I feel pretty

One of the keys to me feeling pretty is to have my "face on". Without it I feel bllaaahhhhh.

the Key to a good day

Natural light. Taken with a Kodak point and shoot.

BTW, my husband asked me to mention he's selling his Canon EOS 30D. He upgraded to a 50D and planned to use the 30D as his backup but is finding he's not pulling it out all that much and hates to see it go unused. It's in excellent condition and has been regularly sent in for scheduled cleanings and maintenance. It's a great entry level camera into the prosumer series of Canon EOS digital SLRs. It's in excellent condition, no scratches or anything and he has always kept the screen covered with screen protectors. It's the body only and he's asking $550. He's pretty firm on the price and says if anyone would like a more flexible price it's $600 and then he'll negotiate down to $550 if it makes them feel better. Having looked through his camera bag I'd guess you could probably also talk him out of his Canon 85mm f1.8 lens if you made a good offer (he hinted he'd take $350). He seems to use his 100mm more now that he has it.
He says to check out dpreview.com for more info on the 30D.
(http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos30d.asp)

If you are interested, you can email me--princess (dot) jen (at) comcast (dot) net.

Many Keys Hangin Around

I have a somewhat small obsession with old keys and couldnt think of what to do with them for this challenge. So I hung them .... :)The smallest gold key is my great-grandfather's. He worked on the railroad in 1899, and this went to a lock (that I also have) for the rail cars.

Wrong Key

This was SO going to be much cooler, but when I got ready to do this, I couldn't find my paint key ANYWHERE!!! So, I improvised. My husband repainted our living room yesterday and this seemed appropriate.

CC welcome!

Play in key

When I saw the challange word was key I thought it didn't leave much to take pictures of. But when I looked up the work key in the dictionary and the thesaurus I got so many ideas that I couldn't decide what to do first. I started thinking of my violin and how much work it takes to actually play in KEY. Violins are such pretty instruments and I think mine is especially pretty because it has a pretty brown color not the orange wood that most violion have. Most people like the orange color on the violins but I love my brown violin, it just makes it look old and special and it makes me think of the poem "Touch of the Masters Hand"

The "Keys" of the Priesthood

"And tho shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the Priests office for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generation. Exodus Ch40 verse 15.
I am back from Vacation and Womens confernece which was amazing...I have missed doing the challanges so much and happy to post this sweet picture of my husband and son who are both worthy priesthood holders. When I saw the topic yesterday this was the first thing that came to my mind.

The Key is to Look Good

The key is to look good in a BMW, even if it is the legendary Isetta 300. Notice my son checkin himself out in the mirror. CC is very welcome and always needed.

"Keys" to Happiness

The "Key" to life is happiness and a lot of people consider music happiness. (especially my daughter) Music plays a big part in our family, it is a Key part. Whether it be singing or listening.

I used my D60, Picasa shadowing

CC always welcome

Just have one made...

"People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made." -Joan Rivers.

I thought this quote was pretty funny and I'm low on inspiration tonight. So there you go.


1/5 sec, F/3.5, ISO 400, no flash

CC

Key, Literally

I chose to shoot the most literal and obvious take on the challenge. I put the key on my big black suitcase to get this background. I took several pictures and uploaded them before realizing that there was a microscopic little spec on the suitcase that looked huge on each of the pictures, so I had to wipe it off and take more shots! Close-ups are kinda interesting that way.

ISO 100
F2.8
1/14 sec.
Natural light
SOOC, except for cropping

Happiness is the KEY...

Nikon D80, f/7.1, 100 mm, ISO 250, o Flash

As quoted by Albert Schweitzer:

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."


I am a Mom....and I love doing it. Nothing else in this world makes me happier than my kids, so in that sense, I am extremely successful. For that, I am blessed.

Picture of my keychain in the street, edited to B & W, adjusted saturation/contrast and framed.

Winners: HOT; Challenge: KEY

Great job to everyone who participated in this last challenge. Special thanks to Candace for picking such a great word for us.

The most improved photographer among us (as chosen by all of you) is Janelle (that's me!), with her hot pink flowers.

The best photo overall was Katy, with her charcoal briquettes (which I have to admit is a pretty awesome picture, especially having singed her non-existent knuckle hair).

Earning the most votes, combining the two categories, was also Katy!

Congratulations to everyone. Click here to see all winning pictures from all challenges.

*************************************************************************************

On to a new challenge. Your word for the weekend is KEY. There are a number of ways this could go, and I'm excited to see everyone's work with it.

Please remember the four self-evaluation questions Rachel asked us last week:

1. Is this my best?
2. Would I frame this?
3. Have I taken the features/tutorials people have posted into consideration?
4. Am I improving?

Please post your pictures by the end of the day tomorrow!

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER....RACHEL

I figured I would go first and introduce myself...so I can play guinea pig on this part. :) I started this blog in January as a way to focus in on the creative side of photography, and I am so happy how many of you have decided to join that same journey!!

So here is about me.

1. What camera do you use?

Nikon d90 (love...love...love my camera)

2. What is your favorite photography subject? (or, what do you like to take pictures of the best?) This will come as no shock to some of you...FOOD. I ABSOLUTELY love to take pictures of food. :) Weird, I know. But true.


3. What camera equipment is on your wish list?

I AM DYING to get the 50 mm lens...and I would love to have an external flash...and a studio setup...and...well, all are dreams really.

4. What are your hobbies outside of photography?

I love to cook, sew, blog, repurpose people's junk, travel, garage sale and thrift store shop, blog, and play games, sing, and blog...and did I mention I like to blog?


5. Tell us about your family! (married? Kids?)

Married to my husband, Brandon, for almost 6 years. 3 kiddos...our oldest (Jenna)is about to turn 5, Kaden is about to turn 3 and Spencer is almost 2.

6. Where do you live?

I live near Cleveland, Ohio. My husband is attending Podiatry school and that's what brought us out this way...our families live back in Idaho though.


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

Um...I have way too many blogs, really. :) But my main 2 (aside from this one) are:

My family blog is http://www.brholloway.blogspot.com/

my recipe blog is http://www.excellenteats.blogspot.com/

8. What is the best photography advice you have ever received?

The best part about digital is that we have no film to develop. TAKE AS MANY SHOTS AS YOU CAN. Especially while you are learning.


9. What (if any) editing program do you use?

I use and really love Adobe Lightroom 2--but I also just got Photoshop CS4 recently...and I feel completely lost. :) Getting there...I use it now and then. But am trying to work on using it more...

10.Can you share your favorite 3 pictures with us??

Gosh this is hard...Probably because there is one that just sticks out to me! I took this first picture on my daughter's birthday last year. I really didn't know what I was doing...I just happened to get this shot. But I LOVE this picture because of the memories it brings up in me thinking back to being all together as a family, and playing so carefree.

And this is a picture I took visiting my sister in San Fransisco this past summer.

And I took this picture of my husband tossing my daughter in the air--

And if you want to see a BAJILLION more pictures, you can check out my family blog. I post basically every day...and I love meeting other bloggers! :)

Anyway, that's me!

I think what we will do is that if any of you have questions about the featured photographer, you can leave them in the comments and the featured photographer can get back in the comments so we can all learn about each other!

Sound good?

Woman behind the name

Hi, my name is Michelle and i go by hotmama03. I love photography and think if you can capture the world with all the beauty thats out there without all the hate you are doing a great job. I am married and have 3 lovely kiddos-Samantha 12, Mickey 9, Travis 6. I just got a new toy which i LOVE=Nikon D60 with tons of gadgets. I cant wait to show my talent, i want to have my own studio someday.Please check out my other blog it has a few of my pictures on there.

Voting: HOT

Okay, I am so new at being a helper around here that I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be doing this post or not! But it hasn't been done yet, so I'm guessing it's my job to do it. :)

So, here goes.... we are going to vote today for HOT!! You guys did so awesome with my word! I was really, really impressed by all the different pictures we got in.

Make sure to word your votes...

Best Overall:
Most Improved:
Shout-Outs:

I know there are going to be lots of people being voted for, because everyone did such a great job!

Oh, and before I forget, Mindy, Brittney, and Felicia were our winners with WISDOM, so let's try to vote for some others this time around! :)

Have a great day and Happy Voting!!

Flaming hot

I KNOW I AM LATE...AND I KNOW I DON'T QUALIFY TO BE VOTED FOR....

I had so many ideas for this challenge. I took this the first day of the challenge but had intentions to go out shooting yesterday. However my hubby has been studying long hours and I had a REALLY crummy day yesterday that didn't allow for getting the shot I really wanted. I am really not thrilled with this picture. I debated even posting it, BUT I have not wanted to miss a challenge...

So I took it in the right time frame, but didn't post it on time...and I know there are lots of things to fix...

and here I am bumbling and apologizing..and making this worse. :)

ISO 640, f5.6, 1/15 second

Hot Rods

I'm cheating a bit on this one... I had another idea but I didn't have the time I needed to get my act together. But I promised Rachel I would post something this time. I actually took this photo 2 weeks ago (so don't vote for it, no matter how awsome you think it is ;) ) and I contemplated just setting it all back up again and taking it tonight so I would be fully following the rules. But it's 11:50pm and I should probably go to bed. So I decided not to. Besides, it was so much cuter that it was my 2 year old who neatly lined up his cars between the dining room and kitchen so that I would have to step carefully or else trip and land on my butt.

The Cool Down

What's better than a popsicle on a HOT day?

I had a hard time with this one. I has so many ideas!! I took pictures of our dinner cooking on the grill, my kids cooling off in the bath, and a bunch of popsicle eating kids! My chicken ones turned out good, but I didn't want to use them, My bathtub ones were, well, kids in the tub, and the popsicle ones were just plan messy. This one stood out to me because it wasn't just a shot of a kid eating a popsicle. (although I got a cute one of my boy) This brings me back to my childhood and eating lots, and lots of popsicles in one sitting. (which I can still do) They are an easy way to cool down on a hot summer day, or here in sunny AZ, a hot spring day. :)

Set in manual mode, ISO 200, f3.8, 1/50

CC

Firehouse

So I was planning on doing something with fire. I took my kids to the Fire Station. Fireman Harper was nice to educate us and get his gear on. 2 thing I learned is 4 garage doors like in the back makes for a lot of light in one garage. All in all I was disappointed with the fruits of my labors, or lack there of. CC welcomed.

Anyway, added sharpen and saturation just a bit to boost color and to lower washout effect on top left and right sides. PS thanks to Rachel and Mindy for their suggestions and praise ;)

Medium Heat

According to Wiki Jalapeño's are just a medium heat - but I think they are hot!

I was like Breezi and kept procrastinating- and my previous ideas were taken- my darling husband is actually the one who came up with this for me.

{CC}

A Nice Hot Drink

Hot Tamales, Red Hots, and Cinnamon Bears, Ohh my.

This was a difficult challenge this time. I kept coming up with ideas, then went to look at the blog and someone posted it already! *sigh*
I thought this 'hot drink' was interesting. I probably took 100+ pictures to get a picture I liked.

"So Hot"

I had a shoot today and with school have been so busy I didnt post last time. I have edited a few but this one stands out as being so hot to me. Hot in the literal, I know not much thinking outside of the box here. ~cc~

Handy Husband = HOT

My husband spent his day today staining our daughter's playhouse to match the new cedar playset! Handy Husband = Super Hottness!! :)

f/3.2, 1/160, ISO 200

Hot Cakes

I had so many ideas for this challenge but because I'm a procrastinator many were taken. Great shots everyone! I was hoping to get a great sunset shot because it's the hottest thing in the universe but we had a cloudly, rainy day. So I rushed in to make 'hot cakes' dripping in all the good stuff. Not the picture I wanted but oh so yummy!

CC always welcome!

Not So Hot Anymore

Far from my best picture, but I thought it was pretty cool. This is what it looks like when hot hamburger grease, from thawing hamburger in the microwave, cools down. Kinda gross, but kinda neat too.

Enhanced brightness and contrast.

CC

When I Get All Steamed Up...

Tip me over!

This is my teapot, though I use it to make hot cocoa, cider...and jello. I took it in my kitchen light, decided I didn't like the lighting, and took it to picasa and did a tint job. I liked the warmth it gave the picture. I really struggled...and then I looked at what everyone else had done and found that all my little ideas were taken (and beautifully, I might add!).

CC as always!

Burn Baby Burn

Today is COLD outside... so the whole "HOT" theme was escaping me. Until Hubs wanted to grill up some dogs. HELL-O inspiration! I Boosted and Defined/Sharpened from PW's actions. I also burned off all my knuckle hair getting this shot. Not that I had hairy hands to begin with... um... awkward.

A HOT Iron

Pretty self-explanatory here! A nice, HOT iron, ready to do some damage!

Hot enough to...

fry an egg on the sidewalk.

(iso 100, f5.6, 1/3200, cropped, saturated)

~CC~

And, my self portrait. 

Hi! I'm Corynn. I am from Arizona. I am new to real photography, but I have always loved taking pictures and scrapbooking. Currently, I am a stay at home mom with my five-month old, Jake, and I am taking a photography class at the community college. It is almost over though. :( And, in case you are wondering, I shoot with a Canon Rebel Xs. I look forward to being challenged! 

HOT: Pink

I stepped outside yesterday to grab the mail, and saw these HOT pink azalea buds on the bush in front of my house.

About the photo: adjusted color and contrast, saturated color a little, sharpened, and adjusted shadows so that pink was even brighter.

HOT Out of the Oven

My husband works as a baker at a local bakery, and he gave me the idea of taking pictures of his HOT out of the oven baked bread for this challenge. Well, I thought it was a great idea, and just loved how the steam looked in this particular shot. =)

Taken with a Nikon D-40, on automatic setting, then cropped. CC welcome.

Red Hot

(55mm, F5.6, 4 sec., iso100)

SOOC

It looks like me and Hotmama03 had the same idea! I actually thought about the shot I wanted all day at work yesterday and was a bit dismayed to find out someone else had already gone for it. Hotmama03, hope you don't mind I gave it a go anyway because of lack of time. This was fun! Britt and I got out the toys for this one. I turned off all the lights (it was 10:00 at night) and got out the tripod and remote so I could get a shutter speed of 4 seconds.

Hot Chocolate

It is a gray and miserable day in Indiana, a perfect day for hot chocolate!

Photo was taken under a white florescent light (and white balance was set to reflect that), 1/6 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100. I adjusted colors with the curves function. I used Nestle Rich Chocolate and spiked it with cream. cc

The Other Lindy

(D70, 50mm, f7.1, 1/80 sec, 800 ISO)

Pretty self explanitory, I think. All I did was crop it, use gradient map to make it even more black & white, and then used a Level Adjustment Layer to make the blacks & whites really pop. Then I added the border and my watermark, actions provided by MCP Actions. CC

hot, me.

right when i read this challenge i wanted to show the 'hot' beauty of being a mother... a sort of classic pose from the Renaissance period and a new age mom...me. i set it on the tripod and got it just as i wanted it and then jon pushed the trigger. I love it. i actually feel pretty looking at it. there is nothing too sexy about a back, but the idea that i am a mom, and older now ~ the candles, the blanket... it feels hot to me. and therefore the theme ~ hot.


Taken on nikon d300
iso 3200
speed 40
f stop 2.8
lens 14-24 2.8
black and white alteration in adobe cs3 and added border.

cc as always :)

Hot & Sweaty

nikon d90, f6.7, 1/500, iso 800, 300mm

Nothing like running around a soccer field for over an hour to make you hot and sweaty! I got a chance to practice my sports photography skills (ha! skills!) today while watching some of "my girls" from church play a soccer game.

cc

Melting

I went through a whole tray of ice cubes trying to get this shot (good thing they're cheap). They kept melting too fast :). Now, I'm off to take care of my HOT, fevering little one. Sigh.

300mm macro mode, F10, 1/400, ISO100
In RAW editing I sharpened and increased the clarity and vibrance.

CC always welcome

Hot Days

Nikon D80, f/8.0 120 mm ISO No Flash

Nothing says HOT better than cold ice cream melting in the sun. YUMMY

Cropped so only the black plate (not sidewalk) was showing, did a color boost and added a border.

Please CC!

Hott Stuff

I couldnt figure out what to do for it. It is NOT hot around here, just chilly. So i found my husbands stash of Hot Sauce and decided to play with color.

I used my Nikon D60, with the Picasa program and used the Saturation element for some fun.

CC always welcome, please

Hot Mamma

1/640, F4, ISO 80

Too much of a stretch? There's nothing "hot" about April in Idaho, but when I saw this little piglet curled up against his mamma for warmth, I couldn't resist.

CC