
Finally! Tomorrow is the first day of summer for Fashionista and me. We had to wait until the dreaded ACT test was over with and that happened on Saturday. It was her second attempt- trying for a higher score. That test makes me crazy. I went to college, got a bachelor's degree, but I tried the science questions on her practice tests. They are impossible, especially in the time frame given for that section of the test. And the English test part. The correct answer is not even the way we really talk, so you certainly can't figure it out by asking yourself if that sounds right. She studied hard for it. I am so glad it's over.
Let's all just forget about it. Lookie here:

I'm still figuring out how my new camera works- all those settings and such. I'm not too patient when it comes to reading directions. But I think I am going to have to study at least some of the manual. It's just a little point and shoot. Nikon. Coolpix. But one blog follower says on his profile that anyone can take a good picture with any camera- it's all in the skill of the photographer. I hope he's right, and that I can learn the skill. The shadow is me. You knew that, right?

Reading the directions might have helped me with the ACT test years ago, too. Not thinking about it. Done. Over.

This is a cherry tomato growing out of the bottom of a planter with basil, oregano and a petunia, for color, growing out the top. In the background is a scalloped rock garden with varying veggies planted on each level. Spinach is coming up in the white planter in the background left. I have to fence everything to keep all kinds of vegetarians out. There is a dense strip of woods behind here where all the critters, who used to live in several thousand acres of forest, now reside in high rise tree house apartments. They can't believe their good fortune- a local supermarket so close at
hand paw.

This tree grows in front of, through, around the back of and back through our fence by the pool. We haven't opened the pool-yet. Michigan just made it out of the 60's- I'm talking degrees here, folks. Put that on the ACT science test! Gee willikers.

So, the verdict is still out on the camera. The pics don't seem as clear as what I had in mind and I'm not sure I know what I'm doing regarding lighting. Actually, I'm sure I don't have any idea what I am doing regarding lighting- or focusing. I'm doing a whole lot of comparing of my first try pics to some extremely beautiful ones you'll enjoy
here. It is possible I have set expectations of my particular camera and my existing photographic skill a teeny bit too high.
But I'm happy it's summer for us now! Plenty of time to practice- something other than English grammar, science and mathematics.
Soon it will be summer for Michigan, too. Sizzle, sizzle. (A girl can dream)
Heidi
11 comments:
Having lived in Michigan a good portion of my life (10 years as a kid, 20 as an adult), I can attest to the fact that you never know what you'll get weather-wise! I remember some freezing cold 4th of July picniks :-( And whole summers where the sun never really seemed to heat up much. Until the last week before school starts. LOL
You got your camera! (I think that guy was right. Any camera can take a great picture. Just not always a camera in my hand. I'm still working on it, too!)
So glad Fashionista is through with the ACT. Hope it went well. My students all got their scores back from a couple of weeks ago. Varied reactions. English?! I should have told you. The best clue English teachers tell: the most concise sentence that is grammatically correct is usually the right choice.
Love seeing your garden, flowers, and yard. Isn't summer grand?!
I love my delete button!For every one good picture I take I probably delete 4, but you're right getting familiar with all the function of your camera will help you get the shot you want!
Love the iris, they are my favorite!
Blessings
Robin
read your comment over at 2nd cup about learning how to schedule a post. There should be a link label "options" at the very bottom of your post window. If you click it, it will give you the option to change the date and time of your post, just an FYI.
I hate reading manuals too. I just want to know that one thing now and skip all the rest till later. I like Picasa to organize photos and they have some edit features. I just use the "I'm feeling lucky" button. I didn't make that up, it lets the computer do the corrections for me and I really has saved some photos.
I think your photos look great. What kind of camera did you get? Our pool water is getting too warm already. I think the water temperature here is about 82 deg. Burrrrr.
Looks like you're getting off to a good start with your camera. You know, most of the pics I take with my fancy-schmancy dslr look no different than the ones someone else might take with a p&s. (But I am still glad to have it for the extra "play" factor and the times when a p&s just wouldn't do the job-- like the kids' graduations.) The biggest downside to the dslr is that, due to its size & weight, I can't just carry it around in my purse with me all the time as some p&s owners do; thus I miss out on some good photo ops.
Hope Fashionista's 2nd stab at the ACT turns out to have been worthwhile! (oops, wrote her real name but caught & changed it.) E, despite having gotten a high score the 1st time, retook it in hopes of an even higher one-- and ended up two points LOWER! (it was still a good score.) She was more than a little ticked. Good thing ACT counts only the highest score. Now if she would just get that high score onto a few college apps for 2010...
I love your photos! Great shadow picture, that was on purpose right. *wink*
I have a dearly loved cousin in Rockport, MI. They came to visit me here in TX one year and the kids got in the swimming pool and said it felt like a bathtub the water was so warm from the sun.
Hey I'm having a giveaway at my Graphics blog if you're interested.
Have a great week!
Hi. Your pics are great. I got a new camera, filled up most of the memory and now I cannot find my link cable to download. SO, I've been back to using my old one. It has such a delay that I got a few great pics of the girl walking BEHIND my son during the graduation procession. lol.
Wow! You can help with college homework! I struggled with JM's in high school.
I like your code name for your daughter. Mine for my youngest is Alberquando. I explained it once upon a time in one of my early posts. A lot of people think that is really his name!
OK, I'm going to hit submit for my comment now and see what happens...
No WVB (Word Verification Box)!!!!
Hurray!
Heidi, thank you for visiting my Southern Lagniappe blog and for taking the time to comment. I'm glad it led me to your blog, and I'm going to add you to my "blog list" so I can come back to visit again.
I think your pictures are great, especially the one of the tree bonding with your fence. You asked about my camera: I have a Canon XSi/450D, and a new Canon EOS 50D, which I love because it does most of the work for me. I keep buying "Dummy" books, but some of them are over my head. I should probably take a photography course, but I think that might take some of the fun out of just going out and taking pictures.
I enjoyed your "Whatever" post, too, and will be back to visit you again soon.
Sincerely,
Janie
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