Photography Class: Week 4

Week four. That means I'm done with my class. Sad face. I've really really enjoyed taking this class and I feel like I've learned a lot about what I need to practice on to improve. I'm excited to practice and incorporate everything I've learned about photography. I would definitely recommend Nicole's Classes for anyone who wants to take an online class! You aren't required to do the homework, but do it! That's what helps you get better! 

This week I was supposed to practice my lighting...using diffusers, reflectors....all the stuff I couldn't do with my children unless I had an assistant (or three...two to chase Jared), so I had my good friend, Lindsey, help me out and she was the perfect person for the job! It was so fun to get out without any tag-a-longs and have some FREEZING girl bonding time taking pictures. We went to the Dallas Arboretum and were the only people there. Haha. Go figure. Texans never go out in the cold and I can't blame them...it was freezing. Although I was supposed to practice all my lighting scenarios, it was cloudy (the perfect weather....but not for my assignment). I feel like we got some great shots and I tried using my reflector anyway...which only added the TINIEST bit of light, but hey, we were practicing. :) 

I was supposed to do a lot of head shots, so that's what it mainly consisted of, but I've learned that I definitely need to work on my posing shots. I'm never quite sure what to do, so I'll be working on that. 

When I got home I really wanted to try and get some cute shots with my kids reading. Once again, we didn't have a strong window light, so my ISO was too high for my liking. Jared's favorite place to sit and get in trouble is on top of the bookshelf, so I let him indulge. :)

Gosh, I am so in love with this face!

And....we're on the countdown! Can't wait!

Now, these pictures are ... terrible. Terrible light, blurry, you name it. They're awful and I am very aware of it; however, they either really cute or funny, so I'll share them. Next time I'll have better lighting and use a faster shutter speed to get some clear shots. 

 Eating crackers.

I don't even remember why he's scowling at me, but this is his signature look for anyone he doesn't know very well. 

Then I told them to start making faces. Jared was a lot better at it than I expected and when I showed them the pictures afterward he laughed so hard at himself. Ham! 

Photography Class: Week 3

Week three of class has proved to be the most challenging week so far for me. It was all about lighting, posing, head positions, ....lighting. Ugh. I don't think lighting is supposed to really be that difficult, but I think it definitely takes some practice and some getting used to. I'm sure with time I'll get better at it. It took me quite a while to get my assignments done not only because we kept missing the proper times of day, but because I couldn't do this assignment with the kids. Brian's participation was more cruical because he can hold still....although he still complained about the amount of time it was taking...something that Claire has often done while I make her say cheese a billion times. :) 

The first few shots I was still trying to perfect my week two skills and get better at my positioning.

I really like this picture other than the little boy growing out of Claire's head in the background. I couldn't get her to do it again. 

Then we went to feed the ducks at the park. Claire LOVED throwing the bread into the water. I love candid shots. :) 

And then there's that cheeser picture smile she has. I love it too. 

Kinda sad that I just missed this crane diving into the water and catching a fish. That's why I should always have my eye glued to my camera!  

And here comes the lighting experiment. I'm getting better. Problem one with trying to do window lighting in our apartment is that we have ONE window that gives proper window light and hardly any room to pose.  

Baha...I like him. :) 

This is before he got so antsy about being done. He was still trying to look sexy while eating leaves. Well, I think he's hot.  

This one kind of cracks me up. We had to do different lighting positions and this one requires your subject to look at the sun. I like how the lighting really does make your skin look flawless, but Brian looks SOOO uncomfortable. I'll have to figure this one out. This series is lighting positions. 

And....for the last hurrah of week three...head positions. I actually really liked doing this because you see what really looks best on your subject.  

Fake laugh. :)

Jared was the PERFECT head position model while I was trying to wake him up. I was moving him all around the bed, throwing books at him, animals on him, and he still didn't budge. Silly boy! 

Onto week four....which is going to be hard. We're going out tomorrow for more lighting! I'm excited! I love being in "class" and learning something new!