Sunday, October 25, 2009

I'm not a good photographer.

I'm a snapshot kinda gal. Point and shoot. I'm trying to get better, but I have a hard time playing with light and shadows. I really want a niiiiiiice camera, but I think the one I have is just fine. I'm pretty sure the problem is more me than the camera.

I see camera's all the time at the thrift stores, but I don't know what I'm looking for, so I don't ever get anything. Plus they don't have manuals. Not like I read the manual I have now anyway.

So, the end of August/beginning of September was pretty rough for me. I had a LOT going on, and was really, really stressed.

Remember this box?



I mentioned it a few posts back. Yeah, it takes me a while to get around to things sometimes.

Anyway.

So September, rough time, and -

Sara, over at Handy Hooker happened to be having a give away. And I won! I was beyond happy. Man, how I needed a pick me up.

And that box was filled with goodies!!

(here's the part where me being a bad photographer comes in)



I know, it's dark and blurry. I tried a couple times to get a better picture. It's been rainy and dark here (forEVER!) and despite a million windows in our house, we never really get a ton of sunshine inside anyway. I'm working on getting better lighting in the kitchen. Kevin doesn't think there's a problem with the kitchen lights. I think he's crazy.

Anyway - the goodies! SouleMama's new book, Handmade Home, which I had wanted so much! And some Burt's Bees - a skin/facial kind of pampering thing and an outdoor survival kit. I love burts bees. AND homemade strawberry jam. Nom. AND these awesome hand/arm warmer knit(crochet?) things.

Can I just tell you how many sweatshirts and sweaters I ruined in High School by putting thumb holes in them?! I tried to get a good picture of the arm warmers, but remember how I'm not good at photography? Yeah. Sara has some pictures of purple ones on her site. They are awesome and I love them!

I haven't actually made anything from the Handmade Home book (I know, so surprised at my procrastination, right?!) but I love, love, love just looking though it. She is such an inspiration to me. So many times I complain about there just not being time to craft. Yeah? She has 4 children. That she home schools. I have 2. I just need to make it more of a priority. Not only will it bless my family, but it's soothing for me.

Remember my One Pretty Thing Challenge (that I totally failed at?)

I'm bringing it back.

I have so many things that just get moved around and pushed aside. But just because something doesn't work once, doesn't mean that it won't ever work. I just need to keep trying. Keep moving. Keep the effort going. Like with knitting :D

7 comments:

Valkyrie said...

Aaawww, that's so cool you won all that great stuff!

I enjoy your pictures a lot--especially your outdoor pictures. They are beautiful. I know nothing about photography, I just know that you pictures make me smile. So, for me, they are awesome.

I wonder why it's so hard for us to make time to do the things that are good for us? I'm a procrastinator too. But why would we put off making ourselves happy? We should just do it. You're right that it doesn't just benefit you, it also benefits your family.

gardenofsimple said...

aw - thanks valk! I've been working on my pictures! I don't mind snapshots. I'm not looking for fancy photographer, but I really want to capture the FEEL of the moment in the picture, you know?

Marianna said...

I hear you on the pictures...I just finished reading Blogging for Bliss and honestly, I think it's a camera quality thing (at least that's what I'm telling myself!) One other good piece of advice in there was to not try to take whole scenes in a picture. Do little bits and pieces which are more interesting...I'm trying.

Lucky you for winning Amanda's book. It is very inspirational.

Marianna

Sara said...

LOL Great!!! So glad you are enjoying the goodies. Your pictures are good. I think you have the basic idea down, just keep playing with your camera. I used a point and shoot for years and was very happy with most of the pictures. It's all about practice practice practice.

And I did send you black ones! I couldn't remember what color I did. Wasn't the jam good?! I have at least one PBJ a week with that stuff.

I love the book too, but don't think I'm going to be doing any of her projects any time soon. I've got Christmas gifts to make!

kiki said...

Crystal - I have tried commenting on this blog several times, but for some reason it is not taking. This is my test comment!

kiki said...

Okay, I know how to do it now.

I am a snap and shoot person myself. I think it's great that you want to be a good photgrapher - you're a very creative person, so I know you will be.

Awesome about winning all that cool stuff!!!

gardenofsimple said...

kiki! I've missed you!