The golden hour is defined as the first and last hours of the day. This is because of the quality of light, and its effects on what you are photographing.
I have lots and lots of sunset pictures. When we lived in central Oregon we would see glorious sunsets on a daily basis. The Oregon Coast offers magnificent sunsets.
But I didn’t want to go that route. I wanted a new picture.
On Saturday we went to a friend’s house, they live on a Christmas tree farm, so there are lots and lots of land around them and I made sure to bring my camera. The big boys were paying with our friend’s bow and arrows, so of course Ian wanted to play too.
I love Ian’s expression after shooting the arrow. He was so excited!
They were shot at 7:38pm (sunset was 8:57 pm, so they were a little outside the golden hour, but close enough for me):
1/100 sec
f 5.7
400 ISO
55.0 mm focal length
I did not do anything to the pictures in Photoshop, but I think they could use a little adjustment. The pictures needed a little more light. But that’s how it is with kids, they decide to do something and you have no time to test the light before they are done.
I also had to include one of some plant life.
It was shot at 7:40 pm at 1/85 sec, f 5.7, 200 ISO, 55.0 mm focal length
My toddler loves those baby food pouches that are all the rage now.
The food pouches started coming out when he was about a year and a half. I thought they were fantastic!
They were easy for him to eat himself and they wouldn’t break in my bag.
Since then they have come out with a slew of food combinations. Ones that are just fruits or veggies and fruit/veggie combinations. They also have ones with yogurt and ones with grains.
But have you ever bought any of them? They are about $1.50 each. I usually try to get them only on sale, but they are still over a dollar each.
I had thought about ways to make my own reusable bags. But alas, before I could make a design someone else did. Well, now really multiple companies have ones.
As I talk about in this post, I purchased a system to fill up pouches with my own cooking.
This time I decided to make a yogurt smoothie.
I had a bunch of berries and a big carton of yogurt.
Homemade Berry Yogurt Smoothie Pouch
I cooked about 2 pints of berries with some sugar to draw out and concentrate the flavor.
Then I blended whole milk yogurt, the drained berries, dry milk powder, & baby oatmeal cereal. I use the baby oatmeal cereal because it is designed to be used with a liquid, without additional cooking. Plus it is a fine powder, so it will add nutrients and thicken the smoothie without any grit.
The berries can water down the yogurt so I would also recommend adding some dried milk powder.
I made about seven 4oz pouches, filled a couple of jars then froze the rest.
Of course Ian was excited, because he still loves to eat food out of the pouches.
He said “mmm…dat was delicious”
If the pouches won’t be consumed before the yogurt’s expiration date, then it should be frozen.
You can freeze the yogurt as drops for snacks, in ice-cube trays or in baby food jars.
Homemade Berry Yogurt Smoothie Pouch
2 pints of berries
1 tbsp sugar
3 cups whole milk yogurt
1/2 cup baby oatmeal cereal (or other milled grain)
1/4-1/2 cup powdered milk (for thinking)
Heat berries over low heat with sugar for approximately 10 minutes or toss with sugar and let stand at room temperature for about an hour.
Drain the berries, reserving the juice.
Blend berries, yogurt and cereal or powdered grains. If too thick add juice from berries, if too thin add powdered milk, until desired consistency is reached.
Here are some reusable food pouch resources (I have only used the Infantino product, so I know nothing about the others)
I was not asked to write this post, nor was I compensated in any way for it and the opinions expressed are all my own. I bought the products I have, and enjoy using them.
Because, let’s face it, he is half the reason I am here.
I really wanted to post a picture of us, preferably from when I was little, but I don’t have my hard drive hooked up right now. So hopefully I will have some time to later.
But I wanted to take a moment to tell you I love you.
“Dad, I love you”
I would now like to wish my husband a happy father’s day. You have given me these two wonderful boys that have made you a father and me a mother. For that, there are no words to express how thankful I am.
There is no greater sound then when I hear you and Ian laughing at whatever game you are playing.
Ian & Dad just chillin’
I don’t really see the point of buying my husband something for father’s day. It would be different if the kids wanted to get him something, but they are too young still. I do however love the homemade gifts they give.
Typically the kids make something in school, but my boys are not in school yet, so I had to help them.
Have I ever told you how much I love hand print art?
Well, I will tell you now.
“I LOVE hand print art, more than chocolate covered peanut butter.”
Since Ian went on his first fishing trip with his dad recently, I thought it would be perfect. Plus I could add Baby Sid’s hand print as another fish.
Turns out, I should really think these things through before I begin.
Since Ian was ready to paint, I didn’t want him to change his mind, and I quickly painted his hand and put it to canvas.
Ian & Baby Sid’s hands
I had let Ian pick out the color of the fish. Again, should have thought that trough first.
fished product
Since the water was blue, we should have done a contrasting color. And yes, I should have painted the water first, which was the major problem with this picture.
My mom helped me with Baby Sid’s hand print, but I should have waited until he was asleep. Cause his is the one on top and it looks bigger than Ian’s.
I think they looked more like birds then fish.
Ian was very happy with the picture, but the perfectionist in me couldn’t quite enjoy it.
Ian really like making his hand prints, so while I was trying to finish the painting he was making more hand prints.
I decided to use these hand prints and make something else.
Even though the painting didn’t turn out the way I saw it in my mind, Ian gave it to Dad anyway. Ian was very proud of the picture and really liked it. It just won’t be going up on the walls of the living room.
I had started to do these photo challenges to try to get back to photographing things other than my children. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking and having their pictures, I just wanted to broaden my spectra.
However, this weeks challenge speaks of childhood.
Childhood is fleeting. Innocence is fleeting. Being able to find pure joy in the splashing of water is fleeting.
To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
I Tri and Craft 