Friday, February 26, 2010

Photography

Lately I have been quite obsessed with taking pictures.  It's reaking havoc on my hard drive.  I'm currently going through all of my pictures and deleting copy's or images I don't need.  It's addicting to press that button a million times and the picture only changes slightly.

I'm trying to learn how to use my 50 mm.  I want stunning pictures.  I mostly understand aperture and all that jazz.  Well, I just understand how to make the picture lighter or darker.  I don't use flash anymore.  That is quite wonderful.  I want to understand it all better, though.

I'm also learning how to edit pictures with my photoshop program.  I use Photoshop Elements.  I know there is a lot that it can do that I don't know about.  It didn't come with an instruction manual, so I'm on the hunt for one.

I took my sisters engagements because her photographer is MIA in California somewhere.  I don't think I did too bad of a job for not knowing what I was doing.  I don't plan on starting a photography business because I don't know what the heck I'm doing.  I just want to take good pictures for myself.

I take a million of my daughter.  I can't wait until we can go outside because I think my photos will be so much better.  Something about the outdoors....

I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on books or anything where I can make better sense of everything.  I'm posting a picture of every day on my Project 365 blog.  It's a place for me to display what I'm currently capable of.  Hopefully we'll see some good progress over the year.

Here are a few of her engagements (remember I am an amateur):

 
I had fun playing with the colors in the photos.  



  

 
a little blurry, but I like the pose
 

 
 



Suggestions? Tips? Advice?


12 comments:

Ashley Outnumbered said...

Look for books for Photoshop on Amazon. I was able to get a few to help me understand CS3. I haven't been able to go through them all, but I know they probably contain more knowledge than I'd ever need! :)

Kristina P. said...

These look great, Whitney!

Wendyburd1 said...

You did really great Whitney!

I looked on Amazon and these books sound pretty good and are for the program you said you use: Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows: The Missing Manual, The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers , Photoshop Elements 8 For Dummies and the one that sounds perfect for a person like ME: Teach Yourself Visually Photoshop Elements 8. It teaches you visually how to do things and I learn best that way personally.

*MARY* said...

These are beautiful. There's a bunch of photoshop tutorials on youtube.

Ashley said...

I think they look great, I have always thought your pictures looked really nice. :)

Anonymous said...

Good job. And there isn't even a reflection on his glasses. That is hard to get at first. You should play around with your iso and white balance too.

Alexis Treese said...

engagements! thats big league. I love the distressed walls you used for background.
I'm with Ashley... amazon for books... there are so many for elements and I like that you can buy used books on amazon because theyre much cheaper and still in good condition. I google and you tube EVERYTHING. The amount of tutorials out there is insane.
Im also having SO much fun with my camera. I didnt realize I would LOVE this hobby so much.

Michaela said...

It is a bit overwhelming sometimes trying to figure out a dslr and photoshop on your own, but fun too! and it looks like you're doing great! I love your photos!
I don't know about any books, but I really like online tutorials. check out this site:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/
She really breaks things down simply, and helps you discover great features in photoshop.
Oh, PS I use a canon rebel xsi

Chelsey Hymas said...

I Think your pictures look great! I took a photography class a few semesters ago because I needed an art class. I had some very hard classes that semester, and didn't spend the time I would have liked to on learning about photography. I have a couple of books on photography from the class. I think they have a chapter or two on photoshop. You are welcome to borrow them and see if they can help you!

Jenna said...

Whitney you have a great eye for composition! I'm seriously impressed. The third one and the last two in particular are really lovely. Are you shooting in AV? Your exposure is actually really nice as well. I wish I had some advice for you on how to feel more comfortable in Photoshop, but I learned over the years using my mom's programs and so I can't remember how I caught on to the basics. Lots of trial and error! You're doing a great job of non overprocessing, something lots of new photographers (like myself!) really struggle with. I'm excited to see where this goes for you!

Amy said...

I think your pictures turned out great and I totally recognize the guy...I think we went to high school together haha.

Tasha said...

This may sound silly, but if you want to understand your camera better and improve in picture taking, read the camera manual. I'm not saying that you didn't do well with these pictures. Just suggesting if you want to improve with the camera, learn what the functions are and learn to use them.