January 23, 2012

January fireworks...

So Philly finally got it's first bit of snow this past weekend, since that freak "Snow-tober" event we had.  I am soooooo not a "winter" gal and usually dread snow. But this year, I've been chomping at the bit each time I see someone else's snow photos wishing it would snow  here.  This is my first winter with anything other than a point and shoot, so I was raring to use James Dean.  It's been a typical case of not getting what I want and whining about it....until this weekend.

As I ventured outside and the cold slapped me I thought "Sweet baby Jesus, WHAT was I thinking??!!??"  I wasted a wish on THIS?!?  I didn't last too long.  REALLY hard to manipulate James Dean's buttons with gloves on, and once I took off the gloves....OUCH! Another "ouch" is that I realized I have LOTS TO LEARN about James. Also, not a cool look to come back inside to have the Better Half tell me that I MIGHT want to wipe my nose!  I need to spend some time with my "Canon T3i for Dummies" book  (AND a box of Kleenex). I loathe sitting down and reading manuals of any sort.  But I also loathe realizing I wasted a pretty good snow not knowing what the heck I was doing. But this is Philly so I'm sure it will snow again....probably on baseball opening day!




These pine trees are in my backyard.  I can't help but think they look like exploding fireworks.  Disclaimer:  the only thing I was drinking was coffee.




Just go and admit it,  you KNOW I'm right!  It was COLD outside, best to think it is 4th of July.



And this firework, is falling back down towards the ground.  I had a difficult time getting a white balance that worked well.  It was soooooo white and glaring outside. Lots of studying for me to do.  I'm in a quandary tho, do I WANT it to snow again so I can practice???? I'm seriously thinking I could  perfect the same techniques on a sunny, glaring white beach in the Caribbean.  


--Kathy

33 comments:

  1. Mornin' Kathy, I see the fireworks and feel the warm breeze (oh no, wait, that's from the heating vent in the floor right near my computer). Darn! It is supposed to rain here today and wash away some of our snow, this can't be happening. I haven't been snowshoeing yet.

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  2. Ten bonus points for effort I say. Now go and put something stronger in your coffee to warm up.

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  3. We got a little bit of snow here in NY too over the weekend. I never thought I'd say this, but I was rather happy to see it!

    These are wonderful photographs Kathy I love the simplicity, especially in the last one.

    Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at The Creative Exchange.

    Have a wonderful day!

    lisa.

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  4. Great shots.. Love the simplicity of them..

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  5. Whaddautalkinabout . . . these are awesome and I can say that I have never taken any of snow nor do I think that is in my future. But then sometimes sand can be tricky for me too, and no gloves needed!!

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  6. Feelin' your pain, sistah...feelin' your pain ;) You did fabulously, though...those pine needle photos are stunning (and, I agree they totally look like fireworks!) Since I often use autofocus, I can get away with having a mitten on my left hand...I leave my jacket a bit open at the top, and in between shots I warm my camera and right hand under my armpit inside my jacket :D It gets so cold here, that just the slightest exposure to the low temps almost instantly drains the batteries! The white balance is something I adjust in post editing, as the mood strikes me...sometimes adjusting for a warmer look. It's tough getting it right, with the yellow of a setting sun reflecting on the blue tones of the snow!

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  7. I think you did great! I love the first shot -- wonderful DOF. I've been wishing for snow in the mountains for months, and I think we are finally are getting some. It does make for lovely images.

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  8. James Dean rocks - your photos are terrific. You could work on pristine white beaches, but the hot cocoa wouldn't be very refreshing...you'd need to switch to pina coladas or some such beverage

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  9. These really DO look like fireworks! And I think James Dean did you proud. My favorite is the first one - the pine tree. It's beautiful. You have a fantastic eye, Kathy. Isn't it nice to discover a gift like yours later in life? At, uh, thirty-five, I mean? Can't wait to see more. Now go warm up your finger tips, girlfriend. ;)

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  10. I want to go to the Caribbean and practice shots with you and James Dean. Though I don't think you need that much practice your shots are gorgeous....

    Hugs, Linda

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  11. Um . . . accolades to both you and James Dean. These are fabulous photographs, Kathy! To begin with, your composition is each of them is perfection and, to me, your white balance looks right on. The little pine branches do look like fireworks, and the snow gathered inside them looks absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could spend a day out in the snow photographing, though, like you I'd have to bring a box of Kleenex and gloves. Brrrr...!!! (LOL on the nose comment given to you by Better Half.) ;)

    These are really GOOD images - nothing to be ashamed of. You did a fabulous job, girl! :)

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  12. I think there is a lot of depth to the photo's and for a first attempt, you did amazing. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
    Beautiful.

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  13. This is really beautiful and I can also see the fireworks there! I'm also a summer girl and can so relate!! ;-)

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  14. That's your story:
    You climbed up that tree and put the white pom-poms there :-)
    Gorgeous images: uyou got the balance just right.
    Wait till you start playing with textures on them. Let me know if/when you do.

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  15. You are too funny! And I love the photos. I like your thinking - fireworks in January! :)

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  16. Great job...lovin' those snow pics. Just read that you should up your exposure by a one or two notches, if that helps. It helped mine...absolutely LOVE that last shot. We got rain last night and washed all of our snow away...boo hoo.

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  17. These are stunning! I was so excited to see it snowing on Saturday! The past 3 storms had been minimal and at night, I too went out and snapped tons of pics - they're being posted on Wed!

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  18. lol...your firework photos are beautiful! And your sense of humor made me smile. I'm with you on the whole beach thing - practicing white light would be much better there!

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  19. We got a small amount as well. Now I can quit complaining. Nah. :)

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  20. Book it baby...I'll go to the Carribean with ya. Changing up the look of the blog I see...whoa. I like it. Less red, more blue, it's all good.
    My fave is that last shot with lots of negative space. Snow sucks, jus' sayin'.

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  21. we got snow here in nyc too! i was happy to get out and take some photos even though it was cold.

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  22. Love those 'firework' shots - the comp is brilliant. Snow can be tricky to shoot as the camera often tries to underexpose because it's so bright - if you've got exposure compensation you could try overexposing it. If it's giving you a blue tinge you could try setting your white balance to something warmer such as cloudy maybe? Or what about b&W? I shoot in RAW so can alter the white balance in post processing which is a godsend!

    My friend Sue is in the Caribbean at the moment - but I'd really rather have snow! And no we still haven't had any....

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  23. Love the exploding fireworks! Great pictures! Thanks for sharing your pictures and great sense of humor on this chilly day!

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  24. lol on your funny post! LOVE your sense of humor dear girl! I will imagine it being the 4th of July!

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  25. ya gotta find something to like about the cold right?!! love these!!!

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  26. Wonderful photographs.

    Regards and best wishes

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  27. Oh WoW! They really DO look like fireworks... I've never seen or noticed that before! I'll be watching for the same here, if we ever get any snow this year! =)

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  28. LOVE the first photo~great caption too. No snow here...

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  29. I like the clumps of snow in the pine needles!

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  30. Looks great for "not knowing what the heck you were doing"! My fav is the last - simplicity of composition is striking!

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