See The Light

This is just an illustration of what I discussed in the meeting earlier this week.  No matter how perfect your photo is, how much you love it, if your subject isn't facing the light source you run the risk of ruining your portrait because there is just no light in your subject's eyes.

Although I love both of these photos, I'm frustrated because I had no alternative to turn her toward the light and the lack of catch light in her eyes and blown out highlights in the background frustrates me.  Beware of overexposed photos with all this snow; even though my subject is properly exposed, there isn't enough contrast in the photo because the darks were just too dark and the background is too bright.  I did turn her toward the window but those photos just weren't as good.  Ah, well.  I'll just keep these as a memory even without the perfect "portrait"!

April 1st Meeting Recap

Last night the camera club got together to finish our discussion on the exposure triangle and ISO particularly.  We went over some very helpful links and discussed some metaphors that can make exposure (hopefully!) easier to understand.

We went over the outstanding shape and shutter speed photos that the camera club members contributed this past month.  From Tara's waterfall to Mackenzie's night photo to Helen's amazing portraits in Cuba, the photography club is full of some very talented ladies!

April's assignment is photographing PORTRAITS.  In preparation for this topic, Becky shared some tips on how to take a successful portrait.  We will hopefully work on this at our photo walk April 15th at 6 pm at Artistree (weather permitting).  We will confirm via email beforehand.

Looking forward to seeing all your portraits!  Enjoy the weather as it warms up!

Understanding ISO

Understanding ISO is the last step in our journey to understanding exposure (we discussed aperture and shutter speed here and here).  ISO can be either the first, second, or last thing you do to ensure a properly exposed photograph, but I feel it is the easiest to grasp.

ISO refers to your camera's sensitivity to light.  Here are a few eloquent explanations found from some of my favorite photography sites.

How To Choose The Right ISO For My Digital Photography

Controlling the Faucet--Learning ISO

Understanding Exposure In Under 10 Minutes

The way I used to remember this was ISO 100 outside on a sunny day, ISO 1600 inside.  I had a cheat sheet similar to this (handwritten on a post-it) in my camera bag.  That way when I needed to make an adjustment to my exposure but wasn't able to sacrifice certain elements of my photograph (depth of field, shutter speed), I knew what else I could change to take a proper photograph.

So the question becomes, where do you start, what can you change, what are you willing to sacrifice?

Lunar Eclipse

Per Helen's request, I have researched how to photograph a lunar eclipse for the April 15th total eclipse.  Since it is scientific and often confusing, I have attached the two most helpful sites I could find for reference.  We will look them over and discuss together.

How To Photograph A Lunar Eclipse

A Guide To Exposure Time

Let's all hope for a clear night on the 15th!

Shapes

Cuban People

I took this one after looking a photo exhibit.  She wanted to know what was going on inside, but didn't have the courage to come in.  In less than a minute, the gallery owner went outside and shooed her away, but not before I gave her a coin. 

 

 Fidel is ever present

This is my favorite: the rest of the t-shirt reads "I wanna be a vampire."

Shape Sorting

Sorting toys by color with my kids.  Found some shapes in there, too.

Playing with the aperture and depth of field was fun.  I really like the last photo, with the focus more in the center, and the photo with both of my kids because they're not looking at the camera.

Sugar house window

 Below is the link to photos of the painting bridges project that they did in Acadia National Park using flashlights to light up the bridges at night.


http://www.paintingbridges.com/gallery/

If Only...

If only I wasn't so nervous about her getting kidnapped and didn't have such a disappointing camera--I had a great opportunity to get a slow shutter photo with her gawking at Grand Central Station, with the crowd blurring around her.  Then again, she would have had to stand still for an extended period of time, which isn't likely with a three year old.

Shutter speed: 1/13 second.  Blurry but not blurry enough!