Great Photos From Any Camera Class

I took a photography class with Big Picture Classes this month. Can you tell I love this web site! This class was more about lighting, composition, angle, focus, trying different modes on our cameras and such. We actually, as an assignment, were told to read our camera manual. Well, I read part of it, but I'm still working on it. The class is totally different from the other classes I've taken that were prompts to inspire us to take photos each day. I enjoyed the class, it passed too quickly. She gave us printouts each week and daily photo tips. I want to go back and review these more carefully. Anyway, at the end of the class we were to submit two photos for critique.  I was excited when I got her replies, so I wanted to share them with you.

These were both taken on Easter Sunday. As you can see my little model steals the show. How can you take a bad picture of him?

The first one was taken when Aaron was looking up at his Dad. Randy was opening an Easter Egg to see what prize was inside. Aaron's face is so full of expression, excitment, awe and love for his Daddy.



Here's the comment form Elisha Snow, the instructor of the class: 

 Another adorable photo! I like that his face is turned up toward the light a bit so that you get a bit of glow on his face and get some fabulous catchlights! Those lights in his eyes just make them sparkle! I like that there's a bit of wind blowing so that we get a little movement in his hair. Again, I love the neutral background. One thing to watch for here is to not leave too much space above his head. Remember the rule of thirds. Other than that, it's adorable!

Now that she reminded me, I can see where I should have cropped closer to his head it would have made a big difference. Wow, it's hard to keep all the rules and techniques in mind!!

I cropped it some and this is the result. His eyes are the first thing you see and not the distracting background. Much better!

I have three gazing balls in the yard and Aaron loves to go by each one and touch it. So far he's been very gentle and just gives them a little pat. I had the camera ready when he got to this ball. I love the way he's looking up at me, so happy, and I see a little love for Gramma in those eyes. Don't you?

Here's Elisha's comment: 

What a darling photo! I really like that you took this photo in landscape (horizontal) orientation. We tend to want to take photos in vertical orientation when we're taking photos of people, but it adds some visual interest to take it horizontally. I love the reflecting ball (is that what you call it?) that he's standing next to and the beautiful light that it's creating. I love the soft, even light on his cute little face, and I love that you stood above him to take the photo, so that his eyes are what we see first. I like that you chose to take this photo with a very neutral, nondistracting background so that the main subject is truly what we focus on. Very nice photo! Thanks so much for sharing it and thanks for being part of this class!

I was pleased with both the photos and her comments. You never know what an expert photographer might see. I was a little worried, but, constructive criticism always helps if it's presented well.  And like I said, it doesn't hurt that Aaron is so adorable and has beautiful eyes, hair and the most precious complexion. There's always beautiful color in his checks and his eyes are always sparkling. Thank you to my adorable model.

Fun Spring Day With Aaron

The days of spring have been some really good ones. I'm taking an on-line photo class from Big Picture Classes "How To Take Great Photos With Any Camera." This is a class that teaches about lighting, composition and such. It's not inspiration for daily shots like the others I've taken. Our first assignment was to pick an object and take four shots of it at different hours of the day, morning, noon, afternoon, and right before sunset. It has been cloudy every day since I received my assignment until yesterday when I was at Aaron's house. So, I took my shots there. I took shots of their house and of a garden ball in front of an azalea. Thanks, Aimee, for the use of your garden ball! I put a rock in the front yard so I could stand in the exact same place each time I took a shot of the house. I told Aaron I needed to take pictures of their house and showed him where I would stand by the rock. I would say "it's time to go take a picture of the house" and he would run and stand right by the rock. Too cute!!! He didn't know what was going on, but he was willing to help! 

I put the pictures in a collage so I could see them side by side. We were to pick the best shot of the four. I picked the morning shot. The sky is bluer and you can see more details of the house, for instance the shingles are clear on this shot. Just looked like better color to me and no deep shadows.

 The flowers and ball didn't work as well they were shaded more by the porch. I chose the morning again, because of the shadows on the others. Although I really like the shadows on the 5 p.m. shot.

 I also had to take three pictures of one subject in front light, side light, and back light. Guess who was my model!! Aaron!! I took these while he was eating lunch. Seems like I take a lot of pictures of him while he's eating lunch. He was in his high chair and couldn't run away. I just rolled his high chair in front of window and turned him for the different shots. I just love his pose with his arm on his knee! Of course, the front light is the best. But, he's cute which ever way the light hits him!!

While I was fixing his lunch I remember a reflection pictu that someone that put in the gallery of my Picture Spring class. It was called a surprise reflection and they shot the reflection on the microwave door. I tried it and it worked. How about that!! Nice reflection you have in your microwave door, Aimee. 

Also while I was fixing lunch I turned around and Aaron had climbed up in the kitchen chair and sat down. Startled me! Scared me a little too!! He is so quiet! He looked quite proud of himself! He may do this all the time, but it's the first time I've seen him!

And now on with the day. Every time we went out Aaron wanted to find all the "dan-deee-lines" in the yard. He picked them all and shook them away! I don't think we left any standing! I hope you can't sneeze from dandelions!

 Find the right dandelion, pick it, and make a wish!!

 I just love little chubby hands!!!

And this is my favorite! He tried hard to blow them away! They wouldn't go, so he would just shake them!

Fun day!! I got my assignments accomplished and had fun with Aaron, too!

Take some time, go outside, find a dandelion, and make a wish.

Hope your wishes come true!!