weekend wrap-up

i was busy most of the weekend proofing digital pictures from both my dad & my own.  big suggestion here, sit down, think about it before you answer out.... learn your camera.  get to know it intimately.  know what shots it does well, which shots it does not and how to correct for it.  my dad used to be great shooting film, however, digital is different.  sorry, but the electronic sensor just behaves differently than film.  except for maybe in the really high end range.  even mine, and i *think* i have a good camera.  his were washed out, bad skin tone and just generally not that great.  soooo, after long hours doing post-production in photoshop, they are much better.  thank goodness for the digital darkroom.

now, don't go getting the wrong idea.  i in no way, shape or form think that i am a master at taking photos.  i have a lot to learn.  but like ansel adams, i can do some serious tweaking, but i have a lot to learn there too, and there are probably better/easier ways of doing it than what i do.  but i've learned from the school of hard knocks (aka fooling around to find out what it does).

was it worth that much time?  some of them, yes, as for instance, they were the only pics i had of Zack's 5th birthday.  others told a story that needed captured.  others, well, i was probably being picky.  but the point to all of this is, if he/i had taken 5/10 minutes beforehand to check the camera and see if the settings were ok, it would have saved me no less than 5 hours later.  no joke.  5 hours spent scrapping, or taking more pictures, or reading, or...whatever.

so play around with the white balance setting, play around with exposure and shutter speed settings.  it's ok to take a picture just for the sake of finding out what it does in the end.  really.  make it as intimate of a friend as your best friend.  i'm not saying you need to be a pro, or be able to judge what f-stop you need or any of that, but don't be afraid of your camera either.  don't be afraid to play with the settings.

and be sure to read the manual.  in reading mine, some settings revert back to default when powered off.  some are sticky.  helpful to know.  and also allow yourself the fact that you're going to forget.  it is like any other skill, practice makes perfect, but if we never use it, we'll never remember.  carry the manual (or at least the quick guide) in your case for reference.

for me, if i had just adjusted the exposure level down a stop or two for my pictures at the beach in the middle of the july afternoon, i would not be here now.  but now, some of them are blown out or just too bright.  i can take 100+ pictures a day.  but i very harshly & critically toss out too.  sometimes the work is not worth the rewards.  it is, however, a personal decision.

i'm also working on a surprise book for ben's christmas.  it's a mini of his first year.  they absolutely love looking at their big books, but i think there is something more intimate (yes, i know i've used that twice now!) about the smaller form factor.   their hands are smaller, this book is small too, 3 1/4 x 5" so it will be perfect for him.  i made him one for his church camp trip this summer and he really liked it.  next year he can go a full week.  he's totally ready.  not sure i am!  lol