I got the big picture

I have the photo bug really bad. I can absolutely attribute this to the blogs. Before I had a blog I left the photo taking to my husband.  To capture the treasured moments of each day and to recount memories of family tradtions and events, I started this blog. If we have stories we need photos right? And it was right there at that thought , when I purchased my first canon digital that I became a photographer. From there I kept upgrading cameras, always thinking of taking the photo from the best angle to tell the story. I had never studied photography, I just wanted to tell stories.

As I would visit many blogs daily I would see so many beautiful photos and wonder "How do they do that?" and so I started asking that question of many blogging friends. Eventually I was introduced to the Shutter Sisters and then to Big Picture Classes. For the month of December I was under the daily tutelage of Tracey Clark, her wonderful photography skills, extreme kindness and joined a bevy of budding photographers all at different levels. Each day we would receive this lovely email from Tracey with a photo, all the settings and lense markings, and a photo assignment for the day. We would share our photos in the gallery and it's there that I really learned so much from my classmates. Tracey had us doing different things with light and shadow. Some of them I just couldn't figure out and all I had to do was mention that and many talented classmates would come to the rescue and hold my hand through the whole process. This class gave so much to my skills as a photographer, and at the end I had an incredible snapshot of the month of December. Below is a collage of just a few of my photos for the month.

The Big Picture 

Now it's January and I'm back with Tracey doing Picturing Winter. Again I'm learning so much and enjoying capturing something of the month daily. For me February will be the ultimate bravery month, it's when I'm getting out of manual mode. Whoot.

Big Picture Classes have free courses in both photography and scrapbooking. There is something for everyone. Be well and have a great day.


Comments

20 responses to “I got the big picture”

  1. awesome! there’s nothing like a good class, is there? I am actually afraid of my camera. I can do a small handful of things with is, but beyond that, it frightens me. Perhaps a Big Picture class is in store for me eventually. Until then, I COULD just get out the manual and read it, I suppose ๐Ÿ˜‰
    looking forward to seeing your photography skills grow!

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  2. Hej Valarie
    How wonderful…on-line photography classes, fantastic!
    I always thought your photo’s look soo good anyway ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I think you may have just inspired me AGAIN!
    Will look into this, but first I need to concentrate on my Swedish lessons…SFI here I come again…
    LOVE PEACE enJOY!
    Julie
    x
    P.S. I neeed to update my camera,what would you reccommend?
    I have worn out my digital FujiFilm FinePix camera…all this blogging fun!

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  3. Fabulous Valerie! The pictures you took in December are wonderful and can’t wait to see what you get up to on this new course you’re taking. Good luck!
    I have the bug too. Photography is one of the things I hope to develop this year. I learned so much last year from just observing other bloggers and picking up advice where I could, but this year I want to really get into it. I’ll look up Big Picture Classes for later in the year when I’m ready for them.

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  4. Love your photos, and LOVE your son with his cell in the header :)…good for you to do something for you that you enjoy! Thanks for the sharing the info.
    I have so many things I want to devote to in 2011..I think I need 80 hours in each day!
    happy new year to you and your family!
    love marcia

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  5. this collage is a gorgeous representation of your work! i love how it fits together!

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  6. How great that you have been doing this. Your photos look really good. I should take some time to learn more about photography. I get frustrated easily by the limitations auto mode has – but I can’t seem to get things together well enough to shoot in manual. Is there hope?!

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  7. There’s nothing to fear but fear itself. Now go get that manual. Actually I can’t really understand mine but that course in February should help….I hope.

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  8. Hejsan Julie,
    Hoppas allt gรฅ bra. Since you live in Sweden and you see Swedes all of the time another good way to go for Swedish course could be this site called LiveMocha. They have like 17 languages and it’s really good. http://www.livemocha.com
    As for the camera, I really like my canon powershot. If you want a camera that does a little more I would think about a Nikon D40. Hope that helps.
    Kramer,
    Valarie

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  9. Thanks Carin. I know this year is going to hold many wonderful things for you. I know there are many areas that are just going to bloom and I can hardly wait to see this. Again, what a great word you’ve chosen for this year. Enjoy the journey.

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  10. Thanks Marcia for your very kind words. You always have so many lovely projects going on over at your blogs. What’s in store for 2011? I’m with you, I could use 80 hours days as well. I’m so glad we have so much we are wanting to experience. It’s much better than twiddling our thumbs.

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  11. Thanks Kendra. Please hugs the babies for me. How are you getting along? Are you able to sleep some?

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  12. I’ll let you know how breaking out of manual mode is. I’m hoping it isn’t too scary.

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  13. Another award for you Valerie! You know I love your blog ๐Ÿ™‚
    http://www.childinharmony.com/2011/01/blog-award.html
    happy day!
    love marcia

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  14. Hi Marcia,
    Thank you so much. This is very kind. Now I have to pick my top three travel to destinations. There are so many places I would love to go. This will be so much fun. Your blog inspires me all the time. I love every minute I spend there. Much happiness to you Marcia and thanks again.

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  15. Oh this is great! I’ve loved my cameras since I was a young girl. I’ve always been drawn to beautiful photos. I took photography in college. And then sort of loss interest (or didn’t know where to go from their or what to do next) until I found the blog world.
    Now, my beloved camera is always with me. And I really do find SO MUCH JOY in photography. Discovering with my eyes twice… Finding ways to capture a moment in a way in which my heart experiences it.
    I’ve thought of taking a course through Shutter Sisters. And now with your little insight into them, I think I might just look into it!!!
    Thanks so much!
    Nichole

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  16. That sounds like a fun course!! Photography is something that has the capabilities to just keep on evolving. Your photos from December are beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you take in January!
    :)Lisa

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  17. I am so glad for you! When I found Shutter Sisters nearly 2 years ago, it unfolded a whole creative world to me and the photography (if you could/can call it that) was so healing for me.
    I love your collage and how all the pieces of it fit together. What software did you use for that?
    Happy New Year!
    Nicola

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  18. Hi Nichole,
    I’ve really enjoyed my time over at big picture. I’ve just learned so much about everything related to photography. Hope to see you there.

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  19. Happy New Year Nicola. The software I used to create the collage is Picasa, a google product. It’s so very easy to use.
    Take care and happy picture taking.

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