Learning again!

I know I haven't told you yet...but I made a plunge and got a new lens.
It is a Sigma 24-70mm F2.8.
The next thing I am going to do today is check on Youtube to see if there is a... how to use this beast video.
It is so unlike my other lenses, so as you can imagine the frustration level is high.

I have 4 more days to try it out and see if it is going to be a good thing for me, and if not then I can return it to its previous owner. (ebay)

I must say the first day with it has been quite torturous, and I don't want to make my decision based on that.

I did learn something very, very valuable today.
Check this out...


See the haze effect there? That is just natural sunlight in through a window.

Look at the next one...I shielded the lens with my hand.

Hmmm, huge difference. I suppose the effect is nice if you are wanting it to look like that, and I can see where it could be an effective tool, but not for always.
I must invest in the lens shield if I stay with this guy.

I did take some time on another hazy one in my editing arena and was able to get rid of most of that.

I am pleased with the outcome for the work required.

I will say that a good thing about this lens is its ability to zoom fairly close.

I am limited right now by my 50mm lens, this gives me that much more on the shorter end.

It is supposed to be a wonderful portrait lens, but I have yet to practice that particular thing yet.
Any surprise that no one around here really cares to be my model???


I will keep working and report back to you.

Oh my!


Meet the teacher night...gotta run!

The other kind of lenses

Whew...trying to work in all those last minute summer items!

Today, optometrist.

My girl was in need of an update on her lenses.
I was feeling brave and took my camera along for the ride.

We decided this wall of charts was quite charming and it was our first image of the day.


Of course I took bunches of her in the chair, squinting, with the spoon looking thingy, with that crazy eye contraption on her face...and whatever else I could get away with.

She was quite impressed with the images of her own eyes dilated.
She wanted to reciprocate the picture taking and shot off this of me.

I mean...I cropped it and pushed it around a bit, but she clicked the button.

Poor kid, she could barely see!!

Next, I was brave enough to shoot off just a few of the rows of glasses to choose from.

I seriously need to get over the feeling of doing something wrong when simply snapping pictures.
ha!

We quickly and easily agreed upon 2 very cute frame choices.
We try to choose one fun one, and one sensible one!

The girl has just got to have her some pink glasses!!
Personally I would have chosen turquoise...but it wasn't my choice.

But hey, speaking of turquoise...look at this beauty.

It was in the mall parking lot.

I told my daughter I was going to stop and take a picture.
She moaned NOOOOOO.
Ha ha ha, she imagined be out in the parking lot paparazzi style.
I don't blame her for saying no.
I assured her I was simply going to pull in front of it and shoot through the window.
So yes I could have gotten more creative with this, but it would have been exceedingly embarrassing.
School with be in session next week and I can do what I want without any worry to my kids.
On the other had school will be in session next week and I will be in a fog of depression because I won't be able to have the luxury of worrying my kids about taking pictures each day.

Oh summer why did you have to pass so quickly.

P.S. I was kidding about that fog of depression thing...I like a little drama around here ya know.

Busy

I know, I know, I am always busy here lately!
That is how it is during summer, and I am loving it.

We headed to the pool once again (and probably for the last time) and met some friends.

I am not sure that this guy knows what my face looks like since I so often have my camera turned on him.
He had a blast today, squealing with delight everything the big bucket dumped!


On another note...I figured something out about myself today.

I head out with my camera to take random pictures. Often I am catching a person in the middle of action without planning to take pictures, just being in the right place OR quickly snapping a few to "get by" for the day.
I then head home, load those images and expect them to be top notch.
Well, they keep NOT being that I keep being exceedingly frustrated.
When I take the time to plan and work out shots, they tend to really have zing.

I have to be a little easier on myself and acknowledge that I don't yet have the skill or ability to make every shot in my camera something special.
I have to be okay with the fact that sometimes just capturing a moment is more powerful than doing it to perfection.
Sigh...
that is where I am today.
In the process of growing...and growing isn't, never has been, and never will be easy.
Thanks for stopping by and watering my little weeds of growth, it means a lot to me.

School starts again next Monday.
So, my husband took the day off for one last summer fun blast with the kids.

It was a superb day.

I am still kind of languishing in the wonderfulness of it, not wanting to part with it...even to you.

We closed the day with a round of mini golf; something we have never done together as a family.

It was a success.


I am behind on laundry...but that's ok by me!

Oh and by the way, I am not sure if I brushed my hair today and even if I did it wouldn't matter because it was quite gusty on the old golf course; but I do know for certain that not a drop of makeup touched my face today...I was too busy having fun.

And THAT is the image my son caught of me while he had 20 seconds with my camera.
I was insisting that I did not in fact need pointers from my husband.
Uhhhh I would just like to say...if I have made this face at you I apologize!
Ahhhh ha ha ha.
My kids said it should be my new FB picture.
Uhhhh NO!
I did swallow my pride and post it here though, just to show my kids that I can be a good sport.

Wow, remind me to spiff up a bit when it really matters ok?
I hope you day was half as amazing as mine!

Tough scavenge today

I often scrawl out on a tiny scrap of paper, the weeks scavenger hunt themes.
They always get discombobulated between reading, writing and remembering.

It seems I decided on an image and then suffer it not actually fitting the prompt.

Well, I am gonna eek this one in anyway.
1.Against the light

or in this case...No longer "against the light"
Eph. 5:8....but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.
In my mind this prompt was into the light.
Hey either way, Praise God!


2. Frame within a frame

I went with glasses frames!
Look closely.


3.Best part of my day

Any time any member of my family comes through the door, well that has got to be the best!
I am so thankful when we sit together each night as a family to pray...all seems right in the world in those few minutes.


4. Buttons

Hmmmm if only green were in there, then you would have most of my regular, favorite color palette. Oh, I would have to include turquoise too.


5. Ink

These are the scales of Tarpon. Apparently it is cool to catch one, write your name and the year on it and then peg it on this wall.
Look closely, there is some old ink there!

Well that is it for today!
You know the drill...click on that cute fellow below to follow along with what others are doing this week.

Game night

We borrowed this game from some friends about sixteneight12 months ago.

I set it with a few books that also need to be returned, (to someone else) and forgot all about every item.
My kids suggested we play tonight.
We had a truly delicious dinner, cleaned off the table then set up the game...on the floor???

It worked, but my bum is a bit tuckered out!


As I was rinsing dishes my daughter hailed me in the kitchen with several choices. I didn't even look closely only glancing long enough to notice some green.
"I'll take whatever the green one is" I said.
She giggled...."Okay Mom that is Mrs. Picklefeather."



(I always choose green, unless there is no green then I must be forced to choose orange. If either of those have already been chosen by someone else, then I throw a hissy fit until I get my way.
Okay maybe I just pout.
Actually I think everyone knows green is my fave and they give it to me by default...if they know what is good for them, that is....

Uggghhhh I digress.

My daughter chose the monkey...duh, pink bow on the head.
My lady has a darling set of glasses and a stunning smile!

However, I don't really appreciate how Mrs. Picklefeather looks from the back.

I tried to ignore that the rest of the game.

We laughed and laughed.
Family time is so precious.
It was lovely to sit around and be silly, unhooked from everything...just us.

I think we may play another round on Monday!