My Camera, etc...

I've been asked to share what kind of camera I have, if I use editing software, or lighting effects (don't know what these are-- so, no.)

My camera is a Canon Rebel XTi. I love it! I've had it since the end of January. Can't thank dh enough. Thanks, Honey!!

For the most part I use a 50mm 1.8 somethin' or other type of lens for the close ups of the kids. It is AWESOME!

What has really helped me tho, is this. Everyone should have one of these-- It's my neighbor/professional photographer/friend, Paige. Seriously. She's been oh, so patient with me as I've assaulted asked her about the basics of photography-- portraiture in general. As a matter of fact, that lens I've been using-- it's hers.. See? I told you, everyone needs a Paige. Oh, I'm also not above accosting the folks asking questions at the local camera store about the functions on my camera and how to work them properly. I am not very good at reading instructions, as in I don't do it. Ever. I'm a "hands on" learner. What can I say?

As far as editing software, yes, I do use some. I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 6. Not real good at it yet and for the most part I boost the contrast in photos a little (gets that cloudy kinda look out of the pictures--helps them to "pop") and then do an overall sharpening. Paige came over to my house and showed me some basics there too. (It's that problem with the ' no instruction' thing again.)

I guess that's about it. Oh, yeah.. one more thing. I just downloaded a free 30 day trial of Adobe Lightroom. So far, I'm really likin' it, even though I haven't done much with it other than the using it on the photo in the last post. I need to find more video tutorials to learn more in order make the most of the trial period, since as you well know by now.... I'm not fond of the written word when it comes to instructions. ;-)

Tough Guys: April Showers--photo 12

So, I'm behind again. What else is new?? Maybe I'll be able to make up the two days I missed posting photos tomorrow... Until then, there's this...

I took it after today's game. I said, "Hey Two! Hey Three! Stand still for a sec so I can take a quick picture." I guess they felt tough today after today's game (must be all that black gunk under their eyes that their coach calls 'war paint'). Yeah, they're lookin' tough alright, right down to the chocolate chip cookie in Three's hand...

April Showers, photo(s) 10

Okay, so I think I'm a little stuck on the color vs b&w today. Let me know which you prefer:

Caught nappin' (April Showers..photo 9)

Well, here I am behind again. So I'll post two pictures, albeit the the same pic, just two different colors. Hopefully I'll get back to the computer again this afternoon to put up another one so I won't be the one caught nappin'. :-)

April Showers, photo 8

Once again, since I don't want to get behind..... I'm posting a picture I took in MARCH. 'Cause it would really pain me to be behind, or be a pain in my behind. Behind, behind, behind..b e h i n d (snigger... ) I'm so tired-- that word really sounds silly.

Okay enough of that, and on with the show...

This is his big brother. In this particular shot, he was coming down with the flu, he just didn't know it yet. Our family went to visit his family in FL after our trip to Disney. And being the conscientious kind of folk that we are, we brought a gift: influenza. Weren't we so thoughtful? Thankfully his parents forgave us...

Lovely people, dontcha think?

Made in Ermish??

Three is going through a phase now where he reads all tags to see where everything that we have (hold, play with, wear, look at, eat, etc.) is made. For the most part (like 90%-- I knew it was high, but 90%??!!?, wow!) our stuff is made in China. Three has discovered though that our remote was made in Mexico and some of his underwear in Turkey. Who knew? Anyhoo, Three was telling dh about how so many things are made in China, "Like everything!", when Four pipes up and says, "Yeah, China is a machine! But what I want to know is..... where is Ermish? 'Cause you know, those Ermish people-- They don't use electricity."

April Showers, photo 7

THESE make me oh, so happy..

BOOKS!! I recently acquired these at a local library sale. I cannot attempt to explain how much I love library sales, and how excited I get about them. It's almost unnatural I tell you. It is by far one of my favorite things to do. (At 19 it was the bar and at 39, it's the library..) And lucky me gets to go to one once a month. Yep, you heard me... once a month. (jealous? thought so...) And not only are there ex-library copies, but brand new donated books as well. Isn't life grand? I cannot tell you the finds I have come across-- I have found more than my share of OOP books that my children loooooove, but that sell for big bucks on Amazon. It's not easy though. There can be tough competition at these sales you know. Kids, moms, grandmas, and the ever annoying professional seller (those Amazon, choke-you-outta-every-last-dime-just-because-they-can folks) with their scanner thingies, scanning books to see what they're worth... Kids, moms and grandmas I'm okay with. They're my kind of people. But those scammer scanner folks.... they just better watch out-- I might have to pull a lacrosse move on 'em.

April Shower of Photos, day 6

One of the things that always puts a smile on my face is this..

It sits over our fireplace in the center of our living room. My neighbor and friend, Paige, took it this past fall and I think it's the best family photo we've ever had done. It was taken at the end of the photo shoot. I had mentioned to Paige that for fun, we had told the kids we could do a family pyramid. We had a great time and are ever so greatful that Paige caught it all on film!

April Shower, photo 5

One of the things I love about spring coming our way and summer just around the corner is this..
FRESH FRUIT!! Yummmy.
Oh, and by the way, Baby Monkey loves it too...

As we've clearly seen before, even though he still pleads the Fifth.

April Showers-- pic 4

Okay, so technically I did not take this in April, buuut I loooove this picture. I took it in March, so isn't that close enough?!?!?? It's not one of my monkeys, but his momma knows I'd take him to come live with mine in a heartbeat, along with his brother. This kid cracks me up. He is full of fire and boundless energy. Just look at that gorgeous red hair and those eyes... how could he not be?