Holiday Fun

F32, 30 sec, ISO 100

Holiday lights bring lots of photo opportunities for the photographer.  You can do so much with lights.  In the above image I gave the lights a "glare" using a small aperture, F32.  That makes for a slow shutter speed so be sure to use a tripod.  With all the lights on the tree there is no need to hike up the ISO, keep it set small.

F22, 13 sec, ISO 100

Here I tried the "zoom effect" on my Christmas tree.   Using a slow shutter speed, you simply slowly turn the barrel of the lens until the shutter releases.  You can zoom in or out, whatever your preferrence.  I zoomed in, stopping every now and then to give this shot a rigid look.  It kind of looks like fireworks. 



F22, 45 sec, ISO 100

 I'm not sure how this one came out darker with a longer shutter speed  But I love the look.  Here I just zoomed in and out, without stopping until the shutter released.  Be sure to use a tripod to help keep your camera steady.  You can use the "zoom effect" on any non moving object.  I'll have to give it a try some time.

Christmas offers so many photo ops.  Hope you get the chance to experiment with holiday lights.

NIght Photography



F20, 13 Sec, ISO 100


Night photography can be very beautiful.  It is very hard to capture lights at their best in the dark setting.  I've learned that photographers learn by doing.  You have to get out there and try then see what works and what doesn't.  The great many lights from this house allowed me to use a lower ISO.  Using a small aperture (F stop) makes the lights twinkle.  Again like I said, I had to try and try again with each shot.  Until I finally got it right.
The Holiday Season offers a wider variety of night photos to work with, right outside your own front door too.  And the longer evenings allows more time to practice.  Now if only I didn't mind the cold weather as much as I do.  :  /




F25, 13 Seconds, ISO 200



Cute Faces

I am trying to improve my portrait shots.  I think they look very nice in black and white.  I also believe that the person doesn't always have to look at the camera in order for it to be a great photo, profiles make awesome images too.  Today I will experiment photographing a baby under one year old.  This will be a challenge, since babies move so much and get fussy easily.  I will see how things come out.  I wish it was a warmer day to take the photos outside in natural light.  Tell me what you think of these portrait shots.

Portraits

I've always been leary about taking portrait shots.  It is very hard to capture the nice features of a person's face in a photo.  But all the wonderful costumes at the Civil War days added a marvelous touch to all my portrait photographs.   It was a  great learning experience for me and gave me the edge to try it out more often.  I love using the sepia and black and white color tones with portraits.  It gives them a classy look. 

Motor Muster

Cars are usually not my thing to photograph.  But I gave it a try this summer, knowing I have to be open minded to all subjects in order to grow in my skills.  The Motor Muster at Greenfield Village gave me a wonderful opportunity to do just that.   When I was viewing my images later that evening, I noticed that my skills did improve from the first one of that day to the last one.  I was truely amazed.  Just like the saying goes:  "practice make perfect".  I'd like to know what you think of these images.  Please do leave your comments.  I loved to read them.