Sunday 22 June 2014

PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE.......




Remember I was having a little trouble with my photography? 
Well I got back on that horse and went out into the garden one fine winters afternoon to snap and see what happened.

This is one of snow pea crop, the sun was shining through the pod and the colours were luminous.


Snow pea flower, really pretty.



This series of snaps I am very proud of, I couldnt focus as the bees never stay still so it was point and shoot real quick.
I really didnt know what I had until I downloaded it here.


This is the power of a very good lens. I bought a mid range camera and my husband bought me an expensive lens. If you want to take your photography to that extra level the lens is where you should invest all the dollars.




 I am and always will be facsinated with the macro world, so I got the macro lens. This allows you to focus down to the pixie level and see miniture beauty. These are water droplets on my pea plants. 
Dont forget to play with your shots, just take them and try to remember about depth of field. The F stop setting allows you to have a deeper area in focus, as you can see between the pea leaves and the photo of the gum leaf. All I know is the larger the f stop number the deeper the field of focus.....so google the tutorials for your model camera and have a play.


This is what I saw as I walked along the shore we have had no winter storms here yet and little rain so the bay I live near has been as clear and clean as I have ever seen it. I didnt even need to get my feet wet, this was right on the tide line.
 Taking photos of such delicate things underwater was a bit tricky, in fact the original shots were pale and wishy washy. So I photoshopped them, bringing down the brightness and altering sharpness and clarity. There are many shots that dont come out exactly the way you invisaged but these little tricks can bring it back a little.

My daughter was actually a little shocked and now is beginning to realise how easy it is to manipulate an image. So dont believe everything you see!!!



I also regularily crop an image it is the best way to bring into focus the one thing you want to showcase. Most images can be improved just by cutting away distractions and not so great areas.





 How gorgeous is that rock pool? But if you saw how ordinary this suburban beach was, where there are many dog walkers and a busy road nearby you may not think to stop and see the little world at your feet. That is what photography has always done for me. It makes me stop and look for interesting things to frame up in my lens. And the small world is very interesting. The slimy bit of seaweed looks like jade in the light.

This intrigued me with its textures and colours.









Colours and patterns, again these shells were sitting under water, it was so clear.










Finally I lifted my head and saw other sights to behold.

Like two puppies that were getting a little borrrrrred. 




So under a painterly sky we set off home again. Once more to practise and take the camera out and about. 
I am falling in love with my old hobby again. 

And must remind myself that unlike a certain celebrity who was not happy with her wedding photos that art is not perfection......she took FOUR DAYS to get an image where she was happy with the colour of her flowers!!!! I mean I love an artist and sometimes perfection gets us to a great end.......but I bet she would not tell you how altered her image is ...compared to reality.....

So I hope this debunks some of the mystery and gets you out snapping because those great shots will come with practice and a little photoshopping...........:-)

2 comments:

  1. Oh you're doing a wonderful job Susan, your pics are great - love those underwater shots, and how clear that water is! Look at that beautiful sky and those cute little puppies as well as the macro shots - well, for goodness sake, they're all fantastic and it's so good of you to share some tips too - a most enjoyable post, thank you! Keep shooting and have a happy week, xoJoy

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