Thursday, June 25, 2009

Layouts to Share, Photo Class-Week 2, and More!






I was very blessed to get to crop with my friend Lena last Friday night.  I don't get to see her too often, but I always enjoy her company.  We had lots of giggles together.  AND I completed three layouts!  Okay...well, I *started* three layouts and finished them the next day in my Scrap Studio.  *geesh* I wish I weren't so slow!  You'll notice there are no layouts this time of Miriam since I am going through all of my old pictures and scrapbooking them or putting them in albums.

Okay, so a few tips from Photography Class...I had to order a better camera in order to take this class, so I have jotted down some notes for general picture taking.  Once I get my new camera, I will be able to give more technical instruction.  

Your Point of Focus should be the clearest, sharpest point.  In a portrait, the Point of Focus is the eye.  If you are unsure where to set the aperture and shutter speed, use the Sunny 16 Rule:  Set the aperture to f16, then use a shutter speed closest to the ISO or faster.  For example:  when using ISO 400, set the shutter speed to 1/400.  Remember to use a tri-pod if shooting a shutter speed faster than 1/60!

Most digital cameras come with an Auto White Balance function that works pretty well most of the time.  Another way to think about White Balance, is to think of Color Temperature.  The White Balance evaluates the light and sets the camera to adjust.  For example:  snow gives off a bluish light, so the camera compensates for the blue color by adding magenta.  If you would like to manually adjust the White Balance or Color Temperature, use the setting that indicates the light source, such as "sun light" or "fluorescent light."  "Tungsten" indicates regular yellow lightbulb light.

In iPhoto as well as Photoshop, you can view a picture's Histogram.  The Histogram looks like a graph with peaks and valleys.  In iPhoto it is found when one presses the Adjust button.  Ideally, a photograph should have all of it's peaks in the center of the Histogram.  You can adjust the exposure by dragging the arrows at the bottom of the Histogram left or right.  Pay attention to how this is affecting your photo.  Although this is a guide to a well exposed photo, it is not a hard and fast rule.

We have had a busy week here in the Arch/Brock household.  Miriam has been in Art Camp during the mornings and on playdates in the afternoon.  It finally got hot here in Sacramento and the peas are suffering for it.  Jerry built them a very impressive shade, but I'm afraid they are not going to withstand the summer heat.  I've harvested the hardened peas and will save them to plant in October when the heat is not so intense.  The tomatoes, carrots, sunflowers, bell peppers, zucchinni, cucumbers, pumpkins, and potatoes, however, are thriving.  Kean got a new Ben 10 videogame and has been avidly playing it since Uncle Gordon gave it to him on Tuesday.  The kids and I are going camping with two other moms and their kids next week.  I hope to get lots of great pictures of the hiking and beach fun.  The picture below is one that I altered in Photoshop during class of Miriam from Art Camp.  Happy Father's Day to all you lucky fathers!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Photography Class, Week 1

I've completed my first week of digital photography class and so far it has been great. I like my teacher a lot, he is really knowledgeable and I have already learned quite a bit from him. I thought I would post my class notes here so that I can refer to them later and also for anyone who is interested in taking better pictures.

The first thing I learned is that I need an SLR camera! I have a very nice point and shoot which takes nice pics most of the time, but I can't make the aperture very small or large. It does have a wide range of shutter speeds tho, which is nice. I now know how to change it so I can take action shots without the flash and the image is not blurry.

The aperture is the opening inside the camera which allows light in. In low light, the camera should be at the widest setting and the smallest for lots of light. The aperture is also called the F Stop. On my Canon, it is indicated by a number that begins with F. The bigger the number, the smaller the opening.

The shutter speed controls how quickly a picture is recorded. For still shots, start at a shutter speed of 1/60 and continue to work your way up (faster) until the shot has the light you want. More light is allowed in at slower shutter speeds. Never use a shutter speed slower than 1/60 for a handheld shot. Instead, mount it on a tripod and then decrease the shutter speed. For action shots, increase the shutter speed as high as it will go without looking too dark.

The ISO is the "film's" sensititvity to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitivity to light. With digital cameras we have the option of changing the ISO without having to change out the film. For most pictures, keep the ISO as low as possible without making it too dark.

Now go practice! Set your camera to M for manual, set your shutter speed at 1/60, your ISO to 400, and play with your aperture. When you hold the shutter button down halfway, the camera will focus itself and warn you if your aperture is too large or too small. On my camera it gives me a positive or negative number. When you are comfortable with adjusting the shutter speed and aperture, try playing with the ISO. Be sure to upload the pictures onto a computer so you can see if they are clear or grainy. Some programs like Adobe Photoshop record the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings for you so you can recreate it on another picture. Have fun!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Finally, Some Work to Share!

I've had a few weeks' break from school while the kids are still in school, so I got a little scrappy time. I completed one layout and another is halfway finished. Plus I made a couple of thank you cards for Miriam's birthday.

In everyday life, Kean will be competing 5th grade and Miriam will be completing 1st soon. We were very pleased that Miriam was GATE identified which means she will benefit from all the fabulous teachers that Kean has had in the program. Jerry is working a lot, but we are happy for the work, just like everyone else. I am looking forward to starting a photography class next week, so hopefully I will get a good teacher and be able to take some better pictures. Be watching for my assignments over the next couple of weeks.