Growing up in SE Georgia, snow wasn’t something we saw very often, especially as far south as we lived (about an hour from the Georgia/Florida line). I guess that’s where my fascination with the white stuff started because it’s like they say, you want what you can’t have. When we moved to Calgary and I actually had to drive in it the first few times, my love affair with it slowly began to die. It was only after moving to Newfoundland late last year that “we” rekindled our relationship, which is slowly turning to a love-hate kind of thing.

We’ve had 3 really nice days in the last few weeks, where the sun actually made an appearance and the cold wind didn’t send me running back inside where it’s warm. We’ve had a few Winter storms in those few weeks as well, though I actually didn’t know we were under the Winter storm warnings because I just assumed this kind of weather (heavy snow and wind) was just normal around these parts. What do I know? Most of the snow I actually saw growing up was nestled on top of a cone. It’s currently impossible to walk in our front yard. Well, I guess you could but then you’d be scooping snow out of your britches (gasp, did I really type that word?). I must admit though, it’s absolutely beautiful when it falls and it makes for beautiful scenery. I just wish there wasn’t so much of it on the ground, so that I could actually venture out into the woods or down onto the rocky beach. Sadly I don’t think I’ll be having that wish granted anytime soon.

I started off doing that whole Project365 thing but because I can’t always get outdoors and there’s not much indoors that I find interesting, I’ve sort of slacked off. I do take a lot of pictures though, several days a week.

Fun times..

The sun shined so beautifully today. If it weren’t for the cold air tickling my cheeks, I would’ve thought it was Spring. Out I went. I bounced around my in laws land taking pictures of icicles and various things covered in snow. As I made my way back, I snapped a few shots of one of my pigtails, my eye and a snippet of myself in my father in laws truck mirror.

I took nearly 200 photos today. Of course many of those are repeats to make sure I got at least one great shot of each subject and a few were way out of focus, whoops. I’ll share the rest of the photos on flickr later.

We’ve been having some really gorgeous sunsets the last couple of nights. I’m so glad I decided to charge my battery yesterday because when the sun started to set, the sky turned so many gorgeous, vivid colors. Of course I darted out as fast as I could to take a few shots before they faded into the darkness of night.

This was the first thing I saw when I walked out of the back door and stepped onto the deck. It looks down to the northern part of the harbour, though this particular view isn’t the best.

Colleen and I decided to go out for pictures today. The sun actually popped through the clouds for about 2 hours. We figured today was the best day for the next few days because we’re expecting a couple of snow storms. We trucked over the bridge that crosses the brook behind their house and through 3 foot of snow (man was that cold) to take some of the pictures because the woods made for a perfect background. We had so much fun. Not just me.. WE. We’re going to do more tomorrow, though indoors.

Here’s one of the silly shots. That’s snow on her sleeve by the way. The wind picked up as we got out there and we happened to be standing under a tree just as a big gust whipped through. Needless to say we both wound up with snow on our heads. LOL

PS; Happy New Year everyone!

I was sort of out of the loop of this whole photography thing for a few months. That was because I didn’t have a decent camera to work with. Now that I’ve gotten my Olympus E500, I plan on diving right on back into.. and have. That’s not the point of this entry, however. A few days ago I found out about a really fun photography website that provides resources and allows you to browse galleries, forums and interact with other members. It’s called PhotographyCorner. This is a great place for beginners and seasoned pros. While browsing around, I also learned of their 2007 Photograph of the Year contest. This is their second year holding this contest, which features 12 sponsors (like SmugMug, PsPrint, ScanCafe and more). This part though, there are over $20,000 in prizes available (like gift certificates to sponsor sites, Visa gift card, camera bag and Lensbaby 3G, to name a few). Anyone can enter, which also means that anyone has a chance at winning.

If you would like to learn more about the contest, prizes, their sponsors, participate in other contests, interact in the forums or even read the Photography Corner Blog then you will just have to pay them a visit.

I’ve already bookmarked the site myself and plan on becoming a member myself, perhaps participating in the contests and just enjoying a fun new photography niche on the web!

I went out to take some more test shots with my camera. I’m finally getting a handle on the macro lens..thank goodness. I guess I was making everything more complicated than it really was or something because for the first day or so, I had some serious frustrations with not being able to focus properly. I guess most of that deals with the fact that you can’t use the LCD screen to take the photos, you have to use the viewfinder. I’d grown accustomed to using the LCD screen which sort of spoiled me. It’s taking some getting use to, that’s for sure but I’ve noticed that my focusing is becoming better with each shot. That’s a plus!

Here are a few more sample shots taken with the Zuiko 35mm macro lens today. These were taken just prior to me busting my butt on the black ice that’s formed on the driveway. Actually, it was more of a splitting motion than anything and while I was worried I’d hurt myself, when I realized I hadn’t I couldn’t stop laughing at myself. HAHA

I was browsing the web earlier today, just thumbing through some photography galleries when I stumbled onto a gallery that featured some pin-up style portraits. This is something I’ve always wanted to try - photographing someone dressed in that style. I love that style, especially when there are corsets involved. Corsets are really feminine and sexy and make for great photographs. I don’t know of anyone in this area that would be interested in letting me shoot them with this type of attire though. As much as I love the people here, they’re definitely not the most open minded folks I’ve ever met.

I’d say I’d just do self portraits like this but I just don’t think they’d turn out the same, plus I’m not sure I’d even look right in that style. lol

Hopefully I’ll have better luck when we move to a more populated area.

Before I took a 5 hour nap, which I just woke up from about 40 minutes ago, I decided to play around a bit with my camera. I knew it would take some time to learn the new camera, especially considering I’ve never used an Olympus before and never had THIS many options to tinker with but eep, I think it’s an understatement to say I’m a little intimidated at this point. LOL I’m uploading a second round of test photos but figured while I’m waiting for that, I’d share another test from first thing this morning. This is with the 35mm macro lens again, where I was focusing on a small golden colored flower on the bottom of a jewel on the Christmas wreath on the French door leading into the living room.

As frustrating as it may get when trying to learn to work this camera, I LOVE it. I can’t wait to learn other features and experiment with different lighting and subjects!

The package from my mom and sister hasn’t arrived yet but even so, I will do a short list of all the goodies “Santa” left for me this year. (LOL)

- Olympus Evolt E-500 (along with strap, memory card etc)
- Zuiko 14-45mm lens
- Zuiko 35mm macro lens
- A handbag to match my coat
- A new computer desk
- Hair Straightener
- Red hair dye (LOL)
- Oodles of bath products (gels, lotions, massage oils, sponges)
- Huge pedicure set (been wanting that for a long time)
- Home decor (kitty cat and Virgo candle, folk art Christmas tree statue)
- Shampoos and conditioners
- Money from my dad, grandpa and my mom

That’s all I can think of right now. Too tired to rummage back under the tree (where our gifts will rest for the next couple of days.. well, minus my camera of course).

Colleen (sister in law) woke us up the first time at 3:17am. We went back to sleep since Jo and I had only gone to bed an hour earlier! We were back up by 6:30am. After opening our gifts, I decided to start trying out my camera. I was actually getting sick to my stomach earlier though because I couldn’t get the macro lens to function. I sat there for about an hour tinkering with it and staring at it with an expression similar to this: o.O, haha. Finally after going over various sections in my manual I figured it out and started to play. Here’s an example photo, my first taken with the Zuiko 35mm macro lens. It’s of the garland around the entry way to the living room.

Now I must scoot out of here. I have delicious goodies to make for our Christmas dinner, which is in about 4 hours!

PS; I can’t wait to see what you all received!

It’s true! I finally broke down and bought a new camera. Actually, I have Jo to thank for it! It’s the Olympus e500, which seems to be really fabulous. As much as I would’ve liked to spend a little more on a fancy Nikon or Canon, I can’t at this particular time. Money is tight and we don’t have that kind of luxury right now but Jo wanted to get me a camera that was pretty amazing, that I’d be happy with. I read a lot of reviews on it and browsed tons of pictures taken with it before we mutually agreed on it. I also invested in a 35mm macro lens for it. It came with a 14-45mm lens, which seems to be fairly decent too.

This should help me get back into the swing of this photography thing. I hate “sharing” a camera with my mother in law, though I adore her for allowing me to use it when I have. I’m hoping we have it by Christmas, even though I promised to put it under the tree until Christmas morning (booo!!). Even so, I’ll be so happy to have it in my hands!