Follow the Lights****

I got my remote trigger for my camera in today, so I started to experiment with long exposure photography.  My ultimate goal is to learn enough to see if I can do star trails and street trails, we will see. 

I setup in my backyard at around 10pm.  I played with setting shutter speed.  Started at about 4-seconds and worked my way up to 30-seconds.  I did not use the bulb feature on my camera (thats were the shutter stay open as long as you hold the trigger.)  F-stop was about 3.5.

Here are some of the results. They came out okay for just goofing around.  My initials look pretty neat, I will have to work on that one again in the future. 

I used an LED array flashlight that I had, I will have to try a different light source next time.  Maybe get the kids envolved in making neat patterns.    

I do have to say that I am rather enjoying this hobby...I will write about more on that topic in the future. 

Portraits and another accent shots Institute of Texan Cultures and HemisFair Park playscape)

My dad and I were out and about with my girls today.  First stop was The Institute of Texan Cultures.  I never get tired of going there.  That place brings back so many good memories from when I was a kid.   
So here are two portrait style shots that came out of today's adventure and one of my girls with there po-po (grandpa) at the HemisFair Park playscape. 

 

I am still using the 35-55mm kit lens that came with my camera, so I am limited on the amount of f-stop I have available. (Lower f-stop number equals better blurry background for portrait pics).  I believe both portrait photos were about f/4.5 or so and ISO 100.  I was trying to get blurring backgrounds to bring the attention to my girls faces. 

A few things that I discovered today I need practice shooting people indoors in low light. 
 

Avery at HemisFair Park playscape. Here cheeks get red when she get hot, not photo enchanced...lol.

Amelia wanted here picture taken with the flags in the background.  She has a good eye for framing pictures.

My girls with there Po-Po (Grandpa)

 

Chess anyone??

Well my remote trigger came and they shipped the wrong one, so my experimentation with long exposure will have to wait. 

So I was thinking of what to shoot instead and here is what I came up with.  I use to enjoy playing chess with my friends back in the day, but was just okay at it.  My friend David was really good at it.

I realize from setting up and taking this picture that I want another lens, one with a good F-stop.  Maybe I will invest in a prime lens, but boy are lens expensive right now.  I think it has to do with the earthquake in Japan. 

Anyway, here is the result.  I played a little with the lighting and prespective.

Till next time...AP

Color Accent Photo, My Girls...

I have been reading up on long exposure photography and hope to try the technique this weekend.  I need to order a remote trigger, hopely I will get it by Friday (come on Amazon Prime!). 

Here is a color accent photo of my girls playing on my buddies back porch.
I love how small my little one looks in the adirondack chair.  There dresses against the B&W background look awesome.

I did the editing in Adobe Lightroom (Thanks Matt for hooking me up!)  Great program, very easy to use after you watch a few how to YouTube videos. 

The use of color accent can take an good photo and make it look so much better. 

Mission San Juan

Here is another one for display.  I am very pleased with the results of this one.  Mission San Juan.  History: Founded in 1716 and moved to SA town in 1731. 

I forget how amazing San Antonio's and Texas's history is...

And yes thats a cloud in the sky... for those of you who have forgot what they look like.

I was going for a halo effect from the sun in the background.  I tried capturing this scene several time, but kept underexposing the photo, probably from flooding the sensor with to much light from the sun. 

I really like the contrast of the blue sky against the old church. 

Okay...I am not sure how this works but here goes nothing.
I am starting this blog to document my adventures as a hobbyist photographer.  I am also starting a website to do the same.  (Website link to follow soon.)

Here is my 1st submission. 

I took this photo near Mission San Juan .  I was at the mission taking a few shots and decided to call it a day.  As I was leaving the area, I cross a railroad and had to back up and stop.  Here are the results. 

I call it The Journey Ahead.  I really like this shot, it reminded me of high school art class on perspective.  Where is the track going? Whats around the corner? Where am I going? Hummm???