Shutter Control- prop: 3 flowers, bottle

Since recently working with film I have been more careful, or hesitant you could say with the shutter. Knowing that every click costs money, makes you think a little harder before pressing that button. After finishing up a role of film, I retorted back to my digital camera to practice some of the same self control with the shutter. I have been trying to work a lot more with props lately. So I told myself, when using my digital camera this time, that I would only take one picture at each location, limiting the amount of photos I took.
Doing this caused me to slow down, and think about the composition before aimlessly snapping away. I found this helped a lot, especially when it comes to choosing the pictures to post. I am more proud of these photos, having in mind that I only took one in that position. I'm going to practice this drill more often.

 

**Hopefully I will have some film shots to post soon, I need to get them developed first!

The Glorious Joy of Being a Photographer.

Personally, I love rain. It makes me want to cuddle up and read a good book or watch a great movie. But After a few days of merciless rain I, like everyone else get a little anxious for another peek at the sun.

So instead of being stuck inside waiting for the sky to clear, I decided to get out in the gloom with my camera and see what I could find.

It's so neat to me the way things look when they are dripping wet.

To me, looking at a picture with rain drops leaves me anxious with wonder. I feel like I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the drip to fall, but it doesn't.

So this is a picture I took, freezing time and capturing the detail of a moment. A moment the can never be recreated.

That is one thing I love about photography...
As a photographer, you get the glorious joy of capturing a single moment in time, and making it last.

This is the South.

Yes, there was a 'snow-storm', which was really more of an 'ice-storm'. Yes, public and private schools were canceled, and yes. This is the south.
I expected to wake up and see my backyard painted white, but I was still in denial that it would actually happen. But, I was still very glad to see a thin layer of ice covering my entire neighborhood, and ice cycles hanging from just about everything:)
So, what did I do? I grabbed my camera and put on a layer of clothing that I expected to keep me warm for the few minutes it took me to snap some pics.
I love looking out my window. It is gorgeous. Sadly, I know by tomorrow that it will be melted, and my taste of the North will be gone. After all, this is the south... and the temperature here has a hard time at making up it's mind.

Dear Scarecrow,

Dear Scarecrow,

You will soon be taken down, put in the attic and replaced by Santas... but don't worry things will be ok. I will miss you, because as you leave, fall goes with you. Don't worry things will be alright. I'll See you next year.

Until then, Maddy

5 things...

5 things... 5 things i like, enjoy, or things that just plain make me happy:)

 

 

Shadow pictures. Any kind of shadow. I love them, they are so unique. I especially like shadows on a building from trees. The best shadows make an appearance around 3-4 o'clock.

Bare feet. Their the best. None can compete, except maybe Chacos, but that is for a later post. Bottom line... i love bare feet, they make me feel free :)

Mirror pictures always turn out so neat. I love taking mirror pictures and looking at other people's mirror pictures. Mirror pics can tell a lot about a person from small details that you have to pay close attention to.

 

 

 

Fall leaves. Who doesn't like fall leaves?  They are gorgeous, unique, and make the world so colorful. Fall leaves is one of the reasons that I am almost completely against leaf blowers... just let the leaves fall where they may...

Apples, refreshing, sweet, satisfying, enjoyable crunch... bliss. I cut my apples a special way that makes them even more enjoyable... i wouldn't say I am the only one that cuts my apples that way, but I like to think so sometimes ;)

"November's Party"

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

October November gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's November's Party"
 

The Power of Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix

*Pictures at Washington park and downtown... Oct. 3oth

Oct. 31st

 

We don't usually do much for Halloween except maybe handing out candy to small neighborhood children, occasionally going to a Halloween party hosted by friends... nothing big.

One thing I really enjoy about October 31st is seeing all the little tots parading down the streets in their super hero and princess costumes, huge smiles on their faces, chocolate smudges smeared across their lips, carrying a bag of candy that weighs more than they do.

This year was extra special... at least it was for a camera nerd like me... :)

I got the privileged of possessing a Canon Rebel Xis for the whole weekend. The camera belongs to the person I take pictures for at FPD events, and he was so kind to let me keep it for the weekend, and let me tell you I was on cloud nine for the last couple days until I was forced to give it back.- Telephoto lens, manual zoom, auto focus...a camera nerd's dream... *harp music

So, My first thought was... Ok, I have this great camera... where do I even begin? 

Well, my mom took me downtown to Ridge Avenue (the 'hoppin' neighborhood) on the night of trick-or-treat.  There were t.o.n.s of people... so many that several police men were in need. 

I felt like such a creeper with my huge camer snapping pictures... so I only took a few...

Next my mom took me to Washington Park to 'snap some pics'- which i will post later.

The weather was great, the night was fun.

After dinner at a deep-dish pizza restaurant downtown we ended the night with a show at the Grand Oprah House :)

Nothing too exciting, but something fun and out of the ordinary to enjoy!

God's Artwork

 

The other night the sky was simply gorgeous! One thing i have noticed it that no sunset is exactly the same. That really makes you appreciate the beauty of God's artwork :)

Another Great Day!

Today was So great! I took a photography class early this morning and learned all about the composition, lighting, placement, contrast and all kind of things about photography. We went swimming, and then we took a cooking class! It was such a fun day! Tomorrow: GRAND CANYON!!!! ahhh.... i'm SO excited!!

Tlaquepaque- Downtown Sadona

I fell in love with this little flower, and I wish I knew the name!

These were taken at Tlaquepaque in downtown Sadona where we ate lunch this afternoon for my Aunt's birthday:) It was beautiful. I felt like I was in a foreign country!

You'll Just Have to Wait!!

These are a few more pictures that I took this week, and I have several more that I will gladly post in a week and a half, but now I am just too darn busy... why not now you ask? busy with what?
The truth is that I am just to darn bust packing for the Grand Canyon to edit a few more pictures, but I decided to lighten my load by posting these, so when I get back so I will have time to edit pictures of my Excursion!! Yes, yes I am so ecstatic! Our flight leaves tomorrow for Ohio.
Ohio? Yes, Ohio, to pick up my grandma... did I mention that it is a girls trip?
yup!- me, my mom, my grandma and my 3 Aunts!
So after Colorado we head to Phoenix, Arizona... and then
Well, Silly, you'll just have to wait for my next blog post!

TTFN!-Maddy :)

Explorations of the Week

Chacos: my friend that goes everywhere I go, and sees all the things I see... My Camera strap: (purple, bottom right corner) helps me explore :)

My sweet kitty... lovely eyes, skittish, on the prowl (recently got injured by a mean stray cat)

Here is a sneak at some different perspectives and angles I have been working on over the past week. Being home schooled has opened a window of opportunity to practice and explore with my camera. The time allowed has given me more encouragement to edit pictures. I look forward to more explorations throughout the year!