Photography 101

One of the biggest items on my to-buy list when we had a kid was a DSLR camera. I've long hated my crappy Olympus point and shoot. Now I've entered the big kids realm of photography. Well, sort of. We purchased a Canon Rebel XS. The price was right, and for the photography I had in mind, it would work. I'm not a pro. In fact, far from it. Just getting behind the camera to take pictures of my loved ones let alone anyone else has always made feel self-conscious. Like I'm about to paint a brilliant masterpiece in the time it takes for the shutter to snap open and close.

I told my sister the other day how I'm full of ideas and ambition. I just can't find it in myself to finish projects. And I know why: I'm just not able to execute that brilliant picture that I have in my head. Any project. Any craft. Ending in a big fail, and I'm sure a few shakes of my sister's head. She's the Queen Project Finisher.

And that's how I feel about photography. When I snap a picture, it always feels unfinished and poorly composed. So then I want to hide my camera away for fear of not really know how to operate it, quit blogging (because who wants to read a blog with endless words—like this post), and go back to bed. Classic Project Unfinisher.

I was hoping my fancy little camera would get me out of my creative rut, but I've been too sleep deprived for that (more on that some other time). I even leave it in my office to stare and taunt me daily. It seems to have worked because last night, I broke out the manual and read up on my little friend. I don't really get things like composition, foreground, background, rule of thirds, aperture. They all want to make me scream (into a pillow so I don't wake the baby).

So I took a step back, and thought, maybe I don't need to take the perfect picture. I just need to fake it until I make it. Or practice, but I don't see that coming first. And I get design. I like to monkey around in Photoshop. So I read online how to create actions and make bad photos look good and good photos even better.

Here's my first stab. One pic of my cuter than bunny-snuggled-up-to-a-dog niece and my darling boy.





Maybe my blogging strike will officially end. Or else I won't hear the end of it from a certain someone.

Juicy photography

Web Design Ledger's recent post "100+ Photoshop Actions for Amazing Color Enhancements" has me banging my head with wanting a new camera. Can't wait to try some of these.

Favorite photographers

I love my wedding photographer. She's amazing, wonderful, and so so much fun. If you're in the K.C. area, check out Allure Imagery. They made me see photography in a whole new light.

But now I'm discovering photographers outside my little zone. My sister's friend recently turned me on to the work of Audrey Hannah, who's based in Denver. And now what does my sister want for her birthday in June: money for family portraits with Audrey Hannah. I think I might have to get behind that deal if she'll let Jonathan and I sneak in on pictures.

I've always dreamed of having all my family get together with a photographer roving about capturing the moments. Maybe it'll be a dream come true. Some day.

Tell me: Who are your favorite photographers?