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they make me laugh.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

One frame from the beach on Monday. It was 78 degrees on the ocean. In February. Usually, even if inland areas are in the upper 70′s this time of year, the beach is still chilly. We weren’t the only ones enjoying it. Everyone was flocking to the beach. I love being a part of that herd.

(image taken with my point and shoot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. still getting used to it. anyone have tips on how to lose the digi point and shoot “sharpness” that makes it so obvious the files come from a point and shoot?)

Posted in Life, Orange County Photographer

by Tara Whitney

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RawSierra - Hi Tara! I love your blog and you take amazing pictures. My son just bought a Nikon D-something SLR and I sent him your site URL and your "wahts in my bag" list - he is drooling over your Canon 5D! I used to work at Orange County Water District so I am familiar with the OC. Just wanted to say hi. The picture you take blow me away! I would love to take family pictures like that, but I usually have to threaten everyone to stand there and smile! Judy

tara pollard pakosta - I have that same camera, and my photos SUCK from it! I don't know how to get ANYTHING good. this looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! better than ANYTHING I have shot with mine! I barely use it because I don't know HOW! I need to take a class for it HA! tara pp

MamaCas - GAH! You're so lucky. I'm doing a tap dance because it almost reached 50 degrees here in NY. Anyway...I love the blog and I adore your photos. My own shots have improved drastically by observing your style.

michelle - Um... I'm not familiar with your particular point and shoot but I know there is a sharpness setting (on my Canon P&S). I know this is a dumb and obvious answer... but I can ALWAYS be counted on for the dumb and obvious. ;)

hanna - I have read that the trick to getting a blurry background is to zoom out all the way and set your picture mode to portrait - I haven't had a lot of success either w/ my P&S but have been meaning to try that.

kribss - i have been wanting this camera ever since nate from the image is found got it. i say ask him!! love the photo btw and your family- will you adopt me????!!

Bonnie Berry - I have that camera too and I HATE it. I know it gets great recommendations but I just hate the way the photos look--tons of sharpness and grain. I always end up just grabbing my 5d. If you get any good tips please pass them on : )

tanyawebster - i always feel super embarrassed that i cant seem to take a good picture with a point and shoot but have no problems at all with a complicated professional camera.....LOL. If you figure it out please share......;)

Tina - I have this same camera and have had some pretty good luck with it. I bought it on Nate Kaiser's recommendation and he has some good pointers on getting the bestest out of it. Here's what he told me: the only thing we changed was to turn on the face detect AF. we also shoot a lot of stuff in full manual. also, when using the flash, the lcd looks way brighter than it will on the computer. Glad you got to enjoy the beach. Seriously gorgeous weather this week!

cris stone - That yellow two-piece is. to. die. for.

Sara - I don't know anything about that camera, but can I know where you got your daughter's yellow swimsuit?? Please?

Tara Whitney - Sara-swimsuit is from Old Navy at Christmas. Might still be online?

julianne - I have the LX-3, as well as a 5D. Of course I love the 5D more (like it's an extension of my body), but there are some things I like about the LX-3. I love shooting in 16X9. It's a really fun ratio to explore. Have you tried shooting in RAW with it? (finally available for Aperture and iPhoto, but long available in Lightroom and CS4). Alternately, you could turn the .jpg sharpening down in the camera settings if you prefer .jpgs.

Elaine - honestly...it is the best portrait of your kids.

Sara - Thanks, Tara. Unfortunately they don't sell swim wear during the Christmas season in the land where I'm from...the land with no sun ;) I checked online, no luck. It's darling, though and I'll be on the hunt for one like it for my girl! Oh, and I think you're pretty awesome and take awesome photos.

bobbi - I ADORE this photo!

Annemarie - Mckenna looks so happy here...

karen - just wanted to say thanks to you. your blog brings me joy. happy friday!

Karen - I hated my G11 when I got it too, but then I checked out the discussions on flickr. Have you checked lumix dmc-lx3 group on flickr? They might have posted something useful. I love this photo, it captures the day!!

heather garl - 78 degrees! I'm so jealous! Here is Pennsylvania we have about 2 foot of snow still laying and possibly more snow to come early next week. {Cute photo - I love your son's face on the right}

em - anna's bathers!!! LOVE them! you always find the best bathers ;)

tara k - the cutest, tara! my daughter has the same yellow bikini and wants to wear the top with pants to look like shakira (in her own little mind). just got it in the store a couple of weeks ago, so there is hope, sara! :)

Kristy A - Great blog!!! I've been stalking these bags for a long time now. It would be nice to win! :-)

meghan - Oh, McKenna is just so sweet!

MarieP - Nope; I, personally, hate my point-and-shoot. With a passion. I can't get anything decent from it. Heck, I feel like I do better with my iPhone. It's nice to know that even a stellar photog like you is stumped by the stupid point-and-shoot.

Stephanie @ Geezees - very awesome shot!!

Visty - What a great wall! Coulda been your Feb family shot...

Joyce - Love this! I just got the same camera about two weeks ago so no tips from me yet. : )

Rach - Love that they all have such different expressions, and I love that mural behind them!

Priscilla Gragg - Aww, beautiful colors! Ur kids are beautiful! Sorry I don't have any tips about your cam but photo looks good to me ; )

Beth Melberg Photography - You can always create your own more shallow depth of field in post production...or purchase an action that helps.

maile - these are off the hook. LOVE!

Starting Out- Lesson number one: Light | Pikku Arkki Valokuvaus- Little Ark Photography - [...] dear friends, it is the magician and not the wand that makes a great photographer (as evidenced by Tara Whitney who now takes her point and shoot to the beach and STILL gets the raddest photos in the world of [...]

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