Happy birthday Becks...

My gorgeous "little" niece, Becky (front), is 11 today.  11???  When the heck did that happen?  It feels like just yesterday that she was a tiny little bundle that we all rushed to the hospital to go and see for the very first time.  11???  Wow!!  Time goes too quickly, as they say... 

Before I go on, I have to say that can't take any credit for these photos.  I nicked them off family facebook pages (thanks Josette, Justin and Tam) - my hard drive with all my pictures is non-functional at the moment, so I didn't have another option.

Becky as a teeny tot.  She's now way taller than me...

 A little crazy at times, but that just means she fits right in with the rest of us...

 She is very close to her big sister and it's refreshing to see the two of them enjoying each other's company.  Sure they irritate each other from time-to-time, but that's what sisters are for...

 Becky loves going cray fishing on Grandpa's boat...

She's passionate about her music...

 And is gifted on the violin - she recently (not that long ago, right) played in an Eisteddfod and out played all her peers, performing with university students...

 She can play the guitar too - her Auntie Tam's very good on the guitar...

 Becks is also very gifted in the water.  She has this picture up on her bedroom door, with the words "20/20 vision" - her goal is to swim in the Olympics one day.  And she can do it.  She's driven to out-perform herself and works SO hard to be her very best...

 And here's the proof that she really does do fantastically in the water!!  More recently, she swam in 10 races, got 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze - almost unbelievable...

And so, to Becks:  Happy, happy birthday, big girl!!  We are so proud of you and of how hard you work at your school, sport and music.  You are so talented and you are doing so well, keep it up!  You are beautiful inside and outside and we love your beautiful smile.  It has been so wonderful to be a part of you growing up.  Your love for life is contagious and we love your giggles and your cuddles!!  It's so special to see you almost every morning at school and I know Jake loves getting a hug from his big cousin in the morning.  We hope you have a very, very special day today, full of surprises and spoils.  You deserve it all, special girl!  We love you sooooo much!!

All our love,

Auntie Sue & Jake

XXX

Assignment 2.2...

The second part of this week's assignment was too shoot a still life.  Simple enough and probably one of the more boring aspects of photography.  Choose a portable subject and photograph it under different lighting conditions, using sunshine and reflectors/diffusers again.  UNFORTUNATELY, the sun was hiding behind the clouds the entire weekend and so I've been forced to leave it almost to the last moment.  The strawberries were my first I really like these strawberry photos, but it was very overcast and so the reflectors and diffusers served no purpose at all.  I also think they'd have looked nice wet, but I ate them, so I couldn't re-shoot.

I have a macro lens, which I really love, it lets me get in nice and close and pick up the tiniest details.

So, that was the strawberries.  Very pretty and colourful and I enjoyed taking the snaps outside on my old railway sleepers.

Sunday afternoon brought me a little sunshine, so I decided to try again with the only thing I could find at Marius's house - oranges (naartjies really) and lemons.  At the time, I wasn't quite clear on what was expected for the assignment, so would've done this differently if I'd known then what I know now.  The first is direct sunlight, which gives harder shadows along with the bright light...

I pulled the net curtain closed, it acted as a diffuser and softened both the light and shadows quite a lot...

Add in my white reflector to take away some more of the shadows...

And add in a gold reflector to warm the colours up a bit more...

I was happy with the results, but just felt like my pictures were boring.  I chatted to my lecturer briefly yesterday and was told that I needed to take pictures under different light conditions, using my reflectors and diffusers to best light my subject.

So, another subject was chosen and I headed out into the bright afternoon sun in my garden with my pretty orchid (thanks Marius).

This first picture is definitely my favourite.  The orchids were back lit by the sun and I used my reflector to shine light onto the front of the flowers too.  I also used my gold board, very slightly to just warm the light up a little.  I love the colours, especially against the grass...

Next, I tried side lighting and again added light with my reflector board and my gold sheet. I love how the colours in the center of the flower are now brighter and clearer...

This probably isn't my favourite and I think it's a little dark, but I want to submit something different

 This one too.  I think the green thing below the flower is a bit distracting, but just something different.  The first one is still my favourite...

 This last one was completely natural sunlight taken in my mom's garden... also one of my faves...

I also tried to re-shoot this photo yesterday...

But I didn't catch it at the same time of the day and so the light isn't as warm on the left.  This time I used my reflectors to add light to the right side of the picture.  I still really like the one above, but I think the one below is more what they're looking for...

 And this last one just melts my heart...

And that's it.  I'm printing far more than I need for tonight's class and I'll choose when I see them - 2 portraits and 4 still life's.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sue XXX

Assignment number 2.1...

 So this last week's assignment's been all about portrait and still life photography.  So, you think you can take a nice photo of someone, or something... try do an assignment with natural lighting, reflector boards (I used gold cardboard & a sheet of white polystyrene) and diffusers (tracing paper/net curtaining).  And find a compliant subject.  Hahahaha... not so simple!!  Fortunately, with a little bribery, Jake's a pretty good model and assistant.  This assignment cost me one fish and R20.00.  And I got pretty much what I needed.  Yes, he does get bored and frustrated and I irritate him beyond words, but it's all about the prize.  I am THRILLED with the way my pictures have turned out!!  Tomorrow night they will be pulled apart and criticised/complimented by my lecturer, but for today, I am beyond happy...

These first two pictures were completely with natural light.  I took them in my dad and mom's living room.  Unlike my house, theirs is full of light and between the window to Jake's right and the one behind him, I think there's enough light/shadow to give them a bit of mood.  It's all about the eyes and getting a little catch light in them, so they sparkle...

 The next lot of pictures were taken in my parent's main bedroom.  I put my tracing paper up on the window to soften the harsh afternoon sunshine a bit.  That helps eliminate some of the shadows...

 I am very biased, but my boy has beautiful eyes...

 Here's one without the diffuser, see how harsh those shadows are.  And Jake's eyes have gone from bright blue to greenish.  Oh my goodness though, how cute is that little chest and those biceps...

 While this isn't necessarily my favourite picture of Jake, it's using all the techniques we were taught for this assignment.  Jake looks tired and grumpy.  So, the diffuser (tracing paper) has been used to  soften those hard shadows, a reflector has been put up to add light onto the shadowed part of Jake's face and my gold board was used to give it some warmth.  I like the way the light shines in his eyes and off the hairs on the back of his head too...

 My next model was Michael.  He's always game for the limelight.  I took these pictures at Marius' house.  The weather was not great for pictures, but I managed to get a few nice ones.  The first two are him warming up...

 Heehehee - looks like his dad here...

 I really loved these pictures I got of him resting on the couch...

 And I've had a really tough time choosing which one is my favourite.  Love this one, but the fire is possibly a bit distracting...

 I love the light on this one, so a definite possibility... 

 And I really think this one might just be my favourite...

Last up was Cameron.  He doesn't really like the lime light and would prefer me NOT to take his photo at all.  Ever.  But the R20.00 was just too tempting and I think he was maybe a little jealous to see the pictures on my camera of Jake and Michael and none of him.  Unfortunately, I didn't do such a great job with his photos and I'll have to pay him another R20.00 to re-do them...  Love this one, but not enough light in his right eye and also a little blurred...

 This is a little better, but now I've cut his chin off...

 I cannot begin to tell you how bummed I am about cutting off his chin in just about every photo I have of him.  He's got the cutest dimples, just like his daddy...

  And this picture makes me laugh every time I see it.  Love it when he gives me eyebrows, it's too funny...

So, what do you think??  I am only supposed to take 2 photos to class tomorrow - which 2?  Drop me an anonymous comment if you prefer.  Do you hate them, or love them?  Help...please?

Sue XXX

Lazy sunny days...

 

 On Sunday, we had a little catch up at my mom and dad's house.  My sisters haven't really met Marius, so it was a good excuse for them to all spend a bit of time together.  The weather was perfect and we spent the afternoon in the garden, lazing in the warm winter sunshine.  Princess Bi arrived dressed to the nines, with beads and sunglasses, a flower in her hair and a baby under her arm.  Needless to say, she stole the show...

 Mommy's Prada sunnies are a little big though, but pushing them up again meant Bi could show off her shocking pink nails.  Little madam...

 She was very excited to see her Auntie Rosie and Uncle Gareth.  This girl's a flirt of note...

 Outside in the garden, Jake was helping my dad with the braai (BBQ).  We had the most delicious hamburgers for lunch...

 Jake's going through (still) a rough patch with Corky.  He just can't back down from a fight and takes everything very personally.  I'm trying to teach him the lesson of just "sucking it up", but it's quite a big lesson to learn when you're 9.  I'm still trying.  Fortunately, Jake loves to braai, so he spent a bit of time helping my dad get that going (yes, my son does have his hand in the braai) and then there was a movie for when they really got on each other's (and our) nerves...

 Duracell's been sick this week.  He's got kennel cough.  An expensive trip to the vet and anti-biotics are hopefully going to have him fit and healthy again soon...

 Bi is very sweet at the moment, even Jake has to admit it.  She's suddenly become super affectionate and is handing out hugs and kisses far more freely than she was just a few weeks ago.  She loves her big brother...

 I love this snap of the two of them...

 In other news, Corky's learnt how to ride his bike without fairy wheels.  He's VERY proud of himself and even brought his bike with to show us all how good he is...

 Go, Corky, GO...

 Hi Bi-bi.  She's decided she quite likes the camera...

 Corky and Bi's latest entertainment is dancing.  These two love to dance with one another...

 Bi copies everything Corky does...

 And she has a new found passion for ballet.  Jo might still end up with her little princess...

After a little melt down and a sulk, Jake was game for a quick picture with Nini.  I really like this picture of the two of them...

Bi realising that the salt and pepper flavoured chips were rather peppery...

 Corky loves Duracell, they're thinking of getting a little dog to keep snakes out their garden and I think Corky is very ready for being a pet owner.  Duracell loves all the attention he gets...

 Jake and Bi hiding out in the shade...

 I tried to get a nice one of Jo and Bi, but there was too much for Bi to do and she wouldn't sit still...

And, along with the photo assignment, that pretty much sums up the weekend.  It was perfect.

One thing that I've forgotten to mention here is that my nieces, Abi & Becky are doing so super well with their swimming.  They swam in a gala last weekend and both performed so well.  Becky swam in 10 events and got 10 medals!!  5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.  Abi has qualified for the SA Short Course Champs, so she's going nationals later in the year.  She's swimming seniors now too, so it means she'll really be up against our country's best.  These two are so dedicated to their swimming and their hard work is paying off.  I'm so proud of both of them, real superstars!!

Love,

Sue XXX