Top 11 Photos from 2011

This was an amazing year for my photography growth. I learned so much and know my technique, eye, composition and confidence have improved immensely. I owe it all to my 365 (compelling me to pick up my camera every day) and the many teachers along the way.

Here are my picks for the Top 11 photos of my girls from 2011! It was tremendously hard to narrow it down to only 11 so I actually picked 12.

I know...this is number 12. I had to include it!

Beach Fun

I got the chance to take some photos for a family I dearly love. I consider them some of our closest friends. They are so much fun and their photos show it! Here are a few of my favorites:

Happy Home for the Holidays

These are some of my closests friends. They were going to re-use a photo for their Christmas card and I said "Absolutely Not!" They will be moving soon so we took the opportunity to shoot photos in their home before they leave. Can I just say...AMAZING! Love you guys!

Photos of Friends

I've been very busy the last few days taking and processing photos of friends. It's been a joy and I've learned so much!

This family wanted some beach photos and we totally lucked out with great weather! They are a beautiful family and so easy to photograph.

I learned...10/20/11

This week I learned to think before taking a photo. I learned about complimentary colors and that corners are key! I thought more about framing in camera rather than relying on post-processing cropping. And, as a result, framing and leading lines came more easily. Next week I'm taking on exposure!

Before we went to the pumpkin patch I had everyone dress in colors that would compliment the orange and browns of the pumpkin patch. I love the frame of the tree. I know I can photoshop my husband's feet out but I kind of like it as is.



Light and color

To continue my journey I picked up a new book on composition. Inspired, I noticed light and color with new eyes.

Favorite few

I was in a bit of a slump this week. I had a cold, hubby was out of town, and I just couldn't get inspired. During all this I continued to take photos, carrying on my commitment to my 365, and discovered, when I processed them, that there were a few gems in the bunch.

I'm reading a book about composition and I learned a lot this week. First I learned that corners are key. The author explains that corners are prime real estate for leading the viewer into the photo. The image below illustrates that perfectly! The flowers come from the lower left corner and leads the viewers eye into the center of the photo.

This next photo was taken at my favorite farm and illustrates the gestalt theory. What is the gestalt theory you ask? Well, it contends that the human mind will add in missing visual information based on past experience. In the following photo, the gestalt theory accounts for the human mind connecting the two fences in the photo. The fence on the right connects your eye to the bottom fence and leads your eye to the umbrella. 

This photo I just liked!

And this photo I love. My baby girl is finally growing some hair. It's hard to be 2 1/2 and still waiting for hair. I love the bokeh too.