictures of nature, pure and simple resonated with me.

When I findtime to, I especially like to take pictures of dilapidated homes and barns,train tracks and trestles, old bridges and the occasional covered bridge, smallcemeteries, anything nature, churches, and my beautiful daughter Lilly. One of my favorite pastimes is to takeIndiana State Road 11 from New Albanyto Maukport. It runs along the river andoffers many opportunities for me to capture what I love. The journey does not end there though. After years of traveling this road with mysignificant other we stumbled across a small town which immediately stole myheart. In 2010, the U.S census bureau countedthe population of New Amsterdam Indianaas only being 1, this is my kind of town http://www.wdrb.com/story/12140830/bernsons-corner-the-power-of-one. This town offerseverything from old farms, barns and orchards to churches and forgotten cemeteries. Most of all it offers milesand miles of peace and quiet, something that is hard for me to find here in thecity of Louisville.

As much asI love photography, having never taken a photography class has hindered myabilities in some areas. I would like tobe able to work more adequately with the light I have available, I hate using aflash or artificial light. Choosing thebest angle for close up shots is another area I have trouble with. Many times my camera will focus on an areathat is not what I desire and I end up with close up of something that isunrecognizable. Lastly, we come to my 3^rdand toughest challenge, the action shot. The subject of most of my action shots are of my precious daughter. Threeyear olds are ALWAYS in action, unless of course they are asleep. I have gotten some beautiful shots of Lillysleeping but most shots of her end up being deleted because no one wants apicture of a blur!

I intend totackle these obstacles by finally watching the instructional video that came withmy new camera, researching these areas that need improvement and questioning afriend of mine who runs her own successful photography business. I know I will have difficulty due to thelimitations of my camera but I look forward to finding ways around thesesituations.

I can seewhere the potential to reach millions of people is here in this blog so I willtry hard not to disappoint! I really amlooking forward to growing as a photographer and blogger. If you have any questions for me please feelfree to ask. The following are a few ofmy favorite photographs.

Frost in my backyard Fall 2011

Waterfall Doe Run Inn Spring 2011

Abandoned home Indiana State Road 11 Early Spring 2011

Covered Bridge Central Indiana June 2011

Lilly age 3

Lilly at the Louisville Zoo Summer 2011

Otter Creek Park June 2011

Field in Southern Indiana Early Spring 2011

Significant other AKA Jeremy June 2011

Reflection off chuch window. Mammoth Cave State Park Fall 2011