20120228

Top Pic: A Gorgeous Closeup


FEATURED ... Top pic of the week!

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Top Pic: A Gorgeous Closeup

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20120224

Don't hate me because I'm literal (but you can hate me because I'm beautiful)

I am embarrassingly literal sometimes. Remember Amelia Bedilia? Yep, kinda like that. Like Amelia Belidia, if you ask me to “draw the curtains” my initial impression would be to literally draw the curtains (like with a pencil). I mostly keep it to myself. Usually I catch on quickly after I think it through for a second, but seriously folks. I can read things VERY literally. It happens all day long. If I don’t catch it quickly, there’s a chance it may get stuck and possibly take years for me to figure it out. If you’re wondering what could possibly be embarrassing about this, let me give you an example.

We see signs everyday telling us this or that, warning us about” curves ahead” or “don’t slip on the ice”. One sign that we see all the time, maybe even everyday that had perplexed me for years was “In case of fire, use the stairs.” You know, the sign that is posted outside of every elevator inside of every hotel, office building, or high-rise apartment or condo?


This was sooooo irritating to me! I would think, “why do they even have elevators if they just want me to use the stairs! “ Because in my mind it read more like “hey, just in case there’s a fire you should really use the stairs.” So basically I thought they were telling me to never use the elevator and to always use the stairs just on the off chance ,“in case”, there was a fire.

I lived on the 6th floor so I would use the elevator several times a day and would think things like, “I live on the 6th floor, there’s no way I’m walking up and down the stairs every day just on the off chance there’s a fire. This is a ridiculous sign.” My thoughts would get quite indignant at times, “Why do they even have elevators if they’re just going to tell us to use the stairs … Akk!”

So now let’s say I heed this warning and I go to the stairs only to find another obstacle for the literal minded:



Yep, did you read what I read? “Keep this door closed at all times.” Well, how the hell do they expect me to use the stairs if I can’t even open the door! Rebellious as I am, of course I open it. And this is what I find:


Using the elevator caused me much stress, as you can see. Here I was, way too old to not know better, standing outside my elevator for way too long yet again. As I was doing my daily ritual of staring at that sign and having all of the irritations just bubbling up in me as the indignant thoughts went racing through my mind as I was gearing up for a another day to defy “them” (the sign putter uppers) and then it hits me … all of a sudden …. “Ahhhhh ….. ok”. And that was that. Another mystery solved.

I was 27 years old.

I know … it’s ridiculous and I also know that it makes me sound not smart which is why I say it’s embarrassing.


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20120118

FACEBOOK

More Photos on my FB page!

Come and join us here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashlee-Rene-Photography/195153773867009

20110703

Photographing Fireworks!

Learn some basics and get some great fireworks photos! These are just some very basic tips to get you started.

What you’ll need:
A camera (duh?) Camera battery (and an extra battery) Tripod (or monopod, but I prefer a tripod) Cable release (if you have one. This is for DSLR users)

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Location is everything! Get there plenty of time before dark. Try to avoid distractions in front of you and always look for “higher ground” when possible (no heads in your photos)

Set your camera’s ISO to 400:
but feel free to experiment. You can always go lower too. If going higher remember that a higher ISO will give a grainier look.

Turn the camera’s built-in flash OFF!

Point and Shoot users:
Some cameras have a fireworks setting. So if you have that give it a shot! You may even be able to use your auto mode. If you have a manual mode then follow the below steps to set your camera to it’s auto settings.

DSLR users:
Set camera to Manual mode and the f/stop to the largest setting (smallest number like 2.8 or 3.5) Set Shutter speed to Start at 1/60th then shoot at 1/30th and 1/15th and check your LCD. When you have the right exposure just keep it at that setting. You’re always better to lean towards underexposure then overexposure because the fireworks are very bright.

Autofocus?
If your camera is freaking out trying to autofocus then switch to Manual focus, Forced Infinity, or Landscape Mode. Cameras usually default to infinity, but you may miss some shots.
When to Press the shutter?: you’ll want the shutter open during the peak of the explosion. You’ll see it before you hear it (light travels faster then sound).

Using your cable release : use this to avoid camera shake. Because you are using a longer exposure the slightest movement even just pressing the shutter release will cause some blur from the camera shake. If you don’t have a cable release then press very gently and slowly.

Don’t forget about composition: If you’re watching at the beach or other water consider including the reflections. If in the city some of the landscape would be pretty to include.

Have an awesome 4th of July and take lots of pictures!

20110419

Photoshop on your Camera?

LUMIX FX78




Well, not quite, but I’m sure that’s not too far from becoming a reality.

Panasonic states in the press release: "In Aesthetic mode, various effects can be applied to the face including clearing the skin texture, lifting up the face, whitening of teeth and so on. Finally, in the Make-up mode for additional effect, the color of foundation, lips, cheeks or eye-shadow can be selected."




While I don't think the quality of the retouching is going to be nearly as good as a professional's experienced touch, It's perfect for things like Facebook and Blog posting.

Read more about it at Panasonic: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/fx78_fx77/touch.html
And a thorough independent review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1101/11012510panasonicfx78.asp

20110418

Royal Wedding Shopping?

OK ladies (I'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that only the ladies are still reading after seeing the title of this post). I'm sure that like me you are busy going thru your closet figuring out what to wear to the Royal Wedding. Of course you'll need a hat! Check out just a few of my favs from Dortheas Closet Vintage: http://www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com/HATS7.html

these are just a few of my 'Royal Worthy' favs!









20110219

Anthropologie gives us Wedding Dresses ...

And suddenly single ladies everywhere suddenly NEED to get married!

I have a pure Love of vintage clothing.  I have a closet full of 40's dresses and 60's and 70's era Jackets.  I shopped thrift stores almost excessively in HS well before it was "cool" to do so.  So why O' why couldn't I find anything like this when I got married.

For the complete collection visit www.bhldn.com
















  For the complete collection visit www.bhldn.com

20100406

Easter Egg Hunt!

On our way to an Easter Egg Hunt I grabbed a quick photo on our way to the car!  The girls LOVE these dresses and every time they see them they get a very sweet smile on their face and say"cute dress"!

20100329

Flowers and Cupcakes!

Thinking about Rocco's upcoming One Year Birthday Party I was looking through photos from the twins 2 year party and thought it would be fun to post a collage.  I have fun with some flower arranging so I used their party to have some fun with it. I bought yummy cupcakes from Costco and then decorated them with ribbons and various sprinkles and edible glitters.  By stacking borrowed cake plates I made several fun cupcake towers.   Using Lemons and Limes I added color to the food tables.  



20100324

Welcome Baby Mika

Meet Baby Mika 7 days old!
She's my good friend and fellow photographer Michelle's baby.  Isn't she the most gorgeous little girl ever? And she is so so sweet too. Michelle and I did these together and it was such a blast.

Terra+William = Awesome Couple!


I LOVE LOVE this couple! I photographed Terra and William's wedding 3.5 years ago and gained a great friendship.

I had the honor of photographing Terra's BF wedding over the weekend and took a a little break from editing her photos to edit a few from Terra and William. Seeing them in a wedding setting made me nostalgic for THEIR photos ;) 


Love you guys!





20100302

Rotary Music Competition



I'm so lucky to be given the opportunity to help out my good Friend Bernie and the Temecula Rotary. They have so many worthy causes and do so many wonderful things in our community.  One of those is an annual Music Competition for local teenagers.  The top three move on to Regional and then eventually Nationals.  These were AMAZINGLY talented kids there.  How lucky am I that I got to be a small part of this great event!