Photography
I have always enjoyed taking pictures and capturing special events to record family history. Years ago I took a class using a "film" camera, I learned a lot of basics about composition, and how to develop our own pictures in the 'dark room', Oh my, how things have changed in just a few years. Last year for Christmas my husband got me a new digital SLR camera and I have been trying to learn how to use it. I recently had the opportunity to enroll in a digital photography class at our local community college, the class is taught by a local professional photographer. I will be sharing some of my 'Lessons Learned' from my photo shooting ventures with you from time to time. Enjoy. (all photos are copyright protected under EKRAY Enterprises LLC.)
This photo was taken south of Medicine Lodge Kansas on a very cloudy Kansas day.
What I learned this day; my husband is a very patient man. As I would see something that caught my eye he would pull over and park, keeping an eye on the not-so-patient natives as they zoomed by. He planned ahead and took reading material to also keep him occupied while I was out and about. I also learned to always carry an extra sd card with me at all times, you never know when you get into a situation that you just keep shooting and shooting and shooting because the opportunity presents itself for some amazing photos. Thank goodness for a small town Alco store this day, as we were close to town after driving many miles of backroads and being a Sunday we were lucky to get there before it closed early.
Lesson learned = extra SD card and battery in backpack !!!
This photo was taken south of Medicine Lodge Kansas on a very cloudy Kansas day.
What I learned this day; my husband is a very patient man. As I would see something that caught my eye he would pull over and park, keeping an eye on the not-so-patient natives as they zoomed by. He planned ahead and took reading material to also keep him occupied while I was out and about. I also learned to always carry an extra sd card with me at all times, you never know when you get into a situation that you just keep shooting and shooting and shooting because the opportunity presents itself for some amazing photos. Thank goodness for a small town Alco store this day, as we were close to town after driving many miles of backroads and being a Sunday we were lucky to get there before it closed early.
Lesson learned = extra SD card and battery in backpack !!!
This is a simplified version of Rule of Thirds. To visualize the rule, divide your view equally into thirds, both horizontally and vertically (looks like tic-tac-toe). Allow the point of interest to fall on one of the four intersection points. Our first assignment was COLD. We had an ice storm so I made the typical rounds to the pond (where this picture was taken), the local lake, and Lemon Park and then I decided to get creative and come up with my own 'cold' ideas. Brother, what a time consuming effort that ended up being. I staged light up KU ice cubes, played with popcicles, made lemonaide and other things that I didn't think the instructor would understand my sense of humor. Below is a few of those attempts for you to ponder.
Lesson learned = geese walk away from you when they sense danger so it is really hard to get anything but a backend view of them, I am not good at staging things and lemonade doesn't taste that well in January. Rule of thirds is a simple way to help make better composition for your point of interest.
You can click on small pictures to enlarge.
Lesson learned = geese walk away from you when they sense danger so it is really hard to get anything but a backend view of them, I am not good at staging things and lemonade doesn't taste that well in January. Rule of thirds is a simple way to help make better composition for your point of interest.
You can click on small pictures to enlarge.
Some lessons I understand right away, this concept was one because this is the way I like to take most of my pictures. with a shallow depth of field. So I was excited to learn the technical aspects, which made my brain a little out of focus when we started talking about how the f-stop, focal length, wide angle and telephoto lens were used in photographing DOF. Depth of field is the area in front of and behind the subject that is in focus, sounds simple. Okay so I have to do things hands on to 'get it'. Ready to go, I took off early one morning to practice taking DOF photos and below are some of those photos. On my quest I was followed by a curious farmer as I was going slow down their road, confronted by a lady that acted like like I didn't have the right to be on the road going slow and understandably leary of me, would not go around me and called me into sherrif. Lessons learned = sometimes I understand the concept but not so much the technical, draw me a picture ! ! Most of all, call the sheriff department and tell them I am out and about taking pictures for class and give them my tag number to save them some work. People can be very rude when you are going slow down a country road looking for shots, when they are in a hurry to go somewhere.
Hard to imagine this is the last week of the semester. We are putting together our Final Folder for Mr. Reimer to grade. I have learned so many valuable lessons from this class and look forward to contined learning as I try new things. I will also continue to post experiences from my photo excursions, even if it's just a walk around my neighborhood,
When putting together my Final Folder I felt something was missing. As I looked through al my photos I realized I had no photo of my favorite subject, my family. So I will have to revamp my final folder to include a few candid pictures, maybe not the best technically but the best part of me. Included will be
this one of my 3 year old grandson enjoying the chicks at our local Orscheln's store.
Lessons Learned = It is good to try new things and expand your knowledge. I do not like taking landscape photos, but I do like taking close-up detailed shots. "It is not the camera that takes the photograph, it is the person." - Mr Reimer. So it doesn't matter how 'good' of a camera you have, you need to have the knowledge how to use it properly and some knowledge of composition. You don't drive without first learning how to operate your car and learning the rules of the road and just because you have a license, it doesn't mean you are a race car diriver too.
Below are some of my favorites taken through the semester. You can click on to enlarge.
Let me know what you think, grade my work & leave me a comment below or on my facebook page. Enjoy.
When putting together my Final Folder I felt something was missing. As I looked through al my photos I realized I had no photo of my favorite subject, my family. So I will have to revamp my final folder to include a few candid pictures, maybe not the best technically but the best part of me. Included will be
this one of my 3 year old grandson enjoying the chicks at our local Orscheln's store.
Lessons Learned = It is good to try new things and expand your knowledge. I do not like taking landscape photos, but I do like taking close-up detailed shots. "It is not the camera that takes the photograph, it is the person." - Mr Reimer. So it doesn't matter how 'good' of a camera you have, you need to have the knowledge how to use it properly and some knowledge of composition. You don't drive without first learning how to operate your car and learning the rules of the road and just because you have a license, it doesn't mean you are a race car diriver too.
Below are some of my favorites taken through the semester. You can click on to enlarge.
Let me know what you think, grade my work & leave me a comment below or on my facebook page. Enjoy.
We had a great turnout for our Photography Show
at PCC Art Gallery and I want to thank all those
who stopped by to see our projects.
This summer I will be concentrating on learning
more about close-up and macro photography.
Below is a slide show of more pictures I took during
our class. Enjoy.
at PCC Art Gallery and I want to thank all those
who stopped by to see our projects.
This summer I will be concentrating on learning
more about close-up and macro photography.
Below is a slide show of more pictures I took during
our class. Enjoy.
If you enjoy looking at photos or reading blog PLEASE click on the LIKE button to share with others and so I know my efforts are worth the time it takes to work on web site, ALSO feel free to leave a message after you click on LIKE button. SHARE your stories with me. THAKS for your support.