• Raising Boys

  • In The Kitchen

  • Family Travels

Fun With Black and White and Color #Photography

Why do black and white photos always look so beautiful? I’m not sure if it’s the play on lights and shadows, or if the lack of color just emphasizes the subjects more, but there is something very powerful about black and white photography– the most whimsical pictures suddenly have an air of drama and mystery. […]

View full post »

  • Oh so sweet!! I love the first and last one!!

  • That first pic is my favorite! I love these!

  • I love black and white photos with just a touch of color!

  • Donna

    I love taking black and white photographs and using iSplash to put a little splash of color back in. Just love the look. Yours are beautiful!

  • I do like black and white but on occasion. I love the last photo you took though

  • Anne - Mommy Has to Work

    I love black and white pictures! The photographer who did our family reunion pics, did a whole set in them. Awesome!

  • I love those photos, Penelope. And I agree, there is just something about black and white that makes a picture look so whimsical.

  • Megan

    Beautiful shots! I really like the last one.

  • Great shots! I too adore black and white photos.

  • I like the little bit of color in the photos.

  • Those are some nice photos, I just wish I could do something like that.

  • LOVE these!!

  • Very sweet photos!!

  • I love the subtle pop of the colors so much!

  • I also love black and white photos! I wish I could figure out how to add the pops of color without using Photoshop! LOL

  • Love those shots, they are so pretty with a touch of color

  • Beautiful pictures!

  • April Decheine

    Beautiful pictures, what kind of camera did you get?

  • April Decheine

    Great! I am looking at a Nikon too, great photos!

  • Penelope

    (if you can afford it, get the d7000, it’s a few hundred more but can be safely used in the rain and near water, and autofocuses ALL lenses, this one doesn’t)..i found out weeks after i bought this one, so too late for me to exchange 🙂

  • April Decheine

    Good to know! Thank you 🙂

  • Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy

    Those are gorgeous – love the daffodils!!

  • I need a tutorial on how to do this so I can be inspired to finally upgrade my camera!

  • I love doing that with my camera.

  • It’s always fun to play with selective color! I’ve gotten to where I really, really like playing with B/W — very challenging!

  • nicole @WriteSpell

    Great post! So glad you’re enjoying your new camera!

  • Beautiful. I’d love to learn to do that

  • So pretty! A new camera is so much fun!

  • Lovely pictures! I also love black and white pictures. So vintage! 🙂

  • I love black and white photography!

  • I love black and white photos!

  • Jenn

    Love the daffodils!

  • I love your photos!! Especially the flowers.

  • Love that last photo! I really need to play around more with my photography.

  • Stefani

    I love black and white photos and love how you added a touch of color. Super neat!

  • Stefani

    I LOVE Black & White photos!

  • Love the little hint of color very cool!

  • I love the way a beautiful black and white picture looks. It’s amazing that you can take all of the color out and be left with a piece of art.

  • I just recently got a camera where I can isolate one color – I used the black & white shot with a dried red rose – it turned out beautifully and certainly was striking.

Celebrating Spring With a Pinterest Contest & Coffee Cake {Recipe}

Spring is here, filled with warm, sunny days and the desire to relax and slow down a bit. For me, there are few ways of relaxing more enjoyable than enjoying a cup of good coffee and a big slice of delicious coffee crumb cake on the front porch. Coffee cake is one of my favorite […]

View full post »

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent Challenge #SwitchAndSave

Washing laundry is not a household chore most people enjoy, probably because it’s often tedious and messy. I never really enjoyed lugging out heavy bottles of detergent, measuring messy liquids and powders into the washer and dryer, or any of the rest of it. However, as parents of a toddler and an infant, we have […]

View full post »

Living A Smarter Life For A Better Planet

Earth Day is coming, and this time of year always makes me think about the world around me, this planet that we share. I have two little boys, so I think about what we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Are we working toward a peaceful planet with a healthy environment, or will we still […]

View full post »

A New Hobby #Photography

Photography is something I was always interested in, since I was 15 and got my first 35mm camera. I would happily bounce off to local drug stores to buy film, feeling like an expert every time I asked for film in a speed other than 200, even though I wasn’t 100% sure I was using […]

View full post »

  • Since you’re starting from square one, I’m counting on you to describe how to learn it all from a true beginner’s perspective!

  • Bill Robinson

    Good luck… I love the perspective about not spending $800 for a point and shoot… Have a blast.

  • Penelope

    This is my plan! (as long as my little guys let me…they are time-consuming, lol)

  • I’ve had mine for over a year and still haven’t really learned how to use it.

  • Chris Ann

    How fun. Glad you have a good reference book. I know you have some very special boys for subject matter. The Pioneer Woman blog has a huge area on photography – learning skills.
    God bless you and your family.

  • Corporate Headshots

    Enjoy your new hobby- it might turn into a career!

  • Penelope

    Thanks for letting me know about the Pioneer woman’s photo section, never knew that!

  • Penelope

    You take great shots anyway!

  • What a gorgeous camera! Have a wonderful time.

  • I really want a new camera similar to the one you own. I’m just SO overwhelmed at the thought of learning something so huge. PLEASE document your journey on the basics!

  • Yay! I’m so ready for one, but waiting a few months. I’m kind of scared!! Can’t wait to see your photos!

  • Congratulations on your new camera.

    I’ve become recently addicted myself (and trading up to my first DSLR), thanks to my participation at 365project.org. If you want lots of great ideas, tips from people who know what they’re doing, and great feedback, you should check it out. Plus, the basic membership is FREE.

    I’m at 365project.org/janets/365 if you want to take a peek.

  • Penelope

    I just took a peek, your photos are amazing! You have a great camera, I hear good things about the Rebel. I was going to get that one, but I just couldn’t help but want to try out the selective color feature on the camera I have. What lens do you use (do you have a favorite)?

  • Megan

    I can’t wait to see your pictures!

  • I JUST bought my first DSLR (Nikon D3100) and really have no idea what I’m doing but I am determined not to shoot in Auto for the rest of my life

  • I love taking pictures, but I’m not that good at it.

  • Donna

    I wish I could be a better photographer. I suck, really. But looking forward to getting some pointers from you! 🙂

  • Have fun!!!

  • Sharon {Grumpy, Sleepy, and Bashful}

    I was in the same boat not too long ago. My pictures have certainly gotten better, and I’ve read a TON. I still have a long ways to go. If you haven’t found them already, I would recommend I Heart Faces, Clickin Moms, and Click It Up A Notch. All great resources!

    Have fun!!!

  • Awww, thanks Penelope. I try but I still have SO much to learn.

  • I’ve only had the Canon a couple of weeks – still using the stock 18-55 lens & learning how to work everything.

    My p&s is a Nikon L120. I got much better results with it once I learned to utilize all of its features.

    I’ve seen some amazing shots on 365 with low-end cameras…I think the most important thing (besides learning how to best use the camera you have) is to work on the way you see your subjects. And that’s the part that is fun!

  • Penelope

    I’m checking those sites out right now…thanks!

  • Congratulations! I want a DSLR so bad!

  • I love photography! One of my favorite hobbies! Great camera!

  • I’m so jealous! I can’t wait to get a DSLR. Can’t wait to see your pictures evolve!!

  • I am looking for a new DSLR. Mine is over 6 years old!

  • Enjoy! I am still trying ot learn photography 🙂

  • I can’t wait to learn what you’re learning. After 2 years I STILL don’t fully understand how to use my DSLR

  • I just bought a Nikon, and I am pretty impressed! I am still learning about DSLR…

  • I wish I had the desire to take photo’s! The best photo’s I take are of the kids!

  • Anne - Mommy Has to Work

    I so want one!!

  • Ooh congratulations!! It’s so exciting!! I can’t wait to get some new lenses but I’m learning with the stock first 🙂

  • I promise, once the exposure triangle/relationship clicks in your head, using your DSLR becomes a piece of cake. You’re going to love it! If you ever want some good online tutorial resources, let me know; I have read through so many and have quite a few that really helped me!

  • Penelope

    Absolutely, send me any info and links to help me out, thanks!

  • Mom Foodie

    I just upgraded to DSLR a few months ago, but :blushes with shame: I am still shooting on auto, and likely will be for awhile.

  • I got a Nikon recently too and still need to learn how to use it.

  • Oh I’m so excited for you I can’t wait to see your new photos

  • Lucky girl you! I wish I had a nice camera, maybe someday!

  • I had a DSLR a few years ago, and I felt dumb since I didn’t fully understood how to use it! However, it took fantastic pictures and was a great camera to have, nonetheless. I’m hoping to buy another one by the end of year, because my beloved camera broke down and I’m getting tired of these point and shoot cameras – always have some kind of problem with them! 🙂

  • You are going to love it! I took the leap from point and shoot to DSLR a few months ago, and while I’m still learning, I just love the way my pictures come out!

  • Sheila Skillingstead

    I’ve always loved photography and am planning on have a photography themed birthday so I can learn some mad skills from my daughters. I took a look the various parts of your website and it’s a good combo of picture to text which is what I need to work on. Happy SITS day!

  • You take absolutely beautiful photos, so I assumed you’ve gotten to know your DSLR well!

G-9PVHM3B4RJ