Spring Break

Originally uploaded by Don Lee

I just returned from Spring break today and although I used the time to relax and be with family, I certainly didn't take a break from photography. I brought along my 5DMKII and my G11 to capture some precious moments with friends and family.

The image above is of my niece Joti. She is a shy but creative child and full of life. I caught Joti walking in front of a big blue air jumper and immediately fell in love with the image. Her soft smile with her orange dress against the blue background made the photo intriguing to me.

I have other favorite images from the trip but this one really stood out for me. I hope everyone out there was lucky enough to spend time with family and friends during spring break and got a few shots in with their cameras.

Behind the Shoot

I spent the better part of the evening yesterday capturing some "behind the scenes" images for a youth musical production as the young stage artists prepared for their formal photo shoot with On Broadway Photography in Brush Prairie, WA. I was a bit apprehensive about spending an entire evening with 20 plus 6th graders but it was actually fun. The kids were extremely well behaved and very patient through the process of getting dressed, hair, makeup, and the photo shoot. Photographer Trish Perin did a wonderful job with the photo shoot as she does every year. Here are a few more images from the evening:

2010 Workshops

Yesterday we held our first photography workshop of 2010 in Battle Ground, WA. We covered basic digital photography over a 6 hour period and got a chance to explore the subject both in the classroom and in the great weather outside. The image featured in this post was created by one of our younger workshop participants, Samantha Altman (with a little crop/post crop added by myself), with her Canon point & shoot camera. I was extremely impressed by all the workshop participants at how quickly they picked up the concepts presented in the workshop and how well they demonstrated what they learned in the photo assignments.

If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please visit www.leeshots.com and click on the 'Workshops' link under 'Info'. The next workshop will be held in June, 2010 in Salmon Creek, WA.

Spring Is On The Way

Every season has its own special photographic qualities and advantages and Spring is no exception. My family and I are beginning our Spring Break planning and whatever we end up doing, photos will be involved. The best part about taking photos in the Spring is that you really don't have to travel far to capture some amazing images. Plants and trees are already beginning to flower while insects and animals are on their way out of hibernation.

If you haven't picked up your camera in a while, this is a good time to take it out and test it to make sure batteries are re-charged and that your lens(s) is clean. Also make sure that your recording media is ready to go (yes...make sure you download those holiday photos you left on that flash card). If there isn't much to see in your own backyard or neighborhood, find a local park, trail, or garden. Rivers, lakes, and ponds also make great photographic subjects for the Spring season.

The point is to get out and shoot! Whether go by yourself or with friends, it is a season to enjoy all that nature has to offer.