MCP Project 52 (3/52)

Shades of Grey

Portraits of a 3 Year Old

My very favorite subject, my very own darling little girl! Happy 3rd birthday!!!

Doing My Homework

I've mentioned how I love Pioneer Woman Photography. I love the variety of contributors and how different they all are, I love the popularity of it and how it helps me to connect with other photographers, and I love the assignments that inspire me. This week's challenge; food. I don't do food. I am too eager to eat it and only after I'm fed do I stop and think of how a picture might have been nice. So a lemon in my water seemed the perfect subject for me to pause and snap some shots.

MCP Project 52 (2/52)

Topic: A Song Title

Love In An Elevator by Aerosmith

Catch Lights

Eyes are the most captivating feature. So do what you can to show your subjects off! Catch lights are the bright spots in the subject's eye from a light source. This source can be the sun or any light.

Here is a picture I took of my daughter last week. I grabbed my camera and starting shooting to capture the moment. There is only one overhead light in our kitchen and she is turned away from the light source. The result is shadows hiding what her most expressive feature is. Once I got a few quick shots taken care of, I decided to risk breaking off the moment by moving her.

All I did was swing her so she was facing towards the light and voila, I shot in which the viewer's eyes go straight to the subjects eyes. A nice perk, since she was better lit I got a crisper shot using the same settings. 

Inside you don't have to worry about stunning your subject with too bright of a light. But when outside I wouldn't recommend making your subject look straight into the sun in order to get catch lights. Because chances are you'll just get very squinty eyes, not attractive. Try finding light that is diffused by trees, anything that softens the light without eliminating it.

Now I still say if the subject is a child and moving them will interfere with what was deemed photo worthy when you pulled your camera out, just shoot away and enjoy. But always keep the light source in mind and work with it.

MCP Project 52 (1/52)

something in your house...

New Projects for the New Year

I've been thinking a lot about photography and I've realized something. This is the first hobby that I've taken up that I have thought to myself, "I want to be the best." And I don't mean the best in the world, but the best that I can be. So this year I have a few projects to help me improve.

Project #1- I regularly follow Pioneer Woman Photography and found a post for MCP actions 52 Week challenge. One picture a week, she provides the topic. Not only will I be taking pictures for submission, but there will be hundreds of other talented photographers who's work I can peruse and learn from.

Project #2- One tips/tools post a week. This will keep me striving to learn things to share!

I'm very excited about these goals and can't wait to look through my pictures of 2011 and see some serious improvement in myself.

2 Very Different December Days

NYC Up Close

These aren't any recognizable city sites, but if it wasn't for NYC I wouldn't have these images to share!

ivy from the MET, freshly fallen snow on a menu tray in Chelsea, lily in the lobby of the Empire State Building, dewy berries on the side of the street, bridge from Central Park, Christmas arrangement in Empire State Building lobby

Another Trip To NYC!

NYC for the holidays? Why not! Here's what I saw this trip that got my index finger itching for the shutter release button. It includes the MET, Central Park, and general meanderings.

Announcing the Elena Marie Gallery

Purchase fine art prints from my new Etsy shop! Click HERE or follow the link on my sidebar.

Making the Job Dreamy

This is the second time I've been lucky enough to photography this sweet family! 

I am a complete sucker for mommy and kiddo photographs.

This picture just makes me feel like I've gone back in time. 

And lastly, here they are just letting lose. 

First Arizona Family!

I pulled into the parking lot and saw this super cute family and thought to myself, "I hope that is the family I am here to take pictures of!" They were great. Cute, fun, and just a joy to photograph.

Visit Fredericksburg

We spent a few days at this lovely Virginia destination, courtesy of family. Lovely in all it's autumnal and historical glory.