Welcome to Project Photog! When I was young I dreamed of becoming a professional photographer. It wasn't the career path I ended up choosing and now being a homeschooling mother of 4 I am along way from that. It's time to regroup and follow my passion :D Please join me on my journey to become a professional photographer at Project Photog. Amber xx

Saturday, August 25, 2012

First silhouette

My very first attempt at a silhouette .  I asked my DD to put her arms in the air and she did this.


LOVE! by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com

LOVE! by Amber Bates

Thanks beautiful girl, <3 you too!

Amber xxx

Friday, August 24, 2012

The Zone System

Here are some great finds explaining the zone system and it's application in digital photography.

Understanding and Using Ansel Adam's Zone System

You Tube movies

Exposing for the Highlights

Personally i think this is an excellent system for gaining more accurate exposure :)

Amber xx

Friday, August 17, 2012

In my garden today ...

I enjoyed snapping ...

Lavender by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/1.8, 1/4000, ISO 100

Lavender by Amber Bates

Little Ragged Blossom & Friends by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f3.2, 1/1000, ISO 100

Little Ragged Blossom & Friends by Amber Bates

Silver Princess by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 500D, 50mm @ f4.0, 1/640, ISO 100

Silver Princess by Amber Bates

Enjoy xx

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Park Finds

Headed out on a little treasure hunt today at the local park.  I had with me the 4 kids plus our 2 dogs so it was a family walk with a spot of photography on the side LOL.  I only took 20 shots.  Here are my favourites.

Bee breakfast by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/2.0, 1/4000, ISO 100

Bee breakfast by Amber Bates

These flowers are a border planting around part of our park.  I'd stopped and taken a couple of shots and remarked to the children there are no bee's today.  We'd not seen any anywhere at all.  Well this little fellow must of heard me because he arrived and I was able to catch him in action.

Standing Tall by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/2.2, 1/3200, ISO 100

Standing Tall by Amber Bates

The children spotted this fungi all alone in the grass.  I am a little annoyed with myself over this shot.  I love the composition but the depth of field was just too shallow and if you look you can see that the closest edge to the cup isn't in focus.  Note to self, yes bokeh is good but not to the detriment of your subject!  The tree trunk in the background if very obvious but there was no better view, the other options included a walkway, houses and a fountain, none of which were better than the tree trunk.

Amber xx

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Shutter Speed

With the kids on the trampoline over two separate days I decided to have a little fun with shutter speed.  The best shots were obtained of Flossy who was able to jump the highest and make funny poses mid air.  Here are a couple of favourites.


Trampoline Fun 2 by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/5.0, 1/1250, ISO 100

Trampoline Fun 2 by Amber Bates

Trampoline Fun 1 by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/5.0, 1/1000, ISO 100

Trampoline Fun 1 by Amber Bates

Trampoline Fun 3 by Amber Bates (AmberBates) on 500px.com
Canon 550D, 50mm @ f/4.5, 1/1250, ISO 100

Trampoline Fun 3 by Amber Bates

It was far to sunny to get a creative exposure at a slow shutter speed so that exercise will have to wait for a super gloomy day or the purchase of a ND filter.

Amber xx