Depth of Field

Our second photography assignment was on depth of field.

In the words of my instructor, depth of field is the portion of the scene that appears sharp in the image. It is the range of distance within the subject that is acceptably sharp. The depth of field varies depending on lens, focusing distance, and aperture setting. The depth of field does not abruptly change from sharp to un-sharp, but instead occurs as a gradual transition. In fact, everything immediately in front of or in back of the focusing point begins to lose sharpness – even if this is not perceived by our eyes or by the resolution of the camera.



Camera setting-Aperture Priority
ISO-200
White balance-Daylight
Aperture-F22


Camera setting-Aperture Priority
ISO-200
White balance-Daylight
Aperture-F16


Camera setting-Aperture Priority
ISO-200
White balance-Daylight
Aperture-F11


Camera setting-Aperture Priority
ISO-200
White balance-Daylight
Aperture-F8


Camera setting-Aperture Priority
ISO-200
White balance-Daylight
Aperture-F5.6

Who just turned 2?

BRECKEN!!

A cowgirl at heart, a sorority sister by blood and a great friend by nature throw a party to please any toddler. Her precious, adventurous, boy after his daddy’s heart turned two yesterday which meant Tulsa needed to celebrate.

Family and friends galore rolled out to celebrate in style with Brecken and Elmo. Here are some images from the fun filled evening.


Birthday boy!!!


Friends.



Time for gifts....


Lots of fun new toys!


Happy birthday to you.....


Happy birthday to you.....


Happy birthday to Brecken....


Happy birthday....


to...


YOU!!!

Love,
Jen

Photography 101

Because I have a big girl camera, because it is the summer and I don’t have enough to do, because I love photography, and because I am getting photography appointments very regularly…….I started taking a photography class.

And as I said because it is summer and I don’t have enough to do I am already behind on my photography class blogs………….oh wait, I am behind on my blog in general.

Our first assignment was on manual exposure using our big kid cameras. I like to cheat and take short cuts as much as I can, yicks did I just say that out loud. I like to take short cuts when taking pictures…….there that makes me feel better and not so much like a criminal. Because I like to take the path less bumpy and I am not 100% familiar with the manual setting on my camera I usually just put it on the sport or action mode and call it a day. That was until two weeks ago when I set out to complete my very first homework assignment.

On June 13th I fell in love and when I fall in love it is quite a production. Trumps sounded, angles sang, my tummy tingled, and I began performing back handsprings in my mini skirt and wedges on the sidewalks of downtown Tulsa. When the homeless people congregating in front of the bus stop looked at me as though I had lost my mind…I simply shouted “I just found my one true love”. They didn’t seem to feel the same excitement in their bones that I had surging through by body from uncovering the manual mode on my big girl camera.

Being that I do not have an issue with control, no not this sister. I am sure the fact that I can control the ISO, the shutter speed, the White Balance, and the aperture has absolutely nothing to do with why I love the setting so much. Okay so maybe I have a teeny tiny problem with control but that is subject matter for my psychologist not my blog post on photography.

Here are five shots I took for my first assignment……….







Love,
JB

Awwwww summer!

As I mentioned yesterday and as everyone knows with summer comes heat which I do not like, however there are a ton of things I do love about summer:

My tomato, basil, and cilantro garden

Warm evenings on the porch with friends

The lake

Vacations

Visits from family

Cook-outs

Flip Flops

Los Cabos on Friday or Saturday nights

Homemade Ice Cream

My budding Calla Lilies

Early Saturday morning runs along the river

Wedges

Seeing my friends at the gym in the evenings because it is too hot to run outside

Great photography opportunities

Sleepovers with my precious cousin Maggie

Evening bike rides

4th of July

Fresh fruit and vegetable stands

Sundresses

Weekend races

Sunday afternoon’s poolside

Yeah for summer!!!
Jen

Yicks it's hot......

I was thinking this evening as I was running in the blazing heat that I have not shared any running tips with you all in months. With today being the first day of summer and with summer, arrives heat I thought it would be a good time to share some running advice I have uncovered. Heat happens to be the greatest offender to all runners, due to the fact that heat causes two negative factors……overheating and dehydrations.

There is a lot of scientific mumbo-jumbo that explains how your body heats and cools itself, but the bottom line is overheating occurs when the body cannot keep up with the demands of the evaporation of water from your skin. In order to avoid overheating you should give your body at least two weeks to adapt to the heat. During this adapting phase your pace and intensity need to be reduced. Your goal is simply to get your run in not to set a record pace, in order to train your body to cool itself in warmer weather. It is also essential to wear light colored, loose fitting wicking running gear. If running in the morning or late evening is conducive to your schedule you will avoid the heat, however you may encounter higher humidity. For those of you who live in Oklahoma, Texas, DC or any other states that have heat alert days it may be wise to simply take your training indoors on those days.

Dehydration is the second factor that plagues runners during the hotter months. Water is important to all of us runners or non-runners alike. However if plans for your day consist of a run in the heat it is recommended you drink 8oz of water per hour throughout the day. Make sure you also consume water or a sports drink during your run. For any runs shorter than 45 mins. water will suffice however if your run will be longer it is suggested to consume a cup of sports drink every 15-20 min. in order to fuel your muscles and aid in maintaining electrolyte levels. It is always good to remember that if you are thirsty you are already low on fluids. There are many different indication of dehydration a couple being…..a high heart rate during and after your run in addition to golden-colored urine. It is imperative that you continue drinking fluids after your run until your urine is clear.

Running in the warmer weather is not always bad, just take the appropriate precautions.

Happy Running,
Jen

Happy Father's Day

Days like today make me miss living closer to home……..days when I want to wrap my arms around my daddy and tell him how much I love him. My daddy is the first man I ever loved, the first man to take up residency in my heart, and the first man to have me wrapped around his finger. Growing up I never thought of myself as a daddy’s girl, but the older I get I think I need to reconsider that thought. My daddy encourages me when I have lost all hope, he supports me when I think I have no more strength to give, he laughs at me when my blonde starts to come out, and he loves me with his whole heart.

Happy Father’s Day daddy…I love you so much!!
Jen

Goodbye spring

Spring is coming to an end and here in Oklahoma summer arrived early. It is hot here in Tulsa which results in this sister not being able to be outside for long while the sun is out. However, this evening I was sitting out on the patio reading and looked up to see what beauty hot days provide at night. There were some storms firing up east of Tulsa which allowed for us to watch the many colors that seem to only be seen exiting the summer night skies.

Love,
Jen