17 “What’s in the Camera?”

March 19, 2017August 20, 2022 / Donna Robinson Photography / 6 Comments

Confession time! My 365 photo challenge isn’t quite working out to a photo a day. That doesn’t mean the camera is just sitting over in a corner collecting dust. No, instead it just means that I haven’t been as purposeful with my photography as I had hoped to be. It’s not a bad thing because I still find myself always thinking about photography……always looking for a photo….always picking up the camera. And, to my husband’s dismay, ALWAYS schlepping my camera along!

Bottom line, the photographer in me is always looking for a photo…. a memory to capture each and every time I pick up the camera. And so, this afternoon when I downloaded the photos from my camera there were a total of 71 images from the past week. Some of these were from my last post (The Magic Lantern – “Faithful Picture Style Setting”) and others were just random moments (photos) that caught my eye. For those of you with even a sliver of an interest in photography can relate……it’s an obsession…..an instinct that draws you in.

As random as thoughts can be, so can the images on the memory card. It’s ok that there is no masterpiece photo. It’s ok that I don’t have one particular theme to share with you. It’s ok, because that random moment I took the photo it was all about a perspective…..a thought. It’s nothing more than a construction crane, but for some reason as it turned with the wind and the sun began to set it caught my eye, I snapped a few photos and stashed my camera away for the night.

So, what’s in your camera????

The Magic Lantern – “Faithful Picture Style Setting”

March 12, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 5 Comments

I stumbled on a new and fun camera setting today while taking photos of the daffodils that line the driveway of our condo. When I say “stumbled” I really mean “stumbled.” It’s a wet, damp and overcast day and while I thought it would help soften the bright yellow color of the blooms, I was struggling with getting just the right sharpness, light, color and contrast. I tweaked everything from the shutter speed to the aperture and the ISO to the exposure. I even tried multiple settings with the flash thinking that a little fill light would help. But, I just couldn’t get it right!

The flower details aren’t too bad, but overall it’s too dark. White Balance – Cloudy; TV 1/800; AV 6.3; ISO 500

With Flash -2 2/3;White Balance – Cloudy; TV 1/800; AV 6.3; ISO 500

With Flash -2 2/3;White Balance – Cloudy; TV 1/160 AV 8; ISO 400

So, I started digging into the other settings like white balance and picture style (bouncing back and forth between standard and landscape) and that’s when I found the “Faithful” setting. As I dug into it I realized that I could adjust the “sharpness,” “contrast,” “saturation” and “color tone.” Wow! I could actually adjust all four (4) in the camera instead of waiting to download and adjust in Photoshop!

Faithful- default settings; White Balance Auto; TV 1/200; AV 6.3; ISO 400

Faithful- sharpness 5; contrast 4; saturation -4; color tone -3; White Balance Auto; TV 1/200; AV 7.1; ISO 250

You can see with the photo on the right I took down the saturation and bumped up the contrast. The yellow wasn’t quite as vibrant as it was on the left, but there is a little more distinction between the pine straw and the green plant behind the blooms.

As I was wrapping up and heading back in I noticed a few tulips pushing up through the ground…….look at the details of the rain droplets I created by using the “Faithful” setting!

Faithful Settings: Sharpness 5; Contrast 2; Saturation 2; Color Tone -1; TV 1/200; AV 5.0; ISO 250; Auto White Balance

I guess you could argue that to be really precise it would be easier to do everything in Photoshop or LightRoom. But, how “magical” it is to be in control of the settings and the final piece of art while you’re experiencing the beauty you’re capturing?

Thoughts: “When Cardinals Appear”

March 5, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

We haven’t had much of a winter here in Atlanta. Some weeks the weather did manage to dip down into some very cold temps, but they were soon followed by mild, warm days. I think I only pulled out my heavy coat once. We even packed away the heavy comforter weeks ago as the cold winter nights have pretty much been non existent this year…….. and I’m ok with that!

But, somehow despite the warmer temps, Mother Nature still seems to own the timing for the emergence of Spring. It just doesn’t happen until she says it’s time. But, what she will do is give us little signs……a little bit of greenery on a brittle tree limb and tiny hints of color……..and then there are the birds!

As I peered around the corner the corner of our balcony towards the east side of the cemetery I spotted my favorite bird singing, calling to his mate. It was the Cardinal. I love this little guy…..he’s somewhat shy and tends to fly away just about the time I’m able to get my camera set up. But, today, he just sat there off in the distance, balancing himself on a thin, narrow branch…..singing to his heart’s content.

They say that when a Cardinal appears a loved one who has passed is visiting…..an angel watching over us. Perhaps, this is why he didn’t move and just sat there as I snapped away……finding comfort and peace in his cheerful, loving song.

“May you come to find comfort in and remember cardinals appear when angels are near.

So go now, sit outside and drink your tea.

Keep a look out for the little red bird — It is there, your loved one will be.” –Victoria McGovern (credit Our Wander Life )

Life In Black & White – “Back to the Sea”

February 26, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” John F. Kennedy

I love this quote because it pretty much sums up my thoughts as we sat by the ocean the other day watching the windsurfers, SUP surfers, birds gliding above and children giggling in the churning waves. Each trying to make their way “back to the sea” in an effort to find strength or conquer their fears.

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For me, it was about finding peace and solace in being “back with the sea.”

Pic of the Week – February 19, 2017

February 19, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

I was really struggling with finding the right topic or inspiration, today. We started out for a jeep ride and of course I had my camera in tow. There were plenty of sights, but none that were speaking to me.

When we came back in, I decided to switch gears and reverted back to working on another entry for my “Steeples I Have Chased” themes. As I found myself knee deep into photos and research, Michael signaled to me and pointed to the six string guitar we have hanging in the condo.

As the afternoon sun sets in the West, it tends to light up the condo from many angles, highlighting various objects. Some days we even have rainbows plastered across our walls.

I call this “Movement & Reflections.” At the right movement of the sun dropping in the West, it catches the strings of the guitar, reflecting off the wall. It’s simple, but unique as the setting sun that brought the highlights together.

P.S. That signature you see on the guitar?! That belongs to Jimmy Buffet…..

For the Love of Photography – Cuban Chicken Night

February 12, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

It seems that Social Media (I.e. Facebook) has caused a phenomenon of people taking photos of their food and posting it out there for friends to “ooh” and “ah” over. Whether it be a gigantic burrito at a favorite Mexican restaurant, or a colorful cocktail from a local watering hole, society is obsessed with taking pictures of food! But, one thing that drives me crazy is to see a post from a restaurant who is trying to entice you to come in for today’s soup special and it looks like……..well…..let’s just say something very unappetizing. They may have good intentions and I’m sure that the special is really good, but the photo is NOT going to entice me to try it!

And so, with that I’ve discovered a need (and desire) to expand my skills into food photography. I’ve always said cooking is an art, so why not try my hand at photographing food?!?

Which leads me to this past weekend when our good friends “JB” and “JB” (husband and wife) invited us over for dinner. The “JBs” love to cook, grill and fire up their smoker. Lucky for Michael and I we are often called upon to be the “taste testers.” It really isn’t a hard job….good food, good drinks, great conversations…..never have we been disappointed!

The menu for the evening was “Cuban Chicken, Black Beans & Rice.” Their method of preparation was a VERY fancy pressure cooker (not your mother’s stovetop pressure cooker with a whistle that blasted like a civil defense siren).

Stand back! She’s going to explode!

As the timer went off and the food rested, I pulled out my camera and flash and began snapping away.

First, the chicken…….

Then the yellow rice………

And, lastly……….the final plating with black beans garnished with a lime…..

And, what’s a great meal without a dog sitting nearby waiting for a morsel or two to drop?!

We’ve had countless “taste tests” at the “JBs” and this one did not disappoint. Not to mention, what a fun way to practice photography!

BON APPETIT!!!

Pic of the Week: February 5, 2017

February 5, 2017February 4, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / Leave a comment

I’m switching things up for this week’s pic by posting something from my archives. Not that I haven’t been taking photos every day, but because they’ve mostly been of the current moon phase and……….the Atlanta skyline. Don’t get me wrong, I have some pretty cool photos of both, but I’ve been feeling as though I need to vary the subject matter a bit.

The picture I chose is from last March during one of our weekend getaways to SSI Casa de Playa. Based on the time of day this was taken, I’m pretty sure we were out on one of our jeep rides.

Why I like this photo….the marshes were still brown and seemed to be absorbing the colors of the setting sun. I also love the reflection of the Egrets (and those other tiny birds) feeding in the mudflats. I call it “Serenity.”

Field Notes: Focal Length 370mm; Exposure Time 1/1000; Aperture F7.1; ISO 400; Time of Day 6:54p.m.

Pic of the Week: January 29, 2017

January 29, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 2 Comments

While this week’s pic may be the same view, The Atlanta Skyline, it’s different in the sense of it’s composition. One morning as I was getting dressed for work and I noticed the clouds were moving in a direction where they were letting in just enough sunlight forming a halo above the city. Many of the city lights were still glistening setting it up to be the perfect picture. I couldn’t resist stopping my morning routine long enough to take a few shots.

Field notes: Time of day 7:14a.m. Est; Focal Length: 135mm; ISO 3200; Aperture 4.5; f stop 5; Exposure Time 1/30 sec

Pic of the Week: January 22, 2017

January 22, 2017January 21, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 1 Comment

Wow! Who knew what fun it would lead to by doing a “Pic of the week!” Several of my friends and family over on Facebook really enjoyed the idea and want to join in. For me personally, I’m enjoying the daily challenge of taking a photo and practicing different techniques. Michael is even getting in on the action by recommending photos to take!

So here it is, this week’s Pic! I call this “Flying a Night.” For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that our condo has one of the most spectacular views of downtown, Atlanta. On a clear night you can see the planes lining up, landing and taking off.

For this photo I used a tri-pod and long exposure settings to accent the planes’ descending (the long streaks in the sky) and to bring out the Vinings Village lights in the foreground.

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“Flying at Night”

Field Settings: Time of night 7:45p.m.; Aperture f6/3; Time Value 30 seconds; Focal Length 32mm (I used my 24 – 105mm lens)

Pic of the Week: January 15, 2017

January 15, 2017January 14, 2017 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

One of my photography goals this year is to stay true to taking a photo every day. So far, I have lived up to it, even if there were days that all I did was grab the camera and take a photo (or 2 or 3) just for the sake of taking a photo!

And so, I start a new theme “Pic of the Week.” There will be no lengthy thoughts or words of wisdom……just one (or two) photo(s) for the week that I really like.

This week, I’m sharing the “Full Moon” which I took VERY early Friday (1/13) morning.

Why I like this photo: It’s crisp, sharp and mystical. Who doesn’t find themselves wishing on the moon?

Field Notes: f 5/6; Exposure 1/640; ISO 200; Focal Length 350mm (yes, I used the BIG lens) Time taken: 6:06a.m.