Day 26: Ready for Football

Not gonna lie, I am not a big football fan, but I love football season.  Fall is my favorite season, I look forward to hoodies and of course, filling my belly with fattening appetizers and party food.  I figure if I go to Zumba a couple times of week, it all balances out :/  Anyways, the Chiefs are playing today (more like getting their butts handed to them) and we have a couple friends over.  Nom nom nom.

Day 25: Seriously?

Yes.  I'm serious.  My picture for the day is of the inside of the refrigerator.  Do I care if you judge me?  Not at all.  Pretty sure it's typical in most homes for the refrigerator to look like this the night before grocery shopping.  A few reasons why I decided to use this as inspiration for today.

1. I am dead exhausted.  Got less than 5 hours last night and was busy all day today.  I was honestly dozing off waiting for this page to load (our internet company has been having issues).
2. I want to experiment more with lifestyle photography.  Things that aren't posed... that happen everyday.  Many people take pictures of their kids.  I have none.  So I took a picture of an empty fridge.
3. I've also been intrigued by clean edits... editing, yes, but doing it in a way that looks natural.  I'm really, really into it nowadays.  Maybe I'll slowly change my style.

So, here is my refrigerator.  Lots of drinks.  Several condiments.  Hardly any food.  Walmart, here we come.

Day 24: You Want Me Where?

I am working on a project and needed a picture of myself... well, none of my photographer friends live around me so I had to give Lindsey a crash course in shooting in Manual.  Technically, he wasn't in charge of much... I set the ISO and aperture and even gave set up the shutter speed for him; he was in charge of making sure the tick mark stayed at 0 or -1 (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's okay).  Oh yeah, and he was in charge of telling me when a pose was not flattering, not cutting off limbs, putting the blinker on my eye, etc.  He did a pretty good job.  There were several that were the slightest bit out of focus and he kept me in the frame for the most part.  I can't wait to reveal my project in a few short days.  Is it cheating a little that I didn't technically take this picture?  I don't think so.  I guided him enough that I fell I can take a good amount of credit for it :)

Day 23: Keep Your Paws to Yourself

Not much motivation in terms of taking a cool picture today.  I thought I would be able to take a picture of my leftovers from dinner... but I didn't have any :/  I guess it's a good thing I went to Zumba tonight before eating out?  Sigh.  Here's a shot of my two "babies."  Miley was chewing her bone and brother Riker was getting jealous.  Took the picture around 9 at night.  Horrible light in the living room.  Gotta embrace the grain :)

Day 22: Grapes Galore!

The idea of mini sessions has always given me mixed feelings.  I've hard several pros and cons, but in the end, I figured I'd go for it.  I had a chance to go out to a local vineyard.  Something about rows and rows of grape vines (or whatever the technical term is) is so beautiful.  The grapes have already been harvested but it's still green.  If there's enough interest, this will be where my minis will be held this year.  We shall see :)

Day 21: So THIS Is It?

So this is what I've been missing for so long?  All this talk of "full frame" and it being worth the money?  Was it really worth it?  Worth every last penny.  Took a little bit of time with Kayla and Rylee to test out my camera.  Absolutely LOVE this thing.  A lot.  Cut down on editing, focus was right on and ISO capabilities in low light were something I've never experienced before.  P.S. I already posted this picture on Facebook.  Cheap shot for not posting a new picture on here?  Maybe.  But I'm okay with it :)

Day 20: New Reading Material

Nothing special.  Just got new reading material today...

Not gonna lie, user's manuals for cameras are probably the most boring material of all time to read.  I practiced on a few shots (this being one of them).  ISO 1600 and the grain is almost nonexistent.  I think this might work for me :)

One more taken with my old camera.  Miley isn't the best guard dog, but she was in charge of keeping all of these awesome toys safe.  Love the boxes... and her of course!

Day 19: New Beginnings From Another's Ending

Today was the 2nd official day of Fall.  LOVE the cooler temps.  I thought about making this image black and white but thought there was more "emotion" in leaving it in color.  This is Riker's ball.  It started out being a vibrant, yellow tennis ball.  With the elements of this past summer and his mad chewing skills, it has turned into this.  This image represents a few things to me... summer ending, my first DSLR days and my new d700 arriving in a few short hours.  A little bittersweet.  Although I will miss my camera, I am *so* excited about what is to come.  And thrilled about hoodie weather :)

Day 18: Perfect Match

This couple is absolutely perfect for each other.  I had a chance to hang out with these two this morning and it was long past due.  Shannon was glowing and Shawn looked pretty excited to welcome Crosby in a few short weeks.  Something about a black and white shot shows emotion (at least I think).  Here's one more sneak of these two.

Day 17: Ruff Day

Lots of things put a smile on my face at the moment...

1. I edited Kyria's 3 month pictures and I feel really good about how they turned out.  I don't want to admit this, but I see the *slightest* bit of improvement in my work.  Pretty stinking excited about this and how much better I will feel once I get my new camera in my hands.  ETA: Monday.  Along with the lens.  And Lindsey's new iMac.  WOWWW!
2. Miley (my pup) is so cute.  I love her lots.  I was able to get a couple of really sweet pictures of her today.  Back story: instead of sleeping on her big bed that was just to the left of the frame, she pulled her blanket onto the hard, cold floor and bundled up.  Funniest part... she is RIGHT next to the a/c vent.  Oh, Miley.
3. I've always, always struggled with shooting indoors (at least with my camera).  In order to get my shots of Miley, I had to bump my ISO to 3200.  With my camera, I knew it would struggle.  Well, I went for it, even put my shutter speed at 50 (goodness!) and placed my camera on the ground.  Love the angle it gave me.  

Good day.  Now off to run and enjoy the last day of summer.

How I love those big, brown eyes!

Probably bored since I haven't played much with her today.  I'm all done editing, girl! 

Day 16: What's Going On?!

As I sit down to look through all the pictures we got with the adorable Kyria today, this one made me laugh.  To the outsider, you may not tell if she's happy or sad, but she was definitely happy!  I love her hands and her little face.  I'm pretty sure, if she could talk, Kyria would say, "Come on Mom and Dad, I know my cheeks are kissable, but do you really have to embarrass me?"  LOL, absolutely love this family and her little hands in this one :)

Day 15: Keeping It Real

Trying to do as much in camera as possible... in other words, do it right the first time so I don't have to spend much time on editing.  Only things I did in post processing to this picture were added a little contrast, the slightest bight of saturation and sharpened for web.  No actions.  No cropping.

By the way, these were flowers Lindsey bought me yesterday.  He's pretty cool.

Day 14: Make a Wish!

Besides wild mushrooms and treasures left by the pups, I saw this little guy growing today.  I tend to take portraits instead of landscapes... changed it up today.  Also decided to play with negative space.  My wish for today: to get a new lens to go with my new (to me) d700!  Woo hoo!  I think I'll get that wish soon :)

Day 13: Puppy Dog Eyes

Miley had to visit her favorite place today- the vet.  She was due for her annual exam and had to get a few shots.  Poor pup.  She's usually an outgoing dog but the second she walks in the vet, she always tucks her tail in and she even started to cry when our awesome vet took her leash :(  She did pretty well and doesn't have to come back for another year :)

Miley showing off her big brown eyes.  Love her crooked, stubby, little legs.

I swear, trying to take pictures of her or Riker is pretty much impossible.  But I still love all 10.8 pounds of her.

Day 12: No, Not J-Woww...

Thought of that title myself... pretty impressed :)  I shoot in RAW as do many photographers so I wanted to show the differences of an image shot in JPEG and RAW.  I don't think these examples will really do it justice, but shooting in RAW is night and day different between JPEG.  The quality is much better, the colors are more true and most of all, the image size is much bigger and more detailed.  I tried to keep the settings as close to the same in both images... same aperture values, shot within a minute of each other, same shutter speed and same ISO.  The only difference was that I was able to adjust the white balance, contrast (minor adjustment) and clarity (minor adjustment).  Maybe I'll come back and do another post comparing the two another day.

JPEG image

RAW image

Day 11: Turtle, Turtle

I was the second shooter at my first wedding today.  Beautiful couple and the rain held out pretty well for us.  As we were taking pictures of the dresses, we looked down and saw this little guy crawl into this cup.  Too cute :)

Day 10: Rainy Day

Rainy day.  Decided to take a picture of my street.  Loved the temperature change.  Hoodie weather is right around the corner :)

Day 9: ... I Work Out

It's all about the simple joys in life.  Anyone who knows me would attest to my love for Zumba.  I've been doing it for about 6 years now (with MANY breaks in there).  I actually starting going again this week.  I used the excuse that since our fabulous teacher was out, I would take a little time off too :)  I know I look silly doing 90% of the moves but the feeling I get when I'm all done makes it worth it.  For your viewing pleasure today, a picture of my shoes.

Day 8: Deja Vu?

I feel like we've done this before... September 12th... evening spent at Starbucks... oh yea!  That was 4 YEARS AGO that Lindsey and I had our first date.  Seems like it was just yesterday.  We went back again tonight, Lindsey in the same outfit (black dress shirt, jeans and black shoes).  I got my usual Blended Strawberry Lemonade.  Our 4 year anniversary from when we officially started dating is next month.  Maybe he'll get me a Mark iii?  Ha :)

Day 7: A New One to Add to the List

Day 7... that means after this post, I will have officially completed my first week.  Woo too!  Only 51 more to go.  Hmm.  With ever session lately, I feel like I have a new "favorite" to add to my list.  Seriously.  Sam was honestly adorable and his parents were amazing to work with.  Love this image.

Day 6: Scoping Out New Spots...

I'm taking pictures tomorrow at a park I haven't used yet.  I'm excited to hang out with the little guy (who just turned one) and his parents.  I think we'll have lots of great spots to take pictures.  Here's to beautiful weather and a happy baby :)

Day 5: K to the C

On the way back from KC, I always stop by the Casey's in Peculiar.  They usually are cheaper than where my parents live (price of gas in Kansas vs. Missouri).  Lindsey stops there when he needs gas on the way back, too.  So, here's my stop at Casey's.  Not the coolest picture, but nonetheless, it was shot in Manual... and it's a picture from day 5.

Day 4: Stepping Up My Game

Kendra from KJane Design's workshop was today.  I feel excited and anxious about the newfound knowledge I've gained.  I never thought I'd "get" Manual mode, and I don't want to jinx myself, but it kinda makes sense!  

I reshot a previous session after the workshop.  I hope the images I got were because things are making sense and not because I got lucky, but man, I feel pretty good :)

Day 3: Rain, Rain...

It sure is nice to see you.  It was trash day and the wind blew over our empty trash can.  I can't complain, rain is nice any day... especially when the air conditioner is blowing out unconditioned air.  Sigh.

Day 2: BAD Dog!

Riker is still very playful and bothers Miley so much that they must be let out at separate times to go do their business every day.  I'd say I like him about 70% of the time- yes, I do have a favorite pup and it's not him.  This morning was definitely not one of those 70%.  This is what I woke up to...

Yes, that would be the window casing.  And pieces missing from it.  I could have killed him.

Needless to say, he knew he was in big trouble.  And to think, I wasn't sure my life would be "exciting" enough to think of a new blog post.  

The Start of Project 365

Am I crazy?  Yes.  Will I regret this decision from time to time?  Most probably.

I've been thinking about doing this for a while now, and I debated if I should really make people aware that I was even doing it.  After all, if people knew, I'd be held accountable and would be more likely to keep up with it, right?  I know a person only gets better at anything (a skill... a sport... anything) with practice, and I want to document my journey.  The good, the bad, and of the inevitable ugly.  I am vowing to take one picture daily for the next year.  This is my 365 Project.  I will post pictures on here with a few words from my daily life.  Mind you, I don't have any kids, and my dogs are horrible models, but I vow to take a picture every day.  If you don't see anything from me, feel free to ask me where it is.  I'm really going to try to keep up with this (as well as my random "Behind the Scenes" post).  With that being said, here's my Project 365: Day 1 post :)

Yes, we have mushrooms growing in our backyard.  Don't judge me- they'll be gone tomorrow night when the boyfriend mows.

And there you have it.  All that writing to post one picture of a gross mushroom.  Hope it was worth it.