Bokah, Shaped and Otherwise

  Here are my latest two photos for the 365 Project.  I am trying to get the hang of bokah with Christmas lights so they're both of my tree....

  The first one I set my shutter to 1/6s (I'm not sure if that equals 1/60th or not but I think it does), had my focal length at 32mm, my aperature at f/4.8 and my ISO on 1600.  I like it but I had to go into PSE10 and lighten it so you could see the outline of the tree.  Before it was just really dark and I still think that it could use more lightening up.  I should have done that in camera.

December 21, 2011
                                                              

Also, can you tell that the top strand of lights blew?!  Oh, our tree is such a dysfunctional tree but it is ours so that makes it ok =)

December 22, 2011

  So, I created my own shaped bokah filter.  Here's how!  I am not a good craft person and the heart (can you tell the filter was heart shaped?) was slightly skewed.  I'm going to "perfect" this though. I went online last night and printed out some cute tiny shapes and will try them today or tonight.

  Camera info for this one was:
  Shutter Speed: 0.6s
  Focal Length: 55mm
  Aperature: f/5.6
  ISO: 1600

  I do like Christmas.  Although I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet (and Christmas is only two days away) and the lights are fantastic to try different photography tricks on.

  I'd love to hear/see your attempts at bokah at Christmastime.  Share some stories with me and if you have pictures, leave a link in the comments!!

Sara

My Third Indoor Session

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph my uncles family in Statesville. 

Since this was only my third time holding a session indoors I was a little concerned with the lighting. As soon as I got there I began playing with my camera to see what settings would be best to use.  I began in Manual and then switched to Aperature because I was getting a little frustrated.  Aperature, however, wasn't allowing me to get the right exposure I needed so I switched back to Manual. I'm glad I did!

I also made a point to set my White Balance and Metering mode before I began shooting. 

I believe most of my shots were taken with my Aperature between f/5 and f/8.  My shutter speed was mainly 1/60th.         

I had several posing ideas thought out but was only able to use a few since my four cousins were much more interested in their Christmas presents than in getting their family photos taken!  

When they did pay attention and give me smiles, it was amazing and even though the session only lasted 30 minutes, I was able to get some awesome shots!!

For a few of my shots I used PSE5 exclusively for editing (except for placing my logo) and gave them some personality by using free actions from www.mcpactions.com and www.thepioneerwoman.com. Each time I use an action (especially Pioneer Woman's Seventies action) in PSE5 I fall more in love with the program!

So great session and I'm glad my uncle and aunt have some Christmas photos they'll love. 

Be sure to find and like me on Facebook (Sara Vogt Photography) to see favorites from their session. 

Sara

Post-Processing Photos - When You're Finished!

7:30 AM

  I think my very favorite thing apart from getting the "perfect shot" during a session is the fun I have when playing with photos during post-processing.  Even though sometimes I put it off longer than I should because I do know it's a tedious process, it is one of my favorite things to do. 

  Last night I finished editing the sessions from my Thanksgiving Giveaway and I was so happy!  There are about 4 or 5 images from the W. Family Session held last Thursday night in Greenville, NC that I really love and will put up here.  Most of the photos are just "ok" to me.  Not that they aren't good but I don't really have much of an emotion with I see them.  But these few really speak to me and make me happy!  I think that's the purpose of post-processing - enhancing what was there in the first place, what made you take that photo, what made you feel something. 

  In the W. Family Session I believe that I took around, maybe 80-100 photos.  During my very harsh weeding out process, I narrowed it down (I actually deleted a few last night) to around 30.  Not every image that I deleted was bad but to me, it didn't have the visual appeal that I was looking for, nor did it make me feel anything.

  There were two images that were less than perfect.  One, the little girl (we'll call her Little A) wasn't completely in focus but she was looking up at me with her big, brown eyes with a very intent look on her face.  The soul I saw in that photo kept me from trashing it.  The other image was one of Little A and her brother, Baby J.  Baby J was lying on a blanket, one hand raised as if in a wave and Little A was standing behind him out of focus.  I kept it.  The dynamics worked.  I guess the point is, if there's soul in the photo, even if it's not tack sharp or technically perfect, don't throw it out.  Work with it until you get the emotion you're looking for.

  While post-processing is about retouching minor flaws in your image I think more importantly, it is about finding yourself and the soul of the subject (whether that is a person or a flower) within the shot.

  Next time you begin post-processing, look for the images that make you feel and let you know the subject was "fully there" when the image was shot. 

Sara

2:40 PM

Here I am again because tonight I am taking pictures of our Christmas Tree and I found a great little article here (http://www.elizabethhalford.com/2011/12/05/how-to-photograph-your-christmas-tree-how-to-get-twinkle-bursts-of-light/) about doing just that!!!  I will post pictures if I get any good ones!