PHOTO CREATURES
Home tour! Just kidding! I’m just working on my picture taking skills. Although I really should do a real home tour one of these days. The only problem is that I don’t want to share it until it’s perfect and I don’t think it will be perfect until i’m at least 50….and by then, i’m not sure if I will even have a blog anymore (…but I digress!). I think i’ve used my camera more in the last two months than I have in the last 2 years. Largely due to this project, but also because of my year’s goal of becoming a better photographer. I feel funny even calling myself that. We’ll go with picture taker, or moment capturer. I’m more comfortable with that. If any of you guys have been a reader for a little while, you know i’ve been on a journey of getting to know my camera a little better this year. Sam got me a DSLR 3 years ago for Christmas, and up until a few months ago, the setting never changed from auto (gasp!). For a while, I didn’t mind. But the more I blogged, the more I realized the importance of quality images. And once I had Rylee, the game changed completely and I was all the more motivated to learn how to take a good photo. I got tired of relying on other people to capture the images I essentially wanted to be able to capture myself. Is anyone with me on this? …it was just a matter of taking the time to learn the fundamentals of photography. I was clueless. And not to mention overwhelmed at the thought of even learning. But only a few months in to ditching auto mode and shooting manual, I am realizing what a difference it makes! Same camera, way better photos! I still have so much to learn, but I am totally loving the process. I’ve realized you don’t need the best camera or the fanciest lens to take a great photo, you just need to know how to best utilize the capabilities of the camera you do have. Of course, nice equipment helps…but my point is, if you understand the fundamentals, you can capture images you can be proud of.
What I wanted to share with you today is the workshop that kickstarted my journey….in case any of you are local to San Diego, and in the same place I was a few months ago and looking some guidance on where to start. It was a workshop by Photo Creatures called Amazing Photos in a Snap : An intro to taking better photos. My mom actually forwarded me the link to a beginner’s class that she discovered through Amazon Local…and it seemed like just what I was looking for. We actually ended up going together! (this is how basic it is, people…no offense mom!) haha. I really can’t say enough good things about the class. The intimidation I felt before going was quickly diminished when I realized most of the students were on the same level that I was. The class was all about the fundamentals. Getting to know the way your camera works and understanding how to create the proper exposure using shutter speed, aperture and ISO. It may sound like gibberish (it did to me too)…..but take this class and those three words will make all the difference in your photos! On auto mode, your camera is playing a guessing game. But shooting manual allows you to have full control over your exposure. Probably the most exciting part of the workshop for me was understanding aperture, which controls the depth of field. You know that sharp foreground focus and blurred out background that looks so amazing in photos? Yep, that’s a shallow depth of field….meaning a larger aperture (but a lower number on your camera!). Gibberish again? This post might help. The class goes into all of this in much greater detail…with a wonderfully patient instructor helping you along! I can’t recommend it enough.
Photo Creatures has generously offered all of my readers 50% off their intro workshop or a single walkabout! Woohoo! Such an amazing deal! Use the promo code ‘KelliCreatures’ when you register. It can either be applied to a gift card or directly to registration for a specific workshop/walkabout. Maybe i’ll see you there!
March 5th, 2013 at 5:04 am
Wow, it looks perfekt to me! Want to style my boring home?
Please have a home tour! Love from Sweden
March 5th, 2013 at 6:28 am
loving those 2 paintings <3. Are they from you?
March 5th, 2013 at 7:24 am
I also recently (sort of, like six months ago) took a basic photography course over a weekend. Camera, composition and post processing. How amazing is it when you understand all that technical gibberish??? i absolutely love it. PS your house is gorgeous. Take us on a tour very soon, please?
March 5th, 2013 at 8:17 am
home tour~ pretty please please please:)
March 5th, 2013 at 9:51 am
YES to home tour! Perhaps after a Spring Clean? I don’t think I’m alone in saying that we’re cool with ‘work in progress’
March 5th, 2013 at 10:45 am
I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about! These pictures are great! I guess always room for improvement, but I really think these pictures are lovely!! Plus I love that ship picture!
March 5th, 2013 at 10:59 am
I totally feel you, I just got a DSLR camera a few months ago and has been frustrating at times, but I think it will be worth it eventually. Your photos look wonderful though, you’re doing great!
March 5th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
thats why i’m not taking pictures of my flat either! its never perfect, haha
i like all of the photos!
March 5th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
hi kelli! That class sounds awesome, thanks for the promo code. hey, where are your curtains from? they’re gorgeous
March 5th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Thanks Ren! My curtains are from Anthropologie about a year ago!
March 5th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Thanks Charity! I know right!? It sounds so overwhelming at first, but now I am loving it!!
March 5th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Alinor! The first one is by Charmaine Olivia and the last one is a work in progress by me!
March 5th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
A class like that is exactly what I am looking for! I’ve always been a bit nervous to go and start learning more about my camera because my knowledge is extremely limited!
Do you know if this company has a sister company or something like it in Canada ? I mean, we have to deal with 4 feet of snow every winter, we might as well learn how to make it look pretty.
March 5th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Please please please home tour, I am a huge fan
March 5th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Your home looks beautiful!!
I just had an assignment in school for shallow depth of field, its amazing what a switch in aperture can do to your photos!
P.S. Love the new painting of the vase of flowers, it’s stunning!
March 5th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Kelli, how about periodic room tours rather than a whole house tour? –I live in 600 sq ft and it’s nearly impossible to feel like the place is designed and cleaned all at the same time.– Maybe doing room by room will be more manageable? Plus it will satisfy us nosey peeps who are dying to see your house
March 5th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
I like that idea Ki!
March 6th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Too funny that we did similar posts! So fun & you are a great photographer! I know we would all love a home tour
<3 Kastles
March 12th, 2013 at 2:12 am
I have been an instagram follower for quite sometime now but i have never visited your blog until just now, i love it!!
xo
alyciamealy.blogspot.com
March 12th, 2013 at 3:39 am
Well thanks for stopping by Alycia! xo
April 9th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
hi Kelli! thanks so much for the recommendation (and discount code!) I took class 1 this past weekend and I am sooo glad I did. I am a total beginner, but the way the class is taught I didn’t even feel intimidated. Can’t wait to practice so I can take class 2. Thanks again!
April 10th, 2013 at 3:28 am
Oh I am SO glad Ren! Did you have Jake as your instructor? He’s the best isn’t he!?? I learned so much! Still need to go part for part two!