Sunday, November 20, 2011

Manual Labor

Has it really been 3 weeks since I last posted?  Since then, I have been out practicing with my camera. It was finally time for me to take the big plunge and convince myself that moving that little dial on my camera to Manual mode would provide me with a new challenge that would be good for me.  So I did it.  And I was frustrated for a while, but determined to get past it, promising myself that I could go back to the Auto mode if it still didn't "click" for me after giving it a week.
             
What I found, was that I am lazy about reading and all that information about ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed and trying to figure out how they all relate to each other was almost too much for me.  Yet somehow,  I got past it and found my own unique way of playing with my settings until I was able to capture a picture I was proud of.  And you know, that felt really good.  So I continued.  Below is a shot of the fountain over in Bar Harbor where I became fascinated with the droplets of water. 



Okay, I went a little overboard with my fascination of the water and shot two more of that same fountain. 



I realize these aren't really that interesting, but my need to document it, is so I can look back on them in the future and hopefully see improvement. 


My attempt to capture something in motion  (for practice, just in case I panic when I spot an eagle and want to revert back to Auto mode).



Or just in case we have a really big storm, I need to practice my timing of the crashing waves too. 



I want it all to become second nature to me. 




And someday,  I hope to capture the way the setting sun sometimes fills up the cabin of a lobster boat and makes it look like it's on fire. 




But for now, thanks so much for indulging me with my new found interest.  I have lots to learn and work on, but I can't help but feel a sense of freedom of taking that first step away from relying on my camera's Auto setting.  

17 comments:

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

your cliks are awesome...hats off..
Am still struggling with my SLR to move from auto mode..;)
Tasty Appetite

joanne said...

I'm so proud of you!! You did it and you did a great job of figuring things out. I really must take the plunge...*sigh*..what can I say?

Jill said...

You've done a fantastic job! Keep it up. Love all of your photos.

Rain said...

Ok Lili-you've impressed me with just first photo! But that didnt take much -since I'm very turned off to all the big words on those cameras! Love to take pics though-so someday........beautiful shots!!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Wow - impressive. The droplets just shine - and that seagull - fabulous! I might just have to venture into that sort of trials with my new camera too.

Heather Baird said...

You are well on your way! Gorgeous photos. That first one is so well composed!

Unknown said...

that is so great Lili! i used to shoot in auto until i took a photography class online (Karen Russell) a few years back. it really gave me a lot of confidence. have fun!! xo susan

jennyfreckles said...

Ah, you sound a bit like me. I'm determined to master it but the info won't stay in my head. Sometimes I'll get things right but then I tend to forget to reset the camera for a new subject. Got lots of pics of two street performers - the background was in focus but not them! Part of me says why have a fancy camera with auto if you don't use it?... but I still want to master the dials. I've always thought you take great photos anyway - and your pictures have joy and passion in them that comes from you and not your camera.

Heaven's Walk said...

lol! You sound like alot of us, Lili. We want to learn and step outside our comfort zone....and try it for a while....but that comfort zone is so.....comfortable! lolol! Either way, you took some gorgeous photos! :)

xoxo laurie

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

Hi Leah, Not bad . . . looking good from here. You go girl . . your pics are always "too pretty". Have fun. Blessings, Sandy:O)

Completely Coastal said...

I've felt overwhelmed by technical stuff so many times..., but you breathe and just take it step by step... and it's all good. Glad you got the hang of it. Looking great!!

Low Tide High Style said...

It is liberating to turn that dial off of auto isn't it?! Your photos are beautiful!

Kat :)

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Lili-
I've been missing you! I see that you have been having great fun with your camera- your photos are truly beautiful. I've no doubt that you will master all the right techniques. Your pictures are always lovely- I think you have a great camera eye.

I'm wishing you and Henri a splendid Thanksgiving -- I know ( that you know) that you are so very blessed.

xoxo
Vicki

Crown of Beauty said...

Welcome back to blog land Lili!

what lovely photographs you have taken, they really are professional looking! I can just imagine that you will be having a photo exhibit in your area featuring your work, or personalized cards made from your own photos.

Love
Lidia

Julie said...

SO glad to see some posts! Yay the photographer kind...I LOVE to see your photographs Lili. And you are about as professional as they come as far as I can tell by their awesome features and beauty you capture. I hate "reading all the details too!!!" but coming to blogs where people are explainging using a camera is really helpful...so I'm always all ears. Your photos here are gorgeous. Thanks so much for including us in your "learning". Maine is a lovely state...Stay Warm!!! hugs. **I think the fountain pics were VERY interesting! :-)

Privet and Holly said...

It's been nearly a year
since I began taking it
all apart ~ ISO, SS & AP,
but I've fallen back on
lazy habits and pretty
much shoot on aperture
priority, most of the time.
I have been craving more
education and perhaps,
inspired by YOU, what I
really need is to just take
a few hours and PLAY
with different settings.
We are so lucky that with
digital, we get instant
feedback! Remember when
we had to take our film to
a drugstore and wait a
week for the prints to come
back? Now THAT would make
for a much longer learning
curve : ) !! Thanks for giving
me a little push, Lili!

xx Suzanne

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Great job - love the water droplets. I love auto but am also learning to do some manual shots too - seems I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, why do I expect I can focus and do manual settings at the same time? LOL With practice I'm sure it will become more second nature.