wow. It seems like 2008 just zoomed right on by while I wasn't looking. I can't say I'm sad to see it come to an end though. It was a tough year. I spent way too much of it as a single mom, missing my traveling husband. I'm cautiously optomistic for 2009. Who knows if he'll travel as much... who knows if I'll snap & get committed to the padded room... who knows if the children will stage a coup... but I'm going to hope for the best. ;)
As 2008 came to an end, I decided this was the perfect time to start fresh. I couldn't let another year pass without giving myself a great big shove towards doing what I love. So, as the new year approached, I purchased a domain name, launched a website, filed for a business license, ordered business cards, set up accounts with professional printers, worked on my portfolio and now... FINALLY... I am stepping out in the world as "Dorothy Larson Photography"!!!! I've still got lots of work to do, but it feels great to really put some time & commitment into my photography. Now I just have to earn enough to pay for all of the equipment I want!!! :)
If ya want to check it out, here's the link: http://www.dorothylarsonphotography.com/ But expect some changes daily for a while. I am still figuring out what look I want and what information I want on the site. Be patient, k?
1.03.2009
2.11.2008
Feb 9...
More snow... but this time it was late at night... around 10:30pm... and I was playing with the external flash. :) All 3 photos were taken with random settings while using the flash.
Dewayne's footprints on the front sidewalk... he went out to his car & came back for the window scraper. :)
This is the view from our front steps out towards the street. We're angled on a corner. The street lamps were making this weird glow. Usually that's a white looking light. No idea what was making it look kind of red.
This is the smaller tree in our backyard. The snow was clinging to every branch & it looked pretty cool. I like the way it contrasts with the dark background... which is just the night sky!
Dewayne's footprints on the front sidewalk... he went out to his car & came back for the window scraper. :)
This is the view from our front steps out towards the street. We're angled on a corner. The street lamps were making this weird glow. Usually that's a white looking light. No idea what was making it look kind of red.
This is the smaller tree in our backyard. The snow was clinging to every branch & it looked pretty cool. I like the way it contrasts with the dark background... which is just the night sky!
1.23.2008
Cold...
January 23...
Noah's first snowball... first of many...
Just look at that innocent face. Isn't he adorable??
... and right after that sweet smile, the little snot smacked me right in the head with that stupid snowball. *sigh* Gotta love having boys!!! The camera had to go in my ski jacket pocket to keep dry because the snowball war kicked in to high gear!!
And for the record... I WON!!!!!
*note: I used Andrew's new little point-n-shoot Sony camera for today's photos. Much easier to play in the snow with a teeny tiny camera!
Noah's first snowball... first of many...
Just look at that innocent face. Isn't he adorable??
... and right after that sweet smile, the little snot smacked me right in the head with that stupid snowball. *sigh* Gotta love having boys!!! The camera had to go in my ski jacket pocket to keep dry because the snowball war kicked in to high gear!!And for the record... I WON!!!!!
*note: I used Andrew's new little point-n-shoot Sony camera for today's photos. Much easier to play in the snow with a teeny tiny camera!
ABC's & 123's
January 18...
I love word art and I've been noticing words and individual letters a lot lately. I want to get a photo of every letter of the alphabet and numbers 0 through 9. So... here's A.
I love word art and I've been noticing words and individual letters a lot lately. I want to get a photo of every letter of the alphabet and numbers 0 through 9. So... here's A.
1.17.2008
Surprise...
January 17...
Woke up to a nice little surprise this morning!!
surprise [ser-prahyz, suh-] -–verb (used with object)
1. to strike or occur to with a sudden feeling of wonder or astonishment, as through unexpectedness: Her beauty surprised me. 2. to come upon or discover suddenly and unexpectedly: We surprised the children raiding the cookie jar.
1.16.2008
Drastic...
January 16...
There was more than one photo today. :)
There was more than one photo today. :)
Before:
After:
drastic [dras-tik] –adjective 1. acting with force or violence; violent. 2. extremely severe or extensive: a drastic tax-reduction measure.
And if you're interested... here's all the "in-between" pics too.
1.15.2008
Emotional...
January 15... (several photos!)
Today is the day. We all got up super early (4am to be exact) and had breakfast together... but I think at least 2 of the boys was eating while still asleep. ;) I took Tom to the squadron and snapped a few photos. Here he is being a goofball when I told him to strike a pose for Amy because she thinks he's hawt in that flight suit... hahahaaaaa
And one last look at the important stuff before flying... flight updates & email from the boss... and apparently an email from Chris with a video of military guys rapping in the desert is "important" too. ;)
Said our good-byes and he headed to the plane... while I went home to grouchy, sleep-deprived kids!
He departed here about 7:30am...
Today is the day. We all got up super early (4am to be exact) and had breakfast together... but I think at least 2 of the boys was eating while still asleep. ;) I took Tom to the squadron and snapped a few photos. Here he is being a goofball when I told him to strike a pose for Amy because she thinks he's hawt in that flight suit... hahahaaaaa
And one last look at the important stuff before flying... flight updates & email from the boss... and apparently an email from Chris with a video of military guys rapping in the desert is "important" too. ;)Said our good-byes and he headed to the plane... while I went home to grouchy, sleep-deprived kids!He departed here about 7:30am...Commitment...
January 14...
After seeing Amy's photo for January 13th, I really wanted to try to photograph my ring. When Tom took his ring off & put it on his dresser, I couldn't help myself. Although I have 4 months to get the photo, I snapped this one the night before he left. He can't wear it when he flies so it spends quite a bit of time on the dresser. :)
I hope you don't mind that I copied your idea Ames!!!
After seeing Amy's photo for January 13th, I really wanted to try to photograph my ring. When Tom took his ring off & put it on his dresser, I couldn't help myself. Although I have 4 months to get the photo, I snapped this one the night before he left. He can't wear it when he flies so it spends quite a bit of time on the dresser. :)
I hope you don't mind that I copied your idea Ames!!!
Luck...
January 13...
I wanted to photograph Tom's boots on the black background... and while I was playing with this set up, Noah decided it looked pretty fun. I got some decent shots of the boots... then Noah stepped in...
And something about his solemn expression with the boots in the blurred background just really caught my eye. I wish he was more in focus, but he would NOT be still. This was as good as it was gonna get.
Sometimes photography is all about the luck. I don't think I could have gotten this photo if I'd tried to pose him.
I wanted to photograph Tom's boots on the black background... and while I was playing with this set up, Noah decided it looked pretty fun. I got some decent shots of the boots... then Noah stepped in...
And something about his solemn expression with the boots in the blurred background just really caught my eye. I wish he was more in focus, but he would NOT be still. This was as good as it was gonna get.Sometimes photography is all about the luck. I don't think I could have gotten this photo if I'd tried to pose him.
Countdown...
January 12...
Noah's calendar... marking off the days till Daddy leaves in blue... then we'll mark the off the days till Daddy returns in red. :)
This is a photo of the calendar on the wall but Noah uses my Photoshop to mark the X's every day!!! :) He loooooooooves to edit the photo every day. heehee
Noah's calendar... marking off the days till Daddy leaves in blue... then we'll mark the off the days till Daddy returns in red. :)
This is a photo of the calendar on the wall but Noah uses my Photoshop to mark the X's every day!!! :) He loooooooooves to edit the photo every day. heehee
Cozy...
January 10...
My new fuzzy, pink Crocs!
cozy [koh-zee] -adjective 1. snugly warm and comfortable: a cozy little house.1.11.2008
Real...
January 9...
My hubby is getting ready to deploy again. He spent the day getting some of his things ready to pack... including his uniforms... the brown ones. Makes it very real.
real [ree-uhl, reel] -adjective. 1. true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent: the real reason for an act. 2. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious: a story taken from real life. 3. being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginary: The events you will see in the film are real and not just made up. 4. being actually such; not merely so-called: a real victory.
My hubby is getting ready to deploy again. He spent the day getting some of his things ready to pack... including his uniforms... the brown ones. Makes it very real.
real [ree-uhl, reel] -adjective. 1. true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent: the real reason for an act. 2. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious: a story taken from real life. 3. being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginary: The events you will see in the film are real and not just made up. 4. being actually such; not merely so-called: a real victory.
Ball...
January 8...
ball [bawl] -noun. 1. a spherical or approximately spherical body or shape; sphere: He rolled the piece of paper into a ball. 2. a round or roundish body, of various sizes and materials, either hollow or solid, for use in games, as baseball, football, tennis, or golf. 3. a game played with a ball, esp. baseball: The boys are out playing ball.
ball [bawl] -noun. 1. a spherical or approximately spherical body or shape; sphere: He rolled the piece of paper into a ball. 2. a round or roundish body, of various sizes and materials, either hollow or solid, for use in games, as baseball, football, tennis, or golf. 3. a game played with a ball, esp. baseball: The boys are out playing ball.
Build...
January 7...
build [bild] -verb. 1. to construct (esp. something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials: to build a house. 2. to establish, increase, or strengthen (often fol. by up): to build a business; to build up one's hopes. 3. to mold, form, or create: to build boys into men.
build [bild] -verb. 1. to construct (esp. something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials: to build a house. 2. to establish, increase, or strengthen (often fol. by up): to build a business; to build up one's hopes. 3. to mold, form, or create: to build boys into men.
1.06.2008
Owl...
January 6...
owl [aul] -noun 1. a type of bird that flies at night and feeds on small birds and animals.
This is my owl shirt! Everytime I wear it I think of Monica!!! It's a really comfy, stretchy thermal material with a felt leaf near the bottom hem. I need to find a long sleeved shirt that I can wear under it while it's cold!
And even if I had make-up on, I still wouldn't have taken a full self-portrait today. :)
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 18-55mm lens, 430EX flash... f./5.6, ss 100, ISO 100, 55mm focal length, bounced flash using mirror for self-portrait.
owl [aul] -noun 1. a type of bird that flies at night and feeds on small birds and animals.
This is my owl shirt! Everytime I wear it I think of Monica!!! It's a really comfy, stretchy thermal material with a felt leaf near the bottom hem. I need to find a long sleeved shirt that I can wear under it while it's cold!
And even if I had make-up on, I still wouldn't have taken a full self-portrait today. :)
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 18-55mm lens, 430EX flash... f./5.6, ss 100, ISO 100, 55mm focal length, bounced flash using mirror for self-portrait.
Box...
January 5...
box [boks] -noun. 1. a container, case, or receptacle, usually rectangular, of wood, metal, cardboard, etc., and often with a lid or removable cover.
It's pretty typical for my kid.... buy him a $50 toy & he'll play with the box for hours while the toy sits on the floor. :) In this case it was the box for his new booster seat... but he played in the box until I forced him to go get a bath. Oh, and did ya notice the nice clean fingernails?! heehee... He had been outside for a few hours before this photo. "Someone" was supposed to be helping Dad rake leaves... but I think he did more to scatter leaves than rake them.
box [boks] -noun. 1. a container, case, or receptacle, usually rectangular, of wood, metal, cardboard, etc., and often with a lid or removable cover.
It's pretty typical for my kid.... buy him a $50 toy & he'll play with the box for hours while the toy sits on the floor. :) In this case it was the box for his new booster seat... but he played in the box until I forced him to go get a bath. Oh, and did ya notice the nice clean fingernails?! heehee... He had been outside for a few hours before this photo. "Someone" was supposed to be helping Dad rake leaves... but I think he did more to scatter leaves than rake them. .
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 85mm lens, 430EX flash... f./4.0, ss 200, ISO 100, bounced flash... both photos!
1.04.2008
Dedicated...
January 4...
ded·i·cat·ed [ded-i-key-tid] –adjective 1. wholly committed to something, as to an ideal, political cause, or personal goal: a dedicated artist.
ded·i·cat·ed [ded-i-key-tid] –adjective 1. wholly committed to something, as to an ideal, political cause, or personal goal: a dedicated artist.
This is a photo of a wooden C-130 model of the plane my husband deployed on last year. It's scale and very realistic. He had it made after he returned home. It sits on top of our entertainment center with a wooden F-15... the plane he worked on before he started flying on C-130's.
The "dedication" comes from my husband, Tom, serving in the United States Air Force. He loves what he does and it's obvious when he talks about it. He has such a dedication to his fellow flight crew members, his squadron, the country. I am so proud of him.
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 85mm lens, 430EX external flash... f./1.8, ss 200, ISO 100, bounced flash.
1.03.2008
Pose...
January 3...
pose [pohz] -noun 1. a bodily attitude or posture: Her pose had a note of defiance in it. 2. the act or period of posing, as for a picture.
(although "cheesy" or "annoyed" would probably go a little better with his attitude today!)
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 85mm lens, external flash... f./4.0, ss 200, ISO 100, bounced flash... and one little boy that just wanted me to go away! :)
pose [pohz] -noun 1. a bodily attitude or posture: Her pose had a note of defiance in it. 2. the act or period of posing, as for a picture.
(although "cheesy" or "annoyed" would probably go a little better with his attitude today!)
Technical stuff: Canon Rebel XT, 85mm lens, external flash... f./4.0, ss 200, ISO 100, bounced flash... and one little boy that just wanted me to go away! :)
Faith...
January 2nd...
And starting today, I'm going to use one descriptive word, along with the definition, for each of my photos. This was the idea of a very talented photographer & crafter at ScrapFreak.com (thanks for the idea Chickie!!) and I hope I do it justice!
Faith [feyth] -noun. - the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.
technical stuff: Canon dRebel XT camera w/ 85mm lens & 430EX flash ... manual settings: f/1.8, ss 1/200, ISO 100, bounced flash.
And starting today, I'm going to use one descriptive word, along with the definition, for each of my photos. This was the idea of a very talented photographer & crafter at ScrapFreak.com (thanks for the idea Chickie!!) and I hope I do it justice!
Faith [feyth] -noun. - the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.
technical stuff: Canon dRebel XT camera w/ 85mm lens & 430EX flash ... manual settings: f/1.8, ss 1/200, ISO 100, bounced flash.1.01.2008
2008: a year of photos
a new year, a new beginning...
I started last year with good intentions. I loved the idea of taking a photo every day so I joined the challenge on a message board & started out with lots of enthusiasm. It made me think about my photos and gave me some ideas for trying new things... but life got in the way. Sadly, photography wasn't high on the list of priorities around here. I let my 'photo a day' slowly dwindle down to 'photo a month' then stopped all together before I even made it to the summer.
So... here we are at the beginning of another year... and I'm going to give it another shot. I have the same enthusiasm but this year I'm going to make photography more of a priority. I want to take more than one photo a day (because, honestly I've never been able to take just ONE photo of anything!) and to work on specific skills. I want to see an improvement by the end of this year and that requires dedication and perserverance.
I will do this. I will do this. I will do this. I will do this.
Let's get this party started!!!
These are two of my boys... the oldest and the youngest... putting together a K'nex car! Dewayne has NO chance when Noah looks at him with those big eyes & asks his brother to play with him. heehee
1 down... 365 to go. :) Can't forget about Leap Year!!!
12.13.2007
12.09.2007
Photo A Year - :)
It's been a while since I've updated. Life... with 4 boys & a traveling husband... seems to get in the way of my blogging time. :) I've made a promise to myself to put my photography and my blogging higher up on the priority list in 2008 so hopefully there will be more consistent updates.
For now, I'll add one photo from a recent maternity shoot... I just love this shot. The shoes belonged to my youngest son who will be 5 in just a few days! I thought they made a great prop for a maternity shoot against the black backdrop!
For now, I'll add one photo from a recent maternity shoot... I just love this shot. The shoes belonged to my youngest son who will be 5 in just a few days! I thought they made a great prop for a maternity shoot against the black backdrop!
Shooting info: Canon Digital Rebel XT, lens 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm focal length, ss 1/30, f/5.6, ISO 100. Minimal post-processing to crop, watermark, add frame & resize for web. No editing of actual photo image.
6.15.2007
Photo A Day ~ 13 June
Our youngest at the park... taking a break & enjoying the warm, dry day! It's been raining more than it's been sunny so we're all having a bit of cabin fever! The minute it dries up, we run out to the backyard!
I love this next photo... even if it's blown out on the side of his face. It was so bright out, not much I could do to avoid it without running back in the house for more equipment. :) I'm hoping he'll humor me and recreate this shot another time... when the sun is cooperative!
I love this next photo... even if it's blown out on the side of his face. It was so bright out, not much I could do to avoid it without running back in the house for more equipment. :) I'm hoping he'll humor me and recreate this shot another time... when the sun is cooperative!
5.17.2007
Photo A Day ~ 17 May
Today is my oldest son's 17th birthday... it just doesn't seem real. :)
Canon dRebel XT, 50mm f1.8 lens... ss 125, f4.0, ISO 200
4.17.2007
Photo A Day ~ 17 Apr
When we first arrived at the base here in Japan, it was early in the morning on a Sunday. Most people were sleeping but we were still on U.S. time. We didn't want to wake anyone on our contact list so my husband walked down the street to the little convenience store and purchased some snacks, drinks, milk, etc... and these noodle dishes. They are microwave meals... and we had NO idea how to cook them because the packaging was all in Japanese! Thankfully there was a maintenance worker in the building of our temporary apartment that helped us with the instructions... and these are some of our favorite snacks now!
Canon dRebel XT, 30mm f1.4 lens
Canon dRebel XT, 30mm f1.4 lens ss 200, f/1.4, ISO 800, SOOC except resize for web
4.16.2007
Photo A Day ~ 16 Apr
Life with a 4-year-old is never dull! ;)
I was trying to photograph something on my black backdrop today... but my little goofball kept getting right in the middle of the action! I gave up on the photo shoot and played with him instead. He kept giggling and covering his face... and I didn't worry about settings or being technically correct... but it was fun anyway! He's good at reminding me to take the time to laugh and be silly!
Here are 3 of the "results" of our silliness... I really wish I'd changed the aperture & gotten the focus on more of his face, especially both eyes, in that last one... but just trying to hold the camera without it shaking while I was laughing was difficult enough. See, he was posing for that one! "Don't make me laugh. I want to be SERIOUS. Mom, stop laughing and take my picture." He's such a little character!
All were taken with Canon dRebel XT, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens...
1 & 2: ss 320, f/1.4, ISO 800
3: ss 160, f/ 1.4, ISO 800
Photo A Day ~ 15 Apr
There is a very strange tree in my backyard. It has really deep red leaves and when it's cold or rainy the leaves sorta droop down like they are all folded up to keep warm. On sunny days, the leaves are all spread out. It's my favorite tree around here!
Today it was raining and I stood on my backporch and zoomed in on the leaves to catch the water drops... and it shows how the leaves are very jagged and pointy. 
Canon dRebel XT, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS lens
ss 40, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 190mm, rainy afternoon
4.13.2007
Photo A Day ~ 13 Apr
I have a whole rainbow of these colored goblets... and they caught my eye this morning as I walked by the china cabinet. I love the bubbles in them... and I love that I have 8 different colors of them too! Maybe next time I'll line them all up & show the whole rainbow but today I just loved the dark blue & light blue ones!
Canon dRebel XT, 50mm f1.8 lens, ss 3200, f4.0, iso 200... taken in front of my large kitchen window with mid-day overcast sky. The background is the sky.
I also like that I can see the reflection of the trees & grass outside my window in the stem part of the glass! Just glad it didn't pick up the reflection of the contruction fence across the street!
Photo A Day ~ 10 Apr
And after a busy afternoon at the park... THIS is what happens!
He was watching tv while I finished dinner... yeah... he was OUT as soon as he stopped moving! I just love how he arranged the pillows so he could be REALLY comfy! heehee
Canon dRebel XT, 50mm f1.8 lens, iso 1600, ss 40, f1.8
Photo A Day ~ 9 Apr
Since my hubby was most likely going to be out of town for a little while, he spent the afternoon playing with Noah at the park behind our house. Got a few fun shots of the little monster before he started giving me the hateful look! ;)
That boy loves the slide!
Canon dRebel XT & 50mm f1.8 lens
That boy loves the slide!
Canon dRebel XT & 50mm f1.8 lensSlide: ss 1000, f1.8, ISO 100
Playground: ss 2000, f1.8, ISO 100
4.08.2007
Photo A Day ~ 7 Apr
More shots of the trees when I was out taking pics of the stop sign. These are the trees lining the street coming to my house. This street runs behind my house actually... I live on a corner lot & the back/side yard is that wall you saw in a previous POTD.
I moved here just after sakura season last year... missed this amazing view by just a week or two... and I keep looking at all of the trees as I drive. They are peaceful to me. I love how the trees cover the street... a full canopy of white blooms!
I moved here just after sakura season last year... missed this amazing view by just a week or two... and I keep looking at all of the trees as I drive. They are peaceful to me. I love how the trees cover the street... a full canopy of white blooms!
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