Happy Anniversary!!!

I can't believe it! It has been ONE WHOLE YEAR since I started this blog and on May 6th it will be one year since starting my Photography classes.

Because of this momentous day, I've taken some time to look through some of my first posts. Boy has my skill changed! It's pretty amazing to look back on that person who was interested in learning more about photography. That's still me, but I have definitely evolved some.

I don't regret my decision to go back to school, getting a camera and spending all my money. I am proud that I have kept up with it and continue to have goals. It's not my usual self, but it feels good.

I can't wait to see where I am April 23, 2010. For now, I encourage you to take a moment and look at some of the older stuff. Take some time to smell the roses and see what one year can do.

:) Roon-bop

Oh do I have pictures for you!

Well, I am back from my vacation in Argentina and I took over 1 THOUSAND pictures.

Let me tell you, that is a lot to get through.

So far, I think I'm about half way through. As such, it is time to share.

I won't really get into details of the trip, because this isn't a travel blog, but I have to say, it was a great time. We spent the majority of our time in Buenos Aires, which is basically a European city in South America. Then we spent 3 days in Iguazu at the Iguazu Falls National Park, which was amazing. I haven't got to the waterfall pictures yet, so for now, please enjoy these pictures of La Boca.

La Boca is a district in the city of Buenos Aires. It is a poor part of town, however attracts tourists because of it's brightly coloured buildings. They were originally painted this way, because residents were so poor they would "borrow" paint from the docked ships to paint their homes. This tradition has been kept up as a means to bring in tourists, and boy does it every. On the main strip you will find tango dancers, artisans, guitar players and restaurants. A great place to take pictures! Very inspiring.

I hope you enjoy.

:) Roon-bop

De La Salle College

As I mentioned, I took some time and went out and took pictures at De La Salle College. For some reason I was really into the trees and snow that day. The sun was a little too high, and didn't give a lot of contrast on my subjects. I was out around 3 p.m. I thought that would have been late enough, but I was wrong.

I think my favourite picture of the shadow of trees in the snow. I had a good time playing around with Photoshop with this picture, and looking at the different options I have in post-production. I've decided that I should probably focus a little more time on taking pictures of things other than dogs (especially my own dogs). Cute as they are, and as much as I want to become an expert in dogs and pets, I need to make sure I'm able to think of making good shots from other subjects.

:) Roon-bop

Poco in the snow

Sunday was a relatively nice day out. Not the best we've had, but certainly much warmer than today! The sun was shining and the wind was taking a break, so I went outside to take some pictures.

First I took pictures of Poco in the snow. He enjoys the snow. Mostly, he enjoys eating it - regardless of colour. I try to teach him the best snow is white, but he can't help sniffing around.

First up are pictures of Poco. Stay tuned for pictures from De La Salle College later this week.

:) Roon-bop

More pupper dogs!

So, I went to take some panoramic pictures this evening, but it didn't go so well. So instead I took some more pictures of my favourite little creatures. Poco is growing SO much and changing every day, so it's always good to take some time for some pictures.

He and Dimi were playing a lot, but I managed to get a few great shots of my little Polkaroo.

Panorama will have to wait for another day & I think I'll be doing it outside. I didn't find anything inspiring in the apartment building.

:) Roon-bop

Assignment #2 - Photograph a specular object

Below is my submission for my second assignment in Photography 4.

The assignment was to take a photograph of a specular object. I chose to take a picture of a sterling silver clock I am borrowing from my neighbour (to help Poco sleep at night). With the clock I placed a book and reading glasses to give it some context.

The photograph was assessed in class. Overall it was well liked. A few pointers were that I should have used a white reflector on the left side of the clock, instead of a black one, and the second was that there is some dirt on the table, that obviously should have been cleaned off. You get so wrapped up in the details of the lighting and the placement of the objects, that you forget about the simple things. I did however, remember to clean the clock... lol... there is always much to learn.

On the plus side, I would also like to announce that I was able to photograph the White box successfully. I still need to get the Photoshop work done, but it felt SO good! I stayed behind after class with 2 other people, and we all managed to get it. There were high fives all around.

I will post that once I get the photoshop work done. My next assignment, due Saturday is to properly photograph and merge a panoramic photo. I'm still not sure what to take a picture of. But for now, enjoy my specular object.

:) Roon-bop

Bio Pics for my Hubby

My husband and some of his friends are starting a podcast on gaming. They will be posting this on their website, and are posting bios and pictures of themselves. So, I had a photo shoot with my hubby. He wanted a pic that showed his "producer" role, including his affinity for music.

Here are some pictures I ended up with. He will be using the one of him at the computer, which is a good pick. The others are cool pictures, but not appropriate for a bio picture.

I thought I'd share them, because I like them.

:) Roon-bop

More Poco and Dimi

Well, I'm sorry to do this to you all, but very soon you are going to be deathly ill from all these puppy photos I'm taking and upload. It can not be helped. I love dogs. However, I promise, once the summer comes, I'll at least have DIFFERENT dogs up. For now you are stuck with Dimi and Poco. I realize that my opinion of their cuteness is biased. But look at them... :)

I hope to have something a little different up soon. I've been working on some pictures of... my husband! lol. These however were done for his new project, website and details to be released shortly.

For now, its still dogs!

:) Roon-bop

My cute new model!

Well, I'm back from Ottawa, and my husband and I have brought home our new bundle of joy! He is SO cute and very well behaved. We're so happy.

Now I have yet another model!!! Plus, taking pictures of dogs is probably my all-time favourite. I just need to hone my skills. Oh, I can't wait for the dog park this spring!!!

:) Roon-bop

PUPPIES!

Well, dog-obsessed as we are, my husband and I are adding another poochie to our family. De minimis maximus will have a new little brother Jan 25th. Over the holidays we were lucky enough to go and meet and pick out the little fellow.

We chose the dark one. Why?
1) Because he was very sweet and had a good temperament.
2) Because he is dark and will contrast nicely with Dimi.

Here are a few pictures I took at that meeting. We are really looking forward to bringing him home. It does require a trip to Ottawa, but its okay, because it means we can visit family and friends. Particularly, some friends who have just had a little baby girl. I have seen pictures, and I have to say... she is one of the cutest little girls I have seen in a very long time. I hope they let me take some pictures of her cute littleness.

For now, the cuteness I will share is of the puppy variety.

:) Roon-bop


Poco & his brothers and sisters

Poco

Poco's brothers

More From Christmas

My decorations may be down, but my spirits are still high! And as such, I will share more pictures from my Christmas this year. These pictures will reflect the people side. Dad carving a turkey, my nephew playing with a new toy, which was later used by the adults (funny how that happens).

Today I am off to my last Christmas dinner. It should be a good time.

:) Roon-bop

First Pics With New Tripod

Well, here are some pictures that I took Sunday after effectively putting together the new tripod (nothing like getting a little grease on your hands to make you feel like you've accomplished something).

So below you'll see some still life photos I took using my handy-dandy flashlight (I love that thing - so much fun). And if anyone is wondering how I got some of the pictures red, it is simple. I took a red plastic bag (thank you Circuit City) and put it over the flashlight.

Also, I should note that I am leaving town for Christmas holidays! As usual, the Internet connection there (both sets of parents) is exceptionally slow, but the good news, is once I'm back I'm off work for a whole week, so you'll definitely hear from me then.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Hope it's a safe and happy one.

:) Roon-bop

The Night Sky

Admittedly, I haven't been taking many pictures lately. The last pictures I took were for an assignment - use flash as a highlight. The idea is to have a the background be properly exposed and use the flash to gently light up a person in front of the camera.

My husband was VERY kind and came out with me on a very cold evening. I wanted to get the wicked colour of the winter sky during sunset. Below is the picture I submitted. It's actually of he and I.

It was SO cold that night. I had to take my mittens off to set up and take down the camera. I thought my hands were going to fall off! Because I was incapable of moving them, once the camera was sort of in the bag, I asked Curtis to put away the tripod. He picked it up... and it broke! It wasn't a very nice tripod to begin with, and the legs always collapsed on their own.... but now I have to go out and purchase a new one... and let me tell you: I had no idea how expensive they can be! Whoa!!! But it is essential.

:) Roon-bop

What we did on the last day of class

Today was the last day of class for Photography 3. Overall, I have to say... what a great class! Asif is by far the best teacher I've had to date!

So, in class, we broke up into groups of 3, each with our own assignment to create. Group 1 was portraiture, group 2 was product and groups 3 & 4 were abstract art... to take normal objects and make them beautiful. Team 3 had cardboard boxes, and my team, had a book. When he was first assigning teams and assignments, I had really wanted to be on the portraiture team, because I want to take pictures of people, but I have to say I'm very glad that I got our assignment. I am not a very creative person, but this gave me hope that maybe I could come up with something... perhaps even something that might be able to show up in a gallery some day (which would be wicked!)

Below is what we came up with (some with the help of Asif of course - who really helped us to think outside the box).

All in all I would say that Chris, Eleanor and myself worked really well together. At first I was nervous about it, but each of us brought new ideas to the table. It was nice and I think we were all very pleased with the results.

:) Roon-bop