I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Anything But A Face!

Ian in the garden. Being a boy.

Stop by Iheartfaces to see more photos for this week's challenge!

February 2011 Rejects

February was a great month for rejects!

This month I found

• out of focus toes
• an unfocused dog edging out of the frame
• a little boy a little too close to the lens
• a fast moving bird
• out of focus pirates with a pain in the neck
• and  a shutter gone wild

What did you find in your reject pile?

Strange. He has the same shirt on in all the rejects. What can THAT mean?

A Picture Is Worth More Than 1000 Words

There are so many details in this photo. So many tidbits of our life at this moment. Most compelling, though, is how this photo connects me to my own childhood. There are so many details I'm reminded of. Details I've not thought of in a very long time.

I'm reminded of my childhood fireplace. Rocks, each of a different shape and size. Some with nooks and crannies we drove cars through and played house with.

I'm reminded of the bookshelves on each side of our fireplace. Glass doors with hidden treasures behind. Old National Geographic magazines. The set of Encyclopedias with red binding. The Facts in Five Game. I loved that game.

I'm reminded of the trinkets along the mantle. The pigeon clock we used each weekend. The clay sculpture given to my mom by Bruce and Flo.

I'm reminded of Christmases with stockings hung. Reminded of the year the fire singed all of the oranges at the toes of the socks.

I'm reminded of lining up for Halloween photos. And special occasions.

I'm reminded of the green carpet in the living room.

I'm reminded of the maple coffee table. The one where we did our homework. The one we danced on. The one we played under. The one mom stacked laundry on as she folded it.

I'm reminded of the oil paintings created by grandmother.

I'm reminded of the white and gold vinyl couch that left imprints on your cheeks when you fell asleep.

I'm reminded of laughter and tears and moments of my childhood.

I'm reminded of my life.

I'm reminded there is so much more to a photo than what first appears.

How I Started My 365 Project, 1,093 Days Ago

Today is day 1,093 of my 365 project. Almost three years.

Perhaps you've started. Perhaps you've stopped. Maybe you've thought about it, but are afraid of the commitment. Every day for an entire year can be daunting.

How did I start?

I did not begin with 365 in mind. In 2008, a group of friends said, let's try doing a photo a day for 30 days. Seemed fun. 3o days, no problem. And so it began. 30 days of taking photos and sharing them with each other. We were excited and supportive and in love with photography.

Day 30 arrived and several of us couldn't stop. We just kept going. 30 days had created a habit we were now addicted to. Seeing the details. Trying things in ways we hadn't before. Documenting our lives in a daily photographic journal.

30 days, 7 days, 42 days, or 365 days, whatever you commitment. You become present. Present to the details in the world around you. Present to the craft and the art of photography.

365 is a blueprint of my life with highs and lows. Moments of clarity followed by moments of uncertainty. Happiness and sadness. Focus on the big picture and moments of minutia. I see it in my photos and I've felt it in the process of creating them.

It starts with one day. One photo. And you take it from there. We all begin with 1.

What's your number?

Categories of Goodness All Around

Happy Valentine's Day

Good things all around today!

In the General Goodness category, I captured this photo over the weekend. In the parking lot of Home Depot. The light is getting better. LOVE when we begin to move closer to the colors and light of Spring.

In the anxiously been waiting to tell you category, you can now take The Very Basics with me, on demand, self paced! You'll find it in the beautiful new classroom at Get It Scrapped. 6 Lessons, three videos and a forum and gallery for you to interact with me! You get me at your own pace, when you need to ask questions! I'll be in the forum for questions and in the gallery for photo feedback. Class walks you through seeing light, understanding aperture and shutter speed, and basic features of your camera. It is a great way to prep for Your Life: Captured Through The Lens.

In life is filled with surprises category, I got a little mention in IHeartFace's Photo Challenge | Hearts! Made my day. Amazing talent over there. It also means i can now proudly display this fun little icon!

In the I'm honored you love them category, my ebook and tutorials are 30% off at DesignerDigitals through tomorrow.

Am I the only silly one with categories of goodness? Must admit, I categorize most things in my life!

Enjoy your day. May you find love through your lens today. 

How I Photograph Valentine's Day

Love is in the air. I love the opportunity for red in my photos! Remember the Red Rule? It's also a great time to work on the February Photo List!

I'm headed to Ian's school today to take part in his Valentine's Day Celebration, which for me translates into, take a lot of photos to share with parents who can't be there. How will I go about capturing his day?

My camera bag is loaded with my camera, my 50mm lens, my 17-40mm lens, charged batteries, a 16GB memory card, and my external flash. Much of what fills my bag is just in case I need it stuff. Today I'll shoot with the 17-40mm lens, the wide angle, so I can get group shots and get in close to little hands decorating cookies. I'll grab my flash, bouncing it off the ceiling, if the light isn't as good as I expect. If it gets really dark, I'll switch to my 50mm.

I've learned from being in his classroom over the last few months that my 70-200mm lens, while great for zoo shots and candids, doesn't work well in the classroom on party days. Too much activity, too many little bodies crowding in close. I need to use a lens that works with their energy and activities!

I'll get some detail shots.

I always attempt to catch him in action. This seems to never be a cooperative moment. I'm hoping for better results this year.

I'll grab a group shot and smiling faces as they sort through their goodies. Then I will put the camera down and enjoy the festivities with both eyes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Mom, I have a present"

The hands behind the light quiz.

I love Ali Edwards' 6x4 Photo Overlays! They will be at DesignerDigitals this weekend during the quarterly sale. You'll also be able to get my ebook, Get Me Off of Auto and my photography tutorials for 30% off throughout the sale! And rumor has it the sale just started!

How To Photograph A Fun Valentine's Card

I love making Ian's Valentine's cards. We usually do something simple. He lasts through about four and then I finish the rest. This year I decided to try something different. I found the idea online, showed him the photo. He got a trip to the park for a little posing and I took care of the rest.

Settings and camera mode aren't as important for taking this photo as getting really close to his fist to achieve the fun distortion.

1. Grab your widest lens (smallest mm # on the lens). I used my Canon 17-40mm L.
2. Shoot in whatever mode you like, even Auto will work for this!
3. If you choose a wide aperture (small f/ number) his face will blur.
4. If you choose a narrow aperture (large f/number) more of his face will be in focus.
5. Have your Valentine outstretch his fist, a bit to the side so his face isn't blocked.
6. Get as close to the fist as you can while still maintaining focus.
7. Shoot.
8. Shoot again, just in case!

I resized mine to 4x6" and added  Jesse Edwards Doodles Hearts Brushes and a little text. I had them printed at Shutterfly and added the line, "Happy Valentines Day 2011 Ian Kennedy" on the back. I love that the date is included.

A quick two cuts along his hand, the addition of a Tootsie Roll Lollipop and Valentine's Day cards are done! He loves them. I love them. And we're done!

I think he was pleased!

Feeling the 365 Spark

I grabbed my camera and stuffed it into the bag as I raced out the door to work in Ian's classroom. With so much sunlight outside, I knew light would be good inside. 43 photos. I snapped them while they sat in circle time and while they got their wiggles out. I want to remember these moments when he still smiles at me when I come into the classroom, giving me a thumbs up and a wink to let me know we're all good.

I tried to hide the camera until they got involved in what they were doing. Using my 70-200 (as my metadata recommended) meant I could sit back and let the lens do the work.

After a few days of indecision over my photos of the day, today's came easily. I knew as soon as I saw it on my screen. I'd tried to frame him between arms of his friends, with the little belly showing and of course, the ears being tugged. So him right now. It was the last photo I took. It was the one.

Something happened this week. I regained a spark for 365 I've not felt in a while. Reacquainting myself with a lens I too often leave in my bag, shooting someplace that isn't completely known to me. It felt good.

How is your 365 going? Are you feeling a spark? What's creating it for you? Let's chat.

The (Controversial) Winner Of the Family Vote

I was out voted by my family. 

Like many of you, the dreamy sepia tone was my favorite. Artistically, it is the best photo, but this year's project 365 is leaning towards memories.

Christi hit the mark with her comment, "For us all we know is that he's playing on the swing. To be there in that moment there is so much more going on. I'm sure he's talking, you're talking, there are bugs and critters, his imagination. For all I know he was flying in a space ship in one of those photos and the story behind the photo would make the difference."

In this moment he was Bear Grylls parachuting to the ground. I plan on printing the other photo for my photo wall and giving copies to his grandmothers. The one above will go in the 365 book. How can I deny the little adventurer who pointed at the screen and said, "that one, it's got color."The boy likes his color.

I was out voted and I can live with that!

I should have guessed another sunny afternoon would yield another batch of photos, this time a helicopter.  Another day, another 365 decision.

Taking A Family Vote For Photo of the Day

After my display of geekiness yesterday, I'm going photo heavy today! I took on my challenge and with the aid of sunshine for the first time in MANY days, a swing, and my 70-200 lens we headed into the garden. He played while I sat at a distance willing myself to use a focal length less than 200mm.

We took a family vote to decide on THE photo of the day. The 5 year old criteria for selection is always straight forward, no holds barred.  Dad thinks a little more strategically and Mom always goes for the emotion. 

These are my favorite type of 365 photos. Just the natural flow of life as it unfolds.

Which is your pick? I'll share the final family choice tomorrow!

Another Approach To 365

 

I stumbled upon another alternative when you miss a day of 365!

365 is about our memories. I don't want to feel locked into anything, bound by rules that get in the way of my life. I want 365 to be a natural flow with my life, something enjoyable.

While away for the weekend my husband emailed me photos each day of his escapades with Ian. I realized I had to include them in my 365. THEY are my life. They are the focus of my energy and love. So I'm plugging them in. 

I can live with the quality being less than perfect. In 20 years I'll be so happy to see this little moment again.

What's stopping you from including other people's photos in your 365? Does it feel like cheating to you?

Get It Right In Camera, Or Not

This photo of Ian from December has been grabbing my attention since early this morning. It is completely him. That is his real smile right now, and the look in his eye. Real. Him.

It's confession time. I hope you don't mind.

You've heard it. Get it right in camera so you don't have to work on it later. Yes, it's true, I believe it. I say it in my own classes.

Can I show you something?

I cropped the heck out of this! And you know what? I can live with that! Sometimes you just have to. Children aren't easy to photograph. They have little minds of their own (little growing minds, thinking up new ideas every moment.) So if you're messing in Lightroom or Photoshop to make your photos look better. No worries.

Anybody else out there doing a little creative cropping? I can't be the only one!

Starting My 365 Project with Happiness

Here we go! 365 photos begin again. I am a little more enthused about this year's project than I expected. 

I like when my photo of the day project happens naturally, just taking photos as life unfolds and somewhere in that batch finding one that just resonates. After our New Year's Day photo walk yesterday, I found that one photo. How can you not smile?

I love the ear slightly folded and dad in the background. Every time I tried to recompose the shot, he'd move to be in the center of the frame. It seems he's looked into the lens a few times!

What did you start your 365 project with?

My Life. In 10 Photographs.

I love looking back over my photos. So many are special to me for the story they hold, not necessarily the quality of the photo. 2010 was a year of Ian. He changed so much this year, holding conversations, asking questions about the world, exploring. Tantrums seem to be slowly disappearing from his repertoire, replaced with more "I love you momma's" each day. It is no surprise that many of my favorite photos are of Ian.

You might remember many of these.

The magician.

Boy in backyard.

Family self portrait -  one in a series.

The candy experiment.

My niece.

Elf on the tracks.

A boy in the backyard.

Goofs.

Road trip to Denver with a side strip to the Grand Canyon.

Exploring the garden.

My life. In 10 photographs. It's been a good year.

Thanks for sharing it with me.

When Mom Brain Strikes The Photographer

My bag needed to be packed. His first school performance was just an hour away.

Which lens? Flash? No flash?

I wasn't even certain where he'd be performing. The auditorium? The gym? I had no idea what the light was like in either.

I've helped so many moms with these decisions before. It was always so easy.

• Choose your fastest lens. Go with the 50mm if you have it.
• Bump up your ISO. 
• Watch that your shutter speed is around 1/125th of a second so you stop motion.
• Shoot in Aperture Priority mode if you need to. 
• Program is okay if you get flustered. 
• Get the moment. Don't worry about switching lenses.

Why so hard this time? Why so hard when it was MY KID?

I needed to text all of the moms who've sent me texts and ask, "can you tell me what I told you then? I seem to be losing my mind."

Dad was late home. That didn't help my nerves. One of those things. Try not to react. Tonight is about Ian.

Bag packed. One camera. One flash. My 50mm on the camera. Wide angle packed just in case. Battery charged. Memory card cleared.

Ready.

I walk in the gym. Immediately thought I should have brought the long lens. How will I see his adorable face? Too many people. Can't get close enough. There isn't even anywhere to sit! WHAT am I going to do. This is about Ian. This is about Ian. Just enjoy him.

We take him to prepare with his class for the big moment. When we return to the gym to await his appearance, the gym is clearing out. Perfect. Floor position. Up close. Right in the middle. Ahhh, 50mm won't be wide enough for all of them. Quick swap to wide angle. Meter. Good light. More than I expected. All set.

They arrive. Too cute for words. Big smiles, waves. I take pictures. Stop. I just want to see he his face. Take it all in. But I want to have photos. Snap. Adjust. Why am I adjusting? Shutter speed, what is that? I want pictures. I want to see it all. Ahhhh.

They're done. 5 minutes from entrance to exit. 38 photos. He's all smiles. I put the camera away.

I now understand what it is like to be a mom behind a camera at a school event. Weddings are easier.

December Daily Day 5 - The Story Of The Elf

Class starts tomorrow. I always get a little nervous excitement brewing the night before class, hoping I've not missed anything, anticipating the chatter in class, and looking forward to seeing everyone's photos.

Preparing for class has me scrambling a bit to keep up with December Daily, but I'm determined. I've learned from past experience to keep taking photos and jot down what I can. I'm going to allow myself a skipped day here or there if I need to.  For yesterday, I'm leaving it big and black and white. I loved it the moment I saw him on the tracks. Do you have those moments you just know you're going to love the photo?

This year's book is turning into documentation of everywhere Ian wears his elf costume. Since he's worn it EVERY DAY since he received it, expect to see a lot of it! I'm certain he'll appreciate this book on the coffee table when he's fifteen.

Are you seeing any themes develop in your December Daily Project?

Is Using Your Camera An Enjoyable Experience?

I don't force photos. I have always thought enjoyable experiences with my camera were more important than bringing my camera to create an enjoyable experience.

I've never forced Ian to go out on a photo shoot with me. Ok. I have bribed him in the past. But most often he is a willing participant. We have fun. I get some photos I love. We continue to have fun. The camera is part of the experience, not the experience itself.

Until today.

I really wanted Christmas photos to finish my 2011 calendar, get it ordered and off my to do list. I thought it would be easy. We'd run to Old Sacramento, find a wall. Shoot. Buy a small toy at Evangeline's as a treat. Be done.

I was wrong.

He didn't want to. So I got the face. When you shoot that face it only gets worse. There is no consoling.

So I stopped. Scrapped it for another day. Lesson learned. I'm not THAT mom.

We were walking away, resigned today was not the day. He looked at me, said one more and we tried again.

Not perfect. Not what I'd envisioned. But his cute self, none the less.

I've learned my lesson. I'll stick to My Photography. It is what I love most and keeps him the happiest. Tomorrow we'll have an enjoyable experience and maybe I'll bring my camera.

Photography of the Future

In some photos I can see the future. Something about them just screams Ian at 16.  I can just see it. Without a doubt.

Do you see it too?

Question About My Photo of the Day

So which would you pick?

He helped me out on a little project. Hoping to take a trip to spend time with Tamara Lackey in Seattle next month. You can join in the fun still too! It's live and it's free.