Port Angeles sunset with fire haze – magenta halo with Nikon D7000

Jul22

Hey shutterbugs! Anyone have tips on removing the magenta halo around sunset shots? I have tried the natural and vivid picture settings and this halo shows up with both settings. Appreciate the help! – Amelia

365 Project – 28, 29, 30: I ♥ my Fender guitar! (January 30, 2013)

Jan30

Note to self: dust dark objects before photographing!

Jan17

I love my new Fender guitar and think it’s soooo pretty! So, I thought I’d set it up as one of my 365 Project photos. I was happy with the composition but, when looking at it on the computer I realized I could see how dusty it was! Yikes! So, I’ll try again later but, thought I’d share this tip with you. Check for DUST, DIRT, GRIME, etc. when taking photos on dark objects!! 🙂

Nikon D7000, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G kit lens, ISO 800, F/3.5, 1/25 sec

365 Project – 362: Peace (December 27, 2012)

Dec27

Shutter Speed: 1/250, Aperture: F/4.0, ISO: 400

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 361: Christmas morning (December 25, 2012)

Dec27

Shutter Speed: 1/60, Aperture: F/2.8, ISO: 800

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 360: An icy blue bike from Santa (December 25, 2012)

Dec27

Shutter Speed: 1/60, Aperture: F/2.8, ISO: 800

Nora was on the nice list and got that icy blue bike she asked for…with four wheels, NOT six wheels. She was soooo…happy! 🙂

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 359: Day 24 iHeartFaces photo challenge – “twas the night…” (December 24, 2012)

Dec24

…when Santa and the Tooth Fairy came to visit Nora. 🙂 Just in time for Christmas Nora just lost her second front tooth. Cute! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Shutter Speed: 1/60, Aperture: F/2.8, ISO: 450

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 358: Easy, frugal kid-friendly homemade keepsake ornament (December 23, 2012)

Dec23

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/11, ISO: 1600

Since Nora was born I’ve been making these easy homemade decoupage ornaments. And, the last few years Nora’s been involved with this fun holiday craft project. You can use anything you want to decorate these ornaments but, we always use a photo and cut out the year and age to put on one side of the ornament. On the other we cut out words or pictures that either describe Nora at that moment or words/pictures she picks just because she likes them. What I love about this project is that it can be messy and sloppy and the ornaments still turn out adorable. The Mod Podge works as glue as well as a waterbase sealer. The only part where you may want to help your young child is painting on the photo. The glue dries on clear but, you can see the grain so achieving even, uninterrupted strokes over the photo will give it more of a “clear coat.” Nora is 7 now and it’s been fun seeing these homemade ornaments hanging on the tree, standing up to the test of time. And, mod podge is non-toxic making this for a very kid-friendly project. (you still may want to ask your kids to wash their hands before putting their sticky fingers in their mouths!) My 16 oz. bottle of Mod Podge has lasted me 7 years so far and I think I have one more year to go with this same bottle! Okay, put on some holiday music and enjoy this fun kid activity!

PROJECT TIME: 5 hours which mostly includes time waiting for each side to dry. 30 minutes: actual cutting, gluing, “painting” time for one side. 2+ hours for drying one side.

Note: So, we’re not actively waiting during the drying time, we make this a 2 day project, letting the first side dry overnight, starting the next the next side in the morning, then, waiting 2+ hrs or overnight to flatten/hang the ornament.

ITEMS NEEDED

Mod Podge Matte-Mat (or any matte decopauge or waterbase sealer)
Foam brush
Photo (s)
Magazines for cutting out words/pictures
Old yogurt containers
Construction or scrapbook paper
Waxed paper
Hole punch
Ornament hanger
Optional: decorations such as glitter, stickers, etc.

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/10, ISO: 1600

INSTRUCTIONS

LAYOUT

Design your ornament but, cutting our your pictures and words. In my opinion, less is more on the photo side of your ornament. I tend to lean towards just a photo, year, and age.
For the back side of the ornament decorate as desired. Cut out pictures of have your child draw a picture. That’s a nice way to memorialize his/her artistry at that age. Crayons or colored pencils are best for drawing. Pens or markers tend smear when putting on the Mod Podge.
Finalize your ornament design, front and back, including where you will place your hole punch. Punch the hole before you start gluing and avoid punching too close to the edge.

GLUING

Lay out some waxed paper, pour a small amount (1/4 cup) of Mod Podge in a yogurt container, and start assembling the first side of your ornament. Lightly paint the glue on the back of your photo, words, etc. and position them on your ornament. Press on each piece to push out thick glops of glue. It’s okay if your words get crinkly. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Press evenly on your photo to push out excess glue.
Now from top to bottom, left to right, apply an even coat of Mod Podge on top of entire side of the ornament. When painting the photo try to make even, straight, uninterrupted strokes. At this point, sprinkle on other embellishments such as glitter. Let dry at least an hour (while you bake another batch of holiday cookies!). I personally tend to make one side at night then the next morning I finish gluing the other side.
Repeat steps 1. and 2. above for the other side

FINISHING

After each side is COMPLETELY DRY and no longer tacky, I place the ornament between a clean piece of waxed paper and press a heavy, flat object on top (heavy phone book, cookbooks, etc.) to flatten out any curled edges. 30 minutes is plenty of time for this.
Add your ornament hanger through the hole punch and hang your keepsake ornament on your tree!! 🙂