You just have to get out there...

I've realized there is no better way to improve my photography skills than just getting out there and taking pictures.  I have been spending a lot of time on Google+ because of the great interaction I find there.  Also, it has attracted a lot of photographers and I find viewing their posts spurs my interest in photography.  The one thing I notice from all those great people is that they are out using their camera everyday.  For some of them it is their job, but I don't think that is what motivates them.  For most I think it is a desire to create and express themselves.

I have noticed a change in how I see the world.  I find myself looking for that interesting image I can capture with my camera.  I am seeing them everywhere.  I don't always have the time to stop and take the picture but I try to bookmark the location in my mind so I can come back to it later.  I have started bringing my camera with me when I leave the house.  It is in the seat next to me as I drive to work.  I bring it into my office, 'just in case...'  I'm sure sooner or later someone at work will ask my to leave it in the car.

So, last Friday, rather then go out to lunch I decided to drive up the road to the town park.  It was windy and overcast but the sun was fighting its way through the clouds.  I walked around the park looking for anything that caught my eye.  Here is what I found:

I'm still learning and have a long way to go, but I'm having fun doing it and I guess that is all that really matters.

More Photography

I signed up for Google+ a few months ago while it was still in beta preview.  I was able to wrangle an invite from a cousin-in-law.  I was interesting and different with a few nice features, but what did I need another social network for, I was already on FB, Twitter, ...  Then I found the photographers!

I do have to give Google+ some credit. I think their photo sharing is top notch.  As a result of this I believe photographers and visual artists have flocked to the service in huge waves.  Anyway, I started 'circling' a few photographers and as they mentioned others I circled them too if their photos were to my liking.  My list continues to grow everyday and I find more talented people sharing their creative output on G+.

Another funny thing happened...  my interest in photography, already starting to grow, took a big leap forward. Maybe it is the result of seeing all the incredible images and maybe it is due to this themed photo day that is happening on G+.  I dipped my toe in last week when it was 'Waterfall Wednesday'.  I was hooked.  'Flower Friday' was next and then 'Sunset Saturday'.  Yesterday was 'Macro Monday', which was a form I never saw much interest in before.  I have found this type of photography to be a lot of fun.  I see opportunities everywhere and I find myself thinking up settings to try.

Take a look at some of my latest pics...

Still playing but I think getting better...

I'm trying to be a sponge by reading a lot of stuff about photography.  Trouble is I think the sponge has too many holes to hold anything.  I'll keep going though.  Sooner or later something has to stick.

I know working with non-RAW image files from my point & shoot camera will not yield the same type of pictures as I have been admiring on the web but the experience of playing with the different software is worth it.  I do not want to over do the HDR image but I think it is very cool at making the images 'pop' under the right circumstance.  Here is another exposure I played with...

Today while I was reading through the posts on Google+ I came across a picture by Tom Bricker of the Dumbo attraction at Disney.  I believe he was going for a sense of movement with the static foreground and the blur of the Dumbo vehicles in the background.  While sitting in my garage cooking dinner on the grill I had an idea to do something similar.  It was raining out and as the cars passed by the cloud of rain that followed them was interesting.  Here is my attempt...

The other aspect of photography that I a learning is very important is the post processing on your images.  I downloaded a trial copy of Adobe Lightroom to see what I can do and to determine if it is one of the tools I should have.  My first couple of attempts were not that successful, but I think these two pics turned out OK.

And yes, taking pics from around my house, the clouds are a favorite subject.  I thought the two above were interesting.  I hope I didn't ruin them but 'adjusting' them...

Post Processing

I've been reading online again...  never sure if that is a good or bad thing.

This time it was about post production on photographs.  Who knew?  I also went with the pictures that came out of the camera.  Oh, I might have done a little cropping here, or simple adjustments there, but never any serious work on my pictures.  I think it will be cheaper to go back to school so I can get the student discount for some of this software!  But for now I'm playing with the trial versions to get a feel for the process.  I definitely need some tutorials or a book to help me out.

The one big name that keeps popping up on the websites I have been visiting is Adobe Photoshop.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the big boy just yet, partly due to only having a point & shoot camera that saves JPEG files.  I have downloaded the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 program.  Seems very easy to use (once I understand all the options).  I have 30 days to see what it (or I) can do.  After that I need to find a student who can buy it for me... lol.

Here is my first post production image.  Not sure what I was going for or what I accomplished, but it was fun playing around with the software.

Here is another...

Photography

I've started playing with my digital camera.  I have always enjoyed taking pictures and as my wife can attest I do a pretty good job filling up the memory card when we are on vacation.  I have always used a point and shoot camera never giving much thought to what else could be done.  I found myself recently being marveled by pictures people have taken at Disney World.  Being the 'fan' that I am there are quite a few sites and podcasts that I listen to and the topic of photography has popped up on quite a few of them recently.  I guess it sparked an interest...

Here are some of my 'playing around' images:

I started reading Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, which has my head swimming but has also increased my interest.  I'm sure it will take a couple of readings before it all sinks in but I think it will make a difference.  My next step is to invest in a different camera.  I was going to say better but my 'little' camera does a really good job and by understanding how to truly use it I have taken some very cool pics (IMHO!).  What I would like to do is get a camera that allows me more control and options.  Still investigating and learning, so for now I'll keep playing around with the camera I have.

inFamous 2

inFamous 2 was as good as I hoped.  I finished my first play through on Sunday.  I ended up playing the first game twice to experience both side of the story.  I finished the first play of the second game as the hero and I'm currently working through again as a thug.

The improvement to the visuals was amazing.  I'm always impressed with the look of current games as long as it doesn't hold the game play back.  That really didn't happen with this game.  There were still a few control issues and hiccups but it really didn't affect my enjoyment.  At times it was like playing through a movie.  I really liked the addition of a few extra characters.  They added to the story but didn't complicate it too much.

Overall, both games are a lot of fun!  I'd be interested in another Sucker Punch game if it looks as good visually and is as unique...

inFamous

 

I finished inFamous on Thursday night.  Great game!  I don't usually play shooters but this game had a story that kept me interested and after the past few games which definitely had more of a shooter feel to them this game was not that hard for me to play.  I would like to think it is because I am getting better at playing this style of game but I know that is far from the truth.  I was definitely helped out by the amount of save points and checkpoints throughout the game.  I also got the impression that the game took pity on me after a few failed attempts at a particularly difficult battle, it felt like it eased up on me.  I'm not complaining, I would rather have it do that and keep me playing then beat up on me until I walk away.

I think I am becoming a fan of the open-world design.  Being able to run around a big city, investigating or just looking for 'baddies' to beat up on was great fun.  It allowed me to slow down the game at times and get more comfortable with new items/powers and try to improve on controlling my character.  It was also really cool just to see the city.  The designers put a lot of effort into the look of the play field and I enjoyed exploring.

The first time through the game I chose to be the 'Hero' maybe I should play the game again going for the 'Infamous' title.  Might be fun to be bad the second time around.  

I have a few other games I should probably finish before I go off and buy inFamous 2 but I bet I'm playing it before the week is over.  It will be good to see where the story goes...