Week No. 22 - Saturday, 4th June 2011

'Reflection'

Here is my lovely Pixie admiring herself in the mirror. I got the idea from Country File last weekend, they have just launched the new photography competition for next year's calendar. Chris Packham recommended putting your camera down on the floor by the animal to get a quirky perspective. Well Pixie must be sick of me getting in her run and pointing my camera at her. She couldn't resist a quick glance in the mirror though and I caught a nice picture. It's very hit and miss but rewarding when a picture turns out nice and sharp. I tried it with Zac but needed a really wide angle lens as I ended up with only his nose! He ran off anyway, rubbish model that he is.

Week No. 21 - Saturday, 28th May 2011

'Need for Speed'

I have been trying to use a long exposure time to capture the movement of Hope's 360 jump on the trampoline. Unfortunately, the speed she need to jump at was too great and the pictures just looked like a weird blur! I like this one best which has a fast shutter speed in order to catch the action. I've cloned out the annoying ribbon that keeps her top on a coat hanger - why do they bother with them, everyone I know just cuts them out. My eyes were drawn to it too much so it had to go. Poor old Hope was shattered after doing loads of spinning jumps for me, next door must think we are completely mad.

Week No. 20 - Saturday, 21st May 2011

'Spring Fever'

With the weather turning so nice, we went photo crazy at my Mum and Dad's - I think this hot weather has gone to our heads!!

This was one of those occasions where you know what you want to take and sort of how it should look but it is really hard to actually achieve. This is the best of the bunch and yes we ate the biscuits afterwards! Smiley faces are my favourite biscuits after Hob Nobs, Penguins, and Clubs.... hang on I think they're all my favourite (whoops).

Mum held the biscuit and I played around with the depth of field to try and not blur Kirsten completely so you got the idea.

Week No. 19 - Saturday, 14th May 2011

'Window Light'

Still trying to catch up with everything since decorating, here is last week's effort (just a little bit late).

This week's could only be taken using available light from a nearby window. This cat is from my Aunty and Uncle and is actually towards my birthday (bit naughty as it's not yet!). My Aunty knows I love the artist Rosina Wachmeister and bought me one of her little cats. I have put an elements action on the image just to jazz it up abit. I found the reflection from the window a bit tricky and had to be careful with the cats white face as it lost detail so I underexposed slightly.

Right, must be on time with this week's - it's Spring Fever, so hope the weather picks up.

Week No. 18 - Saturday, 7th May 2011

'First thing in the morning'

This week's theme was a bit challenging to say the least as first thing in the morning is usually my busiest time. However, the light outside this morning was lovely so I grabbed the camera and literally lay over the wall looking down onto this rhododendron! I must have looked mad.

I love the colour of this flower so have cropped really tight to concentrate totally on the pink. I also messed about with the colour of the border just for fun.

Week No. 17 - Saturday, 30th April 2011

'Princess for a Day!'

So sorry this post is over a week late - eek! Deadlines and Decorating should be the title of this picture instead of Princess for a Day. Obviously, for the Royal Wedding, which I watched over at my Sister and Brother in law's, I did take photos on the day but wasn't happy enough with them to put them on my blog. The rest of the week has been a blur and time has just run away with me.

Right enough excuses, here is my effort - the title took me down memory lane of my own wedding where I did really feel like a princess for the day. I did think about taking an arty shot of a photo of the day but then decided that might be cheating. I've raided the loft and found my bouquet, head dress and actual dress (got to go back up later as the wedding album is hiding up there somewhere). It was nearly 16 years ago that we got married (come on, no 'out with good behaviour' jokes please!). It was funny that my wedding trousseau (too much Royal Wedding build up, me thinks) was buried underneath the box for Band Hero, Barbie Dolls and Zac's bed that he attacks whenever he see's it! How life has changed over those 16 years!!

Week No. 16 - Saturday, 23rd April 2011

Zac - My 'Furry Friend'

Furry Friend was an easy title for me this week, although as usual time has been against me to get a really good portrait of him. He just won't sit still for long enough, every time I have 5 mins to get the camera out he scoots off! Managed to catch him under the trampoline this afternoon and have de-saturated slightly which I think sets off his colouring.

Just about to start decorating - hope next week's theme is something to do with paint or curtains!!