I keep reading more and more blogs mentioning their fun with digital photography. Tis the season, right? End of school year parties, summer outings, graduations, family vacations… it makes sense to me. People want to capture the memories and if the weather cooperates, you get some amazing pictures. Me, I’m a proud member of the momarazzi and don’t really depend on the season to try and improve my skills, I just keep dragging my DSLR everywhere, stuffed in my backpack with the diapers and wipes.

Straight out of the camera (SOOC)

Recently I got brave and asked for some help in trying to improve. First I asked a friend if I could use her as a model to take some maternity pictures. Then I asked another photography friend if I could borrow two of his lenses (aka glass) to just see what it would be like using them. My favorite, and the one I plan on purchasing next*, was the 50mm lens.

(SOOC)

The maternity photo shoot went really well and I used a variety of lenses, but really enjoyed using the 50mm. It gave some lyrical softness to my glowing subject (such is the glow of a pregnant woman) that I didn’t need to force in photoshop or picnik.**

Miss Zoot purchased one recently and she too is in love. Who can blame her? Being able to shoot in low light and get some awesome SOOC pictures is pretty seductive.

Here are is where I’ve been finding knowledge and inspiration lately:

Blurry backgrounds! – I finally figured out how to use the A setting on my camera!
One of my favorite lenses – another nudge to get that 50mm lens!
Sun Flare for beginners – I love sun flare.
Put Yourself Out There – I want to be brave and enter some contests.
Your Photo: Our Critique – I enjoy checking out these posts to learn more about what can make a good/ great photograph. I’m getting the nerve up to submit something.

What’s inspiring you?

*True story: I was about to purchase the 50mm lens when I got an email reminding me that I had a hosting bill to pay. The hosting bill to be able to keep this blog you are reading online. So, I opted to pay that instead. If anyone wants to be sweet and buy me the lens, I’d be happy to accept. Otherwise, I’m pinching pennies until I can.

**I didn’t ask for permission to post her picture on my blog, which is why you get a picture of Fuller instead.

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