PHOTOGRAPHY: capturing the little moments

There's been plenty over the blogosphere recently about picture taking and how to capture a fleeting moment perfectly. This man is conquering the world with his beautiful photography and sought after masterclass, and this lady has written so eloquently (as she always does) about what she's learnt from Tim and a lot of practice. Not only have their posts about taking pictures contained some very helpful information, but the comments and replies have also been packed with some golden nuggets of advice. Since reading all of this, and seeing how well it all works in the ever so pretty pictures, I've been inspired to go a step further in learning how to use my Canon 500D better.

When I first got my camera 18 months ago I shot everything on auto, too scared was I to twist the dial and press the buttons. I then found this sheet about a year ago and suddenly it all seemed a little less intimidating. Before long I could see a definite improvement in the photos I was taking.

And then I had a baby. And while having a baby gives you the cutest model to shoot, and new and exciting developments to capture everyday, it doesn't give you much time to do things like play with your camera. So while I was now shooting on manual, it was with limited knowledge and I was having to take a lot of pictures to get just one I loved.

Over the last few days, with Phiney sitting so confidently and happy to play with her books for chunks of time on her own, I've looked at that sheet again, read and re-read those posts and put into practice the advice they've offered. On Thursday I decided to take photographs of the things Phiney and I do most afternoons. To practice capturing the little moments that we never want to forget. To get used to the idea that Phiney doesn't have to be looking at the camera, or paying any attention to me at all, to find a connection between her and the picture I take. After all, these are the details that I imagine will differ between each of our children - how they play, their little mannerisms, what they'll find more funny anything; making them extra special.

Apologies for the huge amounts of pictures below, but I'm feeling pleased with how they turned out. I think I'm improving getting the composition right (kin of) and that I'm starting to capturing the expressions and fleeting moments that are so special to us. I've still got a lot to learn, but I think that's part of the fun so I'm happy to keep practising and shooting hundreds of photos a day. Until Mr Coulson is UK bound and I can attend The Nursery, of course.

A little playtime before Mama has a shower, occupied as ever chatting to the baby in the mirror while I get ready in the bedroom, the joy of Papa coming home from work and the sleepy, post bath floor time before bed.