Tag: photography

February Read: “Nikon D3300 for Dummies”

I have had good luck with the “For Dummies” book series when I need a general, basic introduction to random subjects. Maybe their “Nikon D3300 for Dummies” will be an appropriate place to get acquainted with my Christmas present? I have no idea what white balance is, and don’t know the difference between aperture control and depth of field.

I am familiar with what an F Stop is, that’s a subway stop on Boston’s Charlie, right?  lol…

I’m going for basics, here, obviously.

All of my favorite photos are a result of being in the right place at the right time- totally luck. Sometimes they turn out fabulously, where I wouldn’t change a thing:

Tidepools along the 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, CA
Tidepools along the 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, CA

But sometimes you can see that if armed with a better camera and a little knowledge, what is simply a neat-o photo could have been quite fabulous. Maybe both spiders could have been visible? Could the lighting/focus/depth have been adjusted to really make these beautiful contrasts pop?

A green garden spider on red coleus. provides striking contrast.
A green garden spider on red coleus provides striking contrast.

Maybe by the end of the month I can learn the techniques of how to take much less sucky photos of foods, too! Housework be damned today, I’m off to read and snap some pics.

February’s Project: Learning to use a Nikon DSLR

January has come and gone so I need a a project for the month of February. I am ready to jump into learning how to use this fabulous camera that the family gave me for Christmas- a Nikon D3300. I have no goals to set with this project because at this point, I have NO idea how to use this grand device. But Imma gonna learn!!

I’ve been interested in photography for some time and am blown away with what I have captured using either a Blackberry or iPhones-

Blackberry, 2009; Treasures Collected, Morro Bay, CA
Blackberry, 2009; Treasures Collected, Morro Bay, CA

I love this photo of treasures we collected from Moro bay in 2009.

Taken with a Blackberry Curve

I went on to snap even better pics with iPhones- 3s, 4s and 5s models-

Cedar and Mistletoe Idyllwild, Ca iPhone 4s
Cedar and Mistletoe
Idyllwild, Ca
iPhone 4s
Boston All Saints Way 2011
Boston MA North End, All Saints Way iPhone 4s
Jelly Beans
Feeling snacky? Easter, 2014 iPhone 5s

I started a board on Pinterest to keep my favorite photos that I had taken all in one spot:

…or two:

I can’t wait to see what I can learn to do with a much better camera!

Tourist Time

In January last year we went whale watching. A more perfect day could not have been designed- the water was like glass, the temperatures were San Diego’s finest, and just enough high clouds made for great photography. Whales even made a few appearances, but it didn’t matter because the whole morning excursion was worth the effort and price- both of which were minimal, actually.

Whale Watching January 2014
Whale Watching January 2014

The family all agreed that we would get out and do the tourist thing once a month so that we could really get to know this area better. Aaaaannd we promptly forgot, getting caught up in the happy business of life.

My mom is funny...
My mom is funny…

I swear, I am holding us to that goal. We WILL get out there monthly to see the sights that So Cal has to offer.

This month is a little boogered up as one kid’s fencing tournament has had last minute scheduling changes, but that isn’t stopping us… we have places to see today.

Branching Out? Or… Going Out On a Limb?

Looking for a blog about reinventing yourself? Starting new and healthy habits for the New Year? This isn’t it. Nope!
How about a blog about trying something new? Yep! You’ve found the right spot on the Intertubes. This is the place to be.
Come Be
With Me
In Twenty-Fiftee…
(Just trail off and say the “n” a little quietly behind your hand. You’ll sound so cool, I promise.)
First: figure out how to navigate through the Blogsphere of WordPress.
Wish me luck!
(She descends down into the deep, dark hole of the labyrinth know as The Web.)