365 Challenge: Week 5 & 6

Ha! I bet you thought I was slacking on my new years resolutions already since I didn't do an update last week?  Well I kind of was and I kind of wasn't.  I didn't really like the challenge for week 5 which was: 6 tips for capturing a sunrise and the Theme: Morning.  For one thing (especially these days before baby brother arrives) I really enjoy the luxury of being able to sleep in well past sunrise everyday.  Also I didn't think I would really learn any new techniques with my camera so I didn't force myself to do this weeks lesson.  However, even though I didn't take any pictures of sunrise I did still take some pics.  Last week several things all fell into place on Monday first Will was off and now being back on days shift he was also awake, we were all healthy, it was 60 degrees outside, and we didn't have anything going on.  So we loaded up and took Rex on his first MetroLink ride to Union Station.  We just enjoyed walking around, had lunch at the food court and then came back home just in time for Rex's nap.  I loaded up my camera in my brand new camera bag (that I really love) and took a bunch of pictures while we were out.  I love the old architecture at Union Station and wanted to be able to really capture it but found myself unsure of what settings I should use to best do it.  I played around with a few but it definitely made me glad I am doing this 365 day challenge because there is still a LOT I need to learn to be able to take better pictures.  Here is what I got with my mediocre skills: 

Rex and Daddy waiting for the train

Rex posing at Union Station

I just love Daddy/Rex pictures

Enjoying the patio outside

Not sure why, but this is one of my favorites, I guess because it wasn't posed.

Rex and Daddy looking at the "pish" in their matching hats

The Grand Hall Staircase

I was trying to use my color select feature here but was kinda having trouble remember how to use it

same things here, but its kinda cool that half is in color and half isn't.

It would be cool if this was the crown molding in our apartment.

Kinda dark but still a pretty shot of the Grand Hall

Before I get to what the Challenge and the Theme were for week six, I accomplished one of my new years goals this week by attending a photography class about the basics of DSLR photography.  This was the free class I could attend for buying my camera from Creve Coeur Camera.  I really enjoyed the class.  It was just a brief look into some of the basics of DSLR cameras.  I learned some things that will be helpful right away for me.  It also re-motivated me to try and get into another class that would be camera specific next month before the baby gets here.

Just to keep myself accountable on my other goals.  I am still up to date on my Bible readings, but barely.  Im not ahead anymore and have skipped some days lately and had to do 2 in a day to make up.   But im still enjoying it and committed.  Also Mommy and baby are healthy.  I read the other day that a busy baby is a healthy baby, so I guess I have a very healthy baby, because he has been very busy these days!  This week starts my 8th month! Which means only 6 more weeks till he is full term (8 till the due date) and he could come anytime after that!


Okay Okay so I guess I am slacking now cause I skipped week 6's assignment too.  This week was: Shooting Silhouettes and the Theme was Night (so we were supposed to take pictures of sunset).  So I am usually awake with the sunsets but I got cold this week and I just didn't care to get out and take the pictures.  Maybe I will revisit both of these challenges at a later time in the year when the weather is nice or I happen to be out and enjoying a sunrise or sunset.  It seemed like most of the people who posted really good pictures were either at the beach or had a lake setting.  I will hope that sometime this year I might find myself at a lake or a beach.  Also I didn't feel all that motivated because I really did learn a lot of good stuff at my photography class this week and feel good about that.