First Aid for the First Responder Marriage

I think several of us are First Responder Wives. That's why I'm posting a link here to my blog. I found this really helpful for me today. It came at just the right time! I hope this article that encouraged me, would do the same for you. 

 Typical Life of a CFD Wife Blog - Click for article on First Aid for First Resonder Marriage

Blessings!
~ Kara

Day 31

We did it!! One month down, and 11 more to go! How do you all feel? Have many of you done this 365 before? I feel like I made it over the big hill. If I can do this, the rest should be a cinch. Well, at least not so much of a nail biter..

Again, this is mostly for me, but I'm chronicling my tuscany inspired dining area. I realized I'm not as thrilled with this photo as far as from a photographer's point of view because it's not that crisp. It's more that it is of a place in an area I love. This is funny, because we don't drink, but I love the decanters and old vintage bottles I find. Some were given as gifts at a wedding (the dog faces), and they look good with the wine crates I found on craigslist about 5 years ago.

Day 31

Settings:

ISO 400, f/2.8, ss 1/10, 50 mm, no flash

Day 30

I think when I look back on my 365, I want to have memories of what I hold dear. I am thinking about more shots around the house and things that will change over the years. So, a new phase begins.. this week must be the dining room! I am dying for color, and it's one of the most colorful places in my house, as I absolutely love... simple. I don't get it that often, because I live with 4 other people who don't really get my concept as much, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for all the nice thoughts from my previous photos. It really lifts my spirits to see a simple hello or hear a little about what is going on in your lives as well. I also loved the "Hero vs. Villains" critique from Carrie.  So fun! I'm so glad you wrote about that. So anyway, I just wanted to say, thank you my new 365 buddies!

A little thought for today.. 

Day 30

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/50, 50 mm, no flash

Day 29

A little fun! I reupholstered my dining room chairs, and only have 2 (of the 8) more to go! So far I've found a button, 2 quarters, 1 penny, and a hair tie. And yes, my walls in that room really do match a mustard bottle perfectly! I loved the material, it brought in all my colors. 

So again, inspired from Amanda's post yesterday, I'm letting the photos come to me! Grabbing what I have instead of searching for what might be the perfect shot..somewhere..somehow!

Here is my Day 29 with a fun textured photo of my new chairs! Then a little shot of the "before" complete with ketchup stains and whatever else. 

Day 29

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/30, 50 mm, no flash

added texture for fun!

 

Day 28

We found the sky! It's unbelievable how much we've missed it. Tonight there was even a pretty glow from where the sun had been.. not for very long, but it's better than nothing!

I'm getting a little tired of having to one up myself for a great picture that's better than the first. What would I be doing at day 100 or 365, maybe a trip to the moon or something. I know for a fact, I can't do that. 

My friend came by tonight and told me about Sevin Sweetness blog tonight. So I read her words of wisdom from her photography class, and she really inspired me! Thank you, Amanda, for sharing what you've learned. I just shot what I saw tonight instead of looking for something. 

Day 28

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5, ss 1/20, 90 mm, no flash

Day 27

I love my days downtown! That's where I have pretty much an open canvas to work with. The textures, the buildings, the lake..so much to choose from! This is why I will have to open a "Honorable Mentions" category. The days I have photos, some of them are really fun and I don't want to waste them. With that said, this is what made the cut today. I was loving everyone's black and white with a color pop, so this is mine for today.

It's "the Bean" from Grant Park downtown Chicago. Why it's a bean? Nobody knows, but it cost a fortune! Not only to buy, but maintenance. It's a big kidney bean shaped piece of mirrored metal? That's the best way I can describe it, but people come from all over to look at it! Go figure.. I love seeing the buildings reflected. There's also snow laying on it like whipped cream on top, and swiss cheese slapped on the side. :)

 Day 27

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/160, 75 mm, no flash

Day 26

This Peregrine Falcon was yards from our house last night. Yes, I confess. First time in 25 days I couldn't use the photos I took that day. I just had to add this! I thought he was so cool. Imagine me slip sliding all over the sidewalks chasing this thing from tree to tree..gotcha! 

  

Day 26
Settings:
ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/30, 300 mm, no flash

Day 25

Today was a Blue Chicago! It was very overcast and foggy, but it made for a beautiful picture of the skyline by the Shedd Aquarium. The water was a little bit glassy, so it caught the reflection of the buildings just right.

Day 25

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/640, 45 mm, no flash

Day 24

No really colorful backgrounds here! It is so cold, and we had more snow last night. Hence, all outdoor pictures will plain or white background, overcast, and rosy cheeked. :)

This is dedicated to pillow pet lovers all over the world (who take them everywhere with them and name them Georgina George Georgopolis ____ then our last name).

Day 24

Settings:
ISO 100, f/5, ss 1/100, 100 mm, no flash

This is SOOC

What is your opinion? Should I have had a flash?

 okay, I fixed the levels, and lightened up her face a bit. That better?

Typical Life of a CFD Wife: I have the * Girls Get Away Cruise Information!!*

Typical Life of a CFD Wife: I have the * Girls Get Away Cruise Information!!*: "The information is here! Are you wanting to go on this cruise with us? It is going to be phenomenal! So grab your best friend, your daughter..."

Click link above to Typical Life of CFD Wife for all the information, but the short of it is...

This is obviously not my own photo. I was just chosen to be one of the bloggers for the Girls Get Away Cruise setting sail Jan 12-16th 2012! It WILL be on the Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas! This is the photo of their ship. I'm so excited, click on the link at the top to see more info. Won't you come with us??? I'd love to meet all my fellow photographers! Let's GO!!!!

You will also save $100 for booking under my group name! KARA
Make sure you tell your affiliate name (KARA) when you book to save $100, and make sure you use my button above when you book to assure it is under my group and you are saving your money!

Day 23

Today was "Go Bears!" day. It's not turning out so well for the orange and blue. Not quite over, but it's "over" my husband says. He was excited about it at first, and so was the cat. She snuggled in with him just knowing he'd be hanging out there for a while. She was actually laying down sideways, but I turned the photo so you didn't have to turn your head to see her. I caught her eyes in the light. I absolutely love her bright green eyes when you can catch them. I tried my best, but sometimes they don't always cooperate.

Day 23 

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm, no flash

Day 22

So my husband is really into medieval swords, staffs, armor, the era, the movies... you name it. Our sconces fit right in, and I love the glow that it reflects onto the walls when the lights are out. I turned out the lights, took a picture of the sconce, and it was beautiful! But, my husband thought it needed more. He willingly (and patiently) held his precious sword up against the wall while I clicked away. It's a little dark, but I love the patterns it gives off.  

I do realize a lot of my pictures are looking the same. The same colors, a glowing ball.. I think I really love browns and oranges! Or maybe it's the need to feel warm in our 0 degree weather lately!

Day 22

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/15, 50 mm, no flash

Day 21

I got the moon! 2nd attempt, read a couple tutorials, thanks for my kind friends for letting me know! ;) Got it all together, started dowloading a few cool actions I found, and my photoshop lost all my actions! I've spent most the night uninstalling/reinstalling and redoing them all! Hope you've all had a better night than me. 

Day 21

Settings:

ISO 3200, f/20, ss 1/320, 300 mm, no flash

Day 20

Again... I got nothin'! Do you have days like this? It's my fault, I realize. I know there are a ton of sites out there with ideas. I just don't seem to remember anything I've seen. Today I just drew a blank. So, in my last ditch effort, I layed on the floor and zeroed in on my sleeping dog. I guess I will get some repeats through the year, like more than one dog shot, and more than one cat.. etc. 

I did skip looking at more photography today. Does homeschooling count? One can only see so many adjectives, nouns, and spelling lists. There ya go.. a spelling list!

And, a special thank you to everyone who is commenting and being so kind! I appreciate it! And, I really don't mind some constructive criticism. That's why we're all in this, right? To learn things that sometimes you just can't see it yourself. 
See ya tomorrow! ;)

Day 20

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm, no flash 

I did have to lighten up her face a little with Touch of Light/Darkness (free action from MCP)

Day 19

Nothing like waiting until the last possible moment. Tonight's moon was beautiful, wasn't it? And, today was the first day we've seen the sun for... a week or so now! It's been so overcast and icky.

Here is my photo of the moon. I had no idea which lens to use, what shutter speed, what setting.. sigh. This is what I liked best. The moon's not clear, it's just an eerie glow.  

Day 19

Settings:
ISO 400, f/4.5, ss 1/10, 75 mm, no flash

Day 18

I'm out to lunch with my son! Love these times together. Just him and I wasting away a couple hours while we wait for the youngest to get out of a class. I did sneak a couple photos while we played on our electronics and chatted away. He was groaning when I asked him a question about what I was doing.. color or no color.. after that, I just called him a sucky editor friend. LOL
So he just told me I'd be proud of him. He just downloaded Color Splash on his ipad.. I'm AM so proud of him! Color Splash takes a black and white photo and lets you edit on the ipad. So fun!
So guess what? I now have a FUN editor friend to hang out with at lunch. I'm sure I'll pay for it later while he owns me at Black Ops. 

Day 18

Settings:

(will get back - don't know why  my laptop isn't showing them) 

Day 17

This car brought back some memories growing up. My dad was/is really into old cars! Let's just say, my driver's test when I was 16 was in a 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible. (And, let's also say, I nailed it with a 100%..which I did!) I used to hate having such old, huge, conspicuous cars. Now, I really appreciate them and my heart does a little happy dance when I see them. So when I drove past this car today, I had to stop. 

Day 17

Settings:
ISO 200, f/4.5, ss 1/400, 50 mm, no flash

Day 16

My sister in law makes these scalps, or hair wigs, for the Blythe dolls. She is known in this Blythe world as Unicornmine. She also has an Etsy store!

Isn't she cute? I decided to take one of her dolls home and photograph her in the snow! :) She was catching snowflakes in the "trees" outside. Pretty girl! 

Day 16

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/640, 160 mm, no flash

Day 15

My daughter is getting ready for a photo shoot with a friend. While she was, I seized the moment, and got a couple shots. I miss her as a little girl in ballet, I have a million photos that I can go back and pour over, though. That is what I love most about photography. I can still relive those memories! She's growing into a beautiful young woman, so all ages are to be celebrated!

Day 15

Settings:

ISO 200, f/4.5, ss 1/2, 50 mm, no flash

edited with a soft texture overlay

Day 14

Just one today! That's all I'm doing, and it's only to continue this process. I was busy all day today. Getting passport info ready for 5 people, trying to take pictures to save money... then realized. I can't do what they want me to do, I gave up. It was pretty hilarious. My husband thought I should post one of my "mug shots" of the kids. I thought they wouldn't let us smile. So, I gave up.. hating what I'd come up with, then realizing I should have had a white sheet or something in the background. Get to the clerk's office, and what do they do? They say, "Okay, smile!" ?????? Really? sigh.. live and learn. It's over and I'm happy!

Kids had friends over, and it was time to cook dinner. Then I remembered I still had to take a picture! So I tried to get the steam rising, slow the shutter speed down, see what I can get. So VOILA! Here it is. A picture. LOL

Day 14

Settings:

ISO 200 (what was I thinking? I wasn't!), f/4.5, ss 1/5, 50 mm, no flash

Day 13

What if I can't decide which photo to put up for day 13? I liked them both, and everyone (in my family) I asked, was divided. So, here I am posting 2! Is that even allowed? Will beat 365 come and give me a ticket? Oh well. I'm doing it! I've tried to be so good.. it's not working. At least (for now..never say never) I am taking each photo on the day it is supposed to be done. Those are the rules, right?

I froze at the park today, but only for a few minutes. There were so many cool things up for grabs.. here are a couple, then I can't decide between the last two.

Hey, if I'm not "following" you and your blog, please post your site address in a comment so I can find you. Sometimes when I click on the name/photo of someone who commented, I don't see their site, only those they are following or sometimes nothing. Thanks! And, I SO appreciate the support from all of you. You're the best!

 Just for fun

Settings: 

ISO 200, ss 1/150, f/5.6, 300 mm, no flash

added a little color pop

 Can't decide Day 13?

Settings:

ISO 200, ss 1/100, f/4.5, 75 mm, no flash

I used the saturate sponge to bring out a little more color.

 

Can't decide Day 13

Settings:

ISO 200, ss 1/2500, f/1.8, 50 mm, no flash

I darkened up the trees and creek bed with the burn tool.

Day 12

This is Frodo! He's my little Hobbit cat since he has hair on his toes! :) Really, I had him named before I met him. My husband is a big LOTR fan. Since I came up with one of those names, I'm pretty sure that helped cinch the deal! 

I also added my photos to kara's 365 flickr group. Add yours too!

Day 12

Settings: 

ISO 400, f/2.8, ss 1/25, 50 mm, no flash

Okay, I'm not gonna lie, this was hard to do! I couldn't get the lighting right. The ISO on 100-400 still came out too dark for my taste. My room was a little dark, but natural light was still present. So I added a light texture to this and lightened it a bit. Love it now, but so frustrating to do on it's own. Any thoughts?

My Flickr Group - Kara's 365

Feel free to upload your 365 photos to my group! Then we wouldn't have to bounce around from blog to blog hoping to not forget someone that nicely complimented us. Or better yet, you can't find them because their link is hidden! :)

My group is called kara's 365 on Flickr. So, upload away, and we can comment on all! This doesn't have to take away from the personal blogs, just an easier way to see a gallery of photos! 

Please be sure and post your settings, and I'll see you there, too! If you don't want to, I understand. I will keep looking for you and comment on your photos. I love all of them! Wow, you ladies are so talented!

Great job! Keep it up....

Day 11

SNOW! 

I love it! I'm like a little kid when I wake up and see the ground covered with a fresh blanket of snow. It's mesmerizing when you try to follow the highest snowflake to it's final point of rest. I like trying to predict where it will land and betting with myself if it will make it or not. 

Day 11

Settings:

ISO 400 (I messed up, should have been 1 0r 200), f/5.6, ss 1/1600, 280 mm focal length

Day 10

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Not well-traveled, not well-read
Not well-to-do, or well-bred
Just want to hear instead
Well done, good and faithful one

- Nichole Nordeman 

I have thought about this, and how will "they" remember me? Don't you sometimes wonder? In this rat race called life, it seems like we get so caught up with things that don't matter. I sometimes think, what if I don't make it back home, who will find all those dirty dishes? Who will take care of the things I hold most dear to me? If I were to leave this earth tomorrow, what would "they" say about me? I am trying to "Leave a Legacy" and show my kids there is more to life than "stuff."  

We made these little verse cards and were reading them before every dinner. Everyone would pick one to read, then take turns reading one. I did a mad clean one day and they disappeared. Well, guess what I just found (and my youngest was elated!).. the cards we had made together. I pray that my children hold these verses close to their hearts. And maybe, one day, "they" will pick up my Bible and find these verses underlined and realize what matters most.

Day 10

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/50, 50 mm, no flash

Day 9

It is cooold! It's not below zero or anything, but sometimes it just feels like it! This is what greeted my kids and I all over the car as we jumped in for church this morning. I love frost on everything.. it's so pretty! This kind of reminded me of mountains and a blue sky above with clouds. :)

Day 9

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/2500 (because I forgot to reset from trying jumping pictures yesterday)

50 mm, no flash

Day 8

Look at me! Getting my picture out early today! :) Our dog was tearing apart her duck, and having a bawl. I saw the mess she was creating and thought, perfect! I liked some of the other shots better, but this one was funny with her tongue hanging out.

Again, lighting is what I am still working with.

Day 8

Settings: 

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/200, 50mm, no flash

Day 7

This month it's going to have to be all about lighting. It's a tough time to get right. January is overcast, dark, then mixed snow or rain.. never know what you're going to get. 

I stopped the car and took a few minutes before this one's ski trip to work with some lighting in snowy conditions. It was very light snow where some had already accumulated. I liked the background with the trees and the almost untouched road until some dude flew past us right before we got out of the car. (ruining our untouched road) So, we opted for the trees.  :) 


I've realized in this business, you have to be very flexible! 

Day 7

Settings: 

ISO 100, f/1.8, ss 1/50, 50 mm, no flash

Photography Label or Logo?

Where does everyone get their amazing logos? I'd love to have one made, but where are the best places to find one, or do you make your own? 

I wanted to be Kara Leigh Photography. Doesn't that have a great ring to it? But imagine my horror as I looked it up and someone has it already! *extreme sad face* So what would you do? Since she's in another state, does it matter or would it be too confusing? Should I go with "Photos by Kara Leigh" sort of what I've been doing, or KL Photography? Any suggestions? 

Please chime in! Thanks!

Day 6

Today was cold, but beautiful! There were birds pecking on *my* roof that woke me up this morning. I couldn't figure out what it was, so I ran to the window, and saw them all over my garage, too. They had scraps of bread my son had left for them, and flew up to the frozen rooftops to peck away at the pieces. It sounded like a woodpecker above me head!

So, the perfect 365 student I was trying to be, leaped out of bed and grabbed my camera. This would be the coolest shot! All these birds in the neighborhood.. only on my roof! I silently open the window, and poof! they were gone. 

Back to the drawing board today on what to find, but after dinner, the sun was setting, and I saw the light reflecting off of the swimming pool. Well, the ice - covered cover of the pool. It sort of looked like waves on the ocean.

Day 6

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2, ss 1/125, 50mm, no flash

Day 5

Okay, I've got nothin'! I tried to take some more night time shots, I was going for the panning thing, but then realized I can't do that at night, I needed to focus on the subject moving, so.. I focus on the still signs below and got the train moving along the rails on top.

Day 5

Settings I used were:

ISO 400, f/4.5, ss 1/3, 75mm 

Day 4

I love the movie "Fireproof" so when I saw this sign, I knew I needed to take a few photos. I loved the lettering, the stone, and the maintenance deprived lights. Here's the kicker, as I drove by this building with these words, I was talking to a friend who was just recently separated from her husband. I could really only listen, but was reminded of this great movie and had to stop. 

I had a great day, all in all, but my lunch totaled $6.66 and soon after, I fell on some ice. I'm fine! So here's my day 4 of 365!

Day 4

My settings were:

ISO 100, f/1.8, shutter speed 1/640, 50 mm lens, no flash

Day 3

The last of the Christmas decorations are all tucked away until the end of.. this year! I'm always sad to see it go. I am probably the last in our neighborhood to take everything down, but it just makes me happy, and I love the ambiance! All I'm lacking is a fireplace, but apparently people from Chicago didn't believe in those fine things so many years ago!

I'm loving the flowers my husband bought for me. He must have walked in yesterday with 6 packages of different bouquets. I absolutely love the muted roses, the bright gerbera daisies, the funky orange and purple colored daisies, the pink roses and others. I put these beside my bed because I love the smell, and a simple green and white/cream decor. 

Day 3

Indoor shots are hardest for me to get right. Again, I needed the practice. I hate the glare that the flash brings as it just washes away all the detail.

My settings were: 

ISO - 200, Aperture f/1.8, Shutter speed 1/13, 50 mm lens, no flash, tungsten

Joining another group

 I am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, and getting used to using my camera and having it on me everyday. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. People from all over the world are joining the fun!

Day 2

A great start to a new year is always spending it with my awesome man. Today we celebrated being married for 18 years! We have gone through so much together. We've laughed, cried, celebrated life, mourned loved ones, locked arms trying to raise three kids, supported each other, and taught each other what it is to be partners. It's not easy at times, but if you can let things roll and trust that God will help you all through, you can make it! I say this after 18 years of marriage, 19 years of being together. After all this, I love this man, I'm thankful for this man, and I support him.

There. Enough mushy stuff, here's to my 2nd day! We went downtown to an amazing dinner, it was so lovely I forgot to take out my camera. Plus I thought, that's a little tacky, to grab my camera and take a picture of the cute dessert they brought us "on the house" complete with candle! After we had several bites, I thought. THAT should have been my 365 photo! Oh well, live and learn. 

I do love clocks. I could take a tour of old clocks around the city and put them all together. In fact, I may do that! So don't be surprised to see several clocks show up in the next year. 

Okay, I read about night time shots in my manual today. I realized that I didn't need a flash at night. Let the lights take on their own tone. So here is the old Marshall Fields clock (before it became..ahem..Macy's) on the corner of State and Washington. I used to work across the street and just came to love seeing it every day.

365 Day 2 

Night time.

My settings were:
ISO - 800, Aperture f/5, Shutter speed 1/15, 110 focal length, no flash, tungsten (accidental since my settings were on it from last night, but I liked it!)

My thoughts: I love it. I love the old feel of the stone, the coloring, and the old lamp posts. It probably still looks a lot like it did so many years ago. I'm sure I'm not the only one that loves and appreciates that old clock.

Day 1

Okay, I'm finally going to do it. I will take a photo every day for 365 days. Why? This has become a popular challenge across the blog world, and I've seen people grow so much in that year. What to do? 

• Read in my manual every day, and use that knowledge to photograph something for that particular subject. 
• Post 1 photo each day for 365 days. 
• Look at professional images each day whether it be books or online. 
• Be more creative! 

I must admit, I'm a little nervous. Not sure I can complete this challenge, but have every intention of doing so! 

If anyone else is on this journey, feel free to join in and give constructive criticism. I am a bit shy to throw the first photo up. I don't know if I should photoshop or throw the images up there untouched..what to do what to do...

I guess I will figure it out as I go.

I will be posting each image here to organize it for my own sake, I will urge you to also start your own 365 blog to archive your photos. I've also started a Flickr group called kara's 365! That way you can add your own photos and join us all on the challenge! Invite your friends, it will be a great journey!

Happy 2011! It's been an up and down year for us, I pray that it is a wonderful year this year for all my friends and family! 

365 Day 1 

Lighting. This is the hardest for me to get right when the sun isn't shining through. 

My settings were:
ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter speed 1/60, 90 mm, No flash, tungsten light setting

My thoughts: It's still a little grainy, but that's understandable with an ISO of 800. I was more worried about the lighting, and it not being too orange having the blond haired girl with such light skin and an orange flower. So, that in itself is usually a challenge for me.