Lightroom

I [finally] got a new computer last week! I bought my previous MacBook in 2011 and it just wasn't able to keep up with the most recent updates and revamped operating systems (ahem, Sierra).  So Happy early birthday to me.

Along these lines, photography friends and fellow enthusiasts have encouraged me to give Lightroom a try (photo editing software). I've resisted because change is hard :) But when you get a new computer it kinda becomes the time to be adventurous. So enter, my first picture. Organized and edited in Lightroom. This is big people.

Seesters, Seesters in matching "Goodnight my Deer" PJ's. I mean love right?!

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Evolution of the Huebel Hammock

When I look back at old blog posts I realize how amazing it is to have essentially a photo journal type diary of life for the past 7+ years. I've learned so much about blog formatting and photography over the years. The content has definitely changed through time, but it's also a reflection of exactly what's going on in my life at the time. For example the Huebel Hammock has shifted from a mostly food/dog/travel blog to mostly a kiddo blog. Why? Because I'm a Momma and I want to make sure I archive lots of pictures of the family on the blog. I also hope I can get some time back for other hobbies like cooking to provide some additional diversity to the blog :)

I like to make the effort to go back in time on the blog every so often. I hope the Blogger platform will make this easier to do in the future!

7 years ago- Seeing a blog post in the very beginning makes me smile :)
6 years ago- Still our favorite shrimp recipe
5 years ago- Check out these Alaska Pictures!
4 years ago- Our favorite foods in Anchorage
3 years ago- Chicken Enchiladas
2 years ago- July 4th, Alaska style
1 year ago- Daddy's girl. These lakehouse pictures of Claire and Ross melt my heart

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Ho'opi'i Falls

Here's a summary of the locations that we shot on the Kauai Photography Workshop:

Ninini Point Lighthouse

Wailua Falls

Wailua Reservoir

Ho'opi'i Falls

The last stop on the workshop was Ho'opi'i Falls. I was worried because we were running late on our half day excursion and Ross was back at the condo with Claire. But, you can only hike so fast right? It was probably ~2 mile hike down through a beautiful, lush forest to get to the waterfalls. When we finally got down to the falls the photographer leading the expedition disappeared; I figured he was going potty in a bush or something. After about 10 minutes he reappeared and there was ROSS and baby CLAIRE with him. I was so happy! and Claire was so mad! They all surprised me and it was great :) I fed Claire and she calmed down and then we had a nice hike back through the forrest together.

Fast shutter speed

Love this blur effect! Used a neutral density lens filter and a slow shutter speed 

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Kauai Photo Workshop Part 2

Here are more Kauai sunrise photography workshop pictures. I am seeing a few favorites that I'll have to cycle through as my screen savers :)

This is the first picture I'd ever taken using a model posing with a landscape. 

Sunset colors are so beautiful, right?!

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Kauai Photography Workshop

Ross surprised me for my birthday with a half-day private photography session while we were in Kauai. It was AWESOME!! I got to shoot alongside a professional photographer for hours and ask him questions. I learned quite a bit about my camera that day.

I plan to share some of the pictures from the photography workshop over the next few days. Here's pictures from our first stop:

Sunrise at Ninini Point

More pictures to come soon!

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Newborn Pictures: Baby Bronson

I've never done a newborn photography session... until last week, with Baby Bronson.

I tried to do some studying up on newborn photos beforehand, but nothing beats the hands on experience. A couple things I learned:
1. Pictures are so much easier when baby is sleeping!! I've gotten used to taking pictures of scenery (mountains don't move around much), so this was a unique challenge.
2. Babies like to be warm. The Honas's had a space heater set up next to Bronson to keep him comfortable, even when he was naked.
3. Have lots of props. It makes it much easier to modify based on what's working and what's not.
4. Natural sunlight is crucial. You MUST set-up for pictures somewhere that gets great lighting. Using a flash creates too many artificial shadows.

Hope you enjoy these 1 week old pictures of Bronson Honas!

What a sweet little baby boy!

3 years ago: Early Night

2 years ago: Boys will be Boys

1 year ago: Kitchen Update

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Potter Marsh

Potter Marsh is a wildlife viewing area literally 5 minutes (if that) from our house, yet we've never walked the boardwalk. Granted, there's not many birds in the winter, but we are always looking for new places to explore. I'm also going to fess up that Ross and I participated in some illegal activity... we took Roma with us on the boardwalk even though the signs clearly said "No Dogs Allowed". Uh oh.

 
During the early winter, folks break out their ice skates and skate around the frozen marsh before the snow gets too deep. In the summer, there's lots of photography enthusiasts shooting pictures of the Canadian geese, ducks,  and swans. Occasionally, you'll spot an eagle.

If the boardwalk wasn't so close to the freeway, this would be a great place for visitors! I plan to go back this summer to scratch my "bird photography" itch.

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Exposure Trick

Proper exposure can be really tricky when shooting outdoor pictures. When I'm quickly trying to get an action shot, I often don't have time to think about the "optimum balance" between a dark subject and I bright sky. Rather, I select a shutter speed and take two pictures, one focused on the subject and the other focused on the background. Then, I import into Photoshop and try to play around with the original. However, it is really really difficult to do any post-editing to an over-exposed picture. Under-exposed is workable. So, sometimes I have to merge photographs. Take a look...

Over-exposed sky, good looking pup.

Good looking sky, blurry/dark pup.

So, I decided to combine the 2 pictures and boost the colors. Viola!

Beautiful overcast sky AND a clear, properly exposed pup.

Sometimes I get a slight halo effect around the subject when after merging photos, so I like to add a photo effect to even things out. Which is your favorite?

Colorized.

Sunny Pop.

B&W.

It's so easy to lose track of time when editing pictures! Sometimes I just can't decide on a favorite, so Roma helps me pick... :)

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