This is Only the Beginning

I've had my share of time to be lazy this Thanksgiving break so I'm (finally) uploading a few photos. For these I was unable to use Photoshop because it did some questionable things to my computer after I downloaded it. Instead I used a wonderful little site called BeFunky to do my editing.

#1: Bright Little Flower

I took this picture in my backyard,  my mom told me it was just a weed flower but I found it to be quite lovely. :D

#2: Mirror Cat

This here is my favorite feline in the entire world (his name is Yoshi :3). Now please excuse the clutter(soap and tooth brushes oh boy) in the background, I would be so completely satisfied with this shot if they weren't in it, but taking the time to remove them would have scared away my kitty. I'm not sure what he was looking at but the image of him and his reflection was just too cool to me.

#3: Painted Sky

I think I took this photo at the park near my house. It looks like an oil painting to me and that's what I find most intriguing about it.


These are only a few of the photos I've already taken and I hope you like them. There will be more to come and much more you'll be able to see once I've got my Facebook page up and running. 

:)

~1 Chronicles 16 *Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever*

Photography Background

So for my project I did a little bit of research to learn what I could about photography. Many sites seemed to list the same key points, and from that I learned what is consistently used to create good photos. I also searched some tips for photo editing, most of which had to do with Photoshop, and decided to download the free trial. I'll post about my experience using it later on, that is if my computer won't crash while its loading... :/

THE RULE OF THIRDS
By placing points of interest in the intersections of your photo it becomes more balanced and will appeal more naturally to the viewer.

Focusing on a smaller detail of a photo can have a larger affect than the whole if done right.
Do not over complicate a picture.
Working with the natural light and dark in a photo are key.
Important Things To Edit First In Photos:
-cropping
-contrast
-brightness
-white balance/temperature

It is important to take photos from an interesting perspective but be sure to straighten extended flat surfaces.
Add layers and texture to make photos more eye-catching.
Be selective about the shots you keep and the ones you discard. If a photo does not sit well with you at first it is most likely not good enough to save. 
You will more likely than not need to take more than just one picture to get the perfect shot.

When photographing people, it is important to connect with their eyes and remain at their level for the most dramatic effect.
Always have a camera with you to capture the perfect moments. The best way to improve your photo-taking skills is to constantly take pictures! Practice makes perfect, right?:D

ALL RULES OF PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN
There will always be exceptions to the rules above just be sure to think creatively and have fun taking shots!



*I will post some photos next time for sure :3


The Sites I Viewed:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/digitalphotography/a/essential.htm

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/06/12/14-photo-editing-tricks-and-tips-every-landscape-photographer-must-know/

http://thewovenlife.woventheapp.com/tips-tricks/quick-photo-editing-tips-and-tricks

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/08/30/best-photo-editing-tips-for-beginners-18-quick-fixes-to-common-image-problems/

http://iphonephotographyschool.com/quick-tips/

http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Home_Main/Tips_Projects_Exchange/Learn/Top_10_Tips_for_Great_Pictures.htm

http://petapixel.com/2014/01/24/40-tips-take-better-photos/

To Start Things Off...

INTRO

This is the first page of a little project I'll be working on. Maybe you've heard of it? It's called the 20% Project {Every week in class we will have an opportunity to work on any project of our choosing for the rest of the year.} Through this blog I'll be tracking my progress and posting updates on how things are going.

MY PROJECT [PHOTOS FOR THE FUTURE]

I've decided to study photography and photo-editing for my project. I'll be researching the art of taking photos and learning how to become an excellent photographer. After the completion of my project, I will have an entire portfolio of personally taken and edited photos to present for a future career in photography. Although I'm unsure of whether or not I will go on to make a career out of it, I have decided to venture down this path to see if it's something that might interest me. The majority of my photos can be accessed through my Facebook page[NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME(I haven't exactly created it yet, oops)] but I will post some of them here.

ABOUT ME

My name is Ashleigh, and I'm a high school junior. I've recently become interested in photography so I've decided to give it a shot with this project(okay I'll stop). What else should I tell you? In my free time I enjoy singing and a little bit of drawing. I also play the guitar and love to cook (mostly dessert). These are just a few hobbies of mine but nothing is more important to me than my faith. God is the center of my life and without Him I would be nowhere.

:) <3

~Psalm 28:7 *The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.*