Upping my Photography Game

After owning my current camera for almost a year now, I decided now was the time to up my game and get a new lens that would help me improve my photography. I love landscape and cityscape photography, I especially love whipping out my camera on holiday and taking snaps. Sometimes when taking landscape photo's I want to be more zoomed out or in, but the lens that came with my canon 700d doesn't have a great zoom capability so I decided to pick up one with a bigger range. I went for the Sigma AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro Lens which has an amazing zoom capacity that can get great wide angle shots or really up close ones.

 

Compared to the kit lens the 70-300mm is quite a lot heavier and when taking photos it feels as if my camera is going to tip over! But it is worth it for the amount of zoom you get, although you don't want to use this camera when you're close up as you have to stand pretty far back from your chosen subject for it to focus. This lens comes with both manual and auto focus, like the kit lens, however it doesn't come with a stabilizer, so you will need a steady hand when taking photos or be careful in low light situations and perhaps switch lenses to get the best outcome. If you're like me and enjoy scenic photography this lens will be amazing for you as it can offer a wide angle shot or zoomed in even when you're away from the subject.

 

As you can see the Canon kit lens still gives an great pixel quality image but obviously doesn't zoom in as far, however the focus time of this lens in auto focus is almost instant.



Although both lenses are of a similar quality, as you can see the sigma lens offers a better zoom image whilst keeping with that same quality, whereas normally the higher zoomed you are on an image the more blurred the image can become. The only thing I will say is you do need to stand farther away from the subject in order to get a clear, focussed image with the sigma lens as it takes time to focus.

Makeup Monthly | July

 

In summer I tone done the face makeup and concentrate on enhancing the eyes. A perfect summer eye shadow colour is gold tones, it gives the illusion of a bronze goddess appeal. Gold shades also complement blue eyes and will make your eyes pop.

Products Used
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer '15'
Natural Collection Eye Shadow Duo 'Mocha/Latte'
Sleek Contour Kit 'Light'
Mac Eye Shadow 'All That Glitters'
Smashbox Cream Eye Shadow 'Riches'
Mac Lipstick 'Crème Cup'
Benefit Roller Lash
Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner

In the summer there isn't much more I dislike than being caked in face makeup, I tend to just apply SPF and then add a touch of concealer under my eyes to conceal the dark circles and brighten my complexion. I love the bronze look for the summer months and for that I used the Mac eye shadow in 'All That Glitters', which is a gorgeous shimmery golden shade. To add a bit more definition to my eye look a little tip to keep to a bronze look is to apply bronzer to your crease and outer corner. This is a money saving tip and also gives an amazing finish to the bronze look. I filled in my eye brows how I always do with the Natural Collection eye shadow duo in 'Mocha/Latte'. To complete the look I just added my usual liquid liner and favourite mascara by Benefit that is amazing at lengthening the lashes. The lipstick I chose was Mac's 'Crème Cup' because it's low maintenance and doesn't over power the eyes.

5 Things | Summer Reads

Ah, the summer months are a time where I can finally spend my spare moments doing what I want and not having to worry about school work. Is it the same for you? One way I like to spend my time in the summer is reading. I have always been a keen reader and always try to read half an hour before bed, but in term time I don't have much time. I love nothing more than getting engrossed in a new book and loosing myself in a fictional sense of reality.

Harry Potter (all of them)
I could not justify doing this post and not giving a mention to Harry Potter. Harry Potter is a story I have grown up with and have watched every movie an endless amount of times. I've made it my goal this summer to read every Harry Potter book again as I have finally got my hands on all of the first edition hard covers and why don't you join me?

Black Ice - Becca Fitzpatrick
This book is more a murderous crime read, but it is definitely worth it. In essence it's filled with twist that takes the story in unexpected directions as you attempt to figure out the true ending to the story as you go along. One piece of advice, don't jump to conclusions.

Paper Town's - John Green
This book is going to be the next big summer movie. John Green always manages to beautifully carry out a complicated love affair. I have to say I had quite high hopes for this book since reading The Fault in our Stars and they were most definitely fulfilled. As you progress through the book and follow Quentin along his journey to find himself you feel your self with him on that journey and to an ending that you would not have predicted. Are you living in a paper town?

The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting - Holly Bourne
Set in a typical school scene of the blonde popular girl and the outcasts, this books takes you through a journey of what it takes for Bree to go from a social outcast to in the 'it' group. It covers everything from the 'banter' to the bitchiness of a typical high school. This book sets up the ideals of schools and really defines how status doesn't always mean happiness, it's a book I could not put down.

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
I was slightly sceptical when I picked up this book firstly mostly because of the title, it intrigued me. It was far from what I expected, it's a tender coming of age story that really reflects the true feelings you get as you treck out into the wide world of university. Whilst feeling alone Cath finds a new world to open up to through her writing but will she let anyone else in?

Physical Education

The past weekend I had a weekend away at my caravan with three of my closest friends, we had an amazing time even in the blustery weather, but at least it was nice and sunny. My outfits for when I am up the coast are usually casual and simple mostly because I can go from being in the local town to going out on the boat in a matter of hours, so my outfits need to be versatile. Those versatile outfits usually consist of a plain t shirt, jeans and a pair of trainers not dissimilar from the one featured here.

Top // Topshop
Jeans // Topshop
Shoes // Sole Trader (Nike Free Run 2)
Sunglasses // Dorothy Perkins

This outfit is perfect for the British summer and in a nut shell explains my style. You can never predict the weather in Britain, one minute it can be sunny the next there's a full blown rain storm. A safe option is to go for a pair of basic jeans, that could be spiced up for summer with some distressed denim or coloured denim, and a basic t shirt that will go with any outfit and can be layered if needed. I am always a one for trainers and I always find myself wearing them all year around, they add a sports luxe vibe to the outfit and give a more relaxed feel for a casual look. If you wanted to make this outfit suit a more formal occasion you could add a pair of ballet flats or strappy heels.