Fluffy & Furry / Project 52 ~ Week 14

  Hello, again!

...I'm playing catch-up, and may be doing this for a few days.  Last weekend we embarked upon a 14 hour car trip back to visit family {and have a much overdue vacation} in St. Louis, MO.  We've survived our return trip, and still have tons to put away and clean-up.   After reviewing the images I've captured since April 1st, I realized, I have a few hundred to edit!  I always dread falling behind in editing....hopefully I'll survive today's partial review...maybe 3 days worth??

  This post was meant for last week, Week 14.  I couldn't help but catch a quick {but adorable} image of this SWEET baby wild rabbit.  She was rescued a few days prior and was quite timid, but as of last check was warming up and eating well.  Her dark, rich and multi-colored fur was simply beautiful against the bright green leaves and dull silver metal bucket.

Project 52 - Week 14 / "Spring Bunny n.1"
{Captured:  50mm, ISO 100, 1/200, F3.2}

  It was late afternoon, so there was spotted setting sunshine.  I kept the ISO at 100 and lowered the shutter speed - enjoying the result of deep shadowed areas surrounding the fluffy model.  I did set the aperture at 3.2 for capturing good details in the lovely patterns of her fur.

  Fingers crossed for an easy week back from vacation...and that I get caught up with a seemingly amount of editing.  Hope everyone has a super week!
-Jennifer

Sunshine and Webs / Project 52 ~ Week 12

  Well...today's post is very late.  I've been trying to edit lots of images when time permitted and am just now finishing.  This week has been up and down.  Lots of rain, lots of sunshine, some more rain, warm temperatures, even more rain, some hail...and I think it's raining again!  The plants are growing everyday - it's a beautiful sight to see.  The azaleas are in full bloom, dazzling local gardens with a variety of pinks, purples and white.  The wisteria is fully bloomed in lovely shades of lilac purples, draping the treetops of wooded areas.  In less words, it's gorgeous around here again.  Fall and Winter look to be seasons of the past and Spring is here to stay!

  On Friday morning, in early sunlight, I walked my yard to check on plant growth.  It had rained fairly heavily the evening before, and the lawn, plants and trees were still covered in heavy dew drops.  I noticed a lot of "sparkling" areas dotting my back gardens and low branches.  When I got closer I discovered these were spider webs.  Now, I'm not too fond of spiders {at all}, but I couldn't walk away without capturing this lovely image.  Each piece of the web was covered in very tiny dew drops, each reflecting the early sunlight in a spectacular display.  I chose this image for Week 12:

{Project 52 / Week 12 - "Glittered Web n.4"}
{Captured: 50mm - ISO 250 - F5.0 - 1/125}

  I chose to apply a black and white finish to this image as I found the bright green and light browns of the background to be a bit distracting.  I wanted lots of detail, so the aperture was set to 5.0.  I loved the final look of several images from this web.  If you get a chance this week, stop by on Facebook in the Coming Soon folder to see other images captured from this morning walk.

Hope everyone has a beautiful week!
--Jennifer

Pine Trees and Shadows / Project 52 ~ Week 10

  Good Morning!  Just a note...it'll be quick post this week.  The weather and sunshine have been amazing this weekend and I've got a few different flowers that I'd like to photograph today before sunset...so I must stay focused!

  Yesterday we were out and about, before sunset, thoroughly enjoying the amazing sunshine.  On our walk, I captured this week's image:

Project 52 / Week 10:  "Sunny Shadows n.1"
{Captured:  50mm - ISO 160 - F5.6 - 1/400}

  I was in love with the hazy golden sunshine casting long shadows in the row of pine trees.  The bright afternoon sunlight created a wonderful pattern of light and dark spaces.  The whole scene yesterday reminded me of a late summer day...and hopefully these days are just around the corner!

  Hope you have a lovely week ahead!
--Jennifer

Unique Beauty / Project 52 ~ Week 9

 Happy Weekend!!

  I was so excited to receive a wonderful surprise this week...two lovely bouquets of ranunculus flowers!!  I've {really, really} wanted to photograph these intriguing flowers for some time.  These blooms were the miniature type and each bouquet was full of incredible color {reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and purples}.  

  

  On Friday, I separated some of the pinks, purples and oranges and set to work on capturing some long overdue images.  I love how the stems wind and curve, each petal with light textures, each bloom unique and at a different stage.  I decided to group my images by flower color to obtain a more uniform view.  This week's image:

Project 52 - Week 9 / "Purple Ranunculus n.1"
{Captured:  ISO160 - F2.0 - 1/80}

  The richly deep purple petals, with a light texture and haze definitely made this image the right choice for Week 9.   It was a hard choice though, because the orange and pink ranunculus images were equally beautiful.  If you get a chance this week, stop by the Facebook page to see additional images in the Coming Soon folder.

  I'm looking at this rainbow of flowers this morning and they are continuing to change daily.  I'm hoping to get a few more images of the other blooms this week.   I really would love to add a space in our back gardens this year to grow some of these amazing plants, their bright blooming flowers would look great next to the roses and peonies.  

  On a sidenote:  Spring is nearing everyday, I've noticed our tulips are growing and I can't wait to capture some images of these, hopefully soon!

Hope your week is amazing!!

-Jennifer

  

Fancy Pink Petals / Project 52 ~ Week 8

  Happy Weekend!  I'm running a bit behind this week and have been processing several photographs captured this past Friday.  I found the most gorgeous bunch of pink gerbera daisies this past week. Unfortunately we were greeted with some clouds, thunder, lightning and rain on Friday....meaning I had to photograph indoors...again!   I chose a rainy window sill and selected three of the best in the bunch.  

This week's image was captured in the cloudy natural light, with a rain dotted window providing some interesting shadows.  I chose one of the images that was very detailed and macro-like for Week 8:

"Rainy Fridays n.10"
{Captured:  ISO 200 - F2.5 - 1/125}

  I've always found daisies so beautiful.  Each petal so delicate all leading back to one amazing centerpiece in the middle.  These gorgeous pink daisies were no exception.

  I'll be adding a few more images to the Facebook page today, stop by if you get a chance.

Hope your week is amazing!
-Jennifer

Sweet Lambs, Warm Sunshine / Project 52 - Week 4

  Normally, I'm not too fond of drastic temperature changes during winter.  We've seen frost, {lots of} rain, and WARM days all in one week.  But, for a nice change, the warmer days began Friday and led to a very sunny and beautiful Saturday.  I had plans to photograph some newly born lambs.  I spent about an hour with these adorable {and super soft} lambs - and will be sharing the photos on the JLP Facebook page later today.  Here's a quick look:

"At The Farm n.7"
{Captured: ISO 100 / F.4 /  1/640}

  Being outside, after such a rainy week indoors, was much needed.  The warm air and bright sunshine almost made me believe it was Spring.   Not much is in bloom, just yet, but I think it won't be very long at all!  While I walked around, enjoying the warmth and sunshine, I came upon several groups of dandelions.   There's nothing quite like looking {really closely} at a dandelion.  I am always captivated by how much each and every tiny piece will glow and sparkle in the sunshine.  This week's image, definitely captured my mood and the day's spring-like weather:

Project 52 / Week 4:  "Blue Sky Dandelion n.1"  
{Captured:  ISO 100 / F5.6 / 1/1000}

  While the temperature is cool this morning, again, I have hopes of warmer days ahead and lots of brightly colored blooms in the gardens...soon!  I love outdoor natural light photography and can't wait to be outside more and more this year to capture some great images.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

-Jennifer

It's only Tuesday?

So, it's been quite a while since my last post/update.  Things have certainly been busy so far this spring.  I've been adding LOTS of new spring themed pictures on facebook, but haven't had the chance to add them to the Etsy shop, just yet. 

The last 2 weekends I have been busy photographing my little ones, and what joy that has been!  It is always amazing to look back just a year and see the dramatic changes they have each undergone.  My youngest has become a toddler, when did that happen?!  I loved how each of the 'sessions' turned out:


12 years, 7 years, 23 months



Their personalities couldn't be anymore different, and they shine through in each shot!  They each have a different, yet equally beautiful, shade of blue eyes which looks great in natural lighting.

Now, we have a Birthday celebration around the corner, my youngest will be turning 2 on April 1st!! We have the cutest pink tutu all ready to go, and I can't wait to capture these moments :)  I've also been super busy outside building two new flower gardens, for which all the new plants arrived today!  My 7 year old has a 'green thumb' and enjoys planting flowers and vegetables.  She's helped me pick out some of the most beautiful rose trees, rose bushes, butterfly bushes, flowering shrubs and hydrangeas.  I cannot wait share photographs when all of these bloom this summer!!

Some new(er) photographs in moods of spring:





From Top: Striped Pink, Silver Ocean and Abstract Dandelion Yellow




From Top: Trouble Ahead, Fly Away With Me, In Fields Of Green























and with spring rains I was able to capture these inspiring moments:


"Beneath The Petals"




"Fade In Fade Out"


Lastly, is it Friday yet?? 

It's almost....SPRING!

Things here in NC are beginning to look a LOT like spring!!  I couldn't be more excited.  Spring is probably my favorite season.  It brings along new growth, soft sunlight, gentle breezes, light rain showers, flowers, flowers and more flowers!  I have certainly been taking advantage of the warmer mornings to capture some flowers 'glowing' in soft sunlight.  

Here are a few shots from the past two weeks:

"Afternoon Resting"



"At Ease"



"Outward Shine"

"Daisy Explosion"

This week I ventured out early on Monday morning to photograph some gorgeous Tulip trees which have begun to bloom.  I cannot wait to process these photos.  The morning was near perfect, with bright sunlight shining through the bare brown branches to highlight dramatic deep pink and white blooms! Last week I had photographed the buds, which were beautifully unique with a creamy velvet appearance:

"Spring In Wait"

Some shop news...There's soon to be a MULTITUDE of prints in 8x10 and 5x7 sizes with a lustre finish - these should be in and listed in the shop within the next 2 weeks.   I've also recently ordered some 16x20 sized prints with a lustre finish, to test quality with a new printing company.  If all goes well, I will be listing these new sizes available in the shop soon!

Can't wait to get outdoors this weekend and photograph more "spring" images...

Spring, Renewal, Changes

Something exciting has been happening around here lately...new growth and warmer weather!  I could not be more excited that the majority of the winter is behind us, and now we look forward to more sunlight, warm nights, flowers - flowers - and more flowers!  We planted so many beautiful flowering plants last fall and my daughter and I cannot wait to see them bloom between this spring and summer (and I to capture some great shots). 

Like spring, I have been busy with new things...new flower photographs, sampling new textures (which has been FUN) and some new Florabella Luxe II actions (LOVE THEM!).  I've migrated to mainly utilizing PSE9, which is growing on me day after day.  There's been some new accessories (filters, hoods, etc) added to the equipment inventory... and a few more (lenses and battery grip) in the works for the future.  I'm challenging myself each week at least once - with both new ideas, composition, lighting, subjects and my 52 Photo Project.   Below is one of my favorite shots from this weekend.  You can see them all on my Facebook page, in the Coming Soon album.




"Outward Shine" Photographed 2.19.11


















Shop Announcements:
*Newly added:  On Sale Now section, including 30+ photographs currently 50% off!
*Also added Add-On matting for 5x7 prints!
*Lots of new prints have been added in 2011 - check the shop to see what's currently available!

So very thankful for these wonderful Treasury Curators who included my photographs:
2/6 - "Stretch" was included in Purple Spring Garden, curated by ColorfulPixelsByLife
2/7 - "Blue Ice" was included in Shine On Me, curated by TheRubyNeedle
2/6 - "Birds of Southport" was included in Pics of/from a ferry, curated by StevesPhoto
2/6 - "Daisy In Pink" was included in Spring Fever, curated by greygirldesigns
2/9 - "Arch n.4" was included in Silence and Movement, curated by ArtByAmarose
2/8 - "Blue Ice" was included in icicle creek, curated by SugarRococo
2/12 - "Perfectly Paired" was included in I Like Purple, curated by cowboygoods
2/12 - "Stretch" was included in Pink Lavendar Dreams, curated by widgetsandwhatsus
2/15 - "Stretch" was included in Lavender Wonderland, curated by Calibead
2/16 - "Fall Mum" was included in Two Sisters and Their Pet Cheetah, curated by lunalove
2/17 - "Bee Simple" was included in Feel It Coming ???, curated by rafya
2/17 - "Sunset From The Pier" was included in I'm singing in the RAIN, I'm singing in the RAIN..... WATER AND CLOUDS, curated by trinitydj
2/17 - "Daisy Explosion" was included in Spring a licious, curated by dditta
2/19 - "Daisy Explosion" was included in SERENITY, curated by YESTERDAYONCEAGAIN


Hope everyone has a wonderful week - remember it's the small things that make memories forever!
-Jennifer