Friday 22 January 2010

More from this week

20/365

21/365

Poinsetta

I feel like I am suffering from cabin fever now, so am hoping to have at least a few hours of nice weather this weekend to either get to the allotment or get over the Chase for a spot of wildlife photography.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

We've been published!!

18/365 - We were excited to receive our complimentary copy of the book that used an old, but favoured photo of Jamie as a baby. Hard to believe that the little scrap in that bed is the same child as the boy holding the book. He's my little hero!

We've been published!

Back story: J was born on time after a nice boring pregnancy. He has been under a hospital since he was 2 weeks old for various reasons, prolonged jaundice, UTI's, failure to thrive, severe eczema. He was quite a sickly baby but no-one could put their finger on why despite being hospitalised twice for tests and investigations. In the end it was decided to send his to Birmingham Children's hospital to be seen by their heart unit as he had a murmur. At 9 months he was diagnosed with a "significant heart defect" and he had open heart surgery a week later. The pic used in the book was taken the day after his surgery.

He's been doing great heart wise ever since. Fingers crossed for his next appt in April! Sure, he has lots of other little quirks, food allergies (starting to grow out of some...yay!) and speech delays, but he is mine and I love him, quirks and all. I thank my lucky stars EVERY SINGLE DAY as I know far too many people who's children have not been so lucky : (

The pic was chosen when I had attached it to a post on a charity forum I use. The editor of the book saw the photo and asked if she could possibly use it for the book, asked that I got J's permission. I gave verbal & written permission. I am more than happy for the pic to be used (no matter how much it makes me cry every time I look at it) as the book is designed to be given to parents who have received a new diagnosis for their child or during their pregnancy by the hospital. It is available to buy through the charity too.

Some 365's, challenges and randomness

14/365 - Hyacinth

The amazing sliding bunnny!

ILP - sun.... sort of!

15/365

2 birds, 1 stone!



17/365

Poinsetta

Self portrait

I decided to have a go at a self portrait. Who knew how hard it was going to turn out to be. Tripod, self release cord, trying to guess at focus. I ended up with a shot I quite liked after running portraiture quite lightly. I could not decide between colour, a moody B&W or a bright B&W

Me in colour!

Me in B&W

Me - Irish breakfast tea action

Getting behind again!

Opps! I seem to be doing on ok job on updating my 365, but I am taking pics besides that and although put them on flickr, forget to blog them.

Some pics of the kids:

10/365 - It's not perfect, but neither are they!

And in B&W

10/365 B&W

12/365



Took J for a haircut!

Haircut 1

Haircut 2



Practicing some SOOC in terms of focus and exposure

SOOC

SOOC

Sunday 10 January 2010

A couple of 365 pics

9/365 - focusing on my dream...

8/365 - All that glitters is not gold

It's snowed deer!







I also captured a fox while trying to get sunset landscape shots, alas I only had my kit lens with me... lesson learned!

7/365

We took a snow day!

We decided to take a day off schooling and work to go over the Chase (yes, we spend a LOT of time there!) and take the boys sledging for the 1st time ever. We wanted a small slope to start for Jamie, bearing in mind he broke his elbow in 2 places earlier this year.









This photo of J had a fair bit of work doing to it. I had to do a head swap first as I preferred this background and snow effect (hubby was shaking the branch that J was standing under!) but his expression was not the best. It wasn't as hard as I imagined it could be. Then I brightened his face with an action called sunshine in your hands, brought out the background and lightened his eyes. I like the effect, I just wish it had been totally sharp, it's a bit soft, but I still love it.

J in snow re-edit

Robins

A series of robins take on a snow covered Cannock Chase on Wed 6th Jan '10













Messing around on a cold day

2/356

I see you!

Snow on the Chase



Running away

Snowy path

tree tunnel



crop 2

crystallized grass