Some Fun New Pics

I'm still having fun messing around with my camera, and I just sent my second short story off! I hope it gets chosen! I hope you enjoy the pics!

Bubbles are fun!

My favorite so far of azaleas.

The hummingbirds love this plant. Wish I knew its name.

Tasted as good as it looked!

More practice for etsy pics. Jane loved the blueberries too.

Herman chilling out.

He loves to pose for me in the mornings.

From our last outing.

Giant Palo Verde beetle. She didn't like her picture taken.

Purple prickly pear cactus. 

Went to a Meet up

Yesterday My husband and I went to a photography meet up so we could learn more about photography.  I was one of two point and shoot cameras there; and I was the only Fuji at all. The two people I talked to hadn't seen my camera make before and I had fun showing it off.

The meet up was full

 They had fun playing with it and I got a lot of good tips on how to get into position for better shots. They laughed at my lizard butt photos and told me to focus before the lizard gets there. Definitely going to try that out. It should work with birds too.

Lizard butt between leaves.

The only annoying thing was everyone asked me when I was going to upgrade. This is my upgrade, and since it had been years before I got this camera I probably won't "upgrade" until 2016. Unless I get one as a present or win the lottery. I love my camera and it's way better than my phone.
 I learned a lot about Photoshop that makes me want to try to do more with my photos than just crop them and mess with the exposure. I always thought that was cheating, but some of the things it could do were just amazing. The downside is they were using something called Lightroom and I have Elements. I did recognize a lot of the features though so that will be fun to play with. Breaking out of my Etsy photo box is fun!

Photoshopped

Not photoshopped

Untouched

               

A very nice construction worker who let me take his picture. His hat is a custom hardhat a friend gave him. I love his smile!

I definitely will be taking more pictures of people as well as plants. It was fun talking to him on his break!

Getting Back To Normal

With all that's been going on here I've been crazy busy. It's my own fault though, I'm the lunatic who decided to rearrange the house and revamp my etsy shop. The house is done, but I still have about 200 photos to edit and choose from. On the plus side my husband has finally found the time to help me learn my camera. I got it when I closed my salon, and read the manual, but I was having trouble figuring out the features. It's a green Fuji Film XP50.
I made it a strap pad so I can carry it with me without cutting my throat and I've been taking shots nonstop. No more annoying iPhone photos!

It was once a sweatshirt arm.

It's very soft.

I've gotten all the jewelry done and start on the painting's tomorrow. This will be the third time I've taken all these. but they are much better now. Still a lot to learn though.
I've been riding my bike more now that I have a bit more time and saw this yesterday morning.

It's the sunrise. I still get up early, and it's a good thing because it's getting hot here already.

The moon looks great!

This is Herman, he lives on my porch and eats ants and the bread I throw out for the birds. 

Mostly I've been keeping busy. It's weird having 2 extra hours to fill now that Zelda is gone. I really miss her and Casey; it's not the same here. Writing feels weird without Casey running on the desk. Painting is different without Zelda smacking my legs every once in a while.  I can't make myself sleep in past 5:30 but I'm getting more productive about it. Zelda wasn't sick long and it amazes me how fast you get used to things. Princess is pissed I threw out the box she slept in. She wanted it, so next Costco trip I'll have to get her one.