Just Finished: Understanding Exposure

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson

If you want to take better pictures, read this book from cover to cover. From the title it might sound like Understanding Exposure covers a very limited area of photography, but that's where you're wrong. Peterson, a successful photographer, has everything the beginner needs to take beautiful pictures. The book begins with how to use ISO, shutter speed, and aperture together to create pictures that are technically and artistically good. From there Peterson explains the different techniques to get a variety of cool effects such as panning. Even though I had been taking pictures for over a year, I found the book extremely helpful and the lighting section provides invaluable information on how to adjust exposure for different times of day and situations. There are pictures on almost every page to illustrate Peterson's instructions. My only criticism is that some terms are mentioned numerous times but not explained until the last third of the book. But that's just another reason to go through the whole thing.

Do you photographers out there have any other recommendations for photography manuals?

My new appendage

I wanted to introduce you to my new appendage...a huge messenger bag! Woot woot! I have to admit that I sp-uh-lur-ged on this bag. I really needed it. Really did. It's from a NYC company called Vaya. I saw them on the Groupon-for-Etsy site Heartsy and couldn't help myself. Vaya bags are made to order. They use canvas on the outside and have a bunch of color choices. You can get more complex than mine. I'm a girl with complex yet simple tastes. The inside is vinyl so everything is waterproof. (Not even a drip made it inside this weekend during the tropical storm.)

Not to keep gushing, but the Vaya people have thought of everything. There are pockets galore. They ask which shoulder you'll wear it on and make it accordingly (finally something for us lefties!) And you can get a reflective strip to keep you extra safe when messengering (I didn't get it because I like to live on the edge). My Mac Book fits in it perfectly.  More importantly both of my cameras fit in it perfectly (probably all 3 at the same time but a girl has her vertebrae to consider), which was the main reason I needed an upgrade. If I ever get a puppy, I'm totally carrying it around in there, too.

One more thing, I emailed directly with the owner and she sent pictures of the fabric combinations so I could see before I made the jump. Great customer service, great product. No, Vaya is not paying me to endorse their bags.

P.S. Please ignore that renegade rat tail curl that I missed when putting my hair up. It's not fair to notice it because it's been so hot and humid and I was taking pictures of myself in my apartment complex which is embarrassing.

Last Days in Shanghai I: On Film

One thing you need to know about China: you'll never be able to get up earlier than the elderly Chinese people. You just can't do it. There are too many and they're always going to beat you to the punch. Before I left, I wanted to get up early early and take pictures of the city before all the people & cars hit the streets. I got out by 5:30 a.m. and took pictures for about 4 hours. It was great. Wish I would have done that once a month. I took several hundred pictures...more are coming soon. These are highlights from my Seagull camera...

I would not have gotten this shot without a really nice lady who told me to walk into this courtyard.

Now that's a Shanghai chic.

I don't know if I should, but I adore this picture and how ephemeral all the clothes are.

I went to an old park in the former Jewish corner. An elderly man hijacked me and took me to meet his friends. It was great. This is his friend and more on the other old man in a future post.

This man looks like a muppet to me. A really nice one. He was in his 80s (I think), was an engineer, and spoke Russian.

Old apartment building across the street from the park.

The egg and rice seller's signs.

Taken on a different day...my friend Vivigan on her awesome powder blue faux Vespa.

Just like my town in Mississippi, there are chickens running around the streets.

Pretty Ladies

Hello! I've been photo editing...which means I'm finally scheduling some posts so stay tuned. These are still from my last weeks in China. Sadness.

I took some pictures of my friends/co-workers at our going away lunch. Using the 35mm lens on my Seagull, I took a turn at experimenting with portraits. It would be hard not to take good pictures of these lovely ladies. Don't you agree?

group pic sans moi.

she's looking into your soul.

Lo is super fashionable.

Love this. She could be on the cover of a novel. Maybe I'll write one so she can be on the cover of it.

I love her expression!

This is the cutest Chinese person on the planet. Really she is. And the sweetest.

Our lovely intern. She really likes Korean emo music.

And swoopy bangs.

oh wish this was more in focus. marrr. this gal rocks fascinators (the thing on her head).

the end.