Barefeet in High Heels

Mrs. P has been telling me for a while to cross...

#4. Learn more about my digital SLR and get good at taking pictures 

...off my 30 Before 30 list.  I didn't feel comfortable doing that until this past week.

Last Wednesday I used a Groupon and attended the McKay Photography Academy. 

The major objective of the night...get off "Auto" mode or "Running man"...crap...

A little background...since I've had my camera, I've been watching videos on Youtube trying to figure out the "Manual" mode on my camera.  Stupid videos didn't help.  I was completely lost and that darn "M" kept eluding me.

BUT...the McKay's were awesome and put it all into very simple and easy to follow terms.  I'll try to pass along the details...at least, how I understood them.

The McKay's explained that three elements, the ISO (image noise), aperture (depth of field or blurriness behind focus) and shutter speed (motion blur), all work together to create correct exposure.

It's all about the light.

Here's the easy to use steps:

1. Pick your ISO...start as low as possible (100) and go up as more light is needed.  But, start low and go back if you need more light with the other triangular elements. Why?  Because the higher the ISO the more "noise" will be in the picture.

2. Then, choose what you want and start with that as the second element. 

2a. Pick shutter speed if you want to stop action...For example: kids in a pool.

2b. Pick aperture if you want the focus highlighted more...For example: flags at a memorial.

3. Then, using your light meter, move the other element you didn't choose for #2 until everything lines up at "O" on your light meter...thus getting correct exposure.

Brilliant!  Right?  And super simple...sort of.

It's still taken some getting used to, and Auto is still easy when I'm trying to catch a "moment" with the kids.  Especially when it's something fun and a giggle, and my camera isn't set for the environment I'm in.

What do you think?  Any other tips and tricks you've learned?  Have you ever had an "aha" moment with your camera?  Share!  I'd love to hear them!!

Engineering Man gave me an ultimatum the other day...

"Pick one thing on your 30 before 30 and do it before the end of next month."

My first thought..."Crap." 

I'm not one of those people that procrastinate...somehow it's ingrained in me to get things done on time, or even early so I can have some "me" time before the next thing that comes up.  

I know...that Type A personality thing gets me every time.

Anyway...I picked on of the easy ones...#12: Crochet a hat.

It was even easier than I thought!

After some great advice from one of you...my super awesome blog readers...I hit the Internets for some youtube action.  And guess what I found??  Crochet Geek!  I'm in love.  Her stuff is awesome and she is a great teacher.  The hat?  Took me about 6 hours; start to finish.  The next will probably take closer to 4, just because there was a trial and error period for me.

Alright people...what do you think?  Something I should keep for myself or regift?

Engineering Man looks very sexy in it...

Sorry sweetheart...I'll take it down if you want me to.  You just have to ask...

The last time I had a drink of regular pop was December  31 as I sipped on the hubs' rum and coke.

So #27. Stop drinking non-diet pop...

has been officially crossed off from my 30 before 30 list.

Here's to more months of making the right choices!

...now...just to get to work on that whole running thing...UGH...

Sunday we are joining our new church in Texas.

To join the church, we've be asked to stand at the front of church and say what our favorite Bible passage is.

I thought this was the best time to break out my 5 Bible verses to help me improve...

Without further ado...another of my 30 before 30's...

...#30. Find and memorize 5 Bible verses to help me with my inadequacies.


"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." 

Matthew 6:34

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."  

Romans 8:28

"With God, all things are possible."  

Matthew 19:26

"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue."(v26)
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."(v30)
Proverbs 31: 10 - 31

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."
Psalm 31:24

The other night a girlfriend of mine...actually, Little Miss P's mommy...took me out to the local tennis court to knock one of my 30 before 30 things off my list.

I was a horrible student, but I did learn quite a lot about good form, and how to best hit the ball. 

After 30 minutes of lessons, we started to play a set. I won a few points, but only when I wasn't serving.  :{

Still need to work on that one...

This was my kitchen at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday.

(gotta love how well red translates to camera...ugh.)

This was my kitchen as of 8 p.m. Monday after only spending two hours painting.

 
Thanks Mrs. P!!!


oh...and p.s....

Wednesday night the basement storage room went from this...
















...to this...
















There are times when my organizational and "let's just get rid of crap" skills come in quite handy.  And my hubby is fairly amazing too.  :)