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Learning all the time

Tales from the Backroad Posted on by

Learning all the time

They say as we age, we should keep learning new things to keep our brains young. Participating in the 52 week photo challenges, is certainly filling that for me. Especially this years advanced Dogwood 52 challenge.

This week was a technical challenge, panning photography. Basically this is slowing down your shutter speed, and moving your camera to follow a moving subject. You want the subject mostly in focus, and the background blurred. Since Torrey is a wonderful, and willing moving subject, she was nominated to help me this week. We went to the park one evening, and many shots later, I can say I certainly learned something.

This is my shot I used for the challenge.

Panning photography

The hardest part for me, was that of course she was running towards me, and panning is really the subject going from one side of the frame, to the other.

She did start running past me, and I was able to experiment more.

Learning all the time, panning photography

Learning all the time

Learning all the time

I learned early on in the photo shoot, that too slow of a shutter speed creates some cool, but not really what you want, effects.

panning photography

panning photography

This series was fun with her running away from me. I like the shadows in these the best.

panning photography, Learning all the time

Learning all the time

Learning all the time, panning photography

I encourage you to give this a shot. I learned a new technique, and wore out the dog, all at the same time.

tired torrey

A lot of the images that were posted for the challenge were quite cool. Different colored backgrounds, other than just grass, certainly make a difference.

This weeks prompt from the 2LilOwls was sky. I was wondering why on earth this couldn’t have been while we were in Arizona, but then one evening the sun going down reflected on the mountain to the east. I grabbed my telephoto which enabled me to get over the houses, trees, and power lines.

sunset on snowy mountain

Adapt, and learn. This photography journey is an ongoing process, and I am so glad I am taking it.

Comments

Learning all the time — 16 Comments

  1. Ah Mary, FUN FUN FUN. I will never forget the day back in the fall, when I went to Minnehaha Falls, just outside of the metro area. It’s gorgeous. And it’s there where I decided I’d play with my shutter speed. I was stoked. I came home literally feeling elated over the new skill I attempted. You did a great job here, and yes, we are young because we never ever stop learning.

  2. That last photo is stunning. Never heard of panning but it is an interesting idea to test out. We are sad the pet photography challenge died. Oh well, we will just keep playing around on our own!

    • You could do some fun panning shots with dogs. Ya, the pet photography challenge was certainly not very organized. You can still join the Dogwood52, people join all the time.

  3. Hello, Torrey looks like she was enjoying the photo shoot. She is a beautiful dog. Love all the photos and the last scene is gorgeous! Have a happy day and week ahead!

  5. Great photos, and it appears that Torrey is as adaptable as you are – she enjoys herself equally in the desert and on a grassy lawn! :)

  7. Oh, that panning sounds really difficult to get right! You got some great photos and I think Torrey stands out so well against that green background. We might have to give this a try, once things are dried out in our yard!

  9. I loved the effect you got with Torrey’s fur on some of those side shots. It reminded me of hair in the water waving back and forth. Amazing you were able to capture that motion in the air.

  12. I love the panning photos! I used to do that lots and lots with Shyla but I’ve gotten away from it. I taught her a “cue” that meant “if you run past me, you’ll get a jackpot of treats”, and then I could pan on her motion. I ought to try it again.

    Your sunset shot was beautiful!

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