So I know it has been a long time since I asked you guys to help with this. (Sorry!) It is a self paced course and at this rate I may never finish it. LOL!

So here is the first one I entered. It is supposed to show distance.
I am aware of the spot on my lens in the right hand corner and would normally take it out when I'm editing but due to the course I cannot edit my assignments. No matter how many times I tried I still would end up with something on my lens. It is SO dry and and dusty in that location... This next photo was supposed to bring the focus only to the subject using a shallow depth of field.

Using shutter speed I was supposed to show speed.

Let me know what you think!

Philadelphia Zoo

The animals were active the day I was there.  I think all the animals were out and about.  SO MUCH FUN!! 

"Baby Giraffe"

My niece Marietta

"Strutting the Colors"

 Let me know what you think.

My New & Exciting things

"Springtime Robin"

What am I up to? 
I work part time at a local grocery store, Dutch-Way Farm Market.  As a cashier and at the customer service desk.
My newest excitement is that I was recently given a DSlr.  Yes, you read that correctly, I am now the proud possessor of a Nikon D60, and two lenses.  You may or may not remember that I was previously using a film camera, it took great pictures but was a money drain.  Till I bought the film, took the pictures, then developed them, I couldn't really afford taking too many pictures.  To say the least, I'm enjoying shooting away!
Best of shooting,
Julia

Need some help.....

Hey everyone! I know it has been forever since I posted last. I was wondering if I could get all of you to give me a hand. I have recently enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography and it requires me to send in photos after each lesson to be critiqued. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me what you think of them before I send them in. I haven't gotten to the point where I have to send any in yet but I should be there soon enough.

I would love to see some pictures if any of you ever get a chance to post! Maybe a little update on changes in your life would be fun to add too!

I will start...

I'm working as a full time Paramedic in a small town in WI. I love every minute of my job! Ok, I guess maybe not EVERY minute but I really do enjoy doing my best to help people in their time of need. I am SUPER excited to soon be getting trained in rope and high angle rescue as there are quite a few rock formations and cliffs in the area that I work. I recently had a chance to spend some time overseas visiting family and had a wonderful time taking lots of pictures and learning about far away places.

Hope everyone is having the bestest of days! :)

Esther Vande Hei