Learning Photography in Paradise

by Dianneahh on July 7, 2010

My ten day workshop on photography in Varenna, Italy, overlooking beautiful Lake Como, is about halfway complete. I’ve learned so much already and there is so much ahead of us.

Last year I felt my photography skills had improved a good deal, but in fact before this trip I knew very little about my camera.

So far, we have been introduced to Photoshop Bridge, a package that comes bundled with CS4 and CS5. I had barely glanced at it, and really had no idea what a terrific asset to the photographer it is. Bridge gives you a wide range of tools to organize photos and create collections. Anyone who has ever searched their computer for a missing photo, filed in the most ‘logical’ place, will appreciate this.

Additionally, we downloaded Camera Raw from Adobe, and that is where we edit our images.

Although some photos simply can’t be saved, I’ve now learned to use the histogram to balance color ranges and about ten other adjustments that can overcome the robotic point of view of the camera and recreate the natural beauty that the human eye observes.

I’m lucky in that I have an eye for composition. One of the most frustrating things about taking photos for me has been the inability to get my shots as sharp as I wanted. I’ve now learned that it takes more than a tripod to get those sharp images. You need to use either a remote device or the timer on your camera. Even pressing the shutter release causes little tremors in your camera, which result in that slight blur that is so frustrating.

Today I must select the one place in Varenna that I like the most and focus my shots there for the final presentation. This will be difficult, for Varenna is a truly beautiful place, steeped in history and filled with faces with character.

{ 0 comments }

Heading for Italy Tomorrow

by Dianneahh on June 30, 2010

I can’t wait to get started on this new adventure. Imagine what you want and watch the doors open.

Have you ever read any of the many powerful books on visualization? I have read many of them and every time I absorb the information, wonderful things happen. And, I always slip away from the habit as soon as my immediate desire is fulfilled.

Whirled Peas

Whirled Peas

This time, I plan to stay on board, visualizing everything from an oil-free world to whirled peas!

What is my most current dream? I see myself sitting at a table, greeting fans as I autograph dozens of copies of my book! What fun!

{ 0 comments }

Happiness is its Own Reward

June 26, 2010

So many things are coming together now.
This experiment with following the pleasure in life has been awesome so far.
Let’s see – the year is half over and what has happened so far? I’ve had two of my photos used commercially on the Internet. No income, but good pr and very gratifying.
I’ve gotten several [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Wow, a second of my photos has been published.

June 5, 2010

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Schmap Atlanta regarding using a photo I took of the Chihuly fountain at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

I thought it was flattering but didn’t expect it to go anywhere.  However, it has been published and can be seen at the following link on iPhone – http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=atlanta&sid=toppicks_attractions&p=16179&i=16179_238.  Cool!

0 comments Read the full article →

Make Sure the Shoe Fits

June 4, 2010

Have you ever wished for something, really given it your all, and just couldn’t get it to work out? Perhaps it was a relationship with another person, or a business you wanted to start or even the result you wanted for a hobby project.
Sometimes when you look back, you’ll see that the time wasn’t [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Reading…for fun!

May 31, 2010

I’ve been reading a lot of factual books lately as I study the coaching profession and mastery of websites and blogging.
So it was with great pleasure that I sat down with a book simply meant to entertain over the weekend.
The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Coaching Leads to Rewarding Interaction

May 18, 2010

I received a wonderful testimonial from one of my coaching clients today.
She is a terrific person and I am very gratified that she got so much from our sessions.  It was mutually rewarding.  As we addressed some of the things she wanted to improve in her life, I learned as she learned.
Only after you have [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Getting Too Busy!

May 14, 2010

My new policy of freeing up time to allow creativity has exploded and now I am thinking up new things I want to explore too fast to do justice to any of them!
Right now I am currently: operating my construction related business thirty hours a week, taking a course in non-fiction, which is getting [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

A Dream Come True

April 27, 2010

When I was a little girl, growing up in a household which consisted only of my divorced mother and myself, the thought of going to Europe was as remote as visiting the moon.  Fortunately, reality has exceeded my expectations and I have made quite a few journeys to other parts of the planet.
Of all the [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Learning from Helping Others

April 20, 2010

I’m always delighted when my coach training ’shows up’ during the course of my daily activities.  I attended the Phenomenal Women’s Conference on Friday, where my business partner and I spoke about the emerging power of women in the workplace and how women could help others to achieve financial equity with men and also achieve [...]

0 comments Read the full article →