Those who follow me on Instagram and Facebook may have noticed a number of photos with the hashtags #myfamilylens and #voicesof2014. These photos are part of the Olympus Sponsor Challenge that I’m participating through Kidspot Voices of 2014.
The criteria is to publish 3 posts based on certain prompts, with this second one based on ‘Delight’ (You can read my first post from last week here).
Below is also a brief section about the Olympus OM-D E-M10 and how I captured special moments with it.
It had been a temperamental day, weather-wise. But as the afternoon wore on and the puffy, billowing clouds hovered low over, the striking beams that were fighting their way through gave hint that something magical was forming.
It seemed that I wasn’t the only one that picked up on it.
Pulling up into the driveway after picking up the twinions from daycare, Mr Surfer was already out the front waiting for our arrival with the camera in hand.
“It’s going to be a cracker of a sunset. Go! I’ll take care of the boys! You go get some shots!”
Who was I to protest?
As it donned a majestic golden curtain over Sydney Harbour, the sun decided on taking a playfully colourful spin to end the day.
As quick as countless Sydneysiders were to marvel in its spectacular beauty they were even quicker to upload it, dubbing it as the sunset that sent social media sites into meltdown.
But Nature just kept teasing.
“Why this ol’ sunset?” It said casually.
“I’ve been doing it for ages! You just haven’t taken notice lately…”
In subtle, graceful motion, its artistry kept transforming.
From vibrant, luminescent rays of orange…
To dramatic, deep hues of blue, purple and pink.
“You liked that? “ Nature asked seductively.
“How about this, then?”
With my finger permanently sitting on the camera’s shoot button, I suddenly felt humbled.
Do I deserve to witness such beauty? Do I acknowledge it enough? Do I allow myself to simply soak in its delights?
Most of all, is my appreciation even adequate for what this awesome Universe offers?
Just as a spectacular sunset was on rare display that night, the previous night’s performance was it’s warm up.
And the following day’s sunrise was its encore.
And of course, there are the sweet, subtle intervals in between.
Even right in your backyard.
Delight is truly deserved when we remember to give it ample gratitude.
Yet, even when we don’t, Nature relentlessly keeps abundantly providing, generously filling our lives with special moments.
Why does it take the sunset that almost broke the internet to remind us?
About the camera:
Now in the final leg of the #myfamilylens Challenge, I keep surprising myself as to how adventurous I’ve become with my photography!
Besides its portability that I mentioned last week, the built-in Wi-Fi functionality on the Olympus OM-D E-10 has no doubt been one of the other big pluses, allowing me to immediately transfer an image straight from the camera to my iPhone4S with the Olympus Share application.
From there, it’s an instant upload to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or a quick email/text message to a friend.
Sunset Mode (Photo #1)
The more I used this mode during that spectacular sunset, the more stupid crazy excited I got! It was amazing that despite how dark it was getting, it would optimise the sunset rays to make such clear, breathtaking photos!
Pop Art (Photo #2)
The vibrant colours you get from this Art Mode always surprised me! It always seemed to work with what lighting you had so your photo still had a natural touch to it but with the extra colour and depth.
Dramatic Tone (Photos #3 and #6):
This would have to be my favourite Art Mode to use, simply because it gave my photos extra depth. Its functionality is slightly similar to the “Lux” mode but on the Olympus OM-D-EM10, the clarity was incomparable. It was perfect in creating an even dramatic effect with overcast clouds.
Soft Focus (Photo #4)
This Art Mode is a great when you want to soften an image. It’s great for photos that have light directly pointing into the camera as it makes exposure less harsher.
Auto Mode with Vivid Settings (Photos #5 ,#9 and #10)
Loved how I could just set the camera to auto mode but there are still extra settings to give photos a clean, professional finish.
Gentle Sepia (Photo #7)
I loved using this Art Mode for old buildings like lighthouses. It just gave it that extra nostalgic feeling. There are also numerous frames to choose from allowing you to immediately add when taking the photo.
Nature Macro (Photo #8)
This is one of the 24 Scene Modes that automatically sets the camera for you so there’s no need to worry about manually doing it yourself. Perfect for shots of flowers, raindrops on grass, anything that needs extra special detail.
Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT
Josefa @always Josefa says
Gorgeous photos Grace x
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Memory #myfamilylens
Lydia C. Lee says
That sunset is AMAZING – we live in such a beautiful city – it still takes my breath away. Funnily tho, I love that photo with the cannon more…great shot!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Three Cups of Deceit
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Your photos are fantastic! We need to stop more often to appreciate the beauty around us sometimes.
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..How to add colour to a grey bathroom
Ai Sakura says
wow wow wow… these are all such beautiful shots Grace! Absolutely stunning. I think inbuilt wifi is one of the best features a camera can have nowadays. Soooo easy to transfer photos immediately, especially for me who takes forever and waits until my memory card fills up hahah
Ai Sakura recently posted..Letter to my girl #15: You Are My HAPPY! 🙂
Jodi Gibson (JF Gibson Writer) says
Wow! They are amazing photos. Just amazing!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
These photos are stunning Grace x
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..Cherry Ripe Balls
Lee-Anne says
Too exquisite!! Nature’s bounty captured perfectly. 🙂
Lee-Anne recently posted..When I grow up (and some regulation trivia).
Robyn says
I am just LOVING you posts with this camera Grace – fantastic. OMG that sunset was spectacular. I also went straight out to watch it, also with the beautiful bridge. We are just so lucky living here aren’t we xxx
Mandy says
So talented, Grace. I love the pics. Absolutely stunning! x
Mandy recently posted..Mothers Need More Support
Kathy says
JUST WOW Grace and WOW,WOW,WOW Mother Nature/Universe. Your words are almost as beautiful as that sunset. Congrats on becoming a photographer that is up to the challenge of capturing something so magnificent.
Kathy recently posted..Never forget anniversaries
Denyse says
You won that sunset prize Grace… I missed it completely. Glad to see how much the camera is making its impact into your lives and sharing the experiences. Magical stuff! Denyse
Denyse recently posted..Moving On. Part One.
EssentiallyJess says
Beautiful photos Grace. Really beautiful. They deserve to be on a postcard somewhere
EssentiallyJess recently posted..There’s Always Room for Tea and Cakes #IBOT
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me says
Wow. That sunset is something spectacular alright. Very special x
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Me time for dads
Dating Mumma says
So freakin talented lady! Such beautiful pics. Perhaps you could make me a canvas print 😉
Dating Mumma recently posted..Why I write
Sammie says
What amazing photos. Sydney is so photogenic and that sunset is breathtaking. I’ve just bought this camera so loved all the info on the filters. Buying the camera was the easy part, now I just have to learn how to use it!
Twitchy Sharon says
Wonderfully captured Grace but you know what- I’m going to be weird and say as wonderful as sunsets are my firm favourite here is the silver-toned shot of Sydney over the shoulder of the view-finder. Fabulously styled and original, like top-shelf cinematography. Mwah! #teamIBOT
Twitchy Sharon recently posted..There Is Always Art
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
Wow Grace! Your pictures are quite amazing! And the way you linked these pictures with your beautiful words is beautiful.
Rita @ The Crafty Expat recently posted..Interview at Expat Blog
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Simple stunning Grace, I wish I was there to see those. And what LEGE is Mr Surfer! xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Vampire kids, a big moon and a cute doctor – Wordless Wednesday!
WifeSylv says
What beautiful photos!
Spectacular sunsets do make me wonder what I’m usually doing that keeps me from watching them. Really, there should be no excuse to step out and what creation do it’s thing!
WifeSylv recently posted..That time the Minister’s wife’s but caught fire
Peachy Keen Mumma says
These are so incredible. The sky looks golden, hun! WOW! LOVE them! Hello fellow IBOT-er
Emma Fahy Davis says
Stunning pics! I loooove the composition of the one with the cannon!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..Random Happiness
Emily says
Fantastic pics. I’m looking forward to winning one of these cameras at Problogger! (I’ve already asked who I have to bribe to win. It’s mine, all mine! PLEASE!)
Emily recently posted..Children’s book review – August
Julie @ Off to the park says
What a gorgeous sunset Grace, and beautiful photos! Its so nice that you got to capture it in stages x
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..I won’t get this time again
Tegan says
Those pictures are absolutely gorgeous Grace. I love the picture of you at the start too, you look so elegant!
Tegan recently posted..Cutie Pie Wall Stickers Review