Lifestyle Photography Class -- Assignment #1

Week 1

Part One: Character/Details

With the concept of a shot list in mind, pick a “character” you would like to document.  Write down what details you could photograph to tell their story, and photograph those details.   Please post 3 character “details”.

Detail #1 -- small scale

Detail #2 -- small scale

Detail #3 -- small & large scale

Ok . . . can you tell who my character is?  ;)  (Hint, it's not my husband! LOL!)  I'm not sure I did this assignment right, Brooke.  My bad, I left my tutorials until the last minute, and then panicked about what I was going to do.  Then, with the weather disagreeing, yet again, I was hard pressed to get a few good photos in outside!  I won't make that mistake next week, I promise!  The only thing I can say is, these are definitely NOT images I would normally take to define my "character," although they are probably the most telling images I can think of!  The last image I said was both small and large scale, because of the basket full of toys as well as the yard that my "character" plays in.  Can you have both?  

Anyways, if I didn't do this correctly, I apologize!!   
 

Part Two: Character/Conflict

I want you to capture your character with the element of conflict.  Think about using the idea of “environmental” photography to help tell who your character is.  In essence, you want to capture your character either doing something, working at something, or in the midst of a visible emotion. Post 1-2 Character/Conflict images.

(Again, because of the weather, I was limited on photo time and light --my bad -- so I only have one "conflict" image).

My conflict image:

Good side lighting though, huh?  :)  

My "character" is one of my babies, Sydnie.  The above pictures are their leashes hanging by our door; their food & water dishes; and their toys in their basket, as well as our backyard, where they love to play.  My conflict image is of Sydnie playing with her new Nylabone.    I wanted to get one of the two of them play tug-o-war with their rope, but it started pouring rain, which made us come inside, and also darkened my house too much for indoor photos!  SO . . . . this is as good as it gets!  :)

My composition isn't the best, either, so again, I'll apologize!  May try to resubmit photos for this week if we have a make-up week!  Thanks to all for looking!  

I Heart Faces Photo Contest Entry -- Yellow

I was so blessed by my BFF's gorgeous daughter, who asked me to take her senior photos this year!!  (Phew!!  WAY nervous, here!)  But, I think they turned out ok for me being an amateur photog!  Anyways, I'm taking a leap in fatih and entering one of my photos in the "I Heart Faces" photo contest this week, hoping for some good feedback from fellow photographers!!  Plus, I just think she's adorable and wanted to tell her congratulations! 

Here is my entry:

Thanks for looking -- and be sure to visit their website by clicking on the image below, to see all the other amazing photos posted this week! 

The Vintage Pearl: calligraphy. (a giveaway!)

Check out this blog (and their website) for some beautiful jewelry!! I've already started my wish list . . . :)  Click here!   The Vintage Pearl: calligraphy. (a giveaway!)

Photo Basics -- Week 4 Assignment -- Using Natural Light

So, this week we learned about natural lighting, and I still have a LOT to learn.  I'm somewhat frustrated because I didn't have as much time to work on my homework as I would have liked, and because I had day surgery on Friday, I didn't have time to redo some of the shots.  So, they are what they are, I guess.  I can totally see why you don't like to shoot during the middle of the day, Brooke!!  You'd think that would be an easy time to capture the light, but I would position my subject in what I thought was front light, or back light, didn't look that way once I took the picture.  So, they are what they are, I guess!  Will definitely need to work more on this concept.  (I tried to do my photo outside this week, as week 5 is natural lighting indoors.)

Here are my submissions for this week:

-Post one image that is side lit (windows are great resources, or any outside environment that your main source of light is coming from the side.)

 ISO-250

1/50

f/16

This is the stack out at the smelter at Kennecott, by the Great Salt Lake, just before sunset.  

-Post one image that is back lit (place the sun or light source behind your subject.  Make sure you expose for them, not the background light!

 ISO-400

1/15

f/18

I'm not sure if this qualifies as back lit or not.  I mean, if you look at the shadow of the tree outside, you can tell the lights coming from behind, her, but, the way I have her standing in the doorway, with the hat, almost makes it look side lit.  Opinions, Brooke?  I love the picture, but was there anything I could have done to make it better?

This next one is definitely backlit:

ISO-250

1/400

f/5.6

This is my little cherry tree out back, just about the time you said you love to shoot!  A couple of hours before sunset.  

-Post one image that is front lit (the majority of light is coming towards the front of the subject.  Can you do it so that it is flattering, avoids dapples, harsh shadows or racoon eyes ?  Try your best!)

 ISO-400

1/125

f/11

Again, my friend's sweet daughter, Kelsey.  Such a pretty little thing!  She's way into the cowboy life, so we met at Wheeler Farm in SLC for these photos.  

-Post one image that utilizes the help of a natural reflector in your environment (white walls, concrete, light colored materials that help to reflect light onto your subject.)

 ISO-400

1/640

f/11

This I struggled with.  Again, was about 2pm, so the light was mostly overhead, although it looked like it was front lit on this building.  Is there a trick to getting rid of the shadows on her face?  The ones where she was looking forward didn't look like they reflected at all, so I had her look up and to the side, to try to get her face closer to the wall, as well as get rid of some of the shadows.  Don't think it turned out very well.  Suggestions, Brooke?

-Post one image that is a back lit silhouette

 ISO-250

1/20

f/36

 At the base of the Wasatch Mountains, looking west, MillCreek Canyon, at sunset.

Thanks, everyone, for looking!

Spring just "May" be here!!

Good morning, peeps!   Just a short note, as I sit here drinking my cup of coffee and listening to a beautiful little birdie singing his heart out right outside my window.  I think the onset of May may finally have brought us spring!  Blue, blue skies, and temps are supposed to be in the upper sixties/lower seventies this weekend.  YAY!  My flower beds are cleaned out, I can see the first sprouts of my mom's lilies of the valley, my rose bushes have a TON of new growth, and my lilacs are just about ready to bloom!  I'm headed out this afternoon with my friend's beautiful daughter, Kelsey, to work on photos for this week's homework assignment . . . so be sure to check back and see our results! 

This little birdie has quite a bit to tell me, so I'm going to go listen to the rest of his story!  Hope this day finds you all enjoying the blessings of a new season and new life, as well!  Namaste!

$300 value for $65??? We're talking extreme crafting!

So, in my previous post, I introduced you to the May Constant Campaign, and the last way to get it I mentioned was for free, when you sign up as a consultant with CTMH.  So -- you have to ask yourself these questions:

• Have you ever wanted to turn your hobby into a lucrative business? 
• Have you ever wanted to get a great discount on all of your stamping & scrapbooking supplies for you and your friends? 
• Have you recently considered getting a Studio J Membership? 
• Have you ever just wanted to get your hands on a ton of great CTMH products for a great price?

WELL, HAVE YOU, PUNK?  :)

 

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, there is NO better time than right NOW!!  I am excited to announce that during the month of May, the Close to my Heart New Consultant Kit is 50% off! BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!!  In addition to the 1/2 price kit, when you sign up in May, you will also get the beautiful National Scrapbooking Month Kit called You & Me (valued at $34.95) for FREE! That’s over $285 worth of goodies for only $64.50, plus tax and shipping! In addition to all of your basic business supplies, the New Consultant Kit includes three of the following “Choose Me” Options. 

  

Choose Me Kit #2 – Includes a 12-month Studio J Membership.

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If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I'll help you sign up as a consultant today!