Too freaking COLD to click!

It has been entirely too cold to take pictures. I did find a place I would love to snap, but that will have to wait. It did warm up today, but I had already given up and gone to Okmulgee to see my sister and brother. How odd that sounds. Both in the same town. One of the nice things about being here in Tulsa.

I have an attaboy for me. I have used my car this much: I filled up in Hugo Oklahoma on the way up here in early January. I drove 2.5 hours here, and only in the last week have I bought another tank of gas. Geez. I must have made a record or something! Less than one tank of gas on over a MONTH!

We still have not heard anything about where or if we will be going anywhere, but someday that will come. Until then, I am 'dealing' with the facts: I am here, you are there - and it is what it is.

I wish I had it in me to see this as an adventure. Do other people that are away from home for over a year think of THIS is an adventure??

Every stinkin' time I go to scrap, what I need is THERE. When I go to take pictures, it is too darned cold - and I have no where to go anyway. If there is a place here - I don't feel safe going alone. This is adventure. k...

I am not whining - just stating facts. Life is not nearly as fun... alone.

Asking for prayers please...

Steve went for a routine colonoscopy yesterday and they removed two polyps - one small one and one fairly decent sized one. The Dr said he felt like everything would be fine, but he has had surprises before - he would call with the results within a week.

I guess I need backups, so I am asking you for prayers for good results on the tests. I am sure everything is fine, but extra support would be wonderful.

Metering Backlight

WHOOO HOOOO! I was right on target with my 'blown exposure' deduction! Art looked at the pictures and had actually forgotten he had given that homework to us. He did say I had it right though - so YIPPEE! I am actually learning!

The assignment today was to learn to meter to backlights. Here are my results:



I metered just to the light in the first one. The second picture I metered to the top of Matilda's head. The last one, I metered to her face. LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IT MADE! 
 

I am so happy I am catching on! What a great feeling :-)
Check out this website: www.photonhead.com

Adding another picture to my portfolio

I am supposed to have one more picture to add to my portfolio by tomorrow. I decided this one would be the one I would add. I really like this picture. I wonder if it will be good enough?

Lesson on Shutter Speeds

My lesson:

Take 2 pictures:
1. f/2, 1/30 s shutter speed, and ISO 100
2. f/2, 8" shutter speed, and ISO 100

Ok, my Nikon D-50 does not have a low f/2 stop, nor does it have an ISO of 100. So I did the lowest I had on both settings. I used an f/5.6 with an ISO of 200 and the above shutter speeds.

Next, answer the question "What would the new exposure be?"
The answer I would give: A 'blown' exposure - or an exposure that is too bright.

One thing Art has said from day 1 is that shadows can almost always be altered in Photoshop, but 'blown' exposures (too bright) means the data is lost forever. It can never be recovered.

Tomorrow I shall see if this is the correct answer. What do you think?

My Portfolio Beginnings

These three pictures were my first ones I added to my portfolio. When I showed them to Art he complimented the change in position on the first two - one with the white flowers, and when I knelt down, I got the same picture with the yellow ones. He noted they were both very good photos and both perfect examples of what 2 feet from a different direction will do - in this case kneeling. 
 

The picture of Liz was complimented as well. "Great framing. Great picture."

Lastly, he said good job on the first 3 choices as pictures.

Homework for the night? 
 

Take 2 pictures:

The first: f/2 with 1/30th of a second shutter speed and 100 ISO

The second: same settings except 8" (8 second) shutter speed

Then answer this question: What would the new exposure be?

Depression, classes and life...

What a pitiful little snow girl, but Steve started her and I finished her. We had a soggy, sloppy 3" of snow last Thursday. When I went out to do something outisde, I got whapped in the head with a snowball. The fight was ON! Steve and I were so loud, Daniel came out to check on us and helped me out. I was losing horribly, but I didn't fare so bad once Daniel jumped in. Over an hour later, most snow smashed on walls instead of the ground, we scraped enough to get this little gal built. That is the best laugh I have had in years.
 

Depression is a difficult thing to fight. After a year of being here, I still miss home so horribly it hurts. I have no life, no friends, and nothing to do for days on end. Laundry takes just a bit of time with 3 washers. The biggest problem is 3 flights of stairs WITH the laundry. 
 

I am taking photography classes and I could go take pictures, but do you know what it is like alone? Even the photography classes have a sad side. I do not understand his lessons and do not have anyone to work with to figure them out. Even the classes are lonely. We started with 20 people, and are down to 19. The girl at my table came to the first class and never came back - so even there I am working alone. I KNOW I can take good pictures and I would love for him to see that, but I don't even care now. My initiative is gone. I am disheartened by the class - he has said some brash things about a few of my pictures, so I am shutting down - I feel it happening. I look at what I considered to be my better pictures and in my head, I can hear him and his snipey remarks.
 

I KNOW I should be reveling in my life. I am where I thought I wanted to be, alone with my hubby, and have his almost undivided attention (I split it with Schlumberger, Mr Lucky and Dallas every day), and taking photography classes. Sounds perfect doesn't it? Why am I so depressed??
 

Even Raelee has her own life, she doesn't even call any more. Life is twirling around outside, everyone living their own lives and it is going on while I sit and wait... just like Steve asked me to do. Does it ever get to be my turn? WHEN can it be my turn. How do I turn this depression around?