Thanksgiving Wedding

Her sister will marry next year on Memorial Day Weekend.  Their reasoning is that they will always get to travel on their wedding anniversary.  Hmmmmmm....I'll have to think about that one!  It was a great party!!  Here's my signature photo from the event.  The men were in kilts.  Couldn't resist this pose!!

It was a great turnout for the day after Thanksgiving.  My second in two years running.  A good time for all the family to be together and "kill two birds with one stone"!

Pet Portraits

Pet portraits make great gifts for Christmas or anytime.  Check out these for some ideas of your own!

Pet Portraits by Shirley Pearce

In the Middle of the Road!

I love this photo with the cloudy sky (which you cannot see) because of the saturated colors we get on nature and surroundings.  The road in daylight is not nearly that black!  This is November so the green is not nearly that green during the sunshine hours.  This was shot on a overcast day about 4pm in the afternoon last Sunday.  I couldn't be happier with the results!

Tip for Better Pictures: Be a Good Storyteller

I found this awesome photo on the web just now and had to share!  Wish it were one of mine!!

Photography is a great opportunity to tell a visual story. The possibilities are nearly endless. It can be done in a photo essay, of course - a series of images that show a subject or scene in a variety of ways. But, as pro photographer and BetterPhoto instructor Deborah Sandidge shows, it also can be done in a single image. "Look for elements that will instantly tell a story", says Deb. "Create emotional content through your composition that will connect with others. You can do this through carefully selecting your subject and waiting for the right moment."

(c) Deborah Sandidge
Deb noticed this young egret beginning to preen her feathers in the morning light. "What I was feeling when watching her was grace, beauty and a sense of peace," says Deb. "There was something very elegant in the gesture of extending her wing. She seemed to be counting her feathers one by one. I set up my tripod and camera, waiting for the just the right moment to take the photo that would tell my story."
This photograph was captured at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL. This location attracts a variety of birds and is the perfect location for finding great subjects. Advises Deb: "Visit early spring for the highest concentration of birds and activity. I hope to see you there next year!"

7 Tips To Help Bring Back Non-Boring, And Possibly Non-Horrid, Travel Photos: Tip #7

Lastly, Break All The Rules

Once you have learned the rules and how to use some of these tips, break them when the situation calls for it. Travel photography is about artistic expression so go with what feels good to you. But first, learn the Rule Of Thirds before you move your subject just a bit further to the side. Learn to use a fill flash before you decide having a dark, silhouetted face works better and don’t be afraid to take some details shots during the middle of the day even in the harsh sunlight.

www.shirleypearce.com

7 Tips To Help Bring Back Non-Boring, And Possibly Non-Horrid, Travel Photos: Tip #6

 Use a long lens

This last bit of advice might not seem obvious at first. While wide angle lenses are great for panoramic shots and big features, a zoom lens, something that is 100mm or greater, will do wonders for your photos. Zoom in on details and features of those grand, wide images. Use the zoom to help isolate your subject so the scene becomes less cluttered. And use a zoom to help capture those stalking lions far out on the savannah.

If you don’t have a zoom lens readily packed for travel, consider renting one. There are many places online and possibly in your town, that will rent a lens for a fraction of the price of purchasing it new. It’s often worth the cost if your once-in-a-lifetime trip will require it.

www.shirleypearce.com