welcome!

Hi everyone welcome to Get In Focus! I am so glad that you have taken the time to learn your camara and take better pictures.

I hope all of you are getting out there and learning how to play with your aperture. I will begin posting this week and hope that you enjoy the blog.

Heres to getting in focus!!

Dawn

Last Class......

This is just a reminder that the last class for the second GIF Series is this Sunday from 2-4. We will wrap up this session with the last bit of info that I wanted to share with you and a guest speaker!! Bonnie will join us to do a wonderful presentation about her FotoFix class.

Sign ups are still going on for our specialty summer photo classes as well as the many new summer classes that Memories Galore is offering.

Its been great teaching this class and I hope that you feel you have a better understanding of your camera!

Keep on shooting!!
Dawn

Great summer read for the dog days of summer...

OK can I tell you how long it took me to get this photo of sweet Ginger! After several attempts I finally got one I was happy with. Who thought that would be so difficult?!

Summer is coming and if you need a good read and what to continue to learn all about your camera I suggest one of the "Dummies" books. You can get one just for your camera and so far I have really enjoyed mine. There is alot of info so I do suggest you read it more then once. Its a great addition to your manual and I really do believe it will help you in continuing to learn your equipment.

Just wanted to pass that along!
Dawn

Caught being Captured!

OK so even though I had my zoom on and was across the field, I got caught trying to capture some candid shots and this is what it looks like!! Do you think he is alittle tired of having his picture taken?

Please don't forget that today is the last day that you can sign up for the summer photo classes before they are released at kick off tomorrow. Each class is only offered once and has 28 seats available in each. I would love to see you continue to improve your photography skills over the summer.

Enjoy your weekend!
Dawn

Catching Candids

Remember how we talked about getting away from the "cheesy" photos and taking more photos that captured the feeling of the event? Well I tried some of that this weekend. Spending time with our friends is always lots of fun with a lot of laughs and I really wanted to catch that emotion. I pulled out my zoom and tried to stand outside of what was happening and secretly took photos without anyone knowing (most of the time). Besides some focusing issues I think I caught some emotion filled photos that I can't wait to print.

Remember throw on your zoom take a step back and start shooting. I can guarantee you that they will be better photos then the "say cheese" photos!

Seeing thru a different lens

OK I do find myself just grabbing my camera and shooting with the same lens all the time. I currently only have 2 and am looking to make an investment on a 3rd but this weekend it was all about the zoom! I challenged my shelf to use only my zoom and see what I could come up with. As I told you in class using your zoom can allow you to catch some candidate moments and less of the "look at me and say cheese" photos.
So on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend I took the challenge and it felt GREAT to just play and explore. It certainly helped that we were on a beautiful farm with lots to look at.

So I challenge you to grab a lens you hardly ever use (or shoot in different modes) and see what wonderful photos you create!

Go for it!!
Dawn

Nice weather and a new book!

Hey Everyone!!
Just wanted to remind you to charge up those batteries because nice weather and a holiday week can make for some great photo ops!! Its a great opportunity to practice and play with all the information you have learned over the last couple of weeks. Don't be afraid to jump right in there and start playing with all the modes and programs available with your camera. I have to tell you that I have really enjoyed looking at all your photos in class and seeing how you are becoming more confident with your cameras and your new found skills. Keep up the great work!!

This week I picked up a new magazine that I thought some of you might be interested in. Scrapbook etc. under Better Homes and Gardens has put out a Photography special edition collection. It is packed with tips and tricks. It also includes a few scrapbooking ideas too. I plan on digging into mine today.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the time off.....and oh take a few pictures OK?

Happy Shooting!
Dawn

Capture the Everyday...

So how is the shooting going? Are you more comfortable with your camera or are you going to pick it up for the first time today to try to get your assignment done before class? Remember...Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Ali Edwards is a wonderful scrapbooker who like to capture and document everyday life. On her blog today she had some steps to capture everyday life Here is what she said:

As usual take more photos than you think you will need. Capture, capture, capture.
Here's some things to consider capturing:

weekend morning rituals
the time on your clock when you wake up
your place of worship
Sunday evening routine
capture doing nothing if you are lucky enough to get that chance
the places you go (sporting events, nurseries, out to breakfast, drinks with friends)
in general, what makes your weekend special or different from your life during the week
Don't forget to charge your camera batteries and to keep your camera with you as you go about your weekend.

READY. SET. GO.

Try it!! Its a great way to practice with your camera and catch a slice of your everyday life!!
Have a great weekend!!
Dawn

on a personal note

We had a tragedy in our neighborhood this week. On Monday my neighbors house went up in flames with 2 of her children at home. You might of seen it on the news Monday night. Thankfully her children were outside the house but at one point one of the boys ran in to save the cat. We are so thankful that they are all OK and that the only lost that day was of the house and not the boys.
Why am I telling you this? Well yesterday in a soot covered, water damaged half burnt down house I spent the day helping her collect what little was left. Among the water, insulation and a still smoldering house I was able to collect all of her photo albums and frames filled with family history. Standing in the pouring rain and watching the crane take down half the house I was thankful I was able to do that for her.
As I struggle with the thought of my friend and 4 children being homeless and do whatever I can to help her I realized that I need to pass some information to all of you about how to save and keep safe all of the beautiful photos you are taking. I don't want anyone to feel the pain she felt as she thought "are all my children's photos gone forever and are there any photos documenting them as little children for them to show their children?".
So on that note we will discuss how to save your precious memories in the last class along with some other info I have for you
Give your loved ones an extra hug tonight and be thankful as you lock up your doors to your home and go to bed.
Everyone have a great rest of the week.
Dawn

Rain rain go away!

OK I know April showers bring May flowers so bring on the flowers and enough with the showers!! Although a nice close up with a beautiful new rose with a raindrop falling off of it would be nice. Remember small aperture!

Now let me throw something out to you guys...have you heard of project 365? This is where you take a picture, one picture every day for year. There are lots of groups out here doing this and posting on flickr. Here is an interesting article about this project found at www.momready.com

As always practice, practice and practice some more!!

Dawn

Another great read

So how is this learning your camera thing going?? Need some more help?

We all know the "for dummies" books right? Well they do have them for some individual cameras. You can pick up a "dummies" book written just for the camera you own! They are very helpful and a great book to have in your collection.

I know Barnes and Noble carries it as well as Amazon.

I can't wait to see all your photos!!

Dawn

Documenting or Interpreting?

So are you not getting the photos you want because all of your photos are documenting photos? Are you capturing the things that are important to you in your photographers or are you taking the same old photos year after year after year?

If you did not complete your photo assignment of standing in one spot and taking a documenting photo then 5 interpreting photos, please do. It may really show you how you can change your photography from boring to fantastic. You will change the way you photography while you are continuing to learn how to operate your camera.

Here is a photo from the group of pictures I took of sweet baby boy Brogan. I hope to take more so that I can "capture" his new sweetness!

Rain, rain go away so that we can go out and shoot!! Dawn

This ones for you James!!

Hey everyone I hope you have been able to get out and enjoy this weather and get some shots.

Class #1 should continue to work on your composition and applying the information of what you have learned so far in order to get ready to start shooting in manual. Oh happy day....we are getting ready to shoot in the manual mode!!

Class #2 needs to do their shutter speed exercise and take your documenting and interpreting photos. Trust me this will really help you see how you are taking your photos and how you can make them more interesting.

Here is a photo for both composition and shutter speed. Get out there and practice, practice and practice some more!! Dawn

Helpful book

I was reading some blogs tonight and found a book that people found helpful. They are called Magic Lantern books and can be found at www.amazon.com . All you do is find the book that matches your camera model and your all set. I have not used these books but the reviews were good and I wanted to pass the info along.

Have a great night!

Dawn

Try again!!

So I guess I should know how to work this thing!!

Lets try that again!!

Here are the pictures......

1/100

f/16

1/30 f/20

1/800
f/5.6

The film speed was set at 400. Freezing the action is easy....having fun with the slower shutter speeds is being creative!

Have fun and let me know how you are making out.

Happy focusing!! Dawn

Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed

Ok so who has picked up their camera and tried to understand this shutter speed thing? Well today I did! The weather was perfect...late afternoon with no glaring sun and it wasn't raining!!

My son had soccer practice so I thought it would be a good time to play. When I got there I realized I forgot my zoom lens (oh well) but decided to make the best of it.

So this is what I came up with.....

Welcome

Hi Everyone!!

Welcome to our GIF blog! This is going to be a great place to ask questions, get help and post pictures. I will be checking the blog daily and hope that you will join me in blogging! This is going to be a great way to communicate and I hope you find it helpful. So lets get blogging!!

I hope all of you have had some fun playing with your camera the last couple of weeks. Did everyone get their aperture pictures done? Don't forget to put them in your album and bring them to class to share. I can't wait to see them.

This Sunday we are going to talk about ISO and shutter speed. We will also talk alittle about composition and how to improve the way we take our photos.

So did anyone take some snow pictures? I would like to leave you with one of my favorites.

See you on Sunday!!
Happy Focusing! Dawn