Summer Challenge: Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July! This part of our summer challenge centers around that day many years ago, in 1776 when America declared independence from Great Britain.

I am so thankful for our country, especially the freedom we have. Many countries don't have the same freedom as us, and it is hard to imagine what it would be like with out it.

So, how about sharing a picture of what you did this year to celebrate?  We watched fireworks, like we normally do, I was really excited to take pictures of them for the first time with my Canon T2i!

Before we went, I looked up some tips for firework shooting, and the best ones that stuck with me were, of course use a tripod, and shooting in BULB. Have a very high F stop, and low aperture. Many people also suggested shooting in RAW, but I didn't, and I'm still satisfied with my results.

It might seem hard to know what tripod to buy, and I still don't know what tripod I want some day. Right now I shoot my night pictures off of a really cheap tripod I found in our basement. It has a $2.99 Goodwill sticker on it.
That might seem really horrible of me to some of you reading this, but it's what I have, and it sure holds my camera a lot better than my hands! :)
I found that setting my f stop the highest it could go (38), and shooting in BULB, from 30-50 seconds gave me the best pictures.

Alright, on to the rules, and then I'll share my picture!
 Rules: 1.The picture you submit must be taken by you between July 1th and July 11th 2012. The Linky will close Wednesday July the 11th, so make sure you link up before then. ;)
2. You may only enter one picture per contest, if you have more than one in your post, please specify which one you are entering.
3. If at all possible, list settings used to take it. (Camera, lens, date taken, time (even if vague, early afternoon, late evening, etc), ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.) You can find most of this info in the properties of your picture if you forget what settings you used.
4. Editing is allowed, if you choose to edit, please tell us what you did to edit your picture! :)
5. If you don't have a blog, but would like others to see your photo, email me (my email can be found on the 'About Us' page) and we will post it/link it up for you!

ISO: 100
f/38
15 second exposure
July 3, 2012 9:24pm
Canon Rebel EOS T2i
18-55mm kit lens
cheap tripod from goodwill
Edited in GIMP: Contrast, Levels, and Unsharp Mask

My favorite thing about this picture is the blob of color in the bottom, that was one of the coolest fireworks I've ever seen. :)

Please note, that your picture for this contest can be taken between July 1 and July 11. That's from Sunday to a Wednesday. The reason being, not everyone watches fireworks or parades, has parties, etc. ON the fourth, we watched fireworks on the third.... :)

Can't wait to see what your fourth looks like!
-Emily

Photography, Baking, and My Life

Photography Challenge: Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! We would love to see what you do to celebrate Memorial Day this year. Whether it's having a picnic with your family, going to a graduation, watching a parade, or just hanging out.

Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was to commemorate the fallen Union Soldiers after the Civil War. By the 20th century, it had changed, and grew to honor all fallen American Soldiers, from all wars. 

Rules:

1.The picture you submit must be taken by you between May 23th and June 6th 2012. The Linky will close Wednesday June the 6th, so make sure you link up before then. ;)

2. You may only enter one picture per contest, if you have more than one in your post, please specify which one you are entering.

3. If at all possible, list settings used to take it. (Camera, lens, date taken, time (even if vague, early afternoon, late evening, etc), ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.) You can find most of this info in the properties of your picture if you forget what settings you used.

4. Editing is allowed, but if you choose to edit your picture please post the original too. Please tell us what you did to edit your picture,also! :)

5. If you don't have a blog, but would like others to see your photo, email us ( our emails can be found on the 'About Us' page) and we will post it/link it up for you!

This is my picture:

Date 5.23.12 9:13am ISO: 100 Aperture: f/4.5 Shutter: 1/500 Camer: EOS Rebel T2i Lens: 18-55m Kit.
Edit: Levels-black, gray, and white points, and watermark. GIMP

I would also like to congratulate Libbi, though she was the only entrant in our last challenge, she entered an awesome photo depicting spring, with a young plant as the focus, and bright colors in the background. It is definitely worth a prize! I'd encourage you to go check out her blog, Pioneer Photography. 

This button is for you to put on your blog if you'd like, Libbi. Thank you so much for entering! :)

Last, but definitely not least, we are pleased to announce a challenge series we will be doing this summer.  Our Summer Challenge will have different themes each post over the summer, in the end of August we will judge all the enteries, and give out awards! 

The challenge starts June 6th, so stay tuned for all the details! :)

-Emily
Photography, Baking, and My Life

Photography Challenge: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. The time of year when pink and red match, when people feel, and make others feel, extra loved, lots of chocolate is brought out, millions of roses and pretty bouquets of flowers are sold, couples express their love to each other, and cupids are seen everywhere, but do you really know what Valentine's Day is about?


The history of Valentine's Day isn't exactly pin-pointed like other holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, or St. Patrick's Day. Some say Valentine's Day is named after a young bishop who was stationed in the Roman Empire, Claudius II was the emperor at the time, and thought married men did not make good soldiers, so he conveniently made a law forbidding young people from marriage.Valentine heard of this, and not agreeing, began to perform marriages in seceret. Claudius found out, and had Valentine thrown in jail.


Another rumor has it that while in jail, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, and right before he was to be executed, he sent her a note signed 'from your Valentine'. The romantic note set many spreading the tale, and Valentine's Day celebrations were held, the earliest dating back to 1415.


No matter which, or if either, of these stories are true, everyone feels a need to be loved. Human love can not fill this emptiness in us, only God truly loves us unconditionally. We have been seperated from God from sin, and he provided a way for us to live in heaven eternally with him by sending his only son to die for us! You can experience this love that is like no other too, if you accept the gift God has given us and ask him to live in your heart. :) 




So, we want to know what a little bit of your Valentine's day is like. Show us a picture of something special in your day this year! It could be a tradition, a cool dessert or meal you make, or just a picture of something neat you find. My parents always decorate our dinning room table in the morning and put a little something at each of my siblings and my spots. Usually chocolate is involved! ;)

Rules:

1. The picture you submit must be taken by you between February 8, and February 22, 2012, but preferably on Valentine's Day! ;) The Linky will close Wednesday February 22, so make sure you link up before then. :)

2. You may only enter one picture per contest, if you have more than one in your post, please specify which one you are entering.

3. If at all possible, list settings used to take it. (Camera, lens, date taken, time (even if vague, early afternoon, late evening, etc), ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.) You can find most of this info in the properties of your picture if you forget what settings you used! :)

4. Editing is allowed, but if you choose to edit your picture please post the original too. Please tell us what you did to edit your picture, also! :)

5. If you don't have a blog, email one of us (our emails can be found on the 'About Us' page) and we will post it/link it up for you!

-Emily
Photography, Baking, and My Life