photo op

photo taken by Stacy Beck July 2009 (minimal cropping, color contrast enhancing)

I've been dabbling in photography for the past few months since we invested in the Nikon D60. I love the camera and I really know nothing about it. So, with trial and error and an amateur eye, I've been trying my stuff. I am really loving it--both trying to take great shots and the photo editing. There is something exciting about taking a photo and it being almost exactly what you were imagining in your head without having to edit. So, with my interest peaked I'm searching for a mentor or some classes I can take. There are some through the local community college but with a little infant I'm hesitant to commit so much time and energy right now in my life to the formal class (2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours plus travel time of 1 hour each way). Any suggestions? Any good textbooks or things that could get me going until I have the time to commit?

If you haven't seen this photos in my recent posts, here are some of the ones I've received props for:

photo taken by Stacy Beck July 2009 (adjusted exposure, color, cropped, and straightened or actually off center in this case.)

photo taken by Stacy Beck July 2009 (minimal cropping, contrast and exposure)

photo taken by Stacy Beck July 2009 (exposure, color contrast, and exposure, minimal cropping)

photo taken by Stacy Beck April 2009 (black & white, cropped,pre- D60)

So far, my tricks have been taking the shots at different angles and never dead center. I also try to include the surroundings or background into the shot and not just the person I'm photographing. I think the way a photo is cropped does so much for it. In lots of Gavin's photos I've actually cropped off his forehead and when you see the two side by side before and after I think it makes all the difference in the result, but what do I know I'm an amateur. 

4 months...

4 months old

Today Gavin celebrated 4 months in this wonderful world and in the greatest family possible!!

Here's a look at the little man himself...

... at 4 months Gavin is: holding his head up like a champ, still only rolling to one side and has made it to his stomach once (Ryan says so), He is smiling like crazy and giggling a bit, He loves to jump and jive to the song Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, He is sleeping 10 hours a night most nights, he poops only every other day (I know you were wondering) which makes diaper changes super easy, He loves cuddling with his silky blankets and his luv luv buddy named Fritz, he loves baths (especially laying in the big tub so he can kick and splash), he is very aware of everything going on around him, and his drooling has kicked up a notch (I call him the suds machine--he looks like a washing machine overflowing), he wears Size 2 shoes, 3-6 month clothes (is close to outgrowing 3-6 month onesies due to his long torso (inherited from his mommy), enjoys changing his outfit at least 3 times before heading to town just to make sure he looks cute enough (I hope he grows out of this one!), has quite the death grip, he no longer needs to be swaddled at night, has the most buff legs ever, is already taking up beat boxing, loves sucking on his lower lip and tongue, weighs approx. 16.5 lbs, he loves playing under his baby gym and is beginning to enjoy his newest toy the exersaucer which he can stand up in!

Utah Trip, Part 1

For the 4th of July weekend we headed out to Utah to visit family and friends. Ryan's family was having their Lowe Family Reunion so we made it into a trip to see both sides of the family, plus some treasured friends of mine. We started out at my sister Julie's house visiting her family. My little sister was able to come down from Idaho, as well as our great family friend Spinney (Debbie is actually her first name but we've always called her by her last since she coached us in sports years ago).

We really enjoyed our time there. The kids are growing up so fast! I'll let the pictures tell the story. Thanks Julie for letting us spend the day with you! We love the bbq and had a really nice time bonding! We hope for many more as our families continue to grow!