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.  

Turn Your Photography Into Art With Easy Canvas Prints

I was so tickled when Brendan from Easy Canvas Prints contacted me to see if I would be interested in writing a product review in exchange for a free canvas made up from one of my images.   All I had to do was pick a photograph that I would like to see printed up on canvas. It was surprising to me just how hard it was to decide, but here was my first choice -- a  winter scene overlooking the golf course right here in Sorrento. To me it felt like something that would translate well on canvas.

Unbeknownst to me, the resolution on the image was far too low for the size print I had chosen, but their Art Department caught it and contacted me right away to let me know.  I was so glad for this important checkpoint in their process!  However, that meant I needed to select another image.   I finally settled on one I had taken while we were out hiking one of our favorite trails in Acadia National Park -- the trail around Jordan Pond. 

Since I already had a frame in mind for my print, I chose the standard 3/4" thick canvas, but a really cool option is to have the image wrapped around a thicker 1-1/2" canvas which I think would look very artful.   I was delighted to discover that Easy Canvas Prints had an option to choose a custom size canvas too, as the size of my frame was not standard. The whole ordering process was so simple and everything is confirmed with you via email right away. I like that. They even notified me when my canvas was being shipped out, including an estimated delivery date along with tracking information, and I noted it came right on time in a  very sturdy and carefully wrapped package.  So here it is all framed and propped up on the ledge of our mantle ready to enjoy. 

What a kick to see one of my photographs on canvas!  It actually reminds me of a painting all framed up like that.  I love it.  Thanks Brendan, this is such a cool product and I would definitely recommend Easy Canvas Prints for their quality product and professional service. 



The image on the print is so sharp and clear, why it seems to have even caught the attention of some local wildlife too!

I've included a link to Easy Canvas Prints over on my sidebar so you can check them out too. So do you have a favorite image that you would like to see captured on canvas? I tell you, the hardest part for me was to choose my image, but the rest of the process was a breeze!