Kissing Cousins...

Here is a shot I captured this summer on vacation...love it!

Challenge: Kiss

Let's KISS and make up a picture for this challenge!

Im sure you are all dying for a chance to get your subjects to pucker up. And lets face it, it is just as much fun, if not more so, than saying cheese! Give us your picture of what comes to mind when you think of kiss. Remember in descriptions you dont need to give TMI! :o)

Lets submit photos by Thursday October 15th at 11:59 PM PST!

*another great word chosen by Melinda - Thanks!!!

Restore through tonight

I made another oops. I put the 10th to close the challenge but wrote Sunday and its the 11th. So you still have till just before midnight tonight to submit those photos! Sorry about that everyone! Happy Editing!

Restore: 5th Generation

Without going through tons of scrapbooks, I knew of a few scanned old pictures that I already had on the computer. There's really not a ton of difference between the before and after here, but I really like this photo. My birthday is in November, so this was my second Christmas. My great-great-grandmother (yes, you read the right -- two greats) is holding me.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I brightened and saturated the color and edited out a few blemishes, but that's about it.

CC

Happy Halloween!

So, my picture may not be THAT old but it sure looked old. I decided it would be a fun one to do in the spirit of Halloween AND since my son will be dressing up in a similar costume I thought it would be fun to put the two side by side on my own blog later.

Here's the after, and YES it actually is me on my first trick or treating expedition. I must have been about 18 months old.
See, the color was pretty bad right? I actually pulled out the big guns and, after cropping a bit, I ran the Kodak ROC plug-in with photoshop. It still wasn't right so I adjusted the settings till I had more of an orange tint on the pumpkin and the walls seemed a more natural color than the pink I had here.
One problem I ran into was my eyes. (I still have the same problem in my pictures- even as a grown up) I always have one eye that's really dark and one that looks kinda hazy. Any ideas for how I could even them out a bit?

CC ALWAYS WELCOME!!!

4 Greats

Here is a photo of my great, great, great, great grandmother on my dad's mother's side. Not sure if this was a photo or if it was a newspaper that as scanned. Either way it was really yellow and brown and wrinkled and just down right old. Good old photoshop was used to do everything I could think of for this one. This has got to be the oldest photo i can find!

Before and After for Restore OK

I mentioned it wasnt necessary to post before and after. You are more than welcome to post both, I just said it wasnt necessary so people didnt feel like it was double the time to post both.

Its optional! If you have already posted or saved your post just go back in and edit it with the new photo.

Great Grandma Caroline

This is my great grandmother Caroline Gregory when she was about 20 years old... I scanned the picture to my computer and then did some restoring in photoshop, the picture was basically in good shape, but I took away some spots, burned the edges and added a frame. All in all I think it turned out very well.

Challenge: Restore

The challenge for this week should be so fun. The word is Restore or Restoration. There are three ways you can do this so read up before you get snapping.

1) take a picture for challenge as normal and post as normal.

2) Get the oldest picture you can find that is meaningful in your life. Example: your great grandmothers wedding photos or something. Then use a photo editing program to "restore" it.

3) do both

It is not necessary to post the before and after picture.

I want to do this because photo editing is something we have had tutorials about and I know all of us at one time have wanted to do this with old photos. So this gives you an excuse to try it out!

Lets get this done by Sunday October 10th by 11:59pm!

There are many photo editing programs that you can use windows comes with a basic free one. Most printers you have probably have one you can do it with, there are probably some online like Picasa (from google), or you can use one you bought like PhotoShop.

Tuesday Tutorial: lesson for the sun... READY!!!

why do we hide from the sun! shoot right into it! I LOVE THE SUN!!!!! here is my little tips to sun shooting!

use your hood! a hood traps that sun and bounces it all around making circles! and you can see them in your lens as your about to shoot, its sort of blinding but hey...COOOOL! so also, the lower you are to the ground the bigger the circles, and the wider the lens it seems to get easier as well. here are my sample shots.

the first shot i put the sun behind the fountain water, glowing up the water and highlighting them. i was laying on my side to get the camera low so that the sun reays would channel through and bounce, making circles! you can see them as you angle the lens. i always do the test shots (cus its blinding) and when i have it ready then i frame them where i want and jiggle the lens around slowly looking for lens flare...then shoot! also, note that i NEVER add fake sun flare...i just work at the shot till i get it.

iso 160 sp 1/160 f5.6 these two are fun...sun RIGHT behind them. use your flash. and at first just use auto flash or if you have a speed light then set it at pttl (auto) and let it think for you...then shoot a sample, adjust flash and settings accordingly and then snap! sun rays

1. iso 320 (keep it LOW for great saturation!)

fstop 4.0

sp 1/1000 (because the flash and camera need to contradict. meaning the fast speed allows the camera to capture the light and colors around them, flash allows them to be lit too.)

1/100sp 8.0 f and iso 640 little more light and less flash on this one, for dreamy look) and sun right into the lens, peeking from the tree. same rules apply.

iso 400 sp 1/200 3.5 f

watch where the sun rays show in your lens, if they are hot that night set a ray right on them! like heavenly right? lol same settings as last. same recipie...just angled different letting different lights in!

here are just a couple more... these are to show my point a bit more. shooting into the sun is fantastic!!!!!!! you can do sooo much! truly! see:

these shot i wanted to see sky in its brilliant blue so i tricked the camera (lol.) meaning i shot it at an exposure that really is shooting the clouds... then fired a flash that caought them. so light meter the sky! then set flash then shoot! adjust appropriatly. resipie:

iso 250 sp 1/1000 and f7.1

last 3... at the same wedding i wanted three different shots, one really focused, and deeply saturated giving a feeling of where they are and the true colors around them. so the ap is set at 10 so that a great depth is set. the trees are focused even. iso 160 and sp 1/125 a very REAL photo.

the second i wanted a real magical feel. so its overexposed, showing ONLY them and blurry background and sun flare. iso 640 5.6 1/500 so lots of light in. and lastly this one! not real at all, a comic book color and really harsh sun flare. i was WAY low to the ground widest lens and really juiced up the recipie to make it work! iso 640 f 16 and sp1/1250 TONS of light and NO flash. to silluette them and make it grainish and just LOUD. these are all real circles, nothing added.
hope this gave you a few ideas...this is my favorite type of shooting. i love the sun! please leave cc to my thoughts if you have any as well! thanks for letting me be a part of this blog and thanks to everyone for the comments all the time! lindy

Quick Items

Some quick things!

1) participation - Thanks for the increase lately! It is pretty good. We can get a few more of you to post still. Come on people prove me wrong that you wont post! A challenge within a challenge! oh snap! Dont make me spam you on email/facebook mmhkayy! ;o)

2) Challenge Ideas - go ahead and send me your ideas cus frankly mine havent been a hit historically so help me out :o)

3) new poll on the sidebar.

4) M24 on Facebook become a fan to get reminders! click the sidebar to go to the page

5) Winners Looks like 6 entries ao I used a dice and rolled it three times to get three winners. If one winner was #2 and i rolled it again the second time I just re-rolled till I got a different number. Per the dice winners were Melinda, Kristine, Candace, and Mindy! I will also message the winners now! Thanks again for submitting photos!

Fall in Love

If there's anything I love more than doing a photo shoot, it's doing a photo shoot with family... This is my adorable nephew, Payton. I was the lucky photographer for a little photo shoot with him and his equally adorable sisters today. :) I'd have to say I'm in love with "Pete". :)

Part of my family...

I had hoped to get multiple family members in this shot, but when we were out at the park today, I got this picture of my son...part of my family...

My Baby Sister

This is the first time I've posted in MONTHS, but I was very able to complete this challenge without anything getting in my way! :) I've missed you all very much and this picture is of my little sister who just turned 17. We had a party for her at my grandma's house yesterday, where I snapped a few shots of her! I hope this will get me back in the hang of the posting for each challenge.

Growing Family

My family is expanding! (And so is my belly!) Self-shots can be really hard. I had to take about 25 of myself to get it the way I wanted. And then I liked it so much, I decided to wash it out a little and now I love it. For this particular photo, the reason it made the cut was because I managed to get it to center on my belly, with my face nearly out of the picture.

CC Welcome and desired!

The P family

My neighbors wanted some family pictures and tonight we finally had an evening with some good light.


f/6.3 1/60 sec, 100 ISO, cc

Other images from the shoot are at my blog.

Family - Sleeping Beauty

Mission 24 Challenge Give Away!!!!!

Alright M24ers I'm going to utter the world wide webs most exciting words. These phrase is right next to Sale, Free, Discount or % off!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Yes thats right you heard me GIVEAWAY! Im giving away 4 (FOUR) FREE month long subscriptions to NETFLIX! Yes lets say that again NETFLIXXXXXXXXX!!! So you can enjoy the pleasure of watching movies that are new and old and even TV shows that are new and old online for FREE!

Heres the short and the long! Post a photo for this weeks challenge before deadline (Monday Night). The topic is Family. Copy and paste this link on your facebook or blog and then email the like to m24photos@gmail.com post on the M24 facebook page, my page or in comments here.

Monday night after the duration is over I will contact the winners with the code to enter on netflix website.

LETS GET CRACKIN!

*ps Netflix will probably require to put a debit/credit card on file which isnt charged unless you go over the month long deal. If you want to continue you can. Basically refer to netflix terms and conditions. M24 and I cannot and will not be responsible for any charges from nextflix outside of the free month!

Challenge: Family

New challenge again should be quite easy. Lets do it of family or families. I wanted to do this because it could be of any combo of people in your family. Everyone has a family even if it is a life long friend.

So please dont post something that you previously took for someone. Try and get this of your own family and if all fails you there post of some ones family that you took shots of during the duration of this challenge only. No previously taken please! Please submit by Monday night October 5th 11:59pm. This gives you 1 day, the weekend and for what I know most of you have family night! :)

P.S. Anyone who wants to submit an idea of a word challenge please do. Comment here, on M24 facebook page, my facebook page or email m24photos@gmail.com

If Only You Knew...Happiness!!!

Our son Jacob has not been overly excited about soccer...yes, sometimes we debate for 90% of the game before he will even go into play. He finally decided that if we would buy him sunglasses (even though this is against the rules) that he would play. So, on a wing and a prayer that we wouldn't get busted for him wearing sunglasses (thankfully the coaches kid wears them), we bought him some glasses and he had a "happy" mood for the entire soccer game! Whew! Cub Scouts may be our next activity!

Many Moods

This is my daughter showing the many moods a 3 month old experiences within minutes.

I shot with my point and click (which I'm not very adept at using) because I didn't want to get the "big" camera out, they are packed for a wedding we're doing this weekend in Wyoming.
cc please

Featured Photograher: Hotmama03

NAME: Michelle Wagoner

1. What camera do you use?
   I use a Nikon D60, with two different lenses (my new baby) It came with 55mm and i got a zoom lens with stabilization.
   


2. What is your favorite photography subject? (or, what do you like to take pictures of the best?)
   I love the outdoors, I am always finding excuses to go out and take pictures of plants, trees, animals and even family from time to time.
   
   
   
3. What camera equipment is on your wish list?
   AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED-lense, now to get way out there on my wish list I would love a Nikon D90 with all the trimmings-YAY!!
   
   
4. What are your hobbies outside of photography?
   Crochet, knitting, baking, and Cub Scouts

5. Tell us about your family! (married? Kids?)
   Married now for 3 years-been together for 8, 3 wonderful kids Samantha 12, Mickey 9 and Travis 6

6. Where do you live? (you don’t have to be specific if you don’t feel comfortable)
   We live in Beautiful Oregon, a small town outside of Salem It’s a small town and everyone knows what you are doing
   
   
7. Do you have a blog you would like to share? (family blog or photography blog?
   Yes, I have 3 others that I do,

http://familyfunpage.blogspot.com/

http://hotmama03lifeofagoddess.blogspot.com/

http://goddesscrochet.blogspot.com/

8. What is the best photography advice you have ever received?
   Just experiment and make sure you are having fun.
   Also, Nikon was highly suggested along side of Cannon
   


9. What (if any) editing program do you use?
   I am currently working on using Picasa, but I am always looking for more to use.
   
   

10.Can you share your favorite 3 pictures with us?? (just attach them to this email)

Daysleeper

Not sure if it is really a mood or not but I am sure sleepy today. Im sure it has nothing to do with going to bed at 1a waking up at 5a and getting my feet attacked by this daysleeper! CC is welcome and more here.

Challenge Reminder: Mood

Just a reminder for deadline for tomorrow night for Mood. At this point with no posts I will allow for a photo taken within the month of September if you most before midnight tonight!

Challenge: Mood

Are you in a good mood? A bad mood? The mood? Let's get moody!

Please post by Thursday October 1st at 11:59PM PST.

Straight out of the Garden

I am so proud of myself this year.

My mother in law and myself have been tending our garden and here is only a portion of the goodies that I have canned from it. Jams, jellies, pickled items, plums, pears, green beans, corn and so much more. I love the popping sound when they are ready. I also love all different colors of all the food.

Yay me!!!

Salad

{cc please}

So I was going to get a great shot of fair food but by the time we ate the yummy elephant ears its was dark so here's a salad I made for a BBQ tonight! I like how juicy the tomatoes are. I love shooting food!

A Long Feeding

In some cultures it is considered good luck to be licked by a Giraff! Me, my wife, and both kids were able to feed them and got licked! It was quite fun! But sometimes food makes me think of someone else. Making food for someone, feeding someone, feeding at church functions. My whole life is food! CC welcomed! more here probably by tomorrow!

Sweet

Goodbye Pie

I FINALLY made it back in a challenge! I took this picture of some mini pies I made for my daughter's class at school. They were so cute and little...and it was so sad watching the kindergarten kids throw them away without even taking a bite.

:)

(good to get the camera out again!! Thanks Blake for taking this off my plate and allowing me to enjoy it again!)

Popcorn Lover

Tonight my daughter Whitney was eating some popcorn out of the bag and here comes our dog Zeppelin getting right up behind her, at first he was hugging her with his paws around her shoulder which was so cute, but the picture did not show the popcorn. So I kept shooting and got this adorable shot. He is just looking at the popcon hoping she will give him some, which of course she did because she spoils him!

Liquid Diet

My husband has had some terrible tummy troubles lately so this is his food for the next few days. Poor Fella!


I set this up on a table in my basement. With all the lights off and just using my basic flash so it would focus directly on the product. Shooting product is what I'm figuring out how to do these past few weeks. I'm also working really really hard on getting the shot and not using PS unless I have to. CC is always welcomed.
FYI: This will be my last post for a little while, not that I was really good this summer. But next week I go in for surgery on my right shoulder. I'm not allowed to touch my camera for 4 weeks and I'm not supposed to be out of the sling for at least 6 weeks. Thanks!

Challenge: Food

Let's take some yummy pictures for this challenge!

(Remember, it doesn't have to be literal.)

Pictures up by midnight Sunday September 27th at 11:59PM PST

P.S. Thank Hotmama03 for this one! It will be GRReat!

Featured Photographer--Princess Jen

NAME: Jennifer Johnson aka princess jen

1. What camera do you use? a Kodak point and shoot. Although my hubby is more than happy to share his very nice dSLR with me with his fancy-schmancy lenses!

2. What is your favorite photography subject? (or, what do you like to take pictures of the best?) I love taking photos of people but I don't always love how they turn out. I'm striving to look at things in different, more interesting ways.


3. What camera equipment is on your wish list? Nothing really. My hubby is the main photog in our family and we have lots of fun things for me to play with. His wish list is full of all sorts of things that I don't know!

4. What are your hobbies outside of photography? I love to read, it's more than a passion, it's nearly a compulsion. I love doing stuff outside. We go hiking and camping, rock climbing and river rafting, all sorts of outdoor adventures. I love visiting national parks. I also enjoy digital scrapbooking.


5. Tell us about your family! (married? Kids?) I am married--since Feb 2000. I have two children. Anya is six and Aaron is two. I have an amazing extended family too. I have a sister and a brother who are both married with kids and my husband's sisters are also truly my sisters as well. They are also all married with kids. We do amazing, fun trips together quite frequently. Most recently we went with hubby's sisters/families to Oregon/Northern California on a camping trip.

6. Where do you live? (you don’t have to be specific if you don’t feel comfortable) I live in Salt Lake County.


7. Do you have a blog you would like to share? (family blog or photography blog?)
j&a antics

8. What is the best photography advice you have ever received? hmmmm... probably to use a tripod.


9. What (if any) editing program do you use? I hardly ever edit my photos. When I scrapbook and need to fix something, I use photoshop elements.

10.Can you share your favorite 3 pictures with us?? (just attach them to this email)
It was difficult to find three that I liked a lot that I haven't used for this blog...


My runner-up for "vintage" challenge


my runner-up for "sign" challenge


This was for another challenge, but I didn't get it posted in time and now I don't remember which challenge it was.

OOOOOKLAHOMA...

Where the wind comes Sweeping down the plains...

This old farm windmill reminds me of my favorite Broadway plays "Oklahoma". I have seen it several times on t.v. and on stage and I love it each time I see it.

Reminder Broadway Challenge

I'll give another holla for the Broadway challenge. I know that it is fall tv premier time and I know that most of us will be watching can submit a photo during the commerical breaks.

Wait what? who watches commericals anymore...TIVO and DVR killed the commerical stars!

How about just watch one or two commerical breaks and you can get your photo in! mmmkay! Sweet Im looking forward to it all!

Fearless Leader-Rachel

When I think of Rachel I think of a very FEARLESS Leader. You have been so great in teaching us so much and taking on a lot with this. I know that I am not the only one that feels like this. You were there whenever anyone had any sort of questions, we knew that if we put CC on ours you would be sure to be one to input and help out. I want to say thank you so much for starting this. It has improved my skills and because of you I have found a new love in photography.

THANK YOU!!

cc, Nikon D60, ?? sorry i didnt write it down

I need your feedback!!

Hey guys I just posted my preview for my Engagement Photoshoot. I would LOVE your feedback before I send the proofs to the bride to be. THANKS!

www.gundersenphotos.blogspot.com

Broadway: Just the way it is

Isn't this the way of Broadway? Wicked is a musical based on a book based on a movie based on a book based around socio-political satire.

I have the book (I'm a third or so of the way through reading it, but I'm focusing on a different book at the moment), and I'm going to see the show in November for my birthday.

CC

Challenge: Broadway Reminder

It's about half way through the time set for the challenge for "Broadway". I think this challenge could go a variety of ways and could potentially be quite easy. Picture with a quick message one or two sentences shouldnt take more than 5 minutes to put on. You guys can do it!

Show me what you got!