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She is currently running a series of posts called Project Photography that features interviews with some of the big names of our mama-centric photography world.  Yesterday’s post, for example, was about Tracey Clark, the founder of Shutter Sisters. 

Not only are the interview fascinating, but Ang is hosting daily giveaways.  Good stuff, too!  Photography classes, camera bags and actions, to name a few.  This is the last week of Project Photography, so head on over to enter while it lasts.

I love the look of The Creative Mama too.  The Thesis Theme is always elegant (it’s one of my favorites, actually), but it looks especially nice with Angie’s graphics.

And finally, check out her ebook called Project Photography.  I haven’t read it, but it looks like it will provide valuable and inspirational help for those who aren’t quite comfortable with their cameras.  If you do read it, let me know what you think!

My next post has the details on a Lightroom contest I recently came upon.  I’ve never entered a photography contest before, but this one is right up my alley.

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I found the class through a local university extension program, by the way.

The instructor asked that each student bring in personally compelling photographs .  My classmates brought in some phenomenal examples of historical photographers – meaning photographers who are important photographically.

I had heard of Ansel Adams of course, but the rest were new to me.  I thought you might be interested in seeing some of these amazing photos:

• Robert Doisneau’s Musician in the Rain and Kiss by the Hotel d’Ville
• Edward Steichen’s The Pond – Moonlight and Gloria Swanson
• Lisette Model’s Bather Standing (this one appears in Harper’s Bazaar!)

Now, here’s something to think about.  These artists died before Photoshop was invented.  They pretty much had to get their pix right the first time around.

My first reaction to the Gloria Swanson portrait was “Wow.  Is that a texture?“  I know you all know exactly what I mean. I thought someone added a texture in overlay mode as a new layer in the photoshop file!   That is actually a lace veil that you see.  It was hanging between the camera and her.  Luckily, the class teacher thought by texture I meant some fancy dark-room technique so I didn’t look too silly!  (Not until my class reads this post anyway.)

My next homework assignment:  analyze my personal photographic style by bringing in examples of my “Successful Failures.”  Successful failures are pictures I took that weren’t technically perfect, but that that were nevertheless pleasing to me.  Regardless of anyone else’s opinion.  The point is to define personal photographic styles by examining photos appealing for reasons other than basic technical competence.

Of course, my photo catalog has plenty of failures, and I’m surce I can find some successful mistakes also.  What about you?  I’ve just added a plug-in to my blog that will let you upload images.  Would you like to test it for me?  Do your successful failures tell you anything about your style?

I’m so excited to have a way for you guys to upload your photos to this site, by the way.  It’s about time someone else’s images started appearing here!

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I’ve recently discovered that there is a relatively simple solution to this problem.  It’s called a reflector.  Look at this before and after:

Without reflector:

With reflector:

The lighting in the 2nd image is gorgeous.  Look at that catch light in her right eye.  The reflector allowed me to lower my ISO so I really reduced the corresponding noise level from the first picture.

Now, I’ve read about reflectors before and thought they were way above my photographic skill level.  I figured there was some complicated theory behind their use and that they were as expensive as most photography equipment is.  They’re not expensive.

And as far as the theory goes, well, do you remember as a kid using your watch to catch the sun and reflect its bright light into someone’s eyes?  That is exactly what photographers do with these reflectors.

This is the picture of the reflector I used.  It’s the Westcott 5-in-1 Reflector Kit.

You see the gold flap on the back of the black area?  That piece is essentially a pillow case.  One half is black, or gold if you turn it inside out.  The other side is a white or silver combo.  You would choose among the 4 color options based on the available light and the skin tone of your subject.

The rigid part in the center has a translucent screen called a scrim that is great for blocking direct sunlight if you can’t avoid it.

This reflector folds up like a sunscreen that you put inside your car’s windshield.  It’s probably just over a foot square when folded.  I’ll tell you though, I’m terrible at folding those car screens and I’m no better at folding this one.

From what I hear, this is a pretty simple DIY project.  Especially if you’re not sure you want to buy one.  Get some cardboard and tape white paper, black paper, aluminum foil or gold foil to it.  There’s your reflector.  You might also try using a piece of white styrofoam for the white reflector.

Now, the stand that came with my kit is worthless.  The gentlest of breezes will knock it over, and I’ve got too much to carry to add a sandbag to the mix.  My beautiful and photographically-talented niece held the reflector in the shot above.  She does a much better job than the stand.   And luckily, you can buy it much more cheaply without the stand.  I should have bought this kit instead:

To use it, just position it so that it’s catching the sun and reflecting it back on the darker side of your subject.  That’s it!

Now I know this wasn’t the post I promised about the fastest way ever to adjust contrast, brightness and saturation.  It’s coming, I promise!  Also, have you read the CoffeeShop Free Stuff blog lately?  Rita is holding a contest to spruce up someone’s Blogger blog!  All you have to do is put her button on your blog and post a comment back on her blog.

Rita also dropped a tantalizing hint about a project we are working on together called Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics.  We are both chicks from Texas you know, and we love blogging, photography, Photoshop and free stuff.  Stay tuned for lots of awesome stuff headed your way!  Bock!

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Exposure:  F/10 for 1/6th of a second. 1000 ISO.  On a tripod.

It took me lots of shots to get the right settings on my camera, so I’ll post some of the EXIF data with these shots.  Next year, remind me about this post so that I won’t have to experiment so much with shutter speed!

Exposure:  F/10 for 1/3rd of a second. 1000 ISO.  On a tripod.

I especially like these reflection shots .

 Exposure:  F/10 for 1/3rd of a second. 1000 ISO.  On a tripod.

Back to the daily grind tomorrow.  Everyone have a great week!

If I refer 500 new members to Clickin’ Moms before July 31, I will win a new camera.  This beautiful camera right here:

And one of those 500 new Clickin’ Moms members will win a $150 share of my affiliate commission.

Even if I don’t win the camera, 3 new Clickin’ Moms members who joined from my website will win:

• A 30 minute one-on-one tutorial with me on the photography, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Lightroom topic of your choosing
• Plus, a write-up on my blog, links to your blog and your favorite photo creations posted here

To enter:

• Join Clickin’ Moms from any link on my website.
• EDIT:  Use discount code FRIEND to save 10%.  That’s less than $4 per month for an annual subscription!
• Comment on this post to to let me know you want a chance to win $150.
• At the end of the contest, I will use Random.org to select a winner.

DPM Readers, we are 1/3 of the way there!

If everyone refers 1 or 2 of their friends to sign up via Digital Photography for Moms, I think we can do it!

Aside from a chance at winning $150 and tutorial with, umm, me, here are the benefits of joining Clickin’ Moms:

• A huge forum where you can ask any question about photography, Photoshop, or “going pro” at any time of the day or night.  And you can expect a quick answer, too!
• Inspiration. Beautiful family photographs to browse through.  Many taken by Moms who have become professional photographers.  And many accompanied by tutorials.
• A new group of friends.  Some of whom might be close to you and looking for someone to practice photography with.
• A great source of affiliate income for your blog.  Think about this – anyone who offers their affiliates a Mark II must have a great program!
• Discounts on photography-related products.  Like tutus and cute baby hats.  Oh, and camera supplies too.

Later this week, a new free action.  Here’s a hint.  It’s called “Oh, the Drama.”  Also, the fastest way ever to improve a photo’s lighting and color.  Change brightness, contrast and saturation with no layers or masks at all!  Subscribe to Digital Photography For Moms via email or RSS so that you don’t miss it.

Check out this page of Photoshop Elements tutorials.  There is some good stuff here for advanced PSE users.  Learn how to simulate curves in PSE, skin tone correction, and burning and dodging shortcuts. 

I don’t know much about the author, but I think it is fabulous that he is making all this info available for us.  Thank you Jim!

He has also posted something called a Creative Energy Questionnaire, to help you “delve into your inner photographer.”  Sounds like a good activity for me. 

The questionnaire is available for free self-reflection, or for $99 you can submit it to the photographer who runs the website along with 20 pictures for a Creative Consultation. 

I think I’ll be doing the free version.  Does anyone care to join me?  We can compare results!

This site is definitely making it onto my Best Resources list!

Coming up this weekend is a tutorial on creating a dark and rounded vignette, by reader request.  Subscribe to Digital Photography For Moms via email or RSS so that you don’t miss it.

You probably read my post last week about the contest Clickin’ Moms is holding right now and all the benefits of joining the CM community.  I am bound and determined to win that Canon EOS 5D Mark II!  To encourage everyone to sign up and experience what a great community Clickin’ Moms is, I am running a contest through June 30.

If I win one of the cameras that Clickin’ Moms is giving away, one of my readers will win $150, either via PayPal or a gift card!  Your choice.  But I have to send Clickin’ Moms 500 new members to win that camera.

When signing up at Clickin’ Moms, use discount code FRIEND to save 10%.  That  $5.40 a month or $45 a year.  $150 would pay for your subscription and then some!  Or, it would pay for half of Lightroom!

I am making good progress, but still have a long way to go!

And, if you signed up for Clickin’ Moms on my website any time after May 23, when the contest started, you will be entered also.

Enter for a Chance to Win $150

• Sign up for Clickin’ Moms through this link or through any of the banners on my website.  I won’t get credit unless you click through from Digital Photography for Moms.
• Post a comment on my blog to let me know you signed up and include your Clickin’ Moms user ID
• If you joined sometime between May 24 and today, post a comment and let me know that too.  Don’t forget to include you CM user ID.
• I’ll compare the commnets on my blog to my records from Clickin’ Moms to make sure I have a complete list.
• If I win that camera, I will choose randomly from one of the people who joined Clickin’ Moms through my website between May 24 and June 30.
• That person will win $150 of my Clickin’ Mom earnings!
• Spend lots of time on Clickin’ Moms reading tutorials and posting images and questions.
• Send everyone you can to my website to join Clickin’ Moms.  Remember, people have to sign up through Digital Photography for Moms so that I get credit.  And the more people you send to DPM to sign up, the quicker we’ll get to 500.

Thank you so much for participating!

I learned so much this weekend at the Pixel Fairy Princess photography workshop.  I’ll be sharing some of my favorite new ideas with you all week. 

And I bet that Debbie won’t mind that I’m giving away her secrets.  The most valuable thing by far about taking her classes isn’t the tips, but learning how to make your photos technically correct and beautifully artistic by having an expert stand over your shoulder telling you exactly what and how to shoot.

The starburst effect in this photo is something I’ve been wondering how to do for a long time.  I don’t much care of the composition or content of the picture, but I am so proud of the starburst.  Wouldn’t it be cool to use this technique at Christmas in front of the lit up tree?

The forumla for getting a starburst effect in your photography is easy.  It’s very important that you use a tripod or other flat surface to place your camera on.  A table, newspaper box or street curb all work just as well as a tripod.

• Set your camera to manual.  Don’t be scared.  It’s really easy.  I promise!
• Set the ISO to 100.
• Select the highest aperture number you can – maybe F/22?
• Choose the longest shutter speed your camera has.  It might be around 20 seconds.
• Compose and focus the picture.
• Press the shutter button and move your hand away from your camera.
• Don’t touch the camera again until the long shutter release ends and the picture is recorded.

What do you think?  Practice and send me your results or post them at my Flickr group.  And post questions in the comments if you need help.

Have a good day!  And don’t forget the Clickin’ Moms’s June sale and affiliate contest.  Use discount code FRIEND for 10% of your membership and become an affiliate so that you might win one of the Canon Mark II’s being given away.

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Just imagine what it will look like after a little vignetting and maybe an urban look action or a texture!

I am blogging from the Pixel Fairy Princess photography workshop in Dallas.  The amount of information crammed into my wee little head since Friday night is absolutely amazing.  I am learning so much and getting tons of practice.

Debbie insists that we only shoot in aperture priority mode or, get this, MANUAL.  And after a full day of shooting yesterday, these settings are comfortable for me.  Wow.  She really knows her stuff!

The workshop started Friday night with a long discussion about general photography techniques and we all set our cameras so that they would be ready to go the next morning.  Bright and early on Saturday we started shooting at the Dallas Arboretum.  Our first shots were of flowers, which was a nice way to begin since they don’t move like, say, 4 year olds do.

Debbie spent the morning very patiently teaching us about using natural light in our photography, and she showed us a couple of tricks to get great shots even at high noon or when there are lots of “dapply” shadows.

The afternoon was devoted to shooting a professional model in downtown Dallas using a strobist off camera lighting set up.  And the evening brought us to the West End, where we learned about nighttime photography – both with photography lighting and without.  Debbie showed me how to get a long-exposure shot of street lights that created the starburst effect.  That will be useful at Christmas time!

Today is a crash course in Lightroom, with a little Photoshop thrown in to boot.  Debbie has a new collection of Lightroom Presets available on her website.  I’m hoping to get a sneak peak at them, because her philosophy in releasing these presets is that they have to look good on lots of pictures.  If they don’t help 90% of the pictures she applies them to, she doesn’t consider them “release-worthy.”  Anyone who uses Lightroom presets knows that many preset designers out there aren’t so discriminating.

What a great weekend.  Every waking hour has been dedicated to learning, and I’m already scheming on how I can make it to Debbie’s Pixel Fairy Princess workshop in Chicago.

Stay tuned for some great tidbits that I’ve picked up this weekend, like how to set your focus using a button on the back of your camera.  It’s very handy!

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