Diamonds!

I have a desire and possibly a need for a macro lens. Right now, I am using my Canon Rebel 450D with the kit lens - 18-55mm. I am always wanting to go just a titch closer but my lens won't come in any more nor focus that closely, alas.

SO,

In order to get shots like the one above, I have to first, take the one below and, then, pray that I did it correctly and will find what I was aiming for, when I zoom. That's how I'm doing it.

It's the same thing with all of these.

 This next one has very wonky color but lots of detail in the raindrops.

As you can see, I was, also, struggling with capturing this color. I've read somewhere that green is the hardest color for our eyes to read. I believe it! It was really, really tricky and the post processing is a nightmare. I'm getting them either too saturated, too faded or too glaring on the eyes with no detail.

Another issue that I'm having is, because I'm having to super crop to get the composition that I want, my photos really aren't very tack sharp and they are awfully grainy. I keep practicing, though! I'm gaining a lot of experience with judging DOF, chasing the elusive bokeh, using my tripod, finding tricks in my camera menus (like mirror lock)  and working on general camera techniques. I've, been especially working on lighting because I've found that lighting is desperately important and exacting on the macro level.

The lens that I covet? After doing a lot of reading, I am dreaming of the Canon 60mm macro prime lens f2.8 (that Justine recommended =]).

I am, also, appreciating that my next book needs to be, Light: Magic and Science. I had seen it in June, when I first started, but it looked like rocket science to me, then. Now, I get the idea of what it's saying. I'd like to be more in control of what I'm doing, then just trying to make educated guesses.

(And, yes, Sheila! I would love it if you could put in a good word for me to the universe! =])

Any advice, anyone? It's so helpful!!!

Love, Katy

Autumnal Waters

I've entered this photo in a mini competition at Cambridge in Color. I think, though, that I should have added this one, instead.

edit: having trouble with iphoto and this a little bit better. Maybe, I'll come back to it some other time....

I really haven't had a chance to go out and shoot on a lovely autumn day. I guess those days have been taken up with gardening. (I'm putting the garden in from scratch - moving plants from the old house, etc.) 10 days ago, however, my sister took pity on me and took me on a drive at dusk.

Suzy, here's the one that you took!

Dusky Lane

edit: iphoto is acting up on this photo and this is the best that I have time to try and get out of it. Let's just say that it's not giving me what I want. Photoshop is pending!

The Utter End of the Day

Thank you so much for your encouragement and feedback. It helps me so much! The encouragement is lovely but, also, it's hard to see what I've done for myself and I really treasure your input.

Anyway, if you belong to Cambridge in Color, I'd appreciate if you'd just nip on over and vote for me!

er, I'm COMPLETELY joking and absolutely serious! LOL!

er,..... here's the link =] :

Cambridge in Color Mini Competition #129

(The link's for you, Mary, to make it easy. =D)

note: I lost by one point. =S I was just amazed that I did so well next to the clever and vibrant photo that won. Ah, well.... next time.

actually,

I am sharing this link because its' a great resource, for just the tutorials alone. I'd encourage you to go and check it out. Also, it's a very friendly and kindly photographic community that mingles beginners and the advanced alike.

Thank you for your encouragement from the last post. I'll tell you what kind of lens I use when I make my next post. =] I'm trying to figure something out, first, that I want to share.

So, which one should I have done? The first or second?

P.S. I could, also, sometimes, use your help figuring out what to wear......

Pansies

I wonder what I could do if I really had a macro lens!

(To the universe: hint.... hint.... hint!)

The very last rose of summer

First it was my parents visiting and birthdays galore, then it was, also, catching up from all of that. Add in an October PAD (photo a day for the photography group that I joined - it seemed like no big deal since I'm already on a 365, right???) and the fact that I'm STILL trying to get my garden in (it's all from scratch, don't you know) and you get one crazy, slightly burnt out girlie!

ARGH!

I transplanted my David Austin Rose, though, and it had one, very last rose bud on it!

I miss you all terribly! I've been sneaking looks and occasional comments. I've realized just how much I "fit" in bloggyland and how much inspiration, celebration and joy you bring me. These could sound like just "words" but, I'm tellin' ya - absence has made this heart grow fonder!!!!

Sniff! I love you guys! =p

Yes, but..... which one?

I don't know!

This one?

or, this one?

This one?

or, this one?

??????????????

Do you ever have this problem?

I think that it's called editing.......

I missed it!

We had four gorgeously pristine fall days when the leaves were at their best and I couldn't get out!!!!

ARGH!

I don't know what to say. It's over. At least, hopefully, there's next year.

In the meantime, I got a series of nice photos of my parents. They may not be perfect portraits but they were done in creative mode and I didn't completely lose my head when other people were around!!! (I get sooooo distracted!) I'm improving.....

I'm sorry that I haven't been around in the last week or so. It is SO busy!

(Justine, how's your photo class going? I've thought of you and can't wait to see what's coming of it.)

Anyway, I hope that you are all enjoy whatever bits of autumn you have!

Love, Katy

The demise of le flower!

 

 They're all still not quite right but it's coming along. Happily "Le Flower" had a sister, "La Fleur". Thankfully, there is one more pristine flower left to practice with......

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater

 

It was such a beautiful morning! Such a beautiful day!

I think that I'm trying too hard, though. Tomorrow, if it's a beautiful morning, I'm going to go and sit on the porch wrapped up in a blanket and just enjoy my warm cup of coffee!!!

The subtleties of this Japanese Anemone are really tricky to catch. I find that if I expose for the detail on the inside of the petals, then, the yellow and pink on the back of the petals is too dark.

The first five are from Monday and the last two are from today.

I'm working on it and just wanted to tuck it into my journal, here.