Archive for August, 2009
The Song Inspired by This Evening’s Events: Bring Back my Bug to Me
[Set to the music of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean]
My doodlebug lies over the office
My doodlebug lies over the floor
My doodlebug lies pushing his stroller
Oh doodlebug you’re not a bore.
Bring back, bring back,
oh bring back my bug to me to me
Bring back bring back,
oh bring back my bug to me.
My doodlebug lies over the window sill
The neighbors, his mischief can’t miss,
My doodlebug lies over the window sill
To give the pane a French kiss.
Bring back, bring back,
oh bring back the Windex to me to me
Bring back bring back,
oh bring back the Windex to me.
Photo Challenge: Getting to Know My Digital Macro
Our camera is equipped with a digital macro feature (I think that most point and clicks are). Since this is a close-up lens setting, it isn’t the kind of lens that you can just have on and use all the time (especially with kids that never stop moving), so I’ve never put much time into figuring it out until now.
Basically what a macro setting does is create a very short and very specific depth on field. I think this picture is a great example of what I mean:
This is totally raw and unedited. You can see how both the foreground and aft are softened and blurred, but in the center you have clear and close definition in the leaf. I love how the softened areas create a whimsical focus in the picture, which I think adds lots of interest to a shot.
The difficult part is getting that sweet spot – making sure that what you want to be the focus is, in fact, in focus. Since you’re shooting very close to your subject, every little movement makes a big difference. I suggest shooting from various distances each time in order to find what you like best (you might be surprised with some of the effects that you get).
The other most important thing is to remember that close up work cannot be done with a flash, you need good lighting for this to work well.
Here are some of my favs from my experimenting, hope you enjoy them!
Thursday Reveal #9
Wordless Wednesday #9 was taken at Ft Steven’s on the Oregon Coast. Using picnik.com I created the effects by using the Lomo-ish and Sepia tools. I liked what Sepia did for the sand, but I didn’t want to sacrifice the blue of the sky, so I brought the blue back using the paintbrush tool in sepia. I made the brush very hard and covered the sky, then softened it to blend the two effects on the sand. I love this picture!
The title I chose was: The Watched Over Adventurer
Thank to everyone who added their ideas to the picture – I love seeing what ideas come from the pictures I choose for this. It was very hard to pick just 3, but here they are:
- From Annalise: Following in His Footsteps
- 2. From Javann: Sun, Sand, & Silhouettes
- From Barbara: Dad can’t catch me and the waves can’t either!
I still have one more beach picture to share next week, so please check back and leave your comment.
Wordless Wednesday #9
As always with Wordless Wednesday, please leave a comment with the title or description that you would give this picture. On Thursday I’ll reveal the name I chose as well as the top 3 contributions.
Thursday Reveal #8
This Thursday Reveal is comin’ attcha a little early because tomorrow morning we’ll be winging our way to Washington!
This picture was taken our first week here in TX at the Japanese gardens. The whole place feels like a fantasy, and I especially liked this structure. While I was trying to take this picture, a bride was just leaving off to the right side (you can see her train). The poor dear was there for her bridals, but she was so sweaty that I don’t know if she got even one good shot. We caught up to her in the parking lot taking off all of her petticoats to try and cool down.
Yeah, it’s hot in TX.
Anyway, with the combo of Japan and a bride, I just had to save this one for Betty’s big week.
I call it: Bridal Escape: You Can Always Say No, Until You Say Yes
Top contributions this week:
Jay: Rock Monster
Angela: How Sure a Foundation
Brittany: Enchanted Forrest
Wordless Wednesday #8
As always with Wordless Wednesday, please leave a comment with the title or description that you would give the picture. Tonight I’ll reveal the names I chose as well as the top 3 contributions (I can’t wait till Thursday because we’ll be on a plane!).
