Photo Project Unit #2

I finally got my results back for my Photo Project, which I sent in almost two months ago. I got a "B-" on the Comprehension Tests and here are the results for the Photo Project Assignments.


Photograph #1: Emphasizing the subject by its size and off-center placement.

#1
I sent in this picture that I took of patio lights in my Grandparent's backyard. The instructor said it was a good picture and that she liked that the green light stuck out more then the others. She liked that there is more light on the upper right side, but doesn't like the light peeking through the top. Yeah, that's not confusing at all. I actually like the light coming through, I think it helps with the theme of the patio.




# 2

She said to crop this one a little more for the rule of thirds.





#3

She said this one is underexposed and that I lost important details in the tulips. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a close up without loosing the detail. I wish she would have given me a hint.

Photograph #2: Using framing to focus attention on your subject.

#1

She said it was nicely done and I did a good job getting the weeds out of focus while keeping Damon sharp. The problem is the lighting and that he is squinting. You want to be able to see the eyes since they are the most important part of your picture. She also recommended not to have writing on clothing since that draws the eye to the writing and not your subject.

#2

I haven't got the actual pictures back yet so I'm not sure which one she is talking about.

She thought this was a great idea, but she wants more detail. I really like the blur and thought it was a nice touch. She said that it needs more space around main tulip. Again I wish she would have told me how I could have achieved that.


Photograph #3: Using leading lines to draw attention to your subject.


#1





I did a good job getting Damon large and in frame, but with the lines in the background I'm leading the eyes away from the subject. I thought that because the lines seem to get wider that I used it correctly, but OK.


#2

This photo is much better. The lines are coming from the sides and drawing the eye to the subject. She liked how Jasmine was leaning in. She said a better way of using leading lines is to have them at a diagonal or a curve. And yes, I sent her a cropped version so that John's butt isn't in the picture.

I sent Unit 3 in last week and should have that one back in about a month. Unit 3 has been about "Lighting", and really baffles me. I understand fill lights, main lights, and background lights but why do they turn out so yellow? I understand that I'm just using homemade floods, but what's the trick?

This week I have been working on Unit 4, which has been about "Studio Portraiture". I have spent the entire week creating and setting up an indoor studio. I found some really great backgrounds and have had a blast using "Natural Light" from a window to take pictures. It has been such a learning experience. I think taking pictures on location and with kids playing are much easier then trying to pose them and get the lighting perfect. I'll be posting those pictures as soon as I learn how to use my new Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.

Weekend Review

Friday evening Olivia had a Birthday Party to go to, so John and I took the two little ones out to dinner. After dinner he took them home so I could do a little bit of "solo" shopping.


Saturday we went to Isaac's 1st Birthday Party at the Park. (My Cousin Eric's Baby)




The kids saw the water and made a mad dash for it.

Jasmine didn't want to get her clothes wet so she waited patiently on the bench. I took a lot more pictures but hated that so many other kids got in the shots even with me trying to avoid them. After playing at the Park and at the Party we took the kids to the Mall for Cheese Dogs and then to get Damon and John fitted for their tuxedos for my Brother's Wedding. We picked up dinner and then it was off to a Photography Class for me. My friend Mandi and I drove out to her friends house who is a Professional Photographer. She taught a Beginners Class where she gave us lots of pointers and recommendations. You have to check out her blog http://www.staynerphotography.blogspot.com/ she takes amazing pictures! The class was way different from my Online Course and more hands on. I learned so much and of course I had a great time hanging out with an old friend. This picture is my friend Mandi when we were learning how to use the camera's built-in light meter.

Today we spent the afternoon just laying around the house until our movie started late in the afternoon. We went to see "UP". It was a really cute cartoon and made me cry a few times. It was a love story and for some reason it made me think of my Grandparents. Maybe because I have been so worried about my Poppie lately. He had surgery last Friday and seems to be doing pretty well considering he had a triple bypass. They have him really sedated but hope to let him go home in a few days. Please say a prayer for him for a speedy recovery.

Flag Football

The kids and I finally got a chance to catch one of John's Flag Football Games. He is self-employed and is in a very stressful line of work, so time to blow off some steam.

Jasmine was on the side-line, cheering her Daddy on!

She seemed to get a little upset with what she thought was a bad call. Can you say ATTITUDE?

Memorial Day 2009

We went to John's Parent's house this afternoon for a BBQ, and also to spend time with his Sister who was visiting for Chicago. We all had a great time and the kids enjoyed a game of football. They were all running even our littlest baby Tyler. Pictured Alec, Jared, Tyler, Olivia, and Cade.

I got to play with my camera a little.

Olivia

Jasmine

I don't have much going on this week so I'm planning on catching up on a few photo projects.

St. George

I just got back from St. George this afternoon. I literally got dropped off at the movies so I could see my kiddos. We saw "Night At The Museum", which was pretty cute. John told me that the kids only missed me a little and that he thought it was a piece of cake running the household while I was gone. I think his exact words were "your job is easy." What??? Whose kids was he watching? Am I wrong for that to totally hurt my feelings?

I went to St. George with my Mom so that we could be there to help my Grandma and Grandpa. My Poppie was having an Angiogram done to clear a blocked artery in his neck. The good news is that he didn't need a stint, the bad news is that he needs to have open heart surgery because the bottom half of his heart is clogged. I see this as a blessing in disguise since the only other way we would have know his condition is if he had a heart attack. He is so strong I know he will pull through just fine. His surgery is next Thursday and I will keep you updated.

It was so nice to get to spend time with my grandparents without the interruptions of my three little ones. It reminded me of when I was little and we used to visit them. When I was a teenager I thought it was a curse that my mom was so close to her family. We got together almost every weekend and during the summer I would see my cousins almost everyday. Our family vacations were always to California, Texas, or Arizona to see family. It wasn't until I was older that I grew to love the closeness of my Mom's family. I have learned that most families try to avoid each other or pretend to be someone else just to please them. People are always surprised that my Mom and I are such good friends. Some people don't believe me when I tell them that my Dad offers to babysit. Some people don't understand why I want to talk to my Brother and Sister daily. I now know how lucky I am to have such beautiful people in my life. I love each of them for who they are. While I was at my grandparent's house I had time to reflect on all the good times and all the great memories we've had together. It was so nice staying with them.

Here's a list of why I love to stay at Mema and Poppie's:

1. It's always toasty inside their house. No matter what time of year it is; and most likely, they will still be wearing a sweater.



2. My Grandma bakes from scratch. She slices and dices. She marinates and slow cooks. She watches every cooking show on TV and even subscribes to several cooking magazines. My generation, unfortunately, microwaves everything. We pay extra for things to be pre-cut and pre-cooked. We love fast food. We love instant rice and instant potatoes. But somehow my Mema can make a beautiful new meal out of leftovers.



3. They have religious statues, candles, crucifixes, and calendars all over the house. You can't help but feel spiritual and safe there.



4. They always stock up on your favorite drinks and foods when they know your coming to visit.



5. There's always clean sheets on the bed.



6. They turn off the TV except for The News, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, and of course the Spanish Soaps.



7. Their phone rings off the hook.



8. Poppie checks his email frequently and has learned how to "text."



9. We sit around and talk for hours and hours.



10. I love that you can hear them snoring even with their door closed. (And your door closed.)



11. I love that they have been together since High School.



12. I love that they swear in Spanish. (Yes Mema, Chingao! is a swear word, and is just one of their favorite words.)



13. My Mom always cries when we leave. I hate that it makes her sad to leave her parents but I'm happy that she loves them that much that she wishes she could be around them everyday.

My Grandparents have been married over 60 years and are the reason I have such a beautiful and loving family. We've all had our share of crosses to bear, but I know we can get through anything. Poppie-you know you have our love and support and we will get through this.