Photography Archives - Page 3 of 43

Challenging Myself Once Again – Photography Challenge 2018

May 18, 2018 By: Nanette

I’ve decided to start doing a photography challenge again this year. I tried earlier in the year but life really got out of control. Now that things have settled a bit I want to give it another try. I’m very late into the game this year but still willing to try.

Instead of posting single images up till that point I figured I’d try and catch up all in one post first. As usual the first of just about every photography challenge is a self-portrait. It’s the one I dislike the most but for the sake of growing in my art, I’m doing it.

Photography Challenge 2018: Week 1 – 5

Week 1: Self Portrait

This is the task every photography challenge starts with and the one I think I dread the most but I gave it my best shot. It’s difficult to do. It’s hard showing that vulnerability, you know?

Week 2: Blue

Can you tell what that is? It’s actually a champagne flute with an Efferdent tablet in it? (My daughter uses them to clean her orthodontic retainer, not that you needed to know that. Just didn’t want you thinking I needed them yet.) Did you guess that? I was trying to get bubbles which didn’t really work but still looked cool. And with a little editing (mirroring) the flute is now round and not tall and slender.

Week 3: Leading Lines

Lines draw our eyes to the main focal point. As I was working on this challenge, I started to notice so many lines leading my eyes in different directions. Lines from one electrical post to the next, lines on the roads, lines on doorways drawing you in. So many lines, I never really noticed before I guess. But that’s what lines do, they draw you in, whether they are direct obvious lines or lines that you imagine when you look at a photo or image that draws you in further.

Week 4: Something New

Time to try something I have never tried before. I attempted Double Exposure photography. Unfortunately, I found out I can’t do it in camera with the model I have so off to Photoshop for this one.

I did find out it’s not something I really enjoy though as an art form it can be beautiful. Just Google “double exposure” in images and you’ll see what I mean. Have you ever tried double exposures?

Week 5: Neglected

Follow along or better yet join me in a photography challenge this year. Find one that fits your schedule and can provide the little push you need to propel your art further.

Now on to Photography Challenge Weeks 6 -10

A Photographer’s Wish List

October 13, 2017 By: Nanette

This post contains affiliate links which mean if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I receive a very small commission. Don’t worry it won’t affect your purchase price. Maybe someday, I’ll make enough to buy a cup of coffee.

We all have wish lists. Kids usually want electronics or toys. Teens want the latest technology or fashions. Hobbyists want the latest new gadget that will make their hobby even more enjoyable. Me? My love for photography continues to grow and so my wish list revolves around photography gear. If you have a photography lover in your life you’ll want to share this post with them. They may just want to add an item or two to their wish list.

So for me, it’s time to upgrade and take my photography to the next level. What does that mean regarding photography gear?

Camera upgrade

Cameras like all technology are everchanging. There is always something new, something better, new features, more features, etc. I’ve gone from 35mm Nikons to Nikon DSLR’s to Canon DSLR’s and each time have been very happy with the change although as you know if you change cameras there is a bit of a learning curve. All the buttons seem to always be in different places. That’s fun!

But when is it time to upgrade and to what?

This is the fun part! Choosing the right camera for you. Here’s what I’ve learned. Mainly, what are you planning to photograph and in what type of lighting situations is what will help you decide on the right camera. Personally, I shoot both outdoors and indoors though I do prefer natural light. Indoors, I tend to have low light situations. So then the best camera for me would be one that works great both indoors and out and is excellent in low light situations. I hear the Sony has some amazing cameras! This little beauty is on my wish list:

The Sony a7Rii

The Sony a7riii is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (body only). It records 4K video, has 42.4 MP full frame, simple connectivity to smartphones via Wi-Fi and NFC with camera apps. 10 fps with continuous and accurate AF/AE in either mechanical or silent shutter mode and Dual SD media card Slots.

The thing I am anxious to see is that as you make adjustments to your setting – ISO, aperture, etc. , you see those changes as you are making them so you get exactly what you see! No more overexposed or underexposed images, taking the guesswork out of it all.

Lenses

Wondering why the body only? It’s easy, I dislike kit lenses. Going back to the thought of what you shoot will determine what you buy, I prefer to get that pretty buttery, blurry background and I can’t get that with a kit lens. Do you like that soft, blurred background that just makes portrait subjects stand out? If you do, then consider these lenses that I have on my wish list.

Sony 55mm F1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA Full Frame Prime Lens – Fixed

No matter what camera brand I’ve had, my first lens purchase for it is a 50mm prime lens. It gives me that gorgeous, buttery looking background I love! I’ve heard that if I like my 50mm or nifty fifty as it’s called, on my current camera, I’m going to love the 55mm for the Sony. Seems a lot of people really love this lens, just read through some of the Sony 55mm reviews on Amazon!

Prime lenses don’t zoom. If you want a closer shot of your subject you are just going to have to move your feet to get there with a Prime lens. So what are your other options, if you want to be able to zoom in? I was taking a look at this Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens which seems to be a good all around lens. My only concern with that one might be the size and weight. I like how small and light the 55mm and nifty fifty’s are.

Like I said this is my “wish list”. If you’re gonna dream, dream BIG, right?

If you are wanting to upgrade but feel like this option might be more than you need or is out of your budget then I’ve got another suggestion for you!

A budget-friendly camera

Sure we’d all love to have the big fancy camera that does everything but if it’s out of your price range or is simply way more than you need, you might be interested in the Sony a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera (body only) which is much more budget friendly. And then just think about what type of lens would fit your needs – 35mm, 55mm, etc.

24.3 MP
Built-In Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC
up to 11 fps shooting and ISO 25600.
So much more! Read the review and additional information on Amazon.

You’ve got another option now too or will soon as its scheduled release date is April 10, 2018, but you can pre-order it. Sony released the Sony a7 iii! It’s getting rave reviews. A lot of that is due to what features you get for the price. You definitely have to check out the Sony a7 iii.

So, what will you be adding to your photography gear wish list or maybe fulling a wish for the photography lover in your family?

Do you remember the View-Master?

May 19, 2017 By: Nanette

This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through a link I make a very small percentage. Don’t worry it doesn’t impact how much you pay at all. But if you do choose to make a purchase, Thanks for the support.

View-Master! Ok so I may totally be showing my age here and you will be too if you remember them but weren’t they the coolest thing ever? Don’t remember them or maybe you’re just too young to.

In any case, View-Masters were like the first virtual reality glasses/viewer. They have been around for 75 years! Can you believe that? 75! That’s a long time. Just thinking about them takes me back to when I was little. So what better to photograph than a View-Master for the “nostalgia” photo challenge. It’s a perfect fit! And the fact that a family member had some Disney reels made it, even more, a perfect fit.

I mean seriously can you get any more nostalgic than this? I don’t think so. Does this photo take you back? You did have one right?

Now I’m not sure if you can see the actual View-Master or not. The one photographed is actually dark brown in color in the upper left hand of the photo. I didn’t even know they came in such a dark brown color or any other color other than red for that matter. But that have been before my time. Personally, my View-Master (ok, ours, just in case my sisters read this) was red like this one below and the one pictured at the top of this post.

Honestly, I think every kid should have one or at least experience using one in their lifetime but hey, I’m partial to the toys and things I had when I was little. I admit it. Being a kid when I was a kid was fun! Oh, how I miss those days.

You can still find some view-masters similar to the red one above but they are keeping up with the times. They now have a View-Master Virtual Reality (VR) Viewer.

It looks a little too “space” like for me but the kids would probably like it. I think I’ll stick to the classics. How ’bout you? Which do you prefer?