Bounce Flash Tutorial

Don't you wish that I had said something cuter in the post title like "tute" cause "abreves" are "totes" cool right now? You are following the wrong blog if that is the case. 

Yes, yes, every once in a while I will break out my cutesy talk but that usually happens when I am trying to get something from Brian ( innocently of course ). In my long sabbatical of no photos this year, my external flash battery died. "Not a problem" you say? Totes a problem. (hehe just kidding) I do not know where my charger for this thing is. And it wasn't even the correct flash for the camera I have. I need to suck it up and buy a new one. "WHHHAAATTT??!!!" say you...I know, right?! Because I HATE flash more than life itself. Its ugly and fake and natural light is so much more beautiful and soft and perfect. So flash can die and I avoid it like the plague. However....there are rare occasions when it is needed. But when those times come, I usually end up not even taking a picture, that's how much I hate it :) Sorry flash, no offense but you're ugly. But I digress...

Well I thought I would share a little "secret" if you will for those of you who have been stricken with the perils of not owning such external flash, or your flash has flashed its last flash. What is my secret pray tell? 

INDEX CARDS. 

(I use two stacked together)

Used in the following way:

(You will need to cut slits in the card so that it stays attached to the camera, you will see the thin metal pieces that it needs to fit into)

"Peas and carrots, peas and carrots, whisper whisper, what did she say?"

Yes my friends. And it is very simple. 

Now I should warn you that this method will only work with a DSLR style camera so if you have a point and shoot, I do not know of such methods to help with the crappy flash, but I may research and find out for you. 

"Stop talking!!"

"Show us some pictures!!"

Well, ok!

Below is a photo taken with direct flash:

EEEWWWW gross! See all the nasty shadows and harsh light? 

"But Kristyn, don't we want mood and shadows in our photos" NOT like that, I say!

Well here we have a subtle change using our index card bounce flash method:

See how much gentler and softer the lighting is? SO much better! Probably should have taken the lighter out of the photos. By the way, do you LOVE my ginger jar? After finding the last one in existence at TJ Maxx and graciously offering it to my Mama who desperately wanted one as well, I searched high and low for another (both here in VA and NC, my sweet sister-in-law has even been on the hunt for one). All that to say, my mom gave me hers and it happily sits in my foyer. However, Z Gallerie has one for sale in their store for $100. Oh, you don't want to spend $100 on an urn? Me neither.

Here's another angle:

Boo!

And with the index card bounce flash:

Yay!!

See? Easy-cheesy! And you too will be taking beautiful photos with stupid flash :-)

Any questions? Just leave them in the comments. 

And here is an artsy photo for those of you who have the munchies.

Can You Hear The Giant Sigh I Just Did? Gave? Said?

**Can I just add that I am super irritated with this layout. Everything has gone to hell...



So...this is how I feel about blogging again. Like the face? Don't get me wrong, I love it and it's fun. But seriously...there is so much pressure to do it...and EVERYONE is doing a blog. But it makes sense when they have something to share. Families growing, crafts, beauty blogs. Love them all. B.U.T. I often feel like my posts are lacking. And I get frustrated with Blogspot...(any suggestions on an easy website to transfer to?)

The uploading of the photos backwards makes me crazy....and the fact that my photos get uploaded and it screws them up. SO I have decided that my post today will contain pictures I have not even edited. These were taken in Alaska. My fabulous Aunt Bobbi invited B and I to go with her and MaryEllen to ALASKA. It was awesome! And so beautiful! The wildlife was crazy and I won a photo contest on our cruise! But enjoy these and also be thinking of a better blogging website I can use...a free one that has great templates and allows me to upload my photo larger that 1"x 2".

Iceberg, dead ahead!

That lady's face is funny. 

The awesome group! It was so fun and B and I even participated in one of those "Marriage Games" where you have to go onstage and be embarrassed. We won second place against a couple who have been married for over 60 years. The losing couple had been married for 30. We rock.




This concludes my post. It was ok. But don't go crazy on me and start the "You need to blog again, it's been 4 days!" While my sarcasm is heavy today, I also understand how you feel. I myself find that when my favorite beauty guru doesn't update me on the hottest lipcolor for fall, I get a little cranky. So look forward to better, deeper and more entertaining blogs to come.

I should come up with some cheesy sign off.... thoughts? Ideas?

A Visit From The Healy's

While Amanda is living on the east coast until November, she is spending her first half at the in-law's house and then she will be staying with us. Even though she isn't with us yet we have been able to visit with her and the babies a few times. It has been so fun to spend time with her and the kiddies! They are so sweet and really smiley. Despite the fact that they were sick this week, we still managed to have some fun.

Mark had to take a little nap break because he was so tuckered out! I couldn't resist this picture:

But then the resulting shutter noise woke him up, woops!

Gianna loves her Word World show.

Apparently she LOVES hummus, she stuck her face right in it!

I can't wait to get even more fun pictures of them!

California, Here We Come

I've already posted all of my pictures from my trip to San Diego but I thought I would share some of my favorites. I have a ton from the beach that I will do a separate post on because those pictures are gorgeous and the babies look adorable! Enjoy these great shots!

Look at that attitude!!

Model in the making:

I love this! He is bouncing right out of the shot
Alisa was such a trooper the whole week and was GREAT with the kiddies! Thanks for coming with me :)

What in the hail?

It's 1:41 in the morning, I'm wide awake, still on California time, and its POURING outside, which reminded me of the insane hail storm we had last week. Luckily, I was able to run and grab my camera to take a few pictures. I'll be honest, I was a little bit concerned about how this weather would affect my car sitting outside, exposed to the elements, but she is a trooper and pulled through without a scratch.

The hail started out as small pea sized guys, but then I think it's confidence grew and so did it's size. Can you see the rainbow in the last picture? It was gorgeous! Here's hoping the weather improves! Maybe I'll go back to the west coast. Goodnight!!

Little Favor

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note to ask you all a favor. My soon to be nephew Trey is in a competition to see who the cutest kiddo is. He is currently racing for 1st place and we need all the votes that we can get! I would so much appreciate it if you could go to the link below, and vote for Trey (he is #32). You can vote until April 15th! If nothing else, take a look at the photographers page. She is based in Charlotte, NC but she does beautiful work and has done a majority of the pictures of Laurie, Doug and Trey. Thank you so much! And please pass this along to all of your friends!

http://snookysmilesphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/victorias-cute-kiddo-contestants-north.html

April Critters

I suppose there are certain personality types that are animal lovers. People tell me that I have this type of personality but I am NOT the animal lover that they hope for. And it all started with this puppy:

Look at the attitude she is giving me! This is my family's dog Leisle (Yes, from The Sound of Music) I have never met a dog that hated me more than this dog hates me. In fact, the other day she was following me around while I was getting ready, I was thinking that she wanted to spend some quality time together. But 15 minutes later, I walk into my room and she left me a not-so-nice gift on my freshly vacuumed carpet!! What the heck??!! What dog is that evil and vindictive? Clearly I'm still upset about it. But this picture ignited the idea of gathering my Spring pictures of all the little creatures that come out for the warm weather.

I have to admit, this ladybug is super cute!!

I am heading into DC today to get some pictures in the city while the cherry blossoms are in bloom so come back soon to check those out!

Have a great Easter weekend!

Cherry Blossoms 1.0

These were taken in my front yard. We have some beautiful cherry blossoms that are in full bloom. This weekend I will be heading to DC to take more pictures at the Cherry Blossom Festival. Stay tuned...

And Then The Rain Comes

As I was outside taking pictures yesterday, this pigeon kept "coo-ing" at me, as if he wanted his picture taken. And he did really well, he let me take a few shots, then when he felt like he was done with the photo shoot, he flew away. I love that part of spring, hearing birds outside the window. Unless its one of those mornings when the most obnoxious bird in the world chirps for a good 2 hours at 6 am on a Saturday.

What I was really trying to shoot was the rain storm rolling in. I can ALWAYS see it coming in at this same spot and I love it. Because I can't really see behind all the houses and trees, the storm tries to be sneaky. Is it weird that I am personifying everything on this post?

I love it so much when it rains. I love shooting in the rain. It adds a new element and dimension to life. And it always represents a washing within myself. I think this time around, I am wanting to wash the desire of man's praise, specifically towards my blog and photography. I talked about this for a long time with some friends last night and Jake pointed out the fact that its the Lord's praise that is the best kind of praise! And part of that is hearing how my photos really impact people. Not simply that they like my pictures or they think I'm a good photographer, but that the pictures "speak" to them.

Does that sound completely ridiculous?? Its OK if it does. I want to become more willing to share what's on my heart and what the Lord is speaking to me. For so long I have been afraid to share my feelings and heart because it has backfired before. But I am again willing to be open with people. This post may be a bit scatter-brained but hopefully I was able to get across what I was trying to say!

Spring Time Is Nature's Way Of Saying "Let's Party!"

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens

It has been an entire month since I have done any real photography. Life has been busy, my heart has been screaming for Springs arrival, and I have had no inspiration.

The Dickens quote is a perfect, concise explanation of the two picture below. Both taken of the same thing (a BEAUTIFUL orchid that Heather got for me), but one taken in the light of summer and one in the winter shade. And that is really how it feels today!

I have nothing inspiring from myheart to give you with this post. Maybe someone who reads it will have their own inspiration to add. If this is the case, feel free to share it!