LensBaby Family

 

Here is a great shot of Dad and Son.  I used the LensBaby composer to get an abstract photo.  They really like it, and so do I.  This is from a family vacation where I was taking a ton of photos.  The composer is a fun lens to have to get some pictures that are a little different.

The closer the better

Look for details when photographing kids.  Can you capture the determination of a child learning to crawl, or the curiosity when exploring a new object.  The closer you can get the better.  Get down on the level with your subject so that you can get a new perspective.  Life happens outside, get out and take the camera.  Think outside the box when you are working with the kids.  Keep the shutter clicking, those kids can be so cute, you don't want to miss that "it" picture.   You might like what you come out with, if not, you can always take your tradition photos, too.

New York Institute of Photography

I am currently enrolled in the correspondence photography course at New York Institute of Photography.  I took this course, so that I could take part in Operation Love.  Operation love is a program for families with an active duty member that is being deployed.  Professional photographers offer a free photo session and a 4x6 album for the deployed family member to take with them overseas.   I have not gotten around to contacting them to throw my name into the hat for this great project.  You have to be a professional, and have a portfolio of sorts on line (so I still have a little work to do before they will let me play along).    That is my goal, and eventually, I will take part in it.
I have found the  NYIP course to be very useful and interesting.  While I have enjoyed photography for over a decade and almost two decades...I now have a better grasp on the technical side of the camera and it's many functions.  I am proud to say that I now know in depth about aperture and shutter speeds, and how I can use them to make my photos better.   I am deep in the middle of the course, and into the photo projects that must be submitted to finish the course.  I enjoy the lessons, and the books that I got with my paid tuition.  I also got a few free gifts with my enrollment, the photo umbrella, and reflectors are great.  I have not used the monopod as of yet, but I am sure it will be useful in the future.  All in all, I really like the course, and all its insight.
Though you don't need to take a course to be a good photographer, but it certainly was eye opening to all the different kinds of photography that you could focus on.

AirShow at Eglin Air Force Base

I went to the show yesterday, while this was nothing like the Air Show in Chicago that we went to, it was crowded.  Unfortunately, we were not on the distinguished guest list so we did not get a great view.  Most of the bleachers for such guests were unoccupied which I found sad.  So I stood behind the bleachers and the mass of people and tried to snap a few photos.  It was a whopping FAILURE.  Here are a few from the show.  Really these are the best of the ones I got, and that is not saying much.

The lesson learned is get on the list.  It is the only way to see the show and get great photos.  Maybe next time.  Happy 75th Birthday Eglin Air Force Base.

The remote

This Christmas I got an awesome present. It was a remote for my Sony alpha a-100. This little device makes self portraits much easier. Among the features is that it does the auto focus from across the room! Now that is handy. I finally had some time to try out this little gem, and it works like a champ! Here is a picture that I took this morning. I definitely recommend this tool for anyone with an SLR. I can see it will come in handy in many situations. It will reduce the amount of hand shake when set on the tripod, and for those long exposures it will keep the camera absolutely still.