Step-by-Step Photo Secrets

During my bedtime reading I have been learning "how to make your photos look like the pros!" with a practical book The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby. I don't have a thousand dollar camera, a tripod, fancy lenses, or other tools he suggested. I have a Canon Power Shot A560 and mostly "cross my fingers, do fifteen takes, point and shoot."
This morning I decided to go out and try some of what I learned from the section "Shooting Flowers Like a Pro. "
Here are some tips I learned:
-take pictures in the morning light -take the picture from a different position -use a spray bottle of water to make it appear that it has rained -get down on your knees and capture the flower from below
-take pictures at dusk -always practice with Kit

I think tomorrow I will move to the section "Shooting Landscapes Like a Pro".

Images I Will Miss From Summer

Writer's Block, Gratitude, and Wholeness of Women

"Women's work is always toward wholeness."- May Sarton

Recently I gathered around the table with a group of women ( and Rodney, our male leader) for a celebration and gratitude dinner for our friend Brenda (above with a glimpse of Sherry). A group of us serves on a leadership team for the Northwest Inland Writing Project and we wanted to show our appreciation to Brenda for all she has done for the organization. As I sat around the table at the Sangria Grill in Moscow with this group I marveled at the intelligence, stamina, creativity, and determination that was a part of each of the people around the table.( Above are Bev and April, then Carol in the picture right above.)It was only fitting that we found Steel's Writer's Block wine to toast the occasion. We loved that The Bard was on the label. Good food, blooming roses, gifts, grandbaby pictures, and much laughter all added to the festive gathering. As women we do often work toward wholeness whether it is with our life's work, our families, or our friends. I felt that wholeness of women around the table that evening.

Favorite Summer Images Part 2: The iPod Ad

This is brother Raymond Pert having some fun with his niece's iPod the last day of our Oregon coast trip.

Farewell to Summer

Today on the calendar marks the last day of summer. Starting school always feels more like the start of autumn in my mind. Other signs of autumn are popping up all over. Silver Valley Girl got frost in Kellogg. The burning bushes are turning red at school. The Halloween store was open yesterday on Division Street in Spokane. We had a recent late summer rain, pictured above.

As I say farewell to another summer I wanted to post some of my favorite images of the Summer of 2009.
This was my favorite bouquet. our first tomato the ivy geraniums hanging by the garage

the lilies of July a favorite view of the Oregon coast the dogs first run in the ocean
a first rose of June the vivid color of morning gloryon the deck at the writing retreat

Images of a Road Trip

Friday was a beautiful day to do a road trip. As I waited for the ferry to reach our side of Lake Roosevelt I was able to snap some pictures. The Columbia Princess had a light load as it headed for the Inchelium side.The lake sparkled like diamonds that afternoon.
I was treated to a beautiful sunset after I arrived in Moscow.
Walking around campus Saturday I couldn't help but snap pictures of the buildings, especially the ivy-covered Administration Building. It was a week-end full of friendship, good food, good cheer, and good work.