Photo 101

So, one really cool thing that I DO remember happening in April was the free online photography class that I won in a raffle thanks to my sisters Laura and Amy! For my birthday they got me a "Photo 101" book from Nicole Hill Gerulat who was in town for a book signing. While there, they entered me in the raffle for one of her online classes and I won! The class lasted 4 weeks, was completely online, and most definitely helped me to learn the ropes of my new camera. Each week's lessons were accompanied with "homework assignments" to put into practice the things we were learning. Here (mostly for my sisters' viewing pleasure) are some of those homework pics:


Aperture and Shutter Speed

So this doesn't actually capture either of the things I was supposed to be catching, but the shot was too great not to post. This picture says so much about both Sophie AND Jane. Hahaha.

ISO

Such a reluctant model.

Although he perked up a little bit when I let him play on the sewing machine (which has been out on our Dining Room table for over 2 months now).

A Day in the Life

(Supposedly) getting ready for school.

Keep count of how many shots of Jane depict her with the bottle in hand. She is an addict. And I enable her.

Lunch time with the girlie bugs.

Being cute.

Having fun after school.

Rule of Thirds

Portraits

Always my most willing (and available) model.

Not always so cooperative...

... but loves to create weird poses.

Which Sophie loves to copy.

I actually really love this one even though her eyes are closed.

And how can that dimple not get you?

And just some extras that came while trying to get my homework done...

Not quite the whole motley crew.

The girls love to put blankets over their heads and pretend they're Mary. I'm not sure why she's so grumpy here.

I just love this little sugar pop.

So, to sum everything up, the class was super helpful in learning the basics of photography. A few things I learned in the process are that lighting is everything; good lighting can be tricky to stumble upon (at least for me at my current "expertise" level); natural lighting is the best; and the lighting inside our house is terrible.

The End.