Hi, it was during my lunch break last week I decided to take a short drive. It’s nice getting away from work, see different things especially on a beautiful sunny day. My drive took me to the East Lawrence area. At 9th and Delaware is the Wishing Bench, a place to sit and make a wish. It was back in 2015 that I posted the first image of the Wishing Bench.
What a fun experience to see the added items of the Wishing Bench now. Enjoy!
The Wishing Bench Now 2017
A close up look at the front side.
And now the backside.
Does your hometown have a wishing bench? Did you sit and make a wish? Did you ever go back and add something to the bench? Please share below!
Hi, just the other day I had a co-worker ask me how I took such good pictures. What a wonderful compliment and it made me feel great. I believe there are two simple things one can do to take better pictures with any camera. Sure, those fancy big cameras have some mighty nice bells and whistles. If one knows what all of them do and how to use them, the pictures look awesome. The key is knowing what they do and how to use them. In this post I will not get into the technical side of photography; instead it will be the non-technical (position of camera) I will talk about. This will work with any of your camera’s mode settings (auto or A-S-P-M).
First, read the manual to learn what each control, switch, button, and menu item does. Learn the basic actions, such as using the flash (on, off, and auto), zooming in and out, and using the shutter button. I would even recommend keeping a copy of the manual in your camera bag.
Secondly, how do you take your pictures, standing up? When I took this image, I was standing straight up camera at eye level. The camera was positioned horizontally.
LENS: 50mm F1.8 EXP: 1/400 sec; f/4.5; ISO 100
Try turning the camera vertically. Don’t confuse this with cocking the camera. Even though this can be done, doing it too much can distract from the image.
LENS: 50 mm F1.8 EXP: 1/250 sec; f/4.5; ISO 100
Can you see any difference in the pictures? For the next image, I bent down to the ground (squatting- still on my feet).
LENS: 50 mm F1.8 EXP: 1/160 sec; f/4.5; ISO 100
This last picture I set the camera on the sidewalk bricks holding the lens up just enough to keep it off the ground.
LENS: 50 mm F1.8 EXP: 1/200 sec; f/4.5; ISO 100
See how amazing it is to get four different images that were taken in the same place! The only difference was the level of the camera.
The next time you take a picture, take it a second time but place the camera at a different level. You’ll be amazed!
Best Wishes,
For more basic suggestions on how to take better pictures, check out this link.
Hi, I’m catching up from a busy December. Wanted to share with you my grand-daughters Christmas dance program. My daughter had sent a text about Briella’s dance program about a week in advance. The night before, I made sure the camera batteries were charged and then packed camera and batteries into my purse. The day of the program I arranged it to leave work right on time (5pm). The program started at 6 pm and I had a 45 to 50 minute drive, really depended on the traffic that evening. Well I got there right at 6. Good thing too, the little dancers were in the room practicing first!
Okay we go in and take our seats. The dancers make their entrance and begin to dance the routine. The image above was taken while Brie was preforming. Notice that she is in the back- way back. During each song, she was in the back. Erika explained to me that our little social butterfly talks too much in class- never does as the teacher says. However, Brie did really good. She’s just like her mama. Erika was so busy in school: dance; band; forensics; honor society; FMLA; drama; track-cross country and several others that I don’t remember off the top of my head. Our little Brie is a mini Erika!
Okay- the program lasted about 40 minutes. Once over Erika invited me to eat dinner with them. We went to their favorite Mexican restaurant. Erika and Shaune each got a drink with Brie getting her special drink as well- a virgin strawberry daiquiri – imagine that!
Now I have to admit, when it came to the family Christmas gathering at my home- I was bad. Bad in the respect of not taking pictures. When I remembered it was well past the gift opening. I did snap a pic of the wonderful gift given to me from the grandkids- with mom and dad’s help. I will wear it with immense pride.
I love this sweatshirt!
May your New Year be filled with much love and happiness.
