Springtime Blooms

I'm sorry I've been MIA this week, but I wanted to pop in and participate in the Spring Photo Challenge that Katie over at Bower Power is hosting today.

I thought, what better photo to capture the beauty of Spring, than my favorite image from my trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields! Actually, I don't even think I can call this my favorite, because I really love so many of them. But this one in particular feels so cheerful!

Nikon D3100 - Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm lens

 ISO 200 - f/2.8 - 1/4000

unedited 

Spending an hour walking through the Carlsbad Flower Fields taking photos was one of the most enjoyable afternoons I've had in a while. When Andrew bought me a camera last summer, it reminded me how much I love photography and taking pictures. But my photography class really reinforced that and sparked my desire to learn more, and continue to improve my skills. I really enjoyed challenging myself to use the new lens I borrowed from my Dad at the Flower Fields. I love that it gave me the ability to create a shallow depth of field and have the blurred background that really makes flowers in the foreground pop.

I have a lot to learn still, but I know I've made a lot of progress. Thankfully this blog, participating in photo challenges like this, and weekly linkups with Stephanie will help me continue to learn and develop my photography skills.

If you're stopping by for the first time from the linky party, hello! :) You can see more pictures from my trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields on this post.

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I promise I'll be back tomorrow with an update from my girls weekend and our bridesmaid dress shopping adventures :) It was an amazing weekend with some of my closest and oldest friends! I am so excited Erica's wedding gives us an excuse to hang out so many times over the next few months!

Also, it's 82* in San Francisco today!! And of course, these rare days NEVER fall on a weekend, so I'm stuck in the office :( But I plan to run outside or head to the beach after work and enjoy this beautiful day!