Pictures Within a Frame

Yesterday, I wrote about the coffee table I made from the room dividing screen. I just couldn't let the third panel go to waste. Creativity hit again! The wall above the love seat was blank. Not anymore!

This panel had the matchstick material coming out so I just removed it all. I painted the framework with the nice rich brown paint. Originally, I hung the panel on the wall empty. It looked like something was missing.  I had these pictures hanging in the kitchen. They are original photographs I took during a picnic with my mom, daughter and grandson. Every time I look at them, I remember the special day we had as a four generation family. Now they are hanging inside the framework and are a focal point in the living room. The pictures are all matted and framed identically which keeps the look clean and cohesive.

Bird in the Snow

It snowed recently.  In a lot of the country, snow isn't that much of an event but where I live, it doesn't happen often.  I like watching birds play.  I had about half a loaf of french bread that was getting little white spots on it so I threw it out in the yard.  It wasn't long before the varied species of birds started showing up for a snack. 

I was moaning that it was impossible to photograph them because they would fly away as soon as the door opened.  I am a baby when it comes to cold so there was no way I was sitting out there waiting for the birds to come around!  Well, then I got to thinking!  This is my solution:  a tripod and remote shutter release!

I put the camera on a tripod and set it out on the porch.  I set the camera on an automatic setting and focused it on the bread laying in the yard.  I ran the cord for the remote shutter release through the door.  With this done, I positioned myself on a comfy chair inside my toasty warm house and waited.  When a pretty bird showed up, I'd just snap the photo!  Here is an example of the result:

Not exactly perfect, put there will be more time to perfect the technique!

Casual Photo Shoots

One of my hobbies is photography.  I even won a ribbon and cash prize at an art show once!  I was so excited!  My friend, Brenda, said that if she'd have know how much fun it would be to watch me, she would have paid my entry fee! 

I take pictures of lots of things: buildings, trees, plants, nature and sometimes even people.  People are hard!  To pose people, you have to be comfortable telling people how to move and hope they stay still!  Recently, I've had the opportunity to shoot a couple of sessions that weren't planned.

The first was a session with a friend.  We started out with the typical posed shots.   I just wasn't feeling it and asked her to just start moving.  And move she did!  It was beautiful!  The shots showed her delightful personality and were so natural.  I'd love to post one here, but I haven't asked her permission so it just wouldn't be right.

The second was an impromptu session with my five-year-old grandson.   We were attempting to take pictures of birds outside the window when I turned the camera on him.  He had so much fun posing and making faces at the camera!  The results are absolutely wonderful!   Here is a sample:

You can see the rest of the photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearlcabin/

These were taken using a Canon XSi with the 18-15mm lens that came with the camera.  I used the auto/no flash setting.  I took these photos in my living room with natural light.  They are straight out of the camera -  not edited or cropped.  I love being able to work without a flash - I was able to get close to his face without the flash hurting his eyes. 

These two shoots were so much fun, I really want to work with more people.  I may have just found my method for photographing people successfully!