Chatting with Gundi

[stitchmich]

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

[idtwinmom]

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

Oh Michele! Ouch!!!!!!! I really feel for you! So will shed a few in your name :cry::cry: and then pray :pray::pray: that the camera isn't ruined!

Hugs GF!

[Christine]

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry: oh I am soooo sorry!!!

[carolyn d]

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

Do you have a local camera repair shop ? Before you fiddle with the camera itself, have it checked out ! An impact like that may have done something to the flanges where the lens attaches or jarred the mirror/shutter assembly.

Very sorry to hear this happened ! I don't know what kind of camera you have, but any loss like that is devastating.

[carolyn d]

Dang, I won't have internet all weekend from about noon tomorrow. :help::help::help::help:


yeah, but it sounds like you'll be having too good atime to spend on the internet !

[ReneT]

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

Oh no Michelle!!!! So sorry!! I hope your camera is OK. :hug::hug:

[ReneT]

yeah, but it sounds like you'll be having too good atime to spend on the internet !

Yes, it will be nice to get away. Very excited. I'm going to spend some time reading my PSE for Dummies book and the book that came with my camera to see if I can learn anything. :D I really want to learn to take better photos in the dark and indoors before we go on the cruise next month.

[stitchmich]

Do you have a local camera repair shop ? Before you fiddle with the camera itself, have it checked out ! An impact like that may have done something to the flanges where the lens attaches or jarred the mirror/shutter assembly.

Very sorry to hear this happened ! I don't know what kind of camera you have, but any loss like that is devastating.

It's a Nikon D40 and it's my 55-200VR lens that shattered. I did turn the camera on and snap a shot and it took the picture, so I changed the lens and it seems to be working fine. I need a camera tomorrow. My DD is going to her first prom. I guess I'll be stepping in close if I want close up shots. ;) I may be doing that for a while... can't really afford a new lens right now.

Yes, it will be nice to get away. Very excited. I'm going to spend some time reading my PSE for Dummies book and the book that came with my camera to see if I can learn anything. :D I really want to learn to take better photos in the dark and indoors before we go on the cruise next month.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend :D

[Christine]

It's a Nikon D40 and it's my 55-200VR lens that shattered. I did turn the camera on and snap a shot and it took the picture, so I changed the lens and it seems to be working fine. I need a camera tomorrow. My DD is going to her first prom. I guess I'll be stepping in close if I want close up shots. ;) I may be doing that for a while... can't really afford a new lens right now.



I hope you have a fabulous weekend :D

Hey you might want to talk to Jennifer (Photography Moderator). According to her siggie she is selling her 18-200 VR lens. I know it will work on a d40. I have one that I use with my d80 and I LOVE it! You would probably get a better deal than buying a new one.

[carolyn d]

Yes, it will be nice to get away. Very excited. I'm going to spend some time reading my PSE for Dummies book and the book that came with my camera to see if I can learn anything. :D I really want to learn to take better photos in the dark and indoors before we go on the cruise next month.

what kind of camera do you have?? I may be able to point you in the right direction for low light shots....and do you have only the pop up flash or do you have an external flash as well...

[Christine]

I just put up a new tutorial on my blog (http://christinegundersendesigns.blogspot.com/) or you can get it from the TTT forum too.

[Christine]

Hi CaroD, didn't see you in here with me. ;)

[carolyn d]

Hey you might want to talk to Jennifer (Photography Moderator). According to her siggie she is selling her 18-200 VR lens. I know it will work on a d40. I have one that I use with my d80 and I LOVE it! You would probably get a better deal than buying a new one.

and it would be a safe purchase as a used lens. She's a known pro so you know the lens has been well taken care of. I do believe the only reason she is selling it is that she has upgraded her camera to the D700 (full frame) and I'm pretty sure the lens is a DX lens. ( for the smaller dx sensor)

[carolyn d]

Hi CaroD, didn't see you in here with me. ;)

just doing some lurking before i hit the hay..boy , poor Mich! and prom tomorrow ! arrrggggggghhhhhhhh !

[ReneT]

what kind of camera do you have?? I may be able to point you in the right direction for low light shots....and do you have only the pop up flash or do you have an external flash as well...

I have a Canon PowerShot A650 IS. And I am so photographically challenged, that I can't answer your next question. :D How do I figure that out? I don't understand ISO, or white balance or anything like that. I generally shoot on auto, but that doesn't work a lot of the time.

[ReneT]

I just put up a new tutorial on my blog (http://christinegundersendesigns.blogspot.com/) or you can get it from the TTT forum too.

OOOOHHHHHHHH I used to love my Light Bright!!!! Thanks Chris!!!

I must have ESPN because I was just thinking about your tutorials today and wondering when you might do another fabulous one! (The first time my son heard me say "I have ESPN" he said "Mom, it's ESP!" I told him I knew, that it was a joke. He just looked at me. You know the look, the one that says "You're so lame". :D)

[ReneT]

Yes, it's 1:59am and I'm still playing on the internet. Sleepless in Lubbock once again. But, I did get my journaling written for my heritage layout for next week. Haven't started the layout yet, but I thought while I had an idea of what direction the journaling should go, I better write it.

[ReneT]

Does anyone know if you can no longer search for products in the store by color like you ustacould? (TX word :D) I can't find it any more. It used to be on the right hand side, but not any more, unless I'm blind.

I bet ya'll wish I would go to bed and quit rambling.

[carolyn d]

I have a Canon PowerShot A650 IS. And I am so photographically challenged, that I can't answer your next question. :D How do I figure that out? I don't understand ISO, or white balance or anything like that. I generally shoot on auto, but that doesn't work a lot of the time.

OK besides reading the manual, I would head over to the photography forum here on DSP ... there is a thread there-GETTING T HE MOST FROM YOUR POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA - which you may find helpful.

[stitchmich]

Hey you might want to talk to Jennifer (Photography Moderator). According to her siggie she is selling her 18-200 VR lens. I know it will work on a d40. I have one that I use with my d80 and I LOVE it! You would probably get a better deal than buying a new one.

Thanks! I'll do that. Thanks to you all. I just needed to know someone knew my pain. DH just wanted to know how much it was going to cost him to replace it. :rolleyes:

Rene, I thought the color search was on the left, but all you really need is that little drop down box where you choose "Christine Gundersen". ;) How's that Chris? :lol:

And "ustacould" is a word in NC too :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

OK besides reading the manual, I would head over to the photography forum here on DSP ... there is a thread there-GETTING T HE MOST FROM YOUR POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA - which you may find helpful.

Good idea. I've been meaning to do that, but just never seem to make the time.

[ReneT]

Thanks! I'll do that. Thanks to you all. I just needed to know someone knew my pain. DH just wanted to know how much it was going to cost him to replace it. :rolleyes:

Rene, I thought the color search was on the left, but all you really need is that little drop down box where you choose "Christine Gundersen". ;) How's that Chris? :lol:

And "ustacould" is a word in NC too :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Last time I used it, it was on the right, but that's been awhile, so who knows. I can't find it any more.

[ReneT]

OK, I just realized that if I had made it to the chat Tuesday morning, I could have gotten the new Quick Bits that I bought yesterday and maybe the Perfectly Posh kit for free! Ugh! Why was I not there???

[stitchmich]

OK, I just realized that if I had made it to the chat Tuesday morning, I could have gotten the new Quick Bits that I bought yesterday and maybe the Perfectly Posh kit for free! Ugh! Why was I not there???

hehehe... that was me! :D I got the quick bits AND I won Trivia so I got Perfectly Posh too! Aren't you jealous? Of course I am swamped this week and haven't had time to use either yet. Soon, very soon....

[Christine]

OOOOHHHHHHHH I used to love my Light Bright!!!! Thanks Chris!!!

I must have ESPN because I was just thinking about your tutorials today and wondering when you might do another fabulous one! (The first time my son heard me say "I have ESPN" he said "Mom, it's ESP!" I told him I knew, that it was a joke. He just looked at me. You know the look, the one that says "You're so lame". :D)

don't u know parents aren't supposed to come with a sense of humor just ask any teenager! LOL I must have been tuned into your espn :D

[Christine]

Thanks! I'll do that. Thanks to you all. I just needed to know someone knew my pain. DH just wanted to know how much it was going to cost him to replace it. :rolleyes:

Rene, I thought the color search was on the left, but all you really need is that little drop down box where you choose "Christine Gundersen". ;) How's that Chris? :lol:

Most excellent stitchie! Keep that up and I just might let u win trivia again! LOL

[stitchmich]

Most excellent stitchie! Keep that up and I just might let u win trivia again! LOL

hehehe... at your service.... wait a minute, what do you mean "let me win"? I knew some answers!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[stitchmich]

don't u know parents aren't supposed to come with a sense of humor just ask any teenager! LOL I must have been tuned into your espn :D

not only that but... the older your kids get, the stupider you get. :rolleyes:

[ReneT]

hehehe... that was me! :D I got the quick bits AND I won Trivia so I got Perfectly Posh too! Aren't you jealous? Of course I am swamped this week and haven't had time to use either yet. Soon, very soon....

Yay for you!!!! You go girl.

[ReneT]

not only that but... the older your kids get, the stupider you get. :rolleyes:

Till they have kids of their own, then they realize you aren't quite as stupid as they thought.

[carolyn d]

Till they have kids of their own, then they realize you aren't quite as stupid as they thought.

or at least until they hit their 20's.... mine now actually ASK me for advice AND take it into consideration when making their decisions....it may not be exactly what I had advised, but I see pieces of it in there !!!

We start getting "less stupid" when they want the keys to the car ! LOL

[carolyn d]

don't u know parents aren't supposed to come with a sense of humor just ask any teenager! LOL I must have been tuned into your espn :D


as true sense of humor comes with life experiences, ya know !!! It takes some time to be able to fully see lifes' absurdities and to have the confidence to laugh at yourself.

[Christine]

hehehe... at your service.... wait a minute, what do you mean "let me win"? I knew some answers!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Well I couldn't tell them I gave you the answers that was our secret remember? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Christine]

or at least until they hit their 20's.... mine now actually ASK me for advice AND take it into consideration when making their decisions....it may not be exactly what I had advised, but I see pieces of it in there !!!

We start getting "less stupid" when they want the keys to the car ! LOL

and they at least pretend we are not as stupid when they aren't old enough to drive and want US to use the keys to the car to haul THEM somewhere. :yes:

[GrandmaCrys]

You hussy u Crys. :rofl: how old was she at the time she came up with this brilliant theory?

25, going on 12! ;)

I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on...
I was going to DD's band concert tonight and as I rushed out to the car carrying too many things, I dropped my camera bag. When I got to school and pulled my camera out of the bag I realized that my zoom lens is shattered. I managed not to cry while I was at school, but now that I am home.... :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I hope I haven't ruined the camera too.

Oh, crud! :eek: :eek: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Glad to hear your camera seems to be working!! Hope you come up with some method to capture all those wonderful prom pictures!!

hehehe... that was me! :D I got the quick bits AND I won Trivia so I got Perfectly Posh too! Aren't you jealous? Of course I am swamped this week and haven't had time to use either yet. Soon, very soon....

You lucky duck! It sucks to have to work for a living! :(

Heavy rain, thunder and lightening rolling through. Stronger storms coming...yuck...

[idtwinmom]

OOOOHHHHHHHH I used to love my Light Bright!!!! Thanks Chris!!!

I must have ESPN because I was just thinking about your tutorials today and wondering when you might do another fabulous one! (The first time my son heard me say "I have ESPN" he said "Mom, it's ESP!" I told him I knew, that it was a joke. He just looked at me. You know the look, the one that says "You're so lame". :D)

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I was just about to say the same as your DS, then read the rest of the note!

Till they have kids of their own, then they realize you aren't quite as stupid as they thought.
I know that is when my Mom got so smart! :lol:

[carolyn d]

Till they have kids of their own, then they realize you aren't quite as stupid as they thought.It's all part and parcel of the "mother's curse"... it comes true with a vengence regardless..

for those not familiar with said curse..." I HOPE that when you have kids , they do to you what you've done to ME!"

My mom used to remind me of this curse on a fairly regular basis... and it does SOOOOOO come true... even if you have a different parenting style, the kids DO drive you bats... think you're stupid, don't understand, just don't get it, embarrased to be seen with you, ..... oh that list is endless...

[Rosie G]

Hey, Chris. Loved your tut this week.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/518/thumbs/Neon-Azaleas.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=317745)
Neon Azaleas (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=317745)

Love your Mad Max 2. Perfect for my DGS:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/518/thumbs/Bradley-Guitar2.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=317815&ppuser=33287)
Bradley with Guitar (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=317815&cat=500&ppuser=33287)

[ReneT]

and they at least pretend we are not as stupid when they aren't old enough to drive and want US to use the keys to the car to haul THEM somewhere. :yes:

Yeah, it's all pretending when they want something. :rofl:

[ReneT]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I was just about to say the same as your DS, then read the rest of the note!


I know that is when my Mom got so smart! :lol:

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Yes, I really remember appreciating my mom so much more and being able to REALLY talk to her after my son was born. I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON I NEED TO BE A GRANDMOTHER!!! Then maybe my kids will appreciate me! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

It's all part and parcel of the "mother's curse"... it comes true with a vengence regardless..

for those not familiar with said curse..." I HOPE that when you have kids , they do to you what you've done to ME!"

My mom used to remind me of this curse on a fairly regular basis... and it does SOOOOOO come true... even if you have a different parenting style, the kids DO drive you bats... think you're stupid, don't understand, just don't get it, embarrased to be seen with you, ..... oh that list is endless...

Amen, sister.

[ReneT]

Well, we got back from Cloudcroft a few hours ago. I've unpacked the rv, am working on the laundry, DH is mowing the yard. The weekend went by way too fast. I didn't even miss the internet that much. :D It was cold, foggy, and rainy all day Saturday. We drove into Cloudcroft, stopping periodically for me to take photos (the RV place was about 30 minutes from there) Saturday morning. We went to some of the shops and had lunch, then went back to the rv park. DH took a nap while I read some of my camera book, trying to wrap my head around ISO, aperture and shutter speed. I understand what it's talking about, but trying to put all 3 of those things together and adjust all 3 settings before taking a photo is quite confusing. I DID learn how to look at the camera settings to see what settings a photo I have already taken was set on.

Oh here's a funny story about my weekend: While we were driving into Cloudcroft, I saw an eagle sitting on a tree stump and was so excited to take a photo of it. I made DH stop on the highway and back up so I could take the photo, praying that the eagle would not get spooked and fly away. The highway wasn't busy, so he backed up, took one look at the eagle, and said, "Rene, that's a buzzard". Oh. Dang. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

OMG the heavens are shaking......... I went SHOPPING....... have a couple of "events" that require more than jeans/t-shirts/smeakers..... Yesterday, got a pair of black ankle pants with cutle littlel zippers at the ankles (original price $60.00, marked down and then on sale so they were $15.00),and a fitted, blue button up shirt.
Today I managed to locate a fuschia sweater with a really different neckline ( $10.00), a maroon sweater which almost looks like a dress ( very different and mega cute- $12.00), a black sweater jacket- body is quilted, arms are knobby knit, fake fur collar ($15.00) and get this... a brown leather jacket ( great detailing on the back and the waist is fitted ! ) for $20.00 !!!! MAN I LOVE SALE RACKS !

Now I have some nice stuff to bring to alaska! Lisa has told me to think "layers" ...don't want to look like a schlub from RI !!!

[carolyn d]

Well, we got back from Cloudcroft a few hours ago. I've unpacked the rv, am working on the laundry, DH is mowing the yard. The weekend went by way too fast. I didn't even miss the internet that much. :D It was cold, foggy, and rainy all day Saturday. We drove into Cloudcroft, stopping periodically for me to take photos (the RV place was about 30 minutes from there) Saturday morning. We went to some of the shops and had lunch, then went back to the rv park. DH took a nap while I read some of my camera book, trying to wrap my head around ISO, aperture and shutter speed. I understand what it's talking about, but trying to put all 3 of those things together and adjust all 3 settings before taking a photo is quite confusing. I DID learn how to look at the camera settings to see what settings a photo I have already taken was set on. IT TAKES ALOT OF PRACTICE ! But the fact you UNDERSTAND the concepts is a HUGE step in the right direction.. at least you can find them in your manual.. My manual is over 400 pages so nothing is EASY to find. ISO is how SENSITIVE to light the sensor is. The more senetive to light the sensor is, the faster the shutter speed will be. All 3 of these things work together to give you a correctly exposed image. In low light, you would want your ISO to be higher ( more sensitive) while in bright light, you'd want it less sensitive. I could give you a full lesson but it would take forever to type it all out !

Oh here's a funny story about my weekend: While we were driving into Cloudcroft, I saw an eagle sitting on a tree stump and was so excited to take a photo of it. I made DH stop on the highway and back up so I could take the photo, praying that the eagle would not get spooked and fly away. The highway wasn't busy, so he backed up, took one look at the eagle, and said, "Rene, that's a buzzard". Oh. Dang. :rofl::rofl::rofl:Some ornithologist you are !!1:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Hey, it was a big bird...so.. did you take a picute of the dang thing anyway ????

[ReneT]

OMG the heavens are shaking......... I went SHOPPING....... have a couple of "events" that require more than jeans/t-shirts/smeakers..... Yesterday, got a pair of black ankle pants with cutle littlel zippers at the ankles (original price $60.00, marked down and then on sale so they were $15.00),and a fitted, blue button up shirt.
Today I managed to locate a fuschia sweater with a really different neckline ( $10.00), a maroon sweater which almost looks like a dress ( very different and mega cute- $12.00), a black sweater jacket- body is quilted, arms are knobby knit, fake fur collar ($15.00) and get this... a brown leather jacket ( great detailing on the back and the waist is fitted ! ) for $20.00 !!!! MAN I LOVE SALE RACKS !

Now I have some nice stuff to bring to alaska! Lisa has told me to think "layers" ...don't want to look like a schlub from RI !!!

Sounds like you got some great deals!!! Yay for you!!!!

[ReneT]

Some ornithologist you are !!1:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Hey, it was a big bird...so.. did you take a picute of the dang thing anyway ????

No, I didn't take the photo, we were laughing too hard when we figured out that I'm a dork, so we had to start driving again. But I did get some cool photos of the fog over the mountains, some white tailed deer 2 different times, and my green chili hamburger! :rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

No, I didn't take the photo, we were laughing too hard when we figured out that I'm a dork, so we had to start driving again. But I did get some cool photos of the fog over the mountains, some white tailed deer 2 different times, and my green chili hamburger! :rofl::rofl:

Flora and fauna I can understand, but I hate to ask this...........green chile hamburger????????????????????????????

[idtwinmom]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Yes, I really remember appreciating my mom so much more and being able to REALLY talk to her after my son was born. I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON I NEED TO BE A GRANDMOTHER!!! Then maybe my kids will appreciate me! :rofl::rofl::rofl:
Yes, but just remember, to be a Grandmother, your kids have to be parents! Think about it! :lol:



Oh here's a funny story about my weekend: While we were driving into Cloudcroft, I saw an eagle sitting on a tree stump and was so excited to take a photo of it. I made DH stop on the highway and back up so I could take the photo, praying that the eagle would not get spooked and fly away. The highway wasn't busy, so he backed up, took one look at the eagle, and said, "Rene, that's a buzzard". Oh. Dang. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Way sad you didn't go ahead and take the pic! That would have made for one really funny LO!

OMG the heavens are shaking......... I went SHOPPING....... have a couple of "events" that require more than jeans/t-shirts/smeakers..... Yesterday, got a pair of black ankle pants with cutle littlel zippers at the ankles (original price $60.00, marked down and then on sale so they were $15.00),and a fitted, blue button up shirt.
Today I managed to locate a fuschia sweater with a really different neckline ( $10.00), a maroon sweater which almost looks like a dress ( very different and mega cute- $12.00), a black sweater jacket- body is quilted, arms are knobby knit, fake fur collar ($15.00) and get this... a brown leather jacket ( great detailing on the back and the waist is fitted ! ) for $20.00 !!!! MAN I LOVE SALE RACKS !

Now I have some nice stuff to bring to alaska! Lisa has told me to think "layers" ...don't want to look like a schlub from RI !!!
OK, but remember: layers and flats! In Anchorage, there are a few places you get away with heels, but most of Alaska is gravel parking lots! Trashes a spiked heel in seconds!

Flora and fauna I can understand, but I hate to ask this...........green chile hamburger????????????????????????????
Gee, just what it sounds like! A hamburger with green chili!

[carolyn d]

OK, but remember: layers and flats! In Anchorage, there are a few places you get away with heels, but most of Alaska is gravel parking lots! Trashes a spiked heel in seconds!actually, the heels are for a wedding in June... for alaska I have UGGS and hiking boots the sweaters, and both jackets. I already have a ton of sweatshirts. some long sleeved waffle knits...fuzzy jammies... I'm good to go. My wardrobe is looking sparse so I needed stuff.. this gives me an excuse/need to update. Otherwise I never would.


Gee, just what it sounds like! A hamburger with green chili!that's a new one for me... I guess I am gastronomically virginal. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

hey Lisa,,,, did you guys ever get hold of Chris? and did Miss Cranky Pants and the Hairy Dudes get to talk to him?

[ReneT]

Flora and fauna I can understand, but I hate to ask this...........green chile hamburger????????????????????????????




Gee, just what it sounds like! A hamburger with green chili!

No, it's a hamburger with green chili PEPPERS on it, not chili that's green. :rofl::rofl:
It's very yummy as long as the peppers aren't hot. They weren't.

[idtwinmom]

hey Lisa,,,, did you guys ever get hold of Chris? and did Miss Cranky Pants and the Hairy Dudes get to talk to him?

We talked to him on the phone, but he says it's the laptop. Hope he gets it fixed before coming down here! I finally decided I wanted to make sure we had it for the trip! Miss Cranky Pants continued (and still continues) to be too cranky to talk to anyone, I think it's this heat. And the Hairy Dudes had their ears lowered by at least 2 inches so I guess they (and for sure DS#1) are no longer terribly hairy!

Oh, and make sure you have some short sleeved stuff, it's not like it's going to be cold. August is still summer, just chilly mornings are a possibility.

[idtwinmom]

No, it's a hamburger with green chili PEPPERS on it, not chili that's green. :rofl::rofl:
It's very yummy as long as the peppers aren't hot. They weren't.

Actually, it was a typo! I meant to type Green Chili's! So I left off a word, gonna sue me?

[carolyn d]

We talked to him on the phone, but he says it's the laptop. Hope he gets it fixed before coming down here! I finally decided I wanted to make sure we had it for the trip! Miss Cranky Pants continued (and still continues) to be too cranky to talk to anyone, I think it's this heat. And the Hairy Dudes had their ears lowered by at least 2 inches so I guess they (and for sure DS#1) are no longer terribly hairy!

Oh, and make sure you have some short sleeved stuff, it's not like it's going to be cold. August is still summer, just chilly mornings are a possibility.

oh yeah... already ready. I have my list and I'm sticking to it ! 2 pairs jeans, 2 sweaters, 2 sweatshirts w/hoods, jacket, 2 short sleeved t-shirts (one white, one dark) 2 long sleeved shirts, jammies, slippers, unmentionables, socks, hiking boots, uggs, sneakers ( my ultimate favs). One pair good pants/shirt/heels for GIRLS NIGHT OUT ! And that is more than I ususally pack. I keep it light- don't wanna haul around tons and i do believe they made washers/driers for just this reason ! :rofl::rofl::rofl:I doubt I'll be wearing tank tops... what is the average temp in August by the way??

[carolyn d]

No, it's a hamburger with green chili PEPPERS on it, not chili that's green. :rofl::rofl:
It's very yummy as long as the peppers aren't hot. They weren't.

I'm not a big chilii pepper person.... never heard of them being put on a hamburger... peppers in general do BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDD things to my digestive system which is unfortunate because I love roasted red peppers !

[idtwinmom]

oh yeah... already ready. I have my list and I'm sticking to it ! 2 pairs jeans, 2 sweaters, 2 sweatshirts w/hoods, jacket, 2 short sleeved t-shirts (one white, one dark) 2 long sleeved shirts, jammies, slippers, unmentionables, socks, hiking boots, uggs, sneakers ( my ultimate favs). One pair good pants/shirt/heels for GIRLS NIGHT OUT ! And that is more than I ususally pack. I keep it light- don't wanna haul around tons and i do believe they made washers/driers for just this reason ! :rofl::rofl::rofl:I doubt I'll be wearing tank tops... what is the average temp in August by the way??
Day time: mid 60's, nights will be low 50's. Not bad!

We do have a washer/dryer at the house if you need it! Hmmm.... you mean I'm gonna need heels for Girl's Night? That could be a problem! :lol::lol:

I'm not a big chilii pepper person.... never heard of them being put on a hamburger... peppers in general do BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDD things to my digestive system which is unfortunate because I love roasted red peppers !
I'm not too fond of what they do for me either! So we won't be "spicing up our meals"! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

Actually, it was a typo! I meant to type Green Chili's! So I left off a word, gonna sue me?

Now who's a Miss Cranky Pants? :D

[idtwinmom]

Well, I've done what I got on this machine to do (or at least most of it!) Now I had better go get that shopping list finished or I'll be winging it in the morning.

BTW - the boys have a concert tomorrow night. This time, DS#2 has promised to not be shy and to actually sing! He's been practicing for the last 2 weeks. Sure wish DH were here to see it. I know it's hurting him not to be here! The concert is the main reason I took time out to give the boys the hair cuts! They were looking pretty ragged, and doing it myself sure takes less time than dragging them off to the salon!

[ReneT]

I'm not a big chilii pepper person.... never heard of them being put on a hamburger... peppers in general do BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDD things to my digestive system which is unfortunate because I love roasted red peppers !

Someday maybe I'll tell you about the time I got incredibly STUPID and had a jalepeno eating contest with a friend of mine. There was tequila involved that obviously impaired my judgement. Suffice it to say, I will never do that again. :lol:

[ReneT]

We talked to him on the phone, but he says it's the laptop. Hope he gets it fixed before coming down here! I finally decided I wanted to make sure we had it for the trip! Miss Cranky Pants continued (and still continues) to be too cranky to talk to anyone, I think it's this heat. And the Hairy Dudes had their ears lowered by at least 2 inches so I guess they (and for sure DS#1) are no longer terribly hairy!

Oh, and make sure you have some short sleeved stuff, it's not like it's going to be cold. August is still summer, just chilly mornings are a possibility.

My dad always used to say "I'm gonna go get my ears lowered" when he would go get a haircut too.

[carolyn d]

Day time: mid 60's, nights will be low 50's. Not bad!

We do have a washer/dryer at the house if you need it! Hmmm.... you mean I'm gonna need heels for Girl's Night? That could be a problem! :lol::lol:Nope, you don't... I do... you did mention that we would look like Mutt and Jeff with the difference in height ! I'm just trying to compensate .:lol::lol::lol:
Temps sound great, but not sleeveless weaher for me ! I'm always cold... body temp is around 97 degrees instead of 98.6.. so I run cooler :lol::lol:

But 50 at night is perfect sleeping weather ! Awesome !
I'm not too fond of what they do for me either! So we won't be "spicing up our meals"! :rofl::rofl::rofl:Oh my goodness no !!!! Hey, do you and Chris like Chicken Marsala ???? I'll cook you both dinner ! But I hafta use your kitchen..haha. You guys can putter with a glass of wine and relax and I'll cook... and I'll make the kids pancakes !

[ReneT]

Oh my goodness no !!!! Hey, do you and Chris like Chicken Marsala ???? I'll cook you both dinner ! But I hafta use your kitchen..haha. You guys can putter with a glass of wine and relax and I'll cook... and I'll make the kids pancakes !

I like chicken marsala. I like to putter with a glass of wine. I like to relax. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

[carolyn d]

Someday maybe I'll tell you about the time I got incredibly STUPID and had a jalepeno eating contest with a friend of mine. There was tequila involved that obviously impaired my judgement. Suffice it to say, I will never do that again. :lol:

OH WOW... you don't even need to tell me the entire story ! It's all crystal clear in my mind !!! The morning after must've been awful ! Remind me sometime to tell you about the tequilla and the worm !

[ReneT]

OH WOW... you don't even need to tell me the entire story ! It's all crystal clear in my mind !!! The morning after must've been awful ! Remind me sometime to tell you about the tequilla and the worm !

At least I won the contest!

Hey Carolyn, tell me about the tequila and the worm. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

I like chicken marsala. I like to putter with a glass of wine. I like to relax. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

come to alaska and dinner is served ! :love1::love1:
I love to cook but hate to cook under pressure... ( walk in the door and hear "what's for dinner?" and I haven't even had a chance to go to the bathroom ! )
I like to try new recipies and not the "same old familiar stuff".(sigh)

if I go to tx... I think You get Chicken Piccata...

[ReneT]

come to alaska and dinner is served ! :love1::love1:
I love to cook but hate to cook under pressure... ( walk in the door and hear "what's for dinner?" and I haven't even had a chance to go to the bathroom ! )
I like to try new recipies and not the "same old familiar stuff".(sigh)

if I go to tx... I think You get Chicken Piccata...

That works!

[carolyn d]

At least I won the contest!

Hey Carolyn, tell me about the tequila and the worm. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

lets just say that at the bottom of the bottle was a little chewy creature...
was horribly sick for DAYS because I literally drank and ate the whole thing !
for a week after, If I sweat, all you could smell was tequilla..
it took 3 days for my bed to stop spinning !
oh man............ what a night !

[carolyn d]

That works!

cool beans !

dontcha just love it when someone cooks for you ?
to me , that is better than room service !

[ReneT]

cool beans !

dontcha just love it when someone cooks for you ?
to me , that is better than room service !

Yep, no one ever cooks for me though, except at holidays when my MIL cooks for all of us. So when can I expect you? :D

[ReneT]

lets just say that at the bottom of the bottle was a little chewy creature...
was horribly sick for DAYS because I literally drank and ate the whole thing !
for a week after, If I sweat, all you could smell was tequilla..
it took 3 days for my bed to stop spinning !
oh man............ what a night !

Wow. That's funny. Probably wasn't too funny to you, though.

[carolyn d]

Wow. That's funny. Probably wasn't too funny to you, though.
well it was fun until my friends dropped me on the kitchen floor..that hurt and set off a WHOLE LOT of "things" to happening... if you know what I mean .

for years later, the SMELL of tequilla would make my stomach lurch, my face turn pale and cold sweat pop out on my forehead... when I bartended/waitressed, if anyone ordered a drink with tequilla in it, I had to have someone else make/serve it... I physically was incapable.

[ReneT]

well it was fun until my friends dropped me on the kitchen floor..that hurt and set off a WHOLE LOT of "things" to happening... if you know what I mean .

for years later, the SMELL of tequilla would make my stomach lurch, my face turn pale and cold sweat pop out on my forehead... when I bartended/waitressed, if anyone ordered a drink with tequilla in it, I had to have someone else make/serve it... I physically was incapable.

How old were you when that happened?

[carolyn d]

How old were you when that happened?

hmmmmmmmmm 17 or 18... I was still in high school .........yes, I was the wild child to a certain extent.... I pushed the limits but only so far.. and generally paid the price..i was pretty wimpy but learned from the mistakes I made...
and back in the 70's the legal drinking age WAS 18 !

[ReneT]

hmmmmmmmmm 17 or 18... I was still in high school .........yes, I was the wild child to a certain extent.... I pushed the limits but only so far.. and generally paid the price..i was pretty wimpy but learned from the mistakes I made...
and back in the 70's the legal drinking age WAS 18 !

Did your mom know, or were you spending the night away from home? I had my wild moments in high school too. One in particular that I was very fortunate turned out the way it did. It could have been much worse. The Lord was looking after me that night.

[carolyn d]

Did your mom know, or were you spending the night away from home? I had my wild moments in high school too. One in particular that I was very fortunate turned out the way it did. It could have been much worse. The Lord was looking after me that night.


Oh no... I was at home,,, they dropped me on my own kitchen floor ! Luckily the "rents were upstairs in bed at the front of the house and my room was towards the back of the house.. I doubt that they DIDN'T know what happened, but I was so obviously miserable they didn't need to say anything.. besides, I wouldn't have been able to hear them above the sound of the moaning, groaning and flushing.

[stitchmich]

I like chicken marsala. I like to putter with a glass of wine. I like to relax. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

That sounds so good! I like cooking, but I like it more with a glass of wine. :lol:

lets just say that at the bottom of the bottle was a little chewy creature...
was horribly sick for DAYS because I literally drank and ate the whole thing !
for a week after, If I sweat, all you could smell was tequilla..
it took 3 days for my bed to stop spinning !
oh man............ what a night !

oh man, you wild woman! The whole bottle?!?!? I can't drink vodka, for similar reasons. (well it wasn't the whole bottle :D )


dontcha just love it when someone cooks for you ?
to me , that is better than room service !

I do love that, but it never happens in my house. Occasionally at other peoples houses, but it's even better when someone cooks for you AND you don't have to clean the dishes either ;)

[stitchmich]

I feel like I've missed a lot. I haven't been around much this week... very busy week with work, school, ya know, life. Though with the economy what it is I am so grateful that my shop is staying busy.

And my DD went to prom on Friday so we had nails done one day, hair the next. She was so pretty. My crashed lens wasn't an issue since I used my short lens anyway. But I did have some "user errors"... forgot to check all my settings, so messed up a few and I hate using a flash, so I have that hideous shadow in the pictures taken inside. But I have a few really good ones out of the 175 I took. :lol: I'm going to try to attach a picture... scrapbook pages coming soon...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3534148079_0559c8af28.jpg?v=0

[Christine]

I was having a tough time with the triad too and how do u adjust them all at once, until I had an ah ha moment. And the answer is......... you don't!!! Here's what I finally figured out. First u decide on your ISO based on your lighting conditions ie. Super bright sunny day 100, darkish 800 etc. Ok then u ask yourself which is more important ap or ss, set that one based on what you want. Now meter your object and set the 3rd parameter to give you a zero on the meter.

From here you make adjustments if u want and u don't HAVE to start with ISO but for me I needed a simple method that I could do quickly that gave me a starting point and not just feel like I was floundering around not knowing where to start. :D HTH


Well, we got back from Cloudcroft a few hours ago. I've unpacked the rv, am working on the laundry, DH is mowing the yard. The weekend went by way too fast. I didn't even miss the internet that much. :D It was cold, foggy, and rainy all day Saturday. We drove into Cloudcroft, stopping periodically for me to take photos (the RV place was about 30 minutes from there) Saturday morning. We went to some of the shops and had lunch, then went back to the rv park. DH took a nap while I read some of my camera book, trying to wrap my head around ISO, aperture and shutter speed. I understand what it's talking about, but trying to put all 3 of those things together and adjust all 3 settings before taking a photo is quite confusing. I DID learn how to look at the camera settings to see what settings a photo I have already taken was set on.

Oh here's a funny story about my weekend: While we were driving into Cloudcroft, I saw an eagle sitting on a tree stump and was so excited to take a photo of it. I made DH stop on the highway and back up so I could take the photo, praying that the eagle would not get spooked and fly away. The highway wasn't busy, so he backed up, took one look at the eagle, and said, "Rene, that's a buzzard". Oh. Dang. :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Christine]

hey Lisa,,,, did you guys ever get hold of Chris? and did Miss Cranky Pants and the Hairy Dudes get to talk to him?

LOL I always think u guys mean me when u talk about him and I am wondering why lisa was trying to get me :D

Awesome deals on your shopping caro wahoo!

Rene your story is too funny!

[Christine]

I feel like I've missed a lot. I haven't been around much this week... very busy week with work, school, ya know, life. Though with the economy what it is I am so grateful that my shop is staying busy.

And my DD went to prom on Friday so we had nails done one day, hair the next. She was so pretty. My crashed lens wasn't an issue since I used my short lens anyway. But I did have some "user errors"... forgot to check all my settings, so messed up a few and I hate using a flash, so I have that hideous shadow in the pictures taken inside. But I have a few really good ones out of the 175 I took. :lol: I'm going to try to attach a picture... scrapbook pages coming soon...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3534148079_0559c8af28.jpg?v=0

Oh she looks sooooo pretty! This is exactly the kind of picture I created as the clock strikes 12, she is even wearing blue! :tup: oh that sounds like a shameless plug but really more just thinking out loud. :D

[stitchmich]

Oh she looks sooooo pretty! This is exactly the kind of picture I created as the clock strikes 12, she is even wearing blue! :tup: oh that sounds like a shameless plug but really more just thinking out loud. :D

Shameless plugs are okay (it is your thread afterall :rofl: ) Are you talking about a new kit you have in the works or a kit in the store already. Actually the dress is purple. Gosh, if I were the Bag Lady.... How's that for shameless?! :rofl:

[stitchmich]

oh dang, I found it in the store and it is definitely too blue. Pretty though :)

[addicted]

Oh my heck, I LOVE Oregon!!!! It is SO pretty there! I would totally move in 2 seconds if I could. We had so much fun traveling from Astoria down to the Tillamook factory and seeing everything in between. We spent most of out time in Seaside and just had a blast. W bought Kites the first day we were there, but then there was NO wind at all for 2 days, which we heard was unusal, but finally the morning we were leaving there was wind so we ran down to the beach and got to fly kites. It was so relaxing and I think we are going to take the kids there sometime this summer!!

[ReneT]

Oh no... I was at home,,, they dropped me on my own kitchen floor ! Luckily the "rents were upstairs in bed at the front of the house and my room was towards the back of the house.. I doubt that they DIDN'T know what happened, but I was so obviously miserable they didn't need to say anything.. besides, I wouldn't have been able to hear them above the sound of the moaning, groaning and flushing.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

I feel like I've missed a lot. I haven't been around much this week... very busy week with work, school, ya know, life. Though with the economy what it is I am so grateful that my shop is staying busy.

And my DD went to prom on Friday so we had nails done one day, hair the next. She was so pretty. My crashed lens wasn't an issue since I used my short lens anyway. But I did have some "user errors"... forgot to check all my settings, so messed up a few and I hate using a flash, so I have that hideous shadow in the pictures taken inside. But I have a few really good ones out of the 175 I took. :lol: I'm going to try to attach a picture... scrapbook pages coming soon...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3534148079_0559c8af28.jpg?v=0

Your daughter looks gorgeous!

Isn't that fun? DS went to his junior prom, so I have some photos of that. Just of him though. We live out past the city limits so none of the friends he went with wanted to drive all the way out here for photos, so I just had to be content with a few pics of him in his tuxedo and then gave him extra money to have to portrait taken once he was at the prom. He didn't do it though. He said he was too busy and having too much fun dancing. :)

[ReneT]

I was having a tough time with the triad too and how do u adjust them all at once, until I had an ah ha moment. And the answer is......... you don't!!! Here's what I finally figured out. First u decide on your ISO based on your lighting conditions ie. Super bright sunny day 100, darkish 800 etc. Ok then u ask yourself which is more important ap or ss, set that one based on what you want. Now meter your object and set the 3rd parameter to give you a zero on the meter.

From here you make adjustments if u want and u don't HAVE to start with ISO but for me I needed a simple method that I could do quickly that gave me a starting point and not just feel like I was floundering around not knowing where to start. :D HTH

Thanks, that helps for sure. So what would you think the ISO would be if I were inside the room on our cruise ship and what if I were on the boat at night trying to get a sunset photo? Any suggestions on where I should start? My camera has some settings on it where it will set the settings for me like: snow, pets and children, foliage, fireworks, etc, but my biggest issue seems to be indoors and at night outside.

[ReneT]

On the drive home from NM yesterday, DH and I were making our "bucket list". Here are the things we came up with as far as travel goes:

1. Italy
2. Australia
3. the east coast so I can see some light houses
4. Hawaii so I can see Pearl Harbor
5. Alaskan cruise (DH wants to go deep sea fishing, me-not so much)
6. a trip up the west coast and drive the Pacific Coast Hwy
7. Bora Bora (I want to stay in a over-water hut) like this:
http://traveltalk.islands.com/photos/data/538/medium/huts2.JPG

I'm sure we won't get to do 1/2 of them, but it was fun making the list! :)

[ReneT]

Oh my heck, I LOVE Oregon!!!! It is SO pretty there! I would totally move in 2 seconds if I could. We had so much fun traveling from Astoria down to the Tillamook factory and seeing everything in between. We spent most of out time in Seaside and just had a blast. W bought Kites the first day we were there, but then there was NO wind at all for 2 days, which we heard was unusal, but finally the morning we were leaving there was wind so we ran down to the beach and got to fly kites. It was so relaxing and I think we are going to take the kids there sometime this summer!!

That sounds like fun!!!! What is Tillamook factory?

[Christine]

Shameless plugs are okay (it is your thread afterall :rofl: ) Are you talking about a new kit you have in the works or a kit in the store already. Actually the dress is purple. Gosh, if I were the Bag Lady.... How's that for shameless?! :rofl:

well make sure you get over there and give LOTS of ideas so it increases your chances. :D

[Christine]

Thanks, that helps for sure. So what would you think the ISO would be if I were inside the room on our cruise ship and what if I were on the boat at night trying to get a sunset photo? Any suggestions on where I should start? My camera has some settings on it where it will set the settings for me like: snow, pets and children, foliage, fireworks, etc, but my biggest issue seems to be indoors and at night outside.

CaroD can help us a lot more with this cuz I am still pretty newbie to most of it. But I THINK for sunsets, you sorta want to go backwards from what you think. Do a low iso and make it be a slowwww shutter speed. Is that right Carolyn? OH and use a tripod. I know when I was shooting some sunsets last year, I had to go the opposite of what I was thinking to capture the color, but at the time I was REALLY clueless and just totally guessing, so I don't know what I did. For the inside the room, it depends on flash or no flash and whether you have a window letting in light or if you are using the room's overhead light. I am guessing start around 400??? :help::help::help: CaroD! A couple of things to check. First listen to the sound of your shutter. If it is really lagging and you don't have a tripod, you are going to need to bump that iso or you will get a blurry pic from camera shake. Second, check your histogram after you are done with a shot. The graph should be spread nicely across the whole thing. If it is crammed to the left you are underexposed and crammed to the right you are overexposed, so you can make adjustments based on that too. I really hope I am not steering you wrong here. I am definitely still in the learning mode. :D Carolyn feel free to jump in and say I am a dork at anytime. :lol::lol:

[Christine]

oh dang, I found it in the store and it is definitely too blue. Pretty though :)

oh yeah on the desktop it looks more purple. On the iTouch it looked quite blue. Well there is always recolor if you can't find something you like better. I also did a Read All Over that is pretty glam or Nightshade Floralia is about that purplish color I think. :D

[Christine]

Oh my heck, I LOVE Oregon!!!! It is SO pretty there! I would totally move in 2 seconds if I could. We had so much fun traveling from Astoria down to the Tillamook factory and seeing everything in between. We spent most of out time in Seaside and just had a blast. W bought Kites the first day we were there, but then there was NO wind at all for 2 days, which we heard was unusal, but finally the morning we were leaving there was wind so we ran down to the beach and got to fly kites. It was so relaxing and I think we are going to take the kids there sometime this summer!!

Welcome back and glad you had a great time! Missed you though :yes: :hug:

[addicted]

That sounds like fun!!!! What is Tillamook factory?

It's where they make cheese. I was okay with going because the other lady's wanted to go, but it turned out really cool. It was pretty fun!

[stitchmich]

On the drive home from NM yesterday, DH and I were making our "bucket list". Here are the things we came up with as far as travel goes:

1. Italy
2. Australia
3. the east coast so I can see some light houses
4. Hawaii so I can see Pearl Harbor
5. Alaskan cruise (DH wants to go deep sea fishing, me-not so much)
6. a trip up the west coast and drive the Pacific Coast Hwy
7. Bora Bora (I want to stay in a over-water hut) like this:
http://traveltalk.islands.com/photos/data/538/medium/huts2.JPG

I'm sure we won't get to do 1/2 of them, but it was fun making the list! :)

If you get to the east coast to see lighthouses, I recommend the Outer Banks. We used to go there every summer when I was growing up. We had visited a couple of lighthouses before, but a few years ago we vacationed there and made our own lighthouse tour. The kids loved it. We started at the Currituck lighthouse in Carrolla and by the end of our trip we had seen all the Outer Banks lighthouses, I think there are 5, and climbed to the top of all the ones we could. To this day, it's one of our favorite vacations.

[stitchmich]

well make sure you get over there and give LOTS of ideas so it increases your chances. :D

okay, done... I may go back with more if I can get my brain in gear.

Your daughter looks gorgeous! Thank you

Isn't that fun? DS went to his junior prom, so I have some photos of that. Just of him though. We live out past the city limits so none of the friends he went with wanted to drive all the way out here for photos, so I just had to be content with a few pics of him in his tuxedo and then gave him extra money to have to portrait taken once he was at the prom. He didn't do it though. He said he was too busy and having too much fun dancing. :)

We live "past the city limits" too. We're really not that far out but everybody thinks we are. DD's friend who lives way far out met us at our house. Their dates picked them both up at our house, and following along was her family, each boys parents and one of their grandparents. After we took pictures at our house, we met the rest of their group (6 couples) at a botanical garden a couple of miles away and took more photos. And after that they all went to one of the kids houses to meet the limo. We didn't follow for limo pictures, but apparently most of the other parents did. By the time they finally left they were really sick of picture taking :lol:

Oh my heck, I LOVE Oregon!!!! It is SO pretty there! I would totally move in 2 seconds if I could. We had so much fun traveling from Astoria down to the Tillamook factory and seeing everything in between. We spent most of out time in Seaside and just had a blast. W bought Kites the first day we were there, but then there was NO wind at all for 2 days, which we heard was unusal, but finally the morning we were leaving there was wind so we ran down to the beach and got to fly kites. It was so relaxing and I think we are going to take the kids there sometime this summer!!

Glad you had fun. Sounds awesome! :tup:

CaroD can help us a lot more with this cuz I am still pretty newbie to most of it. But I THINK for sunsets, you sorta want to go backwards from what you think. Do a low iso and make it be a slowwww shutter speed. Is that right Carolyn? OH and use a tripod. I know when I was shooting some sunsets last year, I had to go the opposite of what I was thinking to capture the color, but at the time I was REALLY clueless and just totally guessing, so I don't know what I did. For the inside the room, it depends on flash or no flash and whether you have a window letting in light or if you are using the room's overhead light. I am guessing start around 400??? :help::help::help: CaroD! A couple of things to check. First listen to the sound of your shutter. If it is really lagging and you don't have a tripod, you are going to need to bump that iso or you will get a blurry pic from camera shake. Second, check your histogram after you are done with a shot. The graph should be spread nicely across the whole thing. If it is crammed to the left you are underexposed and crammed to the right you are overexposed, so you can make adjustments based on that too. I really hope I am not steering you wrong here. I am definitely still in the learning mode. :D Carolyn feel free to jump in and say I am a dork at anytime. :lol::lol:

Everything she said! That's how I do it too Chris. Though most often I use the aperture mode. If you have that on your camera Rene, it's a great place to start. Set your ISO first, then choose your aperature and the camera will choose the right shutter speed for you.

[ReneT]

If you get to the east coast to see lighthouses, I recommend the Outer Banks. We used to go there every summer when I was growing up. We had visited a couple of lighthouses before, but a few years ago we vacationed there and made our own lighthouse tour. The kids loved it. We started at the Currituck lighthouse in Carrolla and by the end of our trip we had seen all the Outer Banks lighthouses, I think there are 5, and climbed to the top of all the ones we could. To this day, it's one of our favorite vacations.

Oh cool. I will have to write that on my list so if the time ever comes, I will remember.

[ReneT]

We live "past the city limits" too. We're really not that far out but everybody thinks we are. DD's friend who lives way far out met us at our house. Their dates picked them both up at our house, and following along was her family, each boys parents and one of their grandparents. After we took pictures at our house, we met the rest of their group (6 couples) at a botanical garden a couple of miles away and took more photos. And after that they all went to one of the kids houses to meet the limo. We didn't follow for limo pictures, but apparently most of the other parents did. By the time they finally left they were really sick of picture taking :lol:

I'm jealous you got so many photos! :tup:



Everything she said! That's how I do it too Chris. Though most often I use the aperture mode. If you have that on your camera Rene, it's a great place to start. Set your ISO first, then choose your aperature and the camera will choose the right shutter speed for you.


Thanks, I'm taking notes now.

[stitchmich]

I'm jealous you got so many photos!



Don't be jealous... I took about 170 and only got 25 or so that I like. I guess that's why I always keep clickin' :D

[ReneT]

OK, now I'm totally disgusted. I just got emails from the cruiseline that said they switched the port BACK to Cozumel instead of Jamaica, since they decided we are now safe from swine flu. I had already booked the dogsled ride, Dunn's river falls excursions in Jamaica. I was all psyched about wearing a rasta wig, drinking rum punch and channeling my inner Bob Marley in Jamaica. Look, this was gonna be me:

http://www.halloweencostumes4u.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000003/51178.jpg :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Do they not understand all these switcheroos is messing with my OCD? :eek:

[Christine]

okay, done... I may go back with more if I can get my brain in gear.


Psst... Stitchie, you get more chances if you break your suggestions up into multiple posts. :rofl:

[Christine]

One advantage to shooting M mode instead of A mode: if you have PS (and therefore have Camera Raw) you can actually batch process your pictures and it is sooooooo fast. If you are in A priority, your SS changes with every shot, so you don't get as consistent pictures, so you can't batch them as easily. Does that make sense?

[ReneT]

One advantage to shooting M mode instead of A mode: if you have PS (and therefore have Camera Raw) you can actually batch process your pictures and it is sooooooo fast. If you are in A priority, your SS changes with every shot, so you don't get as consistent pictures, so you can't batch them as easily. Does that make sense?

Yes, although I know nothing about Camera Raw. PSE 6 does have it built in though. There's a whole section about it in the PSE for Dummies book but I didn't get around to it this weekend. I was too busy trying to understnd the camera stuff. One thing at a time I guess.

[idtwinmom]

Oh my goodness no !!!! Hey, do you and Chris like Chicken Marsala ???? I'll cook you both dinner ! But I hafta use your kitchen..haha. You guys can putter with a glass of wine and relax and I'll cook... and I'll make the kids pancakes !
Yum! And for the Mutt and Jeff, it's not heels you need, but padding! :lol::lol::lol:

lets just say that at the bottom of the bottle was a little chewy creature...
was horribly sick for DAYS because I literally drank and ate the whole thing !
for a week after, If I sweat, all you could smell was tequilla..
it took 3 days for my bed to stop spinning !
oh man............ what a night !
hmmmmmmmmm 17 or 18... I was still in high school .........yes, I was the wild child to a certain extent.... I pushed the limits but only so far.. and generally paid the price..i was pretty wimpy but learned from the mistakes I made...
and back in the 70's the legal drinking age WAS 18 !
Oh, so been there done that! I was the family wild child. Well, sort of. My older sister did almost if not as much, but she never got caught.

I feel like I've missed a lot. I haven't been around much this week... very busy week with work, school, ya know, life. Though with the economy what it is I am so grateful that my shop is staying busy.

And my DD went to prom on Friday so we had nails done one day, hair the next. She was so pretty. My crashed lens wasn't an issue since I used my short lens anyway. But I did have some "user errors"... forgot to check all my settings, so messed up a few and I hate using a flash, so I have that hideous shadow in the pictures taken inside. But I have a few really good ones out of the 175 I took. :lol: I'm going to try to attach a picture... scrapbook pages coming soon...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3534148079_0559c8af28.jpg?v=0
Just gorgeous. And so happy for you that at least the camera was working for pics!

I was having a tough time with the triad too and how do u adjust them all at once, until I had an ah ha moment. And the answer is......... you don't!!! Here's what I finally figured out. First u decide on your ISO based on your lighting conditions ie. Super bright sunny day 100, darkish 800 etc. Ok then u ask yourself which is more important ap or ss, set that one based on what you want. Now meter your object and set the 3rd parameter to give you a zero on the meter.

From here you make adjustments if u want and u don't HAVE to start with ISO but for me I needed a simple method that I could do quickly that gave me a starting point and not just feel like I was floundering around not knowing where to start. :D HTH
When I finally get a new camera, you will have to go through this again. Sounds like a great way to keep it all in your head at one time (something I have struggled with!)

Oh my heck, I LOVE Oregon!!!! It is SO pretty there! I would totally move in 2 seconds if I could. We had so much fun traveling from Astoria down to the Tillamook factory and seeing everything in between. We spent most of out time in Seaside and just had a blast. W bought Kites the first day we were there, but then there was NO wind at all for 2 days, which we heard was unusal, but finally the morning we were leaving there was wind so we ran down to the beach and got to fly kites. It was so relaxing and I think we are going to take the kids there sometime this summer!!
Too bad you won't be here before June 18th!

That sounds like fun!!!! What is Tillamook factory?
Look for Tillamook's cheddar at the grocery! My folks can get it in Florida now, so there is a good chance you can get it too! Much better flavor than Kraft!

OK, now I'm totally disgusted. I just got emails from the cruiseline that said they switched the port BACK to Cozumel instead of Jamaica, since they decided we are now safe from swine flu. I had already booked the dogsled ride, Dunn's river falls excursions in Jamaica. I was all psyched about wearing a rasta wig, drinking rum punch and channeling my inner Bob Marley in Jamaica. Look, this was gonna be me:

http://www.halloweencostumes4u.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000003/51178.jpg :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Do they not understand all these switcheroos is messing with my OCD? :eek:
Oh, I sooooooo would have loved those LO's! And, having been to both, I think you would really have loved Jamaica! :cry::cry:

Gosh, you guys! It's feast of famine around here. For days there was nobody around to talk to, then I can't be here for a day and you talk 4 pages worth! :lol::lol::lol: Talk about giving that multi-quote a workout!

[idtwinmom]

Yes, although I know nothing about Camera Raw. PSE 6 does have it built in though. There's a whole section about it in the PSE for Dummies book but I didn't get around to it this weekend. I was too busy trying to understnd the camera stuff. One thing at a time I guess.

Most P&S camera's (even the ones that have manual settings) still don't do Camera RAW. Check you camera manual first before worrying about it.

[ReneT]

Most P&S camera's (even the ones that have manual settings) still don't do Camera RAW. Check you camera manual first before worrying about it.

Would it be under "Camera Mode"? I can't find anything in the manual about Camera Raw, so I guess I don't have it.

[stitchmich]

Psst... Stitchie, you get more chances if you break your suggestions up into multiple posts. :rofl:

Oh, is that how that works? Well, I guess I better get thinking again :lol:

[stitchmich]

One advantage to shooting M mode instead of A mode: if you have PS (and therefore have Camera Raw) you can actually batch process your pictures and it is sooooooo fast. If you are in A priority, your SS changes with every shot, so you don't get as consistent pictures, so you can't batch them as easily. Does that make sense?

That makes absolutely no sense to me, but I don't have PS or shoot in RAW, so does it matter for me?

[stitchmich]

OK, now I'm totally disgusted. I just got emails from the cruiseline that said they switched the port BACK to Cozumel instead of Jamaica, since they decided we are now safe from swine flu. I had already booked the dogsled ride, Dunn's river falls excursions in Jamaica. I was all psyched about wearing a rasta wig, drinking rum punch and channeling my inner Bob Marley in Jamaica. Look, this was gonna be me:

http://www.halloweencostumes4u.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000003/51178.jpg :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Do they not understand all these switcheroos is messing with my OCD? :eek:

Oh girl! you woulda been hot in that rasta wig! :rofl::rofl::rofl: You can still drink rum punch though anywhere you go!

[ReneT]

Oh, is that how that works? Well, I guess I better get thinking again :lol:

It's kinda the same concept as waffling to get your post count up. :rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

Oh girl! you woulda been hot in that rasta wig! :rofl::rofl::rofl: You can still drink rum punch though anywhere you go!

I know, but Jamaica was going to give me a great excuse to do so.:lol::lol::lol:

[carolyn d]

CaroD can help us a lot more with this cuz I am still pretty newbie to most of it. But I THINK for sunsets, you sorta want to go backwards from what you think. Do a low iso and make it be a slowwww shutter speed. Is that right Carolyn? OH and use a tripod. I know when I was shooting some sunsets last year, I had to go the opposite of what I was thinking to capture the color, but at the time I was REALLY clueless and just totally guessing, so I don't know what I didYES, YOU ARE RIGHT ON TARGET ! For the inside the room, it depends on flash or no flash and whether you have a window letting in light or if you are using the room's overhead light. I am guessing start around 400??? PERSONALLY I TRY TO NEVER GO ABOVE 400....AM NOT A BIG FAN OF GRAINY PHOTOS!!!:help::help::help: CaroD! A couple of things to check. First listen to the sound of your shutter. If it is really lagging and you don't have a tripod, you are going to need to bump that iso or you will get a blurry pic from camera shake. Second, check your histogram after you are done with a shot. The graph should be spread nicely across the whole thing. If it is crammed to the left you are underexposed and crammed to the right you are overexposed, so you can make adjustments based on that too.CORRECT.. JUST REMEMBER THAT EVERY HISTOGRAM IS GOING TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OVERALL LIGHT, DARK AND MIDTONES IN THE IMAGE.. an image with alot of white/light tones in it will by it's very nature be more to the right..you really want to watch that you're not having huge spikes going "up the walls" on either end. But you will find some shots where that can't be helped. The histogram is a good basic guideline but not a hard and fast rule. I really hope I am not steering you wrong here. I am definitely still in the learning mode. :D Carolyn feel free to jump in and say I am a dork at anytime. :lol::lol:you did a heck of a job..

LOL/// I start reading the thread and see my name popping up !

RE SUNSETS::: Because a sunset is a staionary object, it is abosulutely fine to use an iso of 200 or 400;; but you will DEFINITELY NEED TO USE EITHER A TRIOD OR PLACE THE CAMERA ON A FLAT SURFACE TO PREVENT SHAKE. Depth of field (controlled by your aperture setting) is not an issue either really so you can set it at the "sweet spot" f/8 or f/11.. or for clarity throughout the image set it at the max aperture..Just remember that setting the aperture at the higher settings means the shutter will remain open longer in order to correctly expose the image- thus the need for a tripod/flat surface. DO NOT FOCUS ON THE SUN... meter for light just above/left/right of the sun. If you focus on the sun, the camera will produce an very underexposed image almost a silhoutte. ( you meter by depressing the shutter button half way down, let the camera meter and then take the shot. )

NIGHT SHOTS: IF you have a night mode on the camera, I'd suggest that. the camera will automatically set the iso much higher and will automatically fire the flash. Without knowing how your camera works and what functions it has, it is difficult to be able to tell you what settings you need. If you play around, set the iso to 400, adjust the aperture to one of the lower numbers f/4, and force the flash. Check your image and make adjustments from there.

JUST BE AWARE THAT HIGHER ISO SETTINGS CREATE MORE 'GRAININESS' (DIGITAL NOISE)

The number one rule is to GET THE SHOT by any means necessary. It's so frustrating to miss a great shot because you are fiddling with buttons and switches. Better to have less than ideal than none at all. There is no shame in using an AUTO MODE.

RE BATCH PROCESSING: I have not had very good luck with batch processing either in PS or LIGHTROOM. My personal experience has been that unless I have taken multiple shots with the camera/subjects/light FROM THE THE EXACT SAME POSITION, the variance of movement changes how the light on my subject reflects in white balance changes. Where I shoot mainly people, it makes a huge difference in skin tones ! The ONLY time it's not an issue is if I set a custom white balance prior to shooting and reset it for each location/lighting change. Sometimes that is just not feasible, so I always shoot RAW and do any adjustments frame by frame in LR. Studio style shots are wonderful.. just set the CWB and shoot away.. and hardly any post processing ! But chasing toddlers.. not so much ! LOL

FOR THOSE WITH DSLRs: for a specific subject ( human, dog, etc) spot or center weighted metering off your subject, adjust your shutter/aperture so that your meter reads 0.. and you're genreally good to go. FOR LANDSCAPES in daylight: try metering the sky ! then focus on your landscape and shoot. Do not readjust your meter even tho it's screaming at you ! FOR WATER REFLECTIONS: meter off the reflection, adjust aperture/shutter until the meter reads 0, recompose and shoot. Water absorbs about 1 stop of light so if you meter off the reflection, it should be very colorful. You may get some blown out in the sky but not overly much.

Now, was that TMI or what ???

[carolyn d]

oh man, you wild woman! The whole bottle?!?!? I can't drink vodka, for similar reasons. (well it wasn't the whole bottle :D

well, lets just say by the time the bottle finally made it to me in the back, it never made the rounds again..

[carolyn d]

I feel like I've missed a lot. I haven't been around much this week... very busy week with work, school, ya know, life. Though with the economy what it is I am so grateful that my shop is staying busy.

And my DD went to prom on Friday so we had nails done one day, hair the next. She was so pretty. My crashed lens wasn't an issue since I used my short lens anyway. But I did have some "user errors"... forgot to check all my settings, so messed up a few and I hate using a flash, so I have that hideous shadow in the pictures taken inside. But I have a few really good ones out of the 175 I took. :lol: I'm going to try to attach a picture... scrapbook pages coming soon...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3534148079_0559c8af28.jpg?v=0

she is absolutely lovely ! Great dress ! if you got 25 out of 175, you did great ! I LIVE for user error ! :rofl::rofl::rofl: I do love my external flash tho ... but only use it if I have to.

[carolyn d]

oh yeah on the desktop it looks more purple. On the iTouch it looked quite blue. Well there is always recolor if you can't find something you like better. I also did a Read All Over that is pretty glam or Nightshade Floralia is about that purplish color I think. :D


nightshade is a bluish purple.. very soft and moonlit looking.. romantic ! love that kit

[ReneT]

well, lets just say by the time the bottle finally made it to me in the back, it never made the rounds again..

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

I know, but Jamaica was going to give me a great excuse to do so.:lol::lol::lol:


NO EXCUSE NEEDED, GF... IT'S VACATION.. GO FOR THE GUSTO :party::party::party::yippee::yippee::yippee::yaho o::yahoo::yahoo::drumroll::drumroll::drumroll:

[ReneT]

RE SUNSETS::: Because a sunset is a staionary object, it is abosulutely fine to use an iso of 200 or 400;; but you will DEFINITELY NEED TO USE EITHER A TRIOD OR PLACE THE CAMERA ON A FLAT SURFACE TO PREVENT SHAKE. Depth of field (controlled by your aperture setting) is not an issue either really so you can set it at the "sweet spot" f/8 or f/11.. or for clarity throughout the image set it at the max aperture..Just remember that setting the aperture at the higher settings means the shutter will remain open longer in order to correctly expose the image- thus the need for a tripod/flat surface. DO NOT FOCUS ON THE SUN... meter for light just above/left/right of the sun. If you focus on the sun, the camera will produce an very underexposed image almost a silhoutte. ( you meter by depressing the shutter button half way down, let the camera meter and then take the shot. )

NIGHT SHOTS: IF you have a night mode on the camera, I'd suggest that. the camera will automatically set the iso much higher and will automatically fire the flash. Without knowing how your camera works and what functions it has, it is difficult to be able to tell you what settings you need. If you play around, set the iso to 400, adjust the aperture to one of the lower numbers f/4, and force the flash. Check your image and make adjustments from there.

JUST BE AWARE THAT HIGHER ISO SETTINGS CREATE MORE 'GRAININESS' (DIGITAL NOISE)

The number one rule is to GET THE SHOT by any means necessary. It's so frustrating to miss a great shot because you are fiddling with buttons and switches. Better to have less than ideal than none at all. There is no shame in using an AUTO MODE.

RE BATCH PROCESSING: I have not had very good luck with batch processing either in PS or LIGHTROOM. My personal experience has been that unless I have taken multiple shots with the camera/subjects/light FROM THE THE EXACT SAME POSITION, the variance of movement changes how the light on my subject reflects in white balance changes. Where I shoot mainly people, it makes a huge difference in skin tones ! The ONLY time it's not an issue is if I set a custom white balance prior to shooting and reset it for each location/lighting change. Sometimes that is just not feasible, so I always shoot RAW and do any adjustments frame by frame in LR. Studio style shots are wonderful.. just set the CWB and shoot away.. and hardly any post processing ! But chasing toddlers.. not so much ! LOL

FOR THOSE WITH DSLRs: for a specific subject ( human, dog, etc) spot or center weighted metering off your subject, adjust your shutter/aperture so that your meter reads 0.. and you're genreally good to go. FOR LANDSCAPES in daylight: try metering the sky ! then focus on your landscape and shoot. Do not readjust your meter even tho it's screaming at you ! FOR WATER REFLECTIONS: meter off the reflection, adjust aperture/shutter until the meter reads 0, recompose and shoot. Water absorbs about 1 stop of light so if you meter off the reflection, it should be very colorful. You may get some blown out in the sky but not overly much.

Now, was that TMI or what ???

No, not too much info. I wrote down what you wrote about the sunsets and night shots. So if the higher ISO's cause too much noise in the shot, why is the ISO set so high in the "night" mode? What would be the purpose of the higher ISO's if they don't make great looking photos?

I think I'm going to take this info and go try it out with the settings you suggested here before we leave, then make myself a little cheat sheet that I can put in my camera bag. I'm also going to go online and order myself a tripod.

My poor girls hate to have their picture taken. (That's why you will see so few layouts with them in it. :rolleyes:) They are going to be sick of me and my camera by the time we get back from our trip. :D Fortunately, DH seems to be finally getting used to it.

[ReneT]

NO EXCUSE NEEDED, GF... IT'S VACATION.. GO FOR THE GUSTO :party::party::party::yippee::yippee::yippee::yaho o::yahoo::yahoo::drumroll::drumroll::drumroll:

Okey dokey! :D

[carolyn d]

No, not too much info. I wrote down what you wrote about the sunsets and night shots. So if the higher ISO's cause too much noise in the shot, why is the ISO set so high in the "night" mode? What would be the purpose of the higher ISO's if they don't make great looking photos?Digital cameras, for all their smartness, are only interesting in giving you a techinically correct exposure.. hence the need for high isos. YOU as the photographer, determine your acceptable level of QUALITY in that exposure !! Or the CREATIVELY correct exposure. For example.. we both have the same camera. We are taking a photograph of a little girl twirling in her twirly dress. We are outside at the park. We are both shooting at ISO 200. YOU have chosen to take the photogaph at f/4 and a shutter speed of 1/500 sec. Your light meter tells you this i s the correct exposure and you capture her twirl in frozen motion. I chose to shoot at f/32 @ 1/60 sec which my camera light meter tells me is a correct exposure. Yet , in my image, the twirling dress is blurred because she is moving throughout the exposure. Both images are techinically correct. It's a matter of creative choice as to what you prefer. The same is true for the grainiess at high iso... the shot is techincally correct, but is it something you would be happy with ?

I think I'm going to take this info and go try it out with the settings you suggested here before we leave, then make myself a little cheat sheet that I can put in my camera bag. Good ideal. It will give you a jumping off point. But do remember, this is your vacation.. so live in the moment, not in your camera bag !!! If it gets frustrating, just put the camera into AUTO and have a ball. Save the "learning" time for when the pics don't count ! I'm also going to go online and order myself a tripod.make sure you get something that's lightweight and folds up small !

My poor girls hate to have their picture taken. (That's why you will see so few layouts with them in it. :rolleyes:) They are going to be sick of me and my camera by the time we get back from our trip. :D Fortunately, DH seems to be finally getting used to it.ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh a good man !!!

[ReneT]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh a good man !!!

Thanks Carolyn for all your willingness to explain all this to me. It's all still jumbled up in my brain. I think I need hands-on practice like I said. So many times when I just set it on auto, the flash flashes, and it's not right. That's what worries me the most I think.

[Christine]

That makes absolutely no sense to me, but I don't have PS or shoot in RAW, so does it matter for me?

I think rene was saying that pse has camera raw too. And you CAN edit in camera raw even on jpgs. I really like using acr, esp the version that comes with cs4. According to lauren who was involved with the beta testing it works the same as lightroom. I don't have lightroom so don't know for sure and maybe I didn't understand what she was saying. LOL I keep telling u I am new to all of this fancy photography stuff. :D

[ReneT]

I think rene was saying that pse has camera raw too. And you CAN edit in camera raw even on jpgs. I really like using acr, esp the version that comes with cs4. According to lauren who was involved with the beta testing it works the same as lightroom. I don't have lightroom so don't know for sure and maybe I didn't understand what she was saying. LOL I keep telling u I am new to all of this fancy photography stuff. :D

You're a million steps ahead of me!!!

I was looking at Robyn's photos from the OZ crop and was noticing what major cameras and lens everyone has! I'm intimidated enough by my Canon Powershot! :lol:

[Christine]

Nope u did great! I am thinking I have got it but need to practice so I don't have to think so much. LOL I am surprised that u don't like batching, it has worked well for me so far, but maybe it is because at this point I mosly am doing still life shots while I am practicing. Thanks for the clarification on the histogram, that is what I was thinking but I didn't do so well at explainig, glad u were able to help unconfuse folks. LOL btw when u say max ap, u mean highest number not biggest opening right? I never know which way to say high or low since the number and the size of the opening are opposite. :D

you did a heck of a job..

LOL/// I start reading the thread and see my name popping up !

RE SUNSETS::: Because a sunset is a staionary object, it is abosulutely fine to use an iso of 200 or 400;; but you will DEFINITELY NEED TO USE EITHER A TRIOD OR PLACE THE CAMERA ON A FLAT SURFACE TO PREVENT SHAKE. Depth of field (controlled by your aperture setting) is not an issue either really so you can set it at the "sweet spot" f/8 or f/11.. or for clarity throughout the image set it at the max aperture..Just remember that setting the aperture at the higher settings means the shutter will remain open longer in order to correctly expose the image- thus the need for a tripod/flat surface. DO NOT FOCUS ON THE SUN... meter for light just above/left/right of the sun. If you focus on the sun, the camera will produce an very underexposed image almost a silhoutte. ( you meter by depressing the shutter button half way down, let the camera meter and then take the shot. )

NIGHT SHOTS: IF you have a night mode on the camera, I'd suggest that. the camera will automatically set the iso much higher and will automatically fire the flash. Without knowing how your camera works and what functions it has, it is difficult to be able to tell you what settings you need. If you play around, set the iso to 400, adjust the aperture to one of the lower numbers f/4, and force the flash. Check your image and make adjustments from there.

JUST BE AWARE THAT HIGHER ISO SETTINGS CREATE MORE 'GRAININESS' (DIGITAL NOISE)

The number one rule is to GET THE SHOT by any means necessary. It's so frustrating to miss a great shot because you are fiddling with buttons and switches. Better to have less than ideal than none at all. There is no shame in using an AUTO MODE.

RE BATCH PROCESSING: I have not had very good luck with batch processing either in PS or LIGHTROOM. My personal experience has been that unless I have taken multiple shots with the camera/subjects/light FROM THE THE EXACT SAME POSITION, the variance of movement changes how the light on my subject reflects in white balance changes. Where I shoot mainly people, it makes a huge difference in skin tones ! The ONLY time it's not an issue is if I set a custom white balance prior to shooting and reset it for each location/lighting change. Sometimes that is just not feasible, so I always shoot RAW and do any adjustments frame by frame in LR. Studio style shots are wonderful.. just set the CWB and shoot away.. and hardly any post processing ! But chasing toddlers.. not so much ! LOL

FOR THOSE WITH DSLRs: for a specific subject ( human, dog, etc) spot or center weighted metering off your subject, adjust your shutter/aperture so that your meter reads 0.. and you're genreally good to go. FOR LANDSCAPES in daylight: try metering the sky ! then focus on your landscape and shoot. Do not readjust your meter even tho it's screaming at you ! FOR WATER REFLECTIONS: meter off the reflection, adjust aperture/shutter until the meter reads 0, recompose and shoot. Water absorbs about 1 stop of light so if you meter off the reflection, it should be very colorful. You may get some blown out in the sky but not overly much.

Now, was that TMI or what ???

[Christine]

You're a million steps ahead of me!!!

I was looking at Robyn's photos from the OZ crop and was noticing what major cameras and lens everyone has! I'm intimidated enough by my Canon Powershot! :lol:

so anyone want to guess what was on my front porch yesterday? :D hint it's red and fits in my purse LOL

[ReneT]

Does anyone have a suggestion on a tripod that would be small and not take up too much room in my bag? I am thinking of ordering one online today.

[idtwinmom]

so anyone want to guess what was on my front porch yesterday? :D hint it's red and fits in my purse LOL

Gee, I'm guessing it's a new camera! :rofl::rofl::rofl: (specially since Carolyn already figured out that's what you ordered!)

[carolyn d]

Nope u did great! I am thinking I have got it but need to practice so I don't have to think so much.I takes so much practice and failure to get there !!!! LOL I am surprised that u don't like batching, it has worked well for me so far, but maybe it is because at this point I mosly am doing still life shots while I am practicing. EXACTLY.. My problelm is the opposite... I'm chasing people and/or adjusting my position ! So batch just doesn't work well for me . Many people find it great for set up shots done in a series ! Studio style shots ...Thanks for the clarification on the histogram, that is what I was thinking but I didn't do so well at explainig, glad u were able to help unconfuse folks. LOL btw when u say max ap, u mean highest number YES !!! not biggest opening right? I never know which way to say high or low since the number and the size of the opening are opposite. :DTECHNICALLY you would refer to changing the aperture to the SMALLEST opening as "stopping down" . And it is confusting because the larger the number the smaller the opening,,, the smaller the number, the larger the opening.

[Christine]

Does anyone have a suggestion on a tripod that would be small and not take up too much room in my bag? I am thinking of ordering one online today.

I got a gorilla pod cuz it has bendy legs so you can wrap it around a pole, chair, branch or whatever. But that being said I also have a regular one that I use for portraits that I got first.

[Christine]

Gee, I'm guessing it's a new camera! :rofl::rofl::rofl: (specially since Carolyn already figured out that's what you ordered!)

my you are BRILLIANT!!!!

[Christine]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/744/thumbs/73_K_BlowingInTheWind21.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318251&ppuser=62565)
The Goodie BAG is DONE... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318251&cat=500&ppuser=62565)

[ReneT]

I got a gorilla pod cuz it has bendy legs so you can wrap it around a pole, chair, branch or whatever. But that being said I also have a regular one that I use for portraits that I got first.

Thanks. I'm going to the local camera shop tomorrow to see what they have, then will look online. DH was talking about those gorilla pods. I'll have to check that out.

[idtwinmom]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/744/thumbs/73_K_BlowingInTheWind21.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318251&ppuser=62565)
The Goodie BAG is DONE... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318251&cat=500&ppuser=62565)

Gonna have to put that on my wish list when it goes in the store! I think this move means that Uncle John will be teaching the boys (and hopefully DD too) to fish, and that fly and those colors look perfect for the shots I will just have to take!

[GrandmaCrys]

Goodness gracious, you ladies have been chatty - and most of everything you said went zinging right over my head! :( :eek: :eek: I just love *AUTO*! :D

[carolyn d]

so anyone want to guess what was on my front porch yesterday? :D hint it's red and fits in my purse LOL

should we now anticipate practice shots snorkeling in the bathtub???

[Christine]

seriously I am thinking I need to try it out. The funny thing is I took the s710 to Lex's swim meet today cuz I was hauling a lot of stuff and didn't want to haul my d80 too. AND it POURED. Do you think I had my underwater case with me? No, of course not! :rofl:

[carolyn d]

seriously I am thinking I need to try it out. The funny thing is I took the s710 to Lex's swim meet today cuz I was hauling a lot of stuff and didn't want to haul my d80 too. AND it POURED. Do you think I had my underwater case with me? No, of course not! :rofl:

Isn't that the way it always works ??? (sigh)
half fill the tub with water .
Throw some toys in the tub.
You stand in the tub.
outfit Joshie with a face mask
throw him in the tub.
hand him the camera and tell him to scuba.
he can get some foot action shots and you can see how it works.
( and you can confirm to your son that yes, you have lost your mind.. Either that or he will think that you are just the coolest mom in the world. )

[GrandmaCrys]

Isn't that the way it always works ??? (sigh)
half fill the tub with water .
Throw some toys in the tub.
You stand in the tub.
outfit Joshie with a face mask
throw him in the tub.
hand him the camera and tell him to scuba.
he can get some foot action shots and you can see how it works.
( and you can confirm to your son that yes, you have lost your mind.. Either that or he will think that you are just the coolest mom in the world. )

And, of course, have a third person outside the tub, taking photos, 'cause those would be hilarious! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ReneT]

And, of course, have a third person outside the tub, taking photos, 'cause those would be hilarious! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

I told DH he needed to take me somewhere this weekend that has a sunset so I can take photos and try to practice all you guys have taught me. He said "Everywhere has a sunset. Go out in the backyard." So I then gave him that look that says "I don't think you're funny." :D I said I needed a horizon, not the sun going down over the fence. So that's my plan for the weekend. Apparently DH also has plans to plant some flowers around our trees in the front yard. I will help with that if I have some gloves and don't find a frog buried in the grass/dirt. :rofl:

[ReneT]

Look, 149 posts till I get my own name!!!!! :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

[ReneT]

waffle waffle

[ReneT]

Waffle waffle

[GrandmaCrys]

Keep waffling, Rene; you'll get there! :D And commenting; that's what does it for me!!!

[GrandmaCrys]

Oh yay! You're waffling in color! How creative! :D

[Christine]

Isn't that the way it always works ??? (sigh)
half fill the tub with water .
Throw some toys in the tub.
You stand in the tub.
outfit Joshie with a face mask
throw him in the tub.
hand him the camera and tell him to scuba.
he can get some foot action shots and you can see how it works.
( and you can confirm to your son that yes, you have lost your mind.. Either that or he will think that you are just the coolest mom in the world. )

LOLOLOLOL What a brilliant idea! Although I think being slightly paranoid, I will first give him the empty housing, and he can pretend to shoot, then if I open it up and it is dry inside I will try it for real :D One good sign though, when I got the housing and opened it up after it had been shipped, it made a hissing sound, I am assuming due to change in elevation, so obviously it was air tight. :D

[Christine]

I told DH he needed to take me somewhere this weekend that has a sunset so I can take photos and try to practice all you guys have taught me. He said "Everywhere has a sunset. Go out in the backyard." So I then gave him that look that says "I don't think you're funny." :D I said I needed a horizon, not the sun going down over the fence. So that's my plan for the weekend. Apparently DH also has plans to plant some flowers around our trees in the front yard. I will help with that if I have some gloves and don't find a frog buried in the grass/dirt. :rofl:

Oy! We have been planting and planting this week and working on yard work. Have you missed me? Crys, did you ever see out in the back yard to our garden spot? We have almost the entire thing full now of planted rows. Maybe a quarter of it left and we already have the seeds and plants, but we just need to get them in the ground.

[Christine]

Go Rene! you waffle queen!

[GrandmaCrys]

Oy! We have been planting and planting this week and working on yard work. Have you missed me? Crys, did you ever see out in the back yard to our garden spot? We have almost the entire thing full now of planted rows. Maybe a quarter of it left and we already have the seeds and plants, but we just need to get them in the ground.

Mary, Mary, Quite contrary;
How does your garden grow?

:D :D

[ReneT]

Oy! We have been planting and planting this week and working on yard work. Have you missed me? Crys, did you ever see out in the back yard to our garden spot? We have almost the entire thing full now of planted rows. Maybe a quarter of it left and we already have the seeds and plants, but we just need to get them in the ground.

What are you planting? I love fresh veggies from the garden. Except tomato worms give me the creeps.

[idtwinmom]

And, of course, have a third person outside the tub, taking photos, 'cause those would be hilarious! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I will ditto that! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Look, 149 posts till I get my own name!!!!! :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:
WooHoo! almost there!

Oy! We have been planting and planting this week and working on yard work. Have you missed me? Crys, did you ever see out in the back yard to our garden spot? We have almost the entire thing full now of planted rows. Maybe a quarter of it left and we already have the seeds and plants, but we just need to get them in the ground.
You industrious creature you! And here all I have done is try to clean closets and sell, sell, sell! Oh and a bit of donate, donate too!

[Christine]

What are you planting? I love fresh veggies from the garden. Except tomato worms give me the creeps.

thus far we have planted tomatoes, 3 kinds of peppers, peas, beans, 2 kinds of cucumbers, cantelope, 3 kinds of squash and spinach. :D

[GrandmaCrys]

thus far we have planted tomatoes, 3 kinds of peppers, peas, beans, 2 kinds of cucumbers, cantelope, 3 kinds of squash and spinach. :D

Do you ever plant beets? Beet tops make better greens than spinach (in our opinion) and the more you cull the tops, the more they grow. This does NOT affect the beet!!! Beet greens seem to be somewhat *milder* than spinach! :D

[Christine]

Do you ever plant beets? Beet tops make better greens than spinach (in our opinion) and the more you cull the tops, the more they grow. This does NOT affect the beet!!! Beet greens seem to be somewhat *milder* than spinach! :D
Really? Hmmmm no haven't ever tried this but we don't eat beets so maybe that is why. LOL has anybody ever grown dill weed? I got some seeds and wanted to grow some herbs for cooking etc in my kitchen, does it work inside? It is one of my favorite herbs to cook with.

[ReneT]

thus far we have planted tomatoes, 3 kinds of peppers, peas, beans, 2 kinds of cucumbers, cantelope, 3 kinds of squash and spinach. :D

Yummy! Especially the peppers, beans, cantelope and squash.

[Christine]

I will ditto that! :rofl::rofl::rofl:


WooHoo! almost there!


You industrious creature you! And here all I have done is try to clean closets and sell, sell, sell! Oh and a bit of donate, donate too!

So lisa what have u been doing all day?!:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

Do you ever plant beets? Beet tops make better greens than spinach (in our opinion) and the more you cull the tops, the more they grow. This does NOT affect the beet!!! Beet greens seem to be somewhat *milder* than spinach! :D

My parents loved beets! I don't, but after Mother passed away and Daddy came to live with me, he brought about a BAZILLION cans of beets and wanted me to cook them like Mother did. I didn't have a clue, but figured it out. Ick. :D

[ReneT]

Yay, today I am going to the camera shop in search of a tripod, and going shopping for cruise clothes!!! :yahoo:

[GrandmaCrys]

Really? Hmmmm no haven't ever tried this but we don't eat beets so maybe that is why. LOL has anybody ever grown dill weed? I got some seeds and wanted to grow some herbs for cooking etc in my kitchen, does it work inside? It is one of my favorite herbs to cook with.

We grow dill. Never tried it inside, but it does re-seed itself and come back each year outside. You will have to do some maintaining, so it doesn't take over your garden. Absolutely notthing more delicious in your potato or macaroni salads than fresh dill! :D :yes: :yes:

My parents loved beets! I don't, but after Mother passed away and Daddy came to live with me, he brought about a BAZILLION cans of beets and wanted me to cook them like Mother did. I didn't have a clue, but figured it out. Ick. :D

When my older son was a baby and we started out on our veggies, it's was *beets in...beets out* over and over. Finally, I decided everyone was entitled to their own food tastes, especially since there was hardly any other thing he would not eat. Of course, since older brother wouldn't eat beets, neither would younger brother! :lol: :lol: Younger brother does eat them now; older brother, still no!! DH and I love beets - he likes them pickled, I'd just prefer plain old hot buttered beets! YUM YUM

Yay, today I am going to the camera shop in search of a tripod, and going shopping for cruise clothes!!! :yahoo:

Did I ever tell you all about my camera? I was having a horrid time *getting the shot*! The button just would NOT engage; I thought for a while it was a "focusing" problem. Then I thought it was perhaps a "light" issue. My son thought the camera and lens just were not communicating very well. I left it with him the first of May, to take to the camer shop where it was purchased. The shop doesn't have a *camera fixer* and said they could send it to Nikon, but it would probably take a month. They gave son a name of the ONLY person in the Indianapolis area who repairs Nikon cameras! And that man is RETIRED, but does work pieces of 2 days a week.

The camera was done this week. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

[idtwinmom]

Really? Hmmmm no haven't ever tried this but we don't eat beets so maybe that is why. LOL has anybody ever grown dill weed? I got some seeds and wanted to grow some herbs for cooking etc in my kitchen, does it work inside? It is one of my favorite herbs to cook with.

As long as you use it frequently, you should be fine! My problem is cooking enough with it to keep it growing!

[idtwinmom]

We grow dill. Never tried it inside, but it does re-seed itself and come back each year outside. You will have to do some maintaining, so it doesn't take over your garden. Absolutely notthing more delicious in your potato or macaroni salads than fresh dill! :D :yes: :yes:



When my older son was a baby and we started out on our veggies, it's was *beets in...beets out* over and over. Finally, I decided everyone was entitled to their own food tastes, especially since there was hardly any other thing he would not eat. Of course, since older brother wouldn't eat beets, neither would younger brother! :lol: :lol: Younger brother does eat them now; older brother, still no!! DH and I love beets - he likes them pickled, I'd just prefer plain old hot buttered beets! YUM YUM



Did I ever tell you all about my camera? I was having a horrid time *getting the shot*! The button just would NOT engage; I thought for a while it was a "focusing" problem. Then I thought it was perhaps a "light" issue. My son thought the camera and lens just were not communicating very well. I left it with him the first of May, to take to the camer shop where it was purchased. The shop doesn't have a *camera fixer* and said they could send it to Nikon, but it would probably take a month. They gave son a name of the ONLY person in the Indianapolis area who repairs Nikon cameras! And that man is RETIRED, but does work pieces of 2 days a week.

The camera was done this week. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

Not one of my kids will eat (or would ever eat, even as babies) Carrots! Of course, DH doesn't like them either although it does eat them in salad and stew. He definitely prefers raw to cooked, but the kids won't touch them just like him when he was a kid!

On the camera - sounds like it was not user error if the guy fixed it. A broken button maybe?

[ReneT]

:D






Did I ever tell you all about my camera? I was having a horrid time *getting the shot*! The button just would NOT engage; I thought for a while it was a "focusing" problem. Then I thought it was perhaps a "light" issue. My son thought the camera and lens just were not communicating very well. I left it with him the first of May, to take to the camer shop where it was purchased. The shop doesn't have a *camera fixer* and said they could send it to Nikon, but it would probably take a month. They gave son a name of the ONLY person in the Indianapolis area who repairs Nikon cameras! And that man is RETIRED, but does work pieces of 2 days a week.

The camera was done this week. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

I have no clue what was wrong. What was it?

The man at the camera shop was showing me some stuff on my camera about shooting into the light, so that will be helpful with the sunsets. I'm gonna go through all the stuff everyone has said and write down what I think will be the most useful to me on the ship and write it down. Maybe that will help?

[ReneT]

Oh, and I also bought a Gorillapod. I figured I would start with that and see what I think.

[carolyn d]

We grow dill. Never tried it inside, but it does re-seed itself and come back each year outside. You will have to do some maintaining, so it doesn't take over your garden. Absolutely notthing more delicious in your potato or macaroni salads than fresh dill! :D :yes: :yes:



When my older son was a baby and we started out on our veggies, it's was *beets in...beets out* over and over. Finally, I decided everyone was entitled to their own food tastes, especially since there was hardly any other thing he would not eat. Of course, since older brother wouldn't eat beets, neither would younger brother! :lol: :lol: Younger brother does eat them now; older brother, still no!! DH and I love beets - he likes them pickled, I'd just prefer plain old hot buttered beets! YUM YUM



Did I ever tell you all about my camera? I was having a horrid time *getting the shot*! The button just would NOT engage; I thought for a while it was a "focusing" problem. Then I thought it was perhaps a "light" issue. My son thought the camera and lens just were not communicating very well. I left it with him the first of May, to take to the camer shop where it was purchased. The shop doesn't have a *camera fixer* and said they could send it to Nikon, but it would probably take a month. They gave son a name of the ONLY person in the Indianapolis area who repairs Nikon cameras! And that man is RETIRED, but does work pieces of 2 days a week.

The camera was done this week. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the problem was?

shutter assembly was frozen !

[GrandmaCrys]

Actually, the button was corroded!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Chris, you know those anti-moisture thingie-ma-bobs you gave Sands and I? Guess I should throw some in my camera case, huh? :o :o :o

(The guy had no idea was caused the corrosion! It's not like I have little sticky fingers touching it, or carry around a Pepsi when I shooting! :rolleyes::rolleyes:)

[idtwinmom]

Well, guess I was closest, ey Crys? Was there a prize? :lol:

[GrandmaCrys]

Yes, Lisa, you were definitely the closest and your prize is...

[GrandmaCrys]

:drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll:

[GrandmaCrys]

The glory in knowing how smart you are!!! :D :D :D

[ReneT]

The glory in knowing how smart you are!!! :D :D :D

Is there glory in knowing how dumb I am? There should be a prize. A tangible prize, me thinks.

"And the award for The Most Photographically Challenged goes to........Rene!!!!!"
(deafening applause, standing ovation) :rofl::rofl:

[GrandmaCrys]

Rene, you're a hoot! I've had my camera for almost 3 years and I rarely get it off *auto*; so I'm right there with you! :D

[ReneT]

Rene, you're a hoot! I've had my camera for almost 3 years and I rarely get it off *auto*; so I'm right there with you! :D

A bit ago, DH was on the phone, so I took the Gorillapod, attached it to the banister and started taking photos of him. He can't object when he's on the phone! :D Anyway it was kinda dark in the house. He was sitting in front of the window, so he was backlit, I guess, but I still felt like it was dark in the room, so I put the camera on Auto White Balance, and increased the ISO to 1600. My thinking was that it was dark in the room, so I needed a higher ISO. The photo was horrid! Too bright. Then I did the opposite of what I thought and put it on ISO 250 and the photo was perfect! So it's not a good thing that my instincts tell me to do the exact opposite of what I should actually do. I even had it on the Spot Metering setting that the guy at the camera shop told me to when a subject was backlit.

I'm thinking of giving up, calling myself a failure, and eating some cheesecake.

[GrandmaCrys]

Save me a piece, will ya? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[ReneT]

Save me a piece, will ya? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here, have the whole thing. I need to behave before the cruise. :D

http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/images/cheesecake-wedding-cake05.jpg

[carolyn d]

A bit ago, DH was on the phone, so I took the Gorillapod, attached it to the banister and started taking photos of him. He can't object when he's on the phone! :D Anyway it was kinda dark in the house. He was sitting in front of the window, so he was backlit, I guess, but I still felt like it was dark in the room, so I put the camera on Auto White Balance, and increased the ISO to 1600. My thinking was that it was dark in the room, so I needed a higher ISO. The photo was horrid! Too bright. Then I did the opposite of what I thought and put it on ISO 250 and the photo was perfect! So it's not a good thing that my instincts tell me to do the exact opposite of what I should actually do. I even had it on the Spot Metering setting that the guy at the camera shop told me to when a subject was backlit.

I'm thinking of giving up, calling myself a failure, and eating some cheesecake.

You are far too hard on yourself ! Learning all this stuff is NOT a one night thing ! You just went overboard. on the iso.

TECHINCAL EXPLANATION:The fact that you used spot metering to METER THE LIGHT OFF DH, told the camera what to expose for !!!!!! If you had used dynamic metering, the camera would have used ALL AVAILABLE LIGHT from the window and consequently underexposed DH- essentially putting him in sihouette ! You metered off the darker object (DH) so the camera exposed correctly. YOU DID EXACTLY RIGHT EXCEPT FOR THE ISO !!!!Does your camera have a light meter in it... a little bar that looks like this:
+........0.........-

[carolyn d]

Here, have the whole thing. I need to behave before the cruise. :D

http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/images/cheesecake-wedding-cake05.jpg

OMG THAT LOOKS YUMMY !!! my hips just exploded !

[ReneT]

You are far too hard on yourself ! Learning all this stuff is NOT a one night thing ! You just went overboard. on the iso.

TECHINCAL EXPLANATION:The fact that you used spot metering to METER THE LIGHT OFF DH, told the camera what to expose for !!!!!! If you had used dynamic metering, the camera would have used ALL AVAILABLE LIGHT from the window and consequently underexposed DH- essentially putting him in sihouette ! You metered off the darker object (DH) so the camera exposed correctly. YOU DID EXACTLY RIGHT EXCEPT FOR THE ISO !!!!Does your camera have a light meter in it... a little bar that looks like this:
+........0.........-

Yes

[ReneT]

OMG THAT LOOKS YUMMY !!! my hips just exploded !

Meanwhile, DH is in the living room, watching tv, eating dinner at almost 10 at night and about to have the homemade ice cream THAT I MADE HIM!!!! And I struggle to stay the size I am, but am really trying to lose 8 pounds before June 11. I never eat later than 7 at night. He eat whatever and whenever he wants. It's not fair. Who can I protest to?

[carolyn d]

Yes


COOL BEANS ! That little thing is your light meter... it actually tells you if your exposure will be correct ! Here's how it works..

set your ISO.(outdoors use 200 or 100 if you have it )

put the camera in Manual mode.. ( yes very scary, but you can do this)

set your aperture. Pick anything for this... f/8.
( your aperture controls how wide the lens opening is allowing light in. The smaller the number the wider the opening. The larger the number, the smaller the opening. f/2.8 the opening is very large. f/32 the opening is very small. A small f/stop number will make the background out of focus /blurry. A large f/stop number makes the background as crisp as the foreground. This is called depth of field.)

make sure you have spot metering or center weighted metering chosen.

focus on your SUBJECT and depress the shutter button HALF WAY and keep it there. Depressing the button half way focuses as well as takes the meter reading.

now, check your light meter . If it is not on 0, adjust your shutter speed until the meter reads 0. There should be some sort of dial or rocker button to do this.

Once that reads 0, depress the shutter button all the way to take the shot.

TA- DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

PLEASE remember here, Rene, that I have no idea what your camera even looks like and I'm giving you these directions based on MY camera... but if you have a light meter, then you should be able to do the adjustment. The basics should be the same.

It might be easiest to do this outdoors in open shade... a shady area with no deep shadows. Set up something to photograph on a table.

let me know how you make out ! Or if I have just muddied the waters even more.

[carolyn d]

Meanwhile, DH is in the living room, watching tv, eating dinner at almost 10 at night and about to have the homemade ice cream THAT I MADE HIM!!!! And I struggle to stay the size I am, but am really trying to lose 8 pounds before June 11. I never eat later than 7 at night. He eat whatever and whenever he wants. It's not fair. Who can I protest to? you can protest to me anytime. I know your pain !

[ReneT]

COOL BEANS ! That little thing is your light meter... it actually tells you if your exposure will be correct ! Here's how it works..

set your ISO.(outdoors use 200 or 100 if you have it )

put the camera in Manual mode.. ( yes very scary, but you can do this)

set your aperture. Pick anything for this... f/8.
( your aperture controls how wide the lens opening is allowing light in. The smaller the number the wider the opening. The larger the number, the smaller the opening. f/2.8 the opening is very large. f/32 the opening is very small. A small f/stop number will make the background out of focus /blurry. A large f/stop number makes the background as crisp as the foreground. This is called depth of field.)

make sure you have spot metering or center weighted metering chosen.

focus on your SUBJECT and depress the shutter button HALF WAY and keep it there. Depressing the button half way focuses as well as takes the meter reading.

now, check your light meter . If it is not on 0, adjust your shutter speed until the meter reads 0. There should be some sort of dial or rocker button to do this.

Once that reads 0, depress the shutter button all the way to take the shot.

TA- DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

PLEASE remember here, Rene, that I have no idea what your camera even looks like and I'm giving you these directions based on MY camera... but if you have a light meter, then you should be able to do the adjustment. The basics should be the same.

It might be easiest to do this outdoors in open shade... a shady area with no deep shadows. Set up something to photograph on a table.

let me know how you make out ! Or if I have just muddied the waters even more.

Dang, there are SO many different things to think about!

[carolyn d]

Dang, there are SO many different things to think about!

YUP ! At this stage there is... everything ! After a bit, you will not even need to consciously think about it... your fingers will just "know". i don't think about alot of it anymore... if I'm outside the iso is 200. if there is crap in the background, my aperture is going to be more open..somewhere about f/4- 5.6. If the background is an important element ( tells part of the story such as location) I'll up the aperture to f/8 or more. If the light is the same for my position and my subject's, I will meter off the subject OR if it's a landscape, I'll meter the sky . If my subject is human, I will add +2/3 or +1 to the meter (general rule with human skin) focus and shoot.

Over time you just learn to SEE what's in the background.. how many photos you've taken with a tree growing out of someones head? Or a branch sticking out of their ear??? TONS for me. Just shift your position left/right/up/down.

Fill as much of the frame as possible if it's a singular subject.

and don't put everything dead center..off set subjects work very well too.


yup... no one said this was simple. but it does become "instinctual" .

[GrandmaCrys]

Here, have the whole thing. I need to behave before the cruise. :D

http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/images/cheesecake-wedding-cake05.jpg

Oh, my gosh, I just grew two sizes! :eek: :eek: :eek:

(It was very good, though! :D)

[stitchmich]

Oh, my gosh, I just grew two sizes! :eek: :eek: :eek:

(It was very good, though! :D)

Oh my heck! I haven't been here in a couple of days and the first thing I see when I pop in is this giant cake!! I feel bloated already :lol:

[stitchmich]

Oh, and I also bought a Gorillapod. I figured I would start with that and see what I think.

Cool! I want a gorillapod too.

The glory in knowing how smart you are!!! :D :D :D

:lol::lol: you're hilarious, Crys.

A I even had it on the Spot Metering setting that the guy at the camera shop told me to when a subject was backlit.

I'm thinking of giving up, calling myself a failure, and eating some cheesecake.


Eat the cheesecake but don't give up or call yourself a failure. Metering is the thing that I can't seem to wrap my brain around.

[stitchmich]

COOL BEANS ! That little thing is your light meter... it actually tells you if your exposure will be correct ! Here's how it works..

set your ISO.(outdoors use 200 or 100 if you have it )

put the camera in Manual mode.. ( yes very scary, but you can do this)

set your aperture. Pick anything for this... f/8.
( your aperture controls how wide the lens opening is allowing light in. The smaller the number the wider the opening. The larger the number, the smaller the opening. f/2.8 the opening is very large. f/32 the opening is very small. A small f/stop number will make the background out of focus /blurry. A large f/stop number makes the background as crisp as the foreground. This is called depth of field.)

make sure you have spot metering or center weighted metering chosen.

focus on your SUBJECT and depress the shutter button HALF WAY and keep it there. Depressing the button half way focuses as well as takes the meter reading.

now, check your light meter . If it is not on 0, adjust your shutter speed until the meter reads 0. There should be some sort of dial or rocker button to do this.

Once that reads 0, depress the shutter button all the way to take the shot.

TA- DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

PLEASE remember here, Rene, that I have no idea what your camera even looks like and I'm giving you these directions based on MY camera... but if you have a light meter, then you should be able to do the adjustment. The basics should be the same.

It might be easiest to do this outdoors in open shade... a shady area with no deep shadows. Set up something to photograph on a table.

let me know how you make out ! Or if I have just muddied the waters even more.

Carolyn, thank you for sharing your photographic genius :D My problem is that I know these are the things I'm supposed to do, but it takes me so long to do all that between each shot, so I usually switch back to aperture mode. I don't fully understand metering... where should I set the camera's metering? Is spot metering better for some situations and matrix for others? And if I am not in Manual mode, pressing the button is setting my metering AND my focus, right?

[Christine]

Actually, the button was corroded!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Chris, you know those anti-moisture thingie-ma-bobs you gave Sands and I? Guess I should throw some in my camera case, huh? :o :o :o

(The guy had no idea was caused the corrosion! It's not like I have little sticky fingers touching it, or carry around a Pepsi when I shooting! :rolleyes::rolleyes:)

I gave u thing a ma bobs? Who knew! I thought I gave u dessicators LOL

[Christine]

Is there glory in knowing how dumb I am? There should be a prize. A tangible prize, me thinks.

"And the award for The Most Photographically Challenged goes to........Rene!!!!!"
(deafening applause, standing ovation) :rofl::rofl:

Did you guys all notice that the scrappies r coming up? Make sure to be thinking about what u are going to enter!

[Christine]

A bit ago, DH was on the phone, so I took the Gorillapod, attached it to the banister and started taking photos of him. He can't object when he's on the phone! :D Anyway it was kinda dark in the house. He was sitting in front of the window, so he was backlit, I guess, but I still felt like it was dark in the room, so I put the camera on Auto White Balance, and increased the ISO to 1600. My thinking was that it was dark in the room, so I needed a higher ISO. The photo was horrid! Too bright. Then I did the opposite of what I thought and put it on ISO 250 and the photo was perfect! So it's not a good thing that my instincts tell me to do the exact opposite of what I should actually do. I even had it on the Spot Metering setting that the guy at the camera shop told me to when a subject was backlit.

I'm thinking of giving up, calling myself a failure, and eating some cheesecake.

Hmm cheesecake? I will be right over! Now don't be hogging it all ya hear? :D

[stitchmich]

Did you guys all notice that the scrappies r coming up? Make sure to be thinking about what u are going to enter!

how do the scrappies work?

[Christine]

OMG THAT LOOKS YUMMY !!! my hips just exploded !

It does look yummy and now u have a butt! LOL

[stitchmich]

It does look yummy and now u have a butt! LOL

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

Oh, my gosh, I just grew two sizes! :eek: :eek: :eek:

(It was very good, though! :D)

I can't tell if those are grapes around the edge or chocolate malt balls. I'm gonna go with the malt balls. Sounds yummier that way. :D

[ReneT]

I gave u thing a ma bobs? Who knew! I thought I gave u dessicators LOL

What are dessicators?

[ReneT]

Hmm cheesecake? I will be right over! Now don't be hogging it all ya hear? :D

I didn't hog it. I was quite generous and gave it all to Crys. Now, what she did with it once I gave it to her, is totally out of my control. :lol:

[Christine]

Carolyn, thank you for sharing your photographic genius :D My problem is that I know these are the things I'm supposed to do, but it takes me so long to do all that between each shot, so I usually switch back to aperture mode. I don't fully understand metering... where should I set the camera's metering? Is spot metering better for some situations and matrix for others? And if I am not in Manual mode, pressing the button is setting my metering AND my focus, right?
I know exactly how u feel even a month ago I was in the same boat and then it just clicked. I think the big aha moment for me was to realize you don't meter for every single shot. As long as your light source/situation is staying constant ignore the meter and just shoot.

[Christine]

how do the scrappies work?

To submit a page you just upload it into the desired catergory. You can choose anything done in the last year or make a new page specifically for the scrappies. U can do one or all catergories, but of course u want to do all! :D after the due date the designers vote. Even the mods get to play on this one.

[idtwinmom]

The glory in knowing how smart you are!!! :D :D :D

What a perfect prize! :lol:

[Christine]

What are dessicators?

Those little things that come in medicine bottles that suck up the moisture. They r great to get a handful from your pharmacy. They come in all the stock bottles and if u know your pharmacist very well just give them a small box or something to throw them in. Then get a little breathable pouch put the dessicators in it then put that whole thing in your camera bag. Esp if u are where it is humid it will help keep moisture out of your bag.

[Christine]

i didn't hog it. I was quite generous and gave it all to crys. Now, what she did with it once i gave it to her, is totally out of my control. :lol:

lol lol lol

[idtwinmom]

Hmmmm....may have to beg some dessicators before this trip. Seeing as we are going on a ferry for 2 days, sounds like a little moisture control might be in order!

[Christine]

Hmmmm....may have to beg some dessicators before this trip. Seeing as we are going on a ferry for 2 days, sounds like a little moisture control might be in order!

Yep sounds like a plan. :D

[ReneT]

Those little things that come in medicine bottles that suck up the moisture. They r great to get a handful from your pharmacy. They come in all the stock bottles and if u know your pharmacist very well just give them a small box or something to throw them in. Then get a little breathable pouch put the dessicators in it then put that whole thing in your camera bag. Esp if u are where it is humid it will help keep moisture out of your bag.

Wow, that's a good idea! Who knew?

[ReneT]

Hmmmm....may have to beg some dessicators before this trip. Seeing as we are going on a ferry for 2 days, sounds like a little moisture control might be in order!

I agree. In addition to my camera bag, I think I need some extra ones so the flatties hair won't get frizzy! :rofl::lol::rofl::lol::rofl::lol:

[idtwinmom]

I agree. In addition to my camera bag, I think I need some extra ones so the flatties hair won't get frizzy! :rofl::lol::rofl::lol::rofl::lol:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[suvgal]

Chris-I wonder if the dessicators would be good in a computer case

[Christine]

Chris-I wonder if the dessicators would be good in a computer case

I am sure they would, pretty much anything that is moisture sensitive. I live in such a dry climate, I probably don't have to worry as much as say someone in Florida. I have really noticed that I don't get my lens fogged up like going inside to outside or vice versa, since I have used them.

[carolyn d]

Carolyn, thank you for sharing your photographic genius :D :lol::lol::lol:Certainly not genius... lots of reading, practice and FAILURES !!! My problem is that I know these are the things I'm supposed to do, but it takes me so long to do all that between each shot, so I usually switch back to aperture mode. That's perfectly fine !!!! So many people have dslrs and never take them off AUTO.. so basically they have a very expensive, very heavy point and shoot camera. In aperture priority mode, YOU still determine your depth of field according to how you want the background to look ( blurry to isolate the subject or as crisp as the foreground to tell the story) I don't fully understand metering... where should I set the camera's metering? Is spot metering better for some situations and matrix for others? And if I am not in Manual mode, pressing the button is setting my metering AND my focus, right?YUP.. Didn't know you were doing that , did you ? Took me a while to figure it out, too. The minute you depress the button half way, not only are you focusing the camera, the camera ia also taking it's meter reading. And this is when you take a quick peek at the meter and make any adjustments you deem necessary.
spot and center weighted metering, I have found , works best with portraiture. Basically you are metering the light off the subjects face. Spot metering will only meter the light from a fairly small area, while center weighted will meter the light from the closest object. Dynanic (matirx) will meter from the light average throughout the entire frame. I tend to use center weighted alot and use the spot metering in specific instances.

[carolyn d]

I know exactly how u feel even a month ago I was in the same boat and then it just clicked. I think the big aha moment for me was to realize you don't meter for every single shot. As long as your light source/situation is staying constant ignore the meter and just shoot.

PERFECT !!! Dontcha just love those AHHHHHH HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA moments?

[carolyn d]

It does look yummy and now u have a butt! LOL

yup... popped the seams on the jeans !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Buns just hanging in mid air !!! Everyone here was thankful i had underwear on !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:Oh yeah, them thar grannie panties were swaying in the breeze.

[idtwinmom]

OK, a quick check in and hi, then off to bed!

The life of a single mom really s@#$%! DS#2 started with one of his bone shattering coughs again last night then woke this morning with the morning after nausea and grey lips from lack of O2 and sheer discomfort. It usually passes within a couple hours, but here I am, got a baby sitter for DD and headed to the Dr for myself with this sick kid that I can in no way sick on the "out of work, stay at home Dad" that has agreed to take DD, plus the holiday coming means no Drs for 3 days. So, I call the boys school and tell them neither will be there, dump the 2 healthy kids with said Dad, and take sick child with me. As soon as Peds office opens call and explain what's going on, and can they see him like really close to my appointment (which, btw, is in the same medical plaza as the kids, just on the other side of the hospital). Yep, they will fit him in with in 50 minutes of the start of my appt (which thankfully is the first of my Drs day so no prob getting from one to the other). Get both of us all checked out and all seems fine, go to the store to grab some milk and then try to make it home for the other two, cept as we pull into the store, poor DS says he's suddenly too hot, and starts really complaining. Get parked and he literally lays on the van floor and then, yep, he pukes all over the back of the car, his shirt, his chin. Can't just take him home that way right? Ugh! So glad this day is over and he's sleeping after a light but decent dinner that stayed in his belly. (Oh, and a quick chat with the Dr again reveals the breathing treatment they gave him at the office had a med in it that might have caused the 2nd bought of sick! Fun!)

[idtwinmom]

yup... popped the seams on the jeans !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Buns just hanging in mid air !!! Everyone here was thankful i had underwear on !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:Oh yeah, them thar grannie panties were swaying in the breeze.

Oh, boy did I need that laugh! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Christine]

yup... popped the seams on the jeans !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl: Buns just hanging in mid air !!! Everyone here was thankful i had underwear on !!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:Oh yeah, them thar grannie panties were swaying in the breeze.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ReneT]

PERFECT !!! Dontcha just love those AHHHHHH HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA moments?

I'm still waiting for my Ah Ha moment to come. :rolleyes:

[ReneT]

Sorry you had such a rough day yesterday Lisa. Hope things are better today and DS is doing OK.

[carolyn d]

I'm still waiting for my Ah Ha moment to come. :rolleyes:


Don't feel bad... my first AH HA moment took 6 moths ! Never said I was a quick study ! :lol::lol:

[carolyn d]

Oh, boy did I need that laugh! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
gladto have been of service after your crappy day ! Oh boy do I remember those ! My worst time was when all three of them were small, all came down with the flu at the same time... let's just say my kitchen/bathroom/living room was awash with vomit........I was covered because you know how kids just come to you and say, " I don't feel good" and then hurl at/on you before you can react.

My shop vac was a living room fixture for 2 days .

[idtwinmom]

gladto have been of service after your crappy day ! Oh boy do I remember those ! My worst time was when all three of them were small, all came down with the flu at the same time... let's just say my kitchen/bathroom/living room was awash with vomit........I was covered because you know how kids just come to you and say, " I don't feel good" and then hurl at/on you before you can react.

My shop vac was a living room fixture for 2 days .

Well, I can be grateful that it was only one and the hurling limited itself to: the bucket in the bathroom and a removable mat in the car. All clean now! :tup: And, yes, he is feeling much better and slept well last night.

[Christine]

I have 2 out of 4 with a cough/sore throat/slight fever etc, and now my throat has been hurting too. :mad: :mad: I refuse to get sick though, I still have too much to do! :lol: I spent a good part of the day working in the garden and outside. The depressing thing is when you look around and see SOOOOOOO much more to work on! Sigh!

[stitchmich]

spot and center weighted metering, I have found , works best with portraiture. Basically you are metering the light off the subjects face. Spot metering will only meter the light from a fairly small area, while center weighted will meter the light from the closest object. Dynanic (matirx) will meter from the light average throughout the entire frame. I tend to use center weighted alot and use the spot metering in specific instances.

Thanks, carolyn. I'll just keep practicing until my AH-HA moment comes along. :lol:

Sorry to hear you have sick ones, Lisa and Chris. Hope they're better soon. (Fight it, Chris!)

[carolyn d]

Thanks, carolyn. I'll just keep practicing until my AH-HA moment comes along. :lol:

Sorry to hear you have sick ones, Lisa and Chris. Hope they're better soon. (Fight it, Chris!)

You're welcome... I really don't know how much of anything I've said makes sense ! when I started on this very long ( it seems) journey, every term used was so confusing. I felt I needed a photographic dictionary to keep pace with the vocabulary.
The ONLY advantage I had when going digital, was that I learned on a fully manual 35 mm film camera.. yes, that's right folks, FULLY MANUAL... even the lens needed to be adjusted manually.. there was no such thing as autofocus lenses ! And there was no such thing as White balance ! That occured during the film developing. I found the transition to digital very difficult because the camera did so much. It took me months to figure out how to shut alot of the auto processes off ! And then I gradually turned stuff "on" and learned how to use it ! Backwards, I know !

And lest you think I'm a "good" photographer, I'm not.... if I take 100 shots, I still may only get 10 that I consider good enough to keep. And by good enough, I mean shots with tack sharp focus and "tell a story" ( whether it be an emotion, an action etc) . And every once in a while, I get one that blows my socks off.. and believe me, I LIVE for those moments. Suffice it to say, my delete button always gets a workout !

I am a big fan of what I call "creative cropping"...sometimes the images I use are actually cropped segments of the original photo. Especially since virtually everything I do is candid shots, I need to eliminate the gunk around the part I like.

so, now you know all my little secrets ! :lol::lol:

[stitchmich]

You're welcome... I really don't know how much of anything I've said makes sense ! when I started on this very long ( it seems) journey, every term used was so confusing. I felt I needed a photographic dictionary to keep pace with the vocabulary.
The ONLY advantage I had when going digital, was that I learned on a fully manual 35 mm film camera.. yes, that's right folks, FULLY MANUAL... even the lens needed to be adjusted manually.. there was no such thing as autofocus lenses ! And there was no such thing as White balance ! That occured during the film developing. I found the transition to digital very difficult because the camera did so much. It took me months to figure out how to shut alot of the auto processes off ! And then I gradually turned stuff "on" and learned how to use it ! Backwards, I know !

And lest you think I'm a "good" photographer, I'm not.... if I take 100 shots, I still may only get 10 that I consider good enough to keep. And by good enough, I mean shots with tack sharp focus and "tell a story" ( whether it be an emotion, an action etc) . And every once in a while, I get one that blows my socks off.. and believe me, I LIVE for those moments. Suffice it to say, my delete button always gets a workout !

I am a big fan of what I call "creative cropping"...sometimes the images I use are actually cropped segments of the original photo. Especially since virtually everything I do is candid shots, I need to eliminate the gunk around the part I like.

so, now you know all my little secrets ! :lol::lol:

Oh, I'm the same way. DS says I can take a thousand pictures of nothing. I figure the more I snap, the more likely I am to get that one great shot. My problem is that I'm not as diligent with the delete key. I know I should be, could be, but I am still working on that discipline.

[carolyn d]

Oh, I'm the same way. DS says I can take a thousand pictures of nothing. I figure the more I snap, the more likely I am to get that one great shot. My problem is that I'm not as diligent with the delete key. I know I should be, could be, but I am still working on that discipline.


not an easy thing to do...especially with pics of your family, grandkids etc.. each shot is precious ! And rightly so ! BUT if I were to pay for printing.. what ones are the ones worth spending the money on ? Should I pay for a blurry photo? Do trees actually grow out of people's head/ears? Do I really want that random foot in the shot??? Do I really need 10 shots of the same thing? Would I bore myself looking at this if it were in a photo album? Stuff like that.

When I open the images, I put them to 100% to check clarity/focus.. if there's blur...DELETE

Is there random background stuff that detracts from the subject in some rotten way and can't be romoved ?? If so.. DELETE

Does the image/part of the image tell the tale? If so, crop...if not.. DELETE
Does the image/ part of the image show an emotion... If so, crop...If not DELETE
Does the image /part of the image show what I wanted it to show? If so, crop...If not... DELETE

YUP YUP .. lots of deleteing.

[sammawow]

not an easy thing to do...especially with pics of your family, grandkids etc.. each shot is precious ! And rightly so ! BUT if I were to pay for printing.. what ones are the ones worth spending the money on ? Should I pay for a blurry photo? Do trees actually grow out of people's head/ears? Do I really want that random foot in the shot??? Do I really need 10 shots of the same thing? Would I bore myself looking at this if it were in a photo album? Stuff like that.

When I open the images, I put them to 100% to check clarity/focus.. if there's blur...DELETE

Is there random background stuff that detracts from the subject in some rotten way and can't be romoved ?? If so.. DELETE

Does the image/part of the image tell the tale? If so, crop...if not.. DELETE
Does the image/ part of the image show an emotion... If so, crop...If not DELETE
Does the image /part of the image show what I wanted it to show? If so, crop...If not... DELETE

YUP YUP .. lots of deleteing.

Thanks for posting this... I have a terrible time trying to delete pictures, even if they are blurry! I think I should print this post and tape it up by my monitor :) Maybe then I will DELETE!

[Christine]

not an easy thing to do...especially with pics of your family, grandkids etc.. each shot is precious ! And rightly so ! BUT if I were to pay for printing.. what ones are the ones worth spending the money on ? Should I pay for a blurry photo? Do trees actually grow out of people's head/ears? Do I really want that random foot in the shot??? Do I really need 10 shots of the same thing? Would I bore myself looking at this if it were in a photo album? Stuff like that.

When I open the images, I put them to 100% to check clarity/focus.. if there's blur...DELETE

Is there random background stuff that detracts from the subject in some rotten way and can't be romoved ?? If so.. DELETE

Does the image/part of the image tell the tale? If so, crop...if not.. DELETE
Does the image/ part of the image show an emotion... If so, crop...If not DELETE
Does the image /part of the image show what I wanted it to show? If so, crop...If not... DELETE

YUP YUP .. lots of deleteing.

Oh I love this checklist, makes it easier to decide what to keep. :D

[carolyn d]

Thanks for posting this... I have a terrible time trying to delete pictures, even if they are blurry! I think I should print this post and tape it up by my monitor :) Maybe then I will DELETE!

the ONLY time I will save a marginally blurry photo is if EVERY SINGLE THING ELSE about it is so dang good... and then I will ONLY use it as a background paper with some type of blending mode/overlay/reduced opacity or fill on it.. all of which to serve to lessen the blurriness becasue it's just a faded image used ONLY to show focus on the photo I've chosen as my main image.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/EVERYTHING-IS-A-WEAPON.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=301746&ppuser=74339)
BOINKED ! (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=301746&cat=500&ppuser=74339)

While the bk image was not too bad, there was some motion blur and plenty of blue jean clad legs in the background i couldn't eliminate. ( small room, many people and ground level) . But it went so well with the second photo in the series, i just HAD to use it to tell the entire story...Blending modes and use of a colored overlay distracts from the sea of blue legs and makes the overall image one I could use.

[Christine]

Thanks for posting this... I have a terrible time trying to delete pictures, even if they are blurry! I think I should print this post and tape it up by my monitor :) Maybe then I will DELETE!

Hi Teri, I know! I am always thinking well maybe I will NEED this pic when I go to do my LO, better keep it just in case. :lol:

[carolyn d]

Here's an example of what I consider creative cropping.. and mind you I need to do this alot because my subjects are moving targets surrounded by moving targets....:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Here's the original image: Now you need to realize that he was actually saying "Cheese" and thus too good an opportunity to pass up. had to take the shot and hope for the best ! He wasn't going to do it again ! Like all the lovely stuff in the background... and the hand and legs??? Also note the bluish cast to the entire photo. this was taken just before sunset when the sunlight is that beautiful golden hue. Well, where is it???? This image is exactly what my CAMERA saw according to how it was set to "see". It was set to AUTO white balance... it didn't do a bad job.. but it sure wasn't great. Tones are very cool and lackluster IMHO.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j237/mamamolar/DSC_0012.jpg


Now here is my little monkey with some cropping and a white balance correction. Gone are the background distractions and now we have that wonderful light ! To me, this is so much more alive and exactly what my eyes saw. So, if you have ever wondered about the importance of white balance, here's the reason !

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j237/mamamolar/SAYCHEESE-1.jpg

[idtwinmom]

I have 2 out of 4 with a cough/sore throat/slight fever etc, and now my throat has been hurting too. :mad: :mad: I refuse to get sick though, I still have too much to do! :lol: I spent a good part of the day working in the garden and outside. The depressing thing is when you look around and see SOOOOOOO much more to work on! Sigh!
Well, I am now up to 2 out 3 with the sore throat cough, but neither is bad now, not like poor DS on Friday. This is livable! The Drs office says we are getting a real rash of these kinds of symptoms, but the worse one is the stomach stuff that they say is hitting bad right now.

You're welcome... I really don't know how much of anything I've said makes sense ! when I started on this very long ( it seems) journey, every term used was so confusing. I felt I needed a photographic dictionary to keep pace with the vocabulary.
The ONLY advantage I had when going digital, was that I learned on a fully manual 35 mm film camera.. yes, that's right folks, FULLY MANUAL... even the lens needed to be adjusted manually.. there was no such thing as autofocus lenses ! And there was no such thing as White balance ! That occured during the film developing. I found the transition to digital very difficult because the camera did so much. It took me months to figure out how to shut alot of the auto processes off ! And then I gradually turned stuff "on" and learned how to use it ! Backwards, I know !

And lest you think I'm a "good" photographer, I'm not.... if I take 100 shots, I still may only get 10 that I consider good enough to keep. And by good enough, I mean shots with tack sharp focus and "tell a story" ( whether it be an emotion, an action etc) . And every once in a while, I get one that blows my socks off.. and believe me, I LIVE for those moments. Suffice it to say, my delete button always gets a workout !

I am a big fan of what I call "creative cropping"...sometimes the images I use are actually cropped segments of the original photo. Especially since virtually everything I do is candid shots, I need to eliminate the gunk around the part I like.

so, now you know all my little secrets ! :lol::lol:
In my book, and in the book of any "good" photographer, you are a good photographer too! Except in a portrait setting, and sometimes even then, 10 out of 100 is pretty good results! I have a sister that was once an aspiring professional photographer (just couldn't figure out what to take pictures of since she was lousy at portraits) and her husband still is a pro in a certain capacity. They would tell you they take 100 hoping to get just 1 that is worth printing.

Hi Teri, I know! I am always thinking well maybe I will NEED this pic when I go to do my LO, better keep it just in case. :lol:

In all honesty, I delete next to none. I do, on occasion, catch one in the camera, and about every 4th upload, I might delete one. But then, I have so few that would qualify as good, I have to work with what I get! :lol::lol::lol:

[idtwinmom]

You should be teaching photo editing!

[carolyn d]

Well, I am now up to 2 out 3 with the sore throat cough, but neither is bad now, not like poor DS on Friday. This is livable! The Drs office says we are getting a real rash of these kinds of symptoms, but the worse one is the stomach stuff that they say is hitting bad right now.well 2 out of a potential 4 is livable ! But definitely not fun... Who is the second victim?


In my book, and in the book of any "good" photographer, you are a good photographer too! Except in a portrait setting, and sometimes even then, 10 out of 100 is pretty good results! I have a sister that was once an aspiring professional photographer (just couldn't figure out what to take pictures of since she was lousy at portraits) and her husband still is a pro in a certain capacity. They would tell you they take 100 hoping to get just 1 that is worth printing.that does make me feel better... I figured that was just MY average ! :lol::lol:



In all honesty, I delete next to none. I do, on occasion, catch one in the camera, and about every 4th upload, I might delete one. But then, I have so few that would qualify as good, I have to work with what I get! :lol::lol::lol:as do we all... it's still take the best of what you get and then fiddle... I'm so glad I'm not alone here !!

[stitchmich]

I probably delete about 15-20% of what I take off the camera. I probably should delete 75%. But I'm with Lisa... if I shoot 100 and get ten photos I really like, I am feeling pretty successful. And though I am poor with deleting, I am BIG on cropping! I probably crop half of my photos, and most everything I put in a scrapbook page is cropped.

[idtwinmom]

DD seems to be the second victim, but hers is no where near as bad. She coughs mostly when she is or has been lying down.

[carolyn d]

I probably delete about 15-20% of what I take off the camera. I probably should delete 75%. But I'm with Lisa... if I shoot 100 and get ten photos I really like, I am feeling pretty successful. And though I am poor with deleting, I am BIG on cropping! I probably crop half of my photos, and most everything I put in a scrapbook page is cropped. I;m in total agreement ! 10 out of 100 is a good day for me too ! And cropping is SUCH a lifesaver !

[carolyn d]

DD seems to be the second victim, but hers is no where near as bad. She coughs mostly when she is or has been lying down. well, just keep her in perpetual motion and all will be well :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[carolyn d]

You should be teaching photo editing! I don't know If I'd call it technically photo editing.. more like covering the butt when you have the only active camera at the function !

[stitchmich]

I;m in total agreement ! 10 out of 100 is a good day for me too ! And cropping is SUCH a lifesaver !

I was on Flickr one day looking at photos in the P365 group and the comment on one photo (NOT left by a DSPer), was something like "well, it looks like it's been cropped, but still a pretty good shot." I thought that was kinda rude and... duh... doesn't everybody crop in digital phototgraphy!?

[idtwinmom]

Some people think every shot should be perfect. But I bet they throw away 99 for every 100 or even more.

Well, off to talk with DH (oops still don't have the photo's from todays outing uploaded to computer!)

[carolyn d]

I was on Flickr one day looking at photos in the P365 group and the comment on one photo (NOT left by a DSPer), was something like "well, it looks like it's been cropped, but still a pretty good shot." I thought that was kinda rude and... duh... doesn't everybody crop in digital phototgraphy!? I would say yes to both... yes that was a rude and somewhat arrogant comment and yes... I think most crop !

Unless you have the time and set up ( pro/studio) and a varied selection of lenses (pro with oodles of money) and or multiple cameras with different lenses (pro w/oddles of money) then i think that cropping is the best way to save an image into one that is "better".

I was able to pick the brain of a wedding photographer one day and he mentioned that in his post processing, there is ALWAYS some type of cropping etc to be done. Said he tends to get more of the surround in the original image and if he needs to crop, the crop is not as tight. Reception photos usually are cropped... no need to have all the bk clutter .. but it is important to get the central characters and a more "open ended" shot allows him a bit more lee way in post.

Who ever made that comment, IMHO, must be a real PITA. i wonder what his galleries looks like ???

[stitchmich]

I was able to pick the brain of a wedding photographer one day and he mentioned that in his post processing, there is ALWAYS some type of cropping etc to be done. Said he tends to get more of the surround in the original image and if he needs to crop, the crop is not as tight. Reception photos usually are cropped... no need to have all the bk clutter .. but it is important to get the central characters and a more "open ended" shot allows him a bit more lee way in post.



Very good point. I find that having "extra" around the edges helps a lot with scrapbooking, especially when you are blending and using masks.

[carolyn d]

Very good point. I find that having "extra" around the edges helps a lot with scrapbooking, especially when you are blending and using masks.EXACTLY !!!! Imagine not having enough surround in a wedding photo and cutting off the brides' feet??? Think that might look odd ????????????

[Christine]

I agree stitchie, sometimes my pics are perfect as a stand alone on the cropping, but if I want to blend or do something creative, I don't have enough room and then I am cloning something in. :lol:

On a totally unrelated note: Have you all heard about the stir with WalMart? Apparently some music group (Green something, I think) is having a cow because their single/album, whatever is #1 and WalMart won't sell it because it has a parental advisory on it and their policy is to not sell stuff that has to have a parental advisory. So the music folks are wah wahing about how WalMart is interfering with their "art" Can you tell whose side I am FIRMLY on?! I say way to go WalMart. They are not REQUIRED to sell stuff that doesn't meet their established guidelines and if whichever group wants to not meet said guidelines they should count on not selling at WalMart. Not a tough concept. I don't think anywhere it is stated that WalMart (or any other company) HAS to sell something just because SOMEONE says it is art! There's my soap box moment, so what do you guys think?

[carolyn d]

I agree stitchie, sometimes my pics are perfect as a stand alone on the cropping, but if I want to blend or do something creative, I don't have enough room and then I am cloning something in. :lol:

On a totally unrelated note: Have you all heard about the stir with WalMart? Apparently some music group (Green something, I think) is having a cow because their single/album, whatever is #1 and WalMart won't sell it because it has a parental advisory on it and their policy is to not sell stuff that has to have a parental advisory. So the music folks are wah wahing about how WalMart is interfering with their "art" Can you tell whose side I am FIRMLY on?! I say way to go WalMart. They are not REQUIRED to sell stuff that doesn't meet their established guidelines and if whichever group wants to not meet said guidelines they should count on not selling at WalMart. Not a tough concept. I don't think anywhere it is stated that WalMart (or any other company) HAS to sell something just because SOMEONE says it is art! There's my soap box moment, so what do you guys think?

WAY TO GO WALMART ! I'm with you on that soapbox ! Greensomething and the music industry is only thinking of their bottom line ! There are plenty of other retail merchants who can/do sell Parental Advisory products. Let the music companies hock their wares there ! It's the same idea as parental locks on TV's..it is choice to watch or not watch an objectionable program. it's choice to purchase and read an objectionable magazine..it's walmarts choice not to sell objectionable products. Same thing with radio.. you don't like the music on the station, change it ! Don't like the rating of a movie or the language and violence it contains, don't see it. SIMPLE

To listen to foul language "normalizing" foul deeds , IMHO, is not art. It's the brutalization of a generation making them immune/desesitized to atrocity.

[stitchmich]

I agree stitchie, sometimes my pics are perfect as a stand alone on the cropping, but if I want to blend or do something creative, I don't have enough room and then I am cloning something in. :lol:

On a totally unrelated note: Have you all heard about the stir with WalMart? Apparently some music group (Green something, I think) is having a cow because their single/album, whatever is #1 and WalMart won't sell it because it has a parental advisory on it and their policy is to not sell stuff that has to have a parental advisory. So the music folks are wah wahing about how WalMart is interfering with their "art" Can you tell whose side I am FIRMLY on?! I say way to go WalMart. They are not REQUIRED to sell stuff that doesn't meet their established guidelines and if whichever group wants to not meet said guidelines they should count on not selling at WalMart. Not a tough concept. I don't think anywhere it is stated that WalMart (or any other company) HAS to sell something just because SOMEONE says it is art! There's my soap box moment, so what do you guys think?

Let me first say, I am not a fan of Walmart.... okay, I hate Walmart... because they are detrimental to so many "mom and pop" enterprises across the country. That being said.... I totally agree with you, Chris. I think the group is Green Day (I'm not a fan of them either) and they are ridiculous to think that someone is required to sell their product. If someone wants their album badly enough, they will find it somewhere else. I'm glad Walmart stood up to them and stuck with their principles or at least their policy. Good call, Walmart.

[carolyn d]

Let me first say, I am not a fan of Walmart.... okay, I hate Walmart... because they are detrimental to so many "mom and pop" enterprises across the country. That being said.... I totally agree with you, Chris. I think the group is Green Day (I'm not a fan of them either) and they are ridiculous to think that someone is required to sell their product. If someone wants their album badly enough, they will find it somewhere else. I'm glad Walmart stood up to them and stuck with their principles or at least their policy. Good call, Walmart.

Unfortunatley, this will increase the sales of that album as people will flock to buy and see what all the hype is about.

I have to add MALLS to your killers of mom and pop enterprises ! And funny thing.. so many renters in the various malls are going out of business in this economy due to high rents and falling sales.

[idtwinmom]

Well, yes, Walmart has done in quite a few Mom & Pops, but lets not just blame them. You have to include any and all large chains like Lowes, Home Depot, Fred Meyer, etc.... And, yes, Malls and the chain stores that you find in them. But, Walmart also gets a bum rap much of the time. They do hire many people who have difficulty finding work elsewhere, including retirees that need additional income and the disabled. And, if you can add the moral standing of limiting what they sell to items that do not require "Parental Control" then more power to them.

BTW - I personally do almost all my shopping at the Walmart that is just around the corner. You can't beat their prices (I can't tell you how many items of kids clothing I've gotten that amazed me at the quality for as little as you pay at most Goodwills, and less than most resale shops) and the brands are the same if not better than I can find elsewhere.

[Cupcake]

I totally and completely agree Walmart has the right to sell WHAT they chose to WHERE they want and WHEN they want. Under the constitution those rights are guaranteed to people and extend to enterprise. Nobody can come into your home and tell you that you must listen to their music or it violates THEIR civil rights and NOBODY should force a store to sell or not sell a product based on what that sale will do to THEIR bottom line (profit) As a consuming public We should be able to direct our business to a store that sells the products we want be that a big box store or a mom and pop corner store. Personally I shop at both depending on the availability of products I want. Also I appreciate a store that doesn't carry objectional material that most of the consuming public find REALLY REALLY determental to the community. Last I heard we still lived in a democracy where the majority had the right to set standards and laws for the group involved. I do NOT want to take my children into a store where material is displayed that I, or the public in general would find offensive. A note to Walmart stating personal thanks for maintaining a moral center would prob be appreciated.

[ReneT]

I think Michelle is right, it probably is Green Day. They are somewhat notorious for the anti-Christian rants in some of their music. I think that is how they have tried to set themselves apart from everyone else is by trying to keep people guessing if they are atheists or not.

Good for Walmart!!!!!!!! Since when did freedom of speech translate into corrupting our children? I always shop at Walmart due to prices, but mostly because I can get everything I need there instead of making 2 or 3 trips to different stores when I need stuff.

[carolyn d]

i totally and completely agree walmart has the right to sell what they chose to where they want and when they want. Under the constitution those rights are guaranteed to people and extend to enterprise. Nobody can come into your home and tell you that you must listen to their music or it violates their civil rights and nobody should force a store to sell or not sell a product based on what that sale will do to their bottom line (profit) as a consuming public we should be able to direct our business to a store that sells the products we want be that a big box store or a mom and pop corner store. Personally i shop at both depending on the availability of products i want. Also i appreciate a store that doesn't carry objectional material that most of the consuming public find really really determental to the community. Last i heard we still lived in a democracy where the majority had the right to set standards and laws for the group involved. I do not want to take my children into a store where material is displayed that i, or the public in general would find offensive. A note to walmart stating personal thanks for maintaining a moral center would prob be appreciated.

well said !

[idtwinmom]

Gonna take this back a page or two and share! I got a photo yesterday that didn't require much at all, no color changes or even much cropping. All I did was enlarge it a little which cropped less than a quarter inch off one side and the top. And since that doesn't happen often.....


Gonna Pick Flowers
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/1348/thumbs/Flowers39.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318884&ppuser=90601)

[idtwinmom]

BTW - Happy Memorial Day all! Hope you are all out playing and having a really good time!