A Little Frustrated

So I'm having trouble getting consistent colors in my photos.  I took photos of some friends and their kids today and I loved the colors of the kid photos but the family photos turned out very reddish and darker then the others.  Could it have something to do with having more faces in front of the background, changing the exposure?  I have a hard time telling how the photos are turning out when I look at them on the camera so it isn't until later that I realize how I've gone wrong.  I just wish I could get consistently good pictures.  I feel like it's so hit or miss.  Like it's pure luck if I get a good shot.  Anyway, below are a couple of the family photos and then my favorite of the kid shots.  Oh, I did edit some of the red color out but I'm still not happy with how they turned out.  I wish I knew how to get softer skin tones especially.

Direction of Light

So I've been taking most of my protraits with my big windows at the side and a reflector on the other side but I've been reading lately that with portraits, a nice shot is with the subject facing the window and a reflector underneath to shoot up some fill lights.

I went back and looked at a few of the photos I took of S on my kitchen table, which is right in front of a big window and I realized that I do love the lighting and catchlights in her eyes.  I'm going to be shooting two children this week so I'm thinking I'll have to try this out again with them and see how it goes.

The picture below was taken on my table, facing the window with a black sheet behind her.

New software - Pixelmator

So I just downloaded a trial version of Pixelmator.  I have no idea how to use it except that I've learned how to blur backgrounds.  This will really come in handy!  I take a picture of S every month but my backdrops suck...all wrinkly.  Now I can blur them and I'm good to go!

I recently took some photos of a friend of mine's little one and tried out the software.  Here's some of my shots.

Month by Month Growth

Perhaps a good way to start is to show my photos of S from newborn to 6 months.  Each month I take a new "fancy" photo to add to a collage.  Here are my favorites.

Newborn Picture #1

Newborn Picture #2

Newborn Picture #3

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

In the beginning...

I bought my first SLR camera right before digital hit big so I didn't use it long before I ended up giving in and buying a cheap digital that didn't take nearly as good of pictures.  I have been whining for years about wanting a DSLR and FINALLY my husband gave in when I gave in and decided it was time to have a baby.  I guess he figured a baby is a pretty good reason to have a good camera and he was most certainly right.  I have already taken thousands of photos and she's just 6 months old.  

Anyway, I tried to learn a few things before baby S came along and now that she's here, my time is limited.  So, a little at a time, I'm learning to use my camera and get sweet pictures of my baby girl.  I guess this blog will be the journey of my learning and hopefully you'll see improvement over time!  

I don't know if I'll share this blog or not.  But if I do, and you know something about pictures, please leave helpful comments so I can keep learning!  And by the way, I know I have a beautiful baby.  This blog is not about her, although it may seem that way.  It's something for me.  For my enjoyment.  For my self outside of mommy-hood.

Here we go!