FintonFamily's photos- powered by SmugMug

Most Popular Photos

Day 5, June 20, 2008

Nature's Diamonds

Today my 13 year old pointed out the glistening water droplets in a spider's web. I wish that I had a macro lens and/or could crop closer, but I still like these shimmering beads of water. - Sara

Feathery Bubble . . . .

Day 36, July 22, 2008

Well, okay, it isn't really a feather but the end of a flower bloom. It is one of my first experiments with the bubble. Thank you, Jane, of ceejanerun (Cedar Gate Photography), for letting me in on this secret. I had wondered how this was accomplished. The original photo can be viewed here: http://FintonFamily.smugmug.com/gallery/4844864_7bXgd#310965055_ekBMq - Sara

Day 15, July 1, 2008

Macaw

Another day at the zoo. This is one of several photos I took before my battery died due to my own negligence, of course.

This guy seemed more than willing to pose for a few photos. I would like his beak to have been a little more defined but am not sure if stopping down the aperture slightly more would have helped or if it is a trick of the light on it. I must confess that I have been attempting to take pictures of roses the last couple of days without as much success as I would like. I seem to be having difficulty with highlights being blown. You can see it also a little on the top of this guys head. It seems as though when I take a shot with fairly uniformed color in some areas that they are overexposed and lacking in detailed definition. When I look at the camera meter, things appear balanced. I was shooting at 100 but maybe need to increase the ISO so that there is more sensitivity? Any thoughts. I will post one of the bad roses after this. Thoughts appreciated. - Sara

Day 64, August 26, 2008

Some days are just like this . . . . He (or she) was still in this position a couple of hours later when we walked by again. As the day was cooler than norm, a lot of the other animals were moving about, but this guy still thought a nap was the right speed.

Photo of a Red Panda taken with a borrowed 24-70mm. It was interesting getting to try it out. I inadvertently tried to zoom with the focus ring more than once. ; ) Funny thing about the 50mm I usually use, you can't zoom so I don't usually have that problem!

Day 17, July 3, 2008

This is a shot from yesterday at the zoo. It seemed rather scenic and ageless in sepia. I have other photos from today, but we've been going not stop so they remain on the camera at the moment. Have a good 4th tomorrow! - Sara

Day 30, July 16, 2008

Okay, I know . . . . another flower picture, but I really liked these colors together. I'll try to come up with something different for tomorrow, but I can't make any promises. Mike plants way too many nice flowers just to pass them by. Beside, fall and winter will be here quicker than we know it (time sure goes faster the older I get), and then what will I take pictures of? - Sara

Day 57, August 19, 2008

Learning . . . . Our son recently purchased his own new, black guitar and is embarking on regular lessons. He had borrowed a guitar earlier in the summer and took a week of group lessons at a church camp. We were quite proud of his initiative to put away money and provide the guitar for himself. He is practicing and learning a lot. This is his 3rd instrument (piano, trombone, and now guitar). Although he doesn't take regular piano lessons anymore, he still likes to play us a tune or two.

Day 49, August 11, 2008

Lazy Days of Summer

This was shot at the small zoo in town when we went to visit with out of town relatives this weekend. He really looked relaxed. (The chain around the log is to keep the log in place, not the bear! Unfortunaltey, I couldn't quite get it out of the picture.)

A few more animal shots from that may be viewed starting here: http://fintonfamily.smugmug.com/gallery/4847313_CZhuM#349785787_qUVTB

Day 43, August 4, 2008

A Little Visitor

I found this guy on one of our daylilies recently as I was snapping some pictures. It is cropped and taken with a non-macro lens. The highlights are a little brighter than than I would like as it was quite sunny; however, I like the visible texture on the the petal as well as the beetle.

Day 33, July 19, 2008

Rainy Day Lily . . . .

Day 32, July 18, 2008

Flip Flop Fever

We were shopping yesterday and found flip flops on sale. The girls of the family all ended up with same style and color. ( We found a style we liked, but as sales go, we were limited by availability.) Luckily, they are all different sizes or we would never no whose are whose! To show off the new shoes, Anna helped us all paint our toenails.

Day 45, August 6, 2008

SP Experiment

More experimental tries are here: http://FintonFamily.smugmug.com/gallery/5183162_Yyj5M#346709354_SMmL8

They aren't as creative as Bill's recent refrigerator SP, but I was looking for something different to do today. You may catch the handheld remote at times, but most cropping corrected this. For this try, I set the camera and tripod above me on the deck for a different angle.

Day 34, July 20, 2008

I am posting another wet lily after being gone all day. It is a little bit of a cheat, but my oldest daughter did not wish me toting a camera to the outlet mall and we have literally been gone to one thing or another all day. I chose to post this one because it was my alternate post to the day before. I had trouble deciding which to use. I do like the deep color of this one and really wish I had a macro lens to zoom in on the hanging water droplet. Unfortunately, a crop of the area isn't really good enough. - Sara

Day 71, September 2, 2008

This is my youngest, but as she started 2nd grade today, she doesn't seem so little anymore. This was actually taken last week on the same day she went to meet her new teacher. He said that she has pretty hair and that really made her smile. I think she was trying to show it off here. It really needs to be trimmed a little, but that may take some convincing.

Day 18, July 4, 2008

Portrait of our 13 year old daughter taken at the zoo. She was more cooperative than the 6 year old! Although, I do have a nice photo of the 6 year old with ice cream all over her face that I may have to post another time.

I did convert this to black and white after the fact, crop, and added a blur effect around the edge. I hope everyone is having a good day, and those in the USA are enjoying the Independence Day festivities! - Sara

Day 51, August 13, 2008

Wishes Ready to be Made . . . .

I know that this is a "weed", but if you don't think about the effect they have on your lawn, they can be rather pretty. My youngest calls them "Wish Flowers."

Cropped and converted to black and white.

Day 35, July 21, 2008

Wallaby at the zoo. Contrast and saturation adjusted slightly pp. - Sara

Day 13, June 29, 2008

Window in Time

This was shot at a replica of what a cabin would be like when Abraham Lincoln was born. - Sara

Day 31, July 17, 2008

We took a bike ride this evening and I had hoped for some different shots. Some of the ones that I had thought would turn out, didn't . I like this one but wish the focus was more on her face rather than her hand. I do like the natural light and added a blur to the edges. She wasn't paying much attention to me as she was pouting a little about not being able to get closer to the river.

Day 61, August 23, 2008

Individuality . . . .

This is a sculpture of a bear that my youngest made a little over 2 years ago. It may not look like much to many, but I think that it will always make my husband and me smile because it was suppose to be a snake! When I say suppose to be, I mean that her 4 year old preschool class was told to make snakes as they were studying and putting on a performance involving the Amazon; however, our munchkin had other ideas! Being a true conformist and someone who doesn't tend to make a lot of waves, I was amazed that the teachers allowed it and that she did it. I have to applaud her and say that her bear certainly stood out on the table of snakes! It is probably a good lesson to Mom, too. I hope she always keeps that spirit.

Day 65, August 27, 2008

How about a kiss, or at least another cracker?

Another shot from our trip to the zoo yesterday. This is a larger zoo that has a wonderful African area with giraffes, zebras, emus, etc. running around together in a very large area. One area allows you to pet and feed the giraffes. My niece was quite excited by this adventure. I have other shots that show the actual feeding, but I love the expression on her face and the fact the giraffe is looking straight at her.

Taken with the borrowed 24-70mm.

Day 22, July 8, 2008

One of our many daylilies that my husband has planted and tends. - Sara

Day 54, August 16, 2008

Pretty in Pink

I believe these flowers are Gladiolas. I saw them growing by the side of our neighbor's house as I was out looking for a picture for today.

Thanks for the input on lenses from my question yesterday.

Daily Detour

Day 37, July 23, 2008

The title "Daily Detour" has a double meaning here for me. First, these signs are seemingly everywhere right now in my area. Every time I go out, I find myself detoured in one area or another. Secondly, while I had hoped to post very consistently, I am planning a posting detour for myself. While I still will be taking lots of pictures, the kids and I will be in Chicago tomorrow through the weekend, and the following week we will all be actively involved in Vacation Bible School at church. (I get to take lots and lots of pictures there. The kids usually make frames and we give a photo to each child with a particular background. This part isn't creative just a lot of snaps - last year 350 kids. The fun and creative part is taking the candid shots each day for the slide show.)

Anyway, I will likely be on photo overload, and while we are in Chicago, I don't want to be antisocial. I am sure we all know how addictive posting and browsing can be. I will try to keep up with everyone here and there, though, as time allows.

Regarding this photo, people driving by probably thought I was crazy getting down low to take this picture or just for taking it at all. Because of the time of day, I did get some sun reflections and have boosted the color in iPhoto. The funny thing is that by boosting the color it lead me to notice the shoe print just above the T. I doubt I would have seen it otherwise.

Your Bio

This site is set up for our family. Most of the photos and galleries have been taken by the designated photographer, Sara (aka Mom), but another has been added under Budding Photographers. Galleries in this section are contributed by the Finton kids. They would love it if you had time to take a glance. Some of the galleries (bottom 3) are password protected, but feel free to stop by and browse the others.

Featured Galleries

Daily : I am shooting with a Canon Rebel XT. I own just 2 lens, the kit 18-55mm and a 50mm 1.8. I find myself turning towards the 50mm more and more often. I took a photography class way back in high school. We went digital with a point and shoot in 2002. I love the freedom of digital. It is so nice to be able to just shoot and not worry about prints and what might turn out. I purchased the Rebel the end of the summer in 2007. I have loved getting back to using a camera with interchangeable lenses and more manual functions. My photos aren't perfect by a long shot, but I hope trying for a daily image will encourage me to practice. Helpful comments and suggestions are welcome!

Also, all 3 of my kids (ages 13, 12, and 6) have set up galleries under our site and "Budding Photographers". They would appreciate some visitors if you are inclined to take a look.

Although some of my galleries allow photos to be downloaded, for the comfort of friends and family, this one does not allow it. If you find an image of which you would like a copy, please email me at 877-finton.s.e@comcast.net. Other correspondence also welcome at this address. Thanks for looking! - Sara

I am shooting with a Canon Rebel XT. I own just 2 lens, the kit 18-55 ...

Updated: Sep 06, 2008 2:02pm PST

Nature's Wonders :

Nature's Wonders

Updated: Sep 06, 2008 2:03pm PST

Gallery Categories

3 galleries with 164 photos

Updated: Sep 06, 2008 2:02pm PST

Budding Photographers - galleries by the kids

3 galleries with 192 photos

Updated: Jul 25, 2008 11:55am PST

2 galleries with 251 photos

Updated: Sep 06, 2008 2:03pm PST

1 gallery with 52 photos

Updated: Aug 25, 2008 7:52pm PST

1 gallery with 101 photos

Updated: Jun 11, 2008 8:05pm PST

Family - Private

16 galleries with 937 photos

Updated: Aug 15, 2008 10:44am PST

Password protected

1 gallery with 35 photos

Updated: Jun 06, 2008 6:10am PST

Friends & Family

Friends: 300m · Anna Marie · Anne-Marie · Assaf Peretz (Assafx) · ceejanerun · dedmanshootn · henryklepczynski · Hershy · Hillary Yasmer Shemin · HippyfromOz · irishmurr · johnloguk · KentuckyLightchasers · kubben · ljn335 · Mom4squirrels · Richards- Murray · Rick Willis · shutterbuglady · sparky675 · TheCuriousCamel · tlcpix

Family: d-kfint

Top 100 Photo Keywords

aef · animals · art · backyard · ball · basketball · bear · beautiful · bee · bike · birds · black and white · blossom · blue · blueeyed grass · botanical · boy · brown · bubble · chalk · charcoal · cjf · cmf · color · columbine · cone flowers · daddy longlegs · daffodil · daffodils · daily · daisies · daisy · daylily · dogwood · dolphin · dry brush · filter · flowers · fountain · giraffe · girl · globe · grand river · green · kiss · komodo dragon · leaf · leaves · lizard · lookout mountain · mechanical · mission trip · mother · music · nature · niece · orange · park · parrot · people · petals · pink · pistons · plant · portrait · practice · purple · red · reflections · rose · roses · ruby falls · sef · selfportrait · sepia · shadows · smile · snow · soccer · son · spider · sports · spring · summer · sunlight · sunset · team · tickseed · tree · tulip · vibrant · wallaby · washington dc · water · watercolor · white · yard · yellow · zoo · 2008

Photo Timeline

Browse by: All (659) 2008(659)

Or, pick your own date range:

Start day: Stop day:

Available Feeds | What are feeds?

Recent Galleries:

Atom |

RSS

Recent Photos:

Atom |

RSS

Popular Photos:

Atom |

RSS