Allie's theme this week 'green' and I can't help but share this shot from today. Of course, it did take me a couple tries to get it right. Let this be a lesson to you- make sure you adjust your white balance! All of these images were taken less than 2 minutes apart and so the lighting was pretty much the same. My final image was using the shade white balance (6000 kelvin). 

This one is with the auto white balance. Not bad, but more blue that I wanted.

This is with the full sun white balance. Again, not really bad, but the color is not quite right (unless I was going for an extra sun-kissed look).

Its amazing the difference one little setting can make in your shots!

   

To my Mom

Since this photography thing is relatively new, I don't have a lot of pictures to share of us, so I'll share some other photos instead. The best gift you gave me was this life, and these moments, and these memories. I'll do my best to capture them beautifully and to make the world smile.

I love you Mom!

 

Lovely!

Lovely is a lovely word- it makes me think of elegance and style, fine china and lawn parties.

But I digress.

This has been a lovely week. The weather has been lovely (though we could use some rain...). My new shoes are lovely. My new lens is lovely. My friends are lovely. In all, everything is lovely.

Photography is also lovely- I get to express my latent creative side and capture moments of my life forever. Speaking of photography...

1) Straight Out of Camera (SOOC)- Our CSA is giving us zucchini blossoms every week. These gorgeous blooms are delicious in a variety of dishes!

2) Sprouting- Remember that Chrysanthemum I mentioned? The one I thought was dead? Well she isn't. And she looks wonderful. Lovely, even.

3) Isn't it Ironic?- I have always wanted an overstuffed chair. At least as long as I've loved to read and got large enough that all chairs did not automatically seem huge. Earlier this week I found one on craigslist! She is lovely! And large! And soft! The irony?

Pepsi becomes indignant if I try to move her off of her new chair. *sigh*

4) Lazy- Speaking of Pepsi and her my chair... Pepsi wants everyone to know that she has a rough life. For realz.

5) Smells Like Spring- I've been excitedly checking my Magnolia for blossoms, and while it has been putting out a bunch, our recent and never-ending wind storm has pretty much destroyed most of the blooms before they get a chance to share their glory. Today I was able to snap a few quick shots of this one before the wind claimed another victim!

You should definitely join the weekly scavenger hunt! It is so much fun and over at Ashley's blog you get to see so many amazing images!!! Next week's prompts are:

1) Give Me Flowers
2) Visual Contrast
3) Friendship
4) Before and After
5) Dark

And for a couple other photo challenges...


Red- Even as they fall apart, Magnolia blossoms have a stately beauty.

Rock- Maybe not the most traditional interpretation, but when these puppies start pumping, they can really get you to rock out!!

Shoot and Edit, among other things

Isn't it amazing how good a new pair of shoes can sometimes make you feel? These babies just came in from eBay. For 1/4 the retail price. Win!

ABC Wednesday (P is for "pair")

And yes, my feet are just that pale. I must break out the sandals soon!

And for Shoot and Edit, here is my final edit of my pepper shot from Monday!

Shoot and Edit: Part 1

Ashley Sisk and Jill Samter hold a weekly photo editing challenge. I haven't participated before, but since I've started playing with PhotoShop more, I'm ready to give it a try! Stop by Jill's site for other SOOC shots, and then check back later this week for the final edit!