Back to Using the DSLR

I spent a couple months just shooting with my phone. Crazy, but true. There's a freedom to shooting with the phone that I don't feel with my camera. But there's also a sloppiness that bugs me a bit. Plus editing on a phone is really hard. I have a few good apps, but nothing that really lets me do what I want.

Here are a few shots from my latest model sessions. I enjoyed them, maybe I'll set up a few more.

Instagram

OK, I admit, I'm addicted to this little program. I am taking pictures with my phone all the time. I actually have to charge the phone in the middle of the day because I am running down the battery.

It's funny how this app affected me. I didn't think it would, but I really like this opportunity to take artsy photos that don't have to live up to my technical standards - most of them have too much noise and are over sharpened, but they look good small!!

I actually bought Magic Hour so I could edit the photos better.

Here's my favorite of the bunch:

Here are others:

Instagram Weekend

Spent all weekend uploading pictures to Instagram. I was really getting a kick out of shooting with my Galaxy Nexus. That is until I upload the pictures to my computer and looked at them on the big screen. The pictures are not as clear as they look on a 4" screen. Not as clear at all. Put the third party apps help me get a better picture than the original camera app. With the super quick focus that is a part of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.2), I can't get a single image in focus. The third party apps use the traditional slower focus which really helps since I have shaky hands (great for a photographer!).

I guess if I stop looking at them on my computer, I will be happy with them. They give me a chance to be a little more artistic. I have to work with a new square format and I'm shooting all kinds of things that I never really shoot. Here are some of my favorites from this weekend. If you can't tell, I spent the weekend getting free mulch, working in the garden, and washing my car. Oh, and for the first time in years, I ate a pop tart.

Instagram on Android

Yesterday, Instagram was release for the Android. I downloaded it immediately. I played around with it and wondered what all the fuss was about. I mean the filters are OK, but I have more fun with Retro Camera (and the super slow focus in Retro Camera seems to work better on my Galaxy Nexus). But they say it's the community that's amazing. Since it's only been two days, I can't say much about that. Here's what I've uploaded so far.

I also played around with Magic Hour, the free version. I like that. This image I uploaded on Instagram, but I manipulated it in Magic Hour. You have a lot more control in Magic Hour. But it looks like the image is smaller in final size. That could be because I'm using the free version.

Retro Inspired

I'm often inspired by photos from different decades. This week, it's been the 50s and 60s.

Here's my tribute to the 50s. Deya is super cute in the scarf and cateye sunglasses I had lying around my house.

Here's my tribute to the 60s. Carolina is really working that wrap dress. Robin did the hair and makeup, she's magical with retro styling. She really has an eye for it.

More DC in Black and White

No snow this year. But we did have some flurries with a nice ice coating. Here's Arlington Cemetery in that wintry mix:

It's the first time that I have actually been to the Cemetery when the wreaths were out. It's pretty cool.

This is the first time I've seen the MLK Memorial. Also cool, but mobbed. Wow, lots of people there.

This mother and daughter caught my eye.

On my way back to car I stopped at my favorite of all the war memorials: the Korean Memorial. I think it's the larger than life field of statues that really get to me. The expression on each one moves me.

And no trip downtown is complete without stopping by the Albert Einstein statue. What I love about this one is that people climb all over it. I really like that you can interact with the statue and everybody does. I guess after a day of walking around memorials that you can't touch, one that you can is quite a treat.

The National Cathedral

Over two weeks ago, I took a friend from out of town to take some pictures at the Cathedral. It's a beautiful space and it's a great place to practice taking natural light shots because all you have is natural light to work with.

I went back today by myself. Mainly to light one of these:

But you can't help taking more pictures while you are there, it's such a beautiful place. Right now it's under construction because some of the spires fell down during the earthquake. If you look closely in this picture, you can see one missing:

I also love patterns and the cathedral is full of amazing patterns:

 

And while I don't tell many people this because there's nothing worse then being known as a cat lady, I like cats and I thought this was a pretty interesting column topper:

There's something for everyone at the National Cathedral. I'm always surprised when I hear a local tell me that they have never been there. If you haven't, go now.

First Photo Shoot of the New Year

Well, I thought I should get off my butt and go on a photo walk. I wish I would have done it yesterday when it was 60 degrees instead of today when it didn't even hit 40. But what can you do?

Here's a few macro shots that I took at Teddy Roosevelt park. It's my favorite park in the DC area.

Happy New Year! I hope your year is full of great pictures.