Photography #7 Autumn

Some shots I took in October-November, around Calgary. <3

You can find more on my Facebook photography page here!

"I came across this little bird yesterday, happily jumping around on a tree. I wish I had brought my tripod, it was difficult to get a decent photo.

I believe this is a Downy Woodpecker (female, due to the lack of red coloring)."

"Pigeons at Prince's Island don't seem scared of people.
Almost got within petting range of this guy!"

"Autumn is so beautiful."

Photography #6 - First semester!

I finished my first class in Photography, and I passed!

The following photos are my submissions for the final assignment, and the comments received from the teacher.

"Hi Jennifer,

It is really nice to see a collection of different styles and subjects in the final portfolio. All of the images are very well composed and exposed."

"The clock image is simple yet effective. You could have shot it vertical and it still would have worked well. I like the horizontal, though. There are a lot of lines that help keep the eye moving without being distracting."

"The central composition is perfect for the flower because of the shallow depth of field. If the buds and flowers behind were in focus, it would have been very busy to look at. The saturation and contrast help the different tones of pink in the main subject stand out."

"The composition on the tiger is an excellent example of positive space. This technique leaves the bigger side of the image open to give the subject somewhere to go. The exposure is tricky because of the backlight, but you nailed it."

"Finally - the sparrow. I am a huge bird nerd and am glad to see that you got the bird on the ground and not in a tree or at a feeder. the little bit of reflection adds a nice bit of depth to the shot.

Excellent work!"

Kids say the funniest things #15

Jays hammering on the bathroom door, telling Matty "Let me in! Now!"
He comes to me, sighs.. and says "Matty NEVER let's me take a dump!"

Matty is teaching Jason the Whip Nae Nae. O.o
They have no idea I can hear them.
All I hear is:

Matty: "Watch me whip, now watch me Nae nae."...
Jason: "I'm not whiiip, watching knee knee."

While at the playground:

Me and Matty yelled "The ground is lava! Ruuuun!"
Jason assumed that HE was the lava.. and chased us instead of getting to safety.

Discussed my plans with Matty about how I would have a helicopter if I were to win the lottery.. I kind of just want one so I can say "GET TO THE CHOPPA". I'd land on skyscrapers, and bring a picnic. I'd make friends hang off the bar underneath as I fly, FYI I'm not responsible if you fall and get hurt. I told him how it would be hot pink, lime green and sparkly. He said "It's a bird! It's a plane! Wait.. Nope.. Just my incredibly wacky Mom.." and he gave me that look, as if I'm crazy.

Photography #4

While my foot  has been healing for the last year, I've spent a lot of time with my camera! It has been a lot of fun to experiment with, and figure out how to use it. Here are a few photos I've taken from winter 2017-2018.

Jason and Matthew, showing off their cool backpacks!

Downtown Calgary.

A bunny loaf, outside my house!

Kids say the funniest things #14

Jason figures that everyone goes to work, to make him slurpee money.

Don (Grumpy) gets home, and Jason questions him: "You work Grumpy? You makin the slurpee money?".

Talking to Jon on the phone, and Jay asks him: "You makin Jason's slurpee money?".

Today he asked me if Grama was out making slurpee money.

I said no, it's her birthday! So he asks "She makin me birthday cake money?".
Fml.

Jay: "Gumpy, you go out?"
Don: "Yup I'm working"
Jay: "You go make money?"
Don: "Yep I'm making money."
Jay: "Making money for meee? For Surpeees?"

Don (also known as Grumpy) is Jason and Matty's Grandpa.

Jay.. randomly yelling at his pinky toes "GO HOME, PIGGIES!".

Kids say the funniest things #13

Me and Jason were on the train today.

Jay: "We go to zoo?"
Me: "Not today, we're going to see grandpa."
Jay: "Zoo broken anyway."
Me: "Why is it broken?"...
Jay: "Penguins broke their own home, and went on the train."

Totally makes sense. We can't go to the zoo today because the penguins trashed the place, and escaped by taking the train.

Me: "I said to stop climbing on your brother!"
Jay: "No Mommy. Matty.. mine horsie!"

Me: "Oh my goodness Jay Jay, you have a wasp bite!"
Jason: "Wasp.. biiite? Wasp bite me? BUG ATTACKED ME!?"

Kids say the funniest things #12

The four year old is always trying to negotiate.

Jon: "So Jay, is there anything you would like me to do with you today?"
Jay: "Yeah! We go to the slurpee store and get a treat."
Jon: "Is that all I'm good for, treats?"
Jay: "How bout dis.. If me can't get kinder egg, me can get a toy!"

The kids are cleaning their room together.

The conversations they have.. Wtf?

Jay: "You have school tomorrow?"
Matt: "No, I don't have school for a long time."...
Jay: "You do! You can see yours girlfriend."
Matt: "....I don't have a girlfriend!"
Jay: "You don't have a girlfriend right now??"
Matt: "NO!"
Jay: "Aww, it's okay Matty. You get one soon."

Jay: "Me no like cleaning. Cleaning takes ALL DAY!"
Matt: "Yeah.. but it'll make Mommy happy. Plus we want to surprise Jon when he gets home from work!"
Jay: "We will mess his room! And hide in his bed!"
Matt: "....Not that kind of surprise, Jay."

Me: Jason.. It shouldn't take this long to wash your hands.
Jay: Me making my arms happy!