Mommy and more

[ottojoe]

Hi all, has been a while since I have posted. I just wanted to share a couple of shots and would love to hear your thoughts. I have had a pretty stressful life lately and have been wanting to get out and see what I can do to get clearer shots. I found that I am not just not real steady at handheld photos. I recently did some family portraits and used tri pod - they turned out beautiful. So I have been reading a lot and decided to try some handheld shots and just go for fast shutter, it seems to work, but light is a big issue but I really like some of the results anyways and since shooting in RAW can pull some detail out of the darkness if wanted. Feeling like I am at least starting to get the hang of knowing what I am going to get out of the camera now. It feels better and feel like I am finally strating to get more than just shoot and hope for the best.
This one was very quick, Goose took off from the little lake at Loma Linda Veterans Hospital - wasnt prepared, but went for it anyways and was a little happy.


This was a Crane that was very patient with me walking right up to him. But I did get some sharpness in his eyes and did not (I think) get blow outs in the white feathers in bright sunlight.


This was a duck on the move, loved the colors and thought it turned out well.


This one was taken a few weeks ago - a pregnant friend, very modest and does not like pictures but gave it a try, followed along with what I wanted in pose on garage floor with white muslim (wrinkled, I know), liked what she saw but asked if I could do a beauty makeover with air brushing - thought what the heck, this is my first attempt at editorial beauty shot. Maybe a little overdone?

[Angelb]

Great bird shots and I like the softness of the last shot.

[leonaashlee]

Joe, Welcome back after your absence, I do hope things are looking up for you.
These are good...the second shot has a great reflection...the duck is lovely too...nice water reflections there too. The last shot is lovely....nice and soft. All I can say, is keep shooting and sharing.

[PhotogAve]

Not at all!

The photo is great! Very pretty.

[alphasco]

Very good! Great color and sharpness in the bird images, and I, too, like the softness of the last one.

[ottojoe]

Thanks for all the responses - they are truly appreciated. I am glad it seems that people like the last shot. It is one of my favorites but just wasnt sure if it would even be considered a photo after so much manipulation.
Thanks to all

[ottojoe]

Since I have finally had a few responses I would like to post a few more.

This one was a little grotto that some ducks were just floating in the current undera bridge.


This one fast shutter for sharpness, but the water turned out all black from the shade, but liked the effect.


Thanks to all that look and have a great day.