photography aspirations

Like many photographers, usually when I talk about aspirations, I end up talking about equipment. While there is certainly gear on my wish list, I also have a handful of techniques / projects that I would love to attempt and someday even master. I'm sharing a few of those aspirations today.

Click on the photos for the sources.

On or off camera flash

Silhouettes

  

Car light trails and star street lights

(though they don't necessarily have to be in the same photo)

 

Light painting

 

More advanced shape bokeh

 

Long exposure lake sunrise

 

Long exposure Ferris wheel

What are your photography aspirations?

From simple to ambitious, feel free to share them in the comments!

I is for I'm Not a Pilot

Are you ready for another round of Alphabe Thursday? Let's go!

If you've been following this blog the past couple years, you've probably already heard me talk about this local band I'm Not a Pilot that kind of became one of my favorite bands overnight a year and a half ago. If you haven't already checked out the website, get over there and listen to some of their music. You can listen via their YouTube channel. Today I'm sharing photos from their performances at Chill on the Hill and Summerfest this summer.

 

Select members of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra performed with them at Summerfest.

You can also see just a few of the photos that I took of I'm Not a Pilot last summer here and here.

Check out what the other Alphabe Thursday participants posted for the letter I this week right here!

Pinterest picks

I don't share my Pinterest picks very often these days, but sometimes I get inspired to post about a few of my recent favorites here. Enjoy.

 I just made these peanut butter coconut macaroons for the first time a couple weeks ago (sans the chocolate drizzle), and they are fabulous. I'm sure that I'll be making them again soon.

 Like many people, we get a ridiculous amount of junk mail around here. I love the concept of making reverse junk mail envelopes so that at least a few of them don't end up right in the trash. This would be a great project for DIY invitations or Christmas cards.

 I'm always on the lookout for green smoothie recipes that do not include banana. I have to give this orange smoothie recipe a try sometime.

This thinking of you card features paint chips, but you could customize this idea with any type of color blocking or coordinated patterned paper. There are so many possibilities here.

I've had pineapple upside down cake a number of times, but I can't say that I've ever had another kind of upside down cake. This is a great resource for modifying the upside down cake concept with the ingredients that you have on hand.

I already mentioned the ticket stub pillows once this month, but they are so awesome that I have to feature them again. I really love this concept and think that it would make such a sweet gift for a significant other.

When I'm not making green smoothies without bananas and searching for new coconut recipes, I'm eating avocados. Most of the time I don't do anything creative with them because they're so delicious on their own, but once in a while an avocado recipe will inspire me like this cream avocado lassi.

What have you been pinning lately?

Feel free to share links in the comments!

at the Michell Park Domes with the 100mm

As I mentioned last month, I have the opportunity to borrow a 100mm Canon lens for free this summer. I've been primarily interested in a macro lens for my product photography. In the past few weeks, I've already confirmed that it makes a huge difference when I'm photographing jewelry in my light box. While I'm borrowing this lens, I'm also making an effort to get out and photograph with it during little excursions around Milwaukee to determine how much other use I would get out of owning said lens. Last Monday Jake and I went to the Mitchell Park Domes, which was a great place to work with it.

What have you been photographing lately?

Friday Feature: summer bokeh

Last year I had so much fun rounding up some summer bokeh photography on Etsy that I'm bringing it back. Enjoy!

Water Photograph Lights Michigan Lake Summer Beach Bokeh Sparkle by AliciaBock

Nature Color Minimalist Abstract Photograph . Summer Bokeh Lime Green White Beige Digital Download JPEG File by Laboratory52

Grass Photography Bokeh Brown Purple Fine Art "Summer's End" by LawsonImages

Hidden World | Fantasy Magical Spring Bokeh Grass Garden Zen Green Macro Bedroom Bathroom Home Office Decor | Fine Art Nature Photography by TinyDelicateWorld

 

Dusty Pink Summer Flower Photograph / Dreamy Pastel Sunbeam Lens Flare / Macro Bokeh Flower Photograph Art Print by MarascaPhotography

Carnival Dreams, summer, green, lights, bokeh, fine art, photography by BeverlyLeFevre

cherry photograph, rainier cherries, bokeh, golden red cherry, kitchen wall art, fruit photograph by HelenMPhotography