My First Project in Lightroom

When my husband told me about the World Trade Center Beams coming to Indianapolis on Saturday, April 9, 2011, I was interested in seeing this & taking pictures. The day they were to arrive started out with a lot of rain. But about noon the rain had stopped, so we got ready to go. I wanted to use my new 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, but when we got to the overpass & tried it out, I ended up using my all purpose 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. As the we waited, the sky brightened, so I had no problem with lighting.

Flag draped from one of the Buck Creek Township fire trucks.

Taking the pictures & being with those gathered was a nice time. It was a long wait, but no one really noticed or cared.

Truck carrying the two forty foot beams from the World Trade Center

Then the "fun" began for me: learning Lightroom. I ended up buying a book by Scott Kelby on "Adobes Photoshop Lightroom 3." I can't begin to tell you how many times I had to stop & take a break from reading & trying to understand. But as you can see, I finally was able to get this project completed! I was so tempted to go back to the old way of editing, but made myself stick with learning to set up my library, then develop pictures & export them. I cannot say I have it all figured out in my mind, but I know it will get easier & faster.

Buck Creek Township fire engine - I70 & motorcade in back ground

Interesting fact: I heard the motorcade was 16 miles long! It took a long time for the thousands of motorcyclists to pass!

Some of our real, everyday, unsung heroes!
Buck Creek Township firemen waving to those in the motorcade atop their truck

I am thankful for the Lord's help in learning some basics of Lightroom 3 & for providing the money to purchase what will help my work flow in the future! I have two senior portrait sessions coming up this week! Then I'll get to learn more of what Lightroom can do!

To view all the photos: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/History/World-Trade-Center-Beams/16799226_JDc24V

To learn about the 9/11 Memorial in Indianapolis: http://www.project911indianapolis.org/Project_911_Indianapolis/Home.html

Blessings to you this day!

I'm A Home School Student!

Today I received my course information & student ID card from the New York Institute of Photography. It usually takes 12-18 months to complete their course of study. I am excited about doing this!

I have had good advice from a friend. She suggested purchasing "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson - very good advise! It really helped me to expand way beyond just clicking pictures! Thanks Joni!
I also have another text book "Complete Digital Photography 4th edition" by Ben Long. These books have been worth the cost. I also have learned a lot from a free website called "Digital Photography School." In the summer of 2008, I had one week's notice before shooting my first wedding. DPS has many great articles about wedding photography & portraiture - sound advise for shooting my first two weddings (that were less than two weeks apart!).

I think this home study course will add to what I have already learned & will give me a systematic mode of studying. I have tests & assignments, which will challenge me & I know I will enjoy. I'll get grades & critiques of my photo projects.

I trust that the Lord will bless my studies & my work projects. I learned long ago, He wants me to trust Him in all things, even a little thing like this study course. He has always helped me learn & get good grades in the past. And I trust Him to help me again. Because I really do want to glorify Jesus & give Him the glory & praise for any success I have in my life.

Oh, I have also taken the plunge & purchased Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom V3. So, I have another photography "thing" to learn! I am borrowing a friend's book on how to set up & use Lightroom V3. I am not finished with chapter one & I have already purchased Scott Kebly's book!

With God's blessing, I hope to learn & improve my photography! Blessings to you this day!

Bumble Bee in my backyard taken with Sony prime 100mm f/2.8 macro lens

Spring Through A New Lens

With the cold winter, I didn't get many pictures. I didn't do much photography after working on the wedding from last December. But after a while, I wanted to get my camera out & take photographs.

I had been researching on line about studio lighting: learning about different kinds & brands, comparing the benefits of kits or building my own studio lighting ensemble. I still hadn't answered the questions: do I really need studio lighting & if I did, what should I get?

Dwarf Iris
taken 17 March 2011 in my front yard (faces east), mid-afternoon.

One day, I decided to look at a lens I desired & found one in my price range! I know there are those who will only buy brand name lenses & I would agree. But it would be a long time before I could afford a brand name lens the size I wanted. But, I found a Tamron lens within my price range! And this is the lens I shot these photographs with.

Spring Snow on Leaf
taken 30 March 2011, in the woods behind our yard

I was blessed to get a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens! It came with circular polarized, UV, & "warm" filters. Since the end of the lens is 77mm, I count the filters as an added bonus.

So, I have enjoyed taking a few photos with it. I have a lot to learn about using it. The depth of field has to be taken into account when using this lens, but I love that it lets in a lot of light, even when zoomed out. I am thankful to the Lord for providing.

Spring Snow covered Daffodil
taken 30 March 2011, in my "Reclamation Area" garden next to the woods

This past weekend, I was also blessed to get Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom 3. Now, to LEARN it! I have heard great reviews about it & hope it will help me with my work flow, editing & organization. I also have signed up for a home study course in photography. I cannot wait to start studying to improve the photos I take. I have always thought of photography as science AND art!

I am excited to get my camera out & take more photos, learn to use Lightroom & start my "classes" on photography! Blessings to you this day!

To view all 33 photos in my gallery "Spring Thru a New Lens" use this link:
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Photography/Spring-Thru-New-Lens/16355101_ttCw5