The day before we left Virgin Utah, we took a drive to Kolob Reservoir. Continue reading
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Tag Archives: photography
Digital Camera Closeups
Today was my day to practice close up settings on my digital camera. I started out by taking this close up of a pink hibiscus flower.
Next I photographed this rose that is well past its youth, yet still beautiful. I then began to wonder if I could use the close up setting in combination with my zoom lens, while photographing the wild birds that visit to our backyard fountains daily. Below you’ll see some of the results.
There is a flock of blue birds that visit us often, and I’ve photographed them before, but never in such detail.
This pair was certainly enjoying the cool water.
Here they are thoroughly enjoying their bath. I could have watched these happy birds all day, but they only stay for a few minutes before heading on their way.
This last photo amazed me. I wish I’d been able to see more of his tail feathers in this shot, but still wanted to post it because I love seeing the details of his feathers and his bright eyes.
This was my third day of learning more about my digital camera, and each day has been more exciting than the last. I really can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Learning to Use my Lumix Digital Camera
Above you see my Lumix DMC-ZS40 Digital Camera by Panasonic. I bought this camera last year when I started my Plum Bird Corner blog. Photos are a large part of a blog, and I knew I’d need a camera that I could use for close up photography and distance shots as well. I was taking a photography class at the time and my instructor recommended the Lumix as a camera that would fit my needs. One of the advantages of this camera over my last one, is that the Lumix has both a view finder and a monitor display. You can see both on the photo below. I usually use the monitor, because it shows me exactly what I will see in the recorded photograph. If I’m taking photographs on a very bright day, it’s not always easy to see what is displayed on the monitor, so in this instance I use the view finder which can be adjusted to suit my vision.
I’ve been very happy with my purchase, but today while looking at the manual, I realized that the Lumix does so much more than simple basics. I decided right then and there, to start from the beginning of the manual and really get to know my digital camera.
Today I started by learning to use the Intelligent Auto Mode or the iA Mode. In this mode the camera optimizes settings to match the subject and recording environment. It’s recommended for beginners, or if you’re in a situation where you want to be ready to take a photo quickly, without making adjustments to focus and exposure. Below you see two photos that I took in iA mode. By the way, all digital cameras have a fully automatic mode.
I’m very happy with this photo of our hibiscus. All I did was point and shoot. The camera did the rest. Next I photographed two pieces of ceramic green ware that I’m currently working on. Once more the camera did the work. I simply had to frame the image and press the shutter button..
I’m really looking forward to working my way through the manual and learning all there is to know about my Lumix DMCZS40. I’m hoping you’ll follow along with me as I learn and share. Perhaps you might learn something new and helpful about digital photography as well. I’d love to hear if you do.
Finding My Niche
Today my niche is gardening and photography. This is a photo of my Disneyland florabunda rose bush.
I’ve been publishing my blog for a little over a year and I’ve yet to find my niche. I’m always reading one article or another on blogging, and one of the things they say you must do, is find your niche. If you browse my previous posts, you’ll see that I have many interests, including gardening, knitting, watercolor painting, cooking, ceramics, walking and cycling. Not to mention riding my can-am spyder, traveling in our 5th wheel trailer, and writing about it all, at one time or another. One thing I always try to include in my blog is lively colors, and photos that make you feel better having seen them.
Here is one of my very special interests. Our little ShihTzu Fox Terrier mix, Annika. I took this photo soon after returning home from our four days of camping in Chula Vista. Lots of fresh air and exercise tired her out. She was happy to be home and snuggled in her favorite chair catching up on her sleep. Perhaps digital photography is my niche. Well, at least for today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.
An Early Morning Walk by San Diego Bay
My early morning walk gave me this tranquil view of San Diego Bay. Later while looking at photos I’d taken, the one above is just one of many, I found myself smiling. It was then I realized that Plum Bird Corner, should be filled with photos that make me feel happy, and hopefully you too. Photos full of bright cheerful colors, beautiful scenery, flowers and birds. 
Above is my newest African Violet. It’s a perfect example of bright and cheerful, don’t you think? I spotted it by the door, when entering Trader Joe’s to do some grocery shopping, and I just couldn’t resist
Speaking of cheerful, how could I not include this photo of a sailboat, named Happy. It certainly brought a smile to my face when I saw it resting in the marina this morning.