running

I really love running. In fact, most people use the word "runner" to describe me. On Saturday, after getting back from 9.75 miles with some friends, I headed with my camera to the Nearly Naked Mile to support some other friends. I was so happy I had my camera with me, because if I can't run, taking pictures is my next favorite thing to do!

I had seen some really great pictures after the New York City Marathon last year, as well as some spectacular ones from the Army Ten Miler this year. And I really wanted to try to get some images that were "good race shots" as well as some that make you feel what it's like to race. Basically, I did a lot of what the hired photographers there were doing (so that's good - I looked like I knew what I was doing!) and a lot of experimentation. While loading the pictures onto my computer this morning, I realized some of my mistakes and can't wait to try again.

Here's a quick preview of what I took though!

Alex at his football match!

I needed an escape a couple of weekends ago, after getting the news that my uncle had passed away. My friend Sonia was watching her son, Alex play football just down the road from my house, so I grabbed my camera and invited myself along. Poor Alex then had to put up with me taking photos of him during the break and after the match. Though he seemed like he didn't want his picture taken when I asked him to smile, he certainly was more than happy to show off with the ball when the match was over.

That's one of the things about kids, they really want to please adults, you just have to wait them out and work on their terms. I really enjoy taking pictures of children. They are actually my favorite subject! But I can see how they might intimidate some photographers. My best suggestion would be to just start taking pictures of kids being kids, and maybe after a few minutes ask for very simple things. Like "hold still and look at me, please" or "can I get a silly face?" Most of the time after a silly face, you get a really great, genuine smile!

apple picking and the broccoli prom

Two weekends ago I went apple picking with a bunch of friends, organized (and all linked together) by Annie. I mentioned going to my mom and she offered to bake me an apple pie. I called her from the farm and told her I didn't plan on bringing home any apples unless she wanted some. She said "don't worry about it, just take pictures and have fun." Funny, I hadn't mentioned that I had brought my camera with me ;) Guess my mom knows me too well!

Lucky for me, it was a cloudy day - which makes midday, outdoor photos a lot easier! It was pretty much just me snapping some pictures while we all goofed around. On the way, Kevin and I had been joking about how romantic broccoli picking would be... Only to discover everyone else had made the same joke on the way there. Then Etienne and Annie posed for some "broccoli prom" pictures. It was a great day at the farm!

I don't need no stinking model

I am still practicing and developing my style, as far as photography goes. Sometimes I am the only one around when inspiration strikes me. That was the case when I took these. I had just finished taking my outfit shots for the day when I still wanted to play with my camera and work on taking some portraits.

I had just read 101 Portrait Photography Tips on Improve Photography and wanted to practice a couple of them. Here are the tips that I had in mind while I was shooting these selfies:

• 7. Over Expose
• 16. When shooting in poor mid-day lighting, have the subject face away from the sun.
• 30. Crank that aperture for full-body portraits. (okay, so I always do this for my Reston Style shots, but I played with it a bit here too!)
• 37. Fill the frame.
• 43. Be yourself and shoot what you love. (I'm kidding here, I was just the only one around during lunch)
• 63. Get a hair light. (though I am not sure I really succeeded in this one, I did try again the next day though! Maybe those will make it up here too...)