Atlanta Content Creator Inspiring [life] style

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Lookbook: Fashion in the Valley

Lookbook: Fashion in the Valley

hearts4
hearts3I'm at a point in my lookbook where I'm getting increasingly close to being fed up. Not fed up with my clothes or how I choose to style them (that's an easy fix: buy more clothes, get creative, read blogs). But instead, fed up with my camera.

It is a Canon EOS Rebel XS DSLR. With all those letters there must be something awesome about it that I just have yet to figure out. Don't get me wrong, I totally love the camera and it takes great pictures. But I can't seem to do anything in my power to get it to blur the background!

All I'm asking is for my photos to turn out like the ones on The Sartorialist or my blogging buddy Lee Oliveira--is that too much to ask? Probably. And these photos were taken too early in the day--not at my usual twilight hour--but I just want some background blur or bokeh. I'm on the side of a mountain, people!

hearts1
hearts2Anyway, my hubby, the dogs and I drove over to Lookout Mountain, which is a mountain that I've climbed a few times. This was not a day for climbing though; it was a day for photo shooting. And despite not loving the way these photos came out at least my legs look long. :)

Wearing:
♥ fedora - Henri girl; ♥ hearts top & sunnies - H&M; ♥ shorts - Wetseal; ♥ shoes - F21

What do you think of my look?
Any camera advice?

*Update*
I just got the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, aka the Nifty Fifty lens and I am loving it. I think I will be much happier with my next outfit photos--the lens is amazing!
~~~
And the winner of the 365 Hangers Giveaway is...

giveaway-winnerMel of Modanista Junkie
Congrats!
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59 comments

  1. Hmm...wish I had stuck to my photography classes back in high school, but alas, I think I forgot more than I learned. :P Love the outfit, though! You look so cute! Also, congrats to Mel! :)

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  2. Oh my gosh, I am loving those shoes, hat - hell, the entire outfit is amazing. You make me want to do my own OOTD. :D Though I don't think I own anything fashionable enough to post about haha

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  3. love the pump and the cute love blouse! ^__^ cute !!

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  4. I feel the exact same way about my camera!! I wish I could afford a better one. To be completely honest, I think your photos always come out amazing!

    Yay for me winning!!! Thanks love! :)

    xoxo,
    Mel

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  5. Gorgeous look, darling!
    Love that blouse!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  6. You look awesome showing off those legs!!! I love the browns and the patterned top. The pink belt is an awesome way to add a bold pop of color.


    Diego
    www.howtozipyourfly.com

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  7. I think your photos look great - definitely better than most of mine! And the heart print on your top is adorable.

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  8. i love the pics! the background is so gorgeous :)

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  9. i love your top! and your background is so amazing! =)

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  10. awww your top...is so beautiful!!!! and I really love your shorts...

    Congratulations to the winner :D

    Kisses
    Sweet
    PensandLens
    @mistytewest

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  11. Gorgeous girl! cute hearts top!

    xx
    http://www.thelipstickcandy.com/

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  12. gorgeous, great outfit :) xx

    http://coffeefashionmagazines.blogspot.com

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  13. Cute outfit- perfect for the background! :)

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  14. You look so beautiful, love your style :)
    I also want to buy a new lens for my Canon 550D, not sure which one yet but i want one that takes amazing picures. Now im just using the regular one that comes with it :)

    Love Christine ♥
    http://christineiversen.blogspot.com/

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  15. loving the top and the shorts!

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  16. Wasn't the BMG tee blog concept cute? :)

    Hello to you as well. Are you on Twitter? We should follow each other.

    xx

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  17. I think your photos are great!

    I got an impromptu photo lesson this weekend. I think you might want to try playing around with the FStop on your DSLR. The lower the Fstop, the more blurred the background.
    --Courtney

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  18. You look adorable! Love the entire outfit, especially the top :)

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  19. my bf is the photographer in the relationship, but i noticed there is always a huge difference when he changes a lens. try borrowing lenses from friends to see the effects of different ones before going out and buying a new one.

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  20. I love this look- especially the top! Too cute with the fedora too. Congrats to the winner!

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  21. I know what you need to tinker with to get your photos to blur but I can't remember what it's called and I don't have my camera with my this weekend unfortunately. Love the backdrop though.

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  22. I have an amazing camera BUT I am sure I don't know how to take advantage of it's true potential...in the meantime I edit my photos on picnik.com really helped take my pics to another level. There is a feature on there that allows you to blur/fade the background and chose the area of the pic you want to focus on. Hope it helps.

    Veronica
    @bestofpbconsign

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  23. I am in love with your legs. If I could detach them from your body and stick them on me for a day, I would be super happy.
    ...
    That was a weird thing to say.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  24. You have such a wonderful blog ! I am having problems with my blogger account right now but as soon as they're sorted out I will be back and follow you ;) Kisses

    http://fashionandcookies.blogspot.com/

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  25. I really like your shoes! :)

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  26. My camera drives me mad too - the flash is just either too much or not enough!

    I love this look, your legs look super long indeed. Really cute shorts :)

    Sadie x
    http://whatsadiedid.blogspot.com/

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  27. I want to raid your closet you have the CUTEST stuff! I love that top!

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  28. I'm the worst person to give advice on camera's so I'll leave the others to that. However, I am in love with your outfit from the chic blouse to the killer pumps!

    Eternally yours,
    Stephanie

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  29. Hhahaha, your frustrations w/ your camera was fun to read, lol. Love your top so much, Cheryl.

    Congrats to your winner!!

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  30. Love your halter top- the print is adorable!! So sweet!

    Come follow my blog sweetie :)

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  31. I think your photos are great! All your looks is fab, especially loving the hat!
    xo
    Sada
    http://dressologyhq.blogspot.com

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  32. I think your pictures are fab! And I love your outfit. That heart print is adorable!

    Leia

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  33. I love your look! the top with the hearts is sooo cute!
    photography wise, the first 2 pictures are very good. In the next 2 you look a little bit dark but that's because you're not facing the sun.
    Anna

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  34. Awww... Keep at it. you will get better with more and more pictures. The shorts are adorable, btw. Have a great weekend ahead.

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  35. I seriously LOVE this look on you! :)

    Congratulations to Mel! :)

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  36. Cute top and your legs do look very long! Have a happy weekend dear!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  37. hey, I was just at Lookout Mountain a couple of months ago! haha, just thought I'd let you know... ;) It's beautiful isn't it?
    I love your outfit, especially the shirt and shoes.

    bridget-frances.blogspot.com

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  38. i really like how you styled the blouse, looks really cute with the shorts and those shoes.
    you always find so manny awesome things for less
    i wish i could do that besides thrift stores!

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  39. Hat, gorgeous blouse, shorts and gams that walk into next week. You got 'em all. Nice view! ha ha!

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  40. I love your blouse....hearts are so cute...lovely outfit :)

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  41. I really like your smile!!!! very beautiful location and outfit!

    xx

    Have a nice weekend!!

    www.sickbytrend.com

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  42. love the arizona background!... im a city girl missing a little country! looking forwadr to seeing your next outfit post with your new lenses!!
    xo
    Have a good memorial day weekend!!

    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  43. Love the look, great pattern on the blouse and cute pink belt. When I got my camera (Cannon rebel xsi) I was wondering the same thing. You definitely have to play around with the settings and keep away from the auto feature. But I have a prime lens that I forgot about until now (don't really like it because there's no zoom) but I'm going to try it for my next round of outfit pics to see how I like it. Thanks for reminding me and good luck with the camera- can't wait to see the new pics!

    xx Kara
    Sprinkles in Springs

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  44. Well I think these photos came out great! I love your shirt and the shorts. Very cute outfit. I agree, photography is difficult...sigh. That's why I appreciate the work of people like Lee! xo

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  45. you look so amazing! i love your shorts and your shoes are just out of this world! so cute!

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  46. WOW i def love this outfit!
    super cute tshirt and shorts!!
    nice
    hope you'll follow me so i'll do the same
    xoxo


    Syriously in Fashion
    Facebook

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  47. That is such a cute outfit and I love the shoes!

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  48. You look great! Loving the outfit :D

    Maybe you should look at photoshopping (for the lighting and stuff) cause your camera is pretty good i think

    Adiya
    http://thecornershopng.blogspot.com

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  49. i love the look ^^ I dont think I would wear because I dont wear shorts often lol but i think it looks great on u ^^

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  50. Hon... you need to fiddle with your aperture settings. To create/reduce depth of field aka "blurry background/in focus front subject" you have to have a 'large' aperture... you need to lower your f-number.

    I have a Nikon so I'm not sure about Canon cameras but set your camera to Aperture mode (Mode A), your camera should choose shutter speed for you. Then rotate your command dial to get as large an aperture as possible. eg. f/5.6
    You will need to experiment and you wil also need to play with exposure. Don't worry about metering or anything like that. keep these at auto.

    Your husband takes your photos so get him to press the shutter down halfway to lock focus on you then he can frame the photo 'artistically'... then click all the way to take pic.
    If he knows how to manually focus the camera then that's great too.
    If self clicking then let the camera focus on you and it should automatically 'choose' to focus on you after the first few pics.

    At the momnent it seems that the cam is set to Auto mode with too high exposure and white balance not set.

    Hope that's of some help :)

    Now on to more important things... hot damn!!! Your legs never end!! I love this outfit and I love that top! You look damn sexy honey. As always, your best accessory... your million watt smile... but your legs are giving that smile a run for the money!

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  51. I came over from google groups, I can't wait to see the photos with your new camera!

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  52. Oh my I love your blog and this outfit. New follower!!

    Jackie
    www.eatloveandstyle.blogspot.com

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  53. We also have a Canon Rebel DSLR but with different numbers. I suggest finding a boyfriend who loves fiddling with stuff and have him deal with it. If not get cozy with Photoshop and start researching lenses!

    I like your photos!

    Heather
    http://thestyleconfessions.com/

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  54. im totally love this outfit ! you look so fab dear ;)

    have a great day !!

    The Endless Wishlist

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