A new baby.

Santa brought her a new baby (and a new stroller that Santa and Grandma Bev worked on together).

So I had big plans of uploading the remainder of my Christmas shots today but it's just not looking like it's going to happen.  Too many photos to edit and not enough time to do it in (I think this exact same thing happened last year and I still haven't managed to edit last years Christmas shots yet either).

Oh, and that's inside the new, old house.  I just painted those olive green walls in the background white and then up above the olive green walls, I painted a color that is lighter but similar to the rocking chair you see this shot.  It's looking really pretty.

Ok and to answer some more questions...

1. The yellow cast that you often get indoors is a white balance issue (not a lens issue) and is easy to adjust on your camera (just look in your camera manual).  You can also create custom white balance settings if none of the different white balance settings on your camera are giving you the results you want.  If you shoot RAW, you also have more adaptability with your white balance settings.  It's all something that's covered really thoroughly in my classes.

2. When I do get time to scrapbook, I just choose to scrapbook photos that either make me laugh, stir up a good memory or make the hair on my arms stand up.  If a photo doesn't do one of those things for me, I don't scrapbook it.  I don't scrapbook chronologically and I don't worry about being caught up.  Makes scrapbooking much more fun for me (when I do get the time to do it).

3. Sadly, I haven't recorded any video on my new 5D Mark II camera yet (even if I had, I wouldn't have a clue how to post it on my blog though...I'm not too tech savvy).

4. The house we live in right now (which is where I took the Christmas shots that I posted yesterday) actually has really terrible lighting (the new, old house has wonderful lighting though).  I just made sure the kiddos were facing the window to help illuminate their eyes in the shots I posted.

5. I'm not attending CHA Winter this year.

6. Since I don't use Photoshop Elements, I'm not all that familiar with what actions work with that program (Totally Rad Actions do not work with Elements).  If anyone knows of any good actions that work with Elements, could you please leave that info. in the comments section for those that are looking for good Actions to use with that program?  Much appreciated!

7. I primarily use fixed lenses (even though they don't zoom) when I'm shooting indoors in low light situations.  It's one of those "can't have your cake and eat it too" situations.  There is no single lens that works in every shooting situation and you usually have to be willing to give up something in order to gain something with lenses.  For low light indoor shots, I am usually willing to give up the convenience of shooting with a zoom lens, in order to benefit from the wide aperture that prime/fixed lenses (lenses that don't zoom) offer.

8. I shot the Christmas pictures that I posted yesterday with a 50mm lens which is what I primarily use indoors.

9.  I shot the pictures of the kids out in Jacksonville with Santa with a Canon 24-70mm f2.8 which I use for most of my outdoor, everyday shots (Tamron makes a cheaper version of this lens that is still a good quality lens - it's the 28-75mm f2.8 for about $400).

10. I love talking photography and I am happy to answer any questions that I can.  I just have to limit the questions that I answer due to time constraints (something I was having big problems with a few months back when I found myself spending 2-4 hours a day answering photography questions via email) and also because I can't really be charging my students for all the photography information that I am teaching them if I'm giving that same information to others for free.  Hope everyone understands.

Comments

[Alissa Hall]

Photoshop Elements Actions - try EZ Actions.
http://www.ezactions.com/

I have several of them and enjoy them a lot. Reasonably priced and helpful. Also easy to use for someone who is not super educated in PSE (like me).

[Theresa]

Hi Karen,

She is just a doll. So precious. Love that stroller. I'm sure your new, old house is going to look amazing when you are done renovating it.

I'm so looking forward to taking your Photographer's Workshop (hopefully this year if I can get in). Are you still planning on opening registration for the next sessions on March 2nd? Thanks!!

[shari]

Karen... that photo is just ADORABLE!!! I LOVE the bokeh of the tree lights behind her and the composition. Beautiful photo!!!

[Shelly VanWormer]

Are you going to offer the "A Year in the Making" class kits on your blog. Would love to get my hands on "one of the last classes (or kit) that Karen Russell will be teaching for awhile."
Would love to see more on the house. I love old houses too, and looking at the architecture of those homes give me goosebumps. They have so much character and beauty. I can see why you were so drawn to it.
Thank you, as always, for sharing.

[hanna]

another reccomendation for ezactions.com - they are super easy and service is amazing.

Mindy Butler also has some PSE actions.

http://mindysphotoactions.blogspot.com/

[April]

I hope to one day get a little more out of the 50mm lens when I upgrade to full frame. Love all the photos you've been posting. And it's good too, not worrying on being caught up.. takes the fun out of creating. Have a great day!

[Dina]

Thanks for all of the photography insights. It is always appreciated. Now, if I can only get into your online class.

[Lisa Ceaser]

I just recently had to go from CS2 to Photoshop elements 7. (got a new laptop for Christmas and didn't have the original CS2 disks anymore). I found that coffeeshopphotography.blogspot.com is the BEST. They are FREE and there is a great tutorial about how to set the actions up.

[Michelle]

Nicole Van has some great actions for PSE. I used those and Mindy's before I upgraded to CS4. :)

http://www.actions.nicholev.com/

[Moriah Bettencourt]

Any hope that you'll be opening up your next class to the wait list? Hey, a girl can dream :). I love love love your pics & your blog. I grew up near sort of near you & my mom still lives up there (across the border in California) so I love seeing your local shots :)

[Barbara Zea]

Karen, I think I remember you posting about switching to a Mac. Can you discuss this when you've time? My biggest worry about the switch has been software (especially the Adobe CS) - did you purchase new software? did you upgrade your windows software to apple software? or are you using your windows software w/ your mac? Do you like the switch?
Barbara

[helen w]

am enjoying learning some camera tricks from you. any recommendations where to get help with sports photography (particulary inside a gym)? thanks!

[Melanie]

Can you bring Annie with you to your Florida classes that you are teaching:)? I want to eat her up:) My husband even knows her. I will be talking about her and he says is that the Annie in Oregon? I can't wait to meet you in March. I am so excited.

[erin yamabe]

hi karen,
what a beautiful photo of your daughter with her new doll. the color on the chair is just gorgeous. thanks for talking about colors in your home, i'm always afraid i'll be too bold. we just painted our family/dining room walls two different olive/army greens and am loving it.
happy new year!
erin

[Ann]

Hey Karen....anyway to give your alumni and current students the settings for those pics from yesterday???? PS eagerly awaiting my new Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS :D!!!! Husband tried to get lens for Christmas but got talked into something else for more $$$$ to make long story short--exchanged it for the above!

[Katie]

awww.. Karen.. Annie is such a mini you!! haha!! She's so cute! And when are you actually moving into the new house? Cause i"m getting confused with all this new old house stuff lol!

[~Mi]

I'm looking around for a good photo editing software program, any suggestions? Um, I a PC that wishes to be a mac! I'd use it mostly for my own pics but also do some for others...and just not getting into the editing as I typically say that what comes from the camera is better but...you know, I've gotta try it, right?! Thanks!

[Kim]

Did you ever post about your treadmill/desk? I have searched on your blog for the post and can't seem to locate it. Adorable picture!

[kat-in-texas]

Annie's 'feets' are sooooo cute! What's wrong with the olive green walls? ha.

I downloaded EZ Actions for PSE from polkadotpotato.com along with lots of your brushes. (They're not expensive either).

My computer crashed last weekend and so I'll have to do that all over again.....UGH!!! (husband thinks he can retrieve the info on hard drive....not holding my breath).

Just sad if we lose pictures--but they're backed up at scrapbookpictures.com thanks to your wise counsel, Karen! And sadly didn't have external hard drive either (NOW I DO!!!). Learned the hard way.

[Jodi]

I use Elements, and got a set of great actions from http://bellasactions.blogspot.com/ for only $15.00! Check it out!

[Kristal Jones]

This picture is priceless!

[Brandi]

Thank you again for the little snippets you give on how to achieve such beautiful photos. I along with many others as I see had such a hard time during the holidays with that "yellow" cast. Thank you for the recommendations. I completely understand your reasoning for limiting your information to the public, with having paying students and all, but I do really appreciate the little bits you do give us. Please do a book!!!!!

[Kelly B]

I have to know where you got Annie's baby stroller?? It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. My daughter loves to push pretty much everything in her stroller and I would love to get her one similar to yours. thanks so much!!

[courtney]

www.polkadotpotato.com has photoshop element actions.

[Tonia Borrosch]

Thanks for answering those lens questions Karen-LOVE the shot you posted here. What a doll(yours!, not the toy!). Super shot-and I LOVE the carriage too!