1. Take photography class/workshop - I would love to take a Clickin Moms class or another workshop be it online or in person to expand my photography skills and learn and grow from other photographers.
2. Learn more about my new lens - I recieved a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens from my mom for Christmas and I got to play with it today during a sunset at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon. The shot below is SOOC and if it is any indication, I think I am going to love this lens!
Settings: ISO 200, 50mm, ss1/1250, f/7.1 (full manual, sunlight wb)
3. Read at least one photography book - Also for Christmas I was given 3 photography books. You can see which ones by clicking on the "Camera Bag" tab at the top. My goal is to read at least one, hopefully more than, and put what I learn directly into practice.
4. Complete a Project 365 using my iPhone and my Facebook page and post a blog entry a day - I have seen so many wonderful Project 365s on countless photography blogs, but with my work schedule I cannot committ to taking a photo a day with my DSLR. However, I carry my iPhone everywhere and it has a camera, which means a iPhone 365 is doable! (Thank you Photojojo for the idea! If you don't get there newsletter sign up right away!). I will be showcasing it on my Facebook page. I would love if you followed my 365 journey by clicking on the "Like" button in the side bar to the right. I will continue to aim for a blog post a day on this blog using mostly photos from the previous weekend photo shoot.
5. Start an online photography shop - I have been toying with the idea of selling prints of my photos for a while now and I want to go for it this year. I am not sure if I want to do an Etsy Shop or go through a company like SmugMug. It looks like research on this topic is in my future!
6. Self portraits - I want to become comfortable taking a self-portrait. Hopefully this will lead to photographing other people. Who better to learn on than myself?
7. Learn how to use backlighting - Backlighting is the one skill that I have really wanted to learn that I have not been able to teach myself through online reasearch and trial and error...yet. I am going to learn this year for sure!
8. Print my photos monthly - Thank you for the idea Courtney! What better way to rescue my photos from a life of sitting on a hard drive? I have already starting printing a few on Canvases, but I like the idea of printing them and putting them on a board. Economical and fun!
9. Share what I have been learning about photography on my blog - I have learned SO MUCH from reading the blogs of other photographers. I want to give back and share a tiny bit of what I have been learning as well.
10. Save up for a macro lens and a Tamron all-in-one lens - I had read countless pieces of advice that say to go with new lenses before going with a new camera. I think this sounds smart and much more affordable :o).
11. Make a list of the places I want to photograph and go to at least 5 of them - I have so many places I want to go to experience and take photos. I would like to have them listed so I can check them off. I love checking off a list!
12. Take a 10 minute time-out during every photo shoot - I have a tendency to get so caught up with that next shot that I don't live in the moment and soak up the amazing places I go to photograph. I am hoping that taking a short time-out will help me stay in the moment and be open to finding new things to photograph. I tried it on my photo shoot today and this was one of the photos after my time out. I usually like to wait until all the people are out of the shot on the beach, but there is just something about this that worked for me. (Side note - tons of surfers on this beach, the surfing/beach scene in the first Twilight movie was filmed here.)
Settings: ISO 200, 50mm, ss1/200, f/8.0 (full manual, cloudy wb)
Processing: Clean edit of basic settings in Lightroom
Linking up with the link ups below. I hope you'll spend a moment or two checking out the amazing photographs of those participating!
These are fantastic! Thanks for the shout out :O) I will be adding your take a time out from shoots to mine. I just love that idea! Wonderful! You have fantastic goals and I'll nag, I mean encourage you if you will NAG me :O)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Well done.
ReplyDeleteI also received a 50mm lens for Christmas from my husband. I have SO MUCH to learn about DSLR photography and getting out of my Auto mode comfort zone. I took some images playing with the manual setting on Christmas day - it was such a challenge for me as I have no idea what I am doing in manual mode!! The images are on my Christmas day post.
http://amothersfaithhopeandlove.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-day-in-qld-australia.html
awesome goals! love the picture too! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous list of goals! I have the understanding exposure book and it was a good read. I do think you need an and then she snapped camera strap on your wish list though! ; ) thanks for showing off your shot this week!
ReplyDeleteGreat goals!!! All of them are sure to help you progress in your journey. Love the 10 min time out one, something I've learned to do myself, but learned it the hard way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration! I definitely will be adopting a few of your goals this year too : )
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