Out and About: Yosemite in Winter (Part 1)

Hello Friends!

I won't bother apologizing for the gap between posts. This working mama has to, well, work!  I will, however, thank you kindly for checking in every now and then-- thank you! 

It's probably obvious from previous posts that my little family and I love nature. We much prefer to go on a hike than to an amusement park (though we've done that).  We would rather go camping than go to the city and stay in a hotel (though if it were just the hubby and I we'd be up for that!).  The boys are happiest when they are either wet, muddy or both and their joy makes us happy.  So it's probably no surprise that when we would take a mini vacation in our favorite place, Yosemite. 

What's not to love about Yosemite?!  It is truly a wondrous place.  The best part of this visit was that the park was largely empty the first week in December before the first snow fell. While we missed the snow - insert sad face here- we still enjoyed long meandering bike rides throughout the park, took some nice short hikes with the boys, and genuinely enjoyed each other's company in a way that we hadn't on previous family vacations. 

Here are a few photos taken of a hike near Tunnel View on our first day there.  I also shot some film and hope to share those once I get them back from the lab. That is, I will share if they are share worthy.  ;-)

These oak leaves had the most intricate patterns.

While I love nature I find photographing landscapes intimidating.  My Other Half is an AMAZING landscape photographer.  Here is my humble attempt at landscape photography. 

Today is the last day of 2014.  I wish you all a fabulously happy and successful new year.  May it be rich in health and family.  

Thanks so much for checking in. 

Until next time. 

--Carolina 

The Film Files: The Boy

Hello friends!

I know, I know, I know!  This is not a post on Santa Monica and Hollywood nor did I keep my promise to post last week.  -sigh-  I wish I could cram more time into my day with less interruptions.  Until then I will post when I can. I might even post more than once a week, but in the spirit of keeping it real, well, let's not hold our breath shall we?  ;-)  

Moving on...

I've mentioned before that I love film photography. Love it, love it, love it. I have a few frames I would like to share today from a couple of months ago I took of my oldest.  These frames were taken on a super bright day around 2 pm in September.  The sun was still high and it was a hot day! 

I did not use a light meter as I didn't have one at that time and the internal light meter stopped working the very first time I used the camera. Yeah, major bummer.  :-/   So I just used what I know of digital metering for these. I think I could have overexposed a bit more, but I must admit I like the rich and vibrant tones I did get. For those of you who are interested, the camera is a 35 mm Yashica with a Contax lense, manual focus only.  The film is Kodak Portra 400.  These images have not been edited in any way by me or the film lab.

I can honestly say that I am in love with film more than words can express. There is a soulfulness, a depth, a certain intangible something to film that digital can't exactly match (though you can get close).  These frames don't match what I envisioned but it's a start and practice makes progress, right?  :-)  

I am really excited about including film in my photography journey and hope to share more in the future.  My next goal is to take better notes in regards to settings, type of light, etc., so I can share that info as well. If you have any advice, suggestions, or resources for film photography, don't be shy- share!

Until next time!
--Carolina