16 April 2025

NEW BOOK DAY! (and something funky on a branch)

Look at this little thing. How does something so teeny tiny cost 160 smackers? How? I dunno. I will say though, totally worth the cabbage. So much so that I'll likely get one for my other camera. 

Not today though. 

This is enough money for today.

Plus, I'm saving for a new macro lens. All manual features. Old school style. Cannot wait to play. 

In other news, due to classes, writing the book and exploring the world of flash photography, I'm behind on reading blogs. Sometimes I feel funny about posting a new blog when I've not given time to reading others. That said, I must press on with the learning and also, the once a week post here. 

I have a horrible habit of missing a week of posting and then before I know it, six months have gone by. I don't want to do that this year. I want to keep with at the least one post a week here and one post a week on my class feed.

The goal: Consistency. 

Now onto New Book Day! 

When my teacher said the word composition I didn't know that word. Composition. As a macro photographer, I shoot to explore. As a food photographer, I just shoot what looks pretty to me. When she mentioned composition, I didn't understand. Sometimes I don't know words. That's okay. Because now, I with this book, I get to learn things like weight and other photography wonderfulness.

Speaking of photography wonderfulness, SmoochieFace bought me a used copy of Mastering Composition by Richard Garvey-Williams from Abebooks, based on my teacher's recommendations. 

We love Abebooks. It's a fun little world of bookworm deals. Or, it has been for us. It's our go-to online hunting ground for out-of-print, used and sometimes new, goodies.

And that my lovely Boogerbutts is almost all that's fit to print. Last night was date night but after writing about food, shooting food, taking classes and exploring the outside macro world, I didn't want to actually make any food. So we ordered in and now there's leftovers with my name on them. 

Get in my belly. 

PS: Something funky on a branch. Sooooo fun! 



48 comments:

  1. You are learning so much! Love the photo of the branch.

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    1. OMG. Really am. So fun. Hope you're having a fun week too!

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  2. It sounds like you are having a lot of fun. Good for you!!

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    1. Hey Lori! I am. I love that you got to read outside! That's the best. Today I shot outside most of the day. Was nice.

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  3. Sounds so interesting! I love your branch photo!

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    1. Much thanks, Mari! Wishing you a yummy weekend!

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  4. I've given up using my camera. My mobile takes better photos.

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    1. Hi Ray! That's cool too. Just getting pictures taken is the best! Doesn't matter how.

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  5. Hope you learn a lot from your new book! We've ordered from AbeBooks before and sometimes the used books are actually new.

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    1. I love that you got new when used was ordered. Yeah, we really love it there. So far, no issues.

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  6. A while back when I was first learning about photography I read a lot about composition. It really does make all the difference. I don't use my big girl camera much anymore. These days I'm lazy and just snap pictures with my phone.

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    1. Hey Ann! Your pup looked cute after the spa day. What made you stop using your big girl camera? What kinds of lenses did you enjoy? I'm a prime lens fan. Macro and close-up being where my heart lives.

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  7. Love that lichen.
    And hooray for learning. Each and every day.

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    1. Thank you, Sue! I just heard the name and knew it started with L and for the life of me, could not recall the full Lichen name!

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  8. We should all strive to learn something new every day!

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  9. It's exciting to learn new things! Your class sounds great. Enjoy exploring composition!

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    1. Quite fun indeed, Debra. Are your art classes going?

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  10. You keep learning and I'll keep reading!

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! I saw your photos. Very nice all the horses. Of course, I gotta say, Ivy is my fave of them! lol. The white you wear very, very well.

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  11. You sound busy and you sound that you are loving it!
    Learning can be such fun
    I do like the lichen on the branch, great photograph.

    You take care, and be sure to have a good week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you to you all who knew the name. I remembered it started with an L and the for life of me, that's all I could recall. Found more today when out shooting. I also thought of you the other day when I made parsnip fries/chips in the air fryer. I have some time and temps to work out. They were good. Using a non-potato was loads fun!

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  12. Life is about choices, because there's never enough time to do everything.

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  13. Composition makes all the difference between okay and wonderful photography. Good for you for learning more about it.

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    1. Thanks, Boud. I love that you are making things work with the furniture. That's the way to do it! You rock.

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  14. Hello Ivy...you are one busy lady but I can tell this is what makes you happy and keeps you going. I've always wanted a micro lens..maybe someday! I need a new camera first. Love the details that you get when you capture something so interesting.

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    1. I tell you, if you have a mobile phone, macros are sold for those too. I have one for my old phone. Good price too. Though now a days, many phones have macro mode. Have you checked to see if yours does?

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  15. Camera equipment is crazy expensive , isn't it? Congrats on the new flash. It's exciting. And hope you have some super informative and fun reading. too.

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    1. It sure can be, Erika. I look for deals only no deals on this flash when I bought it. Wishing you a yummy weekend!

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  16. Lichen on the branch there. I know nothing of composition either, maybe I should learn? Can you explain a bit for us?

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    1. Thanks, River. You, Sue and Jan all knew the name and I thank you for that. All I could recall was it started with L. I'll be posting the photography journey along the way! Thanks for stopping in. Happy Weekend.

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  17. How exciting to get new things for our hobbies. I post 2x a week on the same days it keeps me in a rhythm of posting. So if you want to post once a week I would pick a day and not leave it too random.
    Cathy

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    1. Thanks, Cathy for the suggestion. Right now I'm not willing to commit to a set day. I did do that in the past and found it valuable. Right now though, I shoot to have it done by Wednesday or Thursday (ish). Though that doesn't always get to happen.

      I love my new gear! Spent most of the day today outside shooting.

      Wishing you a yummy weekend ahead.

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  18. Love those days with leftovers! Not cooking is always a nice break!

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    1. It's sooooo true, Marie. There's something nice about a night or two off.

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  19. i don't know what the $ 160.00 item is?? i think that is lichen on the branch!!

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    1. Hi Debbie! It's an on-camera flash (that can also be used off-camera). I'm using it for macro outside. Lichen, thank you!

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  20. Hi, Ivy. Thank you so much for your posts on my blog - lovely to hear from you. I have no idea what that gizmo is but it looks intriguing. xx

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    1. Hi Joy! It's an on-camera flash for when I need it for outdoor macro shots.

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  21. I LOVE macro photography...That close shot opens up a brand new world. You see so many new things.
    Have fun and "just shoot you"...
    hugs
    Donna

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    1. Hi Donna. I've always shot macro and close up photography. That's where my heart lives. It's my absolute fave way to shoot using prime lenses. What do you enjoy the most to shoot?

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  22. Well done..always be learning and scoping things out. I love your work and macro is a favorite of mine.
    To answer your question on my blog..yes we did go out for "supper" It was only to In N Out but it was close by and cheaper than most places. Took 2 aspirin and crashed for the evening.
    Sue

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    1. Hey Sue. What a deal you had to go through the ID. Hope it gets there by the deadline.

      Same for me and macro and closeup. Just love it.

      Burger sounds good though, close, cheap and no cooking and cleaning at home. Winner, winner.

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  23. I have always been interested in taking better photos but never took classes. What a great idea to learn more about macro photography. Your blog is always uplifting and fun. I enjoy your posts.

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    1. Hey Judee! The classes are fun. The classes are about lighting and settings. It's a food photography course. She doesn't do macro or teach about how to do any of that. It's more a class on settings, aperture, shutter speed, when to use flash and how to us it to paint with light. Very, very good stuff.

      Do you take photos now? What kind of photography do you enjoy doing?

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  24. Great photo. That is a brilliant shot. Have fun with your new camera gadget.

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    1. Thanks. Nothing like having good solid tools!

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