Shooting People in the Right Light!

One of the most important things to remember when shooting pictures is making sure you are shooting people in the right light!!!! It is so easy to mess this up and get pictures that are too dark or washed out. Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error. You may want to shoot the same thing from different angles. These pictures that I took in Sante Fe (shown above) were shot carefully taking into account how very bright and sunny it was outside. Not all the pictures that I took during my visit turned out as nice as these.
As always I enjoy thoughts, ideas and comments.

Black & White Photography

I just love black & white photography. Something about them just grabs my attention more so than color photography. It gives the photograph extra appeal in my opinion.
Developing black & white photos is so much fun. Being able to bring the photo, especially your own, gives me such a feeling of accomplishment and pride. It's been years since I have been able to do any developing but I'm sure I would be able to fall right back into it, given the opportunity.
Both of these photographs were taken in Jackson, Mississippi while I was in school. They were both taken for my photography class. The top photograph was taken in the neighborhood around Belhaven College and the bottom photograph was taken from the path around Belhaven Lake right behind what used to be the athletic department and the soccer field.
As always, I appreciate any comments, thoughts or ideas!

Candid Portrait Photography

Sometimes candid shots can turn into the best pictures. Neither picture shown above was posed. My sister Sarah (black and white photo) was goofing off for the camera and I absolutely love this picture. Esther (color photo), on the other hand, had just wandered into the living room after going through my undie drawer! LOL

My First Gig - Baby's First Birthday

After a friend looked at my blog a couple of weeks ago, she called and gave me my first "gig." I was asked to take pictures at her daughter's first birthday. It was to help us both out - I got experience and she got to actually enjoy the party instead of worrying about taking pictures. :)
The party turned out real well and I think the pictures did too, so I thought I'd post a couple of them.
I took pictures of anything and everything while I was there. Friends, family, presents and of course the little birthday girl, who was more than happy to give me a pretty smile.
As always, enjoy and feel free to leave comments, ideas or thoughts.

Pet and/or Child Photography

It seems like I have always had cats and once I started taking pictures, I had to take pictures of them. Before I had my daughter, my cats were what I showed off. LOL I even used to keep pictures of them in my order book when I waited tables. It's not easy taking pictures of your pets though. They don't make the best models. You have to have extreme patience to work with kids and animals.
Top - My niece Keira Leigh - photo taken in our old backyard early in the morning.
Bottom - Chloe and her buddy - photo taken while visiting Doug and Judy in Sante Fe.

Fashion Photography - Taking Pictures of Models!!!

My daughter has learned something new at daycare this past summer - modeling. As evidenced from two of the pictures above. She loves to model for my camera. Of course it doesn't hurt that I've had my camera on her since her birth. LOL
I take pictures of Esther when she's cute, when she's pouting, when she's sleeping and yes, when she's "modeling." I have more pictures of this child than probably most do of their first-born maybe with the exception of my friend Shawn, whose is now doing photography for a living. I hate her. :) Her daughter Emmy probably comes in a close second to having as many pictures of her. Of course she is 8 1/2 so she's got a few years on Esther.
I think shooting models would be fun and interesting. Or even shooting people like the chick from Vanity Fair, Anne Lebovitch (sp?). I get the Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair every year to so I can see the new pictures that she's taken of celebrities.
Maybe one day that will be me taking those type of pictures. A girl can dream! :)

Having Fun in Nature - Rain or Shine!

Back in 1996, my best friend's Uncle Larry took me hiking up in Illinois somewhere with his wife Debbie and daughter Galadriel. It was so much fun. It had rained earlier that morning so it was slightly overcast, but I thought the pictures turned out real nice. Nature photography is so much fun to shoot.

One of my favorite things to do is travel. I haven't been too terribly many places but where I have been, I have taken tons of pictures. I like to document everything. LOL
Many of the places I've been, there have been so many things to photograph. Both times I went to Sante Fe, I took about 8-10 rolls of pictures. I would love to go back there now with a digital. NYC I didn't take as many photos but I did get one really good shot of the Statute of Liberty (shown above). When you go with a 35mm, you have to think carefully and plan carefully what you shoot, otherwise you waste film. That's why digitals are so handy. You can take as many pictures as you like, and pick and choose later what's good and what you might want to toss. LOL