Experimenting in Manual

Remember my 27 things before 28 list?  Well, you may recall (but probably not) #11 on that list, learn to shoot manually.  Just to clarify, that's shoot completely in manual with my camera, not a gun.  Anyway, turns out it's not as hard as I thought it was going to be.  I mean, I've got a long way to go, but with a little reading and some experimentation, I was actually able to produce some half-way decent shots.  And here's proof, my first batch of semi-successful manual experimentation shots: 

Naturally Cheesy was my first test subject.  I mean, he's so cute.  I love taking pictures of the guy!

1.)  Read Jane Eyre
2.)  Go to Midpoint Music Festival
3.)  Romantic cabin weekend with Antoine
4.)  Start jogging
5.)  Make at least 4 LP books for Etsy
6.)  Finally watch Casa Blanca and Citizen Kane
7.)  Go camping with Amanda and Aaron
 8.)  Make rainbow cupcakes
9.)  Go canoeing
10.)  Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park
11.)  Learn to shoot photos manually
12.)  Embroider/needlepoint something
13.)  Gather, scan, and print family photos
14.)  Make a miniature book
15.)  Make blueberry jam from scratch
16.)  Have another drunken, long-distance tweeting party
17.)  Make most of the Xmas gifts I give this year
18.)  Get a pedicure this summer
19.)  Try 5 new (or new to me) Cincinnati restaurants: one down, four to go
20.)  Have an unplugged day with Antoine
21.)  Learn to French braid
22.)  Buy yarn from a fancy yarn store
23.)  Blow dry my hair less (doing good so far!)
24.)  Go to the "World's Longest Yard Sale"
25.)  Learn to make latte art
26.)  Plant a better garden
27.)  Hang more of our Rob Jones prints/posters