Serin Assignment 2

1. What brand and model of camera(s) will you be using for this class?
Olympus Stylus 790SW

2. Is your camera digital or film (you know where you go to the store and buy it and load it into your camera and take a bunch of pictures and then take it back to the store and then pick it up later and then FINALLY get to see what pictures you took!)
Film? What the heck is that?

3. Do you have, or can you get, a copy of the manual for your camera?
Yes

4. On a scale of 1-10, how familiar are you with the features of your camera?
About a 3

5. Do you have, or have access to a camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, what lenses to do have?
If your camera counts then yes ;)

6. Do you have any photo editing software (like Photoshop or Photo Elements)?
Yes

7. Do you have a tripod for your camera?
Yes

8. What percentage of the time do you use your camera on “auto everything” mode
95% Mine has some settings for different situations, but I guess that's pretty much auto. I do play with the flash sometimes though

9. Do you know how the following terms apply to photography: just Yes or No - if you don’t know, don’t try to find out – I’m just trying to figure out where to begin.
a. Aperture - I used too
b. Shutter speed - Yes
c. ISO/ASA - No
d. Focus - Yes
e. Depth of field - I used too
f. Composition - Yes
g. Quality of light - Kinda
h. Exposure - Yes
i. What other photographic terms can you think of?

10. What is your photographic experience?
a. Took a class or two in high school
b. Took a class or two in college
c. Have studied some on my own
d. Have studied a lot on my own
e. Trial and error – I know what I like when I see it
f. I’ve taken some pictures I really like, but I’m not sure how I did it!

11. How much time per week are you willing to spend on these photo assignments?
I don't know... a couple hours

paws Assignment #2

1. What brand and model of camera(s) will you be using for this class?

Olympus Camedia D-390

2. Is your camera digital or film?

Digital

3. Do you have, or can you get, a copy of the manual for your camera?

Yes, I have it.

4. On a scale of 1-10, how familiar are you with the features of your camera?

I'd say a 2. I only ever point and shoot, set the timer, and turn the flash on and off.

5. Do you have, or have access to a camera with interchangeable lenses?

No

6. Do you have any photo editing software (like Photoshop or Photo Elements)?

Yes (Well, vetsac does.)

7. Do you have a tripod for your camera?

Yes.

8. What percentage of the time do you use your camera on “auto everything” mode

100%

9. Do you know how the following terms apply to photography:

a. Aperture - not really
b. Shutter speed - yes
c. ISO/ASA - no
d. Focus - yes
e. Depth of field - no
f. Composition - yes
g. Quality of light - no
h. Exposure - yes
i. What other photographic terms can you think of? none

10. What is your photographic experience? Mostly I admire other people's pictures and don't really take many of my own.

11. How much time per week are you willing to spend on these photo assignments? 1 hour

Jenn Assignment #1

Hi, I am Serin's friend Jenn from Dallas. I am so excited to get some tips and lessons on how to be a better photographer! Here are some of my top 10 favorite pictures:

1. This is my older Daughter Savannah, she is a true little diva and this picture just captures her personality. I love that it was also 100% *not* posed. I looked over at her - she was in dress-up mode as usual, and luckily had my camera close-by so I could snap this picture. Love the lighting (but not the messy background - hey nice pile of folded laundry!) and the one shoulder falling off the dress-up dress.

2. This was taken at a wild-life animal preserve about 2 hours outside of Dallas. I stood up in the car and out the sun roof to get this picture - love the sky, love the bright-vivid colors.
3. This is my baby girl Kate - picture taken at the Dallas Arboretum, she was just learning to sit and had just two little baby teeth. Love the black and white and how the flowers in the background play off of the pattern in her dress.

This is a picture I took during an impromptu photo session and ended up using for Kate's baby announcement. I think it is soft and sweet and calm and shows a little of the bond of sisterhood.

This is one of our wedding pictures (gasp - almost 9 years ago!), I didn't take it, obviously - but I have always loved it. I love the architectural detail of the arch in the background and the shadows.
As a former New Yorker, Central Park will always hold a special place in my heart - again, love the shadows, love the arches.

I love this just because it melts my heart - love the soft natural light - love how my husband's wedding ring looks next to Kate's bracelet. And of course, I just really *love* the subjects!

Who doesn't love a big pregnant belly? This was taken when I was pregnant with Savannah:
Now, my favorite pictures are definitely those found here:

Their pictures are breath-taking, really - art. If I could one day have 1/10th of the talent, I would be thrilled!

Diana Assignment #2

1. What brand and model of camera(s) will you be using for this class?
>Olympus Stylus 750, 7.1 Megapixel

2. Is your camera digital or film
>Digital
3. Do you have, or can you get, a copy of the manual for your camera?
>yes
4. On a scale of 1-10, how familiar are you with the features of your camera?
>4
5. Do you have, or have access to a camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, what lenses to do have?
>no
6. Do you have any photo editing software (like Photoshop or Photo Elements)?
>technically I have access to Photoshop but I have no idea how to use it
7. Do you have a tripod for your camera?
>yes (a little tiny one)
8. What percentage of the time do you use your camera on “auto everything” mode
>nearly 100%
9. Do you know how the following terms apply to photography: just Yes or No - if you don’t know, don’t try to find out – I’m just trying to figure out where to begin.
a. Aperture-kinda
b. Shutter speed-yes
c. ISO/ASA-kinda
d. Focus-yes
e. Depth of field-yes
f. Composition-I think
g. Quality of light-not really
h. Exposure-yes
i. What other photographic terms can you think of?

10. What is your photographic experience?
a. Took a class or two in high school
e. Trial and error – I know what I like when I see it
f. I’ve taken some pictures I really like, but I’m not sure how I did it!

11. How much time per week are you willing to spend on these photo assignments?
>1-2 or more if I am having fun taking pictures!

Vetsac's Assignment #2 answers

1. What brand and model of camera(s) will you be using for this class?
> Canon Powershot G6, 7.1 megapixel

2. Is your camera digital or film?
> Digital

3. Do you have, or can you get, a copy of the manual for your camera?
> Have it

4. On a scale of 1-10, how familiar are you with the features of your camera?
> 8

5. Do you have, or have access to a camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, what lenses to do have?
> My G6 has interchangeable lenses; however, I don't have any to attach.

6. Do you have any photo editing software (like Photoshop or Photo Elements)?
> Yes

7. Do you have a tripod for your camera?
> Yes

8. What percentage of the time do you use your camera on “auto everything” mode
> About 80% of the time

9. Do you know how the following terms apply to photography: just Yes or No.

a. Aperture
> Yes

b. Shutter speed
> Yes

c. ISO/ASA
> Yes (but I'm not familiar with ASA)

d. Focus
> Yes

e. Depth of field
> Somewhat, but I could use some good instruction on this

f. Composition
> Somewhat, but I could use some good instruction on this

g. Quality of light
> Somewhat, but I could use some good instruction on this

h. Exposure
> Yes

i. What other photographic terms can you think of?
> F-stops. I can never remember the relationship between the F# and the size of the opening (i.e. the bigger the #, the smaller the opening), and how depth of field is affected by the F-stop. I ended up writing myself cheatsheets on the back of business cards that I carry in my camera case so I can try to remember.

10. What is your photographic experience?
> c. Have studied some on my own
> e. Trial and error - I know what I like when I see it

11. How much time per week are you willing to spend on these photo assignments?
> 1-2 hours

Assignment #2

In order for me to plan interesting and productive lessons, I need to know what you already know and what experience you have had in photography. Please copy the following questionnaire, answer the questions and either paste them back into the photography blog or, if you are shy, email your questionnaire directly to me.


1. What brand and model of camera(s) will you be using for this class?
2. Is your camera digital or film (you know where you go to the store and buy it and load it into your camera and take a bunch of pictures and then take it back to the store and then pick it up later and then FINALLY get to see what pictures you took!)
3. Do you have, or can you get, a copy of the manual for your camera?
4. On a scale of 1-10, how familiar are you with the features of your camera?
5. Do you have, or have access to a camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, what lenses to do have?
6. Do you have any photo editing software (like Photoshop or Photo Elements)?
7. Do you have a tripod for your camera?
8. What percentage of the time do you use your camera on “auto everything” mode
9. Do you know how the following terms apply to photography: just Yes or No - if you don’t know, don’t try to find out – I’m just trying to figure out where to begin.
a. Aperture
b. Shutter speed
c. ISO/ASA
d. Focus
e. Depth of field
f. Composition
g. Quality of light
h. Exposure
i. What other photographic terms can you think of?
10. What is your photographic experience?
a. Took a class or two in high school
b. Took a class or two in college
c. Have studied some on my own
d. Have studied a lot on my own
e. Trial and error – I know what I like when I see it
f. I’ve taken some pictures I really like, but I’m not sure how I did it!
11. How much time per week are you willing to spend on these photo assignments?


One can take wonderful, creative images with ANY camera! However, if YOU want to take wonderful, creative images with YOUR camera, you must be thoroughly familiar with it and know exactly what it has been programmed to do.

This lesson requires you to find the manual to your camera and keep it handy. You’ll be referring to often. Since we all have different cameras, you may have to dig into your manual and figure out how to apply the principles with your camera.

My disclaimers

Thanks to all of you who submitted your images. I can tell that you put some thought into them and they will be great illustrations of the principles we will be exploring. If any of you have not yet submitted yours - please do.

My disclaimer:
Photographic images and art in general is very subjective – it always has been. Monet broke with the “classic” style and helped to initiate the impressionistic style. Picasso broke from the impressionistic style and founded whatever you call his style (according to Wikipedia, it was called the Cubist style – who would have thought? It’s amazing what you can find in a minute on the internet!). The point is, everyone likes something different. We are going to be discussing principles of photography and have the opportunity to apply those principles however we individually want. It is important that you do not be disappointed if I or someone else is not as excited about your favorite image as you are! Or if I or someone else makes a suggestion on how it might be better (to our eye) when you thought it was perfect just the way you created it. We can have a lot of fun and learn a lot if we all can feel free to express our opinion without fear of offending someone. {End of lecture}

Another disclaimer:
I’ve never conducted a photography class in an online format before so please ask questions, make comments and suggestions and share your ideas - we'll have a great time! Sometime later I'll give you a brief bio, but for right now, I'd rather get started - besides, most of you already know my history!

Romi Assignment #1

I've always been the last one done....I'm a plodder...and a procrastinator :P (like Hanna...but she doesn't seem to be much of a procrastinator). :P I really have been looking for TEN pictures I really like (in digital format...because, let's face it, I wasn't going to get prints scanned at Target before my time was up), but I agree it really is tough, and I didn't know where to start. Then when Diana did her post I was grateful for a lead (thanks for the idea Diana/Ashley!!).

#1: I enjoy the spontaneity of this one (from Flickr.com), the fun it conveys, the way the water frames the side of the picture and the great timing the photographer had to catch that exact moment on film.



#2: I really liked this one because of the light reflecting off the wall and the tree onto BR's face (although I don't like how washed out the tree looks...because of the light). It was posed, but I didn't/don't know anything about lighting so the glow was pure accident...nevertheless, serendipity! I also liked the dreamy look on his face...he has a hard time with fake smiles for pictures, so I like the fact that his face almost looks like it wasn't posed. :P



#3: I loved the feel of magic that this one (from Pfarm Photography) conveys with the warm, gold light in the background. It makes me feel like a kid, the night before Christmas, reading about and believing in Santa Clause.


#4: I like this one of my nephew because of the way that looking through a bubble is like looking at life through the eyes of a child. I just wish I new more about settings and composition...maybe I should have been down a little lower with the camera?? And cut out more of the background?? :P


#5: Pictures with different/unusual perspectives catch my attention so I thought it was cool that with regular glass it would have been a picture of the building out the window (or maybe focused on dirty spots on the glass??) was focused instead on the cracked window. And I also like that the world seems a bit helter skelter beyond the broken glass...like the building is lopsided and could be from a fairy tale like "Through the Looking Glass". (I can't remember which website I found this one on.) :/


#6: On this one (again from Pfarm Photography) I like how the foreground is not in focus and you feel like you have to kind of peek around to see the focus of the picture.


#7: I liked this one (also from Flickr.com) because of the back lighting and the boys being silhouetted against the sunset. I also like the moment that it catches and the feeling of pure, frolicking fun that I get when I look at it.


#8: I love the moment that was captured here! I love how it shows my kids interacting with their dad...and the way that excited terror wells up in my heart just from the look on BR's face. :)


#9: I like how Diana put it, that the focus is on something besides the face, giving it an unusual perspective. (Another from Pfarm Photos.)


#10: I love the emotion that this one (Pfarm Photos) evokes in me!! It's strange to me that although the child is not mine (or related to me) and the grandma is not one of mine, that it would bring me close to tears. I love the contrast of the sweet, wrinkled hands of the grandma holding the soft, plump, tender baby. And also that it doesn't scream posed.


I love so many of the photos that have been posted so far!! It was so hard to choose!! Specifically, I was really drawn to Ashley#'s 5 and 6!! As well as all the beloved "Paula Pics"!! (I'm definitely a big fan!)

P.S. Hey Teach- we're headed to Phoenix in the morning and don't get back till Tuesday, so I hope I don't miss any asignments. :P

Sassley Assignment #1

Okay here are my top 10!! Well there are many images I love but if I must narrow it down then these are some of my favorites. I was recently invited to a photo a day blog that an old friend of mine's wife does . I was curious to check out the site and became blown away by her beautiful images (this is the same site that Diana was also inspired by) . It's not only fun to see their life in photo's but I find myself so moved by her style of photography. The first 6 images are from her blog site and the rest are some from my own files. ENJOY!!

#1. I LOVE everything about this image. The cotton field is such a unique choice and I must say that I also love the choice of clothing. The fluffy vest just adds so much to the image. I love the light in her hair and the they way it hits the top of the cotton tufts. You can tell it was taken at dusk with all that beautiful orange light So pretty!!


#2. I am a sucker for a black and white image. I love how simple and clean this image is and I love that the image is all about her. Again I love the tulle skirt (I guess clothing is a big deal to me)I think it adds a softness to the image. The light is just gorgeous!!
#3. How adorable is this picture. So clever!! I think what I like most about this image is the whole set up. The big umbrella and the matching boots (again with the clothing I know). I like how the black background makes everything POP. #4. This one is good for so many reasons. I love the scenery and the old car out in the field. I really like how the hay bails are out of focus in the background. I love that the kids are seated in the same position and that they are lined up big to little. This is one of those images that just makes you wish you were there. Sitting in a car in a field looking out into the great wide open with the wind blowing in your hair AWWW that sounds refreshing!!

#5. All that fluff with her cute face just peaking out from the top. LOVE IT!! What a unique angle. Again its black and white which I love and the light hitting the fabric is so pretty. The ducky boots peaking out the bottom just make me smile :)

#6. I usually don't care much for pictures of things I much prefer my pictures with people in them. I did however love this image. I really like that it is not an image of the whole house and that it is a close up view so you see all the details. I think she used photoshop to give the image a more overall antique and worn look which I LOVE!! I would hang this picture in my home if I could. #7. I have many picture by Paula that I love. Serin used one of my boys (the one in the pond) that is my all time favorite and is a 30x40 image hanging above my couch. A keepsake I will cherish forever. I did not want to repeat so I chose some other Paula images that I love. I love all the little details in this one. His dirty little foot, the dog on the ground behind him as if to say "Sorry puppy but I just gotta try out this bike", the cute expression, and the scenery is so pretty. To me it tells a little story.
#8. Another great Paula image. I really love the rolling river and the moment of just being a kid that is captured here. He is having fun and his personality is shining through. The little boat in the corner is just an added playful touch that I love. It just seems to complete the image. The lighting in the back behind the trees is just beautiful. #9. Okay there is nothing technically wonderful about this image, but I still love it. I think it captures him at this age so well. Capturing a real moment is a big deal for me. I also really like that its just a head shot and that he is naked as a jaybird. The messy face, the curls, the smile PRICELESS!! #10. This has always been one of my favorites. My sister took it in Estes Park years ago and I love it. I love that this image is capturing a real moment. He isn't looking at the camera with a big smile on his face he is just totally engrossed in flying that kite. His expression tells it all, you just know that his kite is flying high even though you can't see it.
Wow that was harder than I thought. I really hope to learn how to use natural light, be more creative and CAPTURE MOMENTS!!

PAWS Assignment #1

I had a hard time finding 10 images that I love, so here's as many as I can find.

This one was taken by NASA. It's more than the subject matter that moves me in this photo. I like the way the light hits the planet from underneath resulting in an unusual effect.


This one is from National Geographic. I'm not sure why I like it so much.


Hubby took this one. Here I enjoy the intensity of the gaze, the pretty green eyes, and the lighting.

My husband took this one, too. I love the way the saguaro frames the snowcapped Four Peaks mountains in the background and the juxtaposition of desert vs snow.

I gotthis one off of deviantart.com. I like the shape of the picture (I'll call it a shallow rectangle) and the creative way of capturing a detail from someone's life that seems to somehow capture their essence as well.

My husband took this one as well. I love the coloring in the image, as well as the way the roses are framed with the closed rose in the background.

I liked many of the images Diana posted, especially numbers 1, 3, 6, and 10.

Permission

I didn't think about asking permission... what's the SOP on that?

What fun!

Great work! There is still time left everyone. Keep them coming!

Hanna's Assignment #1

Oh gosh, that was WAY harder than I expected it to be. I feel all self-conscious because a) I realize I probably have terrible photography taste, and b) I've never been more aware of our lack of professional pictures as I am at this moment. Sorry about the quality, most came from shutterfly and they always mess it up when I link to their site.

#1 - I appreciate the lack of perfection. No perfect smile, obviously imnperfect hair. The real un-linked picture had such great focus.

#2 - I have a thing for almost naked babies playing, so maybe that's why I love this one. I wish that bedroom door was closed for a cleaner frame - but the overall effect is the type of thing that I would like framed on my wall. Not portrait-y, and I think I like that.

#3 - I might have to remove this if my cousin doesn't grant her permission, but I'll check with her. This picture shows kids' personalities shining through. I always prefer to see that in a family picture vs. the perfectly groomed, poised children-that's just not real life.

#4 - I love the color contrast in this picture. The whole thing is so simple, but I just want to keep looking at it.

#5 - I love the asymmetry going on with that cool wall back there. You can't look away until you've figured out what's crooked; the people or the scenery. Love the casual air.

#6 - Cropped a little too tight in this one, but simple baby-fat cheeks are always a good thing.

#7 - Imperfect, but perfect. Maybe the background is too messy?? I like the contrast.

#8 - I think this needs a better crop-job, but I love the ol' 'big daddy hands coming from outside the frame to hold the little baby' thing that's going on.

#9 - I think the contrast could be softened up a bit on this one, but I REALLY like the framing.
#10 - these are pretty much my favorite people EVER, and this is the style of picture that I would want blown up to some rediculous proportion, framed, and given a place of honor in my house.

Voila! I can't wait to learn how to take some fabulous pictures. I have a whole mess-load of features on my camera that have never been touched.

:)

Are we being graded on this?

This was a hard assignment! I tried to not make ALL of my pictures feature one or more of my kids, but I'm biased so of course they are my favorites! All of my photos are by our very own Paula ... I tried to find some of other photographers, but again, I'm biased.

In no particular order...

I love the moment that is captured in this. His smile and the closeness of mom and baby. And how everything buy him is soft focused.

This is a great family picture. Much better than any studio picture I can think of. The location is great and the outfits coordinate but don't scream WE MATCH If you know my kids you know that Tanner doesn't always look at Grant with such fondness. It's another great location
I love Glimpses. I've had 6 of them done and I think this is my favorite. I love his chubby little hands and feet and his expressions. It really captured him at that age.
How could one not like such a sweet moment?
Another Mom and Baby tender moment. I love the softness of the sepia and that yawn!
Hmmm, do I have a thing for Mom/Baby pictures? I love his curious expression and how it looks like we're bonding over his chubby little hands. ;)
Not one of me! I love the window light and just the overall mood of the picture
Another one of not of my kids... Two sweet little boys playing in the river. It looks like something out of a movie
The lighting, the bubbles, the little foot in the air. Too stinkin' cute