5d MK II

Hey everyone, life has been just so hectic, I haven't had a chance to really sit down and write until now. But God has just been doing so many amazing things within my life, and I am excited to say, after thinking about it and praying about it, I am taking the plunge and picking up a Canon 5d Mark II tomorrow. I actually went into Best Buy las week and took a couple shots with the camera, and then told the sales person I was going to go home, talk to my husband about it, and pray about it. That is a big WOW for me, I mean, I like to shop, and I am typically an impulse shopper - so taking time to stop, think, talk to my husband and pray - I am excited and God is DEFINITELY good - And, if things couldn't get any better, the photography ministry at Crossroads is having a really cool photoshoot this Sunday that I totally can't wait for - I am going to get to play -
Also, I have added a calendar link to the right for anyone who would like to find out more about what the photography ministry is doing, and if you would like to join us, just shoot me a message and or an email, and we would love for you to join this amazing group of people.

Busy Busy Busy

WOW!!!! It has been a while since my last blog. However, I have been quit busy taking photos!!! Just to give you all an idea of what has been happening - did Baptism Sunday photos, Pre Maternity shoot around campus, quick appearance at Tom Sawyer shoot, Disability Camp photo shoot (I would have been there even without the shoot - LOL), Lighting Maternity/Infant shoot, and now the CSI shoot. WOW!!! Just typing all this amazes me with how I found the time to do it all and then edit the photos. Well, wait a minute, there all not edited - hehehe - but I am getting there. With just having a few months under my belt now with photography I really believe the photos are beginning to look better - but just touching on the disABILITY Camp for a moment - God's hand was really upon us all during this time. I really had no idea just how important the photo shoot was going to be. We had planned on panning for gold and fishing around the photoshoot, however, as we all know, the temperature out here was so high, it just made being outside almost intolerable. So when considering our guys, it was even worse for them. So needless to say, panning for gold was canceled, and only the guys went fishing, and upon their return, it was so hot we decided to not have the girls go. What we did instead then, was after having so much fun doing dress up and photos with the girls, we thought it weird to just leave the boys to do it, and so as we passed on fishing, we screamed, hollered, yelled, and cheered as most all of the guys dressed up and strutted their stuff while we all took photos. They had so much fun and we were all blessed. Thank God for the photo shoot!!!!! And just to give you a little idea of what we did, I have posted a couple pictures -

San Diego Zoo

Well, my trip to the San Diego Zoo was quit interesting. Rudy and Jimmy joined me and we ventured off early last Thursday morning. And then, about half way into our travels, I realized that I forgot one of my lenses that really would have helped with getting better pictures. This was the first time in which I felt completely lense challenged because those darn animals are just so far away. I just don't see why I can climb in and take a close up:)) Anyways, we spent about 4 hours at the zoo walking around looking at all we could, and even took a little trip on Skyfari - never been on that thing before, and because I already hate elevators, it was quit an adventure for me to be that high up in the air. Yes everyone, as cool as I would like to think I am, I am completely put off by elevators. In fact, I can't stand them and would rather walk up 10 flights of stairs than have to take an elevator. Crazy huh!!!! Didn't always use to be like that, all it took was Rudy and I getting stuck in one in a parking garage. Yes, stuck, and ever since, I avoid elevators at all cost. But the skyfari turned out to be pretty interesting and was able to get off a few shots when I wasn't having a brief panic attic and now I can't wait to return and take more pics - that is of course - with all necessary lenses!!!

HDR Images

Hey everyone, it has been a while since updating what's been going on. Well, I discovered a few weeks back this new technique called HDR photography. Unfortunately I haven't had time to test it out until now. It is quit an interesting process. To begin with, you have to take several pictures at different exposures. Therefore, as suggested, I mounted my camera on a tripod, I then chose Aperture priority as suggested as well and then set up my camera for bracketing and continuous shooting. This allowed me to take three pictures of the same shot at different exposures without messing with the aperture. I also had my ISO set on the lowest setting of 100. It is suggested however that if need be, to take more shots of different exposures. It's just based upon the tutorial I was following, the bracketing on my camera allows for I believe only 3 shots, that is, without going back and double checking. I then downloaded this trial version of this software called Photomatix Pro. Photoshop CS3 is able to to HDR, but the tutorial I was following used this other software, and if I so choose, the cost is only 99.00 to purchase full version. I really wanted to try and keep things simple and I really think the HDR Photos that I have seen online are way cool and I can't wait to experiment more with this amazing technique that many others have seem to have mastered!!!!

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Yesterday was an amazing day. Me and two friends ventured off to actually Escondido to the Wild Animal Park. None of us had ever been there before so it was a new and excited adventure for all of us. We arrived at about 10:30 in the morning and before beginning our outdoor excursion, we all did the noble thing and used the ladies room. I mean really, who wants to be interrupted by having to do such a tedious act while exploring. But after finishing up with the absolute important stuff, we moved on to bigger and better things, like admiring all of the amazing Elephants. We watched them move around, play, and even pose for us - well, I'm not sure if you would call it posing . . . just ask and I'll tell ya what they did, but without words, just use your imagination :)) We then moved on to see lions, tigers, cheetas, giraff's, apes, and even some pretty cool looking birds. I loved taking all of the photos. However, lugging around a big camera bag with all of the lenses that I "thought" I might need did play havick on my shoulders and back. Thank God for good friends who felt sorry for me and after about 3 hours offered to help carry the bag. What I did realize from this venture, is that although I have a fair collection of lenses, I need to obtain a good telephoto lense. The one I used to shoot the lions, tigers, elephants, cheeta's and actually most of the shots, was my canon 70-300 IS. The lense is ok but the f stop on it is only 4, which made it quite challenging when having to shoot in low light. Thank God for flash. But after some good research, the next recommended lense that I will pick up is the canon 70-200 f/2.8 along with the 1.4 extender. The extender will take the focal length all the way to 448 mm, which for shooting wild life and animals will be quit helpful. The flexibility plays the biggest role in this decision since purchasing a prime 300 or even 400 L lense would be less versatile and just as if not more expensive. So for me right now, it's all about getting the most for your money. I am sure many others can relate with that. But just to give you a little preview of some of the real dangerous animals that we encountered, the picture to the top left I hope does not scare you too much . . . :)) To view all other photos for this outing, please visit www. photographygarage.com and look under nature and animals in the portfolio section.

Engagement Party

Well, shot my first engagement party yesterday, (check out the good looking couple on the left). Had an amazing time and was able to practice some of the new techniques that I have been learning over these last couple weeks. For example, yesterday morning before the party I attended a simple photography class. Much of the information I had already read about before but it is always good to be reminded. Such as the lower the f stop the greater the aperture, which is important when it comes to lighting and depth of field. But it is also important because when you use a higher f stop, the lower the aperture, which also means a slower shutter speed, and if you are like me and hold your camera most of the time, then a slow shutter speed doesn't work real well. With a slow shutter speed, you need to have your camera on a tripod in order to avoid that disturbing unwanted blur that I am sure many of you have experienced in the past. I know I have. But of course, I am still practicing and still learning with all of this and I am having a great time being able to go and just shoot various events and people. It does help however when the people are your friends :))

Photoshoot

Hey everyone, did a really fun photoshoot with some amazing ladies today. It was alot of fun and I just thought I would post one of the photos here. If you want to see a few more check out photographygarage website.

Just played with some more photos from the shoot - here is another one to the left, but go and check them all out at photography garage website!!!!

Masking

Well, today has been an interesting day trying to keep up with my nose. Yes, I have encountered a wonderful glorious cold. But in the mean time, one aspect of photography editing that I have been wanting to dive into a bit concerns masking. I was first introduced to it years back when I took a beginning photoshop class, but of course with anything, unless used, it will eventually be forgotten. So of course, I forgot!!! So I am glad that last night I was able to take some time to read up on it a little bit and scratch the surface on re-learning some of it, and then this afternoon I took one of my photos and created a layer mask with it. The photo on the top is the original and then one below it is the masked photo. Take a look at the difference between the two photos. I think I am going to really like this little tool that I have now been able to dabble a little bit with.

Planning Photoshoots

One of the biggest challenges that I have discovered with photography is figuring out what to shoot. Several months back I went to a park and started shooting pictures and then shortly realized that it seemed a little freaky that I was shooting pictures of people that I don't even know. I mean, thank God no one said anything. I don't know what I would have said if someone had. However, since that experience I have been a little bit more aware of the importance of planning where to go to shoot, and since I love animals, I decided yesterday that I would purchase 2 year round passes to the San Diego Zoo for Rudy and myself. I am so excited, these passes allow us to get into the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park as many times as we would like for the next 12 months. WOW!!!! Now I am planning when we are going to go. I think maybe 2 weeks from today - I know that doing both parks in one day is a little much, so I am looking forward to actually planning another day where we will visit the park that we don't visit on our first venture out. Taking pictures of people is fun and I do look forward to shooting more people, but I think at least for now i ought to shoot only people that I know. I mean, I don't think I want to be known as that "freaky" lady with a camera-:))

Website is up!!!!

Well, everyone, Photography Garage website is finally up. I am so excited to step out into this new and amazing direction. Life can be just so busy at times that having one, two, or maybe even three different things that can help take you away from the everyday stuff that we face all the time can be nice. I find it to be relaxing although many people I know think that I am completely insane for everything that it is I do. But really everyone, I love staying busy, and this kind of stuff helps me to unwind and relax. So let's all have a bit of fun and I invite you all to join me on this photography journey that God has placed upon my heart-:))

Welcome to Photography Garage

Well everyone, this is my first blog for photography and I am still working out a bunch of fine little details. But my hope and desire is that this will be a place where we can share our thoughts and experiences with photography. I am not a professional photographer but would consider myself to be somewhat of a photogeek. I love taking pictures and look forward to sharing all of my experiences with it with all of you - and with that - I shall say good bye, and hopefully by this time tomorrow my actual photographygarage website will be up and running - :))