Sunday, May 9, 2010

Cards, Crabs, and a Flash


I hope all of you mothers out there had a wonderful day surrounded by those you love!

I sure had a great day today, from sunrise and counting...well maybe from 9 am anyway since I slept in!  I actually got way more gifts than I expected.  We aren't big present people except for birthdays and Christmas, so when I had 2 boxes to open I was so excited! 

First Mr. Tide bought me a very cool piece of camera equipment, a bounce flash!  A bounce flash allows you to bounce the light off of the ceiling, or almost anywhere, so that your photos are much brighter but don't have that harsh light which is often created when using a flash.  When shooting interiors of homes, or at dimly lit events, having a good bounce flash is critical.  I got the chance to try my new flash out on Saturday (he let me open it early so that I could use it for my two shoots on Saturday) and it made a HUGE difference! 



I took the picture above without using the bounce flash.  You can see how light the area around the window is, but the further you move away from the window the darker the room appears.



Here is the same basic shot, but with the help of the bounce flash the lighting is much more uniform.  Both photos were sharpened using PS Elements and the second one was lightened slightly, but you can see what a difference using a bounce flash can make.  This was such a great present and will make my photo shoots much less dependent upon the weather, and I can now shoot in low light as well as bright light!  *Happy Dance*!!!  Oh, and if you didn't already know (and no, I don't get compensated in ANY way), if you buy camera equipment from B&H Photo in NYC, be sure to do it through Kate, from Chronicles Of A Country Girl so that she can get a little pocket change out of the deal!  She has a button for B&H on her sidebar, that's what Mr. Tide used, and I know Kate greatly appreciates the support!

Today, I was served a yummy breakfast which included pumpernickel toast, bacon, walnuts, and fresh organic strawberries... yum!  And then it was time for me to open the present from my son and daughter!  They both admit that now that I am a blog-a-holic, buying presents for me has gotten a lot easier.  



And they also know what an addiction I have to dishes, so they gave me these gorgeous melamine crab plates from Pottery Barn!!!  I love anything with crabs on it, I'm a native Marylander after all, and these plates are perfect for summer dinners on the back patio overlooking the water eating corn on the cob, fresh peaches, and what else but...crab cakes, of course!  Thanks Bugs and Angelfish!





They also each gave me a beautiful card with the sweetest handwritten messages inside.  They make me tear up every single year, no matter how old the two of them are!  Mr. Tide tried to buy me a card a few weeks ago, but I insisted that he give me a back rub instead, and I think I won out in that deal!

So there you have it, my wonderful Mother's Day 2010, surrounded by the ones I love the most and lavished with presents, good food, and warm wishes, can you really ask for more than that?!

Oh and did you notice that sweet changing table in the "bounce flash" photos above?!  Well I'll be showing you lots more pictures of that darling nursery one day this week!  It is too sweet, and you won't want to miss seeing it!  

Until then my friends, enjoy your week ahead!

21 comments:

  1. What great pressies...love crabs too being a July born Cancerian! No need to say hope you had a great mothers day...you obviously did!

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  2. Wow, you did have a great day. How nice to get that flash that you needed and those great plates perfect for your outdoor dining.

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  3. So glad to see you had a wonderful day, and what great presents. Sounds like your new flash will be getting quite the workout! K xx

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  4. Happy Mothers day!

    Your "before and after" photos make me want a bounce flash!!!

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  5. Sounds like you had a wonderful day, Kat! The bounce flash made such a difference in the photos!

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  6. That bounce flash really makes a difference = a really thoughtful present. And crab plates too : something useful, and something beautiful!

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  7. That is so nice you had a great day, I did as well. Loving your new plates...they will make for a great table scape. Thanks for coming by. Debbie

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  8. Sounds like a perfect day - wonderful family, nice pressies, and yummy food.

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  9. Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day! I can't believe what a difference the bounce flash makes!

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  10. Kat! LUCKY GIRL and MOMMY! I am new to photography and this flash is something I am very pleased to read about. Just wish my b-day and Mother's day hadn't come and gone.... now I'll have to put it on my Christmas list. My oldest gave me a card with the most precious message and I would have been content with just that. To know that you are appreciated really means the world, especially coming from those most precious to us. Thanks for sharing your day with us. xx P&H

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  11. Hi Kat, what a lovely change table, I am looking forward to that. I have never heard of a bounce flash. I have just ordered the book you recommended, so I ma sure it will be coevered in there. Love those practical gifts. My husband bought me a necklace for my birthday. I aksed him if I could trade it in for a new camera as I desperately wanted a digital camera. Not so romantic, but I love it.

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  12. A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm! What a perfect day, and yes, those Mother's Day cards always bring those tears - no matter how old the kids are. My son sent me an e-card with a talking hamster, and I cried when I opened it - can you imagine, a talking hamster! I was wondering if you could help me out with something if you have the time - can you tell me how you place your copyrighted 'Low Tide High Style' on your photos? I really want to begin identifying my photos as belonging to Frog Hollow Farm Girl. Ciao, bella!

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  13. Oh, I definitely noticed the changing table! I cannot wait to see more pictures of the nursery. What a wonderful Mother's Day you had!

    ~ Tracy

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  14. How lovely! I love those dishes, they are so fun and would be perfect for some fabulous Maryland crabcakes.

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  15. Kat, Your photography is beautiful! I love the crab plates...I'll bet my husband would love those. Although, I am not sure I want to hear him pining for MD, especially as it snowed here on Mother's Day. Did I mention the 50 mile an hour winds, knocking down trees and power lines? Upstate NY, (than something I couldn't quite make out) is what I heard!

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  16. I can't believe what a difference that made in the photo. WOW!

    Glad that you had a great day!

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  17. It sounds as if you had a perfect day! So very happy for you. I love those plates...and crab cakes too:)

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  18. Wow, that does make a big difference in the photos! I had never even heard of it before. I saw those crab plates in PB catalog and loved them too. I'm so glad you had a great Mother's Day!
    Brenda

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  19. That bounce flash is something I had never heard of, I'm so glad you share these little tricks of the trade with us, that really makes such a difference! Oh and who wouldn't love those crab plates and cards that make you cry too! Sounds like you had the most wonderful Mother's Day, and the back rub sounds divine as well, great thinking! ~Lili

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  20. You are such a gem to link back to me for the B&H supplies, Kat. That bounce flash is wowza! Your photography has progressed leaps and bounds since I first began reading this blog. Beautiful.

    Can't wait to hear about that gorgeous table, too.

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  21. Looks like you had a wonderful day - love the crab plates...very cool!

    Have a beachy evening...

    Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea

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