A birthday and a dog.

But not a dog birthday. I don't think I know anyone that hosts birthday parties for their dogs. That's OK though.

Today was Elijah's 3rd birthday! He had a party with lots of friends. This is the first time I've used my camera in just over two weeks. It felt good to be taking photos again. I've had a hard time getting motivated to take photos during my transition back to the States. I should be fine going forth and completing my 365 now.

There were many children in the house today, I wasn't entirely sure what to do. I wanted action shots of course, but there were so many limbs and toys and balloons flying around that it was difficult to get FACES in the shots. I came away with a few that I'm happy with though. Some very nice ones of Elijah enjoying his super awesome train cake.

I made a big effort to really use my SB-800. I was fiddling with the controls almost the whole time. I found that the TTL wasn't really working as well as I would have liked it to. I know that there's a bit of an issue with relationship to the aperture on my lens, so a lot of the photos are a bit darker than I wanted them to be. Not a huge deal, I can lighten them in post, but it would be nice to not have to worry about it at all. There's still so much to learn!

In general it seems that upping the ISO to 200 makes enough of a difference to lighten photos that are taken while I'm zoomed. Of course if I forget to put that back to 100 and I take a photo of someone as close range the photo is completely blown out. It was an exercise in quick transitions, so all in all it went well.

After the party I went to visit Jacki :] and finally meet her puppy, Hiro! I brought my camera with me, still in shutter bug mood, and planned on taking many photos. I'm happy to say that I succeeded in taking many photos. I would have taken even more if my flash batteries hadn't 100% died on me.

No problems though, because I got some super cute photos of this fantastic doggie! Another exercise in acting quickly with a squirrelly subject!

All in all, a great return to my 365 project.

-MJ

Slow.

Things have been slow. Maybe a more accurate description is that I have been lazy. I've had the last two weekends off and all to myself, the free time has been fabulous and cathartic. I've been able to catch up on sleep, cleaning, friends and video games. I have been severely slacking in the photography department.

Taking photos is more fun for me if there are other people around. Someone to walk and talk with me, someone to hop in the frame so I can snap off a shot of a friendly face once in a while. Having a friend gives me a comfort and confidence boost. Even if they're not taking photos with me, I feel a sense of camaraderie; almost like they're hunting for moments with me.

With that said, even though I've been able to catch up a little with friends, I have not actually been able to go out and take photos with friends! My mom and sister visited me this last Saturday and we went to the Farmers Market. I took some more photos for my documentary project and that was very fulfilling.

On the whole though I have found myself waiting until late at night to take my 365 shot. I'm fairly satisfied with what I've been coming up with, although I'm asking myself why I'm waiting so long to take a photo. I have very little interest in wandering around outside alone looking for a photo. I want to have people with me and an idea in my head and I want us to work together to create something fun and interesting. This is odd because generally I hate group projects. Perhaps I just want everyone to listen to me while I take pictures. Hmm.

I don't have a lot to do today, just a little grocery shopping. It's overcast outside, so if I take my flash I could create an interesting mood for whatever I find to photograph. Inanimate objects are so boring. I wish I knew more people. Every time I venture alone I get attacked by bugs or the wind kicks up so hard I can't keep my hair out of my eyes long enough to take a picture. I feel like the universe is telling me something.

Anyway, here are my photos from the Farmers Market. It was suggested that I should take some portraits of my favorite vendors, so I did! Plus one extra special shot of my nephew enjoying his balloon.

This man sells emu oil and products that contain emu oil. Cass got very excited and bought some. It was a lot of positive healing properties and is also very expensive.

This woman works a booth selling hand-made jewelry. She doesn't make the product herself, just runs the Market table. She's very friendly and the wares that she sells are amazing.

This is the friendliest balloon man in the entire world. There are two balloon men at the Market, one is friendly and one is not. This man is very popular and since it was so close to the Market closing he had to close down his line. I got a balloon for my nephew from the other guy and it became apparent why he wasn't as popular. 

And here is Elijah, loving his balloon with all of his mighty being. I love this child.

-MJ