If At First You Don't Succeed ....

Thursday 23 May 2013


.... get a tripod.

I was more than a little impressed with Marlene's Lil L's photography skills. Have a gander here. Not bad for a 7 year old eh? So I thought, let's get my 7 year old Ben in on the act and test out his skills too. Hmmm.


Like his dad, he seems rather focused on my chest.


As you can see. He needs a little more practice. Hopes veritably dashed for my own willing photographer who doesn't roll his eyes when asked to take a photo (yes I'm talking about you - Grumps).

Anyway, I thought I'd give the tripod a go. The tripod I got several months ago, took out of it's box, set it up, played with it for about 10 minutes and then abandoned in the dining room because I'm just plain lazy and it's much easy to take a photo infront of your mirror. I've been doing this mirror photo thing for a year now so I can honestly say, I'm a dab hand at mirror photos. But not so much at the tripod thing. But I gave it a shot and it wasn't all bad. Yes, of course I had to have a bit of a mess around but you would too wouldn't you?

Tentative first photo - posing comes naturally - NOT.                  
It's much easier if you lark around. Ta-dah! 

Yeah baby!

And then the wind picked up ....

and it got windier ....

.... and windier

... and really cold and so I headed back in.


So I have to say, it wasn't too bad. It was in focus. And as you can see from that distance, you can't see the grey's in the hair or the wrinkles. Bonus. Now where is that wide angle lens function on my camera which Marlene is always on about which helps you drop a dress size? And is there another function which helps you grow about a foot? Or am I asking too much here?

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For the beady eyed amongst you, you may have noticed that I seem to have lost my tabs at the top of my page which I seem to have bogged up when trying to set up a link to a new page. It will be back soon. I hope.

Update : It's fixed. Hurrah.



44 comments

  1. Haha, that's awesome. I really hate taking outdoor photos even in my own backyard because I feel a bit of a berk being such a poseur. I get terrified my neighbors (who can actually look into my backyard) will judge me harshly. That being said, your son can only take pictures of your chest because he's probably not tall enough, dad on the other hand... ;-)

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    1. Well the fence that I chose to stand infront of eliminated the possibility of the neighbour peeking over to see what I was doing. But I forgot that to the right of me, the house across can see across. Luckily there was no one out today apart from some workmen probably wondering what that nutty little Chinese woman is doing?

      It does feel very strange and not at all natural to be smiling at a camera with no one behind it. Hence the larking around - helps ease the weirdness!

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  2. Super ace posing - love love love it!
    I can't get my camera to focus on me properly when I use the tripod

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    1. I was quite surprised that they were focused and not more blurry. I got the camera to focus on a wooden knot on the fence, pressed the button and then ran like a mad woman to get to the right place and hoped all was well. I only did it because the Grumps was asking me recently when I was going to use the tripod that I'd bought.

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  3. LOVE LOVE LOVE - so nice to see all of you - including the chest:) Gosh will I need to bring a coat in June? Sitting in the garden in a bikini again today here! Thank goodness the neighbors can't see;)

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    1. I'd bring a coat. No - don't bring a coat - you can buy one here which you will do anyway :o)

      And just rub it in why don't you - bikini schimini. Pah.

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  4. I've went the opposite way to u and stopped using the timer and am now using a mirror as they were never focused properly! Great to see some more of you Sue! Love the mac too!

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    1. Nah - this is not a regular thing. Posing is hard. Pics with no face is easy. If I did full on shots every day, you'd never get a post out of me - not enough pics without a silly face or silly pose on.

      It's much easier in the mirror isn't it? I can see how clear everything is and what is being focused on.

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  5. Love your trench & sandals - where are they from please :) I haven't braved sandals yet its still feels too cold x

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    1. The trench is from your favourite shop Gap and is probably 2-3 years old. It's a cotton one (not a gaberdine) so it's a little more casual and easier to wear (for me). And doesn't drown me.

      And the sandals are the Margot's from Kurt Geiger. I love a seventies sandal. They have a cushy insole too.

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  6. Like the little addition at the top of the page too! ( shop) Exciting! Lovely photos !!

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    1. I was adding the page tab, then I deleted it and then everything disappeared. These things were sent to try us.

      Thanks about the photos but I'm a bit of a stick in the mud - I like the mirror. Point and click.

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  7. Love your outdoor shots Sue,keep them coming!! Your trench is fab also:)
    ~Anne

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    1. Thanks Anne. Two seconds after this, it started to rain. And I went to put on a big fleece and my Uggy slippers. Such is the way of the English weather!

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  8. I'm sorry but your 'Yeah baby' photo has me in stitches Sue (did any of your neighbours see you in action I wonder?) - this would be me you see - so much easier to lark about than properly pose! The photos looks great! I keep meaning to get a tripod (my brother has just got one and he is in love with it!) and try out some outfit posts (with my very limited wardrobe) but think I'm better suited to 'camera in front of face in mirror' for now - much more relaxing. Love the groovy sandals by the way! :)

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    1. Honestly, I'm not good with a camera pointed in my direction - I remember when I met the other girls for a blogger meet up and the camera went my way and I just giggled a lot and couldn't keep a straight face (for more than a second). The tripod wasn't as difficult as I first thought, I'm just not that comfy with full on shots that's all so these will be a bit of a rare occurence. Unless you can handle my bad dance moves poses.

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  9. Haha! My 7 yr old daughter does all my pictures!

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    1. So it's only my 7 year old who can't take a picture?

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  10. Hi there-the perils of finding a regular photographer, hehe! Your son did a great job and like you I have a tripod but am too lazy to use it-great pictures here!!

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    1. It's the whole hoiking the tripod thing outside, setting up and trying not to look a total burk isn't it? And trying to make it look like it's the most natural thing in the world. Impossible!

      Back to the good ol' mirror methinks!

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  11. Ah bless you!! I was scared the tripod was going to blow over by the end of it & so I'm relieved you & the tripod made it in & unscathed out of the wind! I've been thinking of getting one but then you'd have to see my ugly mug & I'd have to do hair n face every day! Nah!! ;) Ax

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    1. And that's the beauty of mirror photos - no one needs to know that it's a veritable dogs dinner above the neckline! My head has spoiled many a good picture you know. Seriously.

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  12. This cheered me up! I love the white tee:)

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  13. Ha! Awesome, truly. Made my day. Have to say though, the little one actually shows a lot of potential. I know it seems like a lot of chest shots, but a couple of those are really great! Yeah baby.

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. Hi Defne. How the devil are you? Are you back from your travels?

      Are you serious about the small man having potential? Or are you winding me up?

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  14. Oh Sue, you have cheered me up so much tonight. What an absolute hilarious post - love the line about him focussing on your chest! I find if I say 'make sure you can see mummy's feet and mummy's head - can't you see both?' continually, I generally get an ok shot!
    But actually, after seeing those tripod shots, I want more - they are priceless. You are a natural. Ditch the Grumps :) x

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    1. I never thought to ask him how much of me he could see - I was just hoping that there was some of me in them and there was - my chest. The best one he took was of the ground - a lovely shot of the tarmac.

      I'm sure the Grumps would be more than happy to relinquish the photographer title to a tripod. I don't think he ever aspired to being my own personal David Bailey.

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  15. I love those flowers creeping over the fence behind you. The photo series is hilarious.

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    1. Thank you. A bit bonkers but that's how it was. Love your little blog (more happy reading for me)!

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  16. Great pictures which have me wondering, is it only my family who are completely crap at taking pictures?

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    1. Well I had to resort to the tripod didn't I? Nah - I think there's an art to picture taking and I know it doesn't run in my family.

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  17. Sue, I love these photos so much more than the mirror ones. Keep doing them, pretty please. :D
    Also, love that trench. Where is it from?

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    1. Trench - from Gap but a couple of years back. In the sale. Last one. Had my name on it. Sort of.

      I'm not sure about the tripod thing but I have to say it was easier than asking anyone out of my family!

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  18. Hahahaha, you are adorable. There turned out great! I always use a tripod as well, the poor boyfriend is not only bad at taking photos of me but he is also terrified. I have very little understanding for his severe lack of understanding when it comes to composition, and I might sometimes get a bit mean about it. Maybe. I also don't understand why it is so hard to FILL THE FRAME OMG! I don't HAVE to look like an ant in every photo!

    Rant over ;)

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    1. Aaahhh. I think I understand. The grumps does try with taking pictures - like the details of shoes and bags and such like to replicate my style but it seems to come out a little strange and it seems bad when I don't use any of them so I've kind of given up asking. I have no camera expertise so can't tell anyone else what to do. He doesn't read fashion mags or blogs to understand what I might actually want in a photo so I've resigned myself to the fact, it's really me and my mirror. Love that Ikea mirror. Never realised how much use I was going to get out of it when I bought it. And I had a boyfriend once who was terrified of me when he said I got rather intense when I was decorating and things weren't "quite right". He just got out of the house pretty pronto till I'd "got it right" 3 tins of paint later.

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  19. Ha ha... I love the 'yeah baby' shot! Seriously you really take some damn good shots with a tripod! And little Ben's attempts are pretty good first time behind a camera. Give him a little bit longer and he will be a pro. Little L's skills are insane. I thought the same. I might have to hire her when I'm in the UK :)

    - Mandi
    Find Me A Muse

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    1. Lil L's skills are seriously rocking aren't they. Obviously inherited from her mother. The tripod wasn't as difficult to set up as I first imagined but I know I'm a bit of a lazy moo and sometimes I think my blog wouldn't be the same if it wasn't me prancing in front of a mirror but at least I know I can have a change when I feel like it.

      Are you coming over to the UK then?

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  20. Too funny! Who do you think take my photos? Yep, my 3 little ones do in turns though the novelty has long worn off. My youngest, at 8 yrs old is the best height for me, other 2 are getting too tall now and don't even mention their Dad!

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    1. My problem with George is he's quite low down and with him looking up - my lower half looks huge(r). Also he has a tendency to stick his finger over the lens. Ben's efforts - you've seen. And Dad ... you know about Dad!

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  21. Mwahahahahaha.....You really crack me up, Sue! Suffice to say, the men in your life are obsessed with your chest. Those poses are hilarious. I can't help myself. I kept paging up and down for another look and just about fell off my chair laughing.

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    1. I can't pose for toffee - hats off to all models and aspiring models out there and all those people who can look half normal infront of a camera because I know I'm definitely not one of them.

      Anyway, where is that 1ft taller setting on the camera?

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  22. you are so cuteeeeee! and that's a gorgeous.. backyard? maybe get ben to stand on a crate or something? i love getting kids involved in these 'creative endeavours' - hehe. i have a remote control for my camera which i used to set up on my tripod but the new apartment doesn't really give me much space to take photos at home so my poor boyfriend has to do all the photo taking!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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  23. Love this post! So adorable and the caption cracks me up. :D

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Susie So So