Homework week 4...

This post is bittersweet! It is my last photography class assignment..."to go out and take pictures, pictures, and then some more pictures"

So I will forewarn you...I posted several. I realized some of them are out of focus or the lighting isn't quite right. I included them, so that you would know, even though I've had 4 whole classes(note the sarcasm). I am still figuring out what setting works best in which situations. Honestly I think this is something I will always "be working" on. I am hopeful though, that as I keep taking pictures, maybe...just maybe I'll get better at it. Oh, and I also noticed as I was editing pictures, I should have cleaned my lens...so don't look too close :-)

We are starting off with Awana game night...the kids had a blast. They played games for candy, but if they could say the Bible verse assigned to the particular game then they got a cool prize...Bible, stuffed animal, harmonica...and so much more.

Can you see my little "Sparkie" in the sea of crazy??? (Tenley is part of the Sparks club this year)

 I didn't catch these characters names, So I'm calling them Happy and Bubbles...

 Miles was so proud of his stuffed panda. (He is still in the Cubby Club)

 He wanted to jump in the bouncy house and didn't think he should have to wait like everyone else...it's hard to be a big boy sometimes.

Next we move on to Laura's and Will's wedding. Their wedding was beautiful, I'm so glad we made the trip.

Syd was running around all over the place before the wedding started. Who am I kidding she was running around before, during, and after the wedding. But at least she stayed quite while she was wondering around  :-)

 ATTITUDE...

"See Syd, this is a horse...it's what I'm asking Santa Claus to bring me for Christmas"

One of my favorites...I was going for a somewhat silhouette look. I love the way the light is hitting Laura's face. She looks so happy and content.

 I love the look on Syd's face! She is clearly wondering what's going through her Daddy's mind. "Does he thinks it's weird that I'm eating cheese & strawberries together?", "Is he tired?", maybe "He's sad cause I didn't offer him a bite" Little does she know...he is just trying not to be in the picture...

 The two that started it all...Granddad & Grandma (60 years strong) What a wonderful example they are...we love you both!!

 Miles and his cowboy boots were a huge hit at the wedding...He has just recently started tucking his pants into his boots. It's drives me nuts...maybe that's why he does it!

 Listening to the toast...

 K.I.S.S.I.N.G....

 I really like this picture for several reasons...

 A beautiful home...

 What can I say...Apparently Jazz music makes her want to move...

 ...and grove!!

 So made for each other!!! I said smile...they heard make a silly face(I guess that means they are still kids at heart :-)) I love it!!

 See now they cooperated! So sweet!

 BEAUTIFUL!! Huge eyes...and I think she is telling me, "you got to pucker up your lips like this...."

 Fresh flower center piece...their wedding was so elegant.

It was at this point I realized Goose was done chasing kids. Time to put the camera away. Take the kids back to the hotel and get some rest...

So sad...she didn't want to leave. She was having a blast...poor kid!

 Trying to take the kids picture as we were leaving was probably not one of my best ideas, but the scenery was gorgeous...I had to try! The only shot where they were all "kind of" looking my way. Then Syd bolted...again!

 Tenley was more than happy to pose for me...It was so sweet watching her, she felt very pretty all dressed up.

 Miles just wanted to sit on the tree, so if he had to smile for the camera...so be it!

 Cartoons and a warm bed...I think yes!!!

 At the brunch for Laura and Will. Just so you don't think we forgot them. Johnny had just left to go home and Tom didn't get to make it, or they would have been in the picture too.

 Syd having a little fun on Grandpa's shoulders...not really sure why she is covering up his face with her dress though...

 Grandpa and Grandnanna had an excellent time in Hawaii...it was a fast trip, but well worth it! Just kidding, but the palm trees in the background could make it believable...right?

 I think by this point Granddad was tired of me taking his picture, but I couldn't miss this Kodak moment...Granddad & Grandson.

3 Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf...

Halloween 2011...To say that Miles and Syd were not cooperating for this photo shoot, would be a huge understatement. Goose and I actually considered just taking Tenley trick or treating and leaving Miles and Syd with Grandpa and Grandnanna.

You can't really tell, since I'm struggling with Syd to take the picture, but Stansell Baby #4 dressed up as "little pig #3". I know, a year early, but 2 little pigs and the big bad wolf, just doesn't make any sense.

Tenley was our little Halloween trooper this year. She tried to help get the kids to take their picture. She was so proud of her outfit. Every time we got out of the car she made sure that she had her ears and nose. She also made sure that Miles and Syd had theirs.

Trick or Treat...Smell my feet...Give me something good to eat. Tenley sang this so much that by the end of the night, Miles knew it by heart.

A little break at Grandma and Granddads for some of the yummy spoils.

Little stinker...you can look at her shirt and tell she was snacking before we even got to Grandma and Granddad's.

The kids(all of them) ended up having a really good time. We trick or treated the square, several family members, and we took the kids to a Halloween party just for them(Miles' Sunday school teacher threw for her SS kids). They collected more candy than we even know what to do with. 

It was a LONG night, but considering last year it was broke up into 3 different nights. I think I prefer the fast, slightly stressful, rush, and then over one-nighter!!

Sadly, I think this is the last year the kids are going to be so sweet about me planning the "themed" costumes. Miles kept telling me, "Ok this year I'll be a wolf, but next time, I'll be a super hero, and alsoly(that's his made up word, but it's too cute when he says it, I just can't correct him) Spiderman. Maybe, he'll at least let me make his costume. I have so much fun doing it! It's just my way of making it original.

Until next year...The end...

Week 3 Homework...

Yes I know...it's just a washing machine. Or is it?? I am showing several parts to reveal a location. Laundry soap, dirty clothes, washing machine...all this means I'm doing laundry!

Framing...I am using the slide to reveal my subject. What is even more cool about this, is I took this picture at the Fluvanna playground at almost sunset(so the community center is blocking most of our light). Normally you wouldn't be able to see her face, but changing the settings on my camera it revealed her perfectly!! YAY!!!

Bad angle...shooting up...also known as "nostril shot"

Good Angle...I got eye level with them...

I tried getting pictures of Syd...I think she's getting tired of her picture being taken...cause she just wouldn't hold still.

Week 2 Homework...

This past week we only had two assignments...

Selective focus...I shot through the head locks to focus on Miles. The back ground isn't as blurred as I would like, but I'm still learning.

Miles was so cute when I asked if he wanted to go outside so I could take his picture...He asked me if he could wear his cowboy outfit...

Large focus...It's all about focus focus focus! This is probably one of my favorite ways to shoot. Especially kids.

Little stink just wouldn't look at me. Doesn't she look so angelic...unlike the "little monster" she is. I love her oh so much!!!

 My little goofball! I think she was having more fun than I was...which is hard to believe, because I am loving this class!

 Now he's just being silly! You can look at this one and the one of Tenley and see the difference that focus makes. This picture is not a good example of "large focus", but I didn't want to leave Miles out.

I may have to start shooting "subjects" that cooperate a little more than these three little munchkins do!! I have to say though...they make really cute pics

Homework...

Goose bought me my fancy Cannon camera a couple of years ago. Since then, well basically, I look like I know what I'm doing, but I don't really have a clue. 

When WTC started offering a photography class through College on the Square, Goose suggested I take it. Well, I put it off and put it off. See while I was working the thought of staying in town for a two hour class one night a week was not very appealing. Now that I'm staying home...it's a little different. A chance for a little break and I get to learn about all the really cool things my camera will do...sign me up! 

I am loving it. It's just a small group of ladies...there are 5 of us and our fearless teacher Carol. We laugh (at ourselves mostly) and we learn about our cameras. We are learning how to make them work with us not against us.

My first class was last week...this was my homework...

The kids were more than happy to be my subjects.

Here I shot with a fast Shutter Speed...So it froze the motion...

 This is a slower shutter speed...so I captured the motion, but there is slight blurring.

 Very slow shutter speed...perfectly capturing Miles, but blurring everything else...catching him in motion.

 Medium shutter speed...you can see the rain drop hit, but there is also some blurring.

  Shallow depth of field...

Deep depth of field...If you look closely you can actually make out the birds in the sky and the poles in the background.

Since this isn't actually credited course work Carol doesn't give out grades...but I am happy with what I shot, and really that is what's most important...right?!? In most of these shots, I'm trying to focus your eye to what I want you to see in the picture...and blur out all the "extra". More to come...I have homework again this week.

This class is so much fun. I wish I had taken it a lot sooner...I'm realizing things that I have been doing wrong all along. There is A LOT more to taking pictures than just pointing the camera and shooting. That is...if you want better pictures than I usually take.

Spring Flowers...

..Bring Winter Babies! At least this seems to ring true for our family.

Baby Stansell #4 is well on his/her way to making an appearance in mid Jan. 

 This little guy/gal weighs 1.7lbs! So small, yet every part(arms, legs, lungs, heart, brain...etc) is formed and functioning...OUR GOD IS WONDERFULLY AMAZING!!! You would think, with this being my 4th pregnancy that this would all be"old hat" to me, but its not! I am still amazed and blessed every time I have a sonogram or feel this little one move. I'm blown away by the blessing that, of all the women in the world God chose me to be this baby's Mom, and of all the possible babies, He chose this one for our family! How incredible!! Yet, there are people who have experienced this miracle and they still deny there is a God...

My heart aches for all the women who long to be mothers and are struggling through one way or another. I say to you...God has a plan for you and he knows the desires of your heart! Hold onto Him and trust that He is working on your special miracle.

The black and white profile shots are always my favorite...

I imagine He/She is holding their hand in front of their face thinking..."oh, I think they can see me...yikes!"