A Me Moment!

This last Saturday, I had plans of teaching a "Tips 'n' Tricks" of everyday photography for Relief Society.  We were going to do it at the Japanese Tea Gardens/Sunken Gardens, downtown.  I had planned on meeting up with them at the church, but then decided that I could go down there with my handy navigation system...  One would think that you'd be able to find the Gardens -- they have been established for some seasons... (Yes, they've been there for...oh, maybe...forever!)  But my navigation system (which is uptodate) looped me around after I figured finding a location that was in somewhat of a close proximity.  Still, I was brought on a tour of the Brackenridge Park and discovered a few new places (for me!) that I want to go back and shoot for fun. 

I eventually found the park, but when I had arrived, I couldn't find any of my group of aspiring photogs...  One might as well look around, and have her camera out...  Never know when one might need it for...anything. 

I had decided that I would use my 50 mm f/1.4 and play around with it.  The gardens had captured my complete being!  I made a mental note that I would keep this place in mind for future shoots that I decide to do.  The architecture with the hardscaping and the soft feel of the lush foliage, and then, the cooling of the water features...  A waterfall flowing from the very back of the gardens as you approach the entrance.  The pagoda's structure was incredible to take in...and then to see all of the pillars/piles of rock to form walking path boundaries, or to add a little visual appeal...  It was incredible!  Then, there were the mass amounts of koi swimming around.  They had signs up at the entrance, asking people to not feed the fish, but come on!  They were practically jumping out of water for some food.  (Some literally jumped out of the water...)  I decided to play more with my circular polorizer filter and got some great before and after shots of the difference.  Never played with that until now...  But my 50 mm lens!!!  I LOVE IT!!!  I've really enjoyed having that lens since the moment I bought it and then shot a bridal shoot with.  The bokeh is amazing!!!!  And it's just a fabulous lens to get amazing colors and tac sharp photos.  I also decided to challenge myself and only shoot with manual focus.  I don't like to do that typically b/c I'm a perfectionist when it comes to crisp, clear, subjects (not that with the auto focus I get that 100% of the time...).  I take a bit of time to create and setup an image. 

So, after playing around some and shooting more of the macro type shots for flowers and other greenery, I saw this area of yellow and white flowers with butterflies and bees fluttering and buzzing around.  I wanted to really put my focusing skills that I had been working up to that point to some fun, challenging, and patience driven focus.  I had fun with the butterflies and kept trying my hardest to get some of the bees.  Having the prime lens, it made it difficult to get close up without moving and scaring them away.  I got some fun shots from those as well! 

With the second Tinker Bell movie coming out tomorrow (YES!  I'm very excited to see it!  It's Tinker Bell!!!) I've been thinking more along the lines of the fairies and how they are, see things, etc.  I was down on the ground in different positions shooting.  That's pretty common for me...  :o)  BUT!  I had so much fun thinking more in the fairy prospective.  (It's amazing how the way you feel or the mood you're in at the time you're shooting pictures will come out in your photos.  I've seen it in my own.)  The photos remind me of the artist, Gail Carson Levine's fairy world.  Mystical and very magical, extreme beauty, yet very soft and fairytale like. 

I'll have to post some of them when I get home from work.  I haven't done any post processing on them, but I'm not sure if I'll do any.  I really love the colors and the effects I was able to get.  It was the first time in several years since I've gone out and just shot photos for myself!!!  I miss doing that.  It felt good to be doing what I'm passionate about.  Let me know what you think of the photos -- leave a comment or two.