Everyday Chill... Everyday Frill » photography

share your vacation photos… real time.

thea — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 01:04:57 +0000

While researching more about rv repair on the ipod, I received an email from my SIL recommending another app. She knows me very well and that I love taking photos and have no shame post processing them. And most people who know my interest also know I’ve been wanting to try lomography for the longest time. It’s just that I have no budget for it yet. Plus thinking of all the effort and EQ needed (patience to wait, I think you need to have 5 rolls of film before you can have them scanned to a CD at digiprint) makes me want to procrastinate even longer.

Anyway, as I was saying, er, typing/sharing, my SIL recommended a new app. It’s called Leme Camera. All I can say is, it is one amazing app! It has 9 “lomo” cams including my favorites: their version of the action sampler, super sampler and fisheye.

It works like Instagram where you share your photos with your friends. But what I do is also share the saved photos to my IG. I also use their photo editor Leme Leme (from the same developer).

Coolness!

makeshift studio?

thea — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:46:57 +0000

Now that the family is growing, it inspires me to use a little corner in the house as our makeshift “studio”. I’m thinking to use blankets or bed sheets as backdrop, and buy some good lighting. The hudson valley lighting would be able to give the warm look that I want. That, or I could just borrow studio equipment from my husband’s uncle once in a while, who has a makeshift studio in his house himself. Not a bad idea, huh?

and we’re rolling…

thea — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:05:45 +0000

I’ve been reading digital camcorder reviews. I can just buy an SLR though with video recording features. Don’t get me wrong, I love our current SLR and would rather splurge on some lenses. Yes I’m dreaming of not just one but 2 lenses. But reality kicks in, I know I will have to make do with the lenses that I have.

But let’s face it, a camcorder (as opposed to an SLR with recording features) is much better when travelling, or for school programs. Trust me, because whatever you do, you will never, as a mom, be as ready as you have wanted to be.

the so-called vacation lens

thea — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:36:23 +0000

While throwing in the best under eye cream to our luggage for our family trip, it accidentally hit my kits lens. I realized I had been bringing too much of a camera for a vacation. I bring a DSLR with its kit lens and 50mm, and a digicam for wider range. Well, for one, a vacation is supposed to be relaxing. And carrying too much stuff is no relaxing at all.

No wonder most photographers, who are on a vacation, and just want to have fun with family (or friends), just bring their 18-200mm lens. Makes perfect sense.

taking pictures of your jewelry

thea — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:34:07 +0000

I use to wonder why jewelry magazine always showcase their pieces of loose diamonds on a black felt-like materials. When I started learning about photography, I realized jewelry is one of the most difficult to photograph.

They say it’s like taking pictures of mirrors. You avoid the light (from the flash) to be reflected and at the same time, avoid a reflection of yourself to be photographed. Thus, jewelry photographers make use of a light box.

Above all, and like any other photography, a good knowledge of lighting is a good start. I found a very good page on this to get one started.

How high should your camera be for portrait shots?

thea — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:54:01 +0000

The old practice is to position the camera on eye level for close-ups (shoulder shots). While for whole body shots, on waist level.

I’m no expert but I’m about to share what have been the practice of more “adventurous” type of photographers.

For people who wants to look slim on their photos, the camera man should position himself from above making the subject look up to him. You could place it on high tv stands or use a ladder. This has been the favorite shots of teenagers using their mobile phones.

For celebrities (e.g. politicians), you would always want to position the camera a little below the subject’s eyeline. Some even dare to position the camera below the subject’s waistline. This is to make the one viewing the photo “look up” to the one on the photo.

Moreover, you can experiment different places of your camera to achieve creative shots. Happy shooting!

he’s just not into it.

thea — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:32:32 +0000

My husband is so lucky! He visited the palace and cathedral in Krakow. I was so envious! I love taking pictures of structures and what’s better than palaces and cathedrals? His officemates were just happy to take pictures with their digital cameras. And I was equally glad that my husband, who’s just too uninterested to take pictures, took some! Still, I know he would have taken better photos with our SLR, which in his opinion was too heavy and bulky for his trip. Wasn’t that just a little price to pay for high definition photos? Oh well. He wouldn’t understand. He’s just not into it.

wishing well

thea — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:37:27 +0000

Our team was the organizer for this year’s offsite. But I wasn’t able to join them when they had the ocular inspection of the place. I had to renew our auto insurance that day.

I was just told to bring a mosquito repellant lotion for our stay. So in my mind, I knew the place will be full of trees and grass. Perfect for picture taking. Just look at this wishing well.

Oops, I didn’t notice the bottle there. Did you?

difficult lighting

thea — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:50:14 +0000

While shopping around Hong Kong, I saw some interesting items like an old Mickey Mouse (as in the black and white version Mickey Mouse) luggage, or a Toy Story themed car seats and other auto accessories. It seems that Disney merchandise are not only available inside Disneyland but around Hong Kong.

Anyway, while we were in Disneyland, I had difficulty with my camera settings, because it was either gloomy or too sunny.

We had the mistake of standing in a place where we watch the parade against the sunlight. So either the photos are up front but washed out.

Or I wait for the subject to pass me by for the perfect lighting. Like this one, all I see is its behind.

favorite subject

thea — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:41:54 +0000

My mom, who had been observing me every time we meet them for dinner, once asked me why I take pictures of lamps and ceiling fans. She’s probably wondering what relevance I find in inanimate objects. I could not give a good answer. All I know is I like to.

Not to mention, they are much more “behave” and manageable than people as subjects.

Photographers with toddlers will definitely agree.