actions August 26, 2010

I know I haven’t uploaded photos in a while but it is not for lack of taking photos.  We have been quite busy since the end of June and I’ve made a few purchases in the photo department.  Probably two of my favorite purchases yet.  Since I acquired Photoshop CS3, I’ve been looking around at various actions and purchased some from Florabella.  I also purchased a remote shutter release for my camera.  Definitely two of my favorite purchases and definitely put to good use lately.  I thought I’d take the opportunity to show off my new actions, my new remote, and my new nephew. I must say, I’m quite proud to be an aunt for the first time.  I’m an auntie to others, but this one is “legit.”

Anyway, here are some of my favorite pictures from the last month or so.  You’ll see the original (straight out of the camera) and the action.  See if you can spot the remote in some of them.  Hint: if I’m in the photo, so is the remote.   Also, I apologize for the poor quality of photos.  In reality they are much sharper/smoother.  They were compressed so many times through the process of getting this ready for the web that they lost quite a bit of quality.  …that’s my perfectionism coming out.

dirty laundry, so to speak May 24, 2010

Our neighbors have these lovely flowers by their front porch and I couldn’t help but go take photos of them.  They fascinate me.  And I somehow feel as though the growing pile of clean, but wrinkly, clothes on my couch is vindicated.

tulip festival April 29, 2010

A few weeks ago Brian and I ventured down to Washington and enjoyed a day at the tulip festival.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the tulips certainly did not let us down!  Well, I’m not sure that Brian was “up” about it in the first place, so I’m assuming he wasn’t let down.   There were so many varieties, but these are a few of my favorites.  I found the tulips in the bottom two pictures absolutely fascinating.  I’ve never seen tulips in those colors or textures.  Also, I made my own logo… Just giving it a go for the first time here.  What do you think?

more cherry blossoms March 25, 2010

My best friend and her husband came out to visit us on their way to Whistler.  We took them on the typical tour of Vancouver, spending several hours downtown and at Stanley Park.  I was so happy to see that the sakuras are still in bloom and haven’t lost their petals!  The sun was in just the right place…

spring March 15, 2010

It’s amazing what a sunny day will do for the soul.  I have loved the sun we’ve had this last week or so.  I took a stroll down our (very crowded) street last week to snap some photos of a cherry blossom that was just beginning to bloom.  Cherry blossoms are my favorite.  I love their color.  I love the shape of the flower.  I love that there are thousands of the tiny flowers on one tree.  I love that cherry blossoms are harbingers of spring.  I don’t love that this tree has already lost most of its petals and is starting to look bare.

contemplation February 15, 2010

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any pictures here, so I apologize but also thank you for taking time to check in.  To be honest, over the past month or so I put my camera away.  God has been stirring up something in my heart and I can’t quite put it into words just yet, but I felt like my photography had or could potentially become a source of self-reliance or self-empowerment.  And that is opposite to the direction I feel God nudging me towards.  A week ago a friend of mine asked me to photograph a basketball game for her, specifically focusing on the relationships of the girls and the coaches.  As I slipped the strap over my neck and thumbed the on/off switch, it was like taking a breath of fresh air.  It felt good.  Walking around the court, observing and capturing moments and emotions.  I felt at home.

I have the opportunity to go to a medal ceremony during the Vancouver Winter Olympics and you can rest assured that I will be taking tons of photos.  (So you should see more up here soon.)  But in the mean time, I’ll leave you with this thought: If you want to be more creative, why not spend time with Someone who is more creative?  This is my goal.

DC Snow December 25, 2009

We really enjoyed being able to play in the snow here in Northern Virginia… once we finally made it through all of the crazy, un-plowed roads.  I love the way the snow collected like a wave around the tree trunks and piled on the hammock.  I’m also loving these overlays by Shana at Florabella Collections.   (You can see the original size images and some of our sledding antics here at my Flickr.)

Baby Burke December 19, 2009

The Burkes had a healthy baby boy! Congratulations guys! And good job Renee. Enjoy your new Christmas present.

Burke Maternity December 15, 2009

A few weeks ago I took some pictures of my friend who is due… any day now.  They are such a fun couple, I always love hanging out with them.  I’m excited to meet their new addition.  (I think it’s going to be a boy, but we’ll see.)  I met them at their place which has an amazing view of the city as their apartment sits on top of Burnaby Mountain.  Their place also has huge windows letting in tons of natural light.  Thankfully it was cloudy on the mountain (it was sunny at the base) and we got some cute shots.  Good luck you two, and God speed!

fake macro November 29, 2009

I learned somewhere out in the blogosphere how to create a makeshift macro lens by simply turning your lens around backwards, holding it in place, and moving slowly towards or away from the object until it is in focus.  You have to play around with your shutter speed and other such settings to get the image how you like.  The aperture is wide open causing quite a bit of blurring… but that adds to the charm. ;o)  Here are a few straight out of my camera (no editing).

 

My wedding band, engraved with S of S 2:2.