More on the Photo Shed

This week, I have been trying to focus on my photo storage shed.  My photo props need a home, and the Gracious Oaks need a storage area for wedding decor.  Last month, maybe the month before, I turned one corner of recovering the outside of the shed.  I am using gray pressure treated fencing that I bought from a friend's leftovers.

Today, I turned the other corner.  Steve watches the project from afar, being careful to let me make my mistakes.  After all, this is not his project.  Today, my arm was really wanting some muscles to hammer in the nails on the siding, but I managed.  The exercise is good for me, and the shed is coming right along.

I have so many projects going on that I feel that I never get anything done.  But I do.  I tell myself that anyway.  Sometimes, I complete a small project on purpose to prove to myself that I can finish something.  

Last weekend, I was able to see little Darcy again.  Two weekends in a row.  She is growing so fast.  She tries to talk and communicate with me but the second I turn on the video she is MUMS THE WORD!  Steve was able to sneak in last week and get some conversation with her.

Guntersville Has Art!

If there is an outdoor store anywhere around, my oldest daughter can feel it in her bones.  Christina  loves the outdoors and all the wonderful accessories that go with looking great while you hike, ski, bike, or boat.  Recently, my daughter and I were traveling from Huntsville to Gadsden and had to stop at Guntersville Outfitters. 

We shopped, tried on some clothes, and took our time before we paid for our selections.  We spoke with Dylan about summertime fun and her art projects.  She directed our attention to the display of wonderful art that she had for sale and smiled.  You could tell she loved each piece,  Artists are like parents; each work is a part of themselves. 

 

I loved the artist's sweet personality the moment I spoke to her.  The prices were amazing, and my daughter has artwork in her home that will always take her back to this time and place.

Dylan, it was a joy to meet you! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to have you in our lives always.

A Father's First Prayer ~ What do I do now?

This is one of my favorite birthing room pictures.  Minutes before, with tears, this dad watched his daughter's birth.  From the excitement of seeing life being brought into this world to the overwhelming task of what do I do now, every father will face this same dilemma.  

At every turn, there will be the doubts, the not-so good days, the failures, the successes, the accomplishments, and the ever hanging question in your mind, am I doing this right?

So, when this father was given the instruction to change her diaper for the first time, I snapped this shot.  Thankfully, a nurse was kind enough to give a step by step guide to the task. 

To me, this picture is more than a father facing the simple task of caring for a baby.  Somewhere in this moment is a father asking the Heavenly Father for guidance. "You gave us this precious little baby, please give us knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to know what is best.  Help us to trust you for the patience and calm when we do not have answers."

Photo Challenge

This week, I was challenged to do a set of 12 shots using the Sunny 16 Rule.  The Rule states that on a sunny day you can shoot at F16 using an ISO and shutter speed that mirror each other. Example ISO at 200 would give you proper exposure at 1/200th shutter speed.  So, I go out and walk around my yard to see if I can learn anything.  Well the clouds mix with the sunshine and that, in itself, throws the rule off.  Determined to learn, I venture on. adjusting a few settings.  Then, I come to this awesome subject. I put aside the learning to get the image.
Sunny 16 Settings ~ F 16  ISO 200  SS 1/200

Aggravated at trying to figure out a "RULE" and not getting anywhere, I pop my camera over to the P (professional) and grab the image.  I LOVE and I mean LOVE the colors and excitement going on down in the center of the acorn husk. The raindrop is leaching a natural oak dye into the bowl. Anyway back to the challenge.

P settings ~ F5  ISO 200 SS 1/400 

I learned and know and understand the Triangle of settings.  I am slowly coming to understand the lenses and the effect of the zoom and bokeh and such that goes into an image. 

I also know how to get what I want out of an image if given enough time.  PURPOSE is MORE than HUGE when it comes to images.  Focal points, light, Depth of field are more to me than subjects I read about in a magazine or a tutorial.  

So, I walk around a little bit more to get the Sunny 16 completed, snapping interesting subjects.  The clouds make for challenges. 

Once I am at the computer (NO EDITS ALLOWED), I download and go to read an article on the Sunny 16 RULE.  http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1565/the-sunny-16-rule/   I found it interesting, but I also understand WHY the rule is going away. TECHNOLOGY and PURPOSE.  The society is no longer dependent upon RULES to get an image to serve their purpose.  Rules become more like guides. the Sunny 16 is in my opinion a basic starting point to ALL the weather rules.  If you shoot in snow . . .  If it is cloudy. . . and so on.  I will ever be grateful to my photography teacher for the care and attention she put into our class.  The assignments may have been more of a curriculum than the teacher, but she put care into helping us understand what each element could do.  She is the reason my camera is a tool.  I USE MY CAMERA,  The camera does not dictate to me what the purpose of the image is.  My heart tells my mind what I want and my mind uses the camera.

That being said, here are the other images with the settings. 

^ f 16  400  1/400 V

 From the point on all images are F 16  200   1/200

I tried to only shoot when the sun was it's brightest so I could stay on the F 16 setting.  I need to read up on this rule more to better understand how to move away from it to get to my purpose.  I tend to shoot more portrait/detail which lends itself more to the open F stop.

Good Days, So-So Days, and Frustrating Days

We all have them.  The sweet, relaxed, refreshing days along with the confused, depressed days make up the story of our life.  Some days, I wake up with my feet in the "go" position and nothing stops me.  I accomplish my to do lists, pay the bills, clean the tubs, and look for more to add to my list so that I can check it off.  Other days, I wake up going and quickly fizzle out accomplishing very little but still feeling good and relaxed. Today has not been one of those days.  I woke up thinking and planning of three projects at once.  It is after noon, and I am still trying to decide between three projects.  Those three projects are as follows: Clean my kitchen ( I mean CLEAN the kitchen),

sort and put away photo props (that involves setting a scene, taking pictures,

and putting them into storage), and work on my office closet.  All the while the real chores (paying bills) goes unattended.  I did design my logo to add to my props.

So I turn the corner of my day, and as Fly Lady says, START OVER, right here, right now! I think I will go finish the kitchen, then pay bills, then put away the suitcases.

I Come to the Garden Alone

Sunday morning, I was up before sunrise to capture a picture for a client's wedding day.  As I watched God's paintbrush in action, the sky lit up with glorious color. 

On purpose, I took this in the family field where the ceremony took place.

As the color faded, the daylight took over, and I could see my way to walk through the field.  I prayed for the couple and God's hand to be at work in their lives and in my own.

It was such a sweet time of fellowship in God's garden.  I was walking through the field when I noticed a unique plant.  I pounced on it.  I felt special to see such a treasure.  A heart filled with Love from God on such a quiet, beautiful day.

Then, I came across these pretty clover like stalks.

I added them to the heart and became even more delighted.

Another couple of steps, I began to see color everywhere in this field of green.

I added the bright red and green leaves to the mix.

Along the walk, I spyed another beauty and thought of my sister's love for the color purple.

and added it to the mix. 

Not totally done, I found a stalk of white flowers to add in.

Thrilled with all the color and beauty in my hand, I thought I was done.

It was not so. A Star grass bud was alone in the field. 

No longer lonely, it was added to the hand full of flowers.

I saw some grass that was beyond the normal green and filled with more maroon.

Once it was added, I was sure to be finished.

On the edge of the field, bright yellow flowers called to join in the party.

Yes, it was complete now.  I had a special bouquet along with a wonderful walk in the garden. I thought of the song lyrics, " I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses . . ."

The song implies I came alone but God didn't leave me there alone.  I feel just a bit more special in that God came with me to the garden and never left my side. I am blessed and encouraged by God's love for me and how he shows me how special I am by handing me a beautiful bouquet.

  

I absolutely love to photograph children.  I learn so much about my own desire to balance between what I reach for and the trust my Father to be there If I should fail.

This little boy was perfectly okay to climb as long as he could feel his father's hands reaching and touching him.  When he got too high to feel his father's hand be retreated to go down.  From above his sister called for him to trust her to climb. "You can do it! I'll be here to help you!"  I hear my own sisters calling to me, "You can do this!  One step at a time!"  I remember this father standing patiently not saying a word to coax or push, just supporting the little fellow if he was needing arms to fall into!  I am a brave individual most of the time, but I do play safe.  I watched this little guy reach a little higher, to go beyond what he knew, to trust his helper to be at the top with him. As I type this blog, I am in tears at the love, compassion, and patience that my heavenly Father has for me.  I do not trust Him as much as He deserves but he still stands patient, waiting and knowing that He will rejoice over my full trust in Him!

I also like a child, reach the top, spread my arms, and say, "SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE!"  And all the while, my Father waits patiently.  I am reminded every time I open an awesome image, my Father is the author and finisher of my faith.  I am in His production.  He may let me star in a role here and there, but He directs my heart to find and see the things he needs me to see.  Let me dry these tears and get back to working on some more awesome images.  Thanks for reading.