There is something similar to Instagram for Windows 7 phones. It’s called Photogram and you can take a photo and add a filter to it. One filter makes the photo look like a Polaroid picture – which reminds me of Instagram photos. Here is one of my photos with the vintage filter applied -

It is a fun little program and a cool way to spice up photos before posting on Facebook.

My daughter preparing Valentines for her class. I missed those days of exchanging Valentines in school. So much fun. I can’t wait to hear how the day went as she was hoping to get a Valentines from somebody – anybody. I’m sure she will come back with a backpack full and be thrilled about it.

Well this time I mean it and will be buying a second compact flash card. So if you received a digital camera for Christmas, make sure to have an extra media card.

This picture I took at the pumpkin patch during the school field trip. I thought it was so cute that the farm dog was taking a nap in the sun and one of my daughter’s classmates decided to join him. I did a little bit of editing – mainly with one setting to make the picture look older. I will try this setting again – and actually write down what it is next time because I plan to use it for a few other farm pictures.

It just struck me as hilarious that he was going to teach her how to smile for pictures. She can smile for pictures. Sometimes she does give her goofy smile and then I persuade her to smile more naturally. This I feel is the photographer’s job to get the best smile from their subject. However, I know that school pictures they run the kids through like cattle – so a bad picture is usually the result. Also in my daughter’s defense, I have never taken her to get her photo professionally done. Between the pictures I take and my talented sister-in-law, I have enough professional quality-looking photos of her.

Here is the picture in question. It’s not bad. She still is quite adorable.

One of the tips I have recently learned about photography is using existing frames as part of the picture like an archway or other structure that could frame your photo. I used this one that is holding a grapevine to serve as a frame for the red oak tree. I had to get low to the ground – which was difficult since the dog took that as a sign that I wanted to be licked and loved.

I will try this technique again with other subjects. I had taken a few at the pumpkin patch that I will share later.

This photo I was trying to apply the rule of thirds where you imagine drawing off your picture into thirds – vertical and horizontal. At the points that these line intersect are supposed to be points of interest – where you want to try to place your main subject. So with this picture is what I tried to do with the tractor. I like the picture but not sure. I think the tractor should be smaller to really represent the rule of thirds.

It was very cold that day. Thankful to get the pictures I did get while I could still feel my fingers.

I want to take memorable pictures – and arrogant as I am(or that’s what I’m calling it) I thought that just by doing that I would learn. I’ve been humbled and now believe that it is very important to read advice and learn more about the things you care about from other perspectives. I can’t know it all and it’s just plain crazy to think I will magically become good at something if I just snap a lot of photos without thinking about it. I am ready to start learning and applying that to my photography.

So if you want to learn more about photography, you should check out the HP Learning Center. I’m taking Beyond basics: Fundamental photography techniques. I just finished lesson 2 (of 4) and can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned so far this weekend as we are going back to the pumpkin patch Friday and the Ren Fest on Saturday. Both events should present many photo-worthy moments.

It is October – so it is once again time for our annual tradition of going to the pumpkin patch. This year we are only going twice. Some years we have been three times. It is so much fun out there, and it is a great place to take photos.

For our first time of the season, I didn’t bring my camera. I just used my phone but plan to bring the camera the next trip. The pumpkin patch is on a working farm with lots to do. You also have to walk a fair amount – hence the reason I didn’t bring my camera. Since Rae is older, we no longer use a stroller to cart around all of our belongings. I just took an oversize purse with snacks and a reusable bag for our pumpkins.

The farm plants fields and fields of sunflowers – a perfect photo opportunity. This year the sunflowers just seemed more full and vibrant. Hopefully next week they will be just as lovely when we return.

Everyone brings their camera. They have plenty of spots set up to take photos. It is a photographer’s dream location. It is best if you have some easy way to carry your equipment. Next time I will take a backpack to make carrying everything a little easier.

When we lived in town, I took a lot more photos of landmarks. Since we moved three years ago, I have been mainly taking photos of Rae and nature. So I’m excited to take a trip that is just about taking pictures. We will probably just drive around town since there are a lot of places I’d like to photograph locally. Then maybe when the weather cools off, we will venture further away from home.

This is something we’ve been wanting to do forever, so it finally feels good to set a date.