I was just browsing through some photos of our trip to Canada this past summer and I came across this photo of a gorgeous ox getting ready for the pulling contest. There were the most beautiful oxen at this country fair. I think I took hundreds of photos of various pairs in their holding pens. They all had such different physical features and manneurisms. Besides my children, oxen have become my next favourite subject to photograph.
Week number 2 of my photography class in Milan. Again it was very interesting. Lots of confusing talk about “stops” of all different nature but in the end I left feeling like I’d learned a lot. Part of this week’s assignment was to do some movement shots. One action shot with a short shutter speed (which would freeze the moment), one with a longer shutter speed (which shows the movement but still makes it recognizable) and an attempt at a panning shot. I’m not really satisfied with my photos but I’m slowly on my way I think. I hope.
Short shutter speed photo…
Longer shutter speed action shot…
Attempted panning shot…
So last night I started a much anticipated photography course in Milan. It is indeed a bit far and the hour is a bit scomodo but in the end I decided to go for it because I feel as though my photos could use some more depth (and technique). It’s possible this course will ruin my ability to take spontaneous photos due to the constant thinking of apertures, light readings and white balance, but I’ll give it a go and see the results later (whether good or bad). The fact it’s in Italian is both positive and negative. Positive because I get to enrich my vocabulary in Italian. Negative because I most likely miss a bit of what is being explained. In any case, the enthusiasm is definitely there and the teacher seems to be very in gamba.
One of our first assignments was to take a photo of 2 objects (placed one in front of the other). In the first photo the object in back has to be in focus, in the second the object in front has to be in focus and in the third both objects have to be in focus.
Here’s my first attempt at the object in back in focus…
Here’s my first attempt at the photo with object in front in focus…
Our sage green eggs from the Araucana chickens above. Some days they are robin’s egg blue. Other days a misty grey. The bordeaux coloured eggs are from our Marans chickens. Oh, and that amazingly chubby in the photo is now 9 years old and as long and lanky as they come.
Daily findings from the coop. A colourful heap of delicious fresh eggs.
When we were strolling around Milan a few weeks ago we saw beautifully painted and decorated elephant statues everywhere. This open air art exhibit is in support of elephant preservation and conservation in Asia. http://elephantparade.com/
The girls and I decided to drive into Milan to get our big city fix (and to see a kid’s theatre production). It was really hot. It was really crowded. And we loved breathing in that smell of a city in full tilt.
Passeggiata time on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Milano Centro.
I’ve been coming to Milan for more than a decade but it never ceases to amaze me that every single time I see the Duomo I need to stop, catch my breath and marvel and this magestic piece of architecture.
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Jillian in Italy Interview by Classic Play!
Jillian In Italy interview on Pret A Voyager
Embroidery With Kids
Father's Day Origami Garland
Miniature Bulletin Boards
Surprise Activity Garland
Italian Crostata Recipe
Snail Mail Booklets
Doily Fairy Lights
Jan Fabre Exhibit With Kids
Japanese Handicrafts
Miniature Waffle Cookies
Jillian In Italy 