Playing with my new strobist kit (& Project 52: Self Portrait, week2!)

One of the sessions at photocamp on Sunday was a Strobist session - basically how to light photos using one light and inexpensive kit (rather than hugely expensive studio set up) it was a really good session and the people that had the kit and knowledge were hugely generous with both, as soon as I got home I ordered my own kit, compared to other photographic equipment it really isn't expensive and I am thrilled with the results for a first try.






This was the last one of about 60 photos, I have no idea what I do with my face but I looked certifiable in most of them! Dying to try this kit out on some one that actually looks nice in a photo!

Project 52: Self Portrait

The first pic. Not planing to blog them all but might do sporadic one's. This one is worthy merely by dint of being first!

Photocamp Bradford

Oh my poor blog, has been left unloved for such a long time, I feel terrible. To be honest not much camera action once I got home from my holiday, more than made up for it this weekend with my first visit to Photocamp - not sure who's initiative it was, apart from being based on the "Bar Camp" concept in the States, but this one was organised by Jon from the Leeds Flickr group with lots of help from fellow members. It was the most brilliant weekend for meeting new people, learning loads of stuff and taking photos. Actually only took a few but the ones I took reflect the fun I had. Have now joined the Leeds Flickr group as well and think this is going to lead to lots of exciting new creative challenges. Oh and started Project 52; Self Portrait! Am going to take one self portrait a week, for the next year - as someone who HATES having her photo taken I thought it was only fair and I reckon I'll learn loads......

Cornwall - final few

I didn't take anywhere near enough photos and I didn't make enough time either, just slipped right into holiday mode. I had really wanted to take some of the boats in the harbour in Porthleven and although I went there 3 or 4 times I didn't once take the camera. I am SERIOUSLY kicking myself now. These are just the last few randomers.


Love this place.


Weird that I only actually lived in this house for 5 years, but it still feels like home.


My name is Cara, I am Princess.


Cornwall does great sunsets.


Although I seem to have ignored the idea that the sunset is more impressive with something silhouetted against it. Oops I blame in on the wine.


Good night.

Polurrian to Poldhu

See why I love this place?


Well, not this place, this is just a gate. But I do like it.


Polurrian. A real "locals" beach, tucked away in between the cliffs.


Polurrian again, with the Hotel on the cliff top. We had such a lovely day for this walk.





This is Poldhu, we didn't use this beach as its just off the road, easy to find and was always full of tourists! A proper Cornish coastal view, look at the colours in that sea, just beautiful.


This was the Weds and the first really sunny day for anyone who had come down on holiday from the Saturday before so everyone was on the beach making the most of it.


Had wanted to do this walk since April and was so lucky that the sun shone for us.

Cornwall - random ones

Just a few more people pics.


My Dad.


Em in St Keverne.


Dan doing what Dan does best!


Ness and Ash.


Alex, Ness and Ash (and me too!)


Em.


Cool shorts.


Ness outside the bungalow in Laddenvean.

Cornwall - my heart's home.

Had a wonderful week with mum and dad, sister and brother in law and a plethora of nephews. Got to do the walk from Mullion to Polhurian that I had been google mapping since April when I developed a huge yearning to go "home" - and what's more I got to do it on a fantastically sunny day and then having done that I got to go back to St Keverne and more importantly Ladnvean (do you know in spite of living there for 4 or 5 years, I have never written that word! no idea if thats how you spell it). We lived there from when I was about 2 or 3 and left when I was seven and it is chock full of memories; St Keverne Carnival, the annual Ox Roast, magical birthday parties, my mum's little blue 1100!! When we went back to visit it was the day of the Ox Roast, traditionally the first slice is auctioned and this year it sold for £300 and then the rest of the slices are sold off to raise funds for the wonderful St Keverne band, I had just made up my mind to join the band when we moved to Mullion. Cue audible sigh of relief from St Keverne band members!

These first lot of photos are some of the ones I took of my family on holiday, the one's that I am most especially pleased with, of course!


My beautiful sister.


Alex in his aviators.


My eldest nephew.


My middle sized nephew.


And my youngest nephew.

Is this a handsome family? I thought so!

My sister is a surf-babe, rock-chick - you can tell just by looking at this photo.


See.

More to come.