Saturday, October 22, 2011

31 Days Blog to Biz / day 23 - practice!



It's been a long couple of days. I've been banging out a new project due next weekend for FOLK and it took much longer than I expected. Suffice it to say, I was late for SNS on Friday, the house is a disaster zone, (except for one small photo shot corner) and I am beat.

But part of my son's homework is to exercise for 30 min a day. It had rained all day and then suddenly it stopped. Not wanting to move more than I had to, I offered to walk with him anyway. Every move hurt until I had a brainstorm. I grabbed my camera on the way out and challenged myself to a 'manual' lesson. At dust. While walking. The worst possible photo conditions ever. Why not?

I forgot I was hurting because I started having fun again. :)

And my self assigned lesson? Color.







I'm amazed these even turned out. Really. It was a tough assignment. By the time I hit the picnic table area, it was nearly dark. Every area needed quick camera tweaks and in all honesty, a tripod. When your shutter needs to stay open longer to allow light in, it's critical to have your camera 100% stationary or you just end up with a bunch of blur.

And then my son gave me those pleading eyes. I remembered I was hurting so we ordered up a couple  burritos at the store. I could not fathom cooking tonight. Who can find the stove in that mess anyway...


While in the store, bleary eyed me asked the owner if I could practice indoors while we waited for our food. 

I know! Maniac at work here! The OFF button busted long ago.


Nice subject huh?


Yeah, we did something about that too. :)

We plunked our tired selves at a picnic table in front of a store, he eating, and me still shooting. And managed to remove every bit of health we just put into ourselves from that robust walk. :)

I've come a long way in a short time with this manual deal and I can't seem to stop. And I know it's the ongoing practice and forcing myself into difficult situations that's helping me pull this off.

I challenge you to do the same. Practice what you need help with. It'll be hard and you'll fail with flying colors over and over again. But one day it's gonna click and you'll amaze yourself.

No excuses. PRACTICE.

What do you need practice with?


All 31 Day posts to date are HERE.
Visit Day One for each listing HERE.

at

21 comments:

  1. Tammy DemoreuilleOctober 22, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Truly AMAZING shots! I think your practice has indeed made you perfect. :) Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rosie GoinsOctober 22, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Great shots. The color is so good at the golden hours I am practicing in AV mode with a new 50mm lens. Full manual would tax my brain right now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hen @ TheRoosterAndTheHenOctober 22, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    You are so right! We're trying so hard to improve our pics on a brand new site and have such a long way to go. I need to just stick with the practice and it's bound to come sooner or later. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Connie (aka LOU)October 22, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    GREAT photos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SImple and Serene LivingOctober 23, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    The photos look great (so does the ice cream) SIGH!!
    8-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Katie @ Wildwood CreekOctober 23, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Great photos! And thanks for the encouragement to keep practicing. Progress seems so slow, but when I look back at my photos from six months ago, I can see real improvement.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 23, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    I walk everyday too. I always bring my camera. I just started to learn how to use all the bells and whistles on it. My pictures aren't as great as yours. But I'll keep practicing. Thanks for all your great blogs and projects. Patty from Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  8. Deneen@dreaming-n-colorOctober 23, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Beautiful pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Christina at I Gotta Create!October 23, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    If practice makes perfect, looks like you're about there! Those photos are gorgeous. Fall is a beautiful time to capture. So happens I practiced my night shooting just last night at an event. This is something I really wanted to improve. I gotta new camera a few weeks ago and am lovin' it. Can't put it down... which is good, because I've got a lot to learn!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoaniOctober 23, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    The colors are gorgeous. In midcentral Arizona we don't see changes as drastic as yours are. If one wants to see color, one has to drive north to see color. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PamelaOctober 23, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    I am still trying to make myself get thru the entire "how to" book for my camera without jumping ahead to the manual section. Every time I read one of your posts on your learning how to shoot manually it goads me into "cheating" and jumping ahead. I have no self discipline! I enjoyed your photos.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rosemary@villabarnesOctober 23, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Great shots, Donna. You definitely rose to the challenge. I'm loving that shot with the wet leaves. I have a few challenges I need to tackle. Enjoy your Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linda/patchworkOctober 23, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Beautiful photos. Love that fall color.
    Here in Central Texas, we don't get to see that color too often....especially this year, with our awful drought.
    You're right about practice. It helps with all kinds of things. I need to practice my manual more. It's so tempting, though, to just use that auto setting.
    Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  14. DebbyOctober 23, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Beautiful pictures. You did well, I'd say.
    So sweet of you being exhausted and then taking time out for your son. You are a good Mama. Can't wait to see what you did for Folk. Can't wait for my Christmas copy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. RochelleOctober 23, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Those are some awesome photos Donna! Loving the fall colors and the red house!
    Cheers to you today
    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
  16. Katalina JewelryOctober 23, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Autumn is a season full of vibrant colors and you succeded in capturing them!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JoyOctober 23, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Well done! Gorgeous manual shots, beautiful photos in difficult light.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 23, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I need practice with everything...

    ReplyDelete
  19. refresh restyleOctober 23, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Amazing photos! I'm too scared to go to manual....maybe one day!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just this... AliceOctober 23, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Impressive shots of color in the most unexpected places. There's nothing to compare to God's beautiful creation and the joy it gives us through photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  21. SueannOctober 24, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Wonderful photos!!! Good job!
    I need practice with photo shop!! Sigh!! And time!!
    Ha!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments and read every one of these! For more interactive feedback from me, I'd love it if you'd join my FJI Facebook page where communication is always current and incredibly fun! Thank-you!