Am I a Great Photographer? I think NOT!!!

My daughter’s cute. Yes, I said it. She is — and, to be honest, it could be argued that there isn’t a single little one-year-old-going-on-twenty who is cuter. She’s just freaking adorable.

(This untouched pic is already 6 months old — I think I’ll go cry now)

Because of her overwhelming cute factor (and the fact that’s she’s our 1st child and we’re amazed by every little single thing she does), I take a lot of pictures of her. Wait, that’s an understatement. I take TONS of pics (although, even that doesn’t fully express how many pics I take of The Little Lady). She became quite accustomed to the blinding flash of a moment frozen in time on her very first day in the world. When we came home from the hospital with her, after signing all of the adoption papers, we (me and all the family members with cameras) began downloading our digital images. THERE WERE NEARLY A THOUSAND PICTURES taken over a 4 days.

Yeah, we’re sad.

But, the real point of this post is to share what camera and editing programs I use. I’m flattered that people are asking for questions and tips. But, dear readers, it also makes me feel like a fraud. You see, in reality I take crappy pictures.

Really, I’m not a good photographer, even with such a cute daughter. Thankfully, I have learned the trick behind a great looking picture: EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve had several people leave comments or email requesting this info. Here, in my
1st Blog Q&A

(I feel so official), I am answering those questions!

Question from Tammy: What software do you use with your pictures? The colors are so vivid. Hint Hint…I could use tips.

Answer from Rachel: Currently, thanks to my ghetto fabulous computer that refuses to run any photo editing software, I am using an online editor – – and I LOVE IT! It’s called Picnik; I discovered it on OhMommy’s blog. It truly is fabulous and it’s FREE!!!!

(Same photo, tweaked on Picnik.)

It has great and easy to use features which allow you to crop, play with color/exposure, etc. You can also add text, frames, additional graphics, vignettes, and so on. I also used this site to make all of the buttons/labels on my page.

I’ve also learned, through a year of snapping photos of the Little Lady, that natural lighting produces the best pictures. When I set up her monthly “photo shoot,” I always take them outdoors. The colors are great, the detail is better, and the lighting/shadows are beautiful.

Question from Mekhismom (Cutie Booty Cakes): I am in the market for a new camera, what type do you use? If it is some professional type of camera you can just forget I asked!

Answer from Rachel: My current camera is relatively new and I’m still learning how to use it. Hubby bought it online in April. I believe it was around $200, which was more than I intended to spend on a camera but I wasn’t the one doing the shopping. The camera was a “surprise.”

It is a Canon Power Shot A720 IS. It has great zooming and facial recognition. There are tons of settings that I still haven’t learned to use. Basically, it’s a great camera for the amateur photographer/mommy.

And, that ends The Great 1st Q&A Session of Following In Her Shoes. I would say tune in next time for . . .”fill in the blank,” but that would be a bit presumptuous of me. I may never again have an opportunity to act like I know something! 😉