Rushed Moments / Project 52 ~ Week 8

  This week's post is a bit later than normal.  First, I must admit, I forgot to take a picture!  I can't believe it, but Sunday morning arrived and I had multiple nature photographs (for my JLP Project 52), but had neglected to capture even one image for this week's Project.  So, this week's image was actually photographed this morning.
  Earlier this week, my girls and I had noticed several of our Hyacinth bulbs had emerged from the ground. We planted these seemingly forever ago...and were delighted to see the beautiful pink and purple blooms!  Regretfully I didn't have my camera outside with us to capture a quick shot of the discovery.
  This morning, I asked my 8 year old {very sweetly} if she would accompany me outside to get a quick shot for my Project.  She was willing {thank goodness} and I allowed her to choose her outfit and pose outside.  With her relaxed, I was able to capture a side profile of her with these lovely pink blooms:

{Captured:  ISO 125 - F2.8 - 1/250}

  While processing this photograph, I chose to add a few different layers for more of a "vintage" feel with just a slight haze added and some selected color pops to make the main subjects stand apart from the dark brown garden floor.

  This week has shown me that I really need to set a reminder to make sure I work on the Project at least once per week!  I'm definitely going to do a check each Wednesday going forward.

  We have some fun announcements coming soon - the next 8 weeks has some exciting adventures and fun sessions planned for Y.D.P.!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
-Jennifer

Low Lights and Shadows / Project 52 ~ Week 7

  We've been enjoying some serious family time this weekend and managed to fit in about 4 fun activities yesterday, in under 8 hours.  The kids had a blast and I enjoyed watching their smiles as they saw and tried new things.  We ventured into South Carolina yesterday to visit an aquarium, the beach and to stock up on some clothes for the little ones {boy, do they grow FAST!}
  It was my youngest's first trip to the aquarium {that she could remember and really enjoy}, but it was just as awesome to see my two older children reading about the different tanks and enjoying the sights.  This week's image, was by far my favorite from yesterday's visit.  My oldest, who was taking lots of pictures himself, was glued to the wall sized tank watching intently at the brightly colored fish.

Project 52 / Week 7
{Captured:  ISO 400 - F1.8 - 1/80}

  I found it a great challenge to achieve just the right detail and desired image in the extremely low light that was available.  There was also a lot of movement from the fish and several other visitors.  I stood a great deal away {across the room} and had to adjust my ISO quite a bit higher than I really like to, but the end result was exactly what I had envisioned!  Best of all, he had no idea I was photographing him and the result was a very relaxed and natural image.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!
-Jennifer

Red Boots, Umbrellas and Clouds / Project 52 ~ Week 6

  Oh! What a week it's been.  Then adding in some COLD weather and cloudy days this weekend...we're in a bit of a gloomy mood today.  Which worked well for a theme on this week's photo.

  My 8 year old daughter enjoyed playing with an umbrella yesterday {what little one doesn't?} - she even braved some cold temps to assist with capturing this week's image.  We had fun editing this one too.

Project 52 / Week 6
{Captured:  ISO 100 - F7.1 - 1/160}

    I chose a much larger aperture this week to really bring in lots of dark and gloomy details.  During editing, I wiped out most of the color from the surrounding background {it was much too competitive with her red boots and floral skirt}, during final review, I noticed the image was still missing just a bit of drama to emphasize our "gloomy" moods - so I added a scratchy texture.  I was in LOVE with the final photograph!!  More importantly, so was my daughter.

  Do you find that young ones seem much more relaxed or excited during a photo session when given an interesting and fun prop?

Since we won't be posting until next week - we didn't want to miss an opportunity to wish you all a very:

  Hope everyone has an amazing week!
--Jennifer

Toddlers, Apples & Flash / Project 52 ~ Week 5

  I'm normally a well thought-out, very meticulous planner, organized {maybe even a little bit too much} person.  I've been attempting this year to really let events unfold on their own...even if it means it's not what I expected or planned out.   It's really, really hard for me to let go of some control....really hard!

  I'm also completing a Project 52 for my nature photography.  On Friday afternoon, as I was photographing a few different objects - my youngest woke up from nap.  Normally I cannot capture my still-life type photography when she is nearby.  Friday was no exception.  While I was trying to wrap up with a few shadowed green apples, she sat excitedly in a chair {very close by} asking me "what was I doing".  I smile while I think about that scene this morning.  She is fully entered into what I like to call the "endless toddler question" phase.  Within a few minutes {while I was reviewing the last few images} I looked up to see her sitting right in the middle of my still-life scene, holding one of the two green apples in her tiny toddler hands.  She looked right at me with what seemed like all the confidence in the world and told me "here you go mommy" as she held out the apple balanced on her tiny palms.  My first thought was that she wanted me to grab the apple...I was wrong.  She in fact, wanted me to finish photographing the apple, but wanted to also help by holding it for me.
 
  This was just too precious to pass up.  Her wide-eyes from a long nap, her willingness to be included in a photograph {there's just some days that she does NOT want to be photographed}...there was only one issue.  The lighting in this area was perfectly set-up for a still-life, but in no way would it work for a portrait.  I knew that moving her, could possibly mean losing her silly attitude and the whole shot.  So, I had to resort to my external flash {I know...I really didn't want to!}.  In seconds, I had the flash attached to the camera, quickly changed a few settings and captured the following series of images which make up this week's photo:

Project 52 / Week 5
{Captured:  ISO 200 / F2.8 / 1/100}

  I couldn't decide on just one, so I decided to choose three which would tell the story.  The first image is the adorableness of her attempt at helping with the still-life, the second image is her toddler attention span when she finally couldn't "help" anymore and instead was hungry and that last image is one of my all time favorites - a pure and beautiful smile.

  I know that if I had not used my flash, I never would have captured these images.  I much more prefer natural lighting at sunrise or sunset - and really dislike bumping up the ISOs over 300.  But, as an artist and photographer {and mom to some fast moving children} I think we sometimes have to be prepared for all circumstances and unplanned events.  I am grateful that I had this flash in my bag, even if I rarely use it, I will keep carrying it along for all the "just-in-case" situations.

  Here's another one of my favorites from this quick impromptu session:

Hope everyone has a perfectly wonderful week!
-Jennifer