Artistic techniques

Today’s blog prompt: What artistic technique do you love but not use often? What artistic technique intimidates you?

Well, are we talking only about scrapbooking or are we talking about any "art"? Can I include photography in this one? I have always loved taking photos and can sit for hours going through photos and the memories they bring back.

So, as to what technique I don't use often, I suppose that would have to be shooting in Manual mode. I have tried it and sometimes I get good results but sometimes I don't. White Balance in particular can cause me problems. I would love to know why things happen and what I'm doing wrong then perhaps I would use Manual mode more often. I recently took an online course on Photography but I still have an awful lot to learn. Up until recently I used a point and shoot camera and I have no problem with that. They did well for me and I have some lovely photos taken with them. However, Jon bought me a digital SLR a couple of years ago for my birthday and I love it. I enjoy playing with it and get such a sense of achievement when I get things right and get a good shot. I want that to happen more often.

As for what intimidates me, I would have to say it's all the extra functions in Photoshop Elements - especially the layers where I don't have a clue what I'm actually doing. I have bought a self help book and am trying to use it to work things out. However, this is one of the areas where I am impatient. I want to be able to do it and I want to be able to do it NOW - not have to learn all the ins and outs first!!

First day of the holidays has been very relaxed. I got up around 6.45am and came down and did 30 minutes on Wii Fit before getting ready for the day. Emily woke around 8 but decided to lie in bed for a while and read. I only popped out briefly to get cat food and a few items of grocery shopping but have spent the rest of the day pottering around the house. I love this weather and in the afternoon Emily and I both sat outside and read our books for a while. Claire spent the day at Groombridge Place for a friend's birthday and Hugh was working the closing shift today.

Looking forward to more of the same over the holidays. I have been thinking of doing the odd day trip seeing as we'll be staying at home this year. If anyone has any ideas for places to go that aren't too far from East Grinstead, West Sussex, please let me know.

xx