Photography Class

Yesterday I took a compact digital photography course at the Chicago Photography Academy. Basically I wanted to learn how to truly use my camera. I found out about them through a groupon-type promotion.

It was fabulous. The class was 6 hours long and we covered all of the basics of how to do manual settings. I now know how to shoot without a flash no matter the light and how to manipulate my camera for all sorts of effects. Their ultimate goal is to enable you never to shoot on Auto.

During lunch we are asked to take lots of photos trying out different settings to see how the same photo looks with different setting changes.

Here are some of the photos I took from the day that I really liked:

Cool tile pattern in a store
Life in the city

Go Stillers!

Cool contrast
Lovely flowers
Bike loop shot on the wrong ISO
Bike loop shot on the correct ISO- Amazing!

This next series of photos was one of the neatest tricks I learned that day. I was trying to take a shot of this steeple and the light behind it was really casting a bad silhouette since it was so cloudy. I was struggling to capture any detail.

Original Shot

Switching up the ISO- helped a little, but still missing good detail of the steeple even though there was good cloud detail

My teacher caught me on the sidewalk trying to get the shot and taught me that if I hold my fingers over the light I want to remove, set the focus, move my fingers and then take the shot, it will remove enough light to get the detail. Here is the product:
Same exact shot, light everything. Crazy!!!! The sun did manage to come out during my lunch hour so I got this nice shot as well.

In the afternoon we learned to take "Macro" shots when we want to shoot something smaller with a lot of detail. A great technique for all you crafters and jewelers out there!

All in all it was a fabulous day and I definitely recommend this to anyone living in the Chicago area. They have other classes too, include ones for people with a SLR camera.

I'll leave you with a parting shot of Owen as a Woody/Buzz hybrid. He asked me to take his picture. Such a silly boy.
A big thanks to Brett for spending his Sunday running errands, doing laundry and watching the kids so I could get out and enjoy the day.

Baptism for Baby John

Today we celebrated the baptism of dear friend's baby, John. He is the baby of Jill and Jeff (Maddi's Godfather.)

It was so nice to be part of their celebration. The ceremony took place at Old St. Pat's which is where they were married.
Afterwards we went back to their house for some food and fun. It was so nice to catch up with friends and spend the morning celebrating with them.

Some Home Farming

Our plants are starting to produce! This is what we got before vacation but there is even more coming now. So exciting!!!!

This past Wednesday poor little Maddi had her first big fall and ouchie. She fell into the wooden door frame while walking and came really close to splitting her forehead open. Luckily she just ended up with a giant goose egg, but still looked so painful.
She is starting to "talk" a lot now. Her favorite one recently is up and yeah when she is excited about something. So cute.

2011 Trip to O.C. Maryland

We took our annual trip to Ocean City with my Mom (Gigi) this past week. There was lots of fun to be had.

Saturday
Arrived in the evening and just had dinner and relaxed once we got in and were settled.

Sunday
We had some visitors from around the state of Maryland come to visit us. It was so nice of them. Brett's Uncle Rich, his cousin Becky and our friend Mallory all came for the day. Such a special treat!

We spent the day at the beach and had lots and lots of fun.

Owen digging with Uncle Rich

In the evening we went to dinner at Hooper's and scored a FABULOUS corner table overlooking the water outside on the porch. Couldn't have asked for anything better.

Maddi laughing at the seagulls

Our table view

Monday
Monday we were right back at it on the beach for more sand and sun. Some of us had more sand than others. Maddi is NOT a fan. Especially when it touches her toes.

Ready to ride the waves

Tuesday
After LOTS of sun the previous two days, we just hung around and relaxed. We went to Target and Walmart to get Owen more Cars cars. He was in little boy heaven thanks to Gigi.

Tuesday night we went to the boardwalk. Owen LOVES the rids and had an absolute blast. So did Gigi with him:)

Family shot on the boardwalk.

Owen has decided not to cooperate in pictures anymore as you can see from his sour puss.
Now the real fun begins, riding the rides.

Where he officially declares "no more pictures"


Waiting to ride the tugboat with Gigi

While normally Owen would be thrilled to be riding a train, clearly it was not exciting after everything else he just rode.

Owen and Gigi on the mixer

Maddi went on her first big girl ride with Mommy. She just sat there and I felt ridiculous.

Owen pretended he was riding an alien spaceship

Roller Coaster with Gigi

Family shot on the merry-go-round. Thanks for participating Owen.

And we finished up the night with the boats

Wednesday
It was time for our annual shopping trip. The girls all went to Rehobeth for some retail therapy while the boys stayed home.

The day ended with a trip to the outlets and my first Coach purse. Thanks Mom!!!!!!

Thursday
On Thursday we were still pretty tired from the previous day's excitement. So, we decided to just hang out at the neighborhood pool. Both kids really enjoyed swimming and splashing around in the water.

Thursday night we went to a nice dinner at Mickey Finn's. The children we were very well behaved thankfully and we had a lovely evening. I had my annual lobster tail which was quite yummy!!!!

Ready to go

Friday
The weather was beautiful and we spent a nice, long day at the beach.

Maddi enjoyed "playing" in the sand as long as it was contained.
Owen and I dug a big hole and then I buried him in it.

And Miss Maddi took a nice, long snoozer on the beach.
It was a great day.

At night we just ordered in Chinese food, relaxed and packed. Oh, and of course no vacation would be complete without a trip to Dumser's for Ice Cream so we did that too.

Saturday
Sadly it was time to go home already. We got some good pool time in before we had to leave for the airport.

We all had so much fun and much like the lake, Owen was really sad to leave.

Thanks Gigi for a great week!