A Hint

A hint from one photographer to me today...if you want some good photos when starting out - be sure to take hundreds and maybe one is good. And hopefully one day in the future that one will become great.

What to do after you take the shot?

I went to a meeting tonight with a local photography group - things I have learned. After taking a photo, a good editing program is lightroom. This program has been made for photographers, whilst photoshop is more for graphic designers. Both have their pros and cons, however the lightroom program appears to be user friendly. Lightroom enables you to change your photos into black and white, sepia etc whilst also allwing you to brighten, use contrast or saturation on thw whole or parts of the photo. Stay tuned for instructions on these when I actually work out how to use it. In the mean time - I heard that Picasa 3 is a free program that you can download off the internet.After using this program today I can say that it is very easy to use, does all the basics from adjusting red eye, to changing to black and white etc. The program also allows you to introduce soft borders or other features onto your photos. This program is definetly a place to start...Now I just have to learn how to take a decent photo.

First Meet

I went to my first photography association meeting the other night. It was interesting to listen to all the information but I am afraid most of what they talked about went way beyond my comprehension. But this meeting has confirmed that I do love photography and I am looking forward to starting at the basics. I received a brief description of aperture - somehow relating to a hose and the amount of water getting through - give me a few days to think abut this and I will let you know how I go.

Why is it that adults are supposed to know exactly what they should be in life. I am over thirty (please don't shout it from the rooftops) and I still have no idea. This interest in photography has granted me an opportunity to pursue something that appeals to me - yes the 'me' that is hidden beneath all the things us mothers spend years trying to to break through from. The sleepless nights, pooey nappies, endless changes of clothes, the bottles, the baths, and the breasts....sorry their storage and feeding device. I love my children and after watching alot of Oprah last year I have decided it is important to do something for myself too. So here goes... I am looking forward to this exciting new chapter.

Photo at the park

Capturing a moment in time is an enormous amount of fun - perhaps I am a hoarder at heart. I don't like letting things go. So I need to find a way to capture these moments in the least amount of time. My children are getting tired of posing - waiting for me to find the right setting just does not seem appealing to a 3 and 5 year old. I cant't imagine why.

I want .be a photographer... today

I want to be a photographer... today. Over the years I have been a student, a shoe sales women, a shop assistant, a swim coach, a lolly seller (yum - put on a few kilos here), a cinema usher, a teacher, an admin worker, a mum (babysitter, house cleaner, chauffeur etc all rolled into one) and now today I want to be a photographer.

But where to from here, there are dozens of websites promoting online courses....not sure if I have the commitment here. Workshops, so many to choose from here too, and not to mention the ole' tafe courses.

The good thing is, I have the most important necessity- a digital camera, a 450d EOS canon. I have had the camera for a year now and have taken it to various children's parties and family gatherings. 'It' - such a harsh term for a great device. It has been fun swapping between the different settings, but it is now time to try to be a 'better photographer'. Lets define that a bit better - I would love to be able to take some great photos of the kids. Tomorrow - lets start hunting for the right course.