I am taking Karen Russell’s photography class, and this week’s lessons and assignments are about composition.  I usually feel composition is one of my strong points, but I’ve discovered that I rely on cropping in post-processing to achieve good composition.  Today I completed both my class assignments with the help of my grandbabies- and it was challenging.  All our assignments are to be uploaded straight out of camera- no editing. Yikes!

This morning I had my model, Miles, sit on the floor and play with my iPhone, while I took photos of him from different viewpoints.  Here are some of my favorites (all of which have been edited, because I don’t have the no editing rule on this blog- whew!).

In the afternoon, we took the kids to Giggles, Miles’s favorite place.  One of my homework assignments was to take photos on a family outing- and of course use good compositional techniques while doing so.  Since I photographed Miles this morning, I concentrated on Henry, an unbelievably fast moving target. Catching him in my viewfinder was pretty difficult.  I’m exhausted!

At 5:30, I read the topic for today- Dutch Angle, which means a photo taken at an angle. Miles was especially cooperative and gave me 5 minutes in Papa’s office chair to snap some photos.  I used my flash- and most of these are SOOC- or almost- a rarity for me.

 

For Henry, happiness is riding a merry-go-round for the first time. . .

and loading a wheelbarrow up with rocks!

 

Happiness for Miles is dyeing Easter eggs!

Happiness is having two little boys to love!

So far this morning we have just been hanging out. Miles helped Papa clean the deck and re-hang the bird feeder.  Henry explored every room, especially all the stairs.

Here is Miles playing with a gift bag after checking out his new clothes.

And here he is again watching his beloved Thomas the Train.

Miles playing with his fishing pole game.

Henry enjoying his milk (and tortellinis).