A dear friend offered me photographic lessons; needless to say I jumped eagerly at the opportunity! I have had SO much fun and am eternally grateful to Moira for teaching me the full capabilities of what my camera has to offer. Only manual mode shooting for me from now on! I still have to work on my technique a bit but have the basics under my belt, now it’s just practice, practice, practice. I thought you may like to see a few of the photos I took for my last weeks homework which was all about using natural light.
Another friend graciously agreed to be my model for the morning. We had loads of fun and there was much hilarity with me telling her not to move a muscle or to drop her chin a morsel, to turn her head just a smidgen to one side or not to move anything but her eyes in one direction or another. We did land up with a few “deer in the headlights” looking shots but also managed to get a few that were good for my homework.
For a bit of fun, I started my day off with a self portrait.
A side lit portrait
A front lit portrait
Portrait using a reflector to reflect light onto the models face
Have a look-see at Moira’s blog to appreciate her fabulous photography. I will be able to take brilliant photographs like that soon too!
The Complete Book 
Beautiful clicks, Mandy. I really like the one using a reflector.
Thanks Angie! I am having loads of fun. Have a super day. 🙂
Very nice pictures!
Hi Armil, welcome and thanks for stopping by and for your lovely compliment. Have a lovely day. 🙂
Lucky you having someone to teach you, I’m a little better after the workshop at the Indaba, but I have more ‘misses’ than hits if you know what I mean?
Moira’s lessons have been absolutely incredible! I know she will be offering lessons from Marchish next year. Alternatively, I could jump on a plane and come spend a day or two with you teaching you what I have learnt. 😉 Have a great day. 🙂 xo
Love that ring with the amber stone btw 🙂
Thanks Sue – got it while we were living in Mauritius, not that I have much of a jewellery collection, but this is definitely one of my favourites. 🙂 xo
Stunning photos my friend you’re a natural 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Aah CCU, you are so kind, thanks honey! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
How wonderful to have a friend teach you photography. There’s so much to to photography and it can never hurt to do a few more courses xx
Must say Charlie, this has been the most wonderful experience and has opened up so much of the photography world for me! Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
What a nice friend to give you lessons…much better than taking a class.
It really has been an awesome experience! Now just to get cracking with some shots to make Moira proud! Have a lovely day Karen. 🙂 xo
Nice lighting on all of those. What a great friend.
Thanks for the lovely compliment Greg. I never realised there was so much to take into consideration before taking a shot! Have a lovely day. 🙂
What a gorgeous model you found, those eyes! and lovely shots, the self portrait is a winner, the gee jaws and the eye.. you are working hard at your craft and it is paying off. i am going to have to stop being so lazy.. c
Aah thanks C! I am still very much a novice and think it will take a while to hone my skills – I am however having a world of fun! 😀 I don’t think you are lazy at all – your photographs are always phenomenal! Have a beautiful farmy day and stay warm. 🙂 xo
Nothing makes me happier than to see great photographs these days. And these are great, Mandy. Bravo!! I love them!! Natural light is wonderful, and you’ve made great use of it in these. Gorgeous!!
Sarah, thank you so much for such a lovely compliment! 😀 Have a beautiful and happy day. 🙂 xo
Wow, Mandy – stunning photos! And I love your new header photo! Very stylish 🙂
Hi Linda, hope you have been well. Thank you for the lovely compliment! Not sure how I managed to get my header to change. Think it should go back to “normal” with the next post. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
Wow, such a great offering from a friend no one can refuse! Your photos look very good. Face looks natural and alive, perfect!
Thanks for the lovely compliment Marina, good to know I am on track. Have a lovely day. 🙂
Mandy,
You. Are. Beautiful.
I LOVE love your new photo above. FAaaabulous.
I need your address when you get a chance.
Kim, you are more than beautiful, thank you! I will send you an email with my address details. I was in a store the other day with my aunt and saw the most exquisite glass shoe ornaments which I would love to send you for Kay’s tree but sadly they are quite heavy and I would be so upset if they broke on route to you! Have a beautiful love filled day. 🙂 xo
How lucky for you to have someone willing and available to give you photography lessons, Mandy! You sure have taken the lessons to heart. These photos are wonderful and I cannot wait to see more. 🙂
Thanks so much John! I cannot believe there is so much to learn about taking a photograph. The bug has definitely bitten hard and I have my camera out at every opportunity! I loved your post today. So great to be able to brag that I know somebody who has met and been blessed by the Pope! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
Mandy! These are beautiful! You’ve got a real talent for portrait photography, I think! I hope you continue to take lessons of some sort.. these look professional! It’s nice, also, to have a hobby other than cooking/baking:D well, sometimes! xx
Aah thanks Smidge! The photography bug has definitely taken up permanent residence with me. 😀 I hope to make Moira proud soon with some great shots. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
Very nice portraits
Thanks very much Raymund! Have a great day. 🙂
Lucky you! I need a new camera before I can have more lessons Mandy 🙂
It has been a fabulous experience Tandy. What camera do you have and what are you wanting to get? 🙂
Mandy I hope you are taking note of what a lovely friend you have, ha ha ha ha ha! As I said before, these are beautiful shots, you are a star pupil, go to the head of the class immediately! Thanks for mentioning my blog on your blog. Mwah! Got the pastry, got the fresh mushies, will report tomorrow on the chicken pie. Mwah! ♥
Ooh head of the class – WOW, think I shall celebrate with a glass of bubbly this evening, thank you very much my special teacher friend! Hope you know I expect pictures of this incredible chicken pie you are making this evening. 🙂 xo
How wonderful to have a friend teach you…and she’s a good teacher, but you have a lot of obvious talent, Mandy! Your pictures are lovely, and I can’t wait to see more. So glad you’re having fun with the camera!
Betsy, thank you so much for such a lovely compliment! I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey to date and am eager to learn more! Have a lovely day. 🙂
Great images Mandy…you’re very fortunate to have a friend that is giving you lessons. Cheers!
Thanks Jed! I am eternally grateful to Moira for her unconditional love in giving me these wonderful lessons. have a super day.:-)
Oh, I miss taking photography classes! Makes me want to get back into it. Your photos are lovely–seems like you’re a natural. 🙂
Caroline, you are too kind, thank you!Hope you get to taking a few more classes soon. Have a lovely day. 🙂
How awesome to have someone to help you. I got a Canon Powershot 40 zoom for my birthday last May & keep meaning to read the manual but of course that never happens. Then I just missed a 1 day class that they were offering at the voctech school which was specifically for automatic cameras with lots of other features . I’m hoping to catch the next one in the spring but in the meantime I’ll have to check out Moira’s blog. Sounds like you’re having fun with it.
Oh Diane, I do hope you get to the next class – it will whet your appetite to want to learn more and more and more. Enjoy your browse around Moira’s blog and have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
I’ve checked Moira’s work… wow beautiful and how nice that you got to learn from her! I wish to take some photography lesson one day too. Portrait seems a lot more difficult than food photography and you did such an amazing job!!!
Moira takes beautiful photographs! I find lighting the most difficult regardless of what I am photographing Nami – it’s been wonderful to learn all that I have from Moira – it helps knowing what to look for and what measures to take to get a good shot. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
You are a very clever, and very gorgeous chick!
Oh you are far too kind dear Tanya, thank you! Have a fabulous weekend. I hope the house projects are coming along nicely. 🙂 xo
I want a friend like yours!!
If you can hang in there a little bit longer Pink, Moira will be offering lessons at very reasonable prices early next year. Have a great day. 🙂