FALLING THROUGH NOVEMBER

Let’s all just calm down, take a deep breath, and go pick some apples. Or eat them at least, if — like me — you’re in California and the pros have already picked the orchards dry. It’s that time of year where hectic schedules get even crazier and I jumped at the opportunity to take some time out before plunging into the final few weeks of 2014 (can you even believe it???). Some friends hosted an opportunity for a little hibernation in the adorable NorCal town of Sebastopol the other weekend; while there were neither pumpkins or the ground nor apples in the trees we still made a festive occasion of it (bicycles, hot tubs and firepits really help with this). I picked up apples the normal way from a fruit stand down the road, and while walking back by this meadow at twilight the colors too much for me to resist…

I usually come out ahead in my semi-annual fashion-offs with Buffalo Exchange (meaning I make more money selling my old clothes than they get out of me by selling me new ones). This year, I totally lost. $17 to me, $78 to Buffalo for these boots, crop top, and two sweaters which I definitely did not need but have already worn both at least 10 times each since (so there). A lot of times my outfits are composed at the spur of the moment as I rearrange items in my wardrobe, or play around with fitting a new piece in, but this time I knew exactly what I was going to do with said top and boots as soon as I saw them. I love layering thermals, heavy scarves, sweaters and coats as much as anyone, but for a balmy winter day in California all that’s needed is a flowey top, a summer dress, and some sheer fabric around your legs and neck to make the whole thing work.

The challenge with this photoshoot was keeping up with the rapid loss of light. The sun sets fast at this time of year and it was mostly already behind the trees when we happened across this meadow. Over the 20 minutes or so of the shoot my ISO evolved from around 640 to 1250, with the shutter speed changing up and down depending on whether I was aiming my camera at the light or the shadows. The aperture was wide open at 2.8, and I paid for it by a lot of these images coming out with little to no focus. For this shoot I was lucky enough to barrow MB’s Canon 5D Mark II, which is really a joy to shoot on. If you take your time and get the white balance, aperture, ISO and shutter speed settings just right, these images look amazing just out of the camera with no processing necessary. For my lens I had the 24-70 zoom — also a dream; the quality of light coming through this lens is just beautiful. I would shoot with these two items every time, but for now I just borrow whenever I have the chance…

Are you ready for the holiday season and the final days of 2014? Planning any moments of rest before the end of this year yourself? Let’s hear about it – I LOVE reading your comments! Thanks so much for reading, and until next time stay in touch over at pinterest, twitter, instagram, or facebook.

XO

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