Picture Summer, Days 8 and 9
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 10, 2010
Summer happens. I was too busy to edit and upload my Picture Summer Class (now closed) photos. I told you at the very beginning that there would be a few digest days. Welcome to the first installment!
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Day eight brought us a challenge involving collections. But, I don’t collect anything. We don’t even have rocks in our flower gardens. These shells made their way home from our last beach vacation and found their way into our sandbox. They were the closest “collection” thing that I had at my fingertips.
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Day nine’s challenge involved shapes. I had to shoot a parade for work, so after I got my shots, I focused on getting some shots for myself. I focused on the wheels of the parade entrants; tractors, wagons, fire trucks. I got a lot of circular pictures, but I liked the one I entered for various reasons. The color of the wheel. The feet in the background. And I really like wagons.
The parade itself was interesting.
We had a Redneck Lawnmower. (There was also a Redneck Fire Truck, but you can guess that’s going on a different blog. Ahem.)
And the locals provided for an beautiful little picture.
And drums! I really liked this capture. I wanted the front drum, but liked the result.
It was a wonderful little evening for my boys, grabbing a whole bag-full of candy. In fact, I got caught digging into said bag after the boys were in bed and my oldest son escaped for one last kiss. Oops. Red-handed. It provided some laughs.
Today’s challenge post will be posted digest style either tomorrow or Monday. I have a big shoot today!
Team-Up Thursday – July 8, 2010
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 8, 2010
I’ve decided to ask a different friend to participate in Team-Up Thursday every week. This week I asked Shannon, whose blog is filled with cute boys and other wondrous stuff. We’ve known each other for Internet-forever. I’m glad she participated even though she’s relaxing at the beach this week.
Then again, the beach was perfect, as I went out to the lake as well.
Her photo is on the left, mine is on the right. Makes me want to go back to the lake today.
I’ll have another post much later this evening for today’s Picture Summer challenge, though I have no idea how I’m going to shoot anything for this particular one. Hmm.
Picture Summer – Day 7
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 7, 2010
Subtle?
I don’t do subtle well.
Thankfully the white hot sun of midday bleaches everything out, making my already pale lavender hosta flowers look all but pure as the driven snow.
I’m hoping tomorrow’s challenge is something more… bold. Subtle isn’t my style!
Picture Summer – Day 6
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 7, 2010
Today’s challenge revolved around scenic landscapes, an area with which I struggle. Add in a very busy day and not being able to get out until the evening sunny hours, and I felt overwhelmed with the task. All the same, I took some “nice” shots, though nothing stellar.
My intention was to shoot out at the lake. On the way, however, I got distracted by this field. I really liked this shot, and it is the one that I ended up submitting.
I snapped a few others that I liked. In fact, my husband liked this one of the trees better than the one I submitted. I do like it because of the “under the trees” perspective.
And I loved this shot, washed out and into the sun as it may be. My husband hated it, however, and I didn’t submit it. There’s something special about it though, and I love it.
In non-scenic outtakes of my evening adventure, I found some Queen Anne’s Lace that looked lovely with the grass as a green background.
And some buzzards. This is as close as they let me get before they flew off.
Today is the last day to join Picture Summer!
Picture Summer – Day 5
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 5, 2010
Today’s challenge was something to do with water. We were told we could stay simple or get festive. I chose somewhere in between.
I took some water, a glass, my mini-roses in various shades of living and withering and, voila!
I chose this one because of the dark background on the upper third (inside of a shaded bush) and the water droplets on the outside as well as the water bubbles on the flowers themselves. And just because I felt like it.
Some outtakes that made me smile.
Interesting tidbit: those roses are all from the same bush. They are coral when they first bloom. As they wither, they become a deep pink color. They’re lovely. I adore them.
Lastly, this photo was taken while out on assignment today. A wonderful and friendly lady was watering her plants despite the 90 degree weather. I fell in love with how perfect her cone flowers were, and she let me take a photo.
There’s still time to join Picture Summer. GO!
Picture Summer – Day 4
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 5, 2010
Today’s challenge involved taking our cameras along with us and capturing whatever it is that we were doing. Except that I knew I’d be traveling about today (and losing my wallet at a gas station in my hometown; word to the wise: don’t lose your wallet on a holiday weekend, sigh), so I whipped out a photo this morning during my coffee and reading time on the deck.
That’s not to say that I didn’t take a lot of photos today. I was actually working on a photo assignment at my parents Farm out in the back 40 with the boys. I can’t currently show the results but I can share an outtake or two.
Kids are so cooperative. But not.
At least flowers are.
We also spent most of the day swimming. My mom found Puddle Jumpers by Stearns and I have two very happy, confident little swimmers. I imagine by next year they’ll be swimming without floatie-device assistance. For now, the jumping is good.
I’ll be traveling early in the morning but should find ample opportunity to tackle whatever task Tracey throws at us tomorrow! In the meantime, don’t forget to join Picture Summer, open to all until July 7!
Picture Summer – Day 3
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 3, 2010
Today’s theme was symmetry/centering.
I knew I wouldn’t get anything while at work today. Well, maybe I should have explored that more. Baseballs are rather symmetrical, aren’t they? Now I feel like I missed an opportunity. Then again, I couldn’t really run on to the field, set the ball in a place on the field that offered symmetrical background loveliness and shot away until I got the right capture, now could I? Though it would have been funny.
Anyway, I shot my lilies. I love my lilies. At first they seem symmetrical. They are not.
This shot isn’t symmetrical at all but I liked the feel.
This one is actually sharper than the one I submitted, but it wasn’t symmetrical enough for me.
This is pretty much as close as I could get symmetry with my lilies this morning. The upper third background really is quite symmetrical as it was just the grass in the shade. The lower third background, however, had the leaves from the lily itself, and it didn’t end up quite perfect. Also, I’m bummed because the depth of field is somewhat off. But the colors made me happy.
I really, really enjoyed going out and taking photos for myself and creative purposes before I went to work today. It’s keeping me on my toes. I need the push right now!
Picture Summer is still open to join until July 7th. Join us!
Picture Summer – Day 2
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 3, 2010
Today’s challenge was splashy. I was initially panicked. We don’t have a pool. We don’t utilize our city’s pool. We weren’t going to the lake or fishing on the river. And we didn’t even have any rain puddles to jump in! I considered dropping ice cubes in a glass of water, but I got distracted with work and ran out of time.
After I finished shooting a baseball game, I went to the pond at the park and hoped some ducks would be splashing.
This guy? Was not. But his reflection made me happy.
Then I found baby ducks! I audibly gasped and snap-snap-snapped.
I finally resigned myself to taking a picture of the fountain. I mean, it looked okay.
As I started walking away, The Mean Goose (TM) started showing off. He was dipping his head in the water and flicking it back. This is the same goose who charged us on a walk last year. I have a series of photos of him getting closer and closer and closer and, OMG!TOO!CLOSE! Apparently he wanted to make up for it.
This is the photo I entered today. I am deeply pleased.
I think he was pleased with himself too.
Picture Summer Class – Day 1
Posted by Jenna in photography on July 2, 2010
Today at Picture Summer, a class by amazing photographer Tracey Clark, we were asked to take a picture of what summer means to us. For me, summer is about being outside, in nature, even when it’s sweltering. Thankfully it wasn’t sweltering today. And I caught this amazing photograph. If you know me, you know this photo encapsulates me.
I almost cried when I saw this on my camera. And again on my computer. And again just now. I’m in love. I really want to print and frame this baby. Perhaps canvas style.
I had a few other outtakes that I loved.
I’m hopeful that Picture Summer will help me get out of my personal creative funk. So far, so good! I will be posting my pictures here daily (though it may be after midnight on any given day as my schedule is jam-packed as of late. As such, some posts will be a digest of days not posted!).
Memorial Road Dedication
Posted by Jenna in photography on June 14, 2010
I was honored to attend the dedication of the Flag of Honors Memorial Highway today outside Claysville, Ohio. The ceremony itself was moving. The opportunity for photographic outtakes for my own portfolio was equally amazing.
There are moments that I am glad to witness. This was one of those moments.
Welcome!
On this site you can find out a little about me, Jenna Hatfield, and what I do. In case you stumbled upon this site and aren't familiar with my name or my work, I'll give you a brief heads up. I am a freelance writer and editor, working out of my home. I am also a newspaper photographer for The Daily Jeffersonian. I am always interested in expanding my work via freelancing gigs so feel free to contact me if you are in need of a writer, editor or photographer.
On a personal level, I am a wife to a professional firefighter and an everyday mom to two amazing little boys. We make our home in Ohio.