I wanted to title my first blog post of 2010 - Life in the Fast Lane, but just before posting, I decided to read the lyrics. Conclusion: No, that's not me. However, my life is moving fast. It feels like I just woke up, and it's already time to go to bed. It feels like it is still Christmas, and already a few days have passed since the New Year. Before I go on, let me wish you all the best in 2010. May all your dreams come true, and most of all, good health. We all know how it is without it.
The winter is keeping us inside. Matthew's soft skin is still very sensitive to negative colds, and we have been experiencing very cold days since Christmas. I am hoping that spring or the last days of winter will be warmer, so I can go out and do more photography. In the meantime, I'm just trying new things inside the house and with editing. Like this one of Matthew running around and me chasing him. He is also developing quickly as he runs. Every day, he learns a few new words and sentences, can count to 10 by himself (that was a surprise), can read mom and dad, and knows at least 10 different colours. Yesterday he surprised us by singing some words and humming a tune of the Old McDonald Had a Farm and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and starting today he learned shapes. I am telling you, Matthew is ready for school. But he is not going yet because it will be a shame for me not to watch him grow, plus he is only 20 months old.
I said before that being home most of the time, taking care of Matthew, and doing regular house chores limit my ability to get out and do more photography. We gave up on the birding in our backyard, as the seeds attracted not only birds but also nasty rodents. However, the house can be a nice place to experiment with photography. I have been playing with my point-and-shoot camera and trying to take more photos without a flash. Why? Because that way, I capture the colours I see with my eyes or more of the natural light. The flash is nice, but sometimes it adds different shades of colour; the result is the camera's interpretation. This time I enjoyed creating motion blurs, and Matthew was perfect for this experiment. Not to mention playing with photo editing. Oh, and did I mention that I missed the blue moon? It was snowing.
~ Anna
The winter is keeping us inside. Matthew's soft skin is still very sensitive to negative colds, and we have been experiencing very cold days since Christmas. I am hoping that spring or the last days of winter will be warmer, so I can go out and do more photography. In the meantime, I'm just trying new things inside the house and with editing. Like this one of Matthew running around and me chasing him. He is also developing quickly as he runs. Every day, he learns a few new words and sentences, can count to 10 by himself (that was a surprise), can read mom and dad, and knows at least 10 different colours. Yesterday he surprised us by singing some words and humming a tune of the Old McDonald Had a Farm and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and starting today he learned shapes. I am telling you, Matthew is ready for school. But he is not going yet because it will be a shame for me not to watch him grow, plus he is only 20 months old.
I said before that being home most of the time, taking care of Matthew, and doing regular house chores limit my ability to get out and do more photography. We gave up on the birding in our backyard, as the seeds attracted not only birds but also nasty rodents. However, the house can be a nice place to experiment with photography. I have been playing with my point-and-shoot camera and trying to take more photos without a flash. Why? Because that way, I capture the colours I see with my eyes or more of the natural light. The flash is nice, but sometimes it adds different shades of colour; the result is the camera's interpretation. This time I enjoyed creating motion blurs, and Matthew was perfect for this experiment. Not to mention playing with photo editing. Oh, and did I mention that I missed the blue moon? It was snowing.
~ Anna
Comments
And i love your experiments with photography. Amazing shots.
We prefer to stay inside too, it is -25 and i have the whole week off, so going outside is out of question :D
A BEAUTIFUL motion shot of Matthew. I also love snapping photos in natural lighting.
The weather has been cold as ice. Frost has climbed the trees here. I just posted a winter photo in my BetterPhoto gallery.
Life does move swiftly while watching our babies grow. I blinked and my two graduated from high school and now my granddaughter is an Au Pair in Switzerland for a year!
Have a blessed New Year and I hope we all feel the warm sun soon. :D
Hugs, JJ
Mathew is so beautiful little boy. He is growing fast and developing great. I am really very glad for that. It isn’t easy to take care of the children in this growing phase because they are constantly in motion; they are curious and want to explore everything around them. But they are so sweet and interesting in this age. There is no doubt that your time flies so fast. Well, I don’t have little children but still I am sometimes worried about how time flies quickly. The second photo made me smile because I imagined you chasing him. :-)
Best wishes to you too and to your family in 2010.
MedaM
We get rats at our feeders too. What to do, we love the birds. Our cats do occasionally get a rat or two so that helps. We live in the country, so usually the rats stay outside. Once I heard them in the walls and attic. I went to work and got rid of them in a hurry!
I am sure it is cold there. My daughter is flying to Omaha tomorrow and the forecast is for 26 below zero (f) wind chill. I like it here in Oregon, thank you.
Happy 2010! Hope it is a great year for you and your family. :-)
I try to never use flash. I like natural, ambient light. Flash is so harsh without a diffuser.
The blue moon was beautiful, but it looked just like any other full moon. Not blue at all, of course.
I was born and grew up in Quebec, have spent a little time in Ottawa with my sister, and also lived for five years in the Maritimes, two of those in Northern New Brunswick. I remember the cold temperatures very well. There is nothing quite like a crisp, sunny, white-snow day, but I have to admit, the Vancouver climate agrees with me.
--JB
Take Care,
Peter
I am such a purist that I generally throw away my "blurred" shots. But I have been learning in more recent months that there is merit in these pictures. They can be a lot of fun.
Thanks for the visit and all the comments.
I like the picture because there is movement in it.
Days of his growing will be very very enjoyable.
You were right about the Hudson Bay blanket - the original, and mine is a copy!
I love your projects you have in your mind Anna and Matthew has a wonderful caring mother!
Stay warm to protect him from the big cold, Anna. Kisses to Matthew :)
This post is really very interesting and touching. I just recalled nearly the same days of my sister when her son was just a few months old. She used to teach him, take care of him, and spend each and every second with him. I wish, her same days come back again when she doesn't have to worry about anything, and can concentrate again on him. It's my very intense wish.
Oh! I'm getting too emotional.
mmmmmm…
And yes, about photography without using flash, it's the same approach for me too. The photos tend to become flat with flash. I too like photos with natural light. Nice takes Anna :)
Rays of Hope
Happy 2010! :-)
Cute clever boy!.
Wow Will you get rats, we got mouse, but we found the source being neighbour, so looks like she got rid of them, crossing my fingers.
It warmed up a bit today, but I am sure the worst is yet to come, lol. That was cold for your daughter.
Will have a good 2010, all the best, Anna :)
Enjoy these tender loving years, they are priceless.
Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments.
happy new year fot you and yours
Thanks for your fidelity to my blog... I love this experiment a lot. I've been trying that with birds flight but no success so far!
He's getting to be a big little boy alright. Handsome too.
I don't know much about digital cameras, so I didn't know they could be set to blurr (shutter shutter speed).I thought you had to do all that special stuff with Photoshop.
Anyway, great pictures. You are the best.
Happy trails.
He is all a big boy
Love your shots :-)
Have a wonderful weekend
Anya :-)
Take Care,
Peter
Good luck with your team!
Take Care,
Peter
Anna :)
Anna :)
May 2010 bring you nothing but happiness and glorious moments :D!
Matthew is looking gorgeous! And I am glad that he is developing fast (today's kids are like that - I met one the other day that is 2 years old and already counts, sings, knows the colours...you name it!) - you must be proud!
I like the experiment you did, and I can't wait to see what you can do once you hit the streets :D!
Cheers
Of course you are making the best of the long, indoor winter days, experimenting with your camera. You are so right about the flash, casting glare and shadows, or changing colors. I see it every time I try to photograph artwork!
I wish you health and happiness in this new year, too, Anna! May you feel warm and cozy and inspired until the early spring sun beckons you outdoors with your son.
Matthew already hit the streets, and he is fast, lol.
Thanks Max for your kind comment as always. I will see you later.
Anna :)
Yes flash is tricky, and natural light is still the best.
Thanks for your kind comment and wishes Lynda, appreciated.
Anna :)