Manual Photography

It's time for me to master this photography thing.

I am determined to figure it out.

No more turning the dial to the emerald green auto button on the top of my camera.

I did take a photography class in college after all.

Complete with black room and all.

If you have never experienced a black room for developing pictures, I highly recommend it.

Very satisfying to see what you captured through your lens

AND

in a calm dark space.

Would love to have a small area in our home just to develop pictures.

Maybe one day.

In the mean time, I will continue to upload to the computer and learn from my mistakes.

I do remember from class that MOST pictures are more appealing if your subject is in a side quadrant.

Yesterday, the same day I took these pictures, I turned the dial to M and started my own little class.

Kent helped me out A.L.O.T.!

Here is what I will be using on this journey.

Nikon D40 with a 52mm lens.

We also have a larger lens, yet I won't break out that bad boy until I get a better handle on things.

First, I started with subjects that weren't so..........mobile.

Took some pictures of our neighbors blooming crate myrtles

and statue in their yard.

Then, I took on the real challenge.

My own little moving target.

Too much exposure

WAAAAAY too much exposure

Better colors, now if I would have just remembered to FOCUS :)

Okay, we are going somewhere now.

I can see better results.

Um.  Not really interested in the details of the Tonka truck.

I've got to remember to focus.

I love this picture of Kent.

A. Because I think he's a cutie.

B. Because that smile comes from watching Hughes.

The Tonka truck went back and forth

back and forth

back and forth

I'm liking this picture

I also took this picture manually. 

Bear with me as I figure out this aperture/f-stop information.

I make the decision today, to never use the alluring, green auto button again.

Well, almost never.

If anyone has any great advice, article links, great books, informative blogs, please help me out.

We've got a lots of memories to capture!

Wiley is FOUR MONTHS

Samuel Wiley

You are four months old

You weigh 12 lbs exactly

You are 24 inches long

You giggled out loud for the first time on your four month birthday for me

When you smile, you get tickled all over

You are THINKING...very seriously...about rolling over

I actually think you might roll over while I write this post!

You are wearing 3 month clothes

You are wearing size one diapers

You LOVE to have someone to talk to you

You are eating every three hours

Hughes loves to talk to you

He shares lots of blocks and trains with you

When I make you a palette, Hughes wants a palette, too

You are a VERY sweet baby

You make us smile from ear to ear

You have gotten into a habit of grunting yourself to sleep

You like holding on to your rattle

You like to be in your swing

You DO NOT like being in the car seat

You love tummy time

When you are restless and fighting your sleep, I will place my hand on your cheek and you become calm

You love your hands

You are a true joy!

Howdy Doody

Sometimes it just feels good to admit to your problems out loud.

I have many.

Don't have time to list them all.

The one appropriate for this post is this.

You ready?

I'm in a blogging rut.

As if you haven't noticed.

Really, I am just waiting to rethink my blog.

Might start something new altogether.

But, that's for another time.

This blog has lacked time and care this month.

But here are a few pictures of the boys lately.

We have been SUPER busy.

WHICH I LOOOVE.

And I'm busy right now, too.

So, I will leave you with some random thoughts.

And pictures of the boys.

Random Thoughts:

Everytime I hear Def Lepard my heart gets happy.

  

"Photograph" to be more exact.

Topped off with a little "Sugar".

If you know what I mean.  Wink Wink.

Kim's Def Lepard is Wilson Phillips.

"Hold on for one more day."

I wonder from time to time what other people's "Def Lepard" is to them?

You know, the song/artist that takes you back to the days when energy was abundant

no cares in the world

the song that makes the world seem okay and makes your heart happy.

You seem to smile a bit brighter that day.

Just curious.

Gas is WAY too high for my liking.

Told you this was random.

Hughes has stopped staying in his crib.

He CLIMBS out.

We borrowed a toddler bed from Mrs. Sara.

He won't STAY in the toddler bed.

Seems to be VERY scared.

Which I can understand.

I remember the feeling of fear that lurks through the dark.

Forget it.

There is too much to talk about Hughes not sleeping in his bed for a random post.

That's a WHOLE post on it's own!

Wiley is FOUR MONTHS.

Having to supplement.

Not information for a random post.

Or maybe a post at all since I have some big feelings at bay.

We'll save that for another post, too.

Or maybe we won't.

I hear Madonna in the background.

"Vouge" to be exact.

Might just get up and dance with Hughes after this post.

I LOVE to dance.

Can't help it.

Love.

Peace.

And.

Def Lepard.

Rock on!

Cole came home!  a.k.a. Coco

You can visit her blog HERE

No, we are not potty trained.

But, we are practicing wearing our big boy underwear!

Come back and visit soon!

P.S.  Now La Bouche "Sweet Dreams" is playing!

Does anybody even know these songs I am talking about? :)

Oh. Well.

If you don't.

You should.

Happy Friday NIGHT!

WOOP WOOP

How "Grand"!

A few pictures from our half week at The Grand in Point Clear, AL!  We have stayed here for our anniversary twice, however, never in the summer!  This is the PERFECT place for families!  Zero Entry pool, movie night with the pool as your lounge, bikes to ride, feeding the ducks, A.MAZ.ING landscape, ping pong, crochet, putting green and horseshoes on the lawn, and a view of Mobile Bay!  Ma'Lyn went with us and we had the BEST time!  Hope you enjoy the pictures!

(excuse the sideways pics...AGAIN!)

the fourth on the eleventh

 Here are a few pictures of our 4th of July!  MariBrock designs created the t-shirts for the boys!  Check out her blog!  Ma'Lyn made shorts for all of the boys!  I made rompers for the chick-a-dees!  I'm thinking of making these rompers in all different colors and fabrics!  They turned out so adorable on the girls!

Excuse the crooked pic...tried twice to correct it! .... aaaaahhhhh!

(feel my frustration?)

(also tried to correct this photo twice!)

For more pictures of our fourth, check out Kosek Landing!  If you don't read Kim's blog, you should.  I always find myself relating while laughing out loud at her commentary on their life!