I wasn't sure where I was going to go with this weeks theme. Last night I read a different challenge on another board that had to do with low light. The photo had to be taken after the sun had gone with no natural light and no direct light. I snuck into Maya's room and pushed my camera as far as it would go. SS 1/8 F2 and 6400 ISO shot with my 35 mm. I have no idea how I handheld this. I was bracing my arm using the crib, but still!

I overexposed the photo to try to reduce the noise as much as possible. Even so I had to reduce noise PP in light room. I had no idea where to even begin adjusting white balance, so everything else is SOOC.

Here is the BW conversion.

So how does it play into this weeks theme?

The only light coming in was through the 'open' door from the hallway. As far as responsibility, well that is the never ending job of a parent.

I am looking forward to seeing what next week's project is going to be. I still have to take my photos for ladies with cameras this month, along with a second monthly challenge and finish Maya's second birthday photos. Yeesh, I am going to be busy!

Sharing 'kisses'

Well, this weeks try was a huge disaster. My 'share' plan was to get Maya and Lola sharing tea. Yeah, that did not happen.

I set her up at the wrong angle inititally and couldn't get a good shot of her face. She eventually moved to the back chair, but then I just got a horrible shadow.

For my official project I decided to use 'sharing kisses'. I did a second set of Christmas photos of Maya this morning and am really happy with how they turned out.

I am still learning to use my new speedlight and am really not good at compensating for the lack of light in our dining room. I still am underexposing photos left, right and center. I have started shooting in raw though, so hopefully that will help some small exposure errors.

I am also loving my grey card for correcting white balance, it makes editing a breeze. I quickly correct my WB in lightroom and then export the photos. In photoshop elements I duplicate the background layer twice. The first is set to softlight between 25 adn 35%. The second either multiply or screen with a layer mask and subject brushed back in. I set that layer anywheres between 50 and 80%. Finally a quick adjustment in levels if I need to brighten skin tones.

Anyways, week one is done! Week 2 is responsibility or open... I don't even know where to start.

Round 2: A New Year and A New Challenge

Blogging attempt number 2!

I started this blog a couple years ago when Maya was first born and it was an epic fail. This year my goal is to blog weekly as I complete Paint the Moon's 52 week Challenge. Just under a year ago I purchased my first DSLR and this past year I have worked hard to learn how to find the light and create beautiful images. I still have so much to learn and I am hoping this 52 week challenge will help.

Paint the moon posts two themes each week and the challenge is to capture a photo that illustrates one (or both of the themes).

This weeks challenge is Sharing or Natural. I have an idea of what I want this to look like, just need a little cooperation from a very stubborn 2 year old!