Don't Think...Just Shoot by cardartfromtheheart

How many times have focused perfectly on that lovely, rare bird, been ready to press the shutter and 'oops' off he flies? Or the one photo, the bride tells you, not to miss is The kiss. Okay, you have it all lined up, focused properly, lighting right, they are going for the kiss, your finger hovers over the shutter button, and the bride drops her bouquet! Quick, Snap it!
Don't miss the unexpected treasures. Just because you were looking for a ruby, don't throw out the diamond! If you catch that lovely, rare bird in mid-flight across that Colorado Blue Spruce frosted with snow, it's going to make a far more interesting shot than the almost posed one you were shooting for. And the groom all puckered up, while the bride gasps and plunges down to retrieve her cascading floral arrangement.. this will in all likely hood, be the most treasured family heirloom for generations to come. So often, as we say, 'Awww' and drop our camera, we are missing the shot of a lifetime.
It has been my experience that I never have a problem placing one of those accidental photos. Many make good humorous greeting cards for me over at cardartfromtheheart. And they are always the favorites in family albums. So when Mother Nature plays a trick on you, catch her in the act. You won't often be sorry.

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Bird Shots by cardartfromtheheart

Now I'm not talking about that pellet ammo that drops a bird from the sky, of course.  I hunt birds with my camera. 
While I am limited in my mobility, the birds I seek are not.  They are wild and free.  I do however have something they desire: a food supply.  I can't tell you how many times a handsome feathered friend has landed on (my) various bird houses and bird feeders.  Often, I have captured his likeness on film, but... Gosh, I really don't like the looks of that bird feeder for a professional photo.
So yesterday, I went shopping for a new birdfeeder/birdhouse pole (and cedar feeders.)  I plan to sink it in the ground just outside my office window--right beside my computer (and desk) so I will be sure to capture a lot more shots. 
That's part one of the plan.  Part two is where I will hopefully find the greatest satisfaction.  I plan to cut Fir boughs and weave them for a blind of sorts.  Not to blind me from the animal in this case, but rather blind the cedar feeders from my camera lens.  This should allow me to capture some outstanding close-up shots of my winter birds 'in the wild.' 

If you decide to try this yourself, please leave a comment and let us know what you did and how well it all worked out, okay?  Thanks!

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Wetter is Better by cardartfromtheheart

They always want to pigeon-hole us, don't they?  Are you an A,B,C or D?  Perhaps I'm none of the above, or perhaps I'm all of the above.  I have found within both my writing communities and my photography communities, most of us have overlaps.  This hub will center around these two niches of mine, as I cannot separate one from the other.  So whether you are a Writer or a Photographer (or both!) you should find food for thought in these pages.

My first tip for the Photographer is to "Get your feet wet!"  Take a close look at my first photo, the Sharp Shinned Hawk.  He's cold, wet and hungry... Which is exactly what the photographer had to also be in order to capture this image.  The brilliantly colored autumn leaves hint at the coolness of the day, while the evergreen boughs dripping with raindrops, accentuate the cold; almost make you shiver.  Don't worry about it being a cloudy day; the wetness of everything gives your film much more saturated color to work with than any old clear, sunny day.  Then too, don't be afraid to use your photo software to best advantage.
The bit of wisdom my Sharp Shinned Hawk has, I hope, impressed upon you is this:  Wetter is Better!

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