Day 12 of Pinterest ~ Dreamy Photos

Welcome to Day 12 of

 

 

Today I’m going to share some adorable and dreamy photographs (images) that I would love to have taken myself or try to recreate someday.

 

Last week, my bloggin’ buddy Jan (from The Diamond E) joined me in Arlington for an evening class covering the basics of Photoshop. Now, let me just tell you that my brain still feels like mashed potatoes!!!! Good thing I took lots of notes because I’m not sure I could enhance an image on the photo-editing software right now if my life depended on it. Needless to say, I really enjoyed meeting Jan and learning some tricks and techniques for improving my photos. I have a LONG way to go, hopefully for the better. Lucky for me, Pinterest has LOTS of photography ideas and Photoshop tutorials directly linked to the “pins” you see on my board and many others.

Have I mentioned lately how much I’m in love with Pinterest?!

 

 

Jan ~ at The Diamond E ~ recently took pictures for a growing family and I am absolutely in LOVE with the photograph below. I think it’s a great way to show “Baby #2″ before he/she arrives. OK fine …… I love any photo with a sharp-dressed man. FINE. There, I said it!!!!!!

 

 

I love these photos too!

 

 

Happy Pinning, Y’all!!!!!

 

 

Shirley Says ~ Final Thoughts

This is the fourth and final segment of Shirley Says from Shirley Vaughn at Shirley Vaughn Photography. She’s offered many helpful and insightful photography tips for all of us interesting in improving our photography ….. thank you, Shirley!!!!!

You can read Shirley’s prior post by clicking here, here, and here.

Hey everybody, this is Shirley again! For our final post on photography tips, I’m going to help you understand the Rule of Thirds.

What is the Rule of Thirds?

The basic idea of this photography technique, is to imagine the image is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, to create nine sections. Within the nine (9) sections, you also create four (4) intersections. Something like this:

The “Rule of Thirds” is a common and accepted rule of composition in photography, as well as other art. When looking at your desired image or scene, decide what your focal point of interest is and place it either on one of the four line or on one of intersecting planes of thirds. For example, in portrait photography, place a person’s eyes on the “rule of thirds” line because the eyes will be the focal point in the picture. If you wish for all of a person to be the focal point, place them on one of the “thirds” lines.

Additional Photography Tips

• When photographing children, get on their level (i.e. sit on the floor) and occasionally show the child a picture you’ve taken and their “performance meter” will increase! Also, encourage them to look at your camera lens by asking them to find a teddy bear inside. Make noises to get and keep their attention too.
• Children and candid shots go hand-in-hand. Place their toys or stuffed animals facing your camera or the light in a way that would be best for a good shot. Allow them to play while you capture them, you’ll be surprised at the precious shots you’ll get!
• Make sure the background where you are shooting is clean and free of any items that you would not want in the picture.
• Photograph older children and adults from slightly above.
• Steady yourself and/or camera by leaning against a door, wall, or post and keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Also, place your elbows securely against your body to avoid any movement. Placing your camera on a tripod is an added benefit too.

Last but not least ……..

HAVE FUN

 

Photography allows you to capture memories that will be preserved forever. Keep on shooting and don’t forget to print and display your work.

Get creative!

Be inspired!

 

Get ready all your Pinterest fans ……… a new series on 27 & Counting begins tomorrow (November 1)!!!!!!

 

 

Friday Fotos @ Fort Worth Stockyards

My mother and grandmother arrived at our house yesterday evening from Kentucky (14 hour drive) with a truck load of canned goods and a giant, huge, massive, very large cooler filled with frozen cut-off sweet corn, bacon, crowder peas, pork sausage and a host of other goodies.

Husband and I are set for the winter, our pantry is fully stocked and we’re ready to rock!

Whenever my mom is in town, she always enjoys spending some time in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Since this is Neenie’s first trip to Texas, we took her for a visit there too. It has been a beautiful day, perfect for watching the Fort Worth Herd walk down Exchange Avenue and sight-seeing through the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth. Plus, you can’t go to the Stockyards without having a meal at Cattleman’s Steakhouse (yum!).

I meant to take a photo of Mom and Neenie today, but I royally failed on that task. I didn’t even think about it until AFTER we returned home. Oops. I’ll snap one later. Promise.

Anyway, back to the Stockyards. Check out these photos:

As we waited for the Fort Worth Herd to make their entrance onto Exchange Avenue, this motorcyclist made about three trips around the crowds that were gathering and I couldn’t help but laugh everytime he passed. Amongst the trucks and trailors and men and women on horseback, this dude wanted to showcase his own version of “horsepower” too ….. I thought it was funny. If he had had room on his bike for my bee-hind, I would have asked for a ride. But, I doubt my teeny-tiny-hiney would’ve fit on that rear bumper. Just sayin’.

After the Herd had passed our spot on the sidewalk, Mom, Neenie, and I made our way to Cattleman’s Steakhouse for lunch. We were walking along when Neenie screamed in delight, “Nicole! You have to take a picture of this road sign!” So I did.

Row-day-oh Drive in California has nothing on Roe-dee-oh Plaza in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Yee Haw Y’all!

Shirley Says ~ Part Two: Aperture

Hi everyone, it’s Shirley again!

I’m back with another share from my mini book, Photographing Children and Families.  Last time we discussed ‘what is a good photograph.’  As I mentioned then, there are three components that determine proper exposure, or lighting, of a photograph. They are aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Today we will discuss APERTURE.

Aperture is the opening (hole) of the lens which lets light pass through. The larger the opening, the more light that can pass through. And, the smaller the opening, the less light that can pass through.

Aperture is measured in F-stops or f/stops (numbers.) Okay, try not to get confused here, but the larger the aperture (opening) the smaller the F-stop (number.) For example, F/2.8 is a larger opening (allows more light) than F16, a smaller opening (allows less light.)

Aperture also determines your depth of field (DOF.) Depth of field refers to the area that is in focus. The larger the aperture (opening), the shorter the depth of field (and F-stop number.) The smaller the aperture, the longer the depth of field.

For example, at f-stop 2.8, you will get a shallow depth of field and, at f-stop 16, you will have a long DOF (focused area.) Therefore, small F-stops are good for portraits in order to blur the background so that it does not distract from your subject, and larger f/stops are better for landscapes and for allowing backgrounds to be in focus.

Small f/stop for close-up portrait and blurry background.Large f/stop for landscapes ... perfect for a family photo at the beach!

Your aperture setting will affect your shutter speed and ISO settings. The larger the aperture (small f/stop number) the more light allowed in, so the faster your shutter speed (less light allowed in) will be. The smaller your aperture, (higher f/stop) the slower your shutter speed will need to be.

Trust me … you’ll understand “aperture” with practice. I promise!

I’ll close for now.  Until next time…Happy Shooting!

Shirley Vaughn

www.Facebook.com/ShirleyVaughnPhotography

Weekly Photo Challenge – POSSIBILITY

Happy Friday, Y’all!!!

Before we get to the photo challenge, I want to remind everybody about the current GIVEAWAY here at 27 & Counting. Miss Shirley over at Shirley Vaughn Photography is providing a copy of her photography booklet to one lucky blog reader. To enter, simply click HERE. The giveaway ends tomorrow (Oct 15) at 10pm. Be sure to read her informative post too in a new series called Shirley Says.

Now to the Weekly Photo Challenge ……..

POSSIBILITY …. where does the staircase lead? What’s waiting on the other side? Do the steps represent a journey’s beginning or end? There’s so many possibilities!!!!

Don’t forget to enter the Photography Giveaway and please, have a great weekend!

Shirley Says ~ Part One ….. What makes a good photograph? ( + giveaway!!!!!!)

The giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all participants! The winner of the Shirley Vaughn Photography mini-book is…….. JENNY.

Congratulations, Jenny!!!!!! Check your email for further instructions.

 

Shirley Says ~ Part One

The following information is provided by Shirley Vaughn, a professional photographer from Panama City, Florida. Shirley and I met through an online community bulletin board at I Heart Faces. I hope you enjoy her post (the first of many) and be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY! 

What is a good photograph?

In my opinion, a good photograph is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, there are many photos that I have seen by professionals that made me say, “I deleted three just like that last week…Are you kidding me?” Then, there are photos of my family that others may think…”So what?” while I am thinking, “That’s the first time she wrinkled her nose when she smiled.” I love this photo – what a cute little pout!!!!!

Shirley Vaughn Photography

One quality that makes a good photograph is its ability to convey emotion. Emotion in a photograph, or any work of art, helps the viewer connect with that photograph in a personal way. Many times it makes the viewer become invested in that photograph by stirring up feelings and memories that are a part of his or her life and the viewer is drawn to that image. Emotion, or feeling, is what can take a snapshot and make it a memorable and valued portrait.

Shirley Vaughn Photography

We all start with different backgrounds and different cameras but have one goal: to take better photos. I want to say that the camera you have is really not as important as we might want to blame. I have seen some wonderful pictures taken with a cell phone and the post processing of these made them have that “wow” factor. Some of my favorite pictures I took with my husband’s point & shoot camera. (Of course I still LOVE my Nikon DSLR.)

What crucial item do you need for a good photograph?

LIGHT

Not only do you need light, but you must know how to compose your picture. The three controls of your light are aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The combination of these three things determine whether your exposure is adequate and accurate. It’s these three things, along with composition, editing, and other techniques that I will share with you later.

Until then, HAPPY SHOOTING!

Shirley @ Shirley Vaughn Photography

In response to Nicole’s generous invitation to be a guest writer on her blog, I’m giving a copy of my mini book, Photographing Children & Families, to one lucky reader. Follow the simple directions below to enter this contest.

MANDATORY ENTRY

Answer this question: Do you prefer a printed book or digital e-book?

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES

• “Like” Shirley Vaughn Photography on Facebook
• “Like” 27 & Counting on Facebook
• Follow @nmhutch on Twitter
• Subscribe to 27 & Counting by email

 

THE RULES

• You must leave a comment on this blog post for EACH entry.
• A maximum of five (5) entries per person, please.
• Open to U.S. residents only.
• Contest ends Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 pm (CST).

 

Thank you, Shirley for providing this photography series and offering a copy of your book.

Good luck to all the contest participants!

Weekly Photo Challenge ~ SUNSET

Wow, it’s Friday again? Already?! This week’s photo theme from The Daily Post is SUNSET.

Again, I tried not to be so obvious with my interpretation with this week’s theme. This is a photo – on of my all-time favorites - from an evening at the roping arena when the sun was just beginning to set over the horizon. I think this handsome lil’ fella was enjoying the cool breeze and nice view of the action. It helped that he was curious and photogenic for the goofy photographer woman-with-a-camera! 

Enjoy. Plus, you can share your own photos at The Daily Post too. I hope you will comment and share your own submission link(s) too!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend, Y’all!

 

A Touch of Sun

I Heart Faces has posted another weekly theme and I’m glad to participate and be a part of this community of photographers. I don’t consider myself a photographer, I’m not that talented. I’m continuously amazed by (and envious of) the wonderful photographs submitted week after week. I’m nowhere near the caliber of most participants, but I’m not giving up.

This week’s theme is A Touch of Sun. The photo below was taken with my Nikon D5000 the day it arrived on my doorstep. I literally opened the box, attached a lens, and drove to the roping pen (in that order!) to watch Husband do his thing. Fortunately, the sun was hovering above a line of trees and provided a golden glow amongst the cattle, horses, ropers, and spectactors. I ~ surprisingly ~ captured a few decent shots.

Husband gave me permission and authorization to use this photo. But it wasn’t an easy task. I asked, he said no. I begged. He gave in. Success!

 

 

Husband’s expression doesn’t change much when he’s roping, he looks angry all the time …. don’t be skeered, he’s harmless.

 

Thanks for viewing my weekly IHF submittal, be sure to check out their other photography posts.

 

And, while you’re here, hop on over to the  CURRENT GIVEAWAY post for a set of custom die-cut cards provided by UPrinting.com.

Contest ends September 23.

Please leave giveaway entry comments on the giveaway post, it makes life so much easier for all involved. Oh, and multiple entries are allowed on this one ….. good luck!

 

Peace, love, and sunshine,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• UPrinting.com Giveaway!!!!!!! (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• I Heart Faces ~ WHITE (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• I Heart Faces Photo Challenge – WATER (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• I Heart Faces ~ PETS (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)

Weekly Photo Challenge ~ FACES

I’ve been cooking and slicing and dicing all kinds of goodies today but decided to take a rest and post this week’s photos for The Daily Post. I’m a big fan of this week’s theme ~ faces ~ because it gives me another opportunity to share the beautiful faces of the children I met in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I love these faces …. the represent so many emotions and experiences for me. Hope you enjoy this collection, I couldn’t choose just one to post!

If you want to participate in the Weekly Photo Challenge, check out The Daily Post every Friday for a new theme …. happy weekend, Y’all!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace, love, and beautiful faces,

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Welcome to my blog, and my first installment of Wordless Wednesday.

I’ll stop talking now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace, love, and silence,