Day 6: Karate Kids

Actually, it's Tae Kwon Do, but that just didn't have the same ring!  My cute boys just tested for their orange belts a few weeks ago.  I've taken some snapshots at their gym, but wanted to do something a little more formal for them.  Trying to be more proficient during my 365 project, I thought I'd get out my lights and get a little more fancy.  I definitely want to get a better feel for lighting, so here's my perfect chance, right?  There is actually more to this....it's a composite, too.  I've been watching a few demos on it and also I got Matt Koslowski's book (I even got it signed at Photoshop World...sigh) on compositing.  So I had to stretch a bit for today, but hey, I did it!

Day 5 Sunset

Tonight was done on my iPhone.  Does it matter what camera I should use?  I think not!  I think as long as I am looking for opportunities and subjects to shoot, I'm working toward my goal.  Anyway, I probably could have photoshopped out the power lines up top, but wasn't in the mood to mess too much to the shot and just loved the watercolor look of the sky!

Day 4 Claire on Sunday

Here is my darling newly turned 13 year-old niece, Claire.  She agreed to let me shoot her for a few minutes today after dinner.  I love that we can go out in the backyard for five or ten minutes and come up with such cute shots!  She sat next to me as we did some editing and told me what she liked and what she DIDN'T like!    Here's a few she liked:

 I didn't do ANYTHING to enhance her beautiful blue eyes.  These peepers are all hers and look gorgeous all the time!

 She wanted everyone to know that the turtle neck is not her REAL skin!!

 My beautiful Claire!

Day 3...?

I think this is actually day 5 but I've had a hard 2 days, so I am counting today as day 3!  Besides these pics are better than what I probably would have otherwise posted!  Today I did a photo walk with these three gorgeous young ladies and my friend Adrienne.  The purpose was to go thru aperture, shutter speed and ISO.  I figured I may as well take some shots of Eliza to add to her Senior portfolio and then maybe submit some of these others as stock photos somewhere. 

 Eliza is one of my favorite subjects.  She responds well and generally feels comfortable in front of the camera!

 Chloe is Adrienne's 16 year old that is just gorgeous!  She makes a great model, as well because she doesn't act posed or uncomfortable.  So So pretty!

 These next ones are all some that I thought would make for good stock stuff.

 We got cold outside shooting on the north side of the building so we decided to go inside to warm up.  As we were wandering around checking out the cool Harley stuff, some beautiful light was shooting thru the window, So I had the girls stand near a beam with the sun shining on their faces.  All of them have beautiful beautiful eyes!!!

 This cute girl is Jasmine and she's Eliza's friend and was totally fine with tagging along and letting a perfect stranger "shoot" her!  Fun girl with beautiful complexion.

 Jasmine's cute brass mustache!

 I loved the neon signs inside.  I had the girls stand so they were bright and colorful, but I didn't really want them in focus.

What a fun day!  I need to do this a few times a month to experiment.  Thanks Adrienne for spending the afternoon with me!  Too fun!

Snow...FINALLY!

We have been waiting for 2 months for some signs of winter!  Now that we are quickly heading into Spring, it finally snows!  I'm trying something new.  I am working on the 365 project which is to shoot something everyday.  This is really going to make me stretch, but I'm okay with that!  I'm always looking for ways to improve and be better so I can feel better about calling myself a photographer.  I played with a couple of presets in Lightroom on this one.  I liked how this is softened and almost painting-like.  I was doing this on my personal blog, but I think it belongs here (kind of obvious--duh!)

Some fun with my boys by the tree--catching up!

My boys actually let me play around a little with them around the tree one night.  It was fun experimenting and I hope to do much more of it this new year!

I hope your holidays were full of happiness and light!

The Beckstead's ---delayed not forgotten!!!

Miss Cydnee reminded me that I never posted these pics.  Sorry guys!  Thanks for your patience!