Note to Self: Relax: Life's A Dance

Sometimes I get a little up tight about the things in my life that are undone or about things I don't know how to do.  Tomorrow I have a Photographer's Meet Up and I was asked by a fellow photographer if I would share my textured art processing technique.  To tell you the truth, I'm a little shy and unsure of myself when it comes to these kind of things and didn't really want to share.  However, when I thought of his generosity and other photographers who have shared their photographic knowledge my thoughts then became I should give back.  So, I opened an image which happens to be the one above and started the process so I would know how to present it at the "Meet Up".  After I saved it in Photoshop and looked at the clock, five hours had passed.  Ah, time flies when your are creating art, having fun and doing what you love.  I never thought about my insecurities; I just danced my way along with the brushes and colors.

The Life is A Dance can you hear the song with its simple  lyrics roll along in the colors of this art? 

Life's a dance

You learn as you go-

Sometimes you lead

Sometimes you follow.

Don't worry 'bout what you don't know.

Life's a Dance

You learn as you go.

Request Info On How to Purchase this Print

ray of sunshine in blue bonnet fields

It looks large here but actually this is a small flower.  Took this shot on a trip to Brenham, Texas during Blue Bonnet season. Loved every minute of my trip! I thought the Blue Bonnet bokeh was so gorgeous! 

I also won Nik Software Complete Collection as one of the prizes for my winning entry for the ANPW contest.

I took this into Nik Complete and adjusted the contrast and color. 

Subtle Disposition

Sunflower in my Garden by Rhonda Holcomb Copyright 2010

I finally purchased Lightroom 2 and I have been learning how to use it.  This is an image taken in my garden.  I took it into Lightroom 2 and played with Clarity and to obtain a mood which felt to me as a "subtle" disposition.  Sunflowers are one of my favorite things to photograph...just looking at them makes me happy. :-)

Prizes and Pictures after attending ANPW

I won this book as a prize for the ANPW Contest

and loved it! I highly recommend it!
An image that I feel was taken as direct result of reading David's book.


I won this too and I never leave home without my Lensbaby!

ONE of My FAVORITE IMAGES Lensbaby The Composer for Canon EF mount Digital SLR Cameras

Life became busy, the computer crashed and I am probably changing directions...

So, as you can see I haven't been able to participate in Tarsa's challenge through this blog. My computer crashed right after I posted my blog. It took a while to get it fixed and then one thing in after another happened in my daily life and the "blog" was put on the back burner.
Although I haven't been blogging, I have been busily learning and taking pictures almost everyday. Right now, I'm not sure if the theme of the blog will follow Scott's challenge to Tarsa...but I'll let you what it is after I file my taxes.

I really have so much to share...so stay tuned...

Rhonda

Day One -Steady as we go

Page 33 from the Canon 50 D Manual

About the Lens Image Stabilizer

One thing I thought was humorous in the manual about Image Stabilizer was, "The Image Stabilizer may not be effective for excessive shaking such a on a rocking boat." This immediately made me sing, DON'T ROCK THE BOAT BABY. DON'T TIP THE BOAT OVER. Then I thought of the trusty tripod, which I don't particularly like but I always use when canoing. I have gotten terrific shots using a tripod and I know how important it is for a crisp, clear picture.

Although I know this, it is still my biggest area of weakness in photography. I don't like breaking out the tripod because it's so cumbersome. I like to be in the "moment" and a tripod makes me slow down and take time to think.

So, today I reluctantly pulled out the tripod and took it outside to the backyard for my picture of the day. I made sure that I turned off the IS on my lens and set up my shot. The sun had already begun to go behind a huge garage barn so the light wasn't that great. There is a lot of standing around waiting for the hummingbird to make an appearance and the light changes quickly so I chose to use Program Mode, setting my ISO to 500.


I've learned that when you use a tripod, it is best to turn off the IS on your lens.  This goes for panning shots with a tripod as well but don't forget to switch the IS back on after your done or you will have blurry shots.

I watched a video The Moment  It Clicks interview with Scott Kelby by PeachPit-based on book The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally's. He shared his inspirational story of  the moment it clicked for him and they showed photograph that he had taken near Emerald Bay. Fittingly, it was a beautiful shot of a boat in the bay shot at dusk.  He said that it is "All about the light" and the most important thing he had for the day was the tripod. 
So, I've decided that I have to become one with my tripod.  We have to become the best of friends if I want that loving feeling that you get whenever you satisfyingly look at picture and say, 'ahhh perfect.'
The Nugget of the Day:  BE picky & shine like a new penny.  
Theme Song of the Day-Steady As We Go by the Dave Matthews Band

Day One- I have accepted the challenge-so the adventure begins.

I am now in the BLOGosphere in response to a challenge made by Tasra Dawson (Author and TV Show Host of Real Women Scrap) inspired by Scott Bourne-Improve your photography 300% in 365 days.  I met Scott Bourne at a photography workshop held at Mount Rainier in which I had attended through my winning entry to the Aperture Nature Photography Workshop Contest.  Scott inspired me in many ways and you'll find out here in the upcoming days as we go along through my journey here. 

You can join Tasra and take the challenge along with me by going to her  blog. 
While you are there be sure to read the inspiration behind the challenge. 

Loving challenges like I do, I have accepted and now the adventure begins!
Hope you enjoy the ride!  :-)

DAY ONE
Setting up and posting a blog has been quite a challenge in its self.  I'll post again later today after I've read my manual, looked at other photographer's work, and taken a picture.