'Yo, yo...

I am Ma-cho!'

So after my last post, I got a little grief from Tim saying that Jace is going to hate me for those pictures when he grows up. Apparently they were a little on the fruity side (for heavens sake, I even titled that storyboard 'citrus'). No, seriously, Tim is not being critical of my picture taking, in fact he really loves that I do this! But, well, let's face it- I do tend to go overboard with the props- if I get that green umbrella out one more time I am afraid Jace will turn into Mary Poppins! So the other day, I decided to turn him into GI Joe instead!

Can I just say how much I love Gap Kids? Seriously, my all time favorite store- I could buy everything in that store! There is nothing I love more than a baby or little boy dressed up like a trendy little man! So cute! So last week, we were in Gap Kids and I found this awesome Jacket for $3.97! Another thing I love about that store- once and a while you find clearance 'treasures'. And I am such a bargain shopper- I can't resist telling people when I find a great deal. It gives me such a rush- I bet I get it from my mom (and all my sisters no doubt!) So the next day I had to test out the jacket! I had to laugh- he really looked like a little ARMY man! But I love the shots I got. When I opened some of these up and started editing them, they made my heart skip a beat. I love that I caught so many classic Jace expressions! BTW, the black and white will soon grace my mantel, I think. I just love that shot- I know the head/ear chop is not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it!

Jace is seriously such a character! He drives me CRAZY much of the time, but gosh he is funny! When I was taking these, I had Jace sit under a tree where the light was good and he was totally bored and not into taking pictures. And I am running out of tricks (the 'booger-monster-on-my-camera' bit doesn't work anymore). So I started making faces at Jace to get him to look at me, and what does he do? He makes faces back! I was dieing over some of the faces he was giving me- click on the storyboard to see them closer! Check out his cross eyes- cracks me up! And gotta love the Goldfish stuck in his teeth! Then we went over to another tree, and I got that shot of his one eye peeking up under his hat. I knew I loved it when I took it and wanted to get him to look at me like that again, so I said "Hey Jace, peek up at me from under your hat with one eye". And that is exactly what he did- only differently than I envisioned! Made me laugh though, because he was concentrating so hard to do what I said.

There is one of Ethan for you too- check out those eyes! It is amazing how blue they can get in certain light! I swear I didn't do anything to them other than my standard photoshoping. They almost look freaky though. Maybe I should desaturate them? I have really been neglecting Ethan lately when it comes to pictures! He is just too fast for me now- as soon as he sees my camera, he tries to grab my lens. The last time I tried to take him outside for pictures, I had him on a blanket out on our lovely mulch and as soon as I set him down, he lunged forward and ate a bunch of bark! Maybe tomorrow I will try taking some of him on our driveway (after I sweep the acorns off so he won't eat those).

Also, how does the color on these look? I bought Jinky's Itty Bitty Actions a few weeks ago, and I am really learning to love them. At first, I wasn't sure if I liked them, but I am starting to learn how to use them and I love the pop they give. I am trying to really step out of my comfort zone and try different editing styles. I am really loving the Jinky-type style lately- BTW, anyone who hasn't seen her website, you must see it! It is THE CUTEST website I have ever seen- seriously worth the time to check it out. Copy paste jinkyart.com and go see it. It's funny though because when I was editing these pics in PS, I was thinking the colors were so bright and wild, but looking at them now, they seem kind of dull. I hate how that happens, when you think something looks great then you come back to it and it is just blah. I do that all the time!

Anyways, I will spare you all and stop talking! I really need to give a 'family' update soon- all I ever seem to talk about is pictures (gosh, I'm OBSESSED!)! But I will do that next time!

Take care everyone!

~Mandy

Color...

Just a few from playing with my new lens today. I am having way too much fun with this lens- I should really be editing client pictures right now! But I want to be sure I have this lens down before I use it on clients (learned from my mistake of using my 35 lens on a client before practicing with it- Yikes!)

Anyways, yesterday I showed Tim some pictures I had taken of Jace and he said "Can't you take some pictures with their shirts ON?" So, this is for you Tim! And I love the color in these- so citrus-y- makes me thirsty! It is my farewell to summer, as fall approaches!

And check out his eyes in the first shot- just to show you how sharp this lens is. You can see the pretty blue sky and our neighbors house (and maybe me) in them! It was such a beautiful day here!

Thanks for lookin'- I have lots more to come!

Wearing the pants...

I found these as I was sorting through the photos on my hard drive trying to get organized. I took these a little over a month ago. One day Jace came into me one day while I was at the computer and said, "Look, Mom, I am wearing your pants!" I laughed so hard when I saw him, taking little bitty steps holding the waist of my pants high up under his armpits, trying not to trip on them! I had to grab my camera (and of course take him over to my window so I had enough light!)

Did a little experimenting with some texture-vintage treatment on the first. I am no master at this technique, and I am sure it is not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it anyways. First I messed with the Color balance to make it slightly green, then desaturated it a bit. Then I overlayed it with three different textures (pictures of my mulch, my sidewalk, and tree bark) then set them at about 10% opacity, and erased the face back in a bit. Then did a little more messing with saturation, and color balance. Voila!

Speaking of texture, you must check out one of my favorite new photographers that I discovered a few months ago (apparently he is totally famous and has been for a while- won lots and lots of awards at WPPI a year ago or so) Anyways, he is a wedding photog and his name is Jesh DeRox (copy and past jeshderox.com into your browser to see his awesome website and awesome music!) I just love his stuff- he takes his wedding photography to a totally new level- pure ART! Awesome stuff!

Anyways, lots more to come- I got my new lens yesterday and I am IN LOVE!! How on earth did I live without this lens! It is SUPER sharp and so far produces AMAZING color and bokeh- I can't wait to show you some great shots of Jace! So check back soon!

Take care everyone!

Silhouette

I took these of Jace and Ethan a few weeks ago, but just got around to editing them and thought they were sweet, even though they didn't turn out completely how I envisioned. I love the lighting that comes in from our sliding glass door and how it just shines off of our wood floor.

Well, ever since I have gotten into photography, I am seriously UNABLE to just snap a shot without setting it up meticulously first. It is a bit ridiculous, actually, and sometimes it even drives me crazy (not to mention Tim and my poor, picked on kids!). So let me just tell you how my mind worked in creating this shot so you can see how crazy I am...

First, I saw the light there and the image of Jace and Ethan in a fond embrace silhouetted against the window popped into my head. So, with a rush of excitement, I completely moved our dining room table and chairs to a different room so I could get way back to the edge of the floor and capture their reflection in our shiny floor. Then I saw the dried up macaroni and cheese from yesterdays lunch along with some other unknown crumbs all over under the table, so of course I then had to sweep and spot mop. Then I noticed the floor vent up against the window and for heaven sake, I couldn't have that ruin the shot, so I got our bathroom rug and placed it over the vent (taking care to center it, of course). Then I had to arrange the curtains so they parted gently (and symmetrically) with that nice curved slope, which was hard because they didn't want to stay. Then got the camera and metered the shot. Phew!

Now the hard part- the kids. I don't know what it is with me, but I almost ALWAYS prefer to have Jace and Ethan shirtless in pictures. So, I stripped Ethan down to a diaper and sat him on the rug. Took Jace's shirt off and asked him to sit down by Ethan because "we are going to take the coolest picture and it will be SO fun and when we are all done you can have a cookie!" (works every time!) Then went back to my spot, and shot away (while occasionally saying "don't touch the curtain, Jace... Jace, give Ethan a kiss... no not like that, on the top of his head... Here, let me show you... Jace, PLEASE don't touch the curtain!... Ethan, don't such on your toes[stupid, i know, as he can't understand me]...Jace, kiss him again... again, a little slower... Careful, you are hurting him...")

Exhausting, I know! And all for just a few shots! But before you all think I abuse my children with my relentless picture taking tactics, just look at that first shot- isn't it cute? Of course it isn't quite what I envisioned and there are some imperfections (the bar running down the center, the curtains aren't 'perfectly' symmetrical, and Ethan is a little too hunched over), but I love it anyway! Definitely wouldn't have turned out as well without all that work! I just hope Jace and Ethan don't start having nightmares of me coming after them with my camera!

Hope you enjoyed! Look for some more soon as my lens arrives today- WOOHOOOOO!

Building an arsenal...

*disclaimer- this post may bore the heck out of anyone not interested in photography equipment!

With that out of the way, I am excited to introduce the soon-to-be newest member of Mandy Carroll Photography- the AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens! Wooohooo- I am excited about this one!

As many of you know, I have been agonizing over getting a new camera. I originally wanted to upgrade and get a backup camera before our trip to the beach and thought I had decided on sticking with Nikon and getting a D200. But thanks to some last minute advice (thank you Jaron Bushman!) to HOLD off on getting my new camera (and thanks to B&H for not having the d200 in stock!), I waited. And I am so glad that I did! I got back from vacation to hear that Nikon announced their new D3 and D300! I am so flipping excited! Check out this link to see the new D3 in action (just listen to the first few seconds, as it is in spanish or italian or something):

http://www.nikonistas.com/digital/viewer-videos.php?IDN=879

Sounds like a friggin shotgun- I seriously started drooling when I saw that! It gives me the shivers and makes me choke up- seriously! I am so excited- though I doubt the $5000+ D3 will be in my budget (maybe next year?). But I am counting on the D300 being the camera for me this fall- it is set to come out in November so I have to wait a bit longer (hold on, little D70, hold on for me a little longer!)

But since I have been dying to burn some of this money I have saved up for equipment upgrade, I figured I would add another Prime lens to my line up. I can see myself turning into a total gear junkie- I seriously have been carying my B&H catalog(which I refer to as my Photography Bible) around everywhere I go. I am actually growing attached to it- I look at it just for fun (does that strike anyone else as being a little sad?)! Tim has to put his foot down when I try to bring it to bed with me (okay, I am totally kidding on that one!). Anyways, I like to think that once I have the new camera, the 60mm 2.8 Macro, and the 17-55 f2.8 lens, I will be satisfied. But somehow I doubt it (because there is also the 135 f2, the 24-70...)! Good thing I have a hard time spending money or I would be in real trouble!

I just ordered the 85 from b&h so I will have my eyes glued out the window for Mr. UPS all week next week! Look for some awesome, creamy-bokeh shots to come! I can't wait!

*If you made it that far, congratulations! I am sure it was torture for you!