Our Five Ring Circus: The Perfect Shot

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Perfect Shot

I absolutely love taking pictures, and my beloved camera is my favorite possession! I am always on the quest for the perfect picture.

About two years ago, I started to shoot in manual mode. Then life got busy, and I began to just use my expensive camera in auto mode. Last year, while pregnant with Lily, my goal was to just shoot in manual mode all the time. However, I ended up so sick that I didn't really care how I took pictures...then Lily was born, and my life got even busier!

Recently, it struck me how ridiculous it was that I was letting my camera decide what kind of picture I took. One of the deciding factors was when I began noticing how off my colors were. A friend of mine had met Lily for the first time, and was shocked to discover that Lily had platinum blond hair! She had just assumed that Lily had reddish hair, thanks to the pictures I had shared of her!

I decided on that day that I would start using my camera as it was intended to be used! I read through my manual once again, and chose a day that was going to be my start date for shooting in manual mode as much as I could.

After just a few pictures, I wanted to kick myself for not doing it sooner! While I had taken plenty of good pictures in automatic mode, the ones taken in manual mode were so much better. On that first day, I managed to take one of my favorite pictures ever!

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I've been at it for a week now, and it's becoming so much easier. Obviously, the pictures with natural light are my favorites, but I'm even manually picking my settings indoors, with a flash. I don't have to think as much anymore when choosing the settings. A few days after I started shooting in manual, I switched my lens back to my 50 mm, which I hadn't used in ages. That lens alone has made a big difference!

What I love about photography is that it's a constant learning experience. There is always room for improvement, growth, and change!

I captured a few new favorites on my first day of shooting in manual mode. I even managed to capture Lily's real hair...a platinum blond mohawk! Perfect shots? Not technically. But definitely better, and there are some pictures I truly love.

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I've been having so much fun over the past week, and I have learned so much. I can't wait to start doing more!

21 comments:

  1. Great job! It's hard to make the switch, but once you do there is no turning back. I recommend a book called "Understanding Exposure". Can't remember the author's name, but it might be Brian something or another :)

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  2. Cute, cute pictures. I need to finally read my manual, or the DSLR for Dummies book that I bought. I've had my camera for over two years and I still shoot in auto. For shame.

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  3. I have been wanting to make the switch and yet, I can barely seem to take the time to take any pictures. Lately I default to my iPhone, which is convenient and takes nearly as good of pictures as my DSLR.

    But, you've inspired me to put it on my calendar! Great pictures!

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  4. Those are awesome! I love the one of Lily sucking her thumb:) I usually keep my camera in P mode. I really need to play around with it more though!

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  5. Precious! My next big purchase is a good camera. It makes such a difference!

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  6. Yes, good reminder. I try and shoot in manual as well but I don't know all the tricks and it doesn't come easy to me. Hopefully like you I'll learn along the way, because the pics are definitely worth it.

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  7. Those are some framers for sure! Great job!

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  8. So what kind of camera do you use? And what lens should a starter buy? I am so confused!

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  9. Your pictures have always been great!!

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  10. Beautiful pictures!!!

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  11. Beautiful pictures! I can't wait to get a good camera.

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  12. Love the pics! Great job! As said before, Lily is a Gerber baby. All of them have angelic faces. I love taking pics outside too. Inside is a pain trying to find the right lighting and what not. Im sure you have one, but I got one of those lens hoods for outside, which also helps a lot with those bright rays that sometimes drowns out the color. Take care.

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  13. They turned out fabulous! Ok, I'm inspired....to dig out my manual, gotta start somewhere right? Send me any easy tips and tricks you got, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to manual mode :)

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  14. You have some really nice photos here! I am with you, why have a serious camera if you aren't willing to shoot in manual. I only shoot in manual and it for sure forces you to learn.

    I am excited to be your newest blog follower!

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  15. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Such beautiful photos and children!!!

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  16. You have been capturing great photos and good thing you are still learning and honing your craft. Great job sissy! Wish I can do that myself too hehe

    have a great week! I so love Lily's hair!
    hugs,
    marice

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  17. Adorable pics as always. I am jealous of the 50mm and cannot wait to get one!

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  18. Darling pictures! I know it can be a learning curve leaving it on that "M" mode - but gosh it's a great feeling to see the result you were hoping for!

    And my 50/1.4? Is the one I broke and am still crying about, ha ha!

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