gwendolyn waite photography :: blog

Life changing. That’s what our challenge this week for Project 52 is turning out to be. Not that a focusing technique is truly life changing, but it’s certainly going to make a huge difference in the way I shoot. I have wanted to try out Back Button Focusing (BBF) for a while, but it’s a pretty major change, and I needed some motivation and some pals to try it with. Our Project 52 group decided to do it together. It is going to take many more hours of practice to perfect it, especially with moving targets, but it has already made a huge difference in achieving dead-on focus.

Essentially it means separating the focus from the metering and shutter function. You program your camera to move the focus control to the back AF-ON button, leaving the shutter function free to just meter and fire the shot. The results? Much better focus accuracy and consistency. No longer does one button have to do it all.

These blogs were instrumental in figuring out BBF:

http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=690&f-a-q-back-button-focusing
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2286

It will definitely take some time to get fully comfortable with this new technique, but I know it’s going to make a huge difference in my photos.

I love this shot of Beatrice – wearing her school uniform, with her winter coat slouched off her shoulders as she so often does now, her big-girl teeth which have finally come in after so many months of a gaping-wide hole, and her loosely braided hair. My sweet girl. Getting so big.

Happy Sunday to you all…

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I cannot even begin to comprehend that my youngest nephew is already one. He was just born, I swear. His newborn photos, here and here. He had a pretty rough entry into the world, but has thrived in this last year. He’s beginning to take his first steps, starting to babble, all that good baby stuff. Such a sweet, mischievous little guy. I couldn’t resist… more little piggies. Enjoy.

I bought some local raw honey at the coop this morning, and was really taken with the golden color, especially with the light streaming through from behind.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

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I got to spend some time with my sweet niece and nephew last weekend – they were a teensy bit overdue for their portraits. Sorry guys! Just getting my feet on the ground from the very busy holiday season.

We started off at their beautiful home in Linden Hills – they have a sunroom that is every photographer’s dream – the natural light just pouring in from all sides. So delicious. I hung out with her and we played with her Littlest Pet Shop friends and of course had a tea party. Love her colorful, festive tea set. This second photo just makes me so happy – I love how she is just giggling quietly to herself, and holding her teacup so gingerly. Precious.

We headed down to their local library and took some photos there as well – of course I had to steal her away for some fun auntie time reading Valentines books. And just a wee bit of tickling!

Coming up next… her squirrely, squishable, mischievous and sweet baby brother. With the brightest, bluest eyes you could imagine.

Theme of the week (naturally): Love.

Beatrice and her cousin, coloring hearts yesterday. I loved the window gels at my brother’s house, and the one heart off doing its own thing.

Happy Valentines Day!