2015 one hundred ten

Today's lesson consisted of capturing a soft shadow on one side of the face.  Is that a noodle in her mouth? 

2015 one hundred four

 I am excited and stressed that I started my second online photography course.  

104 Intro to Natural Light

So.....the next four weeks will be a lot of me practicing again.

This week I need to shoot in the same spot same subject at different times of the day and in different types of weather.  I'm learning about how much natural light changes.  

Even during this little session, the sun peaked through the clouds and changed the shadows on her face dramatically.  

My goal for this week is to capture catchlights in the eyes, soft shadows from a 45° angle, and make sure I am spot on with exposure and white balance.

HERE I GO AGAIN!

2015 ninety-eight

It was a cold, rainy day so we decided to rent and watch movies all day.  We did sneak out to buy more popcorn, treats, and went out for pizza. It was so fun!

We also watched the boys win their last game against Lincoln High School 7-4.

2015 ninety-six

Spring Break began today.  The Pollocks and Tomanys returned home, the boys traveled to Portland Oregon with their High School Lacrosse team so it was just us girls.  We planned a fun Stay-cation with the Quicks this week.

Today:

Lunch, Pedicures, and swimming at the Treehouse.

Later we watched the boys play their first game in Oregon.  Both boys played great with a 13-9 win over West Linn High School.

2015 eighty-nine

A little timid at her audition tonight, but she made it! 

Broadway Kidz 2015 here she comes!

 We were treated to an authentic Colombian meal tonight thanks to Brynn's Spanish Class assignment!

Seriously good stuff! Thanks Brynn and dad!

2015 eighty-five

This happens a lot!  And I love it.

Cousin bonding time.

2015 eighty-three

New Beginnings was a hit tonight.  I took horrible pictures as I was running around trying to organize, set up, and take down the evening.  I didn't even take a picture of Brynn who sang "Glorious" with the other Young Women.  She looked so beautiful up there!  She received two ribbons tonight and is rocking Personal Progress.

2015 seventy-five

Her favorite after school activity

2015 seventy-three

The last two images I submitted for my final Critique.

Loving my little tween.

 This has been a very demanding 4 weeks on my imagination and brain cells.  So much to learn and so much to practice.  When I think I understand something and put it to practice my brain just freezes and I get all confused on what settings to use.  It will be nice to take a break and then start again in April.
Yep, Rhon and I already signed up for another class.  Introduction to Natural Light! 

2015 seventy-two

I tried taking photos down on the field tonight for one of my assignments.  

(This first one is the one I turned in, Max glaring at me and everything).  The funny thing is, I didn't notice until I downloaded it on to the computer.  I laughed when I saw his look.

My boys!

Even though the team played very sloppy, they both dominated at face-offs and both scored!

Win 14-6

 Uncle Curt was cheering them on tonight!

 More images I submitted for my final week.  

(I only used the first one)

 Brooklyn ate two candy bars at the game, no food.  So instead of taking her to ice cream after, like she wanted, I bought her a microwave dinner and Brynn and I some popcorn.

2015 seventy

A familiar scene from last year.  Blake made the math bowl again.  

He was so cute up there and I'm a proud mama!

 This week we are studying ISO and White Balance.

White Balance and Metering will be my biggest challenge, but I am determined!!!

I bribed the girls with an Orange Peel Smoothie if they would just have fun and be patient with me.  

Thank you sweet girls.  You did great!

2015 sixty-five

It's game time!!!! We were in Mexico for their first game against Davis, but were able to watch it on sfan.tv.  Part of me was glad, because it was snowing and 31 degrees.

Tonight they played Bingham and won 17-5 (Zack #1 scored 6 goals and Max #23 scored 1) Fun, fun game to watch!

 Well for me...

 After the game I tried some more images of stopped motion.  I loved the silhouettes and the jet stream.

2015 forty-eight

More photography practice, she came home a little sick.  I sent her to bed so she would feel up to going Ice Skating for Young Women's.

 Then I made her get out of bed and be my model.  Thanks sweet Brynn

 And yes it was a fantastic night skating with the young women!  

2015 forty-four

Today Elizabeth left.  Tears were shed.  

We sent her with Sees Candy, a Photo Book of Salt Lake City, and a salt and pepper grinder.

Then she surprised the kids with gifts. We were all shocked!

Legos and a Lego Batman Clock for Blake, cute Taiwan note books and pens for Brooklyn, and cards for the rest of us.  So sweet!

 Fridays are late days for Brynn so we had lots of time for the triple heart hair-do again this year!  

 Valentine Parties!  This was the only one that turned out.

 Then later in the day this came in the mail.  Elizabeth had ordered this camera for Brynn!  She had one and the girls were in love with it. A FUGI Insta Mini 8 (a polaroid).  She could not hold in her excitement!  In fact I used this as a perfect opportunity to finally capture her new braces, which she hasn't let me photograph yet,  sneaky mom!

2015 thirty-five

How many things can I fit into one day? Well let's see...

1. Orthodontic appointment and new braces

2. EFY registration

3. Lunch with my birthday boy at Cafe Rio

4. Hair cut before driver's license picture

5. Endured patience as we waited in the never-ending DMV line to get his official driver's license!

 6. Designed, made two trips to the printers, then displayed his 16th birthday poster (A tradition Jim reminded me of this morning)

 7. Oh yeah presents!  Ran to a few stores to buy my birthday boy some presents

8.  Elizabeth had to experience the Ferris Wheel!

 9.  Prepared a steak, artichoke, real mashed potatoes and gravy dinner, wrapped presents, blew-up balloons, made brownies and homemade hot fudge.

 10.  Took plenty of pictures

 11.  Gasp, because your little boy is 16 and driving and dating!
12. If that isn't enough, headed over to the Relief Society enrichment activity and made 10 caramel and chocolate covered pretzel sticks for Valentine's (Brynn & Elizabeth in tow)
13.  Then came home and crashed!  One for the books!

Happy Birthday Max!

I love you so much!

You are a great person and bring so much joy to our family!