2.10.2011

You Guys are the Greatest!

A big thanks to all the comments/messages and emails I received about my hard decision on my upgrade choices. I'm proud to announce that I've come to a decision, based on how I feel and the kind and supportive/encouraging words of you guys..I've decided Canon is the way to go. I feel weird feeling "incomplete" until I have one as I have never owned, used or even really HELD a Canon DSLR (besides my point and shoot I had before my Sony and in-store with the demos). But something is telling me that I'm a Canon girl and I'm sticking with my gut! So as soon as I get this Sony sold, Canon here I come!!

So Ashley has the cutest little link-up going on over at her blog. It's called "Letters to Kitty Paw". You make a photo/card/collage...etc with an attached letter to her very popular feline companion, Kitty Paw. Since I have a male cat myself and have photographed him frequently, the best photo popped in my head immediately for the challenge! So, Kitty Paw, this is for you....
A letter to Kitty Paw
If you would like to enter for a chance to win one of four fabulous items she is "giving away" to the top 4, head over by clicking below!


Sunsets here never cease to amaze me. If you've been following me for a while you know that at one point I feared boring you stiff with my repetitive sunset shots (from the same exact point on my front porch). But you guys sent tons of love and comments assuring me you would never be bored so I continue to share! I swear you could take a photo every. single. day. and not have two that were similar :) So this is my Sky Watch Friday entry:
Another Kentucky Sunset
SKYWATCH FRIDAY

Moon photos (since I've gotten better at them) have also become a favorite. I love to photograph people but in my spare time at home I love to photograph nature just as much. tonight's moon was a half moon so I took my 28-85 lens out and captured a shot of it. I'll be using it as my "Best Shot", my "Show Off" photo for over at And Then, She {Snapped} and my photo for Foto Friday. My edit for this photo included a very very tight crop, using the burn tool at about 23 to darken the details, sharpening and adding a lens flare (I think it makes it look interesting). You do that by going to Filter>Render>Lens Flare...select what type and adjust brightness. I "turn it down" further by using a black brush and "clicking" over the flare lightening it more so that it's more subtle. Anyways here it is!
tonight's Moon
Give me your best shot at Better in BulkPhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

and then, she {snapped}Household6Diva FotoFriday

Lastly I am also entering into Macro Friday for the first time in a few weeks! Here is my macro image:
feb4
It's of my little sister's ring she left here one of the times she stayed with us. I thought it made for a cute macro :)


Thanks again for helping me decide and I hope your weekend is totally great! We're getting some warm weather starting Sunday! (I'm talking 50's!! :-D ) So I'm suppper excited!

Once more if anyone knows anyone looking for a good DSLR and some lenses/accessories send me a message and let me know! Thanks guys~!

25 Lovely Reader(s) Said:

H said...

You have a gorgeous sunset every day?? Really?? Wow!

Michelle said...

Love the photo on your kitty paw card! And I really like the macro of the ring too, its cute!

FYH said...

What a beautiful letter...love the poeme! Great macro shots...

4 Lettre Words said...

LOVE that sunset...wow! And, Mister Man is just too cute.

Have a wonderful weekend, Natalie!

Ashley Sisk said...

Congrats on your Canon decision - you're going to love it. As for your love letter....my heart just melted. That's absolutely adorable.

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

I love your Kitty Paw entry! SO CUTE!

Renegades said...

What a cute entry for Kitty Paw.

Susan said...

That love letter is so cute! Beautiful shot of the moon.

Christina said...

It's a beautiful love letter to Kitty Paw! Love the way your cat signed his name, too. Creative and fun photo challenge!

Kim, USA said...

Beautiful shots of the sky. Great edit. Happy weekend!
Sky Watch Friday

Anonymous said...

Cute card! Love the sunset and the macro shot is so sweet.

Kala said...

all beautiful pics, the first one is my fav though ; )

Tezzie said...

Wowza! That's a stunning photo of your cat (love the angle and colour...). What a fabulous card!!!

Abi said...

Hey, what a sweet love letter to kitty paw~ I bet you will win!
And Canon is definitely a good choice, I'm a canon girl myself and wouldn't change for anything in the world!

Jamie said...

Way to show Kitty Paw the love.

Tiffany Franklin said...

Glad you finally came to a decision ;-) and kitty paws letter is cute. I love the white background with the ring. i did that with crayons and it makes it look awesome :-) Im ready for warm weather and can't wait!

rachel said...

I love your half moon shot, and I really appreciate your explanations of your edits! it's so helpful if I'm going to try it myself!

Photography said...

LOve your photo's that sun set is so pretty. Kitty Paw's letter is lovely :-)

Karli @ The Bonnie 5 said...

Hi Natalie! I just wanted to pop over to get caught up...and I know you're going to get tired of me saying the same thing...but kiddo, your photography has TOTALLY taken off! I'm just like WOA. I'm noticing the vibrant colors (but they're not overdone), the clarity (but not overly sharp) your processing is lovely...and everything is just right. Not too much of one thing, not too little of another. It's just amazing to see how you've grown in your photography journey this past year. Everytime I come by, I'm like "seriously?!!" Really really beautiful job. I truly hope you know I mean that... 100%. VERY impressive!!!

Anne U @ hot coffee mama said...

Great sunset shot, love the pine tree silhouettes. And great moon shot too, very clear and lots of cool details.

Michelle R said...

hehe. I'm so thankful for pop-up comment boxes -- it's so easier to scroll back through to remember what I wanted to say! lol!

First off -- loveyour kitty-paw card! Great perspective and awesome colors! Funny words, too! :)

I figured out what you could do to change up your sunset pics -- plant a few more trees! lol!!

Your moon photo is cool, but I wonder if the flare should be halved liked the moon??? lol! I have no idea! I'm tired and getting punchy tonight I guess!

Have fun getting your new toys!! And enjoying the wonderful weekend weather! Hope your snow disappears soon!!

julie said...

Ah, you will NOT regret Canon!!!! Huge fan :) Your moon shot is AWESOME...will have to try

Anonymous said...

You are so talented, gorgeous shots, all of them!!! The moon shot is out of this world...ha...literally. Love love love the one for Kitty Paw...awwwww!!!

Marie said...

Just gorgeous photos!

And Mister Man looks rather like our Giblet the Thanksgiving Kitten -- adorable, of course :-)

I'm a new follower also.

Mommy2Four said...

What an adoarable card! :)

And congrats on your Canon decision! Do you know what kind you're gonna get? I have a 50D and I LOVE IT! :)

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