Dandelion

Yeah, okay I lied. The Tulare County Renaissance Faire will be in the next post. I took this shot yesterday after work. Chris laughs at me because I'm always kicking the dandelions. I would pick them and blow on them, but that might be immature. Kicking is much more adult. hehe. In fact, I would bet that he thinks this blog should be named "Kicking Dandelions" instead of "Chasing Fireflies"

Freelance Photography Seminar

Chris & I went to a photography seminar yesterday. It was a lot of fun but focused mostly on the "business" aspect of it. We don't really have plans to make a business out of this. My only ambition right now is to have a picture to submit to the county fair in October!

Although when he started talking about non-profits, I started thinking about the Komen for the Cure Foundation that I do a lot of work with. It's a huge breast cancer research organization. Anyway, when I was working the Komen booth at the rodeo on Friday night, the chair for the Survivor's Luncheon was working with me. She mentioned that they don't have any pictures from the luncheon the last few years because their picture person always bails. I offered up DH & myself to take the pictures this year. We were planning to volunteer anyway, so it doesn't bother me at all to take my camera along.

Ken has a deal worked out for all his photography students to get a free "store front" online webpage through one of the local photo places. You upload your pics, decide on a price, then they take care of the rest and cut you a check once a month. What if we handed out business cards with the website on them and let the guests possibly buy the pictures? Then donated the $$ to Komen? I also thought about someday approaching Komen about doing sessions for terminal breast cancer patients and their families, and maybe survivors too. Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud.

Chris has his own ideas about taking pictures at some of his autocross (car racing) events that don't have a photographer.

Next post: Tulare County Renaissance Faire!

Clovis Rodeo 2008

Shots from the Clovis Rodeo calf roping and bull riding.

Tattoo Day!!

My brother, sister & I got tattoos yesterday. We decided to all get a phoenix tattoo, but individual designs. My sister's boyfriend had to work, so we took her two kids with us. It was definitely a family affair! Keith, whom we have known since he was in grade school, is an awesome tattoo artist. He doesn't tattoo full-time anymore, just on the side out of his house. Luckily his two kids didn't seem to mind sharing their toys for a little while.

Here are some of the shots that aren't just tattoo pictures.

Carpe Noctum - Sieze the Night

Here are some other random night shots.




I saw this tree and had to take a couple of shots.


I love how grainy this one is.

Fresno at Night

We went out Friday and Saturday nights, shooting our Fresno at Night assignments. I decided on the shooting the renovation of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum. I think this is the photograph I'm going to use, with a little bit of additional editing (mostly concerning the streetlight).



I also have a new blog header!!! That was also created during this shoot. I hit the shutter button for a quick shot and didn't realize I still had the shutter speed on 30 seconds. 30s is a long time to just stand there, so I had fun moving the camera all around, facing it in a ton of directions. I thought the photo would just be a blown out blurry mess, but was delighted at the result!!! It seems fitting for chasing fireflies.

Class No. 3

Class went well last night! Ken seemed to like our pictures and I admit to be pretty proud of my shots. Our next assignment is a doozy though. The title of the shot is "Fresno at Night" and we just have to go shoot it. Easy right?

Except that I know nothing of night photography. Then again, I don't know anything about daylight photography either. LOL My biggest block is having a creative idea that I'm excited about. The only one idea that's really sticking with me is a picture of Tent City after dark. I've just got no clue how to accomplish that.

Hopefully DH & I can pile into the car tonight and start getting some preliminary shots & ideas.

Assignment #2

I had my pictures printed for Assignment #2. I am turning in an 8x12 of the Ford GT, with the title "Detroit Muscle" and an 8x10 of the fire station with the title "Standing Watch". I figure I'll give the GT print to my brother. He can put it up at work. I'm not sure what I'll do with the fire station picture though.

We had the pictures printed at Horn Photo in Fresno. I uploaded them through their website, and they were ready the next day! I love the quality, and the pictures look great. Horn also has a rental program! They rent canon bodies & lenses! Their one day prices are pretty cheap too, so that's exciting.

EuroSunday Car Show

I don't have any new Big Hat Days pictures, but here are some pictures from the EuroSunday Car Show this morning.

This is one isn't edited at all:


These are a few more (edited) pictures:

Clovis Big Hat Days

Here are some (minimally edited) photos from Clovis Big Hat Days. I'll take some pictures tomorrow too and choose my assignment for this week from the bunch.

Class Notes

Ken seemed to like my photo, but he said that I need to let myself go. I need to not worry about it being perfect and just go shoot. He seemed somewhat impressed with it though. When he was talking about, he said "Now that's what I'm talking about! It's creative, it's different." So that made me feel good.

He also said that when a photo is edited in photoshop, it becomes an illustration, not a photo. Cropping is okay though, so I'm not sure where the line is drawn. I sent Ken an email asking for some clarification.

Here are two photos from tonight's class that have just been cropped.



This is a picture of Ken that was cropped and I added some fill light.

Assignment #1 - Final Version

Okay, here is what I finally decided on for my first assignment:

First Assignment Shoot Part Deux

Okay so I shot my first assignment again. Here are two new shots that I'm considering, as well as another edit of the first shot: