My Best Shot Monday: Practice
My photo mojo was lagging for a while, and in the process of getting it back I think I have made myself insane. I am learning so much from books and forums and so on, that practicing what I learn is getting really discouraging. It’s a darned good thing I have such a cute subject. But seriously, how do you keep from getting frustrated when you can see what is wrong but not how to do it right? Or, say, when you see a different photo edit that looks a million times better, but you can’t get there from here? I know, I know, it’s one of those patience and learning blah blah blah things. But it is a pain in my butt lately.
Anyway, that is a long preface to explain why I’m overly critical of my pics this week.
I love this one, but I feel like there’s a gray film over the photo. I think theoretically better Photoshop knowledge could make it gorgeous, but that would involve having the knowledge. And the Photoshop.
These two have a double whammy of me stupidly putting her in a white shirt and therefore blowing out the shirt exposure trying to get her face exposed enough, and orange reflections on her face from the pumpkins. I don’t think I could have predicted the orange thing, but I knew darned well not to dress her in white. On the other hand, I didn’t have any other clean long-sleeved shirts that fit her. So there’s that excuse…
The stupid Chicago Public Library apparently takes weeks to send books from one branch to the other, but hopefully soon I’m going to get this book and make some progress.
More Best Shots here.
In non-photography news, we had our big ultrasound last week. Everything looks good, the baby is still a boy, and he yawned on screen which is pretty disgustingly cute. That also means I’m over halfway. Holy crap.
Dorrie is rocking the musicianship lately.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:00 am
I love love love the first shot. And we are also often reduced to wearing our last clean clothes…which sometimes don’t really fit properly…
October 6th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I think you’re doing a fab job. That first shot rocks! The composition, her eyes are nicely focused, the colors look nice and bright to me.
Keep shooting.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I think you said it exactly right…you are being overly critical of your pics! I don’t see a gray film over the first one…it looks perfect to me…and, with blond hair like hers, it is really easy to get blown highlights…happens to me with my son ALL THE TIME…but, they don’t bother me most of the time…like here..I think the fact that she had a white shirt on probably helped bounce some light onto her face and made for a nice bright face!
I love all of these pictures! Don’t be so hard on yourself!
Oh, and congrats on your new one to be! Boys are fun…but, they are also busy as bees!!
October 6th, 2008 at 7:47 am
love that first shot!
October 6th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I agree with Jaimee you are being too critical. I think the shots turned out wonderful. I know how you feel because I do the same thing sometimes. That first shot is absolutely gorgeous.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Apparently Understanding Exposure is THE book to read – hopefully that’ll help you out.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:50 am
It’s hard, when you’re learning (or relearning) all of these things, to judge your own work, so I understand the being critical. But these came out really great, I think! That first one, with the blue of her eyes and the blue of the jacket, is striking. I’m trying to figure it all out too, and put into practice the things that I’m reading about, and it’s tough going: but congrats on figuring it out!
October 6th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Adorable. I think you did a great job.
Love the vid of her drumming, and so did my son, who wanted to “wach agin” over and over. :-)
October 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
The baby YAWNED during the ultrasound? I can’t think of anything cuter, except maybe your christmas card next year!!!
October 6th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Ok, that little heart hair clip is absolutely adorable. And I agree with everyone else… we are always the hardest on ourselves. The first shot is beautiful!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:40 am
They’re fabulous, as usual :)
October 8th, 2008 at 12:39 am
These are wonderful! I LOVE the first shot!! heck, I could have written this post when it comes to trying to figure out my camera.
Plus I don’t have time to read any books right now.
October 9th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Great shots :) I have that book, apparently I need to go back and read it again (and again, and again). Thanks for the kick in the pants, I’m off to read.
ps, I am not surprised that baby is doing cute things like yawning during ultrasounds, have you seen his big sis? she’s the definition of cute.