And I thought I liked the picture then...

So, as I'm learning my new camera, I'm also really trying to learn Photoshop Elements. I decided to go back to that picture I liked so much of E and her Daddy. What I found is that it only got better! What do you think? Here's the old picture:

And here is the one I created today with PSE:

Any thoughts?

Can our family handle TWO photographers?

Lately when I want to take pictures of E she isn't cooperative unless she has a camera as well. I pulled out my Powershot this afternoon because it was quick and available. Not too shabby on either of our parts, huh?

I think the funniest part of these two pictures is how we both hold the camera. Think she's seen me do this a few times?

June 19, 2008

It was a good day. So good that our lives will revolve around that little day for quite some time. That is the day CCAA logged us in for a sister for little E. One day, she'll learn to share her Mommy and Daddy. It's going to be hard because the sun rises and sets with that little girl.

YEAH!

Fun with photography at the zoo

I can't think of a better place to practice my new hobby than the zoo. I also can't think of a place that brings a faster smile to my daughter's face than the zoo, so we were all happy. My hubby was just happy that we were happy!

So, we saw lots and lots of animals and I took lots and lots of pictures. There is a stingray exhibit at the zoo right now and after paying six or seven dollars to see them, my daughter decided she was petrified and wouldn't touch the fish! This is the kid who LOVES all animals.

Well, here are three pictures I took. I think they turned out well. The only thing that bothers me is you can see a bit of the flash off the glass in the penguin picture. I'll have to get my photography teacher to teach me how to avoid that in the future.

"She chose me" ***update

I just watched an interview with Cindy McCain talking about the adoption of her daughter. She was volunteering in an orphanage and said she'd be with her in the morning and at the end of the day. Something was just there. "She chose me."

I love stories about forever families. It really doesn't matter what side of the political aisle anyone is to a baby, they just need love.

She also said that it is only $286 to perform a surgery through Operation Smile. So...if you can swing it - go make a kid smile, okay? http://www.operationsmile.org/

per request - here's a link to the video http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5200823 It's three minutes into the video and the last 45 seconds.

We interrupt the photography talk to announce...

That our dossier is in the hands of CCAA. We should have our LID soon and LIDs are taking a day or so after receipt. I am very, very ready to just get in that massively long line.

Okay, back to photograpy.

Mini photo shoot!

So, the only time a little one in our house is still is when she's strapped into her booster seat and eating. I gave her some Pirate's Booty and proceeded to snap some pictures. I really liked two out of the 111 I took. Hooray for digital cameras!!!



Tell me what you think. The lighting could have been better, but I think these turned out great.

Pictures of a completely uninteresting subject...

So, I wanted to see the difference in colors between my point and shoot and my new Nikon. Since baby is sleeping - and getting her to do the same thing while I change cameras is impossible - I threw a pillow onto the rug and took some pictures. I left them both on the manual setting, so this is pretty basic, but the Nikon shows truer color.

Not a huge difference, but something fun to compare and play with. In case you can't figure it out, the first photo is taken with the Nikon and the second is with my point and shoot.

A side note, I am in awe of how fast this takes pictures.

I have a camera!!!!

I am now the very, very proud owner of a Nikon D60. I went to the store and played with all of them and really liked the way the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XSi felt in my hands (the more powerful cameras were too big) but the Nikon was WAY cheaper than the Canon. I'm also more impressed with the more powerful Nikon's than Canon's so once I'm ready to upgrade (many, many years from now) I can still use any lenses I buy for my baby Nikon.

I am also going to take lessons from a photography friend (who reads the blog - hi!) and she's already sending me tips on ways to get started.

As soon as the battery charges fully and my daughter wakes up from her nap I'll snap some pictures and post. I can't WAIT!!!

Camera choices

So...I have lots of camera options but I thought I'd throw out a question for all you out in Blog land. If you own a DSLR camera, can you post a little something to tell me what you love and or hate about your camera? I'm especially interested in the Nikon D300, Canon Rebel XSi or the XTi.

Just throw out your thoughts. I'd also love to hear anything you have to say about lenses. I'm trying to learn about everything, but I'm still not even 100% knowledgeable about my Canon PowerShot. The good thing is the PowerShot is it is DSLR like, except (obviously) the lenses, so if I learn one, I'm hoping it'll translate.

And I've added a gratuitous photo of little E from this weekend!

I'm anxiously awaiting a new book!!!

It comes out on June 19th...of course it will be several more years (if ever) before I can read it without crying. Poor little E, she'll have to read these books to me one day because I'm still having a hard time reading them to her!!!

http://themommyorphanage.com/

I guess she'll have to read them to her sister too!

I completely forgot to mention one other FD gift...

Our dossier went into translation today. Fingers crossed that either at the end of this week or beginning of next our dossier will be mailed to China. The wait is so long that we really try not to talk about it, but it feels a little more real. And you never know what will happen in the world of International Adoption!

The picture I added is a "Red Couch Photo" taken our last day in China. We left later that evening to head towards Los Angeles. We spent the night in LA and headed home and landed in Texas November 4, 2006. There was nothing posed about those smiles, we were the happiest people on the planet! Can't you tell???

Father's Day gift

I ordered this photo blown up to an 11x17 and will have it matted and framed for DH for Father's Day. I'm going to also buy a coffee mug for DH from baby because she OFTEN talks about "Daddy's Coffee"!

I think what I love most about this picture is how turning it to b/w hides so many problems. Here it is in color:

Ahhh - Calgon take me away!

Someone just taught herself how to climb out of a crib WITH a crib tent. Oh boy. We're buying her a toddler bed tomorrow and removing all the furniture from her room.

I am not looking forward to this one at all. Any advice?

I love this little girl!

Just going through some old photos and found this one again. Is she not just the cutest?

First Page...and I'm thrilled with it!

Okay, this is the first page to my scrapbook. I'm a bad, bad digital scrapper. I can't figure out how to give credits. If you recognize an item, please let me know and I will give credit, but I can't find the credit info in my stuff.

I'm profusely sorry if it's yours, and I will rectify it right away.

So...whatcha think for a beginner???

Fun side by side comparison

So...someone took my picture below of DD at Pump it Up and performed even more magic upon it. Take a look!

She added a side by side so I could see the difference. I love it - what do you think?

Now I'm a bit biased because my daughter it too cute for words, but I think the picture really brings out her personality! A little impish and very, very happy.

What do you think?

Thanks Bev!!!

A blow to all women - and it's my fault!

Yep, there are women out there fighting for equal rights, to be President and fair pay for everyone. And you know what I did???

I asked for new pots and pans for our 11th wedding anniversary. Now, anyone who knows me knows that barefoot and pregnant is exactly how I'd love to spend life, but that's not in the cards. Nope, it's on to new pots and pans. And, technically we are expecting!!! Our dossier should go to China - so I guess I am paper pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen!!!

Sorry women everywhere, you've taken a step back, but I'll have a great sautee pan!