Just a Little Photography Practice

So it has been a while since we have had an update on my progress toward becoming a decent photographer. I regret to say that I have not made as much progress as I would have liked, but I do feel I have a somewhat better grasp on all my camera’s buttons. This has been extremely HELPFUL!

This weekend Nick and I decided to do some practice shoots at Steel Creek Park in Bristol, TN. I had not been there in years and was excited about all of the wonderful possibilities for some creative images. However, my forgetfulness somewhat ruined the outing. A few weeks ago Nick bought me a 16GB high speed SD card for my camera. I had used it to take some picture of my cats and accidently left it in the SD slot in the laptop. So I arrived at Steek Creek memory cardless :(  My sweet and wonderful hubby surrendered his 1GB card so I could get a little practice in, just one of the many reasons that I love him! 

So thanks to Nick here are a few of my images from Steel Creek Park. I am entitling Saturday with Geese.

They had plenty of geese at Steel Creek Park

I have been practicing a lot with moving the focus point on my camera. On this one I focused on the goose walking in the background.

Another goose . . .

That same goose . . .just another perspective

There were things other than geese.

I may have over exposed this a little but I kinda like it.

A tunnel

My model for  the day heading for the tunnel

We found the “Light at the End of the Tunnel.”

 

Bridge

Time for some more geese . . .

 

A goose foot and tail.

And the final goose!

 

With 25 days till our Italy Trip (WHOO HOO) I am not sure if I can get much more practice in, but I feel fairly confident in my capabilities. One thing Nick and I have discussed is not focusing to much on getting a perfect picture but just to enjoy ourselves and make sure to take in EVERYTHING whether we end up with a picture of it our not. That being said I am sure we will have plenty of pics to show good, bad or other wise!

There are a couple of things I would like to practice  going forward. One of those is “people photography.” I have mentioned my intention to do that on a previous blog post and received 1 volunteer. Thanks Nicole! I am still looking for others! I can make no promises on the quality of the photos but they would be FREE and I would give you all the images. Please let me know if you might be interested. If nothing else I can assure you it would be a fun experience! :)

I would also like to take an Adobe Photoshop class so I can do some post processing. If anyone out there knows of any classes or good resources I would welcome your input and suggestions!

I shall leave you now with one final picture and no it IS NOT a GOOSE!

 

A truly wild animal . . .my kitty, Kris!

Wolfman vs. Date Night

I am coming at you this week with 2 movie reviews! A big  THANKS to Megan, my sis in-law for the great idea! Imitation is the highest form of flattery☺

So this Friday for our weekly date night Nick and I decided to stay in and rent some movies. So off to Blockbusters we went to pick out some stuff. I immediately picked out Date Night, a comedy starring Steve Carrell and Tina Fey. I had actually wanted to see it when it came out in theaters and we never made it. Then I missed it again when it was shown at the Reel to Reel on a 2nd run. Oh, just in case you didn’t know the Reel to Reel theater in Johnson City is now doing 2nd run movies for $3.00. Now The Reel to Reel is not normally my favorite theater but for a $3.00 movie I can make it work!

Back to the story- After I selected my movie Nick decided he wanted to get another one and we looked around for a bit and he just keep going back to Wolfman, a drama/horror/thriller about a man that turns into a wolf. Hence the title! Needless to say I was a little apprehensive about the movie. I am not so blood friendly and the copy of the movie they had on Blu-ray was the Unrated Director Cut which was sure to be extra gory. BUT I told him to go ahead and get it since he really wanted to see it, I figured I could always just doze off if it got bad.

On a side note the Blockbuster guy convinced us to do the 2 movies, 2 packs of popcorn, 2 candies, and 2 drinks for $16.00. I actually thought it was a good deal but man we ate SO MUCH junk. Eating good is SO HARD, but that is another blog for another day!

Back at home with our junk food and movies, we decided to watch Date Night first. I LOVED IT! It was hilarious! Steve Carrell and Tina Fey were great together! A definite MUST SEE! Prepare for my cheesy tag line- “Date Night” will complete your Date Night. Yeah, I know I should leave the advertising to the professionals. One note, there is a little ‘language” in this movie but nothing like say Hot Tub Time Machine, which was so foul that I felt like I needed to watch Cars or something “G” rated after it was over.

Then came Wolfman . . .when we put the Blu-ray in it gave us the option of watching the “Theatrical Version” instead of the uncut one, thank goodness. I really thought we would be safer watching the ‘Theatrical Version.” Boy was I EVER WRONG! I had actually joked with Nick at Blockbuster that the 1st time I saw someone’s intestines the movie was coming out of the Blu-ray player, and sure enough we got to see some! SO GROSS!!! But like so many other bad things it was like a train wreck . . .I am repulsed yet I can’t look away! So we watched all the way to the bloody horrible end. A definite DO NOT SEE!

In conclusion, Date Night is the clear an undisputed winner of this face off and my dear husband is banned from picking out movies for at least the next 90 days!

As for me I am off to watch Date Night again before we have to take it back!

Hope these reviews help you some what and if you choose to rent Wolfman you have been warned!

Project Geranium is Alive and Well!

So it was brought to my attention this week by a follower that we have not had a Project Geranium update in a while. If you will remember the last time we heard from Project Geranium I was afraid that my sweet geranium had met its demise.  Well, thanks to some great advice from my Mom and one of my friends and followers Becky I figured out that my geranium was very much alive and just needed to have the dead blooms pulled off. So I got out there and pulled those blooms off and all was well!  My geranium has continued to bloom although not as much as about month ago. Despite that I would still consider my glower venture a success and will defenitly repeat it again next year. I still have not developed a full “green thumb” but I did manage to keep something alive and that is a step in the right direction.  :)

And now for some pictures . . .the post would not be complete without them!

 

As project geranium will come to a close sometime soon I am looking forward to my next project. I am thinking of planting a Crepe Myrtle, I have heard they are easy to keep up and bloom a long time. My yard is also in desperate need of some FABULOUS landscaping.  Any thoughts from my plant people?

Vera goes on Vacation

Vera? Whose Vera you ask? Well, Vera Bradley of course! I am sad to admit that I have terrible addiction to Vera Bradley, if there was a support group out there I would certainly have to join it. I just can not get enough of those printed cotton bags. :) Part of my problem is that I am never “married” to my pocket book. I am not one those that can buy a purse and carry it for two years, mine have about a 4 month max carry time; however, I do not shelf them forever and I am open to revisiting after a time. Also this is a problem I had before Vera and became friend it has just probably gotten worse since then. In my defense I also sell my Vera when I feel my stash gets a little to big so at least I am not afraid to part with them and well the money supports my habit.

Recently, I was going through some of our vacation pictures and noticed that one thing was always there . . .VERA. She wasn’t all was the same style and pattern but she was always there. That being said I now present to you . . .

VERA GOES ON VACATION

Paprika Angle Tote at Folly Beach 2010

 

Bali Gold Backsack at Kennedy Space Center 2009

 

Mod Floral Blue Morgan at Atlanta 2009

 

Capri Melon Vera Bag in St.Thomas 2007.

Incidentally this was my 1st Vera ever it was a gift from my sister. It has my initials on it and I will not be parting with it anytime soon.

Raspberry Fizz Bucket Tote(barely visible in picture) in Myrtle Beach 2008.

Where will Vera vacation next? Italy of course! Will it be a new one?? Only time will tell ;)