12 for 2012 - Solitude is...

Some photography friends of mine have started a 12 for 2012 photography project with me. Each month we will be posting photos that follow a theme. We will also be practicing different techniques. This month's technique is "Embrace the grain."  I typically slow down my shutter speed before raising my ISO when shooting in low light. I've found that this isn't a very good habit. I end up with too many blurred photos. Raising the ISO does produce more grain in a photo, but if used in the right way it can add an artistic feel to the photo. 

Solitude is... 

Reading was one of the first things that came to my mind when I heard the theme for January. Reading is something I love, but I just don't get enough time to do. I often find Makiah sitting off on her own looking at a book. I love that at 3, she will slow down and take time to do this.

These photos were taken next to a window, but I still needed more light. Rather than using my flash, I raised my ISO to 1600. My shutter speed was 1/200 of a second and my aperture was set at f/2.8.

I am excited to have a photo challenge each month. It will be fun to do a personal project and document some of the fun things I do with my family.