MRS PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC: My blog is a weekly journal on the journey in seeing the world through a camera lens and current thoughts. This blog might include a digital photo hint for you or chronicle a personal experience in this rewarding work. Whatever the content, it is a means to get to know my work and share a passion for photography. It would be great to hear from you, so please do so in the Comments section under the blog posting! Thanks so much, Martha

Christmas Night Photo 1 of 2. Shutter speed 1/80, aperture f/7.1, ISO 3200, focal length 27mm with flash.

The new year began with a powerful poem read for the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) Women in Business (WiB) Friday the 13th morning.  Despite Friday the 13th superstitions it was bright and cheerful even though a windy bitter cold day outside.  “She Let Go” a poem by Rev. Safire Rose and Ernest Holmes was read to open the educational meeting.  As a new year typically focuses on goals and establishing discipline to change less desirable behaviors, the poem powerfully describes the freedom for an individual to move on without any complications.

I provided professional headshots for the meeting participants and it was a lot of fun to wish happy new year to new faces, friends, as well as colleagues.  Best part, to photograph some of the participants.  A key to having your photograph taken is letting go.  Enjoy the moment and forget the hangups about all the complications of our body betraying our beauty.  Trust the photographer to capture the beauty of who you are.

As a photographer, I am always working on letting go and creatively trying new techniques.  Having dear friends as in these two group portraits, you can’t help letting go in the annual holiday picture tradition.  Each year I try a different set-up and backdrop in the same house.  One of the friends commented this was the best photo yet.  Tripod, self-timer, high heels, step up into this elevated room, slippery wood floor, don’t trip over the dog or cat, get into the picture, and click!  May you also enjoy the process of letting go.

Christmas Night Photo 2 of 2. Shutter speed 1/100, aperture f/7.1, ISO 3200, focal length 27mm with flash.

Late October 2011 with toes in the Caribbean Sea on the island of Cozumel Mexico. Shutter speed 1/640, aperture f/13, ISO 400, focal length 33mm with focus on the water's edge.

Which eye do you use to see through the viewfinder of your camera?  I have always used my dominant right eye and the Nikon camera body has always fit well against the right side of my face.  Late last month an eye exam revealed my right eye now focuses slightly better for the distance and the left eye focuses slightly better close up.  Who knew?

The camera also has different ways to focus on your subject.  Autofocus will focus automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.  If the subject moves before the photo is taken, the camera might not finish recording the image.  A more advanced feature is continuous autofocus, which is great for subjects in action.  The camera uses a predictive focus tracking to keep the subject in focus.  Additional creative features allows a photographer to choose what area of the image frame will be in focus.

May we all experience success while we focus on creating goals for the new year and of course taking creative photographs in focus!

Nice to come back for another meal at this wonderful restauant on the Caribbean Sea at Playa Bonita on the island of Cozumel Mexico. Shutter speed 1/500, aperture f/11, ISO 400, focal length of 27mm and focused on the table by the sea.

December 31, 2011 Last portrait of the bride moments before walking next door to the church for the wedding ceremony. Ambient light with shutter speed 1/80, aperture f/4.5, ISO 6400, focal length 60mm.

What a wonderful way to welcome the new year!  Photograph a wedding on New Year’s Eve afternoon amongst family and friends.

What is it about the last photo?  I find most times it is the winner of all the images.  Is it because the subject has relaxed or the anticipated relief of not being the center of attention?  Sometimes I just sense something special was just captured. The above portrait of the bride was less than ten minutes before her wedding.  One of fifteen quick bridal portraits.  After nine photographs using a diffused flash, chose to use the ambient light to compliment the bride for the last few portraits.  Then her Dad said it was time to walk next door to the church for the wedding ceremony.

The below photo is the very last one taken at the wedding celebration.  The bridal couple was ready to drive to their New Year’s Eve celebration.  A wonderful casual moment to capture of their new beginning.

Congratulations Bill and Winona!

The last photograph of the wedding event. Shutter speed 1/100, aperture f/6.3, ISO 640, focal length 60mm with diffused fill flash.

February 18, 2009 Skiing in Deer Valley Utah Shutter speed 1/750, aperture f/14, ISO 400, focal length 202mm

The change of seasons officially occurred last week and now we have returned to the days growing longer.  Back in time Julius Caesar declared winter solstice on December 25th in difference to the true astronomical solstice.  Various cultures whether ancient or current celebrates this unique time of year.  A wonderful addition to this time of year is the celebration of religious beliefs and the hope of what an upcoming new year will bring.

May the joy of the season stay with you and for all those that surround you.

Until the new year….!