On Labor Day, Craigslist and Silhouettes

Happy Labor Day!

Thanks to an early-morning plea I put on facebook, I think I finally (at the age of 25) understand what exactly we’re celebrating on this holiday. Click here for a good article that kind of spells it out if you are just as confused as I was.

I was up and at ‘em around 8 this morning. A couple of days ago, I saw a lens attachment that I wanted to try for my 18-55mm lens, so I ordered it and crossed my fingers that it would fit. Well, it didn’t – whoops. On a whim, I posted it on craigslist to see if I could get any hits. Guess what? I did! I was able to sell it and cover the cost of the attachment AND the shipping costs I paid! Bruce and I met the buyer at 10 about 15 minutes away from our apartment and he was thrilled that it fit his camcorder. I was thrilled that I didn’t waste any money on my lack of research when I made the purchase!

Have you all ever used craigslist (to sell or buy) before? This was my first time trying and it was really easy. Now I’m looking around my stuffed apartment and trying to figure out what else I want to sell. Nothing is safe! (Okay, well maybe Bruce and Lilly are …)

On a completely unrelated note, I was going through iPhoto yesterday and thought I would update you on my recent attempt to learn how to shoot silhouettes. We were out in Buckhead on Friday night and I shot the following photo …

I think I’m almost there! It’s not an exact science, though, so it’s kind of difficult to explain. In order to black out the buildings, I need to pick up on the back light, but not enough to light the buildings themselves, so this photo is under-exposed. In order to trick the light, I needed to shoot in manual. Here were my camera settings:

ISO: 800

Shutter Speed: 1/320

F/Stop: 10.0

If my camera had its way, the shutter speed would have been much slower to “properly” expose the photo, which wouldn’t have gotten me the effect I wanted.

I desperately would like to try this out with a sunrise, but my lack-of-morning-person is prohibiting me from allowing that to happen. Maybe once the days get shorter?

I’m off! I know Labor Day is supposed to honor the work we do by taking a break, but I have a LOT to do! I am going to alternate between being chained to my desk working on ordination stuff and picking up around the apartment and doing laundry.

Does anyone have any better plans? Lord, I hope so (for your sake!) …