10. Settings     Always check that your settings are set. Resolution, ISO, Shutter, Aperture, etc.

     9. Surroundings    Be aware of your shooting area as well as behind you and to the sides. Not to be in peoples way and to see if people are loitering around. They may be waiting to snatch something. Who knows, just be aware.

     8. Light    As your shoot goes on the light will be ever changing. At least when you shoot outdoors.

     7. Banter    Keep talking with your subject. Allowing it to be casual and fun.

     6. Equipment    Make sure you have what you need and then some. Never know where a shoot might go.

     5. Location/Contact info    Leave info for someone at home-base that knows where you’re going. If it’s remote locations, it’s really important to let someone know your whereabouts.

     4. Background    Telephone poles and wires are horrible! They’re everywhere. That along with signs and trees. Be alert for what is in the shot that may be a distraction.

     3. Battery Life    Have enough batteries and then some for the shoot.

     2. Memory Cards  Have plenty. You don’t want to be deleting photos to make space.

     1. Have fun!    If it’s a paid shoot or not, have fun. That’s all there is to it.

    This is a photograph I did for class. Didn’t have to be a specific thing, just black and white. I like the texture of the hand and how it’s away from the background to give it definition.

    So the new Canon Rebel X1i was announced. Everything looks great! Nice bumps everywhere, except 1080p is a bit of a problem. When recording video in the highest resolution, it only records at 20 frames per second. Lower the quality and it jumps to 30fps.

    Obviously the guts are not powerful enough to do 1080p and 30fps. I would almost want them to just not have HD recording. I do like that they added video capability though.

    Would I buy it? No but I wouldn’t turn it down if someone gave it to me.

 I went backpacking at Point Reyes National Seashore and brought my camera with me. If anyone has done any sort of multi-day backpacking, you know that weight is an issue. It wasn’t bad at all and only having one lens is helpful.

Weather held though it was super windy but that’s backpacking life. This was our second night. We climbed up a little ridge from camp to watch the sun setting over the beautiful landscape. It’s not often you get access to a deserted beach. No buildings in sight to break up the scene. I hope to ramp up my backpacking trips this summer.

    When I saw him playing I asked if I could photograph him. I got the OK and took a couple shots. Never got his name.

    I don’t take many shots of people but I’m trying to get more into it. I think it turned out OK. I like the cutting off of his head, only the eyes visible. This is an uncropped photo.

    A critique is not set in stone. It’s not do or die. Critiquing gives a different opinion about your photographs. You may look at them and think they’re fine and dandy but someone else may think it needs a little work or is just a plain old regular photograph. Show your photographs to friends, family and strangers. Strangers will give you an honest opinion but family and friends may not.

But remember, if you’re happy, that’s all that really matters.

    This week in class we needed to submit our first print. Over the past couple days I’ve been going on photo walks trying to capture an image I thought was good enough to have printed.

   I happened across this flower and was hypnotized by the center. Its complexity and the fact that the flower isn’t perfect. The missing and damaged petals.

    With my current lens, this is as close as I could get. I would have liked to get even closer to the center but I work with what I’ve got. I used a flash to show more detail of the center and cropped out some of the green background.

    Well, I sorta stopped updating this blog a long time ago. Sad I know. But now I’m back! I’m taking a photography class and got a new camera and am taking a lot more pictures.

    My new camera is a Canon Rebel XSi w/18-55mm kit lens . It’s also known as a 450D. My first DSLR! I’m very happy with it.

    The lens is decent. I really want a telephoto. The 70-200 f/2.8 IS will probably be my next lens. I guess that’s it for now. I’ll be posting on a more regular basis from now on.