Black & White 5 Day Challenge: Day 1

Simple Things

"Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart.  He taught me to appreciate the simple things - a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in the shaft of winter sunlight". 

~ John Grogan

I am embarking on a week long quest to improve my black and white photography. I am such a huge fan of it but rarely like my own attempts. So this week I am setting out to get a better understanding of how best to go about this! 

Meet Calvin, the sweetest Cavalier from Utah - one of Becky's first nephews.  I loved this photo in colour but was surprised how much more I love it in B&W. Without colour I find I am really drawn to the dog's face and his pure expression of love and enjoyment! To me the bond of this pair is evident and B&W only helps to convey that message more.  
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Black & White 5 Day Challenge
Day 1:  Soft focus conversion with a mocha tint

Serious Business

1. Big job today - my person is sick. Hard work this Comfort Spaniel stuff.

2. What kind of Mother leaps at the opportunity to take their child's photograph while they are suffering from a migraine? Well a better one, than the one who actually posts it online I guess! Becky looked so thoughtful trying to will my daughter to feel better, I just couldn't resist grabbing my camera.

3. Time and again, dogs demonstrate their ability to empathize. They comfort family and even strangers in need of comfort never expecting much in return. Cavaliers are noted to be especially good at this task and excel as working Therapy Dogs.  

4. Cavaliers have comforted and owned a few celebrities throughout the years:

Ronald Reagan, Jennifer Love Hewitt , Liv Tyler, Diane Sawyer, Courtney Cox and Davic Arquette, Jerry O'Connell, Amanda Byrnes, Mischa Barton, Koda Kumi,  Terri Hatcher, Jon Favreaum Sylvester Stallone, Claire Danes, Jerry O'Connell, Brittany Murphy, Kirk Douglas, Michael J Fox, Emma Bunton, Seth Rogan

5. This is my first try at using a "Film Grain" overlay. Usually you see that technique on black and white photos, but I really like the mood it gives these photos.

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Participating in: Random 5 Friday

Seeing the Light

Natural light is hard to come by in our house. After so many missed opportunities last year, this year I am trying to lighten up my "A" personality and just learn to grab the camera when the sun chooses to make a rare appearance - yup lots of Vitamin D deficient people in our house. Got to love cold, dark Canadian winters.

One of my photography goals for 2013 is to learn to work with my lack of light since Canadian winters are long. I hope to find time to experiment with ambient light and fill flash, reflectors and off camera flash too.This post at "Click It Up a Notch" gives me hope I can learn to work better with my lighting situation. 

Becky always the poser. Cavaliers tend to relish those cold days if it means a good snuggle and a sunbath.



Cold days also mean less walks so the living room doubles up as an indoor space for fetch. Not the best of photos, but it really shows how my home can be a challenge to find light. I love how the sun here is beaming like a spotlight on Kodee as she steps into the light.
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Participating in:
Camera Critters, Click It Up A Notch 52 Weeks & Paint the Moon - Let's Do 52; Wk 2 - "Imperfection"

Hugs




 {this moment}

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Focus52 Week 6 ~ Prompt "Love"