PHOTOGRAPHY 101. HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY FIRST SEMESTER.

As some of you were aware I took a photography class this last fall semester at Santa Monica College.....and just happened to love it. So much so that I am going back for more (and maybe even a degree). February 14th will be the beginning of my next semester and many more photos to be taken. I thought maybe I would share some of the pictures I took over the last semester to change things up around here a bit. Heck, maybe I'll start including some posts with photography tips and little lessons that I learn along the way. What do you think? Well, for now here are just a few images from varying assignments in Photography 1 with Ms. Gregory.

Oh, and all of these images are straight out of camera--no editing allowed. Not even cropping. So keep that in mind. And it's hard to always get it right in camera.

For this assignment I photographed lots of different produce from the 3rd St. Farmers Market. It was pouring rain this day while we were on a field trip for the class and I was juggling holding both an umbrella and my camera. Not easy. But I thoroughly enjoyed myself walking around in the rain and looking at pretty vegtables.

Farmers Market assignment.

Farmers Market assignment.

Farmers Market assignment.

This particular assignment was called 'Urban Landscapes'.

It was such a challenge for me to run around town just looking for cool pictures, not knowing before hand where to go or where I'd park and having time restraints with Gavin. But I was so happy that I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and normal subject matter (ie. Gavin) for this assignment. Well, I guess I had to if I wanted a good grade in the class. It wasn't easy to do, but I think I was the most happy with these images out of all that I took that semester.

Urban Landscapes assignment.

Urban Landscapes assignment.

Urban Landscapes assignment.

Here's one image from my 'Depth of Field' assignment where we were trying to get just a little bit of the image sharp and the rest of it out of focus, or shallow depth of field. These squares are from the wall of a local deli.

Well, and here we have the 'Environmental Portraits' assignment where of course Gavin made his SMC debut. What teacher could resist this face and give me anything but an A, right? I did use other people besides Gavin for this assignment, but at least half of them contained the little guy. Doesn't he look like such a menace here?

Environmental Portrait assignment

Environmental Portrait assignment.

Environmental Portrait assignment.

Next up for Spring semester.....Black and White film AND Digital Imaging. Can't wait!

Stay tuned for more!

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS

THE. COOLEST. SHOW. EVER.

If you ever have a chance to go see it, please DO because you won't want to miss this one. Of course Gavin was messmerized, but even Curtis and I were so impressed. Life size dinasaurs are extremely entertaining, to say the least, and the show was even pretty educational. Two thumbs up from this family!

The grand finale was T-Rex and man was he ominous and scary. I wouldn't want to meet this guy face to face.

Oh, at this moment in the show T-Rex walked right up to the audience and got his face super close and then paused and all you could hear was him snorting/breathing loudly and then all of the sudden.......ROAR!!! It was so realistic it just gave me chills. I think Gavin covered his ears, but luckily no tears.

Oh yeah, here are the tears. The water works weren't from a scary dinosaur though, but from a mean Mommy monster insisting on taking a picture. Just one little picture was all I wanted. (And do you see him holding Pea Green dinosaur? He came along to the show too. This was Curtis' favorite stuffed animal as a kid and now it is Gavin's favorite as well. So sweet.)

GAVIN'S FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!

SEPTEMBER 2010

Gavin's first day of preschool at Pine St. here in Santa Monica.

At our front door anxiously waiting to go to school for the first time!

Gavin was SUPER excited to go to school and couldn't wait to meet his new school friends and teacher.

He is getting to be such a big boy these days!

So proud of him!!!

Can you tell he's excited?

Gavin's teacher this year is Teacher Sofia and her assistants are Teacher Nehal and Teacher Leo. We just love them!!!

And then he just said 'Bye Mom' and gave me a hug and that was that.

No fussing. No crying.

My baby is in school now.

ELIZABETH MITCHELL IN CONCERT!

The Getty Museum recently did a children's concert series and included in the line-up was our favorite of all time, Elizabeth Mitchell. If you are not familiar with her music you are missing out! Her songs have a lovely folk sound with mellow vocals and beautiful acoustic backgrounds....I listen to her music even when Gavin is not around. In fact, our whole family loves her music and we were so excited to see her live in concert. We got there early and got a front row seat. Beautiful weather and beautiful music made for the perfect afternoon.

Gavin LOVES her music and was so excited to meet her. Can you tell?

Here we are getting our new cd signed by Elizabeth and her daughter, Story. They were both so sweet. Her husband was also there and plays the guitar and sings along with her sometimes. Making music for them is a family affair.

Together as a family enjoying the concert on the lawn.

It was a good day.

OUR SCENIC ROAD TRIP AROUND THE OLYMPIC PENNINSULA

Our most photograhic trip yet!

During our visit home to Seattle we took a two day road trip with

Grandma and Grandpa Higbee on a scenic loop around the Olympic Penninsula. I couldn't believe what we saw in only two days. Prepare yourselves for photo overload....as I've posted a lot this time!

Our cute little cabin that we stayed in while in Westport/Grayland. So charming and cheap too!

The beaches in Grayland were HUGE. Just miles and miles of wide open sand. We turned Gavin and the dog loose and almost lost them. They quickly became little specks.

After we finally caught up with them a mile away.

The lighthouse in Westport.

Kalaloch Beach.

After breakfast and exploring the town of Westport we headed up the coast and into the Olympic Rainforest. Such a pretty drive. We stayed the night at the Kalaloch Lodge, the only hotel in the rainforest, and enjoyed some amazing food, views and beach combing.

Gavin found this dead crab on the beach and immediately started calling him 'My Crabby Pet'. He wouldn't part with him no matter how many little legs fell off. Crabby Pet traveled in a paper hotel cup for the rest of the trip until at one point he got crushed. Gavin finally had to say goodbye to his little Crabby Pet. So sad.

Up the coast we drove some more until we came to my absolute favorite place in the world, Ruby Beach. I've been here a few times in the past with Curtis, but it had been years. It felt good to be back. I think my Northwest roots must stem from here for I haven't felt so at home in a long time. Hands down, this place is a must see for everyone. Well the whole penninsula is, but especially Ruby Beach.

Gavin with Grandma and Grandpa Higbee and little Buddy.

I think Ruby Beach must have been Gavin's favorite place in the world too because he seemed like he was in Gavin Heaven. We could not get him to leave.

One view of Ruby Beach.

Me and my boy.

Gavin LOVES to collect both sticks and rocks so you can imagine how many treasures we came home with. I think my suitcase had 10 lbs of just beach combing finds.

The whole crew.

After leaving Ruby Beach we drove northward some more till we came to the town of Forks, had a late breakfast, and then drove all the way up to Hurricane Ridge way up in the mountains. I had never been to this particular spot and it gave us some amazing views and wildlife sightings.

Gavin burning off some extra energy.

Just feet away.

Then after ALL THAT we also drove up to the town of Port Townsend and had a lovely dinner next to the water. Such a quaint and adorable town. Another must see for anyone.

A little dessert.

Our view from the restaurant.

And then TWO ferry boat rides home to connect our roadtrip loop.

All that in only two days.

Thanks Susan and Boyd for such a lovely trip and all the wonderful memories. Next time we will have to get Curtis up there to do it with us.