I left my ♥ in Blowing Rock NC

A couple of weeks ago we took a break from packing and escaped to Blowing Rock North Carolina for Joe's family fall picnic. I had anticipated the weather to be a little on the chilly side but it decided to give this Canadian's thinned blood a break and bust out the gorgeous sunshine and fall breeze.

I had a toy camera when I was a kid and loved that thing so much I took pictures of everything so just imagine my glee when I found that they are still available for my nostalgic picture taking pleasure. And since I was leaving for a weekend getaway that night I thought it would be fun to document the weekend through Holga Lomography. 

This photo holds a special place in my heart since I totally ♥ cheerwine! Like, I mean L-O-V-E! It's a good thing it isn't as easily available here in O-town because I would be in serious trouble and attending a cheerwine rehab or something...like, love!

I snuck this pic through the fence at Joe's Maw Maw's. I love how it has this sort of "Secret Garden" feel. It looks like it was super fun back in it's prime.

Other snaps from around Maw Maw's, her flowers are so pretty and welcoming. Even the bumble bees fancy them.

So there was this tree that was perfect for climbing and snapping photos in etc only......once I got up I couldn't get back down sooooooo......yeh....next year I'll be more prepared and not need Joe's help getting down.

And next year I hope that the weather will be as beautiful as it was this year. I even got a little sunburn from this fall getaway, go figure, but it was totally worth it to see the leaves change colour.

>^..^<

a carousel of thanks

I have always wanted a polaroid camera growing up but for what ever reason, I never purchased one. Then upon some research I stumbled on Polariod's site where you can turn your photos into a vintage looking pola. Seriously, it's super fun and kind of addicting...

While I was "snapping" my polaroids I realized that this year all though there have been many trials there have also been even more blessings. My most favourite was the chance to meet my new niece, Maggie.

After thanksgiving the Christmas decor will be popping out and these photos will either be gracing a layout or tucked away into a little book. Ooo what about a mini album? Great. Just what I need, another project.

>^..^<

a walk in the park

So back to my vacation updates my dad and I gave my sister a little break from her onions and took them out for a walk in Henderson Park, in Lethbridge. It was so nice and the weather was just right for some activity and little photo shoot.
I got carried away. Again. Sorry. But how could I not when I have such eager and willing subjects? Seriously?

My dad has this super awesome lens and let me try it on for size. I had heard of this lens and it's awesomeness from a sweet friend and after trying it out, it is now on my "Must Buy" list. I just love the clarity and depth of the photos. Not to mention, the subjects are dear to my heart which made the experience all the more awesome. I have to say, these onions were so good to me. I'm not used to hearing, "Auntie Jenn take a picture of me!!" and have them hold the pose until I say, "Got it!" They spoiled me for sure.

I finally took the time to learn to memory some manual mode features and tricks since picking up this photographer's "bible". For the longest time the phrase "F/Stop" eluded me and I just couldn't figure it out and frankly was a little scared to ask. I was afraid I was going to sound like someone asking where the "911" button on the phone was. Stoopid. *shh don't let Maribel hear me say 'stupid' or she'll come back with "Oop! We don't say that word!" * But with a little patience and note taking and practicing with my "Jacking Instructions" my family's term for the Operator's Manual...by George I think I finally got it.

Dadeo in Henderson Park 100mm f/2.8

I was so excited when my dad entered the realm of digital photography. YaY!!! He purchased a Pentax K7 and guess who got to teach him how to use it? It's a sweet camera but I still favour my Pentax Kx and I have to say that it's so great to be able to talk "shop" with someone who is willing to listen and understands what your saying. Poor Joe tries so hard but then he'll start talking video games to even the field. I don't talk camera talk with Joe anymore. 

Of course I'm no pro or anything but I'm content with practicing on my favourite subjects and this sweet little family really made it easy for me to capture those moments I never want to forget.

My final vacation highlight coming up next.

>^..^<

200 pennies

Or 40 nickles, 20 dimes, 4 quarters, or 2-1 dollar bills, my darling shweet'ems picked up this lens whilst thrift store shopping.  Man I love my man!!!

So with a little online searching through my favourite search engine Google, I found a forum discussion that helped me to get my camera to "talk" to my 'new' lens in matter of minutes. I have to say that I am in LOVE with this nifty fifty. I still need a bit of practice with the manual focus part but man it gives great bokeh and great clips. Of course everyone went to bed early so I had limited subjects to click on but these are my faves so far...

 hee hee my little vanilla frosted donut and mini camera. Hmmm I should make some more of those....yes. Yes I should.

And of course Mr Milo with his Mini-Me from one of Maribel's book sets. She loves him so much. Maybe even a little too much. lol.

For being an el cheapo lens, I'm super pleased with it. The only thing I need to do is pick up a filter and lens cap but after I take miss M to get her first pedicure. Nothing like a little pamering for my little princess. I'm still too chicken to have one done on my own. One day...

Have an awesome long weekend!

>^..^<

oh baby!

It's been raining a lot the past couple of days and judging by this weekend's forcast I'm thinking both the beach and Disney are out. Oh well. Instead I'll practice with my new lens. =)

I came home today from the long rainy drive to a little brown box of happiness. Inside was my new Lensbaby Muse special effects lens. It's my new just for fun favourite lens and I can't wait to try this at a fun place like Disney or the zoo and see what fun filters I can use with it too. I love that my camera has that built in feature. Even after the photos are taken with the Muse, I can go in afterwards and add the filter of my choosing. Seriously, so fun!!

I love it that JoeJoe was a good sport and every now and then I would catch a pic of him with his eyes open. I swear he's just like Earl Hickey from My Name is Earl. 9 times out of 10 I catch him with his eyes closed. At first it would drive me bonkers but now I take it as a personal challenge to capture his dreamy brown eyes.

*sigh* And then there's Moody. I have to say for a turtle he sure is handsome. I love how I can manipulate the lens' "sweet spot" to where I need it to be with a twitch of my finger or two. Moody and the rest of the gang moved all around and I could follow them right up to the glass. Love it!!!

I can't wait to take this 'baby' yuk yuk outside and play and see what else I can do and capture. Next on my wish list is the aperature kit where I can punch out my own shapes for the fun bokehs. That's also on my list of tricks to try.

For the first two photos I used the aperature disk 4.0 which created a larger "sweet spot" and with Moody I changed the disk to the 2.8 for the smaller sweet spot. I'm trying not to convince myself that I need the Composer lens.
We'll see how long that lasts....

>^..^<

we just *click*

EEP! I scrimped and saved and finally invested my pennies into a new camera...and oh snap, I'm in love! It's a Pentax Kx with so many bells and whistles and I can't wait to dive right in and learn this baby inside and out. Oo and a bonus part is when I was talking "shop" talk with my Dadeo, he is sending me his 50mm lens that he doesn't use anymore.

Oh happy day!

I have to say that one of my favourite features are the built in filters. There are 7 funky filters plus the option of creating your own. I have always loved the look of the Fish Eye photos and can now acheive the same look with a switch of a setting. Here's a little sample of what I'm talking about.

And of course the perk of capturing video footage on the same camera is stinkin' awesome too! No more missing out on the funny ism's due to not wanting to carry two cameras. I can now catch everything with a quick turn of the dial!

See here...*psst* you'll need to turn off the music on the side bar ==>

Maribel's ABC's well, most of them from Jennifer Carlberg on Vimeo.

While you can see I am having a hoot of a time with this new addition, I'm really motivated to try out the manual mode. So stay tuned for more as I learn the elusive "F Stop".

Hee hee I'm sorry but I can't help it. I love the fish eye filter...I'm addicted.

>^..^<