Wednesday, October 28, 2009

pumpkins, carved



Last year I loved the photos I got while Andrew and I carved pumpkins. And the scrapbook page I made with those shots is one of my all time favs. So, yesterday, when we decided it would be a good day to carve, I had extremely high expectations.

My camera has a mode that will not only take a delayed shot (so I can press the button and then get in the shot), but I can set it to take a series of delayed shots. So, I set my camera to take 10 photos each time I press the button. I put it on a pile of books so it is at just the right height. I push the button, get in the shot and click, click, click, 10 photos are taken.

Now, I want an authentic look to these photos. I want us to be looking at the pumpkins, or each other, or somehow genuinely engaged with the project at hand. But, my camera does whatever it can to distract the boys into, ahem, staring at the camera. Lights are flashing, there are noises that are loud and hypnotizing. So, in these photos I am saying things like "Look at the pumpkin! Don't look at the camera! Can't this just be authentic?!!? I mean, honestly. Just look at the pumpkin!"

Sometimes it's really stressful to have high expectations.

But, we pulled it off. A series of pumpkin carving shots, two carved pumpkins and two semi-scarred-but-will-probably-recover children.






10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love that first shot. You and Andrew look like you are engaged in serious pumpkin-carving work and Isaac is just, well, hypnotized by the camera. So cute! We were supposed to go to a pumpkin painting neighborhood festival Saturday. The whole family was excited about it for a variety of reasons but then it rained. So we might try to squeeze in some carving around rain-delayed birthday celebrations later this week.

Ruth said...

The end result makes it worth it!

Mary said...

Great photos ~ it was worth taking them (great pumpkins too!)

Gennifer said...

Ahh. Hilarious. I mean inspiring. I mean... well, both! (My favorite shot is where your youngest is actually pointing at the camera!)

Maria Ontiveros said...

Great post - my favorite line: "Come on, look authentic!" You have a great sense of humor.
Thanks for sharing.
Rinda

Tara Whalen said...

Cute pumpkins!!!
And I love Andrew's piggies and Issac's smile... but then who wouldn't smile when you can put your hand into a big pile of gooo! =)

debs14 said...

"Don't look at the camera" so why is my favourite shot the one of Isaac pointing at the camera, looking adorable while you and Andrew are being 'Authentic'?!
Fab page!

Melissa Belmonte said...

Cute! We still haven't done our pumpkins...one of the things to add to our to-do list this week.

firefly said...

Great self-portraits in those pumpkin faces. ;)

Linda said...

great photos!! I've scrolled down too and love your city quilt, and your scary apple pie!