i'm taking the plunge

 

(and it's a little scary.)

I'm locking down my camera and taking the full manual challenge.

I've been shooting exclusively in manual mode for a little while now, and I'm loving it, but I have a lot to learn. I've been stuck in an aperture mode rut that I haven't been able to get out of, but NO MORE!

The camera I'm saving $$ for has no auto settings, so I have to prove to myself that 

I can do it!

Today the big boys headed off to the ski slopes with Dad to try out their new snow boards, so I took the little boys to McDonald's and then on some photo taking adventures. 

(They were thrilled.)

 

McDonald's toys are the BEST!!

(And by the way, McDonald's playground is an AWESOME place for pictures...perfect lighting, lots of happy children, food, free wi-fi, and unlimited refills of soda. What more could anyone ask for!?)

We went searching for some northern exposure and found this cool old warehouse. (Okay, it wasn't north facing, but still...)

(I'm also trying to master the art of textures!)

 

  

  

 

The boys were acting a little goofy.

Wow! Kolby's shirt is a mess. Did I mention we went to McDonald's?

Sheesh! Did he get any 

in his MOUTH??

Doesn't it look like they get along so well???

(Ha!)

(This is the kind of shot I love but that Kent thinks I took by mistake.) 

They wanted me to get a shot of those cool old windows that look like they have bullet holes in them.

The boys suddenly got bored and would NOT pose for another picture. I just wanted one shot with the brick wall long and behind the subject, at an angle, but they were done, so 

I gave the camera to Kolby...

not exactly what I was going for, but for a four year old, I'd say he did pretty well! 

(I guess that's how I look from his perspective :)

Then we found this cool little cove that had some amazing fall color still lingering! 

It would be a terrific setting for a family shoot if I could manage to properly expose it.

Beautiful color really DOES exist in February!!

  

Climbing the tree proved difficult, as it was covered in slippery moss!

(Oh, and Ky says it smelled bad.)

So MANUAL MODE??? Bring it on! No more aperture mode for me!
(YIKES)

i need help deciding...

...which "face" picture to submit to the

weekly contest.

The rules of the contest this week state that the picture has to focus on the face and has to have been taken in December or January. I've had so many beautiful faces to photograph in the last two months, I don't know which one to enter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your help!

(Oh...the entry is due Tuesday night.)

By the way, you can click on the collage to enlarge it for a better look. Thanks!

iHeartfaces

I'm putting in my last minute entries for the:

logo contest.

(Click here to see all the incredible entries.

You'll be amazed, inspired, and uplifted by visiting iHeartfaces...I guarantee it!)

*I am submitting these photos into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.

our last hoorah!

The holidays are over.
WHERE did the time go?
Our last big hoorah was our annual overnight trip to Mutual Dell with the Jeppersons and it sure was a hoorah.
We had so much fun
eating,
sledding,
snowmobiling,
eating,
sleeping,
playing games all night,
eating,
laughing,
and eating.

A good time was had by all everyone but poor Grandpa who got terribly sick. We hope you're feeling better, Grandpa. Thanks so much for the gift of togetherness.

I believe Amy is saying here, "NO pushing..."

...but no one really listened.

Once again I went a little crazy with my camera...

I can't help myself when I have so many subjects at my mercy!

My New Year's Resolution: DO MORE OF THIS