Category Archives: Photography

my camera + lenses

Canon Rebel t31 with 18-135mm, 50mm and 40mm lenses

I’ve received quite a few questions lately about the camera and lenses I use for blogging and traveling so I thought I’d share. Let me say first, I am no expert. Most of the functions on this camera might as well be written in Japanese, but I’m having fun learning and snagging tips from other talented bloggers and photographers. So here goes …

camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i. we really love this camera. we’ve had it since August and though we still don’t know what every button means, it’s user-friendly, light, compact and takes phenomenal photos. as an amateur, i find canon in general to be much easier to use than nikon and other brands. i would highly recommend this to novice photogs. the camera comes with a standard “kit lens,” which is an 18-55mm, but we upgraded to an …

18-135mm lens. we needed a zoom lens for sightseeing in Spain so we went or the upgrade. it’s big and a little heavy, but it was exactly what we needed. we’re headed to Iceland in a few weeks, too, and it’ll be our main lens for the trip. for every day shooting though … not so practical. (photos seen here and here and here)

ef 50mm f/1.8 ii. the essential lens for style/food bloggers. hands down. it’s a fixed lens, so you’ll need to stand as close to or as far away from your subject as you want it to appear in the image. it’s great for closeups, blurred backgrounds, outfits, food detail and more. it’s amazing, but not ideal for walking around. bonus: it’s only $110! (photos seen here and here and here)

40mm “pancake” lens. this lens was recommended to me at the IFB Conference last September by photographer Lydia Hudgens. i needed a walking around lens for picnics in the park, city strolls and days with the girls. something light, small enough to fit in my purse (it’s called a pancake lens after all!) and a bit wider than my 50mm. it’s another fixed lens, but i don’t have to get so far away from my subjects, like with the 50. it’s great for detail, too, and i find myself using it for food sometimes. just ask henna, susan and liz. they all bought the lens after hearing me rave about it, too! bonus: it’s only $150! (photos seen here and here and here)

i’d love to know which cameras and lenses you use so let me know in the comments. i’m always on the hunt for new accessories and techniques!

happy snapping!

p.s. i also use my iphone … obviously used to take the photo above. :)

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instalife

photos of life lately according to really risa's instagram account

sooo, sorry for the lack of posting this week. i’m feeling a little tired and a lot uninspired. i need a pause button and some vitamin d. like a needle of sunshine to the bones. i have to work early morning saturday, but i’ve decided to dedicate the rest of the weekend to nothing. nothing but picnics in the park, naps on the grass and movies on the couch. that’s right. hand me a bag of twizzlers, a beach hat and a good book and color me thrilled. capeesh? next week i promise to bring you happiness and cute outfits (because i also did some online shopping this week and the mailman and i are like this). have a great weekend guys! xo

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the sweetest sign of summer

Fig tree leaves in the early morning sunlight

My feelings toward our fig tree have softened a bit since I moved in with Chris a few years ago. For you blog newbies, this gal is a beast. (You can read about her miniskirt-sized poisonous leaves and obnoxious need to take over our lives here.) You see, we live in South Philly and we have this sweet little patio perfect for breakfast al fresco or an afternoon of sunbathing. But no. Never. Not once. Because she won’t share. As in, leaves not an inch for us humans once she’s in full bloom. This “original” fig tree runs this place, folks. Two summers ago we dedicated many sleepless nights to turning her into canned fig preserves to be used as both our wedding favors and table assignments (seen here, recipe post here), since she produces enough figs in a summer to feed our entire neighborhood for a year. Then last summer, in complete and utter rebellion, this bossy thing decided to have a rotten season and deprive us. I woke up Saturday morning and opened the windows in our kitchen to let the cool breeze in when I saw this. Baby buds and bright green itty bitty leaves. And the smell, oh the smell of fresh figs right out your window. The sweetest sign of summer.

Fig tree branches in the early morning light

fig buds on our tree

Fig tree branches against a bright blue sky

Close-up of a tiny fig tree leaf

Fig tree branches

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springtime in the city

Pretty pink magnolia tree in South Philly

So let’s see, this week … I thought we’d had a break-in in our house in the middle of the night but then I realized it was just a ghost who likes to do the dishes. Spring has finally made its way to Philly and I can’t get enough of all the fresh blooms and sweet air. My friend Korin and her cute puppy Ripken are coming this weekend so I’ve been super excited all week. But I hope they don’t mind that I haven’t cleaned in approximately three months. And Friday finally came. At last. Happy weekend!

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lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine

J.Crew red sweater and printed Zara collared top

[mixing prints]

The girls and I had been dying to visit the National Constitution Center for its “American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” exhibit all winter. Ever since our Roaring ’20s party in the fall, you could say we’ve become a bit infatuated with the lifestyle. We carved out a few hours on Saturday and finally made the trip. It was a really fantastic exhibit. We learned The Charleston, got our mug shots taken, studied up on the laws, fashions and key phrases of the decade and took in way more information than we will ever remember. While I highly recommend you visit the exhibit before it jet-sets outta town at the end of April, I do not recommend the audio tour. Talk about information overload. Here are a few pics from the rest of the weekend.

A sign that reads "Don't Marry a Man if He Drinks" at the "American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition" exhibit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia

[apparently there was a whole advertising campaign dedicated to abstaining. another one read "lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine." that was my favorite.]

My husband Chris caught snapping my photo during a photo shoot in old city

[my love. a good sport, always. caught taking ... the photo below!]

Kate Spade Saturday colorful iPhone5 cover

[love my new Kate Spate Saturday iphone case]

Crazy chandelier at the Red Tettemer Ad Agency office in Center City, Philadelphia

[what has boxing gloves, a lunch box and a rocking horse? a crazy, random chandelier at the Red Tettemer Ad Agency office in Center City, obviously!]

Pretty white horse and buggy in Philadelphia's Old City

[pretty white horsie outside brunch in Old City Saturday morning]

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