When I grow up, I dream of being a photographer. When I was little I wanted to be a teacher or train dolphins. Did that... teach I mean. Been there and done that, now I want to take pictures!!!
In 1999, we went to England where I was a bridesmaid in a wedding. I took a TON of pictures and got lots of compliments on them. That really is what got me started. When we moved to Europe, I was in Heaven! So many beautiful things to capture on film to remember forever. It was a mission! I got my first digital point and shoot in 2000 and for the next 5 years, we estimated that I took over 7,000 pictures!
In 2005, my sweet Jemma came and that revved me up on being able to take good portraits. I always used Auto. When I tried to play with settings, I got crazy pictures and had no idea what I was doing. Now with blogging, a whole new level of interest in photography has arisen! So I decided to figure out what I was doing.
I enrolled in
Angie Seaman's Online Beginners Photography Class. Let me tell you... I learned more about my camera in 4 weeks than I have learned in the last 10 years! It was amazing! She posts a lesson, we read it, go out and shoot photos about the topic, post a photo and receive critique. She always critiqued openly and honestly. I was very proud that I always received great evaluations with minor things to work on, but those are the small things that make a difference. She always answered questions. It was so helpful to have it put in English and to be able to ask questions! I asked a lot of questions and she always got back to me.
I wanted to share some of the topics and my pictures.
Week one was about composition and the rule of thirds. I took this picture of my Mother's Day flowers.
Week 2 was all about aperture. How to use your f-stop to get a crisp background or more bokeh (that is snazzy photography talk for an out of focus background. I am cool like that!). We had to do 2 shots one crisp and one with a main focal point but blurred background. My pictures are a bit dark which I commented on, but Angie told me that wasn't the purpose of the week. I was able to do it so that is what counted! I shot my nesting dolls from Russia. Aren't they beautiful?
Week 3 was about shutter speed. The main goal was to be able to adjust shutter speed to always keep a sharp background, but have the subject in focus in one shot and blurred to show movement in the second shot. I was with Jemma at the pool and thought perfect. Jump in the pool a couple of times and bada bing, bada boom... done. Boy howdy was I wrong! First off, in bright light, you can't see your screen to know what the heck you are getting! Secondly, when using a slower shutter speed to capture movement, you need to use a tripod. If not, your whole picture is blurred. Thankfully I have an awesome one from Walmart! It is very compact and easy to use. It is small, but the legs come out to make it taller. It is awesome! Buy a tripod. You will love it. I got very nice reviews on these as the background stayed crisp and sharp, but they are a bit too bright and definitely not centered. I couldn't see a thing in the screen so I just took about 70 pictures and prayed!
Week 4 was a biggie! We moved into manual mode! Oh my... so much to think about and remember, but what a feeling to be able to have complete control over your camera! I took some of Jemma at the pool another day (thank goodness it was a bit cloudy and I could see what I was taking!). I got her sweet face with a paper cut above her lip, ketchup on her cheek, and straggly hair. I love it and I did it in manual!!! Woooo hoooo! Angie said I did a great job and captured all that I was supposed to do in manual. The only thing she said to watch out for was cutting off her hand a bit in the background. It is a simple thing, but it is really amazing at the difference it can make. You are to never cut off anyone's joints! Watch those hands and feet!
I am so grateful to Angie and all her help. If you ever want a quick and easy beginner's format, I highly recommend this course. I am not getting paid in any way to write about this. I just want to put it out there that this is an awesome resource! She offers a beginner's course, a one on one meeting, and a weekend of photography. I am trying to convince the BHW that I need the weekend one! If anyone wants to go to Florida for a weekend and take pictures, let me know!
