Photography 101.2 :)

So, today, I am just going to explain a few camera settings on your dial.  Not all of them, because I don't actually use them all.  I will explain the most important ones, and then if you need more info you can leave a comment or consult your manual.

 My aperture was set at 2.8 for this photo.  The focus was on my son's right eye.  You can see everything softening up and blurring in the photo.  (The busted lip was due to him hitting himself in the face with a Nerf Gun).

2.8 aperture on this photo as well.  The focus is on the fly on my dog's nose.  The rest of the image is blurred.  

I wanted this photo to be sharp, so I set my aperture at 7.1.

AV for Canon or A on a Nikon: That  is your aperture value.  You set how wide you want your lens to open up, and the camera does the shutter speed for you.  If you had time to purchase a prime lens, you can play around with this feature.  The lower the Aperture Number on your settings...1.8. 2.8, etc. the wider your lens opens.  Your camera will take a photo with the focus point very sharp (crisp, clear).  The rest of the photo will soften up, making it less in focus or more blurry.  The smaller your lens opens up 5.6 or higher, the more sharp and crisp your whole photo will be.

You  must remember that your aperture value in AV Mode will set your shutter speed.  The more light you let in, the faster your shutter will go (open and close).  The smaller your aperture, the slower your shutter will go.  So if you are inside, and it's sort of dark, you will want to widen your aperture. (Lower the number on the dial)  It will allow your shutter speed to increase.  You will have softer photos, though the wider you go.

Your shutter speed is important, because the slower your shutter opens and closes, it will show blur if there is movement.

I hope this makes sense.  Let me know if you have questions (leave them in comments).  Next week, I will talk about the TV or time value mode.

Paint the Moon: This is our Life Project 52

I'm embarking on a new project for this year....It is Paint the Moon:  This is our Life Project.  As you know I'm the procrastinator queen.  I humbly accept this title, ha!  Anyhow, I encourage you all to embark on the journey.  Here is the link to the group on Flikr.  

I'm already a few weeks behind.  This photo is for week 3: This Makes Me Wish I Could Freeze Time

This week's theme is "A Different Perspective"  I'm mulling that one around.
Have a good night!

Cool Template Download

This cool template is courtesy of The Coffee Shop Blog.  Its a 3x12 photo template.  If you Click that link, it will take you directly to the link for the download.  I have looked for templates for ages, and this is a freebie!  I loved it!  It's really easy to use.  I just grabbed four random pics to try it out with.  You can customize the border color.  I chose black...I'm a sucker for black, and it went well with the photos.  Very fun!  Hope you enjoy it.  Check out Rita's other actions and templates.  She is awesome!  They are FREE, but you can donate to her website as well! 

Hope you all enjoyed my post yesterday.  I think I will try posting photography tips on Mondays.  If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section!  Good Evening!

Photography 101

I've decided to publish a few articles on how to use your DSLR camera.  I will be posting from a Canon standpoint.  I am a Canon user through and through.  It started as a kid, with my dad's Canon 35mm Film Camera...I got to take pictures sometimes, but he did a lot of picture taking with it.  He had all the lenses for it.  My first camera was actually a 110 film camera, probably a Kodak.  I eventually moved on and got my own Canon 35mm film camera, which I still have.  Then I went on to have two Digital Rebel xTi's, a Canon 60D, and a Canon 5D Markiii.  I will try my best to help out the Nikon users as well.  The principles are basically the same, the names on the cameras are different.

My first piece of advice is if you want to learn how to use your camera out of auto mode you need to purchase a Prime Lens.  A Prime Lens has a fixed focal length...you can't zoom it in or out.  The benefits to that are that you can shoot in lower light, and fix your aperture value.  Aperture Value is the size of the hole in your lens.  The wider the hole, the more light you can let in, thus shooting in lower light settings.  I'm trying to use laymen terms here.  Here are two EXCELLENT lenses.  They are both 50mm 1.8AV lenses.  One is Canon and the other is Nikon.  They are excellent because I personally love the focal length (how far it "sees"...it's your distance).  I love the wide aperture value (AV) which allows for blurred backgrounds, and I love the price.  They are cheap.

Canon 50mm 1.8

Nikon 50mm 1.8

Both of these lenses are around $100-$125.  Nikon is more expensive than Canon, but the difference isn't huge.   The Canon 50mm works great on all of the cameras I've owned except the 5D Markiii...The focus is slow on that lens and it doesn't focus fast enough for me on that camera.  I really love the focal length of this lens and some day when I can afford the $1600 for an L Series lens, it will be my first purchase.  See, $100 isn't sounding so bad, is it?

My next post, will discuss what the dial on your camera means, and how to use your Prime lens.  If you have ANY questions, please let me know.  You can post them in the comments section and I will answer them in my next post.

Two Must Reads

This book was so well written.  I read this book with a lump in my throat for over half of the book.  My synopsis...Emmy, the main character, falls in love with two men at the same time.  The love triangle tears her apart at the seams.  It is so good.

Here is Amazon's synopsis:

Emmy thinks her boss Kyle Sterling of Sterling Corporations is a dick.
So, she sleeps with him.

Emmy tries to put the mistake behind her, but then finds herself snowed in with Kyle. As the snow builds, so does the heat in the house between the two. The problem is that Kyle has a steady girlfriend that he is unwilling to break up with. Emmy cuts Kyle off and starts dating Luke. Even as their relationship takes off, Emmy is finding Kyle hard to shake. He is blatant in his feelings and desires for Emmy, putting her in an awkward situation. She tries hard to resist Kyle, but deep down inside Emmy's motives are shady. When Emmy succumbs to her hidden feelings for Kyle without setting Luke free, devastating consequences ensue.

In addition to her two men, Emmy daydreams about doing violent things to her loud mouthed, opinionated mother.

With drama, romance, some humor, and plenty of alcohol, follow Emmy as she deals with the consequences of "accidentally on purpose" falling for two men at once. 

This book pissed me off!  I don't mean because it ends in a cliffhanger.  I was fully warned of that going in.  It's because the characters made me really upset.  This is such a good story.  It is full of flawed characters, all with their own secrets.  Such a good story.  After reading this book, I stewed about it for days.  I was just so mad.  I think the next book comes out in March and I am awaiting it's electronic download.

Amazon's synopsis:

This book is Erotica. It is crazy, beautiful, drama filled and in parts morally incorrect. IT DOES HAVE A CLIFFHANGER ENDING, but I assure you the series will end in HEA. It does contain bikers and rockstars, so therefore a different lifestyle, so please if this isn't your thing, don't purchase it. You have been warned - ENJOY!!

Violet has been raised in a world with bikers, rough men and separated parents. The only savior in her world, was her love for Travis, her best friend. They grew up together, creating a hopeless friendship against all odds. Then he left, with no goodbye, no explanation.

Travis went on and became a successful rockstar, Violet moved on and thought she was finally over it. Then Travis returns and tugs on her heart strings all over again. She finds it hard to say no, she is different now...she isn't the girl he once adored; dark things have happened to her. What if she isn't what he believes he wants so badly?

Come on Travis and Violet's journey of love, heartache and all the things in between.

****

I would also like to add that I downloaded these books for Free.  I find the freebies on Maryse's Book Blog.  I don't believe they are free now, but Accidentally on Purpose is 99 cents.  Who can't afford that?  Enjoy your day.  I've been home with sickies for 4 days this last week.  Thank goodness for three day weekends, however!

Sn@p! Life

So, I've been pondering ideas for this year's Project Life.  This may sound strange since I haven't finished up last year's Project Life.  I am almost done...just waiting on a couple of photos.  Moving on, I found these cute papers from Memory Works.  They were just released, so lots are out of stock right now.  But I wanted to show you a few items, I will most likely be using.

The complete collection kit.  

It's $21.  It is designed for a 6x8 album.  To learn more about Sn@p Life!  Go here.  

I will probably use the same page protectors from last year and use these papers.  I really enjoyed the project, and the kids like going back and looking at the pictures.

The link I posted takes you to the Memory Works website.  If you wish to order, and you are a previous customer, just log in like usual.  If you are new than you can place an order.  Just make sure to  create a login and make me your Memory Works Consultant.  That way, I can make sure I can place your order.  If you have any questions, email me at mariahashbaugh@hotmaildotcom.

This year, I would really like to do more scrapbooking and projects.  I have taken a hiatus from my photography business until I can finish up all sessions and the weather warms up.  I really hate the cold.    I have also been toying with some photography tips to post on here as well.  Try to help you guys out with your DSLR cameras.  I am going to have to speak in Canon terms...as I have no Nikon experience. I will try my best to help you Nikon users out.  

Have a good day!

Instagram Funny

Everyone knows I love Instagram.  I use it all the time.  If fact, I used Instagram to capture this moment...when the cat brought a snake in the house through the pet door.  It's in the pot.  You can barely see it.  You see, my phone is so handy sometimes.  Anyhow my husband showed me this video on You Tube the other day.  You really need to watch it if you're an Instagram user....there are some bad words in it...just in case kids are nearby.  Just remember, "I'm Freakin' Michelangelo !"  Enjoy!

Straight off the Edge

So, me and my bestie, Val...You have heard her name and seen her face many times...We have teamed up to create a new blog.  It is called  Straight off the Edge.  The whole premise, I am a straight girl, and she isn't.  I am so republican and conservative.  She is not so much.  The best part is that we are highly entertaining, and we freely insult each other.  It should be really funny to follow.

Val and I have been best friends since we were five years old.  I would never be who I am without her. There are so many funny farm stories that go along with our friendship.  Please join us, here, if you wish to hear about our story.

Book Recommendations

Hi kids!  I have no actual things to post, but I still wanted to post. That makes no sense.  Anyhow, I thought I would give you a few book recs for happy reading.

Rule by Jay Crownover
Thorough Breeds and Trailer Trash by Bev Pettresen
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Tidal by Emily Snow
Cleaning House by Kay Willis Wyma
Tall, Dark & Handsome by R.L. Mathewson
The Opportunist
Three Girls and a Baby by Rachel Schurig
Back to You
Leopard Moon by Jeanette Battista

I'm sure there are more.  I am on a time limit!

I Heart Faces/Best Face Photo 2012

I have had the absolute honor to take pictures of many beautiful faces this last year.  Many beautiful faces of people I know, and people I don't.  And it feels amazing that the pictures I've taken will grace the wall's of these people's homes.  This is a photo I took at a wedding earlier in 2012.  I absolutely loved this bride and groom, and their family.  The groomsmen reminded me so much of my brothers and their friends.  They were so awesome, and funny with a sense of humor right up my alley.  This was a candid shot of the groom with his grandfather.  Grandpa had stolen a flask off of the groomsmen.  Apparently, they found their own private moment to tell a joke and laugh amongst all of the guests. 

If you'd like to enter your photo, please go to iheartfaces.

Project Life: January-June

I'm am nearly done with my entire project for 2012.  I was short a couple of pictures so I have to have them printed out.  I just wanted to get this first six months up for you.  I will put the rest up soon and then include links to all of the posts for this project.  I would really like to do this project again, but I'm finding it difficult to find new month by month papers.  I don't want to use the same ones again this year.  I might even do it digitally.  We shall, see.

January

I created an extra 8.5x11 layout for January

February

March

April

May

June

OOOHHHH.....Snow!

Notice the boy's lone snowball in the yard from last night.

We got a nice little winter storm!  We were sent home from work yesterday at noon...as roads started closing.  We got the day off today as well!  Maddie was the only one who braved the snow today.  Wolfie and Maddie went out last night and I didn't get photos.  Such is life, I guess.

No New Years Resolutions...And a VERY Useful Book Reccomendation

So  this year I have no resolutions.  I just don't.  My plan is to live by my one little word; BALANCE.  Living by this word didn't start as of January 1...as many of you know I started about a week ago.  I've been reflecting on a lot of things, talking with Erik.  We are really examining our life and our goals.

Enter this new book I'm reading...

If you are an overwhelmed mom who thinks your home could use more help from the kiddos, this book is for you.  I heard about it from The Coffee Shop Blog.  Her post really spoke to me and made so. much. sense.  For some reason, I've felt like I needed to do everything around here....control issues anyone?  Anyhow, I've realized that I can't do it alone.  It only makes me upset, angry, and overwhelmed.  It just became so much easier to do things myself than argue with the kids to do it, or listen to their fighting about who got what out.

I also really think it leads to a future of entitlement.  If we think our kids deserve everything in the world and provide everything for them, then they expect that.  Then guess what, surprise...you're an adult and you don't get everything you want.  I think that's why we as Americans live out of budget, buy things to compete with everyone else.  I have always told my children that hard work pays off; that you have to work hard to get the things in life that you want.  I just don't think I've actually showed them how to be accountable and to appreciate things.  

Here are some of the quotes from the book that really made sense to me.

"Kids must do for the world and family; they must give to the world and family."

"TR (Theodore Roosevelt) would climb out of his grave, metaphorical big stick in hand and all thoughts of speaking softly abandoned, if he knew what we have done to this country that he and so many other determined leaders worked diligently to shape."

"When I catch myself muttering under my breath, "I told them to pick this up" and then proceeding not only to pick up pajamas, towels, and shoes but also to organize their closet while I am it, I'm solidifying my children's expectation that someone will always be around to do their work for them."

"I believe in you, and I'm going to prove it by putting you to work"

There are so many more quotes.  I'll let you read them for yourselves.  Really good book, and really enlightening.  I am so using the jar idea.

Have a good day!

Happy New Year...and a few Denver Pics

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
This is a day late, I guess.  Erik and I were out of town.  I gave Erik tickets to the Broncos v Chiefs game for Christmas.  I had to tell him earlier in the year so he could get the time off :(.  We spent our New Years in Denver.  We went out for dinner and Benihana and then back to our hotel.  We were in by 10 pm.

 Most Downtrodden Fan Ever

This is my favorite photo of the whole trip.  This guy actually wore Chiefs clothing to the game.  There was not one other Chiefs fan in the vicinity.  At the end of the game, I took his picture.  That is his friend mocking him in the background.  Downtrodden fan, as I call him, actually loved the picture, so I got his email address and sent him the picture.

 Peyton Manning! I just mostly took pictures of him during the game.  I just wished I'd brought my zoom lens.

 First Denver Drive of the game...Touchdown!

 More Manning

 Erik and I before the game.

 Erik and I at Benihana

 Erik and I before the game.

 Erik and I in downtown Denver at the 16th Street Mall.

And meanwhile, my parents and Erik's parents watched the kids.  My dad took my boys to my Grandma's house.  This is a picture with 8 of her Great Grandchildren.  I love this picture!  I love how they all sort of look alike too.

Happy New Year, Kids!  I'll post later with my Project Life Album for 2012...I've been a little busy trying to get everything picked up, washed, and put away!