Lisa Harrison
Canon Lens Mug Giveaway
Canon Mugs are selling these two great mugs: a 70-200 L f/4 travel thermos (on the left) and a 24-105 travel/coffee cup (on the right). I was able to get my hands on some thanks to an insider tip from a wonderful gal (you know who you are and thank you). They were happy to send them to me, providing I reviewed them on our blog. When I received them, my first thought was “these are really light” but I think that is because I am a Canon user and I know the 70-200, in real life, is anything but, lol. They seem durable and functional and I think any Canon lover would be happy to own one.
We have decided to give them away to 2 lucky Clickinmoms members. If you shoot Nikon, Sony, Olympus or {insert camera here} it’s okay, just dig deep and channel your inner Canon lover and try to win one anyway. If you’re on another team and you just can’t be seen holding a Canon mug, I’m sure Uncle Bob or your Grandmother might like it!
How do you win one?
If you’re not already doing so, follow @clickinmoms on twitter and Twit one thing you love about clickinmoms and include the url for this post.
If you’re not already doing so, follow us on facebook and leave a comment under Kristin’s post about this giveaway and say one thing you love about clickinmoms, you can copy your tweet if you wish but no need for the url.
Once you’ve done both those things, leave a comment here so we know and you will be eligible to win. You have until Midnight Thursday, eastern standard time to do this. Kathryn will choose the winners via random number generator on Friday! Good luck.
If you don’t win one, you can go Canon Mugs and get one of your very own 
Peace.Love.Photography! Lisa xo
The Dreaded “Your camera takes really nice pictures” Comment.
We’ve all heard it at some point of another. We’ve all complained about it. One of our fabulous members did something about it and posted about it on her blog. She agreed to let me share it here, with you! The author is Erin Farrell of Erin Farrell Photography. Follow the link to check out her gorgeous work and Erin, thanks for letting us share!
Imagine that you’re baking dessert for a party. It’s your special recipe: the one everyone asks for. You make it from scratch, of course, never looking at the recipe that you committed to memory so long ago. Sugar, beaten eggs, sift in the flour… you’re crafting something delicious from basic elements. Now you’re at the party and everyone is gushing about your dessert. The flavor! The texture! But most of all you’re being asked, “what kind of oven do you have? It makes great cakes!”
That’s pretty much how a photographer feels when people look at their photos and say, “your camera takes great pictures.”
Of course it’s not the camera that takes great photos, any more than it’s the oven that makes a great dessert. Ovens and cameras are just tools that make our jobs easier. Yes, better equipment does make a difference. I wouldn’t spend thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses if it didn’t. However, you must understand the camera to take advantage of all it can offer. Just because you’re using a professional camera does not mean you are producing professional images.
It’s all about what you know: the technicalities of photography. You have to determine just the right type and direction of light, position your models to take advantage of that light and create a pleasing composition, utilize the correct camera settings (aperture, ISO, etc.) and work with your models to make them feel comfortable. And that’s just the first half! After the photo shoot there is still post-processing to be done.
I decided to do a little experiment. I used my friend’s daughter as my model and brought my brother with me for a mini session. Not at a garden or the beach, but at Houlihan’s Restaurant situated right in the middle of the mall parking lot. (I figured a little challenge never hurt anyone.) I set my camera to auto, handed it over to my brother and sent him off with my model for 10 minutes to see what he could do. When they came back, it was my turn (using my camera on manual, of course). Same camera, same location, same model. The only difference was the person using the camera.
I was anxious to get home and look through them. These are all straight out of the camera, with no processing. You’ll see that there wasn’t a whole lot of thought put into the first set; my brother pretty much stuck the poor girl in front of different trees and snapped away. The exposure isn’t perfect, the color is off in some and the composition is boring.
Non-professional using a professional camera:
Professional using a professional camera:
And just because your session is over, that doesn’t mean the photographer’s work is. Far from it, actually. I carefully go through each image and select the very best. From there, I process each one carefully. Sharpening, smoothing, dodging, burning, cloning, layering… you name it! Most of the images from this session look pretty good right out of the camera, but you can see how just a little processing gives them a bit more “oomph”. :)
After processing my photos, I pulled a couple of my brother’s images into Photoshop to see what I could do with them. It sure did take a lot more work to get his photos looking good!
Even turning a color image into black and white is more complex than it seems. Sure, there is an auto black and white feature in Photoshop, but let’s take a look at the difference of the results between doing that and the way I normally do it. See the difference? The one on the left is very flat and dull-looking. The one on the right has greater depth; there’s a wider range of shades from darkest black to whitest white.
Professional photographers spend so much of our time researching, learning and networking. We have a tendency to live, eat and breathe photography. For instance, even when I’m taking a drive out to visit family, I’m always looking out the window, scanning the horizon, taking mental notes of great places to hold a photo session. And if I happen to drive past a wheat field at sunset? It takes every ounce of willpower not to drag my hungry, tired kids out of the car for an impromptu photo shoot. Professional photographers put all of their passion and knowledge into every wedding, graduation, birthday and family photo session. If expensive tools were all it took, producing great images would be a piece of cake. Amazingly delicious cake, of course.
Bonus Scavenger Hunt Items
For three points:
a video of someone moonwalking (post link to your video)
a video of a man putting lipstick on his lips (post link to your video)
a video of you doing a cartwheel (post link to your video) +
I can’t wait to see these
Win a lifetime membership to Clickinmoms
La Pomme Design and clickinmoms have teamed up.
Head on over to her blog to get a discount code for memberships and read about how you can have a chance to win a lifetime membership or a 1 year membership to clickinmoms.
Her stuff is amazing. You won’t be disappointed you did
Clickinmoms 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt: The Prizes from our amazing vendors!
Are you Playing in the Scavenger Hunt? Check out These Prizes!!!
If you’ve been hanging out on Clickin Moms lately, you know that Clickin Moms’ Second Annual Scavenger Hunt is in full swing! If you’re not playing yet, it’s not too late — so get started!
The Scavenger Hunt runs for the entire month of July, and there are over 200 items on the official list (with everything from a mullet to a polka dot bikini to a triple scoop of ice cream. And do you know where to find a Crokinole Board, a windmill, or a bidet?). The Official List, Rules, and more Info are all located on the Clickin Moms board in the Scavenger Hunt 2010 forum. Bonus items are added intermittently, so be sure to keep an eye on our Blog, Twitter, and Facebook page.
This year, the prizes are better than ever! Vendors are sponsoring Clickin Moms’ Second Annual Scavenger hunt with over $5000 in prizes …
Click on the links below to check out an array of amazing products and services. Remember that you get one point per vendor product (but no more than two points for any given vendor), so be sure to support our sponsoring Vendors yourself!
Members with the ten highest point totals can choose from among the following prize packages (1st place chooses first, 2nd place chooses second, and so on…
* * * * * * * * * *
PRIZE PACKAGE A
Elite site + hosting from CMD ($395 value)
www.creativemotiondesign.com
Full tuition to photoblog101 and a hip slip bag from shootsac ($324 value)
http://www.photoblog101.com
Elegant 4×8 Accordion Book from Jamie Schultz Designs ($20 value)
www.jamieschultzdesigns.com
PRIZE PACKAGE B
One week Mentorship with Melissa Koehler from Melissa Koehler Photography ($300 value)
http://www.melissakoehlerphotography.com
Two $100 gift certificates from The Album Café ($200 value)
http://www.thealbumcafe.com
Custom Designed Logo from ZAG Designs ($150 value)
http://myzagdesigns.com
PRIZE PACKAGE C
$200 gift certificate from The Pink Gnome
www.thepinkgnome.com
A year of free premium services with Portfoliositez or a free individual site to be hosted with a third party ($200 value)
http://www.portfoliositez.com
PreMade Set from MadiLu Designs ($100 value)
http://madiludesigns.blogspot.com/20…emade-set.html
Private PSE Workshop from Everyday Elements ($50 value)
http://everydayelementsonline.com
PRIZE PACKAGE D
Life. Camera. Actions. Sweet Suite from Life Camera Actions ($300 value)
http://www.lifecameraactions.com
Set of Four Posing Guides from willette designs ($200 value)
http://willettedesigns.com
pre-made logo from Kelly Ridgell Designs ($75 value)
http://www.kellyridgelldesigns.com
PRIZE PACKAGE E
Picture Perfect Workflow, both Spritzers sets, and a $125 gift card to the winner from The Photo Professional ($215 value)
http://www.thephotoprofessional.com
20×24 canvas and your choice of an 11×14 Chromaluxe or 11×14 Metal Panel from Pixel2Canvas ($200 value)
www.pixel2canvas.com
$100 gift certificate from LCH Photography and Design
http://www.lchphotography.net/blog
PRIZE PACKAGE F
Lifetime membership to Clickin Moms and a first-run copy of the Clickin Moms book ($250 value)
www.clickinmoms.com (of course!)
$120 gift code from All Things Baby
http://www.allthingsbaby.biz
Triple Set of Presets for Lightroom/ACR from One Willow Boutique ($89 value)
www.onewillowboutique.com
$50 gift certificate to nicholeV’s Flourish Emporium
http://shop.nicholeV.com
PRIZE PACKAGE G
The Lunchbox: all three GET SCHOOLED:SCHOOL PORTRAITURE PRODUCTS from Get Schooled Portaiture ($225 value)
http://getschooledblog.blogspot.com
$200 gift certificate for Florabella Actions & Textures ($200 value)
http://www.florabellacollection.com
$100 gift certificate from Red River Paper
http://www.redriverpaper.com
PRIZE PACKAGE H
Rock the Walls templates (choice of Photoshop or ProSelect) and the Sketchy Collection (borders, cards and storyboards) from life art design shoppe ($275 value)
http://www.lifeartdesign.com
$200 Gift Card (create your own prize package!) from DoodlePrintz
http://www.doodleprintz.com
Wonderland Action Set from Itty Bitty Actions ($99 value)
www.ittybittyactions.com
PRIZE PACKAGE I
$300 gift certificate for M4H Photography Actions from My Four Hens Photography
http://www.my4hensphotography.com
Shootsac with Baroque Cover from Shootsac ($228 value)
http://www.shootsac.com
$75 gift card from Pretty Presets
www.prettypresets.com
PRIZE PACKAGE J
Imagenomic Pro Plugin Suite award from Imagenomic ($300 value)
http://www.imagenomic.com
$200 gift certificate from PhotoFramed
www.photoframed.com
Photo Veils – The Simplicity Collection from Love That Shot ($35 value)
http://lovethatshot.com/play
Follow Us Everywhere!
For exclusive deals, insider news, photographer interviews, announcements, and contests, be sure to connect with us in any way you can. We have lots of good stuff to share, so make sure you hear it!
BONUS Scavenger Hunt Items for July 12th
Scavenger hunt bonus items for July 12 (note: these items may be found and photographed anytime between now and the end of the month— these just add to the big list). If you’d like more information on the scavenger hunt please see the post below this one.
Good luck!!
Someone doing a stag jump
A picture of you in your wedding dress
Yellow Bird *
Honeycomb (real)
Mannequin wearing a hat
Your favorite shirt/top
Bird’s Nest in its original location
Glasses with Fake Nose attached
Your desk
Someone wearing a ski mask
BONUS Scavenger Hunt Items!!!!
As most of you know the Clickinmoms Annual Scavenger Hunt is on! If you don’t know, you are probably asking “what’s this all about?”.
It is for the month of July. The idea is to have fun and shoot more. I think this will also be a fun summer activity for the entire family. The best part is that any skill level can/should play. Here is how it will work:
1) Go to the Scavenger hunt forum here and start a new thread with your user name and real name (below here). This will be your personal thread for posting images of your finds.
2) Read the list of items to find (found in the forums). We will post new items every week or so, but you can find the items anytime from now through July 31st.
3) When you find an item on the list you must take a picture of it next to a sign that says “ClickinMoms.” The sign can be any size (even scratch paper in a pinch), but it must be in the picture (not editied/PS’ed in). Post the image in your thread.
4) You will earn one point for each item you find. There are some bonus items that are worth more. You do not need to find every item. That might be impossible! The people with the top 10 total points win! The top earner will get to pick a prize package first, then the 2nd….great prizes to be won.
If you’re already a member and you’re not participating….get busy If you’re not a member and you want to play, sign up today. It’s not too late. You can use the link in the menu bar above.
Without further ado, here are the BONUS items for July 8th!
Peace.Love.Photography xo
Scavenger Hunt Bonus Items for July 8 (note: these items may be found and photographed anytime between now and the end of the month— these just add to the big list).
A menu written in French
Adult with pigtails
Batting cage
Bonsai Tree
Fencing Mask
Framed Painting more than six feet tall
Guinea pig
Matryoshka doll (lined up)
Mezzaluna knife
Moon Shoes
Mortar & Pestle
Petting Zoo Sign
Make sure you check Clickinmoms Twitter and Facebook page for more bonus items for today!
Finding the light workshop
We are just wrapping up another Clickin’ Moms workshop and wanted to share some pictures taken by our talented participants. Finding The Light 101 was taught by our mentors Beth, Megan and Misti. The class was about learning how to find flattering light in many different lighting situations. The participants were only allowed to use natural light and a reflector. It was so awesome how excited these ladies got over the class. They really pushed themselves and made the most of some pretty challenging weather conditions. Watching their photography blossom over the course of 4 weeks was so exciting. The class will be offered again in July if you missed it the first time around. If you’re not already a member, what are you waiting for? Use the link in the menu bar above and come check us out. Lifetime members get the chance to enroll in all the Clickin’ Moms workshops before anyone else. So why not sign up for a lifetime membership? You won’t regret it!!!
Keep in mind that all these pictures have not been processed in Photoshop.
Week One/Window Light: Alison
Week Two/Open Shade: Katie
Week Three/Backlighting: Jenn
We had a hard time deciding, so we have two for week four.
Week Four/Silhouettes: Dee
Week Four/Silhouettes: Katie
Here is what the participants are saying about Finding The Light 101.
Jenn:
I just finished up my last assignment for this workshop, and I’m really sad about that! I’ve enjoyed it so much that I don’t want it to end! I thought I would share my experience in case anyone else was thinking about taking this particular workshop. For me, this was exactly the instruction I needed. Beth is an awesome teacher. The material she covered in these last four weeks is invaluable! The ability to “Find the Light”, to me, is a #1 priority. Until now, I had no idea EXACTLY what that meant. The way she breaks it down and explains everything is so perfect. She was really good to give example, after example, after example, which is great because I am a visual person! The lessons are fantastic, but the assignments make you get out there and literally Find the Light….not just any light, but the RIGHT light. Everything just makes a lot more sense to me now. I feel so much more confident in my skills. These are lessons that I will come back to time and time again. If you are thinking about signing up, don’t hesitate!
Katie:
Before Finding the Light–I had no idea where to find the light or what to do with it once I had found it! After Finding the Light–I can see great light everywhere! I honestly have no reason to complain that I cannot find ‘good’ light anymore. It is all over! I just have to get out, capture the light, and use it to make beautiful images! Finding the Light opens the door (and windows) to finding the light inside and out. This is the second CM workshop I have taken. I am starting another CM workshop tomorrow. I am convinced that one of the reasons this forum is called ‘Clickin’ Moms’ is because once you get on here and start perusing this great information, things really do start ‘clickin’! Great workshops. . . just another reason to love CM!
Lisa:
I have to jump in and agree — GREAT workshop!! Beth’s lessons were well written & organized, easy to understand and had plenty of visual examples (can you tell I’m a teacher???). Also, each week’s skills built nicely on the prior week’s skills — so I was able to actually *use* what I’d just learned over and over. The CC was invaluable and plentiful! Beth and Megan & Misti were generous about their feedback & I felt I even picked up quite a few other tips in addition! Light is a foundation of great photography. Being able to *see* the light is critical & I feel like I’m in a completely different place now when I’m shooting. CM has really tapped into a great area with their workshops. There is sooooooo much talent on this board I’m so glad there is such generosity in sharing it!
Carrie:
I can’t agree more with the ladies above. I have taken the 101 course and the Finding the Light course. I have learned so much in the last 8 weeks. I NEVER could have done learned this much on my own so quickly. I have 2 little ones and taking courses outside of my house just didn’t work with my schedule right now. I could work on assignments and check out the forums when my babies were sleeping. These 2 courses were more than I could have asked for. I can now “see the light”. Beth, Misti and Megan gave excellent constructive feedback that has allowed me to grow tremendously. If you are sitting on the fence, don’t question it. It is worth every penny.
Barbara:
The lessons are not only good, the cc is too…I am starting to notice more details especially in my photo backgrounds than I ever did before, as well as thinking about angles to the light etc. It is good to be critiqued by pros who really want to help you get better and provide cc with that in mind. Misti, Megan and Beth are awesome, and so is this forum for providing us with the opportunity. A big thank-you to them and the other participants in the class, who took some really amazing photos. Cheers!
Ebony:
I have to second everything that’s been said – this workshop is FANTASTIC. I learned so so much from Beth. I was honestly clueless about Finding the Light, and so frustrated because I knew there was a huge gap in my knowledge, but I just couldn’t find the answers I needed. Heck.. I wasn’t even sure of the questions I was supposed to be asking. So THANK YOU Beth for your wonderful course (and to all your helpers!), I’m so glad I did it.
Photo of the Day: June 28, 2010
We thought it would be nice to share, periodically, photos from Clickinmom members. Today’s pick was taken and shared with us by Natasha of McCarthy Photography. Follow the link to see more of her work. Thanks for sharing with us Natasha, it’s a beautiful shot!
Some “Winning Shots” from Clickin Moms beginner workshop {Round 2}
Our talented mentors Lynne & Misti ran another very successful Beginners Workshop. The workshop was designed for the participants to learn how to get great shots sooc (straight out of camera) without focusing or relying on Photoshop. That said, these are all jpeg images, sooc and shot in manual. Keep in mind most of these gals didn’t even understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO a month ago and had never shot in manual. We chose 5 images from the last assignment (it was very hard to choose as they were all ROCKIN’)! Way to go girls. Your growth is amazing, as are all of you! Lynne and Misti, you are amazing teachers.
More workshops coming up and other exciting stuff! If you’re not already a member, what are you waiting for? Use the link in the menu bar above and come check us out.
Chris/cldavis
Mauigirl1314/Melissa
Angie/tahoegrebe
Shelles/Michelle
1access/Janet
Peace.Love.Photography xo