Wordless Wednesday: Interesting Sunset Clouds

by Mary Denman @MaryDenman

So, on Monday, I posted about needing time to clean off my mental desk (click here to read). 

I thought I could do some "light blogging and catch up with life" this week. 

Silly me....between needing to do background work on my blog, get my photo web site up, create an emblem for my photography business, catch up on some writing commitments and deal with some medical issues in my family, I need a complete break from blogging for a week. 

So, I promise to read every comment from today and visit your sites over the next few days. 

I'll be back on Friday, 3 July 2015 with Photography Tips on taking FIREWORK pictures in times for July 4th! 

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Enjoy these sunset pictures....that line in the clouds was natural...not photoshopped. 

Have a great day! 

Gorgeous sunset recently by Mary Denman Photography

Monday's Musings: John Wooden Inspirational Quote

by Mary Denman

Mary Denman Photography

I love this John Wooden quote. 

Why? 

Because it challenges my thinking. 

I'm way too quick to do something part way, without planning or evaluating, and then say, "I can fix this later." 

Not a good plan. 

It creates more problems that way. I know. 

From personal experience.

Although at times, we think we're doing something right and it still gets away from us without realizing it.

Until life gets hard.

In either situation, there comes a time when we have to make the decision to get back on track. To do it over. 

Photo Tip Friday: Taking Great Father's Day Shots

by Mary Denman    @MaryDenman

Mary Denman Photography

In the US, Father's Day is this Sunday, 21 June 2015. 

Often, that means family get togethers. It's an opportunity to photograph your loved ones and document time spent together. 

Today's tips are designed to help you record Father's Day! 

Let's get started. 

Wordless Wednesday: Tropical Fish

by Mary Denman @MaryDenman

Welcome back for Wordless Wednesday.

Come back and join me on Fridays for photography tips! 

Read about Looking Up or Down for Interesting Shots here. 

 You can read part 2 of Understanding Aperture here.

You can read about part 1 of Understand Aperture here. 

Sign up for email and get Monday's Musings, Wordless Wednesday and Friday Photo Tips in your inbox! 

Clown Fish by Mary Denman

Monday's Musings: When Grief Hits out of the Blue

by Mary Denman

A beautiful day at the beach....Mary Denman

You know what's hard about grief? Well, one of the many tough aspects anyway? 

Grief is hard because it can sneak up on you. When you least expect it. From out of the blue. 

Or, it seems like it's from out of the blue. 

But in retrospect, it may may eventually make sense. That doesn't take the pain away. But perspective will help you not feel like you're crazy or weak emotionally. That maybe there was a real reason for the grief to hit. 

Often, people, me included, liken grief to waves. They can wash over you, making you sputter and leaving you yearning to get back on the shore and out of the ocean of grief. But in the midst of the worst of grief, that just doesn't seem possible. 

But with time, it does get better. I know. I've lived it. 

Photo Tip Friday: Look Straight Up or Down to Create Interesting Shots

by Mary Denman    @MaryDenman

I didn't see the bird in this picture till later....by Mary Denman

Recently, my husband and I headed out to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. I had my camera ready. But before the trip even started, I noticed the clouds in the gorgeous blue sky. I couldn't resist. 

Then I saw a plane whose con trail looked so stark against the sky. I took both those shots before I left my driveway! 

What's my point? 

Sometimes, you can capture awesome pictures just by looking straight up or down! It's a perspective people don't really think to utilize. 

Let's look at some more examples!  

Wordless Wednesday: Downtown Waterfall and Flower

by Mary Denman @MaryDenman

Welcome back for Wordless Wednesday.

Come back and join me on Fridays for photography tips! 

 You can read part 2 of Understanding Aperture here.

You can read about part 1 of Understand Aperture here. 

Sign up for email and get Monday's Musings, Wordless Wednesday and Friday Photo Tips in your inbox! 

Here's a day in downtown Greenville, SC...

Reedy River Waterfall...Downtown Greenville, SC by Mary Denman

Monday's Musings: Do What You Love, Love What You Do

by Mary Denman  @MaryDenman

Do what you love by Mary Denman Photography

We frequently hear the quote, "Do what you love, love what you do", but have we taken the time to really think about it? Is it true?

I think it's very profound.

Why?

Well, let me tell you about a journey I've been on. Not a physical journey, but on a life journey.

It's about photography.

I've enjoyed photography for years and years. I had a point and shoot that I used all through high school. Then, a Minolta X-700. I have tons of printed photos from the years of my children growing up. Well, 1,378,964 shots of my first born to be exact, and then it went downhill from there for my other 4 kids. My fifth child has about 26 newborn shots. Maybe. You know, I was a little busy.

Photo Tip Friday: Understanding Aperture, Part 2

by Mary Denman @MaryDenman


This week is Part 2 of Understanding Aperture. Last week we covered how the size of the shutter opening lets in more or less light. 

A quick review: 

Aperture controls the size of the shutter opening of your lens. That’s simple enough. But the challenge comes with understanding that the size of the shutter opening has two functions.  

The opening of the size determines: 

1) how much light can be let in. 

2) how deep the depth of field is. 

Today, I'm going to show you how aperture controls depth of field and about the power to use aperture to create clear or blurred backgrounds. 

Let's get started:

Wordless Wednesday: Blue Ridge Mountains

by Mary Denman @MaryDenman

Welcome back for Wordless Wednesday.

Come back and join me on Fridays for photography tips! 

 This week's tip will be part 2 of Understanding Aperture.

You can read about part 1 of Understand Aperture here. 

Sign up for email and get Monday's Musings, Wordless Wednesday and Friday Photo Tips in your inbox! 

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Hubby and I went for a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

It was gorgeous. 

Enjoy! 

Blue Ridge Mountains