Playing and learning.

Lately, I've found time to devote to my photography. I am slowly learning how to use the different settings on my camera. I've had this little gem for over a year and have taken 8,000+ pictures, but I haven't figured out how to make the camera work for me, instead of me working for it. I would spend hours reading things online about my camera and photography, but not much seemed to make sense. I even have an entire pinterest board devoted to leaning photography, but up until a few days ago most of the stuff I would read wouldn't make sense. I tried and tried to force myself to understand, but as we all know that never works. After taking a class on getting to know my DSLR, I finally had my "oh my god, I get it now" moment the other day while playing with my camera. Finally!! Things are starting to make sense about the camera/photography now. I am using the Av and Tv setting and understand what they do. I found out in my class that using my camera on auto is nothing to be ashamed of, which I thought was something to not be proud of. That is why you have the setting of auto, it controls all of you settings for you. I am obviously no expert yet, but I do aspire to be one. I really want to make a career out of photography. I've always loved taking pictures since I was young and I hope this can be something that last a lifetime.

So, for now while Amar'e plays.....I learn.

Learning depth of focus

Slightly under exposed...

Slightly over exposed....

More depth of focus practice

Things I've been up to /// Not to be confused with a lately.

I will be the first to admit I've been a bit absent on the blog lately. Once a week posts are all I can accomplish lately....all for a pretty good reason. It has been a while since I've had the urge to sit down and make something, but with the nicer weather coming I've actually started a few projects in which I am excited about. Back in February I had a friend who had a baby, who wasn't suppose to arrive until early April, but he couldn't wait and decided to come at the end of February. This was a tiny problem because he was quite a bit early and I didn't have a gift ready. Well, I started to make him a gift the same day he decided to show up. With a lot of hard work the gift would have been done in time for his baby shower that weekend. Even with having to learn a new crochet stitch for what I was making him, it was totally worth it because I ended up loving this stitch and have big plans for it. Anyway, I started and finished this lovely blanket in about 2 weeks, and just recently finished another one. For what reason, I don't know, maybe to try and use up the left over yarn I had? I just had the urge to make something. So that turned into a project or two. This extreme amount of work my hands are doing crocheting is killing my carpal tunnel riddled wrists, making my fingers numb, and really doing a number on my rotater cuff injured shoulder. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but I won't let it stop me. I love the feeling of starting and finishing a project. It's so gratifying. I'm even thinking of taking this love of my mine a step further, but that wont be now, maybe soon though. Here is what I've been creating:

I've also been working on my photography. I've been learning about shooting on Manual mode and feeling my way around Lightroom 4. I'm having so much fun with it. The only problem is my model is only interested for about 10 minutes at a time. I'll take what I can get though.

(I really wanted to remove that shadow on the right side of her face, but I am just learning Lightroom and wasn't sure how. Until I can get reflectors I'll have to change the time and position of my photo sessions for optimum natural light.)

 I've also been busy hanging out with my two favorite people.

What have you guys been up to?