Jour 537 Post 6

     Something that I have learned recently is how to tone photos. While I have loved photography for a long time, I have never been quite sure how to tone my photos properly. I recognized things that needed fixed, but wasn't sure how to do so. Recently, in class, we learned the process of toning photos. I wanted to include a before and after example of an old photo of mine that I recently fixed. It was taken at Clearwater Beach on a very overcast day. I was still shooting with my point and shoot at the time. I can see a significant improvement in the "after" photo. I'm sure there is more for me to learn, but am excited for what I have learned thus far. 

Before 

After

These drastic changes took me less than 5 minutes. I cropped it, adjusted the levels and curves, removed "dust" spots, and sharpened the image.   

Jour 537 Post 5

     Last weekend I had the opportunity to shoot Baseball for the first time. Seeing as it was the opening weekend of the season for the national champion team, I was a little nervous. I introduced my self to many people, including (experienced) fellow students. They allowed me to tag along, showing me how things worked. I thoroughly enjoyed the time shooting and learned so much. I really appreciated the guidance I received from students, alumni, and other professional photographers. While I did not capture one great photo, I did catch some action. I decided to share with you the following series of photos at home plate. The hardest aspect for me was actually getting the ball in the photos, not in someone's hand. I plan to shoot more Baseball throughout the semester and, who knows, maybe we will be the national champions for the third year in a row! And maybe by then, I will have some awesome shots to share :)

Jour 537 Post 4

 "It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on!" Unknown

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."

Marc Brown

"Siblings-the definition that comprises love, strife, competition and forever friends."
Byron Pulsifer 

 

“After a girl is grown, her little brothers - now her protectors - seem like big brothers.”
Terri Guillemets

"The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend."

Cali Rae Turner

"What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it?"

Jenny DeVries

"How do people make it through life without a sister?"

Sara Corpening

 "I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!"

                                                                                Unknown

"When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?"

Pam Brown

Jour 537 Post 3

   Something that has always been a huge part of my life is traveling. Both my parents served in the Navy, thus we moved several times in the first 2 years of my life. After that, we continued to travel, as my parents both enjoyed it. When I was little we went to Mexico. We have driven to California and back. Twice! We went to Colorado, stopping at several states along the way. We also drove to New York City. Each trip developed a great love for traveling to new places.

   In 2003 I went on an airplane for the fist time. My first time overseas. I have not stopped traveling ever since! I absolutely love it and hope to travel even more in the future, once I am finished with school. Here are some pictures from various places I have been over the years. I would love to return to each of these countries, especially now that I have a better understanding of photography ;)

Paris, France - Need I say more?!

Rome, Italy - my second trip to this marvelous city

The Swiss Alps - if only I had known how to capture this beauty!

Rhodes, Greece - A very special trip for my family

I am a quarter Greek and have relatives living on this Greek Island

Vinnitsa, Ukraine - One of four trips to this country

Beijing, China - One of three trips to this country

Tentergate, South Africa - one of four trips to this country

Photo taken by Nathan Mansell

I have so many photos from each of these countries, and would love to share all of them! This is but a brief glimpse into the traveling I have done.

My family has also been on a caribbean cruise. I've been told that doesn't count as going out of the country though :)

Jour 537 Post 2

I shot this image downtown Beaufort, South Carolina. I want to share this photo because this town is very special to me, and this photo merely begins to exemplify its beauty.

I love to travel. I have been to nearly 10 different countries. Each country has it's own beauty. From the South African villages, the Greek Islands, or the Swiss Alps, I love to photograph the magnificence of each land. While I have visited many different places throughout the United States, as well as internationally, I believe the South Carolina Lowcountry is one of the most gorgeous landscapes I have witnessed. The marsh. Salty water. Boats. Beaches. Docks. Bridges. Whenever I visit, I feel like I am home.

This specific photo was taken in the early morning before running a 5k race. I love the reflections in the water and the colorful sky. It is a fairly old picture, taken in 2008. While I did not consider the composition, lighting, or technique when shooting the photo, the content of the image was beautiful enough to be appealing.