Sunday, December 27, 2009

What is my problem with portraits?


I know that I'm a beginner and have a lot of learning ahead of me. But for some reason I just can't seem to get a tack sharp picture of my family. One or two came out including this one of my niece. I take lots of picture, needless to say, a lot of them are bad. I took my "portrait studio" stuff to my family at Thanksgiving. Things were clear but the lighting was just plain icky! Shooting in RAW helps but when you blow out a picture, no amount of post-processing is going to help. Hey, but what can I say, it is a learning experience. I now know how to better use those lights. The problem is that my family doesn't have much patience for my practice, with the exception of my youngest sister, her daughter and my son.


We learn basic portrait and object lighting next sememster.....hooray. I went back at Christmas...Happy Birthday Jesus...and tried again sans the "studio in the box" and my lighting and composition were pretty good but I was trying to hand-hold a 5D with a 75-300 IS USM and just wasn't getting it. I used the bar top with my elbows to steady myself, which helped a little. I used the flash that I had to get for school and put it down to 50% power and aimed it to bounce off of the ceiling. I got it to work pretty well, but you may be thinking, why didn't I just use a tripod. I had it and it was in the car and I was being lazy....yes, I admit it....lazy. Christmas day dawned with a hard icy cold rain and I just didn't want to go out to the car, which was parked on the road because the driveway at my Dad's house was covered in iced over snow slush. I tend to be a bit clutsy and was afraid I was going to take a nose dive on the pavement.


I am going to be a photojournalism major so I need to figure out how to get people in focus! Ok, more to come later.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Oh gosh, I haven't posted


So, this is supposed to be a blog of my journey from photography hobbyist to photography professional via the program at Randolph Community College. Let me say that I have, in fact, survived my first semester. Yes, survived is right but it has been more than survived...I would have to include grown, transformed, and refined my photography.

A little background...I have a BA and a MS degree, so school, or at least academics, have been relatively easy, sure hard work, but academically and grade-wise, I have been successful, mostly A's with one B between the two degrees. However, I was not prepared for the rigors of this particular program.

There is a reason this program has a national reputation. It is tough. My first grade was an "F"...OMG...that just doesn't happen to me...and needless to say, I was devastated. The instructors have decades of experience in their areas of expertise. I always thought I was a good photographer...but much like boot camp, I had a lot of bad habits to UN-LEARN! So they break you down and then teach you how to do things the right way. One great thing that they do is still teach film photography and processing. I can now process black & white film and print from the ensuing negatives. Is my processing perfect...no, I still have trouble rolling film and end up with little crescent moons on the ends...my fellow students know what I mean. Are my prints perfect, no...but they are getting better and I have a better "eye" for what a good and what a crappy print is.

Another thing that I have discovered is that some of my instructors are willing to go above and beyond to offer advice, constructive criticism, and time and it has nothing to do with my grade. The instructor that gave me the lowest grade is the first one I go to for advice. The bar has been set high and I plan on meeting it and exceeding it.

OK, so I cried a lot of tears this semester and have had to really change (it is a work in progress) the way I look at grades. The good news, one A, one B & one C. Any other time and this would have been horrendous but I am thrilled with these grades because I really had to work my butt off to get them and most importantly, my work has improved and the level of my finished product that I will turn in is much pickier.

Well, next semester, is going to be even tougher, but I suspect even more rewarding. I promise to post more often with the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. I have been taking pictures on my digital camera like crazy during the Christmas break, so check out http://www.daylilydreamsphoto.com/ and see what I've been up to. Hopefully see things improve as I learn more.

Thanks!

Lisa

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Here I am, one step closer.

_IGP1037_edited-1 I like flowers!  I think it is pretty obvious.  Every time I go out and take pictures, there is usually a flower or some other point of nature involved.  I am beginning to take people pictures.  It’s fun, especially the kids in my neighborhood.  They really ham it up and the parents appreciate a free print.  I am getting better but now I have the opportunity to really learn how to take pictures.  I was accepted into the Commercial Photography Program at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC.  It’s a phenomenal program with a great reputation. 

Their standards are high and I am going to have to rise to them.  I take good pictures but I want to take exceptional pictures and I am going to have to work harder than I ever have to get there.  It will be worth the effort.  I worked for years in jobs that I thought I might like but really just hated going to work.  Photography is my Zen Garden, my yoga and my peaceful place.  I can’t imagine what it will be like being paid to follow your dream and passion.

The biggest obstacle I face right now is financial.  My home, internet and cell phone have all been cut off.  I am trying to find work or work study.  At least I have food.  And through the kindness and generosity of staff and students, I have been able to get some of the supplies.  I still have to get a light-meter, tripod, T-square, more film and developing paper and another flash.  My flash doesn’t meet the standards.

I wish I had something really valuable or unique that I could list on EBay to raise money for tuition, fees, books and supplies.  Basically I would need it to go viral.  I do have a lead on two grants that I am applying for.  They won’t meet my immediate needs but they will help next semester.  Class starts in a couple of minutes, so I have to go.  Wish me luck!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Family

I had a great 4th of July but missed getting to see my daughter. I'm very proud of her. She is going to Romania to share the Good News with students there. I hope that she will take pictures and share them. She loves to have her picture taken and I love to practice taking her pictures. She doesn't always see the beauty in her pictures that I see. But then again, I prefer to be behind the lens rather than in front of it.

I think that I am a fairly good photographer but my daughter paints her pictures in words. The artistry that she weaves with the subtle nuances of meaning and the words play on my mind like the light plays on the images I capture with with my camera.

So, that is my attempt at a play on words. I think I like cameras better. So, to my daughter, when you read this...we will have to do a book together. I'll take the pictures and you weave your magic alongside them.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Another Day, More to photograph

I want to use my photography to volunteer. This will help me build my skills and networking and it allow me to help others. I just filled out a volunteer application for "Friends of Penny Min Pin Rescue" located @ http://www.rescueminpins.com/2/home.htm I had a Min Pin named Nate-Nate who was in my yard when a former landlord allowed a big pickup to cut through my driveway and yard to get to the back of their property. Nate was on a lead & run to keep him out of the road. The lady ran over and killed my precious little dog. This was in 2001. I found out when I got home from work. I moved as soon as my lease was up. He was a sweet little dog and so cute. So if I can help out this rescue organization, I sure will.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Rose by any other name

 

_IGP1808_edited-1

I sure do love digital photography.  You don’t have to wait two weeks for your film to be developed.  Instant feedback, I love it.  This rose is one of dozens of photos that I took when my miniature rose finally started blooming.  Although the overall color looks a little off, I do think that the composition is pretty good.  I love to do nature, wildlife, and floral photography but I’m trying to branch out to “people” photography.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009, I had the good fortune to attend the "Passport 2 Success," which was held at the Greensboro Coliseum. It was a great opportunity for pin-pointing areas to work on and find available resources for the job search. I brought home a lot of good information and some great ideas for finding a way to combine photography and education.

I had googled my photography website and discovered Zazzle.com. They are a community of artists who design items to sell in a free storefront. The nice thing is that there is no capital outlay. So I've designed mouse pads, mugs, postcards, posters, stickers, calendars and so much more using my photography and get a small percentage of the sales. I have a link and illustration in the gadget at the bottom of my post. Now is the time to get your 2010 calendar. I am looking forward to photo sessions with people and in addition to framing and matting the photos, I can now offer other merchandise. Heck, I even made first class photo postage.

My main website is www.daylilydreamsphotography.com and there are examples of photography that can be used and printed right there. More to come later.

Getting Started

Hi Everyone! It's June 26th 2009 and I probably should have started posting to this blog before now. A little background first; I used to work for a major financial services company's call center as a customer service agent. It did give me the opportunity to problem-solve and find solutions for the clients. I am no longer working there and have been out of work for several months. As I look for work that combines my education, a MS in Education with a specialty in Post-secondary and Adult Education and my passion, photography; I will continue to take pictures and build my opportunity for my own business. Finding work that combines both would be a perfect world. I know that a perfect world doesn't just happen; one has to make it happen. Perhaps I may just have to pursue them as co-existant but separate pursuits. We will just have to see.