43 In Articles

Apples & Oranges

Mom sent me an email and was terribly disappointed she only got to see Rover’s fingers and toes in the last post. Here are some sweet cheeks for her and you.

JM2

When he goes outside in the humidity his hair gets a little crazy.

JM4

I like to think he’s sprouting his wings… being the sweet angel he is.

JM5

I know, I know, he’s Rover one minute and angel the next.

JM9

Regardless of his disposition, I love the little man just the same.

JMandDaddyBW

And guess what other squirrels I love too {besides the one holding him}? The swimming squirrels.

Morgan2

Paiger2

Paiger

These pictures were taken with my 50 mm 1:1.8 lens. While Marla is still stewing over her answers I will answer a few that were aimed towards me. One being, “which lens do you prefer, your wide angle or your 50 mm?” This is a hard question for me to answer because comparing the two lenses is like comparing apples & oranges. They both are wonderful for capturing different things and I find myself often switching between the two. For example, the wide angle is great at capturing wide shots. Imagine that! Both of these were taken with the wide angle.

breakfastinBeD

JMSandPEScrib

In the girl’s room, I was standing ON their beds. In his room I was just a few feet from his crib. It really is amazing how much more you can capture with it. The 50 mm is really a very reasonable lens so if you’re budget conscious I’d suggest you start with it… but then save up for the wide angle because it really is a fabulous lens too. And just like my children, these lenses have different talents, strengths and weaknesses.

I also had the “what software do you use” question pop up a few times. The answer is: I’m still saving up for Photoshop. I currently edit and crop {but rarely crop} my pictures using the Canon software that came in the box with my camera. It is user friendly and so far I’ve been quite pleased with what it has to offer.

I’ve got more photography thougts on my brain but I think I will incorporate more of my thoughts/advice with Marla’s.

In non-photo news, I’ve been cleaning up barf today. Morgan’s under the weather and a terrible shot. I’ll spare you any details. But really it hasn’t been that bad… I think I hate the idea of vomit or perhaps I fear vomit more than I really hate vomit itself. Well, it is pretty nasty, come to think of it, and I did almost vomit myself while cleaning it. So, yes, vomit stinks, and I’ve cleaned up lots of it. Just be so grateful I didn’t take any pictures!

Last but not least, the book from yesterday was published in 1967! Glad to hear of so many Golden Books and Baby Dear fans out there… I knew we had a lot in common.

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  • Katie
    August 5, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Hi Darby, I have never commented, but I just have to ask…I just bought a lap desk like the one your girls have, and I tried to paint her name with a paint pen and stencils. Is there a trick to this?? When I took the stencils off (i had taped them on), they had bled all over the place. Does it just take a lot of practice? Please pass along your advice, I just love the look of yours girls names on them, and am determined to fiqure out how to do this on my daughters!

  • Elizabeth
    August 5, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    I also have the 50mm 1.8 lens and I love it. Since buying it, it's the only lens I tend to use. It takes great photos!

  • erika
    August 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    I could absolutely eat those kids alive. I try to look at them subjectively, but I'm so partial to their precious spirits and dashing good looks I just can't stand it. I'm tempted to drive through this rainstorm just to see them. I'll wait til the puke is gone.
    love you,
    e

  • Ashley
    August 5, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    The pics of the kids are awesome! Oh, those faces!!! I have the Nikon equivalent to the 50 mm and I'm still perfecting the whole focus things. Your faces are much more in focus than mine! I can't wait to see Marla's answers…then again, not sure that I submitted a question! Just want to see what she comes up with! And…you're doing great w/o PS!!!

  • candace
    August 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    oh my goodness – how do you keep from printing out your pictures and then hanging them all around the house. my children are 15 and 13 and one thing i regret is not takng enough photographs of them. your family is beautiful and one of my highlights of my day is reading through your blog. thanks for sharing your life.

  • brynalexandra
    August 5, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    Vomit is the only thing that I fear of being a parent. Well, that and drugs. Two terrible evils!

  • so.chic
    August 5, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    I love looking at your photos! You have such a wonderful talent…and of course precious models:)! Do you take most of your photos on manual or another setting? I just got an SLR camera and am trying to figure it all out…

  • Lydia
    August 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Hey Darby,
    I just wanted to recommend a great photo editing program. I use PhotoFiltre to edit my photos. It is very versatile and user friendly. The best part is that it's free. You can download it at http://www.photofiltre.com.
    Hope Morgan gets better fast!

  • Rachel
    August 5, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I'm captivated by this set with JM. And I love the pic of Paige & JM with one flip-flop on. I'm always extremely confused & baffled as to how it doesn't bother children to walk around with one shoe on! Feel better Morgan!

  • Jennifer
    August 5, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    Your sweet boy is too cute for words in those pictures. My baby boy is four and I STILL want to eat him up most days…enjoy these precious little years, even if his rover-ness wears you out!! 🙂

    The girls are as cute as ever!

  • Melissa Stover
    August 5, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    rover is a LOVE! my boy is a milo. he is such a milo. if you've seen milo and otis, i feel exactly like milo's mom.

    i love my 50 mm but have been wanting a wide angle lens. love your pictures always.

  • mag
    August 5, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Just please dont say that book is an antique, that is the year I was born. My ego thanks you.

  • MyLittleHappyPlace
    August 5, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Oh, thank you, thank you – those answers hit a couple of my questions…BUT I didn't realize your Tamron lens was a wide angle – mine is not (sigh) – 'tis still great, though.
    Have you heard about Gimp software? It is free, and is almost a carbon copy of Photoshop – in fact, I wonder how they get away from some sort of infringement issues…
    So sorry to hear about the yucks, but thank you for sparing us the hi-def images!
    Take Care!

  • Abby Maddox
    August 5, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Yall are just gorgeous. That little man…has got heart-breaker written all over him!

  • Paloma {La Dolce Vita}
    August 5, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Darby, your blog is such a treat between your down-to-earth disposition, fabulous photography skills, and gorgeous children! Thank you for sharing your day to day adventures with us. Hope Morgan feels better soon!

  • Paloma {La Dolce Vita}
    August 5, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    …And P.S., I have been dropping tons of hints to my husband that I'd like a Canon Rebel for my birthday in November because I have been so inspired by your photos. 🙂

  • Devon
    August 5, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    What I'm most amazed at Darby is your ability to capture the emotion of your kids. Their personalities. Each picture is like reading a book. I think that's a pretty amazing talent, my friend.

    Love the pictures and ENVY the camera work!! Your post with your camera hanging around your neck absolutely cracked me up. Practice truly makes perfect.

  • Elizabeth
    August 5, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    vomit is the reason i'm considering not having children…i just don't think i can do it. people tell me it's different with your own children, but i think they might just be telling me that to make me feel better.

  • Love Being a Nonny
    August 5, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Rover. Too cute for words. Seriously. Too cute for words.

  • Amanda
    August 5, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    Gorgeous pics! I've already told my husband he'll be in charge of vomit when we have kids…I can't handle it…I have a severe case of vomit phobia.

  • alyssa
    August 5, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Oh I just want to pinch those sweet, sweet cheeks on that boy! I too thank you for your camera info input. Been wanting to get a lens for my cannon rebel but have no idea where to start…now I know. And, I also love reading about your life. Our kids are all about the same age, give or take a few weeks. But it is always nice to see how others with so many small children live…makes me feel a little more normal!

  • Amanda
    August 5, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    he is yummmy!!!!!!! just like apples and ornages, i am saving for a new camera, i sooo want a canon rebel, one day! feel better morgan!!!

  • Amanda @ Serenity Now
    August 5, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Oh, that baby is just too sweet!!! Those cheeks. 🙂 Hope Morgan is better…vomit is no fun. I always say you're not a mom until you've caught vomit in your hands. :s

  • jordanp
    August 5, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Your children are absolutely adorable! I love your blog and it is the highlight of my day when you post.

  • Jesse
    August 5, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Your kids are just so darn precious! Thanks for your camera perspective. So helpful.

  • Hillary @ The Other Mama
    August 5, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    You are too funny. I'm so glad you didn't get pics of the vomick {what we call it at our house} with your wide angle lens.
    And those shots of Rover/ Angel are adorable! I love those sweet curls!!

  • Liz
    August 6, 2009 at 1:03 am

    Poor Morgan-sending lots of recovery vibes (and less vomit for you!!).

  • Elizabeth
    August 6, 2009 at 6:25 am

    I love the golden books! I think my mom saved all of the good ones for when she has grandchildren to share them with.

  • Sherri D
    August 6, 2009 at 6:54 am

    Your little man is SO beyond precious! And your girls are beautiful too! I love reading about your sweet family.

  • Joy
    August 6, 2009 at 7:23 am

    wow! thank you for that post. i wrote to you after i had surgery and just got my new rebel! i have been playing with it all week and love it although i feel like i am loving driving a porsche at 10 miles and hour as i know it does so much more than how i am using it!

    thanks for the lense info! i love that the 50 is budget friendly and i am so thankful to see what shots you used with what…somehow that makes more sense seing the image it produces!

  • Carrie
    August 6, 2009 at 7:40 am

    I'll have to check out Photofiltre, but also wanted to recommend Gimp (also free) which is very similar to PhotoShop or Aurora ($20) which is easy and intuitive but not totally dumbed down.
    https://www.gimp.org/
    https://www.lightcrafts.com/aurora/

  • Laura
    August 6, 2009 at 11:25 am

    I have photoshop cs4 and photoshop elements. Elements can do most of what I want (if you want a good deal in the wait).

    I have asked this question so I am grateful to have it answered. I was multitasking while reading your blog looking at the lens so I pulled the trigger and bought the 50mm while I save up for the wide angle. Thank you!

  • megan
    August 6, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Again, he is a heartbreaker! I hope Morgan feels better. I think everyone is with you on the vomit; it makes you want to vomit.

  • Shannon
    August 6, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    You're children are so precious! Every picture you post makes me smile. And those wings on John Martin are killing me! My hair did the exact same thing as a kid…and still does to this day.

  • the dowiaks
    August 6, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    darby, thank you for helping me decide to go ahead and get a new lens for my nikon d40. i've been thinking about it for a while so since my birthday is coming up this month i'm going to ask for it. again, your pictures are great! i love them all, especially the fourth one of jm. your family is precious.

    one question: how do you get your girls to look at you for pictures?! my three year old daughter will either turn her head or cover her face EVERY TIME. lets just say i end up taking more of my son but not because i love him more. 🙂

  • Amber
    August 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    Always loving your pics!

  • Susie
    August 6, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    All three of them are so precious!

  • Shannon, EJ and Gabe
    August 7, 2009 at 7:21 am

    I can not believe how big JM is getting (I haven't been on in awhile) He is absolutely beautiful, just like the girls!! I hope your doing well!

  • Maegan
    August 7, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Ok, I'm officially a blogging stalker… I'm in love with JM. My lil girl and JM are just about the same age… I keep on thinking.. wouldn't they be cute together? Seriously. I can see the invitations now… Hornet and Brute (her newest nickname)…. and on a side note- what kind of sewing machine do you use??

  • Kendall Boggs
    August 8, 2009 at 5:21 am

    hey Darbs. Does this constitute advertising? I'm giving my "Blessings" painting away. I want people to go to my blog and tell me what they are thankful for. Anyway, I'll certainly pay for advertising for this! (but you may rather have a painting!) haha!
    loves and hugs girl!
    Kendall
    http://www.kendallboggsfineart.blogspot.com

  • Katie
    August 9, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Darby, You have a great blog and beautiful family. I really love the prints above the crib in your boy's room. Would you mind telling me where you got them? Thanks so much!!
    Katie

  • Sherree
    August 9, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Love all the pictures. After ready your post I went and bought the 50mm lens. Thanks for inspiring me!

  • Nicolle
    August 15, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    May I ask you how to get your pictures so large on your blog. I have asked around but have not had any reply yet. Your photos are great and very inspiring to me!