Oh, happy day! My friend, Kathryn got her braces off yesterday! Now that she is rid of the braces, she no longer looks thirteen- maybe twenty-five. Looking good, Kathryn! Bring on the caramels, popcorn, and gum!
Day 14- Heart Ladies
Our Heart Math group has some amazing people in it! Today Vicki asked me to take a photo of her with our leader, Toni, and her good friends, Janet and Carolyn. All of these wonderful women are inspirations to me- I learn so much just being in their presence.
Vicki had no idea who she was dealing with when she asked me to snap a photo with her little point and shoot (which takes wonderful photos). I pulled out my big camera and started talking about settings and finding the light- she might think twice next time!
Group shots- yikes! I should have used a smaller aperture (I used f/4)- didn’t I say that with Grady’s photo???? This is why I need to practice!
I like the first photo best- spontaneous and heart-filled, just like these beautiful women! The second is a more formal portrait, and I like that one too.
Day 12- It’s Grady!
I’ve redeemed myself today by asking Grady, who has colored my hair for more than ten years, if I could take his picture. I hadn’t planned on this, but my intention to photograph PEOPLE plus the opportunity to do so collided at the hair salon- so I took the chance.
He is kind of a hottie!
Here is a serious pose.
And here is my favorite shot- Grady being Grady! I love candid images- I want to do more of this type of shot.
All were taken with my 35mm 1.8- f/2, 1/160, ISO 2000- no flash (didn’t bring it). I think a slightly smaller aperture would have helped my focus.
Day 3- People!
I am keeping to my 2012 goal of photographing more people. My friend Renata volunteered her whole family as guinea pigs for my attempts at fill flash! Taking the photos was fun. Deciding what and how to edit, less so- too many decisions! Anyway, it was a learning experience, and there are a few photos that they actually like- so woo hoo!
They are a pretty good-looking bunch, aren’t they?
Day 291- Photography at Sunset
My friend and fellow photoblogger, Carol came to spend the day with me. After a day of laughter and talk, Carol, my husband, and I went out for dinner and some sunset photography. My instant fave is this image of Carol photographing the Carquinez Bridge.
Day 190- A Fun Day
Photography. . . lunch at the tea room . . . Blue Ridge! What a perfect day!
Today, my friend, Nevin came over for a photography lesson. She is planning to make the switch soon from a point and shoot to a DSLR, so I was teaching her about the exposure triangle, depth of field, and general rules of composition. It was fun to watch someone get excited about photography- she is in the same place I was just one year ago.
Afterward we had a delicious lunch at the Camellia Tea Room (I had the salad sampler- YUM!) and then browsed in an antique store. We spotted some beautiful Blue Ridge plates, which Nevin bought me as a thank you! What a fun day!
f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 400, 35mm
Day 187- Birthday Girl
Today I had the delightful experience of being part of an 89th birthday celebration for my friend, Nevin’s Aunt Lorna, who is the matriarch of her family. We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, eating, and swimming at the family ranch- what a wonderful experience to be in the company of this witty and charming woman!
Day 152- A New Grandma!
My good friend, Georgia, became a grandma a little less than 3 weeks ago- and today she brought her new grand-baby (and his mama) to my house for a Rapunzel get-together. Georgia was the last in our group to become a grandma, and her biological grandma clock has been ticking loudly for quite awhile! She is beyond happy, and Baby Trent is obviously quite content in her arms!
Day 124- Brunch
My Rapunzel group was scheduled to meet for coffee today. A day or two ago, Georgia offered her house (instead of the usual coffee shop), and a quick potluck brunch was organized. With our group, impromptu events like these always end up with more food than you could imagine, and it is always delicious. Georgia’s garden is glorious- packed with dozens of types of flowers, all in bloom. We sat outside and talked and laughed and talked and laughed. A wonderful time with dear friends!
I chose a photo of Jan’s scrumptious scones for my photo of the day.
Day 45- Arizona Highways
We celebrated Valentines Day with our good friends, Debbie and Dale, starting with a HUGE breakfast at the Lone Spur Cafe.
We then drove to Jerome, a historic mining town perched on the mountain overlooking THIS:
I think those are the San Francisco Peaks in the distance- looking towards Flagstaff.
Day 44- Sunsets and Kitties!
Our visit to Prescott gave me the opportunity to photograph something I don’t have the opportunity for at home- KITTIES!
First we have cute 8 month old Charlie . . .
And then we have Beautiful Phoebe!
On the way home from dinner tonight we spotted this beautiful sunset, so, when we pulled into the driveway, I had to run in to get the camera. It almost looks like the forest was on fire!
Day 41- Camera Class
My first camera workshop- woo hoo! My college roommate and I met today for a camera workshop- both beginner and intermediate. I am happy to report that the beginner one was probably too easy for us (we both got our cameras last summer). I did a learn a new (to me) focusing method. Focus by depressing the shutter halfway, then flick the switch to manual on the lens and recompose and keep shooting until you are finished or the subject moves. We practiced on each other- so here are some focused and recomposed photos of my friend, Carol (the last one was shot separately).
I found this method a little difficult and can get the same results focusing, recomposing, and locking the focus by holding down the AF-L button. It was fun taking this class with my friend- although we did get in trouble once for talking in class!
Day 19- Rapunzels
Today I had lunch with a very special group of women- the Rapunzels. We have been friends and a support group for each other since we met in a parenting class with our first babies. Thirty-six years later we are still meeting- at least once a month! We held each others’ hands during potty training, the terrible twos, births of more babies, school adjustments, the teenage years, moves, divorce, illness, and the death of our beloved member, Vicki. And now we are moving into retirement years- and grandmotherhood! I am very blessed to have these wonderful women in my life!
And why are we called the Rapunzels? Well, in our years of being stay-at-home moms, we started meeting at night WITHOUT our children so we could let our hair down!
melinda anderson photography 