Friday, June 17, 2011

Suffering for Art?

It is said that many artists suffer for their art.  I certainly do not consider myself an artist, yet tonight I did suffer a little.

I gave at least a pound of flesh to a killer swarm of black flies that did their damage on any exposed skin. 

As you know I am taking a beginner photography class.  Each week we are given an assignment.  This week we are supposed to shoot something interesting about a door.  But tonight I just wanted to play.   One of the goals of this class is to teach us to use our manual settings as opposed to the easy automatic settings.  We are learning to adjust the shutter speed, ISO, aperture etc.  This was stressful for me in the beginning.  Tonight I thought I would just use the auto settings.  Well after about 6 shots I thought "Gee, this isn't as much fun".  So I went back to the manual settings.  You have more control and get crisper shots.

The LUPINS are out in full force on the Tyndal Road.  I love them so I braved the black flies (AKA no-see-ems) and took about 94 different shots.

Don't panic - I'm not going to show you all of them but here is a sampling.







14 comments:

  1. Oh Girlfriend - thank you for bearing...uh...I mean braving...life and limb to get those gorgeous shots for us....I do think you are an artiste!! I LOVE lupines (can't grow them for diddly - kinda like your sunflowers me thinks...) but I still love them (and to think they grow wild...what an insult to my thumb!!) You'll have to share with us some photography tips from time to time...my son bought me a wonderful camera the year before last for mother's day - and I think it could fry an egg with it if I just figured out all those dang settings....You know....just simple things...like uh...what does ISO mean...how can I get a pic like your last one where the foreground is focused and the background is blended, etc....They don't have photography classes in Nod... ;o) Have a wonderful weekend! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  2. Oh Kim, I love your lupin photos. Mine are in full bloom too and I don't even have time to enjoy them, I've been so busy.

    Maybe when things slows down for me I'll try some manual shots and some more advanced techniques with a special lens.

    The purpose of the class is to learn new tricks with your camera so I think that you are learning... Good girl. Can't wait to see more. Have a great weekend and I hope that the flies leave you alone. Hugs. JB

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  3. Wonderful photos, very artsy! Sometimes we just have to leave our comfort zone and become brave, especially when one takes the camera setting from auto to manuel, great job. Have a wonderful weekend, Julie.

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  4. Yes Kim, You are an artist suffering for your art! The lupines are gorgeous! Just as long as you don't become like Van Gogh you'll be fine.

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  5. Kim, I think these photos are just grgeous!! I wish I could take your photography class with you...I have always wanted to do that! These are just great!!

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  6. Beautiful!! I am jealous * in a good way of course * ;) I so want to take a photography class and get out of my little old comfort zone with the camera. Maybe in the Fall! Thanks for the inspiration! -Tammy

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  7. I hate those nasty bugs. They also fly into your mouth while you are talking GAG!!! I do love your photos though. Crisp, clear and the color is lovely.

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  8. Kim those are some very pretty shots. Good on you for using your manual setting. I have to be honest and say that unless I am really going for a special shot I pretty much shoot in P mode. I have gone thru my menu and set my preferences and I can quickly change settings in P with a couple of buttons and a dial. This is going to be fun if you tell/update us and discuss, we can always learn. Your lupins are a beautiful vibrant blue. Sorry about the no-see-ums, we have them too and they are obnoxious critters!

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  9. Your pictures are beautiful! You have patience to learn all the technical stuff about cameras. Lupines are one of my favorites and I love to see them growing wild in Maine and New Hampshire. I especially love the photo where the flower is curved over a bit. Lovely.
    Courtney

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  10. Beautiful pictures, Kim...I,too, love lupins....Wish I had time to learn how to use my little old camera...no hope for me

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  11. Your shots are beautiful Kim!! Someday I want to take a photography course!

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  12. Ahhh, they are all stunning, but the pink one has everything beat hands-down...just jumped right off the page for me!
    really nice...

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  13. Awesome shots, I need to take a class like that. I can see how much you have learned in just a week.
    What fun to be able to have a excuse to go around taking pictures and experimenting.
    I have always loved lupins.

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  14. Kim ~
    Beautiful pictures!!!
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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