Sunday, July 29, 2012
Chicago Botanic Garden 2012
It has become a (mostly) yearly tradition for me to go the Chicago Botanic Garden to take pictures of a variety of beautiful flowers that the garden has to offer. I think I have gone for the past 5 years (although I missed going a year in there somewhere). Eric typically goes with me, but it is not as exciting for him since he has been there now numerous times, and it is not as fun for him to watch me take pictures the whole time. This year, I wanted to go again, so I asked my dad to go with my for my birthday. He also loves photography, just got a new (very nice) digital camera, and had never been to the botanic garden, so he gladly agreed to accompany me. We went this past Saturday while Eric stayed home and watched the kids. We had a great time. The flowers were not as hearty as they normally are, but there were still some good ones, and the weather was great. My dad cracks me up, because he insisted on bringin TWO cameras. He still likes to use his 35mm, so he brought that as well as his digital.
When taking pictures of flowers, it is all about contrast, shapes, and colors. It's not about the subject as much as it is about making the subject look interesting. I tend to prefer taking close ups of the flowers while my dad tends to take more scenery/landscape photos (at least that was the case this time). I try to look at a flower from the perspective that complients it the best. I try to see which angle looks the most interesting, what is behind the flower, what other colors can I get in the photo, etc. Sometimes a simple straightforward picture captures it the best and sometimes I need to get under or above a flower to make it look the best. Oh, and I always strive to get at least one "bee" photo when I go. Don't ask me why...bees are quick and hard to photograph on a flower most times, so I consider it a challege to get a good bee picture...maybe I like it for that reason.
When taking pictures of flowers, it is all about contrast, shapes, and colors. It's not about the subject as much as it is about making the subject look interesting. I tend to prefer taking close ups of the flowers while my dad tends to take more scenery/landscape photos (at least that was the case this time). I try to look at a flower from the perspective that complients it the best. I try to see which angle looks the most interesting, what is behind the flower, what other colors can I get in the photo, etc. Sometimes a simple straightforward picture captures it the best and sometimes I need to get under or above a flower to make it look the best. Oh, and I always strive to get at least one "bee" photo when I go. Don't ask me why...bees are quick and hard to photograph on a flower most times, so I consider it a challege to get a good bee picture...maybe I like it for that reason.
Friday, July 27, 2012
The Waterpark
On our last evening in Pella, we went to the waterpark, which was a big hit with the kiddos (well, most of them anyway). Now that I think of it, it was Judah's first time in an actual pool (that was not a kiddie pool). I am pretty sure he would live in the water if we let him! Eden enjoyed it for a while, but then got a little unhappy. The weather was hot, so it could have been the heat that was getting to her.
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| Andrew was not a fan of the slide...poor guy. |
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| Cheezer |
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| Haley loved the slide...you go girl! |
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| Weeeee! |
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| She made it unscathed |
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| Judah had fun going down with Uncle Brian... |
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| and daddy! |
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| Going around the lazy river |
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