My Year in Photos 2010, Part 2

See Part 1 for January – June.

July

Fun at our friends’ cabin.

Watching the fireworks from our pontoon boat.

~~

Skiing & kneeboarding at our family reunion.

Splash!

Dad found a skink, one of his favorite animals.

We went camping on the North Shore.

August

We attended a ladies’ tea party.

September

Gorgeous fall colors.

A walk in the woods.

 ~~

October

Sitting around the campfire.

Lovely sister.

November

Frozen pond. Yes, it gets that cold here in November.

Frosted world.

Cool sister.

December

Christmas lights bokeh.

Little Elinor on Christmas Day.

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3 Responses to My Year in Photos 2010, Part 2

1. Haley 
   December 30th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
   What a wonderful year you have had! Hopefully next year will be just as good, if not better!
2. Kathryn Grace 
   December 30th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
   Awww, Elinor is adorable! Loved the photos.
3. marian djurovich 
   March 25th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
   Wonderful photographs. You are a true artist.

My Year in Photos 2010, Part 1

January

My little niece, Elinor, came for a visit.

Grandma taught us how to make Banana Cream Pie.

February

Grandma also taught us how to make Chocolate Crepes…

…and a Roast Beef Dinner

Mom cut my hair.

We went alpine skiing several times. I am determined to get some actual skiing photos this year. Here, Katelyn waxes a ski.

A favorite winter pastime: Polish Ping Pong. Dad’s the best.

March

Grandma taught us how to make bread & cinnamon rolls.

We hosted a Middle Eastern dinner for friends.

We tapped maple trees at a neighbor’s house to collect sap for maple syrup.

Dad took the little Honda motorcycle out and gave Elinor a ride.

Fire on the lawn.

April

Easter at Uncle Ken & Aunt Becky’s house.

We attended a local TEA party rally and got on our local evening news.

May

Snow – in May!

Our favorite summer sport: Volleyball. We built the court ourselves and are very proud of it. That’s me in the bright salmon shirt & khaki pants.

June

Fishing on Wolf Lake.

Hail.

I’ll be posting photos from July – December later this week.

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3 Responses to My Year in Photos 2010, Part 1

1. amanda {the habit of being} 
   December 29th, 2010 at 5:40 pm Moderate
   i really LOVE the one of the skis being waxed – great light, great tone!
2. Marjolaine 
   January 18th, 2011 at 6:40 pm Moderate
   I like these photos…I’m planning on doing a year in photos post on my blog also…as soon as I get the chance! I am also into photography, although haven’t had the chance so far to learn much or obtain a fantastic camera…
   The Middle Eastern photo caught my attention- it’s a beautiful shot, and our family LOVES Middle Eastern cuisine! I’ll keep looking at your blog in the future!
3. Selman 
   January 1st, 2013 at 3:39 am Moderate
   love these pictures. when i look at this awmsoee family i can’t help to smile with them. You guys did a great job capturing that bubbly personality there whole family has. love love love these.

Fluid

Captured using multiple exposures.

6 Responses to Fluid

1. Amy @ Serve At Once 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 pm Moderate
   Erica, this is INCREDIBLY beautiful. Nice work!
2. Miss Becky 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm Moderate
   This is very beautiful – lovely light. I love the softness of it, and the mood.
3. Kathryn Grace 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 4:14 pm Moderate
   Wow… makes me think of someone who is standing by a piano remembering someone else who used to play it… or something like that! :-) Very neat!
4. Ashley Sisk 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 5:09 pm Moderate
   That is so cool!
5. Meri of Meri's Musings & Playing Along 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 10:42 pm Moderate
   Lovely effect. I think I hear music!
6. A. Jarrett 
   December 29th, 2010 at 10:22 am Moderate
   I agree, I love the effect. This is gorgeous~

Winter Knitting Wishlist

If I could afford to buy all the yarn I would ever dream of and had the time/motivation to finish each project, this is what I would create:

Top row: 1 [ Pretty Maids via Knitty ] 2 [ Silver Belle via Vogue Knitting ] 3 [ Desmid via Sipping and Stitching ]

Middle Row: 1 [ Bowline Mittens via Stephanie Earp (only available on Ravelry) ] 2 [ Oiseau de Feu via Caoua Coffee (only available on Ravelry) ] 3 [ Elvira via Knitting Glasses ]

Bottom Row: 1 [ Ringwood Gloves also via Knitty ] 2 [ Whirl-it-Kit via Pickles ] 3 [ Tern Socks via Twist Collective ]

With love,

Erica Lea

2 Responses to Winter Knitting Wishlist

1. Kathryn Grace 
   December 22nd, 2010 at 10:52 am Moderate
   I like that sweater! Very cute and feminine and cozyyyy….
2. Alyssa 
   December 24th, 2010 at 10:29 am Moderate
   Oooh, the hat! What an honour to be in such a lovely line-up. I wish I’d taken better photos of Elvira now!

Katey

My beautiful cousin. We braved the bitterly cold wind to capture this photo. It was well worth it. Look at the way the wind plays with her hair.

1 Response to Katey

1. Kathryn Grace 
   December 20th, 2010 at 1:39 pm Moderate
   Don’t you love it when you can freeze movement in a photo? Beautiful image!

Self Portrait

This week’s theme for the I Heart Faces challenge is “Self Portrait.” If you look closely, you can see the remote I used to release the shutter.

Here are my tips for successfully capturing your own portrait.

• Use a tripod. It is frustrating to try to capture yourself while holding the camera at arm’s length.
• Use the timer in your camera and/or a remote shutter release.
• Take lots of pictures.
• Shoot in awesome light. I really like the lighting an hour or so before sunset.

Do you have any tips for capturing yourself on camera?

Make sure to stop by I Heart Faces to see many more self portraits.

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27 Responses to Self Portrait

1. Sereina 
   December 6th, 2010 at 11:25 am
   Beautiful, Erica!
2. maggie 
   December 6th, 2010 at 11:29 am
   Gorgeous pose and light!
3. Michelle 
   December 6th, 2010 at 11:46 am
   LOVE THIS!
4. Ciara L. 
   December 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
   Thanks for the helpful hints…I try not to be in front of the camera very often…but I am working on that! I love your photo…great lighting, great capture, great outfit!
5. Matt 
   December 6th, 2010 at 11:56 am
   Hard to go wrong when the subject matter is so beautiful! ;) You are doll, Erica…and talented! Nice self portrait. Ah so…you bring honor to the family.
6. Ashley Sisk 
   December 6th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
   Absolutely beautiful self portrait. Thanks for the tips. I agree…shoot many!
7. felicity 
   December 6th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
   gorgeous lighting! that’s awesome of you to put up tips too! Do you have it auto pick a focal point or do you choose one and try to be in the right spot?
8. Kathy 
   December 6th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
   Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment! I love this shot! The lighting is beautiful! Love the reflective mood of the shot!
9. Erica Lea 
   December 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
   felicity: Yes, I just choose a focal point and try to be in the correct spot. It doesn’t always work, thus the need to take many photos! :)
10. Helen 
    December 6th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
    Awesome shot! I LOVE the sun flare!
11. JaimeFlemingPhotography 
    December 6th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
    rockin flare!
12. Shelby 
    December 6th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
    Beautiful use of setting and lighting!
13. Jessaca 
    December 6th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
    Great photo!!! Love the flares!!!!!
    Have a great day and wonderful week.
14. Tara Janelle 
    December 6th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
    This photo is lovely! The colors are great!
    -Tara
    (I found your blog from my sister, Kathryn at Kathryn Grace Photography)
15. Jen 
    December 6th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
    Beautiful – just beautiful!
16. amanda thiessen 
    December 6th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
    lovely!
17. Jaymi McClusky 
    December 6th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
    this is just beautiful, i was really drawn to the light in this photo, even from the thumbnail. great job!
18. Jackie Jean 
    December 6th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
    Beautiful self portrait!
19. Naomi 
    December 6th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
    Beautiful–love the light!
20. Kelley Kossan 
    December 7th, 2010 at 10:16 am
    Beautiful! I love it. Good luck over at I <3 faces="" p="">
21. Kathryn Grace 
    December 7th, 2010 at 11:07 am
    Such a beautiful shot, Erica! I’m normally not really into the lens flare thing but it really fits this photo! Love the light coming through your hair and the shed in the background. Great job!
22. Brooke Chambers 
    December 7th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
    Gorgeous shot! The light is so beautiful!
23. crystal 
    December 7th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
    i love all the flare. Woot!
24. Kathryn Grace 
    December 11th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
    Congrats on getting 4th place! Yay!
25. Life with Kaishon 
    December 11th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
    You are very beautiful Erica. Congratulations on your win. You did such a great job. Beautiful and creative!
26. Kathy 
    December 12th, 2010 at 4:43 am
    Congratulations! Beautiful!
27. Catie 
    December 29th, 2010 at 9:35 am
    I was on the Tasty Kitchen blog and saw your pretty pic! :) You are beautiful! I love your blogs!! :)

A Quick Photography Lesson – Lighting

I do not claim to be an expert. I do not claim to have advanced beyond amateur in photography. But I would like to share a few things that I have learned in my 3+ years of snapping photos.

**End of Disclaimer**

Light. The essence of photography. It doesn’t matter how expensive your equipment is. If the light in which you are shooting is horrid, your photos will reflect it.

Here is a quick example of how lighting can go from boring to magical.

One day early this spring we set off in search of mushrooms. I decided to bring my camera along in case we found anything. As we strolled down the path, I snapped a few pictures, like the one above. Not a horrid shot, but kinda boring.

Then, I saw light shining through the trees on the trail ahead. I readied my camera.

Here’s the photo SOOC (straight out of camera). See what a difference a little light can make? See the awesome rim lighting on Katelyn & Dad? The leaves dancing with light? Beautiful.

Photography is about waiting for that perfect moment. It’s about being alert and aware of your surroundings. So next time you’re out shooting, take your time and search out some lovely light.

Yours ever,

Erica Lea.

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3 Responses to A Quick Photography Lesson – Lighting

1. Maria 
   December 3rd, 2010 at 10:11 am
   Light makes all of the difference. I always love your photos. You are very talented!
2. heather 
   December 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 am
   Expert, amateur or in-between, you have talent. Lots of it. Thanks for sharing your tips!
   Cheers,
   *Heather*
3. Kathryn Grace 
   December 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
   So true! It’s so worth it to be patient and wait for the right light – it can make a world of difference!