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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sunday Stills - Or The Chicken Chronicles

"Silhouettes: This should be easy, just put yourself between your subject and the sun or bright object and shoot away. It can be anything……"

I really struggled with this challenge. I wanted to try to do something besides a sunset; something that would challenge me to learn to do something new with my camera. This was not the best week for research however, and other than stumbling across an entry on Pioneer Woman's site, I headed out to take my "test" without having done much studying.

I pulled out one of the carriages (it needed to be washed, or at least de-cobwebbed, anyway :-/) and snapped a couple shots. Not right.

Changed a setting and tried again. Hmm.

Let the chickens out.

Came back and tried a different angle. Still not getting it.

Fed the boys and headed back to the house for "the book".



The chickens followed me. Down the driveway. To the house. We don't know why they've started following us all over. Everywhere. They are not moving to (or even visiting) the porch, I can promise you that. And one of those chickens ain't really a chicken.



So, with a little encouragement, they headed back to the barn. And you haven't seen funny until you've watched chickens run. Busy chickens on a mission (the ones out front at least).

Meanwhile, back at the barn (with some helpful hints from the owner's manual), I finally sort of get the exposure right, but realize the composition isn't good. Too much busy fence in the background.

Saint Tim suggested trying to get a simple dog silhouette, so we picked a less busy spot and he stood there while I experimented (once again to no avail).



And look, again with the chickens.



I was about to give up (at least for the morning - I seldom actually give up) but stopped under one of the Red Bud trees and decided to try a leaf and sky picture. Pretty boring, but if you squint your eyes, it almost looks like a silhouette.



And while I was sitting there, surrounded by cats and dogs, I realized that one of the cats wasn't really a cat.



Here's the only picture I took this morning that I really liked. I suppose a shadow is sort of a silhouette. If you squint your eyes just right.

Here's my favorite picture of me and my shadow.

For better Sunday Stills Silhouettes...

15 comments:

eveningson said...

chickens are interesting, but I have a question about your blog.....

No offence meant or implied of course, but are you a lady that cares for mentally disturbed sheep or are you a wild and mad lady who takes care of sheep in general (and chickens

Paula said...

I'm loving the chicken and the tree. You did good, and who doesn't love a good chicken story anyway?!

This is my first visit to your blog and your farm looks gorgeous. I've added you to my favorites and will be back to visit. Hope the coffee's on...and I do clean stalls!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Woohooo! Now that's the sort of comment I'm looking for ;-D

flowerweaver said...

I would really like to see you post one of your beautiful hand cut black and white paper silhouettes!! Yeah, a photo of one of those would count! They are too beautiful not to share :)

thecrazysheeplady said...

Maybe it's the crazy sheep and adventure chickens and dogs and cats and horses and birds and tomato plants...have made me crazy? ;-)

Alice said...

Can you just see Saint Tim talking to the guys? "Hey Tim, what'd you do this morning?" "Oh, I just stood on the road with the dog and the chickens trying to make shadows" . I laughed till my sides ached!
The horse picture from your archives is one of my favorites (would make a great card). I immediagely thought of it when the challenge was presented.

KC said...

I loved all the photos. I just got a new Canon 50D and can relate to learning how to use a new camera. It can be frustrating but every once in a while a photo will capture something great and it is all worthwhile.
You, your animal friends, and the farm are wonderful. It looks like such a perfect life.

Steffie said...

Never mind the silhouettes. These are great pictures. I absolutely love the second one. All those lines made by the fences give it great deapth.

Holly said...

I love the adventure getting the pictures. The chickens are cute!

Ed said...

LOL! Maybe Grahm is a bit disturbed, great shots..:-)

Kelly said...

Ha! like the story and the photos!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Well I liked your chicken story! And your chicken and the tree photo is very good! :)

CTG Ponies said...

I like the chicken and the tree.

Carroll Baker said...

love all the shots and stories!

DayPhoto said...

I think all the photos were good, I like the chicken and the shadow, the fence line and meeting Saint Tim!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/