Flash and Auto Mode Saved the Moment

My sister is moving away and I attended a going away dinner for her at a restaurant.  It’s not one I have been to in awhile and I wasn’t sure of the lighting, but I grabbed my external flash just in case I needed it.  Boy did I. It was soooo dark in there.  I looked up to a dark wood ceiling.  What no white ceiling to bounce the light off and get natural looking soft photos?  Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.  Now that I have shot in manual for so long, but know every little about my flash I hurriedly kept trying to find the right settings to take photos when my sister arrived.  She didn’t know we were all getting together to tell her bye.  I finally got the settings to where I could at least see people and thought ok…that will work. 

(Dark photos with shadows under the eyes)

(Same person using flash-you can see her!)

My sister’s boss’ husband asked if he could see my camera.  He turned my flash forward and put my camera on auto.  I thought what the heck????  He took a pic of me and my husband and what do you know?

You could see us.  I didn’t think the photos looked too harsh either and even if they did harsh lit photos are way better than hopefully I can see you photos.  Right?  This year I WILL become completely comfortable with flash photography, but until then I am all about the auto and flash forward when needed!

(Me and my sister-see I did learn how to fix my  hair!)

Now my sister has photos to take with her on her new adventure. 

Funny thing is she is moving where I have planned on moving in the next 5 or 6 years.  It will be easier to decide if I will move there after visiting her and listening to her thoughts about the town. 

I will never think bad about the flash or auto mode again.  It is my friend.

Texture Tuesday-Embrace

This week’s Texture Tuesday must contain one of Kim’s Embrace textures.  A few weeks ago my father in law gave me on old camera that he and his wife used back in the day.  It is so cool and goes great with my camera collection you can see here.  I am trying to embrace learning all I can about photography so I thought the camera would be a great subject for the texture. 

I used the Embrace Texture and the Friday Texture.  I did a hue saturation adjustment to get rid of the yellows on the textures. I also used Kim’s brush she recently offered to her readers.  The brush quote was perfect for my photo. 

 

I played around with another photo and the textures because I liked seeing the entire camera, but I thought the angle of the above photo was more interesting.  The flash on this thing is crazy big. 

I can’t imagine having to take photos with this thing, but I sure loved taking photos of it. 

Project 52 Week 1 Resolution

For this photo I thought of how one of my 2012 goals is to run a 5k in 25 minutes and to do that I need to run run run.  Truly getting myself out the door and down my sidewalk is usually the hardest part.  So here’s my running shoes on my sidewalk inspiring me to get going.

Side Table Painted and Stained

I attempted sanding and staining a side table to darken it.  It didn’t work so I just said oh well and kept going with it.  I used some chalkpaint in Versailles and added a little Graphite to it.  Did some quick distressing, used a light brown Briwax and called it good.

I wish I loved painting, but I don’t.  I like things redone so I do it.  If I loved painting then that ugly trim would be painted and if I knew how to use a saw then I would add molding where that horrible carpet goes up the wall.  I wonder if I can eventually talk my husband into helping me?  Don’t ya hate when you have to involve your husband?

My son loves this table that was my husband’s before we married.  He lifts the side up and puts his drink, IPod, snack, etc on it. 

I got a new lamp shade.  I will post about that soon.

Here’s a little before pic for ya.

Linking to

Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive and Proper

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Power of Paint @ Domestically Speaking

Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

A Bowl of Pine Cones

I had some comments about my bowl of pine cones when I posted about my new lamps so I took some close ups of them.  I really love pine cones.  The color, texture, shape, etc.  I think the look so pretty in my bowl.  Can pine cones be kept out year around?  Is there a rule? 

How about some textures added to this photo to make it more artistic?

I used 2 of  Kim Klassen’s  textures.  Stained Linen and Mayzee.

 

I love how textures change an image. 

Here’s a few more shots of the pine cones.

My father in law gave me that key thing beside the bowl.  I had asked if anyone knew what it was and Shell from Scraps of Our Lives let me know it is a railroad reverser handle. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to

Weights in the Birdcage

When I bought new lamps the table tops had to be changed because the massive lamps didn’t go with the things I had displayed.  I hated to put away my rusty weights I found at a garage sale awhile back so I stuck them in my birdcage.  The rust color goes with one of the suitcases I painted so I think it will work. 

Weights are much better than a bird in my opinion.  No mess!

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

New Lamps in the Front Room

I had a Hobby Lobby gift card and after 3 attempts I finally found some new lamps for my front room.  The old ones were small and I wanted bigger.  I got bigger alright.  Maybe too big, but the manager at Hobby Lobby might shoot me if I take them back a 4th time.  I think Christmas made him cranky.

I like the lamps best turned on.  They show a pretty pattern when the light shines through the shade. 

Turned off.

My son doesn’t like them, but he never likes change.

It sure is hard to take photos of light when there is a big window with lots of sunshine, but I am loving the sunshine.